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Haiti Disaster Relief

Our Mission Partners in Haiti:

One Is Fine, One Near Quake's Epicenter

Stay Up-to-date... To catch up on the latest news coming from Lifeline Ministries, visit their news blog. From there, you may also subscribe to their newsletter.

Update —January 27:

Lifeline Christian Mission is our mission partner located in Port-Au-Prince, Haiti, the epicenter of recent earthquake. In recent days they have had babies to deliver, limbs to amputate, patients who will never walk again, and patients with horrible crush injuries and fractures. They have had to set and cast many broken bones.  We encourage you to follow updated news from Lifeline.

Sonlight Ministries is our mission partner in Port-De-Paix, Hait. Port-De-Paix is on the Northern coast of Haiti. Refugees from the earthquake are now arriving at a steady rate from Port-Au_Prince. Sonlight is now looking at giving people money for travel, for those stranded with no money to travel out of Port au Prince. They are providing food for those same refugees who do come here, perhaps living with families who are already struggling.  They are also providing clothes, soap, canned milk, rice and beans.

Norma Alexander says, “We have gathered extra towels and sheets, and are doing what we can to alleviate hunger and clothing needs. Initially, we plan for this to be a four week program and then we will start helping people to rehabilitate. We will help them find work, making them as independent as possible.  That is always our goal, to help people reach a place where they are independent, rather than dependent on us or anyone else.  This sounds so good in theory, but is very  difficult in practice.  Evangelism, education, and hopefully some way of supporting themselves and their families are our goals.”
 
Presently, because it is difficult at this point in time to get supplies in on a boat, Sonlight is in need of funds to buy food supplies that are available.

Update —January 18: First Christian Church is now an official drop off location for Lifeline Mission relief to Haiti.

Hours for drop off are:
Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Sunday 8:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m.

For a list of items you can donate, visit Lifeline's Donation List page.

HOW CAN WE HELP?

The 7.3 earthquake that devastated Haiti this week, hit the First Christian Church Family close to home. We have two mission partners in Haiti and have heard from both. Before we share what they said, many of you have called the church to ask what you can do to help meet the needs of the people in Haiti.

We know there will be financial needs. Buildings and homes need to be repaired or rebuilt. Water purifiers will be a necessity. Containers of Kids Against Hunger food that are ready to be shipped, but more food will have to be packaged and paid for. Medical supplies need to be replenished. In the future, there will probably be a need for work parties to help rebuild. Lifeline Mission, a mission partner of First Christian, has headquarters near the epicenter of the earthquake.

In response to the earthquake in Haiti, First Christian is coming alongside Lifeline Christian Mission and Sonlight Ministries, our two mission partners in Haiti. Lifeline is located in Port Au Prince, the epicenter of the earthquake. Being at the epicenter, Lifeline is in extreme need. Sonlight Ministries is located in Port De Paix and even though they are over 100 miles north of the epicenter, Sonlight is now also giving care to the wounded and experiencing need as well. If you desire to help meet the needs of the Haitian people, FCC will help. We’ve added an online option to donate through our website or slip your donation into an envelope and clearly mark “Haiti Relief” on the front of the envelope or on your check. All money that comes in will be sent directly to our mission partners in Haiti.

NEWS FROM HAITI

Our first mission partner Brooke Durbin who serves at Sonlight Christian Academy is fine. Many of you will remember that Brooke was introduced during a worship service when she was home for Christmas. Sonlight is located in Port-du-Paix in northernmost Haiti. Brooke reports that there was no real damage at Sonlight Mission but that they felt the earthquake and several of the aftershocks. Haitian graduates of Sonlight Academy who are attending Kentucky Christian University (KCU) all have family in Port Au Prince. They have not been able to contact their families yet.

Download Brooke’s latest update here.

Prayer Request: For communications to open so the kids at KCY can get news of loved ones

Our second mission partner is Lifeline Christian Mission (lifeline.org). It is located about 5 miles west of Port au Prince which is Lifeline's Grand Goave headquarters. A few weeks ago, there was a table in the lobby and several families chose a child to adopt and thereby ensure education, clothing and a connection with a Christian family in the States. Gretchen DeVoe and a team of 58 women from Columbus, OH area were at Lifeline when the quake hit. Gretchen sent this update:

"This is a major disaster. As with any disaster, the news changes almost minute to minute. All of our facilities made entirely with stone are intact. That includes dorms, the clinic, and the stone pillars in the church. However we cannot go back into the dorms until they have been inspected to make certain they are 100% safe. All of our cement block walls are down and most of the contents within our buildings have been damaged or destroyed.

Cell phone towers are down but we have satellite internet and so have been able to communicate with you. We had water at first but now there is no water. The roads are impassable and will be for days.

The Haitians themselves have not fared so well. Many homes are down and people are coming to the mission for water and light. People are coming in large numbers with broken limbs and severe wounds. We are in need of medical supplies.

The good news is that we continue to minister to the large numbers of Haitians who have come to the mission in search of safety and help. The women are moving from group to group praying with people. A disaster of this magnitude opens the door wide for discussions about God. The women are handing out some clothing and shoes. We are meeting what medical needs we can. The school kitchen is being worked on to start cooking Kids Against Hunger food for the people."

Keep up with news from Haiti and the recovery efforts at www.lifeline.org.

Prayer requests:

  • Give thanks that no-one was killed at the mission itself.
  • Give thanks for the open door to minister in love and help meet immediate needs of the Haitians.
  • Ask for continued wisdom as the scope of the damage around us becomes known.
  • Ask that we make contact with our Children's Home in Port au Prince. 90 children are there.
  • Ask that shipping containers of Kids Against Hunger food would speed our way so people can be fed.
  • Ask that customs duties and regulations be lifted so food can reach us at lowest possible cost.