Dependency to despondency????

I have noticed quite a contrast in attitudes following the three hurricanes causing such devastation in our country. I have joined so many others in prayer, sympathy and compassion for all those suffering   such horrendous losses.

In Houston we witnessed an outpouring of real neighborliness with immediate response by folks nearby rushing to help in any way possible. Although government and charitable groups were quick to respond, it did take a little time to reach the scene. Meanwhile, a heartwarming display of  man helping his fellow man immediately was beamed into our TV's, computers and phones. I recently talked to my grandson, whose apartment was filled with water to a depth of four feet and his car destroyed, was excited that the place is dry and remodeling is underway. We hardly hear anything on the news about the disaster in Houston anymore because the people there have a positive attitude and self reliance that seems to be missing elsewhere.

The folks in Florida have returned and are busy rebuilding the damage wrought on their neighborhoods. While we see so many helping one another it is not as well covered by the media as it was in Houston. The situation is quite different in Florida, it seems to me, since hurricanes are more prevalent and the people take a more ambivalent attitude and "here we go again" mindset. They set about the job ahead with a "lets get it done" attitude and rely heavily on government to assist in the job ahead.

While Puerto Rico is the most recent and still in the beginning stage of rescue and distribution of needed essentials, we are hearing the media and some of the leaders in Puerto Rico attempting to place blame and complain of the lack of supplies and  the distribution of food, water, fuel, medicine, and the plethora of necessities for survival. It is extremely heartbreaking to view the devastation and desperation of the survivors in the outlying areas and to hear of the impassable roads leading to them. The government has activated many military units to air drop supplies, but it takes time to move from the continent to the island. We just heard  that the electrical power plant is fully operable, but the power lines are destroyed. This will take months to repair. It is hard to judge the attitude of the people for me at this time. I am more than extremely disappointed hearing the mayor of San Juan speak for a half hour blaming everybody but herself for the failure to have even a simple plan for her city to prepare for a disaster like this. It was strange watching this well dressed mayor standing in front of seemingly untouched multistory building with cars passing by and people walking around talking on their cellphones as if nothing had happened. I suppose it was her  hurricane proof city hall.

A member of a bible study group I attend, has returned from 45 day tour of duty with a National Guard Unit in Puerto Rico. He states that it is truly a disaster area and the major problem is no electricity. It reminds us how dependent we are on electricity. Its will be over a year to restore electricity to the major population centers and even longer to the rural areas. Meanwhile, there are ships arriving daily with food, water, fuel and other necessary supplies. It is hard to estimate when that island will be somewhat restored. We must lift them up in prayer and support all efforts to expedite the restoration.