October, 2005

First, the tsunami came and southeast Asia was overwhelmed with deadly tidal waves and flooding.

Then, hurricane after hurricane. We saw Katrina attack and destroy: virtually an entire U.S. city - New Orleans, “the Big Easy” - was engulfed, emptied and devastated. Hundreds died there and across the Gulf coast.

And then came Hurricane Rita, followed quickly by the apocalypse of earthquakes in Asia - taking the lives of 100,000 or more human beings. (Still today the death toll climbs and survivors scramble for shelter as winter approaches.)

All across our Evangelical Friends Church - Eastern Region - you have responded with compassion and outpourings of help. EFC-ER folks like you have already given:

more than $250,000 in cash to help disaster victims with primary needs like food, clean water, personal hygiene needs, but also far-reaching help to repair roofs, to rebuild homes and to recover . . . hope.

volunteer help in places like Wiggins, Mississippi, where a Friends Disaster Service crew works today to assist hurting people in the name of Jesus.

prayer and care and your compassion in action.

Thank you. More than words can say, Thank you.

The disasters have come so hard and fast in 2005 that we can easily feel drained emotionally, compassion fatigued. Mercy depleted.

You and I have had some moments when we had to turn away - when we simply couldn’t watch any more weather forecasts or look at any more pictures of flood victims or receive any more hourly updates about people trapped under concrete slabs in earthquake zones.

Emotionally we tire and fatigue and need relief from the suffering. Oh, we know that the victims are the real focus of concern and we even feel a touch of guilt for feeling worn out in our caring. But the experience of “mercy fatigue” is nonetheless a reality we cannot deny.

Jesus got tired, too. And his gracious invitation to his disciples in New Testament times is also his radically renewing word to us today. Can you hear him?

“Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly . . .” (Matt. 11: 28-30, The Message)

Enjoy physical exercise - take a walk, work out, play with the kids or grandkids
Celebrate simple blessings (food, water, shelter, friends, family) in the midst of troubled times
Worship in spirit and in truth with all your heart - privately and corporately
Sing for joy
Make a difference to one person today (small gift, kind word, encouraging smile, errand of mercy)
Keep acting with compassion, especially when you are fatigued.
Know that Jesus experienced fatigue, too, so that he understands us and is uniquely able to lead us to renewal in our emotions, our hearts, our capacity to care

Blessings!
John Williams