Giving Money to Haiti

Last updated on: February 2, 2010 at 10:06 am by Amy Julia Becker

Giving Money to Haiti 2010-02-02T10:06:00-05:00 Amy Julia Becker

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Peter and I, like many Americans, have talked a lot about Haiti recently. We’ve wondered what we can do to help. And the answer is pretty obvious: pray, and give money. The prayer part I know how to do (which doesn’t mean I’m particularly faithful in doing it). The money part is a little more challenging. With thousands of institutions offering aid to Haitians, where do we send money?

Our conversation made me think about the Greek word that is often used in the Gospels to describe Jesus. In most English Bibles, this word is usually translated “Savior,” which makes us think it is a spiritual term. But the word, soter, could just as easily be translated “Healer.” Similarly, whenever the Bible reports Jesus telling someone, “Your faith has saved you,” it could read, “Your faith has healed you.” Salvation and healing are one and the same, or at least so intimately related to one another that the language didn’t distinguish between the two.

Now, I am not in any way saying that I want to send preachers to Haiti to tell people about Jesus as their medical and physical needs go unaddressed. And yet I would love for people in Haiti to be treated as whole persons, with physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs. I would love for them to experience healing-salvation, a restoration to health for the whole person and the whole community.

As to the question of where we’ll send our money? I brought it up with a group of friends from church last night. Some recommended Partners in Health (and I also recommend the book, Mountains Beyond Mountains, by Tracy Kidder, for anyone who wants to learn more). Others World Vision. One friend said, “All things being equal, that is, assuming that a specifically Christian organization is doing an equally effective and excellent job as a non-religious one, I’d give my money to the Christian organization.” He recommended Cross World and World Relief. I tend to agree, again, not with hopes for proselytizing in the streets, but with hopes that a Christian doctor would not only perform an amputation, but also pray for her patient. So, the check is going in the mail, and I will continue to pray for the healing-salvation of individuals, families, and the nation of Haiti.

Uncategorized

Previous Post

February 1, 2010

"Remember the Poor"

Next Post

February 3, 2010 Book Reading at Yale and an Article worth Reading

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Articles Books Disability Down Syndrome Faith family Perfectly Human Uncategorized

Select a Month February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 September 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz