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Needing the bread of life
Food helps hold families together. That's the advice I give when the book is passed around at bridal showers. Eating together, or at least knowing that food is waiting on the stove, gives a good reason to be home. Of course, I'm assuming food will always be available. At one of those bridal showers, a group of women were discussing food, and a friend turned to me and said, “I can't imagine not being able to feed my family.” She had contemplated the pain of parents who must look into the eyes of their starving children, powerless to help them. I remember her simple comment 25 years later. That conversation came to mind recently when I received a letter forwarded from my daughter whose friend wrote from Haiti where she teaches. This young teacher wanted her American friends to know about the dire situation of the Haitians. Haitian government inefficiency and corruption have caused food imports (most of the food supply) to be blocked at the major ports. Because of shortages, prices are three to four times higher than normal for basics like flour, cornmeal and millet. Some of the people have taken to the streets in protest and rioting to get the government's attention. The letter describes the hopelessness of the Haitians. “There's a phrase that's become very common around here: ‘Mwen gen Klorox' (I have Clorox) which has two meanings: 1. I'm so hungry that it feels like there is Clorox bleach burning my stomach, or 2. I don't have money for food but I do have some Clorox at the house to drink and end this miserable life.” My generation grew up hearing the “eat your food, there are starving children in Africa” admonition, and most of us became immune to guilt over underprivileged people. The majority of us never knew serious hunger or starvation, but with the chill in the economic air of our country, we may learn appreciation of the food supply. Crude oil priced over $100 barrel is trickling down to the grocery store shelves. The large can of coffee I bought last month is now $2 higher in price. Sticker shock usually relates to larger purchases like cars, but now it's true of flour, eggs and milk. Grocery prices are creeping up each week, causing us to wonder which items ordinary people will soon be unable to afford. If you want to lie awake at night, read about global oil production and its affect on the United States. Even if you don't believe in the peak oil theory (shrinking oil reserves will lead to dwindling supply), you have to believe that our economic lifeblood of oil makes for a fragile financial system. Our government has not taken seriously the 30 years of warnings that dependence on foreign oil is dangerous, and if some economic analysts and energy scientists are correct, in the not-so-distant future we won't be able to feed our people. Things could get interesting considering our citizenry most likely won't patiently stand in long bread lines, hats in hand, waiting for handouts in l930's depression fashion. Like Haiti, America's problems are spiritual in nature. Corporate greed that kills the goose that lays the golden egg is but one of our national sins. Foremost is our divorce from God. The pope blessed America last week, but that will be in vain unless our “God is the Lord.” (Ps. 33:12) An elected official cannot fix this nation's problems. America needs to repent and be quick about it. Before long we won't be able to afford even the Clorox. Arlene Neal is a wife, mother of six children and a middle grades teacher with a Masters in Education from Appalachian State University. She lives in Granite Falls. Contact her by e-mail at nealies@hotmail.com.
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