Haiti Earthquake Updates

From the Kansas East Conference

Disaster Response and Volunteers In Mission

Disaster Response Update – January 17, 2010

Celebration of the lives of Rev. Sam Dixon and Rev. Clint Rabb

"Sam was unsurpassed in his dedication, tireless work, and joyful embrace of Christ's mission," said Bishop Bruce R. Ough of West Ohio, president of the General Board of Global Ministries. "His absence in our lives and at Global Ministries will be profound." The bishop said that Dixon 's death is an "overwhelming blow" for the organization. "I extend my deepest sympathy to Sam's family and his colleagues in ministry."  Read the complete article at:  http://gbgm-umc.org/global_news/full_article.cfm?articleid=5630

"Clint Rabb was a tough and fearless advocate for the least and most vulnerable of God's children," said Bishop Joel N. Martinez, the interim general secretary (CEO) of Global Ministries. "He traveled the world encouraging volunteer ministry in his service on behalf of Christ and the church. He gave his life for others and we celebrate his faithful witness." Read the complete article at: http://gbgm-umc.org/global_news/full_article.cfm?articleid=5631

Health Kit Clarification

I have been asked for a clarification on the health kit money ($1.00 for toothpaste and $1.00 for shipping).  The money should be kept separate from the kits and will be picked up at the same time as the kits are picked up. 

Health Kit Response

Sandy Simmons with First UMC, Leavenworth wrote:

“I am so please to say that before I even got up to talk about the kits this morning we had about 40 complete kits brought in!  That was all a result of getting the word out as quickly as you guys have done.  We linked to UMCOR on our church website, as well as sent out a message through our church email prayer chain…and just those two things got to enough people that we had great response.  I sent a ‘shopping’ list with everyone this morning as they were leaving both services and our children’s time was about the kits, so hopefully we will have LOTS next week.  We also did a special offering for UMCOR.  We feel more that a little helpless, but these are two things we know we can do!”

Edgerton’s Update

Shirley Edgerton wrote:

January 17, 2010:

“If all goes well today we will go to the airport Monday and try to catch a ride.”

 January 14, 2010:

“We only have a couple of minutes at a time when we have power and internet. Takes up to 15 minutes to access email…and then the power or server is gone. Please, only pertinent and necessary emails…we know zillions of prayers are being offered because we feel them.

Joe and I are doing fine. The teams that were here went to the embassy this morning for evacuation. The team from Petit Goave went directly to the airport and we believe all are on the way home. A team from Jeremy is due tomorrow or Friday, and the S. Dakota team from La Gonave is due on Saturday. We have not been able to communicate with MAF or the island so will trust they have some communication. We will try meeting them at the National airport to head them the right direction.

The guest house staff and Haitian Church leaders are all struggling with losses of homes, some have lost family members and most are sleeping outside, fearful of being in “broken” homes. Joe and I are trying to relieve pressure for them here at the guest house so they can attend to family matters.

The parking lot here and the school soccer court have become home to a couple of hundred families. A tarp provides some shade here and food is shared as are impromptu praise and worship times. Sudden wailing indicates another loss of child or family member. At night the old are gently lifted into the vans and truck to sleep and others have sheets and towels for bedding under a table and stay close together.

Tremors at night generally are greeted with a time of chanting prayer to get back to sleep. The tremors are infrequent but terrify most.”

“We learned in two years of living on La Gonave, you can take nothing for granted in

There will be a great need for volunteers to help rebuild once the initial crisis has settled. At this time, it is not safe or possible for volunteers to go to Haiti. In order to frame a response that is consistent with the churches’ needs, people wishing to volunteer should contact:  Julie Pohl at kseastvim@yahoo.com .  Julie is keeping a list of those persons and is currently developing a special disaster specific training for Haiti Response teams.  Additional information will be provided in future updates as we have additional information. 

Resources to help children cope after witnessing disaster from GBOD and UMCOR

Here are some resources for the churches in your conferences that will help leaders and parents help children navigate the images they are seeing in Haiti  http://blogs.gbod.org/younger_children/

Worship resources from GBOD and UMCOR

A bulletin insert for the Haiti disaster is located the right side of this page: http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umcor/work/emergencies/ongoing/haitiearthquake/ on the UMCOR Web site.

Dean McIntyre at the General Board of Discipleship is compiling a growing list of resources for worship related to the Haiti disaster. The resources are available at http://www.gbod.org/worship/default.asp?loc_id=739,1112,1198&act=nav_loc

Give to UMCOR Haiti Emergency Advance #418325 Online

Go to the UMCOR web site at: http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umcor/ and you can make a donation online. UMCOR assures that 100% of the donations to this advance will be used for Haiti earthquake relief and response activities.

Gifts to the One Great Hour of Sharing yearly offering underwrite UMCOR's "costs of doing business." That helps us keep our promise that 100 percent of every other gift you make to a specific UMCOR project can be spent on that project-not on home office costs.

UMCOR is a good steward of God's gifts. UMCOR’s top ratings by both Charity Navigator and the American Institute of Philanthropy attest to UMCOR’s financial accountability.

This year’s One Great Hour of Sharing collection in scheduled for March 14th, but can be taken at any time. Materials detailing this offering are available on the UMCOR web site listed above.

Health Kits Include:

*This list has been updated.

Value: $12 per kit

 KIT CONTENTS

Place these items inside a sealed one-gallon plastic bag.

1 hand towel (15” x 25” up to 17” x 27”, no kitchen towels)

1 washcloth

1 comb (large and sturdy, not pocket-sized)

1 nail file or fingernail clippers (no emery boards or toenail clippers)

1 bath-size bar of soap (3 oz. and up)

1 toothbrush (single brushes only in original wrapper, no child-size brushes)

6 adhesive plastic strip sterile bandages

(NOTE: UMCOR Sager Brown is now purchasing toothpaste in bulk to be added to health kits before shipping to ensure that the product does not expire before it is sent. Please include $1 for each kit you send toward the purchase of toothpaste and if possible, add $1 for each kit to assist with shipping costs.)

Important Kit Assembly Information

·        All items included in kits must be NEW items.

·        All emergency kits are carefully planned to make them usable in the greatest number of situations. Since strict rules often govern product entry into international countries, it is important that kits contain only the requested items—nothing more.

·        Do NOT include any personal notes, money or additional materials in the kits. These things must be painstakingly removed and will delay the shipment.