The Free Methodist Church in Canada

After the devastation of losing almost everything, including many family members, our Haitian brothers' and sisters' spirits are starting to lift as we partner together in relief and prepare to rebuild homes and communities.

Teams from North America and other countries will be mobilized and sent to work with Haitians in the repair and, later, reconstruction of homes, churches and schools. We will issue more information shortly on opportunities for teams from Canada and how to express interest.

Bishop Keith and Grant Sigsworth have just returned from Haiti--see the homepage link to "Latest Bishop's Notes" for a trip report.  They ask you to partner in prayer that:

• God will give guidance as they support Haitian church leaders in planning and undertaking the relief and rebuilding strategies.
• His Spirit keeps working in Haiti and in our Free Methodist Church as people begin to move forward from this tragedy.

We are thankful for God's presence in our brothers' and sisters' lives and that they can show His compassion and light to others around them.

WHERE TO GIVE

Temporary shelters, Restoration of repairable buildings, & Medium/Long-term rebuilding – needs in the weeks and months to come! The Bishop’s Relief Fund is our Free Methodist Church in Canada’s vehicle for Haiti recovery and rebuilding. Keep up to date with info on our national website. Cheques can be made to The Free Methodist Church in Canada with the "Bishop's Relief Fund - Haiti" indicated on the memo line. Online donations are also possible through this website.

International Child Care Ministries – if you are a sponsor of a child in Haiti, you may want to direct your donations in this area.

As I spoke to Linda Adams, ICCM Director, last night from Haiti, her heart broke as she saw the devastation in Port-au-Prince from the earthquake that struck more than two weeks ago. Many families have lost their homes and are now living in refugee camps and have scattered throughout the country.  The ten ICCM schools that have been assessed need to be rebuilt because they are not structurally sound. We have confirmed that no children were inside these schools. Today, the team will inspect the other five schools in the most damaged area - downtown.

As the team travels through Port-au-Prince, we will have more information about our ICCM children in the next few weeks. 



Aid has been provided by the FM church in the Dominican Republic; specifically water and food have been driven across the Dominican border.  Although schools have not been reopened, the feeding programs have continued to help children and families with much needed nourishment. 



Please continue to pray for:

• Protection of the Haitian families living in refugee camps
• Families who are grieving
• Survivors from the earthquake that they will see hope
• Bishop Keith & Grant Sigsworth going into Haiti next week to represent the FMCiC on a strategic planning team

As I have spoken to many pastors and partners, the support for Haiti has been overwhelming and as we join together to pray and support our brothers and sisters in Haiti may they be reminded of God's promise of hope and His faithfulness.

WHERE TO GIVE

Short-term emergency relief – needs right now! Our partner World Relief Canada is releasing funds to their people on the ground in Haiti, on our behalf. World Relief is qualified to receive CIDA matching grants, doubling the value of your dollars donated.

http://www.wrcanada.org/news/quick-news

Medium to long-term rebuilding – needs in the weeks & months to come! The Bishop’s Famine and Relief Fund is our Free Methodist Church in Canada vehicle for Haiti rebuilding. Donations to FMCiC are not matched by the Canadian government. Keep up to date with info on our national website. Online donations are also possible via the website.

http://www.fmc-canada.org/

It has been just over a week since the earthquake in Port-au-Prince that has impacted more than 3 million people. Another serious quake yesterday added more damage and lives taken.

Most of us are getting updates via our regular news sources. It is the unique connections we have with Haiti, however, which keep us searching for the right moves forward as the FMC in Canada. At Asbury FMC in Perth, ON, a member of the church was a personal friend of Yvonne Martin, the Ontario nurse who died in Haiti; the Perth church sent that brief connection report along with their offering of more than $3,000 for Haiti relief, from this past Sunday. We know that there are many other such stories and donations on their way.

I am continually monitoring news from our US FM leadership, and in dialogue with them as they make plans leading into the future. At the present moment, an exploratory team led by Dr Delia Neusch-Olver (Latin America Area Director) is on the ground in Haiti, meeting with national leaders seeking to discern together an action plan for re-development. This is a significant moment in Haiti’s struggling history – there is a great opportunity to build a new country, almost. FM leaders want to be listening to God and the wisdom of the people of God.

Bishop Keith Elford will be joining a team going to Haiti in two weeks to specifically engage with FM church leaders regarding the renewal of Christian community in the aftermath of so much death and destruction. The 3 US FM personnel who were buried during the quake have not been recovered and memorial services have been conducted in their respective communities.

Some Canadian FMs are asking about participating in re-build teams. That’s a good intention! We feel, however, that we need to hold on a bit longer before we start to talk about possibilities. A coordinated effort is always a good idea in times like these – we don’t want to be reinventing the wheel, duplicating efforts, or stepping on each other’s toes! As possible responses emerge we will continue to keep you informed.

WHERE TO GIVE

Short-term emergency relief – needs right now! Our partner World Relief Canada is releasing funds to their people on the ground in Haiti, on our behalf. World Relief is qualified to receive CIDA matching grants, doubling the value of your dollars donated.

http://www.wrcanada.org/news/quick-news

Medium to long-term rebuilding – needs in the weeks & months to come! The Bishop’s Famine and Relief Fund is our Free Methodist Church in Canada vehicle for Haiti rebuilding. Donations to FMCiC are not matched by the Canadian government. Keep up to date with info on our national website. Online donations are also possible via the website.

http://www.fmc-canada.org/

International Child Care Ministries – if you are a sponsor of a child in Haiti, you may want to direct your donations in this area. Paula Moriarity, our ICCM Canada Director is passing on as much information as is available.

http://www.childcareministries.net/