Haiti Emergency
From President Gesner Paul...
The President of the Methodist Church in Haiti shares: "On behalf of the Methodist Church in Haiti and the Haitian people, we thank you. Thank you all for your outpouring of love, support and Christian brotherhood in our great hour of need. Haiti has suffered a great tragedy, and to rebuild, recover and strengthen, it will take us all...Please continue to communicate your interest in volunteering for the recovery, and we will connect you with projects and rehabilitation programs as soon as possible. We thank you for standing by us and look forward to working in Christian partnership to build a better Haiti." Read More...
Latest News from UMCOR...
As of March 19 UMCOR has received gifts from churches, individuals and organizations totalling $15 million for Haiti Relief. Please continue to be in prayer with the people of Haiti as they grieve their losses and strive to meet their day to day needs. UMCOR is implementing a five-year plan to deal with emergency needs, relief and rehabilitation. A priority is the develpment of a comprehensive, integrated health strategy. What's happening two months after the quake? Read more.
A variety of Kits are needed. To date 23,520 health kits have arrived in Haiti through Catholic partners. Layette kits and birthing kits, equipped for mothers and infants, are in great demand as Haitians begin to rebuild their lives. Please consider assembling layette kits and birthing kits to address the basic needs of babies born in displaced persons camps in Haiti. See the collection site information below.
Gifts to support UMCOR’s work can be made with checks given through your local church and mailed to the West Michigan Conference Treasurer, P. O. Box 6247, Grand Rapids MI 49516. Memo Haiti Emergency, UMCOR Advance #418325. For full information go to UMCOR's Be There. Be Hope. In Haiti site.
Haiti Tas
k Force Updates...
There are many ways to join hands with Haiti...
Health Care Kits, food and medicine are being collected at eight sites across West Michigan. For complete information about what to pack and where to take it, click here.
With food prices soaring in Haiti, a heavy burden has been placed on the Hot Lunch Program. It is very important that support for the program not flag. Give to UMCOR Advance #418790. Congregations are encouraged to take an offering on the first Sunday of every month for this cause. Click here for information on the Hot Lunch Program.
The Ride for Haiti District Challenge is scheduled for June 7-12. Cyclists are being recruited from each district in West Michigan. Bikes will be blessed at Annual Conference and then the ride from the Michigan-Indiana border to Mackinaw City will begin. Funds raised by this effort will support reconstruction projects in Haiti. The project is being organized by the Rev. Rob Nystrom. Click here for more details.
Visit the web site of the Michigan Area Haiti Task Force for current information about ways to bring hope and healing to Haiti.
V
olunteer opportunities...
UMCOR and UMVIM Jurisdictional Coordinators are assessing damage and prioritizing future projects. They have proposed a three-year ambitious plan to facilitate the work of volunteer teams for projects identified as a priority by the Methodist Church of Haiti. At some point volunters will be given clearance to enter Haiti. As reconstruction plans are being considered, be ready by registering and training now. There will be a training session in Battle Creek on May 22. Dave Morton, West Michigan VIM Coordinator, may be contacted for more information. Read more...