Haiti update: Nazarenes show generosity; prayers still needed

Port-au-Prince, Haiti

From General Superintendent J. K. Warrick in the Caribbean Region

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Dear Nazarenes:

I want to give you another update on Haiti while we are traveling on the Caribbean Region to conduct district assemblies. Haitians are never out of our hearts and minds, and they are always in our prayers.

Word has just been received from the General Treasurer's Office at the Global Ministry Center that giving to Haitian Nazarenes for earthquake relief has reached $1.5 million (USD). Thanks be to God for your generosity!

After prayer, money is the most important contribution Nazarenes can make right now.

If you would like to give to the relief effort, you may do so at through Nazarene Compassionate Ministries/Haiti Earthquake.

It is now two weeks since the earthquake measuring 7.0 on the Richter scale struck Haiti on 12 January 2010. According to the Associated Press, the death toll is currently estimated at over 150,000.


Nazarene Damage Assessment in Haiti

Reports from the Caribbean Region indicate the following damage as of 26 January:

• Scores of churches in the South Central District have been ruined.
• The churches in Boutin and Tabarre report that their buildings are destroyed and numerous members are injured.
• Many members are dead or missing from our Bel-Air church in Port-au-Prince.
• A great number of members of the Petionville church have lost their homes.

More details will be forthcoming as regional, district, and local church leaders continue to assess the extent of these tragic events.


The Nazarene Response

The denomination has 555 churches in Haiti and nearly 120,000 members. These are our brothers and sisters in Christ. There is great faith and strong spiritual leadership among the Haitians; there are no missionaries. The strength of our church in Haiti is the result of your prayers, the efforts of Work & Witness teams, and faithful giving to the World Evangelism Fund.

There are Nazarene responders on the ground in Haiti - primarily Haitian Nazarenes who are working diligently to provide relief and comfort to their own people. You are making this possible with your prayers and monetary gifts.

We know there is a strong desire in the hearts of many to go to Haiti and help. Nazarenes are people of action, but there is a need to keep order in the church's response. Some volunteers from other organizations have arrived in Haiti with no supplies of their own and have had to depend on relief organizations to assist them. This consumes scarce resources needed for Haitians. 

The church's time in Haiti for further relief work, including reconstruction, is coming soon.  Medical teams are already assisting; other kinds of help will be needed for the longer term.


In Closing

I leave you God's Word:
 
"Because of the devastation of the afflicted, because of the groaning of the needy, Now I will arise," says the LORD; "I will set him in the safety for which he longs"  (Psalms 12:5, NASB).

Prayer is the most important thing the church can do. Keep praying that the Lord will provide safety for Haitians in the midst of this devastation.

In and for Him,

J. K. Warrick
General Superintendent

bgs@nazarene.org


Note from NCM concerning U.S. donations: The U.S. Congress has passed a bill allowing cash donations made to U.S.-based organizations working in Haiti earthquake response to be itemized on either 2009 or 2010 tax returns. These donations must be made after January 11, 2010, and before March 1, 2010. For further information, click here to visit the IRS web site. We encourage each donor to consult with their tax advisor regarding their individual situation.

 

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