Hurricane Katrina

I haven't written in a few days due to the devastating nature of Hurricane Katrina over the last week. The pictures coming out of the hardest hit areas have been shocking to say the least. Somehow these kinds of scenes don't really hit home until they are almost on your doorstep.

The enormity of the damage can best be summed up as "apocalyptic". Imagine an area the size of the United Kingdom being completely levelled. The loss of life there is still unknown as many did not manage to get out of the storm zone quickly enough. Exactly a week after the storm touched ground, thousands remain clinging to what little they have left. Sadly, it will be the most helpless and most vulnerable who will continue to lose their lives in the aftermath of the disaster.

Critics point the finger at the government response for their slowness to react, others claim that it was those who stubbornly stayed behind in their homes who are to blame for their own demise, whichever way you slice it, thousands have lost their lives in Hurricane Katrina, this is not the time to point the finger at anyone!

Sadly, this disaster has not brought out the best in the human spirit. Within the hardest hit areas, looting, raping, and pilaging began shortly after the Hurricane. Truly, this is the hardest thing to comprehend through all of this chaos.

Tonight, my prayers are with those who have lost everything, their homes, their livelihoods, their families and friends. Sometimes it seems as though lending our prayers is the only thing we can do...at least it is something!