Thursday, January 14, 2010

Earthquake Relief - Helping Haiti

Dear Friends in Christ –

As you know, a magnitude 7 earthquake struck Haiti on Tuesday, January 12th at about 5:00 p.m. During times like this, we all want to help. But we don’t want to just alleviate our own sense of suffering and our survivors’ guilt at still having so much, we want to really make a difference. Having worked at two major disaster sites this past decade (9/11 in NYC and Hurricane Katrinia in NO), I have some experience in disaster mobilization; I’ve seen first-hand what really helps and what doesn’t.

Here’s what really helps.

1. After you know the basics of the situation, turn off the TV or fold the newspaper and PRAY. Talk to God about what you’ve seen pour out your heart for those who are suffering. Once you’ve said what you have to say about the unfairness of life and the horror of all this, LISTEN to God. He’ll probably call you to do something.

2. Whatever it is, do it. Then, when you’re talking to people about the disaster, share what you’ve done. One of the biggest problems generated by a disaster of this magnitude is that it makes us feel helpless. But we are NOT helpless. We are God’s hands and feet in the world. What we do does make a difference. We need to do more than talk about how sad this is. We need to help and to talk about our contribution. It lifts our spirits and the spirits of those around us.

The following two things make the biggest immediate and long-term difference in a disaster situation.

A. Give. CASH. Now. And give it to a reputable agency that has the ability to get boots on the ground now. The next week is CRITICAL. Large agencies that already have a relational base in Haiti and have the ability to transport medical supplies, food, water and shelter will use your donations most effectively. The American Red Cross – www.redcross.org. Americares – www.americares.org. OR Episcopal Relief and Development – www.er-d.org. (Please note that the Episcopal Bishop of Haiti, the Rt. Rev. Zache Duracin, is alright, but his wife was injured and his home is destroyed. The entire Holy Trinity Episcopal Cathedral and complex is gone; the Convent of the Sisters of St. Margaret is destroyed, but the Sisters are OK. ERD will also help with rebuilding efforts for the diocese as time goes on.)

B. Support and encourage those you know with connections in Haiti. The transformation that happens during disasters happens because we get involved in each other’s stories and risk going deeper with each other. In our own congregation, Nikki Pivovar is in the process of adopting a child, Allie, who is in an orphanage just outside of Port-au-Prince. Pray for Nikki and her daughters, ask her how she’s doing, listen for ways to help and support her. Paul D’Agostino has worked for years with an organization based in Bridgeport, Haiti Lumiere de Demain (HLD), which provides books for children in Haiti. Paul has been to Haiti many times and has many personal relationships there. Pray for Paul and his Haitian friends. (You may also make a donation to HLD, which is partnering with International Firefighters Assistance, Inc. to provide 10,000 solar powered flashlights – critical equipment for relief work! To donate – www.haitilumiere.org/wp.

Thank you for caring. Thank you for praying. Thank you for doing whatever you can to help. In living our faith, our light shines. The people of Haiti – and God – are grateful.
Faithfully yours,
Janet+

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