Dear Association of Free Lutheran Congregations,
I continue to hear stories daily of the ways God is working in and through His Church in Haiti.
27-year-old Pénel - a member of the local Assemblies of God Church - is one of numerous volunteers ensuring vulnerable families have access to the water provided by their churches and World Relief.
Pénel explains that his church - like many other churches - was destroyed in the quake. The congregation now gathers outside the church or in the camp to pray and worship together.
In Pénel's camp and in sprawling neighbor camps, about 700 members of his church have set up makeshift shelters built out of tarps, faded sheets, sticks, and scrap corrugated metal. Every day is a struggle to find enough food and water.
Even before the quake, the majority of Haitians did not have access to clean water. The earthquake has devastated the already weak infrastructure.
"This water is life to us," Penel says. "We share water and food. As a Christian, I am ready to help others in any way I can."
World Relief and Haitian church partners have distributed more than 64,000 gallons of water - 20 truckloads - to 12,000 vulnerable families in the last week.
World Relief is also investing for the long-term, drilling boreholes and installing submersible pumps to ensure sustainable access to waters in six communities in Port-au-Prince.
"This will make a very big difference," says Pastor Pierre Alexis, head of an orphanage that will be home to a new borehole.
"We are planning to invite people from the community to come and get water here. It is important to show people the real Jesus - the One who cares not only for their body, but also for their soul. If you follow Jesus, you must show it through your actions, not just say it."
Thank you for being a part of showing people the real Jesus.
Thank you for being the Church.
| "It is important to show people the real Jesus - the One who cares not only for their body, but also for their soul. If you follow Jesus, you must show it through your actions, not just say it." - Pastor Pierre Alexis | President Obama highlights World Relief as a significant responder to the Haiti crisis during today's National Prayer Breakfast. |
