HAITI NEWS UPDATE
UMVIM, WJ continues to hear reports of devastation in the Port-au-Prince area. At this time, the Haitian government has indicated that it will be mid-March before UMVIM teams will be able to enter. While the desire to offer immediate help is universal among Christians, please know that waiting is the most faithful witness we can offer at this time.
Those who desire to offer volunteer support should contact Heather Wilson at umvimwj@Hotmail.com. As the Western Jurisdictional UMVIM Coordinator she is working with the Annual Conference UMVIM Coordinators in collecting information from those who are interested in traveling to Haiti to assist in the recovery effort. When we have more information about scheduling a mission trip to Haiti, we will then contact the people on that list with the details.
In the mean time, there are three ways to help.
First, continue to give to UMCOR, the United Methodist Committee on Relief. You can give online at this link. UMCOR is already on the ground, assisting in relief efforts and saving lives.
Second, work with your church to complete UMCOR health kits. These kits will be invaluable in the next few months, as UMCOR works to offer healing to many, many people. You can find instructions for completing health kits at this link.
Finally, pray. The relief effort in Haiti will take years, and the need for prayer continues. Pray for the Haitians who are injured and who have lost loved ones, pray for the rescuers, and pray for those who are working behind the scenes to coordinate this massive effort.
We ask, also, that you say a special prayer lifting up the families of the three UMCOR and UMVIM officials missing in Haiti: Clint Rabb, Sam Dixon, and James Gulley. As we work to provide support, our hearts are heavy. You can find more information about this situation at the website for the United Methodist Church.
As always, you can find the latest news on UMVIM's response to the situation in Haiti at umvim.org.
Blessings,
Heather Wilson
UMVIM WJ Coordinator
