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Mother Teresa wrote: “Let us touch the dying, the poor, the lonely and the unwanted according to the graces we have received and let us not be ashamed or slow to do the humble work.”
We all must begin the humble work with our personal graces and we can commit ourselves to pray for all the victims and their families who now suffer from the wounds of injury, brokenness of separation and grief over the loss of family members, neighbors and friends.
Here are a few things you might consider doing to help in Haiti
1. Definitely this is a time of preparation. When the first responders have finished with their important and difficult task the means will be opened up for sending containers of needed supplies to help assist work of the church. During this time of preparation here are a few suggestions.
u UMCOR has put out an appeal for immediate financial support # 418325
u Because of the earthquake food prices are soaring throughout the country and this has placed a heavy burden on the vast majority of Methodist schools that are open in Haiti. It is important that we continue to support the Haiti School Hot Lunch program UMCOR # 418790 Encourage your congregation to receive an offering on the first Sunday of every month for the Hot Lunch Program (Hearts For Haiti) and remember the country in morning prayers.
u Check the websites, Detroit and West Michigan, and find out what supplies and/or materials are being collected for future shipment to Haiti. Health Kits are requested by UMCOR and you can start putting together the kits or help organize a “Health Kit Party” at your church. The materials for the Health Kits costs about $10.00
Detroit Conference: http://www.detroitconference.org/
West Michigan Conference: http://www.westmichiganconference.org/
u Learn about the history and culture of Haiti. You will discover that Haiti has a very rich and interesting history. Suggest: http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/world/A0858544.html
u Help organize a Haiti Relief fund raiser in your church. Churches are sponsoring Chili Cook-Off Events, Dinners with Haitian cuisine, Soup and Pie Meals, etc.
u The Christian season of Lent is beginning plan to fast sharing the cost of what you give up during Lent for Haiti.
u Plan to attend the Haiti Mission Events being planned for every district in the West Michigan Conference
DATE: SATURDAY – April 24, 2010
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District
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Time
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Place
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Presenters
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Heartland and Grand
Traverse Districts
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10:00 am –
12:00 noon
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Reed City UMC Church
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Terrie Eisenmann
Rev Dale Golden
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Albion and
Kalamazoo Districts
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2:00 pm –
4:00 pm
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Chapel Hill UMC
Battle Creek
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Rev David Hills
Rev David Morton
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Grand Rapids and
Lansing Districts
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6:00 pm –
8:30 pm
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University UMC
East Lansing
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Valerie Mossman
Bob Pena
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Together we have a S-O-N-G to sing in our hope for Haiti’s recovery. A meal of rice and beans will be served at each gathering. It will be a time for sharing, information gathering, planning, worship and together reaching with united hands and hearts in the mission challenge that stands before all of us.
u People and team are needed to help collect Haiti supplies at drop off stations and bring them to the Grand Rapids Warehouse; contact Rev. Dale Golden for information - (989) 842-3632
u Volunteers are needed at the Grand Rapids Warehouse to begin sorting and packing materials for the sea container shipment; contact Rev. Dale Golden (989) 842-3632
u Attend the Michigan Area Haiti Task Force – March 20, 2010 at Okemos Community Church, Okemos, MI - 11:00 – 12:00 VIM Haiti Information and MAHTF Meeting 1:00 pm
u Attend the Festival of Opportunities (Detroit and West Michigan Conferences) on Saturday, April 10, 2010 – First United Methodist Church, Brighton, Michigan (Information on upcoming
VIM Training Events for teams going to Haiti)
http://www.westmichiganconference.org/events/detail/2394
u Participate in the Bahamas Methodist Habitat air flight program being spear headed by the Albion District. Medicines and Medical Equipment being flown to Jeremie, Haiti – your gifts of medical supplies and over the counter medicines is greatly needed. See the link here on the website for more information. http://www.bahamashabitat.org/wordpress/
u Help get the youth in your church involved in making up Health Kits for Haiti.
Right now it is impossible to even predict a date when VIM teams will be able to get into Haiti and it will probably mean an entire different makeup of the teams going into Haiti to do reconstruction projects. We will wait patiently and prayerfully for the direction the Haitian Methodist Church requests their needs our teams of trained workers to come to Haiti.
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