SHOW US THE MISSION!

Is HAITI: This Year’s Cause Cé·lè·bre? asks Joe Noland

W

e have just returned from a cruise, seven days around the Hawaiian Islands. We didn’t actually disembark once as we’ve been to those islands so many times before. Most of the other passengers did though, having been suckered into those outrageously high-priced, underrated tours by fast talking, opportunistic shylock-type sales people. You’re held captive, emotionally, with little choice but to pay those inflated amounts. They understand the psychology and prey on your weaknesses, relaxed, guard down, defenseless on this, for many, once-in-a-lifetime cruise around this enchanting, Polynesian archipelago.

 SHOW US THE MONEY!

 ”Mo betta” for us, though, as they say in pidgin. While the others were ashore, we had the ship to ourselves with food galore. The word, “gluttonous” immediately comes to mind. Look, I’m going to get my money’s worth, no question about it! I eat like there’s no tomorrow, and with all of that saturated fat and cholesterol coursing through the arteries, there may not be one either - like playing Russian roulette with chocolate chip cookies. And to think while I’m scarfing down all of this food, those other hoodwinked passengers have paid plenty, additionally, to eat raw fish and poi at an “authentic” Hawaiian Luau. By the way, did you know that “Americans scarf down 50 million hot dogs on an average summer day?”

SHOW US THE MONEY!

Hey, when the other passengers are aboard, the pile on my plate pales by comparison. Some of those plates look like Mount Vesuvius just prior to eruption. Or since we are in Hawaii, should I say Kilauea? As do the corpulent bodies attached to those platefuls. The tonnage on that ship easily doubles with each sailing no doubt. Again there is method to this gastronomical madness. It is no secret that the psychological effect of a diet high in carbohydrates is associated with chemicals in the brain that control emotions and mood changes. The accompanying lethargy and melancholy weakens the defenses, paving the way for those slick talking art show evangelicals (found on every cruise ship) to pick your pockets clean. Not to mention those fully framed photos snapped at every turn and purchased with portly abandonment.

SHOW US THE MONEY!

The cruise is over and my thoughts are now consumed otherwise. They hearken back to a Haiti mission experience we had several years ago. I remember thinking to myself while there, This isn’t a disaster waiting to happen; it’s already happened! And The Salvation Army is here, salvaging children out of the chaotic rubble. No fanfare, no high powered, high priced public relations/fundraising campaigns, no causes cé·lè·bres, just sacrificial, humble no nonsense compassion in action: 700 permanent staff year round, schools, clinics, hospital, feeding programs, children’s homes and church-related activities through some 60 Corps community centers across the country.

This while other high-powered charitable organizations sit by idly, oiling their public relations and fundraising machinery, waiting for the next highly publicized disaster to happen.

BOOM! “Show us the money, gather the celebrities, put our public relations plan into action, and when all of that is accomplished we will get down to work (maybe), “feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, sheltering the homeless, caring for the sick and burying the dead.”

PRONTO! “This is hard, backbreaking, strenuous, emotionally draining work. You can’t expect us to do this 12/365! But, we’ll be there, temporarily, when a highly publicized disaster strikes. And you can take that to the bank! Our prowess and expertise in fundraising justifies the high salaries and expense accounts, because proportionally the secondary beneficiaries will get more, even though percentage wise it will be less, when even the ‘more’ is not enough, ever. And besides, we need to earn enough for that next cruise.”

SHOW US THE MONEY!

Check out the high profile disaster relief organizations and ask these kind of questions: Who’s been there 12/365? What kind of salaries go to their CEO’s command? Are they driven politically or philanthropically, secularly or spiritually, economically or compassionately? Is it self-serving or others serving? What are they in this for primarily, the buck, the bang or what’s best for the people? Where were they (organizations) and what were they doing before the tragedy struck? Who benefits most from a disaster? Who benefits least? What comes first, the money or the mission?

SHOW US THE MONEY!

What short memories we have! I’ve been on several cruises and should know “mo betta,” but relaxed, guard down, defenseless, preying on my emotions, I give them the money. We live in one of the most affluent countries in the world, the USA being a veritable cruise ship with abundance galore. Come to think of it, the ship we were on is aptly named, “Pride of America” - Suites, penthouses, restaurants, pools, room service, spas, Las Vegas type shows, you name it. I should know better, but memory is short and I inevitably succumb, only to regret it afterward.

Make no mistake about it, America; there is an eerie parallel to disasters and its purveyors of opportunistic relief, the charity part often being self-serving. What short memories we have! I’ve been involved in several major disasters at the top leadership level and know “mo betta.” I haven’t forgotten the self-serving repercussions following 9/11 and New Orleans, just to name a few. I know the difference between letting your light shine in the trenches “doing the most good,” and letting your light shine in the media “collecting the most money!” And so do the hurting recipients. They don’t have short memories; just ask them.

Jesus puts it all into perspective with an inspired Word to us. Since we’re following a Hawaiian theme here, let me give it to you from the Pidgin Bible (www.pidginbible.org):

“You guys jalike da light dat help da peopo all ova da world fo see. You no can hide one town on top one hill. Same ting, you no light one lamp an den cover um up. You put um up on top one high place, yeah? Den everybody inside da house can see. So, you guys jalike da light. Let everybody see da good kine stuff you guys doing. Den dey goin say dat yoa Fadda, God, dat stay in da sky, eh! he awesome!” (Matthew 5:14-15)

SHOW US THE MISSION!

Michelle Obama, Larry King and other “kine peopo,” I admire and respect you greatly, but suggest strongly that memories be searched before putting your mouth where the money is. The world would be better served if you put it where the mission is!

“Da Boss Above, he take care me,
  Jalike da sheep farma take care his sheeps.
  He goin give me everyting I need.”

PS Liberal or conservative, the message communicated in this Daily Show video link cannot be ignored nor hid under a bushel (Compassion in Action):

http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/thu-january-14-2010/haiti-earthquake-reactions

  

Writer: Commissioner Joe Noland’s ministry can be summed up in three words: chaos, creativity and controversy - three elements implicit in any successful innovative endeavor. Cecil B. DeMille, renowned producer of Biblical epics, once wrote, “Creativity is a drug I cannot live without.” Joe’s mantra reads, “Creativity is my drug of choice.”  Access Joe Noland’s complete bio, among other things, by clicking into his website.

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