I was born and raised in Elkhart, IN, and I still have family and many friends who live there. Last night I spoke with my niece and she was telling me how hard Elkhart had been hit by the recession and how many people had lost their jobs. I guess like many of us, the recession is something we see on the nightly news, but depending on where you live the effects are extremely different.

Here in Springfield, Missouri we have been blessed in that the effects of the recession are fairly mild. Yes, people have lost their jobs. Yes, businesses have closed. Yes. I know people who have lost their jobs. But overall the area where we live is still vibrant and hopeful of a quick recovery.

This morning CNN featured Elhart, IN and interviewed the towns mayor. He is reporting that, in Elkhart county, some 35,000 people are out of work, which represents an unemployment rate of 18.3%. The mayor was standing in front of trucks that were bringing in donated food to those in need.

Elkhart is not in a recession. Elkhart is in a deep depression.

I certainly hope that all of the bankers and mortgage companies who got our country and the world into this mess are proud of themselves. I am sure their parents must be happy that they were able to raise crooks whose greedy ways have affected us all.

As a Christian and a follower of our Lord Jesus Christ, I must accept these people as being children of God. But Lord, you sure make this a difficult task when so few can cause so many to suffer in the name of their own greed. This does serve as proof that evil surrounds us all and that the devil is always trying to convert news souls to do his bidding.