Surviving Katrina, pt. 2

The question now is and must be 'What do we do from here?'

Just hours after the storm accusations were being unfurled of negligence, incompetence, racism. The mayor of New Orleans spent his time berating the federal government and news programs set up debates amongst experts as to the truth of these ugly charges. But this is not the time for such things.

People are still trapped and dying in New Orleans and other hurricane swept cities. Refugees still do not have enough food, clean water, shelter, medical care. Whether or not racism contributed to such a state - or government negligence, or Bush's lack of leadership - the catastrophe still remains to be dealt with. These questions are important and can be addressed soon, but for now we must keep focussed on the disaster at hand.

Now is the time for active compassion, persistent solidarity - put shortly, now is the time for work. Talk must wait.

To that end I will post here, and hopefully add to later, a list of ways that you can help the people of those affected areas. And by all means, if you have further ideas share them here.

PRAY - God is sovereign and this hurricane is well known to Him - as are the pains and needs of each person affected. If we want what is best for them, it's best to ask the One in control. Here are some topics to consider for prayer:

• Ask God to have mercy on the sick and injured.
• Pray for God's grace - His loving generosity - to burst forth from the church in America, and that by such a showing many will see the truth of the Gospel.
• Ask that God provides all that is needed for effective relief of affected people.
• Pray that God's reputation in America is made better, more true, by the hurricane and the relief.

DONATE - This relief effort is going to take a lot of money. If you remember the totals from the tsunami in Southeast Asia then you understand what a town can cost, and those towns consisted largely of huts and trees. We're talking New Orleans, here. Moreover, for the next few weeks, perhaps months, there will be great need for the necessities of life - food, water, medical care - and these for thousands upon thousands of people. Again, it will cost money. Below is a list of reputable organizations through whom you can donate to the relief effort.

• Red Cross - providing various emergency assistance
• Salvation Army - distributing food, water, and clean-up kits
• World Vision - distributing emergency supplies to displaced families
• Food for the Hungry - distributing aid packages
• Habitat for Humanity - will be rebuilding homes when the time comes
• Children's Hunger Fund - Works through the local church in relief efforts
• Church World Service - short-term assistance and long-term planning
• America's Second Harvest - Dispensing food to victims of the hurricane
• Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund - working with state governments in relief efforts

VOLUNTEER - The injured must be pulled from the rubble by human arms, care packages must be distributed by human hands, the grief stricken will be held in human arms, cleanup and rebuilding will be done with human hands. It's going to take a lot of hands. Below is a list of organizations through which you can volunteer your time with the relief effort.

• Salvation Army - Use this link to find your local Salvation Army and ask them about volunteering.
• Red Cross - Follow this link to find your local chapter. They are providing training and sending volunteers immediately.
• Habitat for Humanity - Sign up now, and when Habitat needs you they'll let you know.
• Freedom Corps - Visit this site in the coming months to find volunteer opportunities
• Volunteers of America - Find a volunteer opportunity near you.
• NVOAD - For more options, check this list of volunteer organizations throughout America.

HELP IN YOUR WAY - What I mean by this is examine your resources, your talents, your affiliations and create ways to help. Example: I work at REI, a store known for travel and adventure. They are giving a 10% discount to those government employees who are affiliated with the relief effort and need to buy travel and adventure gear. It's not much, but it helps in some small way. If you are a business owner or manager, consider a similar discount, or donating goods or services, working with contacts in other businesses to organize a clothing drive or fund raiser. If you attend a church act as an advocate for the relief effort amongst your fellow churchgoers. There is much help needed. Do anything that you can.