Talk Like A Pirate Day - September 19

Talk Like A Pirate Day - September 19

arr me hearties. it be international talk like a pirate day!

PD- Katrina Effort Front Lines

I picked this page to blog off of because it's where I've been spending most of my time this last week, and because it's been so long since I blogged anything.

Tom and I had planned to spend the long weekend in San Francisco with Tom's mom. But then my spanish professor cancelled class on Thursday after hearing several of her cousins were confirmed victims of the hurricane. After praying with her, crying, and praying some more, I decided (and Tom graciously supported my decision) to stay here to do what I could for her.

Desperate to do something for the survivors, I've partnered with Josh (the guy who married us and the PDYM guy here on staff) to keep PD's web-based response running. It's been a hectic weekend. But it's been worth it. To see all the good that is happening. To know that I'm a part of the change. It's worth it.

To all of you who are criticizing the federal/state/local government for their slow response, I challenge you to seek out the shining example of the ordinary people who are on the front lines. The tiny, ancient, crumbling church buildings that have opened their doors to the fifteen survivors that will fit in the sanctuary. The congregations serving food and water along side the red cross and the mission relief board and others.

To all of you who question where the country is going, I challenge you to open your eyes to the thousands of ordinary Americans who have opened their doors and their hearts to complete strangers, simply because these survivors have no where else to go.

Why don't you give? Why don't you open your home? Why not go yourselves to help these people pick up the pieces of their lives? I know I plan to, as soon as I can. And in the meantime, I'd doing what I can from homebase to support the pastors and congregations - the true army of kindness here - who are reminding us all what our response to this should be.

Any one who knows me knows that I'm not crazy about America. Living in a foreign country opens your eyes to all sorts of things, and we are not perfect. But the problem here is not the American people, but American politics. And, of course, those of you who choose to play into the same game of American politics. Stop playing the part of the partisan politician. Start being an American. Get off your soap box and start helping.

... Here I go...