Grieving for Haiti is leaving us dizzy.

Our hearts hurt for the millions who have lost their lives, their loved ones, their homes, their hope. But our hearts race as well, our adrenaline rushes, as we pray, raise money, raise awareness, do everything in our power to let the people of Haiti know of our love and tears for them.

The news, and our response to it, is unceasing…

We hosted on Thursday a meeting of 100 or so Haitians living in Charlotte There were tears, but there was also a stoic, patient tone to the gathering as practical information was shared regarding mental health help and more. Sabine, who hosted with elegant dignity, choked back tears as she stood in front of the microphone, telling herself, “Composure.” A Haitian woman who, like so many, was awaiting word from loved ones, told me she normally cries at the drop of a hat. And yet on this night, she said she has not been able to summon tears yet because of the numbness, and the incomprehensible nature of it all. Our friend and colleague on church staff, Vanessa Pierre-Parker, hosted our friends and was a whirlwind doing so, welcoming visitors, arranging chairs and more. She did it all as she awaited word from her own loved ones in Haiti. The word came later, bittersweet as it was for so many. Her brother and sister lost their home, but are alive. She lost at least three cousins, with still more loved ones to be heard from.

Our team of four returned safely Friday evening after a torturous journey through the Dominican Republic. They were out of immediate harm’s way in the Bayonnais region, but they could not escape the grief that has enveloped the entire nation. Saturday morning, their eyes still nearly bloodshot from emotion and exhaustion, they gathered at the church to make short- and long-range plans. We will encourage people to make financial donations to relief through the church, with our money directed toward Bayonnais, where they are bracing for refugees and for shortages of food, water and more. Those wanting to give to more urgent needs in Port-au-Prince can go through The United Methodist Church at www.wnccumc.org. As church member Dow Bauknight promised, we will be “laserized” in focusing our aid on our friends in Bayonnais.

Sunday morning, Minister of Missions Kevin Wright stood before worshipers at our five services to thank them for their prayers for his safe return as he mapped out our strategy. In the lobby of the Parish Life Building, the faithful gathered around a table displaying photos from Port-au-Prince, eager to commiserate, to help. One man pulled out his checkbook and wrote a $1,000 check. Twelve-year-olds Ashlynn Stauffenberg and Kimberly Savage donated a plastic food bag full of coins and bills that they had collected the day before around the golf course in their Raintree neigthborhood. It contained $159.

It’s dizzying, I tell you.

We grieve.
 
Then we watch two 12-year-olds fill up a food bag with money and we shed a different sort of tear.