Let's Talk About Generosity

Let's talk about generosity. 

While in Iceland we visited a search and rescue team. These teams exist all over Iceland and are completely made up of volunteers. They are on call 24 hours a day and the team we visited today respond to 1,000 calls a year. Iceland is beautiful, but has potential dangers ranging from people who are lost, volcanoes, avalanches, earthquakes, storms at sea, gale force winds, and the whole range of trouble tourists find themselves in. With all the situations that may arise the search and rescue has extensive training to be ready. The services of search and rescue do not come at a cost to the country of Iceland but that does not mean there isn't a price. The men and women who volunteer spend 18 months training before they are sent on a call. They buy all of their own uniforms and provide their own equipment (larger items, such as vehicles, comes through fundraising and donates), they are ready to be gone for up to 24 hours at a time sacrificing time with their families and being away from work. It is no small commitment to be on the search and rescue team. 

The people who serve understand the importance of helping your neighbor. They understand that the conditions of Iceland be brutal and deadly and that with out the willingness to help that people won't survive. The neighbor is not only the people you know and love, it is whoever is in need. The search and rescue does not restrict their live saving measure for people who are Icelandic, or people they know. It is the true understanding of neighbor, that all you come in contact with are your neighbor. 

The generosity of Iceland does not stop within the borders of the country though. Eight years ago when the earthquake hit Haiti the people of Iceland did not stop to ask themselves if they were interested in helping Haitians. They did not ask if the people where good enough. They did not ask what the Haitians had done for them. Instead, an international team was organized in two hours. A plane and pilot were freely given. The government of Iceland told the search and rescue group to get there as fast as they could and the government would pick up the cost. The international rescue team was the first team to arrive in Haiti. 

This is an act of love from a country that values the lives of all people. Thinking about the people of Iceland rushing to the aid of the Haitians makes me emotional. It is a spirit of generosity that values all human life. No country is too poor, or different, or worthless to help. 

On the heels of the anniversary of the earthquake I felt particularly moved walking around the search and rescue facility. I am filled with gratitude for brave people who run to the aid of their global neighbor.  It is an example of true community and how we are called to interact with one another. The country of Iceland continues to remain ready to help people all over the world. May they be an example for all nations. 

God of all people, you call us to love our neighbors. Help every nation of the world be generous with their resources, time, and compassion. Reinforce the dignity of every human and nation. Bring us closer in community to our neighbors at home and across the globe. Amen.