Help Haiti Plan    
The Missions Council had been asked by the Trustees to look into a way to deliver financial assistance of up to $50,000 to those in Haiti.  Half of this amount was designated as a congregational tithe from a recent Estate Sale with the remaining half to be collected from congregational giving.

The Missions Council met this past Sunday to review several requests for funding and assistance. With the approval of the Executive Leadership Team this recommendation has been accepted and together we move forward with the Help Haiti Plan as follows:

1. St. John’s will spread out the allocation of funds over a period of time, with the understanding that $25,000 is available immediately, and additional funds will be available through special offering, and the following support strategy:

•  $15,000 Allocated the week of 1/18/2010.

•   $10,000 Allocated 1-2 weeks later, as additional needs are determined.

•   Special offering funds to be distributed 30, 60 and 90 days later depending on needs and the conditions on the ground.

2.   Engage the congregation in special supplies and materials collection, such as water bottles, diapers, clothing, and hygiene kits.

3.   Send short term mission teams once conditions stabilize.

St. John’s will partner with Global Operations to provide the means of delivering materials to the ministries on the ground. The Council reviewed several candidates / beneficiaries of St. John’s funds, and believes there are organizations that would provide great benefits in the initial phase, and another in a few weeks (once more information becomes available). The following organizations will receive assistance for the initial phase:

•         Child Hope operates two orphanages in Port au Prince, and has direct contact with Global Operations. Global Operations will be engaged to deliver a container directly to Child Hope. This is a Christ centered ministry, operating / collaborating with orphanages in several countries. St. John’s will fund a container of food, water, medicine, and hygiene kits directly to this orphanage, through Global Operations. The initial allocation of funds for said work to Global operation will be $5,000 with an additional $5,000 set aside to account for stock replenishment.

•         “Fuel Relief Fund” is a nonprofit organization which found its beginnings during Katrina Relief. This is an organization that directly transports fuel to disaster areas that could be used in basic transportation efforts and reestablishing supply line. St. John’s worked with this organization to provide much needed fuel to the Katrina Relief.  St. John’s will give $5,000 to this organization, in this initial phase.

With prayerful consideration, the Missions Council and the Executive Leadership Team respectfully submit this Help Haiti Plan. Congregation members can support this effort by giving on-line through St. John’s website, worship offering (marking “Help Haiti Plan” in the memo line) or by dropping off their donation in the church office.

As news of what is being called the largest earthquake to hit Haiti in more than 200 years reached LCMS World Relief and Human Care (LCMS WR-HC) on Tuesday, the Synod’s mercy arm began preparing to reach out in the Caribbean nation with much needed assistance and working in cooperation with Lutheran partners.

Only hours after getting reports of the magnitude 7.0 earthquake, the Synod’s mercy arm announced it was making available funds to meet initial emergency needs. "The unfolding drama in Haiti calls for unlimited mercy on the part of the people of the LCMS. The needs are urgent and overwhelming right now," said Glenn F. Merritt, LCMS WR-HC director of Disaster Response. "I appeal to God's people to respond as generously as possible during this most difficult time."

Early reports indicate extensive property damage and terrible suffering among people trapped in collapsed buildings in an impoverished country already challenged by longtime political strife and poverty. Haiti is widely known as the poorest country in the western hemisphere.

News of the devastation triggered numerous calls and e-mails to LCMS Life and Health Ministries Director Maggie Karner who, even before the earthquake, was preparing to send the first LCMS WR-HC Mercy Medical Team (MMT) to Haiti next month. Ironically, on Monday Karner sent a massive MMT recruitment appeal to LCMS pastors and congregations asking for physicians, pharmacists, and other medical professionals to volunteer for the team that is scheduled to serve in Haiti March 11-21.

"Our preliminary legwork for the first MMT team to Haiti in March will serve us well as we prepare to respond," Karner said Tuesday night. "Perhaps now, because of this tragedy, people will see the desperate need in Haiti and prayerfully consider how they can use their gifts and talents." (To learn more about the MMT trip to Haiti, contact LCMS WR-HC’s Jacob Fiene at 800-248-1930, ext. 1278, or jacob.fiene@lcms.org.)

LCMS WR-HC is working cooperatively with LCMS World Mission, Haitian missionaries, and partner churches to provide relief in a timely fashion. Funds are urgently needed to help Haitians who have lost loved ones and homes.

To share Christ’s mercy with suffering Haitians, make a gift by clicking the Give Now button below, call toll free 888-930-4438, or mail donations marked “Haiti Earthquake Relief” to LCMS World Relief and Human Care, P.O. Box 66861, St. Louis, MO 63166-6861.