}The Groaning Wagon Inches Forward{
"Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; Who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from desruction; Who crowneth thee with loving-kindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth they mouth with good things; thy youth is renewed like the eagle's." Psalm 103: 1-5 (King James version)
It might seem that the people of Haiti have little reason to feel the above praises of the L*rd. Yet according to Simon Romero, in the New York Times, on the evening after the earthquake this is what happened in Port-au-Prince:
With no electricity, stars offered the only illumination in the city, which, with its suburbs, is home to nearly 3 million people. For some of those lying on the asphalt or in the parks, cellphones provided a brief glimpse of light.
Then the singing began. Those gathered outside tents, on lawn chairs, sitting in the middle of empty streets, sang their hymns. One phrase in Creole could be heard repeatedly both inside and outside the hospital walls, as if those voicing the words were trying to make sense of the madness around them.
“Beni Swa Leternel,” they sang. “Blessed be the Lord.”
If they so could sing, how much more we.
"How blest are those who know their need of God; the kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
How blest are the sorrowful; they shall find consolation.
How blest are those of a gentle spirit; they shall have the earth for their possession.
How blest are those who hunger and thirst to see right prevail; they shall be satisfied.
How blest are those who show mercy; mercy shall be shown to them." --Jesus, Matthew 5 (New English Bible)
Those such as Pat Robertson and Rush Limbaugh, who have said Americans ought not to send money to help in Haiti, ought to be ashamed of themselves, and blush to call themselves Christians, with these words of their supposed Lord echoing in the ether for 2,000 years:
"If you love only those who love you, what reward can you expect? Surely the tax-gatherers do as much as that. And if you greet only your brothers, what is there extraordinary about that? Even the heathen do as much. There must be no limit to your goodness, as your heavenly Father's goodness knows no bounds." --Jesus, Matthew 5 (New English Bible)
The American government has been helping Haiti at a rate of $2 per capita (per American taxpayer) per year, according to official figures quoted by Nicholas Kristof in the Times. While the Canadian people through their taxes have helped at a rate of $12 per capita per year, six times as much. The Norwegians, $8 per capita per year. Other countries who have been helping Haiti through their government taxes at a higher per capita rate than Americans: France, Spain, Switzerland, Belgium, Luxembourg, Ireland, and Sweden.
Some advise that those who want to help should donate to organizations which have an established track record in Haiti, since they will be more effective in helping. One I found today has a very good reputation, from what I have seen: Partners in Health, https://donate.pih.org/page/contribute/haiti_earthquake . They are an established Haitian charitable health organization, and since they know their own country might be specially effective. I would also trust the IRC, International Rescue Committee. And most likely the Red Cross. I have not researched this thoroughly; but be careful of any fly-by-night group asking for donations; make sure it's an established organization which has done work on that island before. If you have suggestions, by all means post them.
Mercury turned around Friday, and is inching forward in the zodiac, but the Dark Epoch lasts until February 5. That means some of the slowness, delay and backtracking evident for the past several weeks will continue, although with slight amelioration every day, at least in theory. It is fascinating that on Friday as I write, the American forces who have landed in Haiti are unable, at this point, to deliver any aid whatever, but are waiting for equipment and help to clear roads and do other necessary things to get the aid to the impatiently waiting survivors. This is a perfect signature of a "motionless Mercury." They expect to be able to do more later on Friday and, let us hope, today (Saturday).
Recent restlessness may be diminishing; however, you might enjoy a walk or drive in your local area, appreciating your home town or neighborhood, seeing anew its glories, which, like a kaleidoscope, offer ever-new variations.
Something you're trying to accomplish has prestige-granting elements within it and you, rightly, want to be proud of it, so you carry on despite hindrances and draggy-ness.
Resources you own or can access may be used in a multitude of ways, for example in governing situations for which you are partly responsible. You do not need to be afraid to take on a ruling attitude when you are responsible for common goals in view. In this time of improving weather (in many or most places), it is easier to be inspired by hopes for continuity in your agenda, with fewer dispiriting breaks in momentum.
Defining what you expect within a community, or community of interest, is not always easy but the attempt is good, helping all to see their differences as stimulating and ultimately constructive rather than just annoying. People cannot be regimented, except in a military or police department, and even then wise officers know they need to grant selective freedom to their men or women. Then the communal or team effort is less oppressive and more voluntary.
{Saturday} }The Groaning Wagon Inches Forward{
Cosmic Piper
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