IRMA

Several years ago, while participating in a leadership training program, I read the book, Ministering Cross-Culturally by Sherwood G. Lingenfelter and Marvin K. Myers.  There was one chapter that talked about cultural differences in terms of how people prepare for and anticipate predicted natural disasters, like hurricanes. I am glad I read that book for many reasons and especially that chapter at times like this.  It explains why when I look at my Facebook feed (for example) people in the US, who if they experience Hurrican Irma have much more time to prepare for it than we do here in Haiti, seem so much more concerned  and quite possibly many have done more to plan and prepare for the potential storm than many of the people here in Cap-Haitian have where a Hurrican Watch has already been issued.  The book emphasizes that one perspective or approach is not better than another; it is simply a cultural difference.  Even knowing that, it  still feels a bit odd to me personally that people don't seem to be talking about or doing very much yet to prepare, and it seemed just as odd when I read online yesterday that grocery stores somewhere in Florida had run out of bottled water because people were  already stocking up in participation for the possible storm.

The house where I live is very large, sturdy and safe.  It is made of concrete.  I am not concerned for my own safety during the storm; don't worry about me.  Please do pray for those whose housing is not adequate, those who are most vulnerable and who have the fewest resources. Let's pray and hope that Irma will not do too much damage anywhere and pray for people everywhere who are impacted by storms and natural disasters.

There are many other things I could write about, but the storm seems to be on the minds of some of those in the US who read this.  I will try to keep you posted about the storm, and share about other experiences in later posts.  Stay safe.  Many blesssings!