Want to Help Haiti??

 I was amazed. I hadn’t heard anything like it before. No, that isn’t right. I had heard something like it – at a ballgame. What made it amazing was where I was standing as I heard this.

I was in the backyard of Paul and Pat Shingledecker in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. They were WGM missionaries who were working with Radio Lumière, a Christian radio ministry that touches over 90% of Haiti with real help for Haitians’ daily lives. As I stood there on a hillside above a busy street, I could hear voices of hundreds of people. I couldn’t see anyone because the yard had a security fence around it, but I had never heard so many people so crowded together while standing in a backyard all alone. It was overwhelming. And that was Haiti before the earthquake.

Before they were called to a regional management position, Paul and Pat had dedicated a career to helping Haiti. They know the culture, the people, and the language. Then the earthquake struck. And Paul headed to Haiti to help his friends out.

Now, those friends have asked Paul and Pat to return for the next two years. Radio Lumière is Haitian- run. The staff was hit hard by the earthquake; in fact, three staff members died, and most lost friends and family. But in the midst of the chaos, the staff got the station back on the air within a few days following the quake. The station continues to minister to the needs of Haiti with vital news, public health information, programs on dealing with the emotions of survival, and with the gospel message.  They have distributed tarps and other supplies, are planning to help with building efforts, and are effectively making a difference in their nation.

We are hearing a lot about failed attempts to help Haiti these days. If you are frustrated by empty promises and wasted resources, and want to be a part of an organization that is seeing results, consider a gift to WGM’s Haiti Crisis fund to help Paul and Pat get back to Haiti for the next two years of ministry. They are raising their support right now, and Haiti needs them right now to make a real difference in its time of need. Paul will help Radio Lumière as it responds to this ongoing crisis. Any amount over our goal of $73,000 to get Paul and Pat funded will go toward further helping Haiti recover from this disaster.

Haitians helping Haitians in an overwhelming situation. Now that will make a difference. An amazing difference. Visit www.wgm.org/Haiticrisis <http://www.wgm.org/Haiticrisis>  to give online, or send your donation to World Gospel Mission, PO Box 948, Marion, IN 46952.

Tim
Timothy Rickel
VP of International Ministries

Haiti: Up Close and Personal

I don't know about you, but Haiti seems to be fading from the public eye already. Which staggers me. But I am following a few blogs that make the tragedy in Haiti real, and urgent, and heart-breaking

Debra and Earnest are trying to bring their adopted son home from haiti as we speak.

Tara and Troy Livesay are missionaries on the ground in Haiti blogging faithfully!

The Apparent Project is also on the ground in Haiti, just looked at their blog today. They are encouraging us all to Fast and Pray Feb 12-14: "Please commit to pray with us. The President of Haiti has even called for 3 days of fasting and prayer during Carnival (Feb 12-14). Please join in fasting and praying for Haiti. Our idea of how to heal this mess is far inferior to God's!"

Perhaps there are others that you are following- care to share how you are staying informed? Both of the families I listed are also on Twitter. How has the tragedy in Haiti changed you? Are you praying differently? Are you cherishing family more? Are you spending less money in order to donate more? Are you changed at all?

**photo from BBC.com