First the January 2nd earthquake in Tajikistan…now a 7.0 earthquake in Haiti. Devastation – destruction – the need for a response.
Having been on the ground within the first week after the Tsunami in Sumatra, I know the feeling of helplessness combined with an overwhelming compulsion to act. Thank the Lord that Christians see such desperation and are moved to act. Unfortunately there’s a dilemma. The need is urgent, overwhelming and immediate. The capacity for response is painstakingly slow and frustrating. I’m certain that thousands of Christians would board jets, bring their own tents, and pockets full of money, crates of medicines and food and much more – and they would leave tomorrow or today if possible.
The facilitating agencies just now are trying to get on the ground and make assessments, report back on needs and organize response plans. All the while, people are dying and suffering.
So, what does one do?
First and foremost pray and seek direction from the Lord. I’ve been in situations where all I could do was pray and send money. During the big Tsunami, God made it clear that I was to lead our church to do something much more tangible and perhaps fool-hearty. I asked several hundred people to pray, told them I was leaving for the area, and handful of us got on a jet, took some cash, made some phone calls, and just went. We were prepared for anything or nothing and we pretty well got what we expected. Along with a number of churches we worked with local partners to coordinate an immediate response. Some criticized our impatience. That’s ok. Many were grateful for an avenue to jump in and serve. The Indonesians whose lives were touched by numerous teams that followed us from a variety of churches and organizations were blessed and lives were saved and some were impacted for eternity.
No doubt – if God leads you to go early in such a situation – you must fall under a strong partner or prepare for trouble, and criticism but also know that there will be blessings.
So my strongest advice in times like these – pray, seriously, pray and ask God to show you what to do because He does want you to respond. Some of you are going to do the fool-hearty thing of jumping on a jet and just going. Amen.
Some will send money to anyone who says they are doing something in the earthquake affected areas. Be wary of sending your money to just anyone.
Others will put themselves completely in the stead of a trusted partner who will manage resources and possibly facilitate volunteers in the area. Now is not really the time to figure out where to send your money. Now is the time to send your disaster response money to a trusted partner who knows about disaster assessment and rapid response as well as long-lasting impact on rebuilding community. I recommend BGR because I know and trust them. I’ve seen their capability of responding in times of crisis. I participated in the training that they provide to thousands of volunteers that serve during such times. I also know that 100% of the dollars given for disasters go directly to the disaster and ZERO Dollars goes to overhead or administration of any kind.
So how do you respond? It all begins with prayer...seriously…not prayer between pass the rolls and thank you for the food. I mean…prayer…in the sense of crying out and laying yourself on the throne. Be available to go and be ready to give and be actively praying and and investing in God’s response to this urgent need.
For more information check out Baptist Press Updates.
see full article below…
Haiti relief assessment under way
The initial Southern Baptist disaster relief effort will be led by Florida Baptists, who have had ministry relationships in Haiti for more than 20 years and currently have six staff members who live and work in the country, said Jim Brown, U.S. director for Baptist Global Response. The Southern Baptist International Mission Board does not have long-term personnel stationed in the country.
The North American Mission Board’s disaster relief office is organizing an emergency consultation with state disaster relief directors to coordinate response to the catastrophe, Brown said. Disaster relief teams in Mississippi and Kentucky are on standby for immediate response.
An assessment team is being organized by Baptist Global Response, International Mission Board, North American Mission Board and state convention disaster relief directors to enter the country as soon as possible, Brown said. They will work with Haitian Baptists to identify immediate needs that must be addressed and will draft mid- and long-term plans for an ongoing relief effort.
Initial funding for the relief effort will come from the International Mission Board’s disaster relief fund. Contributions toward the relief effort also can be made at gobgr.org.
The 7.0 magnitude tremor hit 10 miles from the center of Port-au-Prince, the nation’s capital with a population of 3 million, at around 5 p.m. Jan. 12, according to news reports. One source said the quake could be felt more than 200 miles away. The earthquake triggered a tsunami watch for Haiti, the Dominican Republic and Cuba.
Multiple strong aftershocks continued to rock the country after the initial tremor, said David Brown, who with his wife, Jo directs Baptist Global Response work in the Americas. Reports from inside the country indicate infrastructure and many buildings suffered catastrophic damage. The main airport is closed; power and communications are down; and security is a serious concern. Specialized search and rescue teams and military units from several countries are being rushed into Haiti to help secure the situation and begin relief efforts.
Apart from donating to the disaster relief fund, concerned individuals can help greatly by joining in focused prayer for Haiti’s 9 million people, more than 80 percent of whom live below the poverty line, David Brown said.
“Please pray for us as we assess and monitor the situation in Haiti after the 7.0 earthquake and subsequent aftershocks this evening,” Brown said. “The initial information indicates 2 million people in Port-au-Prince are directly affected. Please pray for victims and their families. Pray for wisdom as responses are initiated.”
The situation in Haiti is very fluid and additional information will continue to flow in on a daily basis, Brown said. Updates will be released as new information becomes available.
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Mark Kelly is an assistant editor with Baptist Press.
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
I cannot wrap my head around the scope of the devastation. My heart aches for the people who are left. Am I reading this wrong or is the assessment team the first thing our Southern Baptists are sending? Please, they do not need a committee! Send the team, yes, but let them be accompanied by the first wave of relief from us. Maybe that is already in progress. If it is, please let us know. I saw the Fox News interview with Franklin Graham who accompanied his supplies into Haiti. I am praying for Haiti, also for wisdom for the IMB.