| Haiti Emergency: A Major Earthquake Hits Haiti |
| Following a major earthquake in Haiti, UMCOR is assessing the needs and preparing to respond. UMCOR asks for prayers for all who are affected by the disaster. Support for relief efforts can be made to Haiti Emergency, UMCOR Advance # 418325 UMCOR Web site Churches and individuals also can send in donations to the Oklahoma Conference Office. Make checks out to the “Conference Treasurer” and write “Haiti Relief” and #418325 on the memo line. Remember, because UMCOR has a separate operational budget, one hundred percent of gifts will be utilized in the response! Gifts sent this way are credited to your local church. For new updates check the Volunteers In Mission Web site |
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2-23-2010 My sister forwarded another letter from the Haiti nurses. Donna Wow what an experience so far. This morning at 0430 the ground rumbled I was in my tent and awoke as everyone else did. Dogs were barking, people were carrying on in the streets. It was a 4.7 quake. So far today we have felt 3 of them. I had heard that the Haitians believe the next big quake was to come in the month of Feb. I don't know much about the science around an earthquake but I would think a bunch of little ones would be good. Kind of like letting off a little steam rather than explode. I don't know but it sounds good to me.
As the days go on we are still staying very busy. Wounds have healed though the emotional scarring remains. It will take years to recover from the devastation that occurred The complaints remain similar. Tet Femal (headaches), stomach pain, fevers, rash, and emotional stress. People remain grateful and patient which still amazes me. Often I feel as though we are just applying a band aid though. When we leave, what happens? Who will care for their medical needs? The poverty and problems lie so much further.
Today Deb and I decided to just start with the basics. If we can do some teaching maybe it will lead to prevention. We are starting to teach the basics..... Hand washing, cleaning of they water, even "back to sleep" on babies. Maybe some of these problems can be prevented. It's a public health nurses dream here. So much teaching and follow up needs to be done! People have started to leave port au prince and migrate to other ends of Haiti. It will be interesting to see the demographic changes as things progress.
I have had the chance to spend some time with the nationals. RI has hired many to take over when we leave. They have become family to us. I have asked questions about them and their lives. Each one has fascinating stories And I am so intrigued by them. For the most part they are well educated and have such a positive attitude. They are helpful, kind and eager to teach and learn. I feel honored that they want to teach me about their culture and way of life. They are very religious and speak of Jesus and God often. Sunday is their day of worship and they spend hours in church. Yesterday I awoke to singing from A nearby church. I felt at peace as their voices filled the air.
My mind and emotions remain somewhat confused and raw at this point. I don't think I have stopped long enough to sort things out. I still wonder how these people have survived under such conditions but somehow they continue. It's like they are stuck between hell and hope. They make the best with what they have.
Today we saw about 130 people. I gotta say we have it down and have gotten the flow. We were done by 2 so I have been able to rest a bit. Our living conditions and sanitation is difficult but I've been very conscious of hand washing etc. A few people have had vomiting and diarrhea but I figure I'm good with all the antibiotics I've been taking. I put my tent on top of a twin mattress last night and finally woke up without a sore hip. I'm so excited! Food here is quite interesting. I had no idea there were so many ways to cook spam. Lol. There's no meat here because the Haitians are afraid the pigs and and cows have been eating the bodies that remain. It's just as well because there's no refrigeration as well. The electricity is sporadic so I charge my phone every opportunity I get.
I'm still trying to figure a way to get RI home, but if it doesn't happen it's not meant to be. I will continue to enjoy my time with him while it's here.
I'm excited about returning to the orphanage tomorrow. It brings me such joy to laugh with the children. While our verbal communication is lacking we communicate in a way that somehow makes sense to us all. It just works.
I think the most important thing I have learned thus far is the importance of family, friends and health. I have everything I need and the rest is just a bonus. I remain grateful and humbled.
Thanks again for all of your support. Sorry for the disorganized letter. I think my mind is going much faster than I can put into words. God Bless and thank you all! Patti
2-10-2010 Albright UMChurch delivered a total of 23 health kits for UMCOR at the Stillwater Leadership Training meeting last Sat. Thanks to all who helped. --Alan Crockett.
2-4-2010 Haitian church members distribute UMCOR food to neighbors“Good brothers and sisters, thank you so much for this food.”Louis and Madame Felix, 74 and 76, were the first to receive a white plastic bag containing 18 pounds of rice, three pounds of beans, a quart of cooking oil and a one-pound bag of salt from the United Methodist Committee on Relief Jan. 29. Ten church members organized the food distribution and kept order. One hundred and seventy households were served.Find out more at http://www.umc.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=lwL4KnN1LtH&b=5259669&ct=7973471&tr=y&auid=5882725.
1-29-2010 UMCOR Advance for Haiti
The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) has established a special fund for Haiti Earthquake relief. Checks should be clearly marked with Haiti Emergency Advance #418325.Checks can be made to UMCOR with “Advance #418325 Haiti Emergency” in the memo line and placed in the church’s offering plate or mailed to UMCOR, P.O. Box 9068, New York, NY 10087Online donations can be made at: http://secure.gbgm-umc.org/donations/umcor/donate.cfm?id=3018760&code=418325.
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1-22-2010
1-18-2010 Haiti Earthquake Relief
The United Methodist Committee on Relief is seeking Health Kits for Haiti. Get a list of the health kit contents, instructions for helping off-set the cost of toothpaste and shipping, and get the full list of Health Kit drop-off points at www.kswestumc.org/haiti. UMCOR is requesting that for each kit donated, an additional $2 be sent with, but not inside, the kit to offset the cost of toothpaste and shipping.
1-17-2010 The Rev. Sam Dixon, top executive of the United Methodist Committee on Relief(UMCOR), died of injuries received after being buried in the rubble of a collapsed hotel following the earthquake.
Continue >> (http://bit.ly/8htHHJ)
1-16-2010 Visit http://www.umc.org/haiti and http://www.facebook.com/unitedmethodistchurch for continuously updated information.
1-15-2010 Dear United Methodist Friends,
United Methodist Communications continues to provide news coverage of the situation in Haiti, including how the church is responding, at http://www.umc.org/haiti. We also want you to know of other resources available for churches and members who want to help.
Volunteers and Health Kits
According to UMCOR (http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=ovLYL8MRLmK3LnI&s=cfILISPwHbIKITNrFlF&m=iiJSK9PPLjIZF) (United Methodist Committee on Relief), there will be a great need for volunteers to help rebuild once the initial crisis is past, but it is not safe or possible for volunteers to go to Haiti at the present. However, UMCOR's two relief supply warehouses are asking United Methodists to provide health kits that will be sent to Haiti. Instructions for assembling and shipping health kits are available here (http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=krKQJWOCIaLMIbI&s=cfILISPwHbIKITNrFlF&m=iiJSK9PPLjIZF).
Donations
We are grateful that donations continue to come in online (http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=jgLOITNyHaINKaJ&s=cfILISPwHbIKITNrFlF&m=iiJSK9PPLjIZF).Donors may also contribute by placing a check in the offering plate at a local church or by mailing it to UMCOR, P.O. Box 9068, New York, NY 10087. Checks should indicate "Advance #418325" in the memo line. United Methodist Communications is creating a special bulletin insert for churches' use, which will be available Friday at www.umc.org/haiti.
Ministry Resources
Following the Asian tsunami, United Methodist Communications produced a video and study guide titled "God, Why?" to help people cope with the spiritual and emotional impact of disasters. The resource, available from EcuFilm (http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=khKQJWOCIeLMI7I&s=cfILISPwHbIKITNrFlF&m=iiJSK9PPLjIZF), explores why such tragedies happen and God's role in them. The study guide provides a basis for group study and discussion.
During this time of pain and suffering, let us take comfort in the promise of Psalm 46:1, NRSV: "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."
United Methodist Communications
810 12th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203
1-14-2010 From the South Central Jurisdiction:
Tom Hazelwood of UMCOR held a phone call to discuss relief effort and how we can help. Sam Dixon, Clint Rabb and Jim Gulley are in Port au Prince for a meeting with the new head of the Haitian church. They have not been heard from since the earthquake. We ask for prayers that they are safe and prayers for their families and friends while we await word of their safety.
Support for relief efforts can be made to Haiti Emergency, UMCOR Advance # 418325. One hundred percent of all gifts will be used for the emergency. Donate online here: http://secure.gbgm-umc.org/donations/umcor/donate.cfm?id=3018760&code=418325
Health Kits:
UMCOR is asking for health kits, click here for contents of health kits. A list of contents for health kits is available here: http://kwc.brickriver.com/files/oFiles_Library_XZXLCZ/sbdhealthkitv02[1]_PFXIPVKA.pdf. Remember, due to international shipping rules, contents must be only items listed…no variations.
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1-13-2010 United Methodists respond with prayer and aid for Haiti
UMNS-- “We are OK, the building held up, thanks for your prayers.”
After hours of uncertainty in the aftermath of a deadly earthquake that rocked Haiti, those words from his wife, Pam, and two other members of a mission team were an answered prayer for the Rev. Kenneth Carter Jr. of Providence United Methodist Church in Charlotte, N.C.
The three volunteers were safe inside the Methodist Guest House in the capital of Port-au-Prince Tuesday evening. The three had gone ahead to Haiti to prepare for a larger team from the church that had planned to leave North Carolina Wednesday morning, Jan. 13. The trip is delayed, Carter said.
Read more from UMC.org: http://www.umc.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=lwL4KnN1LtH&b=2433457&ct=7800627
United Methodist response to Haiti Emergency
UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) is still organizing a response. As soon as Sandy Hendrickson, conference disaster response coordinator, has more information about what is needed, we will send out additional information.
For now, churches can plan to respond with monetary donations to UMCOR’s Haiti Emergency, UMCOR Advance #418325 or by visiting http://secure.gbgm-umc.org/donations/umcor/donate.cfm?id=3018760&code=418325.
Service opportunity to help Haiti
El Dorado, Kansas has been asked to package meals for Haiti through the Numana Project. El Dorado hosted a food-packaging event for them in December. In two days, 1500 volunteers packaged 285,210 meals at the El Dorado, Kansas Civic Center.
There’s no need to sign up in advance. Meals will be packaged from noon to 10 p.m. Friday, Jan. 15, and from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 16.
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Worship Resources
UMCOR has created a special Advance fund for the Haiti Emergency, Advance #418325. Worship resources, including a bulletin insert, are available from the General Board of Discipleship and UMCOR. Links to these resources are found at www.kswestumc.org/haiti.
Service opportunity to help Haiti
Numana Inc. is planning a second meal packaging event Jan. 23 and 24 at the Britt Brown Arena at the Kansas Coliseum in Park City. Meals include rice, vegetables and vitamins.
El Dorado hosted its first Numana event in December, and a second one Jan. 15 and 16 at the request of the Salvation Army. Five-thousand volunteers worked over the two days, packaging 650,000 meals, beating the original goal by nearly 100,000.
There’s no need to sign up in advance. Meal packaging will begin at 8 a.m. Jan. 23. Read more about Numana Inc.’s meal packaging event at http://www.kwch.com/global/story.asp?s=11837401.
United Methodist Relief Executive Dies Before Rescue from Hotel Ruins in Haiti
New York, NY, Jan. 16, 2010 - The Rev. Dr. Sam Dixon, head of the humanitarian relief agency of The United Methodist Church, died before he could be rescued from the rubble of a hotel destroyed by the earthquake that hit Haiti on January 12.
The executive officer of the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) was part of a group of mission and relief specialists trapped by the collapse of the Hotel Montana. Other persons in the group of five, including two more from the General Board of Global Ministries, were rescued and were back in the US by the morning of January 16. The group was pinned down for more than 55 hours.
Dixon was reportedly alive in the hotel ruins on the morning of January 15. Confirmation of his death before rescue was conveyed to Global Ministries through several sources, including eyewitnesses from a Methodist guest house in Port-au-Prince, where Dixon and his colleagues had been staying. Frequent press reports throughout the day on January 15 asserting his safety were incorrect.
Read the entire article on the General Board of Global Ministries website: http://gbgm-umc.org/global_news/full_article.cfm?articleid=5629
Rev. Clinton Rabb, Mission Executive Dies As Result of Earthquake Injuries
New York, NY, Jan. 17, 2010--The Rev. Clinton Rabb, 60, a leader in The United Methodist Church's extensive mission volunteer program, died on January 17 in a Florida hospital of injuries sustained when he was trapped for 55 hours in the ruins of Hotel Montana, which was destroyed by the January 12 earthquake in Haiti.
The native of Texas was head of the office of Mission Volunteers of the General Board of Global Ministries. He is the second staff member of the agency to die from earthquake injuries. The Rev. Sam Dixon did not survive, though rescue workers tried to free him. He was the executive in charge of the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR).
"Clint Rabb was a tough and fearless advocate for the least and most vulnerable of God's children," said Bishop Joel N. Martinez, the interim general secretary (CEO) of Global Ministries. "He traveled the world encouraging volunteer ministry in his service on behalf of Christ and the church. He gave his life for others and we celebrate his faithful witness."
Read the entire article on the General Board of Global Ministries website: http://gbgm-umc.org/global_news/full_article.cfm?articleid=5631
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Donate to UMCOR’s Haiti Relief
Donations to support UMCOR’s Haiti Relief efforts can be made online to Haiti Emergency, UMCOR Advance #418325. The entire amount of each gift will be used to help the people of Haiti.Donations may be made online at .Checkshttp://secure.gbgm-umc.org/donations/umcor/donate.cfm?code=418325&id=3018760 can be made payable to local churches with the notation “Haiti Relief” and put in the churches’ offering plates.
