Responding to the Haiti Earthquake

No doubt many of you have begun to see photos coming out of Haiti detailing some of the devastation and immense loss. Photos of the Presidential Palace, Hospitals, homes and businesses have now flooded the media outlets and with each new glimpse we read pain on the faces of our Haitian brothers and sisters.

While nations, relief agencies, independent business and others have now begun pledging support to the people and land of Haiti, it is often hard to imagine ways people like you and me can help in the Haitian recovery effort. Our first step is prayer. If you find yourself without words I invite you to consider this prayer which has been adapted from the Presbyterian Church's Book of Common Worship:

God of compassion please watch over the people of Haiti, and weave out of these terrible happenings wonders of goodness and grace. Surround those who have been affected by tragedy with a sense of your present love, and hold them in faith. Though they are lost in grief, may they find you and be comforted. Guide us as a church to find ways of providing assistance that heal wounds and provide hope. Help us to remember that when one of your children suffers we all suffer; through Jesus Christ who was dead,
but lives and rules this world with you. Amen.

If you feel compelled to make monetary assistance part of your response I would encourage you to visit the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance's Website site. Here you can find an update on the earthquake, the ways you can respond with assistance, and a method to make a contribution to the PCUSA's releif efforts. With reports of scam charities being reported daily, we have to be extra cautious in the way in which we give. It is important to note that the PCUSA's Extra Commitment Donation System is easy to use, totally honest and scam free. If you would rather not donate online there is a phone number to call as well.

I hope that you will continue to pray for the people of Haiti & all those who will travel there for releif. In this group is Mark Hare & his family. Mark is a member of the Presbytery of Scioto Valley and has spoken here at Boulevard recently. Mark and his family have lived in Haiti for sometime where he is working in sustainability and farming. To learn more about Mark and his work please visit his page by clicking here.