Rescheduled Activities at Church
- Haiti Special Collection will take place this Sunday, February 7.
- The Barnabas Project meeting scheduled for 4:00 p.m. on the 31st has been rescheduled to meet this coming Sunday, February 7 at 4:00 p.m.
- The Sermon-in-Song Service and Fellowship Meal that was scheduled for the 31st has been moved to Sunday evening, February 14.
Helping Haiti
The elders of the Franklin church of Christ made a commitment to send $3,000.00 immediately to Healing Hands International to help with efforts in the country of Haiti. They also want to make the membership aware that the church will also use a special contribution (that was postponed due to the snow) for Sunday, February 7 to collect funds for the Haiti relief effort. The contributions from this date will also be sent to Healing Hands International.
First Response: Crisis in Haiti
submitted by Jim Pounders
Since the disaster occurred in Haiti on January 12, 2010, Healing Hands International has been inundated with phone calls from generous Christians, churches, and volunteers wanting to help. There have also been numerous inquiries about Haiti and how the need is being met. We are grateful for all those who have provided so generously with compassion, prayer, and donations for the wonderful people of Haiti. The following information will give you a closer look at how individuals, churches, and organizations are responding.
1. Who has gone or is going?
Shortly after the first wave of tremors hit Haiti , David Heath and Ben Adkins from the Whites Ferry Road church of Christ in West Monroe , Louisiana were on the scene. This first response team carried funds from Healing Hands to purchase food and water and was able to also distribute water filters from Healing Hands, which would provide clean water to more than 12,000. Last week, Dr. David Vanderpool, a member of the Harpeth Hills church and president of Mobile Medical Disaster Relief, along with his two sons, set up shop in Dominican Republic and treated 300 in the first three days. Healing Hands International and Mission Lazarus in Honduras were able to secure $300,000 in barcotics which could be used in Haiti. On Thursday, Allison Brown, Rebecca Brown, and Meredith Jones, all nurses, from Mission Lazarus, left for Haiti with six trunks of medical equipment and narcotics. On Friday, Dr. Bob Whittaker ( Nigerian Christian Hospital ) and Dr. Mark Pearson (professor at York College ) left for Haiti to provide additional medical help. On Sunday, Lynn Griffith and Steve Church from the Hillsboro church in Nashville , Greg Beeson from the church in Smyrna , Tennessee , and Harry Hames from the Beltline church in Decatur, Alabama flew to Haiti for further work and assessment.
2. What groups are we working with in Haiti ?
When the disaster struck, an immediate flow of information came from churches across the country, informing us of churches, preachers, orphanages, and others in Haiti who were supported by churches and individuals in the United States . Healing Hands is quick to respond to this type of information, because it means that we have individuals within the country who can help with communication and with receiving materials from here. In addition to the churches, some of our best contacts are:
a. Son Light Orphanage, operated by American Roberta Edwards
b. Hope for Haiti 's Children, operated by American Debbie Vanderbeek
c. Haitian Christian Development Program, an organization set up by U.S. and Haitian Christians to help emergency and sustainable efforts in Haiti .
3. What are we sending?
The first 40-foot container from Healing Hands International was shipped to Haiti on Friday containing tents, medical supplies, and water filters. An additional shipment of rice is in the works, and with the help of Metro Nashville schools and Maury County (Tennessee ) schools, rice and beans are being collected to be shipped as well. The shipment will arrive in the port of Gonaieves and will be met by representatives of the Son Light Orphanage and the Healing Hands assessment team.
4. What else is being planned?
Curt King, who is under contract with Healing Hands International to drill wells in Ethiopia and Sudan , will go to Haiti within weeks to drill 30 or more wells needed in Haiti. Two groups have offered to ship large six wheel vehicles to transport materials as soon as arrangements can be made.
5. How long will it take?
Healing Hands International looks at the disaster in Haiti much like the major tsunami in 2004. Relief to Haiti will involve not months, but years. As long as we have the funds, we will work to provide Haiti with medical aid, water and food, building materials, and for the long term, assistance in agriculture and other income producing skills.
6. How can I help?
Right now, what is needed most is financial support. As much as possible, we will be purchasing supplies needed in country. This will serve better logistically, and it will also help the Haitian economy. As we progress, there will be a need to collect items for hygiene packs, building materials, and as always, additional medicine and medical supplies.
Healing Hands International, 455 McNally Drive , Nashville, Tennessee 37211
615-832-2000 or 866-775-2312
Email address is contact@hhi.org
Web site at www.hhi.org.
