Wednesday, 2/17 Sosua, DR. - The recent events in Haiti have gripped us all. The scenes of people being pulled out from under piles of rubble, the desperate look on the faces of the survivors searching for food and water, and the empty gaze in the eyes of the children who have been left orphaned by this tragedy has left a deep mark on all of us.

The earthquake once again reminded us that we are all mortal and prey to death dealing powers over which we have little or no control. Such is the human lot even with all of our technology and after thousands of years on this planet. For as good as today is, tomorrow might be the end of things as we know it and there is nothing we can do to prevent that.

The Bible never shies away from the reality of the calamities of life. This is one reason why it's not everyone's favorite read. Viewed by many as too serious, too somber, and too apocalyptic, it remains on the shelf unread until some deep need or time of crisis causes us to seek comfort there. We would much rather turn on the TV and be entertained than to address the reality around us. The Bible accurately portrays human nature as captured by the mundane, the trivial, and the vain. It teaches that life without crisis and calamity is impossible. As Jesus taught, the winds will come, the water will rise, and the storms will beat against the house.

In the Book of Ecclesiastes (see full text at end of the blog), Solomon, who has fame as a wise man, talks about disaster an it's inevitability. But he also instructs us in a way to prepare for it. In Ecclesiastes 11:1 he says, "Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days. Give a portion to seven, or even to eight, for you know not what disaster may happen on earth." What is he saying? How would we put this into terms that we use today?

The phrase "cast your bread upon the waters" is enigmatic. One possible picture is that it refers to casting seed from a boat proceeding down the Nile River during flood season. After the waters subside and the seed germinates and grows, the harvest appears. Another picture could be that of sending commodities away on ships bound for foreign ports which would return after their lengthy voyage bearing goods. In Arabic the phrase simply refers to doing good works.

Even if we are unsure of the exact picture, to "cast your bread upon the waters" is easily understood as doing good or giving something away that after time comes back to you in a different form. The seed bears fruit and the commodities shipped out, return as goods. In both cases, we benefit from the action taken after a period of waiting. Solomon not only assures us of the return from our bread, but it also defines the return as a timely one - "for you know not what disaster may happen on earth".

Solomon's wisdom then for all of us is this: because disaster will come, the wise man will be sowing towards that through his good works and generosity. When the calamity strikes the "bread" that has been "cast upon the waters" will come around to us again in the form of timely help and aid. Notice too that it is indiscriminate giving that he advocates: v2 "give a portion to seven, or even to eight". In other words, don't limit yourself in your giving to just one recipient - give to all who are in need, to all who ask, and to all you desire to help.

This, of course, goes against our Western mind set and seems to contradict common sense. Don't people "save for a rainy day"? What about the insurance industry? Well, saving and having a good insurance policy may be part of our scheme for addressing life's crisis, but nothing brings the power of God to bear on a situation of human need like giving. Generosity activates the timely support and rescue of the Almighty - even when the savings are not sufficient and the insurance company files for bankruptcy.

The Apostle Paul promised the members of the church of Philippi that God would "meet all of your need according to His riches" after they had generously given to meet Paul's need in the ministry. One person's need is another's opportunity to be generous. In this the Hand of God places a role and the power that brings it all together creates a testimony for His glory.

Finally, Solomon warns of the danger of observing the wind and clouds. Ecclesiastes 11:4 "He who observes the wind will not sow and he who regards the clouds will not reap" - meaning that those who withhold their bread or who will not sow their seed because of the threat of hard times, will lack harvest when they need it the most. If I am afraid because of the wind and rain today and hold on to my seed, then none will come my way.

How many of us have refused to help someone financially even when their need was obvious and compelling? How many of us have simply said, "I can't afford to give" with the opportunity staring us right in the face? While the Western mind set teaches us to withhold and store up because of the possibility of calamity, the wisdom of the ancients is to give and give generously at all times. Jesus said keeping for yourself was the road to loss, while giving to others was the road to security. The seed that never gets sown never produces a harvest while the seed sown will never remain as seed. It comes back to us in a timely fashion and in a helpful form.

The disaster in Haiti and the subsequent years that it will take to rebuild give us opportunity to sow and to sow generously. Rather than ask, "what is the best relief organization? where should I send my money?" - take the advice of Solomon. Recognize that you lack wisdom to determine which will be the best - Ecclesiastes 11:6 "...for you do not know which will prosper, this or that, or whether both alike will be good" - and then give generously to several different organizations. Your future may depend upon it!

Ecclesiastes 11:1-6 "Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days. Give a portion to seven, or even to eight, for you know not what disaster may happen on earth. If the clouds are full of rain, they empty themselves on the earth, and if a tree falls to the south or to the north, in the place where the tree falls, there it will be. He who observes the wind will not sow, and he who regards the clouds will not reap. As you do not know the way the spirit comes to the bones in the womb of a woman with child, so you do not know the work of God who makes everything. In the morning sow your seed, and at evening withhold not your hand, for you do not know which will prosper, this or that, or whether both alike will be good." English Standard Version

Sponsorship Correspondence Mail Out:
We have sent out the Christmas correspondence from our students to all of our active sponsors. The correspondence consisted of a letter with comments on Dominican Christmas celebrations or artwork with a Christmas theme. If you did not receive your correspondence - we need to know about it! Please email me at kim@dominicanadvance.org if you did not receive correspondence from your child.

Michael & Melissa's Honeymoon and Return to the Island:
We want to thank all of you who sent your best wishes and gifts to our newly wed couple, Michael & Melissa Pensinger. They had an outstanding honeymoon in Sedona, AZ and were able to squeeze in a few days of visit with Michael's grandparents who live in Tucson. While there, they also attended Victory Worship Center which we consider our home church in Tucson when we visit.