What can we do to help??This is the heart wrenching question most of us are asking in the aftermath of the tragic earthquake in Haiti. First we must pray. In particular, pray for missionaries like Charles Amicy, supported by First Presbyterian Church, who are faced first with meeting the immediate physical needs of the people, and then their long-term emotional and spiritual needs, even as the missionaries’ own lives have been impacted.
We must also put our faith in action. Ideas and plans are formulating in all directions for ways to put our hands and feet in the same place our hearts are for the Haitian people. Until those plans unfold, please consider partnering with one of the following missions agencies directly so that we can help provide immediate relief to the people of Haiti by giving online. Click on the agency names to go to their websites directly for more information.
Paul Kooistra, Director of Mission to the World, writes: “We are working to make a way for our Advance Needs Assessment Team to enter the country. Disaster Response Teams are preparing to follow as soon as possible. We expect to minister through our connections with local churches, providing a church-based response. Our goal is to share the gospel of Christ in both word and deed—with mercy, compassion, and generosity. We will likely be involved for a very long time.
We have been in contact with MTW Haitian missionary Esaie Etienne; we are grateful that he and his family are unharmed, although their home sustained damage. PMH (Presbyterian Mission of Haiti) partner Charles Amicy, his family, and a visiting mission team, are also unharmed. Octavious, a Haitian pastor and MTW affiliate, and his son Carlens are both seriously injured. We have no further details at this time except that they are seeking medical treatment in Port-au-Prince.MTW is working with the OPC and Pastors Etienne and Amicy to respond to this crisis.
Thank you for your willingness to be called upon in a crisis. Our Minutemen are the backbone of our ability to respond to events like this. To give by check, mark #93992MMHT10WEB on the memo line. Or you may give online by clicking here.
MNA Disaster Response is working to assist PCA Pastors Dony St. Germain and Brian Kelso. These men are MNA Staff members and they already have established relationships with key leaders in Haiti. Assessment is underway to determine how MNA can best serve the PCA in response, including strategies to assist those in desperate need.
Looking long term, the damage inflicted by this disaster will offer ministry opportunities for years in the future, and we are planning to dig in for the long haul. MNA Disaster Response is preparing for a long term response that will require your support and involvement for years. Please consider an immediate financial gift to support relief effort planning, assessment and setting up a base of operations that will facilitate and care for future long term recovery volunteers who will be working in difficult conditions. Prayerfully consider a financial contribution. Gifts will be used to meet the needs of mission churches in Haiti who are affected, and to provide resources for God’s people to serve others in the community. To give a gift, go here: Contribute. Or mail your check to MNA designated for Haiti 2010 Earthquake Relief.
With its extensive network of medical partnerships and over 40 years of service to healthcare providers in Haiti, MAP International is quickly assembling its emergency relief response for many of the Haitian men, women and children devastated by the powerful 7.3 earthquake. MAP has contacted medical teams in Haiti who are already treating many of those injured. Hospitals and clinics are also providing lists of needs for emergency cargo shipments that will leave the MAP Distribution Center on the Atlantic coast to treat those needing critical care. Donations of cash and medical GIK are needed to support the many needs.
For more information on Charles Amicy, visit his website for frequent updates.
