Wasting Water

It may seem strange for me to write a blog about water, but, now, more than ever, i am compelled to do so. For no other reason than to awaken and create awareness of those in the world, dying from a lack of clean drinking water. This is something i never ever thought about until i witnessed it firsthand, over in Haiti.

At church, i have the duty of cleaning off the tables where we sit, eat and drink during the service. I found myself becoming inwardly disgusted with the many half-full cups of water that were wasted, on so many of the tables. Am i gonna become anal about chasing people around, lecturing those who waste water? no, definitely not. We as americans, living in the lap of luxury in the United States, are all a part of the problem. Yes, even me, especially me!!

I have looked into the faces of those who if they could, would probably drink every wasted cup of water on every table, if they could get away with it, with no thought of germs or bacteria!! this thought, repulses most of us. We are strangers to real thirst, our wastefulness is evidence of that!!

As i toiled at Du Croix, the Baptist Church camp, while in Haiti, i worked shoulder to shoulder with men in the harshness of the brutal humidity, who if it wasn't for those on on our Missions team, supplying them, worked all day, with a scarce supply of water!! 

I had lunch under a palm tree with a man who devoured his food as if he hadn't eaten a decent meal in days!! i had to bite my lip to not cry in the presence of my newfound friend, who was so desperate to stay alive, day to day!! it's heart-breaking, i tell you!!!! the host family that my mission team and i stayed with, provided lunch for us and our haitian co-workers. I couldn't help but wonder if this was the only food and water that these men could count on. What would happen to them after our job here is done? who would feed them and give them water?

Sure, there's water in Haiti, but, if you drink it, you run the risk of dying from cholera or a variety of other diseases or parasites. It is unsafe. Those living in poverty, which is multitudes, have no choice, but, to drink it. They can't afford quality water!! i drink clean water, daily, without ever wondering if it's gonna kill me to consume it!!

One day, in our travels through the countryside, we came across a roadside casket shop!! Sad to say, this place probably gets a lot of business.

This blog may be too sad and melancholy for those who don't wanna wake up from their "Pollyanna-like" lifestyle, who refuse to dwell on anyone who is dying from thirst, hunger, or disease, by the droves, but, this is reality, for so many in this world!! in America, so many have the "me first" attitude. Our selfishness, wastefulness, neglect, and lack of thoughtfulness, compassion, and service to others, makes me ill.

In my own perverse, sick mind, i wanna have visions and nightmares of those in dire straits. The day i don't have the harshness and cruelty of the poor, permeated into my heart and soul, is the day that i will be useless to God and man. We MUST immerse ourselves in the sufferings of those in our midst!!