Grace Blog
Responding to the Crisis in Haiti
Since news broke Tuesday night about the devastating earthquake in Haiti, people from across the world have been watching what appears to be one of the most catastrophic natural disasters ever in the Western Hemisphere in the poorest of all countries in this region. For those of us in South Florida, it is particularly painful as tens of thousands of Haitians live in our neighborhoods. Haiti is closer to us than Louisville, Kentucky, and because of its proximity, we feel an increased sense of responsibility.
PRAY
How do we respond to something of this magnitude? Is there anything that we can do that will have a meaningful impact for the good of the Haitian people? The first and greatest thing we can do is pray to our Almighty, Sovereign Lord. This did not catch God off guard, nor is He so overwhelmed that He cannot display His power, love, and mercy in and through His people.
* Pray that God would give supernatural strength to those having to lift fragments of earth without any heavy machinery.
* Pray that God would provide doctors and nurses unusual skill without the tools and technology to preserve life and bring healing to those severely affected.
* Pray for the humanitarian workers who are dealing with huge logistical challenges to have effective and immediate success in bringing food, water, medical supplies, and life-saving support to the people. Pray especially for the newly orphaned, as 50% of the population in Port-au-Prince are children.
* Pray that God would strengthen His church in Haiti with unwavering hope and undying love to show and share the gospel of Jesus Christ to all who are suffering great loss, unbearable pain, and inexpressible grief at this time.
GIVE
Not only can you pray, but you can give to organizations that are already organized and on the ground providing humanitarian aid and performing search and rescue. The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) has a strong record of disaster relief, and there are three ways you can give to support the relief work in Haiti. Both the Baptist Global Response (the disaster relief of the International Mission Board) the North American Mission Board (NAMB) disaster relief channel 100% of the gifts to the relief work on the field (overhead is covered through other denominational funding). This Sunday, we will be receiving a special offering where all proceeds will go to the disaster relief work through these denominational agencies. As you may know, the Florida Baptist Convention has had a 15-year partnership with Haiti and has several indigenous directors of mission on the field working with the Haitian churches. This long-standing relationship with Haiti has networked Florida Baptists with Haitian churches and the communities in ways many if not most other organizations have not cultivated.
Outside the SBC, there are several other excellent non-profit organizations that I encourage you to consider supporting. They are:
* World Vision [Give | Website | Follow on Twitter]
* Compassion International [Give | Website | Follow on Twitter]
* Samaritan’s Purse [Give | Website | Follow on Twitter]
* Water Missions International [Give | Website]
* Food for the Hungry [Give | Website | Follow on Twitter]
* Convoy of Hope [Give | Website | Follow on Twitter]
* Red Cross [Give | Website | Follow on Twitter]
* Salvation Army [Give | Website | Follow on Twitter]
GO
The pastors have been actively considering the possibility of taking a team to Haiti. At this point, we are awaiting field assessments and assignments, including confirmed collaboration with indigenous personnel. As you may have heard, the only airport in Haiti is severely limited (and currently shut down), so we would likely be flying into Santo Domingo. There we have Haitian contacts and field personnel who may be able to assist in interpreting, travel, and serving as well. Please pray for us as we seek the possibility of going in the very near future. Several other pastors and churches have expressed interest in joining us, for which we are grateful.
Lastly, take some time to learn about Haiti and stay informed on the developments. Look at the photo galleries. By a t-shirt. If you’re like me, you might be asking, “Why was I not concerned about Haiti before 50,000 have perished?” May God help us to fight apathy and refuse to close our hearts to those who are in need (1 John 3:16-18). Please be prepared this Sunday to give generously and sacrificially to provide help and hope for those experiencing suffering and loss.
* Photo Source: Associated Press
Labels: Disaster Relief, Earthquake, Haiti, Help Haiti, Hope for Haiti | posted by TimBrister at 11:04 am | Categories: Missions, Prayer |
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I also wanted to make you aware of Water Missions International, a Christian, nonprofit organization that provides clean, safe water to people in developing countries and disaster areas through a variety of technologies. Our goal is to provide sustainable access to safe water so that no person should perish for want of safe drinking water.
Water Missions International’s uniquely-designed water treatment equipment allows us to provide safe drinking water quickly after a disaster.
To learn more you can visit:
http://www.watermissions.org/catastrophe-in-haiti
http://www.watermissions.org/responding-to-disasaters
Comment by Lauren Jernigan | January 15, 2010 at 11:33 am
[...] After reading and seeing, giving and grieving, then pray. [...]
Pingback by Worth Noting 1/15: Haiti Edition « Magnify Christ | January 15, 2010 at 1:05 pm
Thank you Lauren for the info. I will be adding the links to our page. May God bless your efforts to bring clean drinking water to the Haitian people!
Comment by TimBrister | January 16, 2010 at 9:06 am