New Orleans

My beloved country. I cry for your heartbreak. I mourn your loss. I celebrate that some are saved and I mourn for those lost. I yearn for love and care to be shared to every hurting person involved in this tragedy. Hurricane Katrina.

The news coverage I've seen is just heartbreaking. Now there is violence breaking out, people stealing guns and shooting at the relief workers! It's interesting that the reporters are not making the shooters out to be bad...in fact they are saying these people are just reacting out of anger and frustration from their experience. It will be very interesting to me to see how the rest of the world responds to our pain. The US has helped so many people around the world...I hope people come to our rescue now. I heard that Israel will be sending doctors and people to build make-shift hospitals. I haven't heard anything else in terms of international help.

The people in New Orleans are suffering so much...babies and old people who have been staying in the Superdome are literally dying due to lack of food and water! It's ridiculous! Over 90 people have been arrested for looting. It is going to get much worse before it gets better. President Bush just spoke on tv to assure the American people that help is on the way, but none of the victims heard it because there are no tv's to watch on the streets! the word is not getting to the people who need to hear it the most.

I am praying for quick relief for the victims and patience, love and peace for the relief workers. it's got to be tough to deal with so much sadness and death. I will go light a candle today at my favorite church, St. James, for all involved there.

A disaster like this makes me love my country as it moans with grief. I just wish I could go and help. Relief work has always been something I have wanted to do. I have a friend who left two days ago to help...she is part of an organization that does that kind of work.

I will pray and do whatever I can to help. I will pray for angels to minister and for the Lord to wipe every tear and hold each person who suffers. I am reminded of how much we need eachother. I am reminded of how suffering is often a place from which we learn how valuable life is and how important the Life Giver is to us.

If you want to make a donation, please click on the address below to find out how you can help. It is a listing of various organizations offering help to the victims:

http://www.microsoft.com/mscorp/citizenship/giving/relief.asp