A Message for Groups and Individuals who want to go to Haiti

Dear Friends,

 

Our hearts are broken as we continue to learn of the devastation caused by the earthquake in Haiti.  Many of us are grieving the loss of lives and the infrastructure that sustained and supported life in Haiti.  We are beginning to receive calls from individuals and congregations who are seeking ways to respond to this tragedy.  Some of the requests are from groups wishing to go immediately to assist in the rebuilding of Port-Au-Prince and provide relief to the victims.  There are many who would like to have an immediate hands-on response, and we understand this need to do something that will relieve the pain and suffering of our Haitian sisters and brothers, however, according to the leader of the National Spiritual Council of Churches in Haiti (CONASPEH), this is not the time for us to send groups or individuals.

Our partner has shared that it is too dangerous for groups to come to Haiti at this point, because of the lack of security.  Also, they are still deeply immersed in the grieving process and therefore, could not provide the type of time or hospitality to receive groups.   Quite frankly, it would be more of a burden on CONASPEH.  We request that you continue to pray for the people of Haiti as they grieve the loss of family members, friends, their homes and communities.  Another way to assist Haiti is to provide financial resources.  You may direct your gifts to Week of Compassion at www.weekofcompassion.org or One Great Hour of Sharing at www.onegreathourofsharing.org or you may send gifts to support CONASPEH directly to Global Ministries.

CONASPEH will let us know when they are able to receive groups.  You may send your inquiries and requests for assistance in organizing mission trips to Haiti to  Maria E. Cruzado at mcruzado@dom.disciples.org.  Requests for individual volunteer service should be directed to LaMarco Cable at lcable@dom.disciples.org.   We will maintain a listing of groups and individuals who have a special interest in responding to this natural disaster and will provide you with up-to-date information on our web-site at www.globalministries.org .

The Rev. Felix Ortiz-Cotto, the  Area executive for Latin America and the Caribbean is making arrangements to go to Haiti this week and we will have more information to share with you upon his return to the United States.

Please continue to pray for the people of Haiti and people who are suffering from similar disasters around the world.

In Christ,

 

Maria E. Cruzado –

Coordinator of the People to People Pilgrimage

Global Ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

and the United Church of Christ

(317)713-2565

LaMarco Cable –

Program Associate for Advocacy and Education and

Short-Term Volunteer Administrator

Global Ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

and the United Church of Christ

(317)713-2574