Dear Association of Free Lutheran Congregation Members,
"Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity." - 2 Corinthians 8:2
The Global Church is welling up in rich generosity - often out of extreme poverty - on behalf of those suffering after the earthquake in Haiti.
A church of recently arrived Burmese refugees in High Point, North Carolina took up a special offering for the people of Haiti. The congregation - often struggling to meet their own personal and church budgets - presented a check to World Relief's Affiliate Director for more than $500.
In Cambodia, a country where most people live on less than $2 a day, one cell church was touched by the suffering in Haiti and took up a special collection for the people there.
As churches from around the world stand with Haiti, they empower the Haitian Church to serve the most vulnerable.
Pastor Jean Bathard Anthony, whose church has partnered with World Relief for years to combat HIV/AIDS, stepped out in faith after the earthquake to feed his community with the little food and water he had.
World Relief came alongside Pastor Anthony with additional supplies to continue serving both the congregation and the surrounding community - nearly 6,000 people in all - taking refuge at the church.
There are many churches in Haiti like Pastor Anthony's - churches that have been ministering for years in the face of complex issues such as HIV/AIDS. In the midst of their own pain, they now minister to others suffering from the earthquake.
As one Haitian pastor observed, "When you provide for someone it will touch their heart. Then they will see the love of God in you."
In response to this great love, Haitians living in dire conditions are singing "Hallelujah! The battle belongs to the Lord." Read more about why the people of Haiti are singing praises to the Maker of heaven and earth.
The Impact
- In partnership with a network of local churches, World Relief is serving nearly 10,000 people daily with food and water. There are plans to launch additional feeding centers in hard hit and underserved areas.
- In the first two weeks after the quake, World Relief and Medical Teams International worked to ensure hundreds of patients were served by doctors who set bones, cleaned wounds and performed surgeries at King's Hospital.
- World Relief sent a plane full of medical supplies and equipment to serve urgent needs.
| Drilling has begun at King's Hospital to install the first of six submersible pumps provided by World Relief - each one is able to pump 12 gallons of water a minute. Throughout America - even in the face of the most serious economic downturn since the recession - churches have given generously and sacrificially. Thank you for sharing the love of Christ with Haiti. Thank you for being the Church. Craig Pixley Senior Church Engagement Director (952) 956-2678 | Please join the Church around the world in praying for Haiti every Tuesday at 4:53 PM -the moment when the earthquake struck on January 12th. |
