What can WE do for Haiti???
I’m already getting this question from lots of folks, so let me share with you what I know:
First and foremost, I thank God that you are all moved with such Christian compassion that you want to do something at all. That speaks volumes about your concern for “every tribe, tongue, and nation.”
Secondly, I would add that the most important single thing you can do at this time is to pray for the spiritual awakening and well-being of the people of Haiti. As our missionaries in the country can tell you, Haiti is a nation in desperate need of spiritual awakening that can come only through the proclamation of the Gospel and the teaching of God’s Word. They are a nation under a shroud of darkness brought on by generations of witchcraft, voodoo, Santeria, and various other unorthodox religions and spiritualities. This, combined with the nations extensive poverty and history of government corruption, have created a socio-economic nightmare for the people of Haiti. Pray that the light of the gospel will shine brightly through this desperate situation. Pray that the “God of all comfort” would comfort the grieving the Haitian people. And finally, pray that Haitian church will respond with compassion, generosity, and truth that will transform this grieving nation.
Finally, I think the answer to the more practical question of “what can we do” is summed up in one word that I am hearing over and over again, and that is “give.” Most aid organizations are requesting monetary gifts at the present because the country’s infrastructure is so damaged that other gifts of clothing, books, resources, etc… are just too difficult to deliver. As the weeks pass by and the infrastructure is repaired, there will be more opportunities for rebuilding and distributing goods such as clothing, food, water, etc… Below are links to sites that will give you instructions as to how you can help by making a financial contribution.
www.flbaptist.org This is the website of the Florida Baptist Convention (SBC). They have a long-term partnership with the nation of Haiti and are spearheading efforts to raise funds and send humanitarian aid. You can contribute at this site.
www.kybaptist.org This is the website of the Kentucky Baptist Convention. The KBC has a disaster relief team that is preparing to visit Haiti to assess needs and plan upcoming aid. You can contribute at this site as well.
www.imb.org This is the website for the International Mission Board. There are updates on this site as well as instructions for how you can pray, give and go.
www.gobgr.org This is the Baptist Global Relief site, a branch of our IMB that deals especially with humanitarian aid and relief, particularly during natural disasters. Again, you can find various ways to pray, give, and go.
www.samaritanspurse.org The evangelical Christian humanitarian organization headed by Franklin Graham (son of Billy Graham) that seeks to make Christ known through building infrastructure and providing educational, medical, and humanitarian aid in many of the poorest nations of the world. This is the organization that sponsors Operation Christmas Child every year and networks with local believers all around the world to equip Christian leaders for church leadership and evangelism while also addressing human needs.
You will note that I have only listed a handful of evangelical Christian (notably Southern Baptist) relief sites. There are other good relief agencies, such as the American Red Cross (www.redcross.org) and the Salvation Army (www.salvationarmy.org). However, as a pastor, I am going to encourage my people to give to solidly Christian agencies which will deliberately and intentionally combine their humanitarian efforts with robust evangelistic efforts. I believe that even in the midst of humanitarian aid, it ought to be of primary concern to Christians that Jesus Christ be made known. We are people who believe that there are things even worst than hunger, homelessness, and sickness, as terrible as those disasters may be. We believe that the prospect of spending eternity separated from God is even more tragic than the disasters of this life. Therefore, I ask you to prayerfully consider giving to those agencies that will balance their humanitarian efforts with Gospel presentations.
Finally, I personally ask you to pray for Pastor Eric Bernard and the Haitian Baptist congregation right here in Lexington. Eric is a native of Haiti and his church ministers to about 60-80 Haitian natives each week right here in Lexington. I was speaking with Eric and one of his associates, Luke, on Tuesday just hours before the news of this earthquake broke. I know they are mobilizing to meet the needs of their local families as well as helping to coordinate efforts to bring relief in the days to come. As I learn more, I will keep you posted.
