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Haiti Relief
Relief in Haiti
Don't miss Ryan's recent message on the disaster in Haiti. You can listen here, or right-click (Mac users ctrl+click) and select "save target as" to download it.
Living With What We Don’t Understand
“...the Lord our God is righteous in everything He does.”
Daniel 9:14
I wish we all could have lived the rest of our lives without hearing of another tragic catastrophe. But, here we go again. I don’t know anyone who isn’t moved by the recent devastation in Haiti. Once again, we are struck with grief that so many lives were cut short in this seemingly random calamity. Once again, we have felt overwhelmed by the magnitude of this tragedy. And personally, my heart goes out to the victims and the families’ lives that will be forever changed by this event. In times like this, my brain starts to short-circuit. Why do these tragic things happen to people? Where is God when these events occur? Honestly I have to admit, I don’t understand.
Sure, theologians have explanations. because of sin, we all deserve God’s wrath. Anything good we experience is due to God’s grace and mercy (I believe these things, by the way!). But, disasters like the earthquake in Haiti still don’t compute. I can’t get my brain around them. Some might see these issues as a roadblock to faith, because they can’t “believe” in a God who would allow such tragedies. I just heard one radio talk show host state that events like this are why he is an agnostic. But, do you know what I’ve discovered? It’s okay that we don’t always understand. Even though I don’t understand - and can be frustrated and angry at these tragedies - I still believe.
In fact, I think that part of a life of faith in God includes living with things we don’t understand. Take for example the Biblical account of the Israelites’ exodus from Egypt. The bible makes it clear that God “hardened” Pharaoh’s heart. Pharaoh won’t let the Israelites leave Egypt. God, then holds Pharaoh responsible for his stubbornness and punishes him and all of Egypt as well. From a human perspective something seems wrong with the picture, but I still believe God is righteous - always doing what is right. In fact, God defines the meaning of what is “right.” He sees the big picture. I cannot. He understands completely. I do not. He is God. I am not. Perhaps, you - like me - are making a list of things that you don’t understand, filing them away so you can ask God about them when you stand before Him one day. I don’t think God has a problem with this! When you encounter frustrations about life - and you find things you don’t understand - share them with God. He’s big enough to handle them. Then, resolve to believe that God, who is righteous, will always do the right thing. Live by faith, not by sight.
On the journey together,
Ryan
How can we help?
Right now, the call for help is for two primary things:
- Pray
- Give. And encourage those around you to give.
At this stage in relief and recovery operations, we can do the greatest good the quickest by giving of our treasure to enable those on the ground to procure the most needed supplies where, and as, they're needed.
There may come a time when there are more specific material needs, or even trips organized to help with rebuilding--but that time isn't just yet.
Leawood Presbyterian Church is encouraging its friends, family and members to consider supporting the relief efforts through the Global Orphan Project. This global ministry has ties to Kansas City, and already has people on the ground in Haiti doing relief work. They've pledged that 100% of the funds they receive will be used directly in Haiti.
You can find out more about this organization, and give online, by visiting their website at theglobalorphanproject.org
Learn more about Haiti
Haiti has a long, tumultuous and heartbreaking story as a country. Check out some of these links to learn a little more about the country, it's past, the current devastation and more.
Update on Haiti from my friend Jimmy Dodd
Dear Friends and Partners in Ministry,
The greatest news I have heard in some time - Moise Vaval is alive! Moise is a close friend who I have considered my primary contact in Haiti for the past ten years. Praise God for his protection upon Moise. But, he is hurting terribly. One of his little boys, Jean-Marc (8 yrs old), is missing. Please pray! Joe Knittig and Adrien Lewis are going to PAP today to connect with Moise and help him look for Jean-Marc. Again, Please Pray!!!
Moise moved the rest of his family to Verettes as the buildings continue to shake in Port Au Prince – again, please keep them in your prayers
The Big Picture
How bad is the earthquake in Haiti?
I heard from my contact in Jacmel (the fourth largest city in Haiti) last night. He reported that Jacmel was essentially destroyed.
Presently, the people of Jacmel have received no aid. Residents were relocated to the local airport, and a soccer field called Lycee Pinchinat. Most of the cities residents are outside in the cold with no shelter, no food, no water with many severely injured. The only hospital in Jacmel has been destroyed. Yet, I have yet to even hear of a mention of Jacmel on the news.
You will see a few pictures from Jacmel which shows the extent of the damage at www.bonzouti.com.
Port-au-Prince continues to be a city in chaos. As food and water are in short supply, the fear is that people will turn to violence to provide for their families.
Specifics
Cross International:
Mike Henry, a Cross International Haiti project officer, was on the ground at the Cross Intl. Port-au-Prince office when the earthquake hit. Mike could hear the screams of people in the streets outside in a scene that reminded him of “Dante’s Inferno.”
Cross International is distributing more than 11 million meals to victims of the deadly quake. Ten trailers of recently shipped goods – including turkey, soup, Vitafood, protein drinks, nutritional food packets, and shoes – are being directed to people stranded in the streets of Port-au-Prince. We have also established a post on the ground and are capable of receiving supplies brought into the airport.
Emergency medical care is one of the biggest needs right now, since hospitals have been damaged and rescue workers have had to set up makeshift tent clinics to treat burns, trauma injuries and fractures. Cross is working with one of our best partners - CURE International, which operates a hospital in the nearby Dominican Republic. CURE is sending a medical team that we are hoping to connect with partner Gladys Thomas, who runs a medical center, Christian school, and a home for disabled children in Port-au-Prince. Personally, my daughter Sarah and I have been to the CURE hospital in the DR. I have met with the staff and I know that they are committed to going to staggering lengths to care for the poorest of the poor. If you are connected with medical personnel looking for an opportunity to serve, please direct them to www.helpcurenow.org.
The Global Orphan Project
Mike Fox is traveling today from Santa Domingo to Port-au-Prince with a truckload of food. Joe Knittig and Adrien Lewis are driving separately to PAP. Please pray for a smooth passage over the boarder from the DR to Haiti.
The 106 children at Carrefour are alive and doing well. They may need to be evacuated in light of the surroundings and expected disease spread in the area
Dony St. Germain made it to Port Au Prince today with Doudou, has seen Carrefour and also shared that our homes and children in Gonaives are well. He shared that the devastation is ‘horrific with dead bodies on the ground, people sleeping in the streets, no water and no food’.
The orphans in Gonaives children are alive! Praise God for all these miracles!
Louis St. Germain was in PAP yesterday, He was able to bring food, water and medical supplies to Petionville (a section of PAP). Louis was able to rescue a young girl yesterday at Delmas. Louis rep[orts that the smell is horrible. It is windy so the dust in the air makes it difficult to breathe. Louis says that it is the law of the jungle right now.
Giving Information
The ongoing current need is cash which can be wired to ministry partners so they can immediately buy emergency food and water and procure shelter.
Listening to Bill Clinton speak on CNN this morning, I found myself growing incredibly frustrated. Former President Clinton appealed for all Americans to give to the Red Cross. When the CNN anchor asked about distribution, President Clinton responded that they would be pulling up to major intersections and opening the back of trucks creating a first come first serve distribution system. In other words, survival of the fittest.
Again, as I repeatedly stated, I have personally seen many groups receive money and supplies only to have no distribution network to get the funds / supplies where they need to go. Give to those groups who have a distribution network in place. The ministries I strongly recommend you support are Cross International, The Global Orphan Project, CURE and El Shaddai Ministries. All groups are accepting donations on-line. And, it is my understanding that 100% of all donations received by these ministries will go directly to earthquake relief. CNN is reporting that there are no relief agencies able to give 100% of donations to Haiti. Don’t you believe it! There are groups giving 100%. I have personally worked with all of these ministries and I know they have an effective distribution network in place. Hundreds of pastors have been trained and are scattered throughout the country and are ready to lead in the distribution of supplies.
Cross International
Go to www.crossinternational.org
The Global Orphan Project
Go to www.theglobalorphanproject.org
ESMI (El Shaddai Ministries International)
Go to www.esmihome.org
CURE International
Go to www.helpcurenow.org.
Some have asked for a humanitarian relief agency not affiliated with Jesus. I can understand that there are some who don’t want to give to a group which they would view as religious. I would recommend
Partners in Health
Go to www.pih.org
Partners in Health was founded by humanitarian Paul Farmer. PIH is not a Christian organization, but they have done an incredible amount of good in Haiti through the years.
Thanks Ryan
Thanks for your great comments Ryan. Your honesty, bewilderment, and compassion is where so many of us are at with our response.
Thanks for being a great leader for the body of Christ...one thing I've been thinking about is the "human-ness" of Jesus. He humbled himself and suffered like no human being has suffered (for us)..and is still Emmanuel..God with us. He was a "man of sorrows...familiar with suffering" There's nothing too painful or tragic that we on earth cannot walk through because of His compassion, humility, understanding, presence, goodness and (resurrection) power. That resurrection power lives in and through us - pretty awesome..
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