HEART AND SEOUL Sept. 4 - 11, 2005

HEART & SEOUL

Today is September 11th (better known as 9/11 Day) and the events that occured on this day four years ago will never leave our memories. Joe and Lena were our over-night guests at our cabin and upon arising and turning on the television, we were confronted with the horrifying scenes unfolding in the city of New York, with huge airplane flying into the upper floors of the hundred plus stories Twin Tower Buildings. It seemed more like the scenes from modern day disaster movies. We could hardly believe what we were seeing as we recognized the huge number of human lives, innocent lives, being taken by those who hate America and all she represents.
This past week has unfolded the events of another enemy in the form of a natural disaster and some of the same people who perpatrated and supported the distruction in New York City applauded this latest disaster.
Two weeks ago the hurricane named Katrina swept up through the Gulf of Mexico, missing the usual target of Florida but with all it's fury slambed into the gulf states of Louisiana and Mississippi. The people had been warned for days previous to evacuate their homes that lie in the obvious path of Katrina and reportedly nearly 75% did so, causing traffic jams and fuel outages all along the way. But those who heeded the warnings at least had the protection of their lives. Those who refused to heed these warnings exposed themselves to the destructive powers of this hurricane. Most hard hit were cities such as New Orleans, Baton Rouge Louisiana and Biloxi, Mississippi and of course every small town that lie in the same path. We had not previously realized that the city of New Orleans was several feet below sea level. Thus between broken dikes and tidal-like waves put nearly 80% of the city under water. It is hard to imagine the amount of destruction that has taken place and could reportedly cost over 150billion dollars to restore.
Though highly criticized for what seemed inept response by the federal and state government, it is not likely anyone could have fully predicted this amount of destruction. The hundreds of thousands of people who found temporary safety in other states are faced with loss of jobs, loss of homes and uncertain futures.
The gratifying knowledge is the number of people in Texas and many other states including the state of Utah, who have opened their arms to the relief of these evacuees. Even somewhat to our surprise, has been the response of help from other countries, some of whom have been recipients of our aid in their similar circumstances as well as those who are considered less than friendly. People throughout the nation are opening their hearts and pocket books to these people. And of course, among the first to send relief to these stricken communities has been the church humanitarian service who seem to be a step or two ahead of any other relief organization.
We have tried to put in words our own perception of these events as we have seen the good and the ugly come out in people. It was hard to imagine that there would be looters, rapists, robbers and killers to take advantage of the down troden, but in every situation it seems there will be a few ugly who would destroy the beautiful. One journalists described this natural disaster as an even more human disaster. He suggested that the people who refused to leave New Orleans, as those who either had no funds or means to leave or those who were so use to the welfare state of which they are a part of, and believing that whatever happened the "state" would take care of them and responded like those who so frequently depend on others for their welfare, that they allow themselves to be victims.
The aftermath of this hurricane will be felt for many years and though it will fade from the minds of those unaffected, it will change forever the lives of those involved.
Since those of you who read the blogger will know all of which has been written above, we are writing this primarily as a journal entry, but we want also for all of us to recognize how quickly lives can change when confronted with powers beyond our own and perhaps is another sign of the prophesies relating to the last days.