God, Be Their Shelter

I hear the prediction of tropical storm Isaac forecast to become a hurricane by Friday as it nears the coast of Hispaniola, the island shared by the Dominican Republic and my heart’s cherished homeland, Haiti.  Then just behind Isaac is a tropical wave forming that could very well become hurricane Joyce and threaten Haiti 4-5 days after Isaac hits.  Pain crushes my heart at the sound of this news and I have to search deep for that mustard seed-sized faith I know exists.  Even without the prediction of hurricanes the oppression and poverty that swallows our Haitian sisters and brothers is like a constant storm raging fierce every day.  All of the news reports are obsessed with how Isaac poses a possible threat to Florida during next week’s Republican National Convention in Tampa but what about the people living in flood-prone Haiti where infrastructure is dilapidated and not sufficient to provide adequate refuge for them if the storm were to pass over them?  Is our fancy advanced technology that predicts hurricanes of any value to the poor?  Is it cruel to warn a vulnerable and defenseless people the raging storms are headed straight towards them when they are trapped in their poverty with no way to protect themselves?  Are we not just telling them to stare their predicted tragedy in the face and see what happens?  Why does the suffering pile high upon suffering?  When will it end?  My soul cries out for a season of relief from the agony and pain that defines the lives of those I love so deep.  Jesus, where are You?

All I know to do in this moment is follow in the steps of the least of these.  They are helpless, without defense, watching the storm track their way...their only response is to call on our mighty God.  I call out with them.  Will you let your heart stir with compassion for the suffering in Haiti? 

Oh God, I believe You are able to divert the storm away from my precious loved ones in Haiti.  How can Leon, Lenel, Simeon, and Oldo’s mud hut withstand a hurricane?  

Even Pastor Nahum and his orphans, living in a cinder block home with a detached sheet metal roof…Lord, how will they endure a hurricane?  

Hear me crying out for them.  God, You know they don’t have a strong physical refuge in the broken world where they live…all they have is You.  If the storm passes over them, will You serve as their shelter?  Will You cover them under Your feathers and let Your wings be their refuge from the storm?  Will Your faithfulness be their protective shield?  Please Daddy, hear my prayer.  Because they are lovingly devoted to You, deliver them.  Protect them because they know Your name.  When they call to You, answer them.  Be with them in trouble.  Rescue them, satisfy them with long life, and show them Your salvation.  The one who lives under the protection of the Most High dwells in the shadow of the Almighty.  God, show them Your mercy and keep my precious family in Haiti safe.  Be their shelter.  In Your name, Jesus, Amen.