The earthquake in Haiti was so extremely catastrophic, the devastation is beyond comprehensible to me. But, I know at least by praying, we can all do something! The following is an email we received today from Ben Homan, the director of Food for the Hungry. David knew Ben from CPC and we've enjoyed connecting with him several times in the past few years (including while we were in Uganda.) If you haven't yet donated money, FH is a wonderful gospel centered organization and will use the funds wisely.
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Greetings,
Please forgive me for sending a non-personalized e-mail, yet perhaps you can appreciate the urgency to get the word out on Haiti. Food for the Hungry's relief team is on the ground in Port-au-Prince responding to the devastating quake (note, however, that 12 of our 19 staff members who servein Port-au-Prince are still missing). I would ask you to respond in prayer. And, if God leads, please consider contributing financially (see e-mail pasted below) -- or, if you are in a church or ministry, please consider directing your congregation or group toward Food for the Hungry. If you follow this web-link ( www.fh.org/haiti ), you can also find resources like downloadable video to share with others and even a downloadable church bulletin insert. In the next paragraph, one of our staff members (Marlene is her name) offers a firsthand account of the devastation:
"We are in a situation of disaster and we are ALL left by ourselves because the UN HQ as been completely destroyed and the complete head team has been killed after the building housing them ( a huge hotel of more than 8 floor and as many at lower level) was completed smashed down…the direct consequence is that all effort (loader, tractors ,helicopters , etc ) are concentrated to help the UN first and the whole population is left to her "own sake" as they reply when they are called for Help. People that are under the destroyed building and still alive are not being rescued by the institutional help ,we are seeing instead solidarity effort and enthusiastic and spontaneous helper rescuing people. In my neighborhood we were able to rescue alive a 98 blind YO lady after 16 hrs. Her house smashed down over her head ,she is not well with her left arm broken and bruised she might end up amputated . 7 hospital have been destroyed including 2 of MSF and the results that the only remaining hospital were overloaded after 45 min following the event and after the first day they ran out of all elementary medical material like IV fluid or just Gauze. Thousands of people (3000 they say) are wounded and cannot receive help or care as a result many have died because of lack of care .Since help from the government or the UN has been totally absent the population is fighting alone and the dead people are just abandoned on the sidewalk we cannot count them). Many school, Hotels (like Montana: hosting at the time 200 visitors was completely destroyed) and universities while they were having the afternoon group working. My family was miraculously save alive, the house where I lived is completely destroyed although the roof is still standing. Next door ,where I grew up my parents house is completely smashed down with my father. He died I think and hope immediately we were able to remove him under the roof from after 2 hres of effort and I have buried him in the front yard of our his home."
As you respond to the crumbling impact of this earthquake, be reminded that God graciously strengthens the foundations and pillars of the Church even as many forces would seek to shake and destroy it.
God be with you, Ben
Benjamin K. Homan, President
Food for the Hungry
God called and we responded until physical and spiritual hungers ended worldwide.
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Thousands feared dead amidst the rubble and ruins
A powerful earthquake, believed to be between 7.0 and 7.3 magnitude, has struck off the coast of Haiti, hitting in the highly populated capital of Port-au-Prince. Food for the Hungry Haiti staff members are on the ground and our Emergency Response Unit and nearby Dominican Republic staff are mobilizing to help Haitians in need.
Night has fallen, leaving thousands of people stranded and possibly trapped under the rubble. Many public buildings, including a hospital, have collapsed. In a country already poor and vulnerable, this catastrophe threatens the lives of countless Haitians.
Please help Food for the Hungry bring hope to the people reeling from this catastrophe.
Pray: Please pray for the safety of our staff in Haiti, many of whom we have not been able to contact. Also, pray for the thousands of Haitians struggling to survive, that help would reach them in time.
Give now: Your faithful support allows our Emergency Response Unit to reach people immediately with the supplies they need – food, water, shelter – to survive.Give now to help bring hope to Haiti.
I never cease to be amazed at your faithful partnership with Food for the Hungry as we go to the hard places around the world. Please prayerfully consider a generous gift to help Haitians in their time of need.
Co-responders to God's call,
Benjamin K. Homan
President
P.S. Thank you for joining us to help the poor and disadvantaged. Your gift today will be shine the love of Christ to the hurting people of Haiti.
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