Some of our friends have been involved with mission work in Haiti for years, drilling wells for clean water, building schools and churches, providing money for school upkeep for young Haitians. Their stories about the island’s poverty have always touched everyone’s heart.

But, as we know from the news coverage of the massive earthquake that hit the capital city of Port-au-Prince, over a hundred thousand have died, while millions find themselves eking out a confusing existence in a destroyed city. Their previous life of poverty seemed almost good compared with their current devastation.

Tragedy has hit many thousands in Haiti, but in other times and places the sorrows of life have piled upon just one person or one family.

We see that pictured in the Old Testament story of Naomi and her own tragedies. First, trouble began for her when a famine enveloped Israel--one so bad that Elimelech and Naomi and their two boys fled to a neighboring country to survive. They lived as refugees. Then Elimelech, the rescuer, died. Naomi, now a widow, was left to raise two sons. Being a single refugee mother in her culture, or any culture, obviously was not easy. The two boys grew up and married local girls, a bit of good news. But then tragedies number four and five hit: both boys died and Naomi was left with two young, widowed daughters-in-law. Tragedies continued to pile one upon another, then another.

I am sure few of us will ever have to face famine, the unexpected loss of a spouse or children, or face what our Haitian brothers and sisters are experiencing. We are reminded that we live in a fallen world; we are a fallen people living amongst other fallen people. That combination means that each of us, too frequently, have to face troubles, tragedies and disappointments. There are always illnesses, accidents, economic troubles, family strife and disappointments. Too often one trouble piles upon another.

How did Naomi face her tragedies? She heard that the famine was over in Israel, so she determined to go back home. One daughter-in-law stayed in Moab, but the other, Ruth, chose to go with her mother-in-law. When Naomi, which means "pleasant," arrived at her hometown of Bethlehem, she asked her neighbors not to call her Naomi anymore, but rather, Mara, which means "bitter," saying, "the Almighty has made life very bitter for me. I went away full but the Lord has brought me home empty."

At times when trouble hits and life caves in, many of us have responded negatively like Naomi, with self pity, depression or anger. We begin concentrating on ourselves: "Call me Mara. I once was full, but now I am empty."

But was Naomi empty? No. Many tragedies had hit her, but Ruth was there, and God provided Boaz, a relative, who would help. God did not leave Naomi alone. Her Heavenly Father did not do that. She was not empty. And it wasn’t long before she held in her arms Ruth’s little baby, Obed, King David’s great-grandfather. Then the women of Bethlehem said to her, "Praise the Lord…your daughter-in-law who loves you so much…has been better to you than seven sons!"

Presently we can barely imagine what those in Haiti are facing, but we can be praying for them and giving what we can to help. For God’s Word is still true. He is our comforter and fortress, our source of strength and hope. He promises to give us the help we need to not give up. Experiences of deep sorrow, pain and trouble can spread a shadow over the face of our lives. The darkness of grief and pain can leave us feeling emotionally and spiritually paralyzed. Many in Haiti are experiencing that now. So keep them in your prayers that they might know God’s comfort and strength, that they might not ask people to call them "Mara" and think of themselves as empty and without hope. When earthquakes devastate thousands or troubles hit us, God’s truth can be our comfort. Our loving heavenly Father will never leave us alone. Jesus said, "I am with you always." When these terrible times come, his Spirit is with us in a special way.

And if we look around, God’s children will also see there are other good gifts of God right there. Like David, we can always say, "You have allowed me to suffer much hardship, but you will restore me to life again and lift me up from the depths of the earth. You will…comfort me once again…you are faithful to your promises, O my God" (Ps. 71:20-21).

We pray, sometimes with troubling wonderment and dismay, but God’s comforting love will be there to strengthen us. It is often displayed through those who offer generous and self sacrificing love when we are hurting, as we can now do to the devastated, broken people of Haiti.

Roger K. Gulick
Pastoral Care, Entrust