Photo Credit: Gnews.com
Like many of you, my heart has been heavy for the people of Haiti this week as they have endured a tremendous earthquake and successive aftershocks. A country that was already struggling and surviving in the midst of extreme poverty; is now trying to dig out from significant infrastructural collapse and heart wrenching loss of life. I join you in sending prayers to God on behalf of our sisters and brothers in Haiti.
What you may not know is that I was planning to be in Haiti in 2 months for a trip of reverse mission with a ministry in Washington, DC called Faith & Money Network – an offshoot of sorts of Church of the Saviour. I’ve had Haiti on my heart for a couple of years now and this trip of reverse mission was going to be a highlight of my year. I learned yesterday, however, that because of the quake, the trip has been postponed. Even by March, there will be significant rebuilding and re-gathering of life still going on. I’m prayerful about another opportunity that may still grant me the blessing of planting my feet on Haitian soil.
I’m still processing all that has happened this week in terms of Haiti and plan to give a more thoughtful response to things in a few days, but I wanted to at least provide some avenues of assistance as many of you are looking for ways to help. I contacted my sister in DC who lived in Haiti for a while and has sincere relationship with Haiti’s people. She recommended the following organizations for those looking to make financial donations:
Doctors Without Borders, Partners In Health, and Beyond Borders
Kevin Powell also provided a resource sheet of vetted organizations called “How to ‘Help’ Haiti.” Being sensitive to the sad tendency of some to capitalize on the misery of others and to the reality of some organizations being popular in name, but questionable in connections “on the ground,” this resource was created to help us support those organizations – ones particularly led by Haitians and people of color- who are providing support.
Finally and to me most importantly, let us commit to something more urgent than money, speeches, sermons, or even blog articles – let us join together in PRAYER and as we listen let us respond in Love.
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This outcome speaks to the historical failure of white and black male leadership in Haiti, the United States and around the world (including black nations)!