Reflecting on Burma......
I am traveling in the states New England territory at the Country Music Capital of Australia in Tamworth presently.
As I have been traveling with a colleague, I have been thinking about the staggering numbers of people in Burma who have lost their lives. Estimates from cyclone Nagas (I hope I have that spelt or written correctly) indicate numbers of people from between 22,000 dead and 50,000 missing to 50,000 dead and 50,000 missing. Some 30,000 of the dead and missing are children. I am humbled and stunned at the pain countless people are going through in Burma right now. I can't quite imagine the depth of sorrow and loss on such a catastrophic scale. I feel for those who remain, for the children without parents, for the people who are now without a living family. There is precious little I could say to convey my sorrow for people whom I don't know, but because I am a fellow traveller on the road of life I know that largely they feel like I do. Only now though, are experiencing a pain I cannot imagine.
The news media indicates that whilst nations stand willing to help and offer practical assistance with foreign aid, their efforts are being thwarted by the government, whom I suspect has been caught off guard and are relatively helpless, with communication and ability. I shall pray that somehow the aid will be allowed in, and that the infrastructure of water, food and other essentials will be made available to the needy as quickly as is practical.
There is also a global rice shortage due to many factors currently, and for the west that uses rice as a meal supplement, this part of the world needs it as a staple food. I believe from the media that some 70% of the regions rice production has now been wiped out. It is a scale of devastation I imagine to be only in a movie, and yet, it is occurring some 8 hours flight from where I live. Humbling stuff this.
I just wanted to express my feeling for these people, and express my feeling of gratitude for the chance I have to live my life the way I do.I am very grateful to all of you who visit my blog. I have noted that the blog provides me a space to make sense of my world, and to express how I feel. I believe the blog has helped me to find the balance in my life that I seek. I am continually amazed at the people who comment and visit here again and again. The fact that there are people who respond to my thoughts and feelings has been the biggest bonus of having the blog. Thank you.
As I have been traveling with a colleague, I have been thinking about the staggering numbers of people in Burma who have lost their lives. Estimates from cyclone Nagas (I hope I have that spelt or written correctly) indicate numbers of people from between 22,000 dead and 50,000 missing to 50,000 dead and 50,000 missing. Some 30,000 of the dead and missing are children. I am humbled and stunned at the pain countless people are going through in Burma right now. I can't quite imagine the depth of sorrow and loss on such a catastrophic scale. I feel for those who remain, for the children without parents, for the people who are now without a living family. There is precious little I could say to convey my sorrow for people whom I don't know, but because I am a fellow traveller on the road of life I know that largely they feel like I do. Only now though, are experiencing a pain I cannot imagine.
The news media indicates that whilst nations stand willing to help and offer practical assistance with foreign aid, their efforts are being thwarted by the government, whom I suspect has been caught off guard and are relatively helpless, with communication and ability. I shall pray that somehow the aid will be allowed in, and that the infrastructure of water, food and other essentials will be made available to the needy as quickly as is practical.
There is also a global rice shortage due to many factors currently, and for the west that uses rice as a meal supplement, this part of the world needs it as a staple food. I believe from the media that some 70% of the regions rice production has now been wiped out. It is a scale of devastation I imagine to be only in a movie, and yet, it is occurring some 8 hours flight from where I live. Humbling stuff this.
I just wanted to express my feeling for these people, and express my feeling of gratitude for the chance I have to live my life the way I do.I am very grateful to all of you who visit my blog. I have noted that the blog provides me a space to make sense of my world, and to express how I feel. I believe the blog has helped me to find the balance in my life that I seek. I am continually amazed at the people who comment and visit here again and again. The fact that there are people who respond to my thoughts and feelings has been the biggest bonus of having the blog. Thank you.
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