If you don’t know by now, Haiti was hit by a 7.0 earthquake. Because of their buildings’ poor infrastructure, Haiti is now in complete devastation. It looks like 100,000 people are dead and more wounded. Motherless children and children-less mothers now walk the rubbled streets.

Can you imagine?

No water.
No lights.
No shelter.
No food.
No sign of your family.
The smell of death surrounds you.
Does that lifeless leg protruding from under that rubble belongs to anyone you know.
And now, the riots are starting.

I can’t stop thinking and praying for the people of Haiti.

I don’t want to add to the noise… I just want to help facilitate direction to resources.

HOW YOU CAN HELP:
Online Prayer Chain
World Vision
American Red Cross
Medical Teams International
One Day’s Wages
MercyCorps
Compassion International
Nine Ways to get Involved – from Mashable

Please pray with me.

And if you are someone who can really help financially or physically… please do. PLEASE!

While Crystal and Chance were inside (I’m not huge on donuts…), a homeless man came walking down the street frantically.

He said, “Ma’am… can I have a dollar?  I’m really hungry and would like to buy a slice of pizza!”
I said, “I’m sorry… I don’t have a dollar to give you!”

He continued to scramble around the sidewalk asking everyone in earshot and he was continuously getting turned down.  He finally slumped down onto the bench right by me.

I leaned over and said, “Are you really hungry? Or are you wanting something else?”
Homeless Guy: “Yes! I just want a slice of pizza! I already have two dollars and just need one more dollar!”
Me: “How about I buy you a donut here?”
HG: “Nah… I really want a piece of pizza!”
Me: “Hmmm… you have a pretty specific palate for being ‘so hungry’, dontcha think, sir?”
HG: *silence*
Me: “Okay… here’s the deal. I’ll buy you a slice!”
HG: “Oh, THANK YOU!” *holds out his hand*
Me: “Um… no… I’ll BUY you a slice. When my friend and son come out of the donut store, will you let me walk with you over to the pizza place? You can keep your two dollars for another day!”
HG: “Uh… ok. Thanks. I’ll be right back!”
Me: “Ok. I’ll be right here.”

5-10 minutes go by.

He never returns.

Moral of the story… Portland has a LOT of special people… and I’m one of them.

Alright, alright… I dunno what the moral of the story is.  All I know is this isn’t the first time I’ve been turned down to buy a homeless “needy” person a meal… and it makes me sad.  For them.  For their circumstances.  I’m not saying there aren’t REAL needy and hungry people out there… I’m just saying there’s so many unmotivated, perfectly able, but hurt people out there – I wish I could help more.  Many need so much more than just a meal.

How do YOU help?