The tragedy in Haiti has caught America (and the World’s) attention. Everywhere you look; there is information on how you can give and what you can do to help this devastated country. If you Googled “help for Haiti” on Thursday (1/21) at 2:15, you’d get $133 million returns.

As I did with 9/11, I have chosen to be very careful about what I watch and read regarding the pain and loss in Haiti. I don’t need the news to show me the devastation; my creative mind can imagine it quite well. Some would say I’m not being sensitive enough but I would argue quite the contrary. By not watching (or reading) about it, I am remaining sensitive. I will not get overloaded with news and photos. I will not become desensitized by hearing yet another mother wail for her lost child. Instead, I will carry their pain with me for some time.

In talking with my pastor yesterday, I learned that “fixing Haiti” is not going to be a quick fix. The orphans who were brought to the United States aren’t those who became orphaned by the quake. They were orphans before that fateful morning. Instead, the children who have been orphaned by this natural disaster are being kept in Haiti for identification purposes or until they are definitively determined to be orphans. That could take some time – a long time. I can't bear the thought of children being alone and afraid, wandering the streets looking for their loved ones. I can't bear the thought of what those children have seen and how that will change them forever.

Americans are known for their “Flash in a Pan” generosity. We see something bad; we try to make it better immediately. We give of our money, our time and our resources to try and make what we see comfortable to us as quickly as possible. Our intentions are good – no doubt. But when we become desensitized to the trauma due to news overload we stop giving. When others who are better off than we perceive ourselves to be step in, we step back. We check it off our list of “things accomplished,” pat ourselves on the back and move on until the next tragedy.

Haiti doesn’t need a “Flash in a Pan” generosity. It’s going to take a long time to get things to a livable condition. Many would argue that the conditions BEFORE the quake were not livable. I heard someone on the radio say that if each of us would give $5 or $10, we could really make a difference there. It is true that little dollars add up to big dollars. It is true that Americans won’t have to dig too deeply to send aid. But we’re kidding ourselves if we think a one-time gift will be enough.

A one-time gift will not make the nightmares go away. A one-time gift will not provide peace. A one-time gift will not sustain a child ravaged to their core by images we are sheltered from seeing. A one-time gift is just not enough.

As you consider what you will do to help, please remember that Haiti doesn’t need our "Flash in the Pan" generosity– they need a bubbling, simmering cauldron of support and love that lasts lifetimes.

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