Individuals and congregations from across the movement continue to respond to the critical need for funds to support the disaster relief and recovery operations in Haiti. Thus far, $234,600 has been donated to the disaster relief fund. The true scope of the devastation for those associated with the Church of God in Haiti has yet to be learned, but a second assessment team is scheduled to go to the country in mid-February and will deliver additional funds to support the relief and recovery effort.

 

All donations received as a result of the appeal for disaster relief in Haiti will be devoted to the relief effort. The initial disbursement of funds ($10,000) delivered in January was divided equally between John Ackerman, our career missionary in Haiti, and the national leader of the Church of God in Haiti, Phyllis Newby. Both were given the discretion to use the funds to meet the immediate needs within their ministry areas.

 

The Church of God Ministries (CGM) Disaster Relief Committee has arranged for a second assessment team to travel to Haiti February 13. This team will be led by Don Smith, coordinator for compassionate ministries at CGM, and Phil Murphy, former missionary to Haiti. The team will also include an architect with extensive experience in developing plans in third-world countries, along with two other key individuals. In cooperation with Newby and Ackerman, the team will conduct a more detailed assessment of the overall situation and travel to the southern part of the country to assess the damage to Church of God congregations in the area hit hardest by the earthquake. Upon the team’s return, the Disaster Relief Committee will finalize a strategic response plan that likely will include calling for work teams.

 

CGM anticipates that hundreds of thousands of dollars will be needed to purchase medical supplies, food, water, fuel, and the materials needed to rebuild homes, churches, schools, and medical clinics. Immediate donations to the Disaster Relief Fund can be made online at www.chog.org/DisasterRelief. Checks can be mailed to Church of God Ministries, PO Box 2420, Anderson, IN 46018-2420. Please write Project 45.04502 in the memo line.