I participated in a World Relief conference call this afternoon, with their staff on the ground in Haiti. The aftershock today, while felt in the quake affected area, did not do additional damage. Haiti’s premanent infrastructure remains in ruins. Access to fuel, water, food distribution, and electricity remain completely dependent upon what the relief agencies and particpating governments are bringing in. World Relief is participating daily in coordination meetings, both with participating relief agencies and its network of local churchs, through which World Relief is disseminating emergency medical care, food, water and shelter. World Relief is now feeding and providing water and shelter to more than 5000 Haitians each day. Yiour generous donations are being put to great use, in the compassionate name of Jesus Christ.
Everyone in the quake affected area has been directly effected by the disaster — loss of loved ones and friends; loss of homes and businesses; loss of a means to provide for one’s family; or serious injury. World Relief’s local staff and the local pastors and their families in World Relief’s church network have suffered similarly to all in Haiti — yet through the strength of Jesus Christ they are compassionately minstering to all. Please keep them in prayer for they shoulder heavy burdens. In the midst of this unimaginable suffering, there is hope. A story was shared on the call of a young mother, 9 months pregnant, who had been pinned in the debris last Tuesday. She was freed last week and today gave birth to a health baby, in one of the hospitals operated by World Relief. Praise God!
Best informatiion indicates the the first need for volunteers will be for trained grief counselors, particularly those that speak French or Creole. If God’s urging you to volunteer, click here for next steps.
John:
Thank you for your interest! It is still too early to place most volunteers in the quake affected areas. Grace is working closely with World Relief to understand when volunteers might be helpful and we will be in continued discernment about how God desires Grace to engage in this aspect and in long term assistance. Please continue to follow the International Ministries blog on the Grace website for updates and I will add you to the list of folks who have expressed interest. In the interim, go to the CauseUp website — http://causeup.ning.com/page/volunteer-for-relief-efforts — and register as a volunteer. This site allows you to describe your specific experience and capabilities.
Blessings,
Jim Gibbs