SoCal AG News
Disaster in Haiti (updated)
Tuesday, February 09, 2010
Tuesday, January 19, 2010 - Update from Convoy of Hope
According to CNN, about three million people — one-third of Haiti’s population — have been affected by the quake.
- 170,000 are confirmed dead, and that number continues to rise.
- 1.2 million have been left homeless — many of these are children, now without parents.
The media coverage will soon be cut back... but the desperate needs of the people won’t go away.
Your online donation today can make an important difference.
Someone like you already made a difference for a little girl named Gamaelle...
She dashed out of her house when the earthquake began, but the neighboring house fell on top of her - her dad dug through the rubble for hours as she called out, “I’m here! I’m alive!“
She had a severely broken leg. Our medical team arrived, administered pain medication, and helped to set her leg... right there amid the ruins of her neighborhood.
Convoy of Hope was in Haiti before the quake, and we’re committed to remaining there for the long haul.
We must immediately ship enough food to continue providing up to 100,000 meals per day for earthquake victims, for all of this month - in addition we need to send water filters, tents, medical supplies, tarps, fuel and vehicles.
Thanks for stepping up again today, to be a hero for Gamaelle and thousands like her. Your generosity is making a difference!
As I write this, the House of Representatives has passed a resolution making your cash donation for Haiti tax-deductible on your 2009 taxes. Your generosity will be a blessing, and could also provide a benefit to you and your family.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010 - From Superintendent Ray Rachels
Friends,
This email was received from Missionaries Bill and Dorothy Smith after receiving the email appeal sent to our Southern California family for prayers and financial gifts:
Thank you, Ray, for this wonderful appeal. Kevin [Kevin Rose, Convoy of Hope's Country Director for Haiti] was at our house during the earthquake. The destruction is more than anyone could imagine and the needs greater than we can meet. The Haitian people are courageous, strong and resilient. They have covered our neighborhood with prayers and hymns. While everyone ran during a strong aftershock, a large group were heard singing, 'On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand.'
Your prayers and support during this time means more than you can imagine.
Blessings,
Bill & Dorothy Smith
Continue to pray for Bill and Dorothy, our other missionaries, the Convoy of Hope teams, and all others assisting during these critical days.
Blessings,
Ray Rachels
Friday January 15, 2010 - Convoy of Hope Update
Dear Friends,
You’ve heard the news. You’ve seen the images and the reports coming from Haiti. It’s a very sober time for all of us.
Our Haiti Director for Convoy of Hope was already there when the earthquake hit. And because we had a warehouse filled with food outside Port au Prince, we have been able to respond on the ground almost immediately.
We have begun distributing 50,000 meals, but more food, water purification units, tents, and medicines are needed. One load of supplies is being airlifted in today. Other containers are being readied for immediate shipment.
Through friends like you, two additional Convoy of Hope teams will be on the ground in Haiti IN JUST HOURS — actively engaged in the urgent relief effort.
We know this is not one of those disasters that will last days or weeks ... this is a disaster that will last for months and years.
I promise to stretch every single dollar as far as we can to meet the needs of as many people as possible. Our people on the ground cannot do this without your help.
I will be joining our teams early next week. Thank you for understanding the urgency of this situation and for giving sacrificially today.
God bless you,
Hal Donaldson
President
Update from Convoy of Hope
Meeting needs in earthquake-ravaged Haiti.
Untold numbers of people have died. Tens of thousands have been injured or left homeless. Tuesday’s 7.0 earthquake in Haiti decimated the country.
“I heard screams for help from everywhere,” said Kevin Rose, Convoy of Hope’s country director for Haiti, describing the hours after the earthquake hit. “I am seeing many dead and injured people. The need is beyond description.”
On Tuesday night dozens of injured people made it to the medical clinic at the mission where Convoy of Hope has its warehouse. By morning four of those injured were dead.
As the world looks on and aid teams are deployed to the island nation, Convoy of Hope is already setting up an emergency command center just outside Port-au-Prince where food, water and supplies are being distributed to victims of the earthquake.
‘This is a major disaster that will affect the lives of countless families for years to come,” says Hal Donaldson, founder and president of Convoy of Hope. “Thankfully, our warehouse in Haiti was full so we could begin responding immediately. More containers are being staged for shipment and filled with more food, water and supplies in our world distribution center in Springfield, Mo.”
According to Rose, besides food and water there is an urgent need for tarps, tents, medical supplies and medicine too.
“Timing is critical,” says Greg Venturella, senior director international operations for Convoy of Hope. “Food, medical supplies and water are scarce.”
Tomorrow, Venturella and Kary Kingsland, vice president disaster response, will lead teams into the region. Venturella will pick up medical supplies from a partner organization in the Dominican Republic then continue on into Haiti where the relief supplies will be distributed at Convoy of Hope’s distribution point.
Because of the extent of damage and estimated loss of life, Convoy of Hope has already committed to long-term relief efforts in Haiti, which is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. Many of its nearly 10 million residents live in abject poverty.
Already, Convoy of Hope feeds more than 7,000 Haitian children each day.
“We need the help of our friends and supporters to meet short and the long-term needs in Haiti,” says Donaldson. ‘Convoy of Hope is committed to helping hurting families rebuild their lives.”/p>
Donate online now to help a family in Haiti
My heart is so heavy today with the disaster that struck the island nation of Haiti last evening. The Assemblies of God has 2 missionary families on the ground there. Reports are that they are safe. However, we have 273 churches with over 66,000 adherents and we do not know the fate of any of these. Most assuredly there is an unbelievable loss of life among the 3 million population here. The capital city, Port-Au-Prince for all purposes has been leveled. I am appealing to our churches and leaders to give sacrificially for relief efforts for Haiti. You can view a video I made this morning at www.ag.org appealing for prayer and for funds. I am especially appealing to our 12,300 churches to take an offering this Sunday for Haiti relief and send these funds to us so we can immediately respond with help. We partner with Convoy of Hope in these efforts and will be doing everything we can to assist. I have asked the AG Fellowship around the world to give and to pray for this nation which is among the poorest on earth.
Please pray that the proclamation of the gospel will be advanced during this time of suffering and that God will take this disaster and bring great good to the Haitian people and churches. We will provide updates as they are available but I am asking for your help today for relief funds. You can give online at www.ag.org and click the Haitian Relief button or by sending your donations to headquarters at 1445 N. Boonville Ave., Springfield, MO 65802 marked for Haiti relief.
May God bless you and make you a blessing.
George O. Wood
General Superintendent
Update from the Superintendent Ray Rachels...
We received a phone call today from Missionaries Dale & Patti Coad. Dale will be leaving for Haiti tomorrow to help with assessing the damage and needed relief. The following is some of the information from Haiti at this time:
- AGWM has 2 missionary couples in Haiti. All AGWM missionaries are okay.
- Bill & Dorothy Smith, SoCal missionaries there, are okay but their home was severely damaged and is unlivable.
- Cell phone communication is slowly coming back. The limited communication up to this point has been through internet and facebook.
- There are 273 churches and over 66,000 adherents in Haiti. The damage is massive, but at this time they do not know who is alive, death counts, and the extent of the damage to our churches.
- Dale Coad will be going with a team tomorrow (via the Dominican Republic) and one of their tasks is to go with GPS systems to try and find their churches to see which are still standing and who is still living.
- * Relief Funds: Funds can be sent to help with the relief in Haiti through the Convoy of Hope. Funds should be sent to:
- AGWM/COH Disaster Relief (stands for AGWM Convoy of Hope)
- 1445 Boonville Ave, Springfield, MO 65802
- Account: 410946-8 class 70
- * Prayer Requests:
- Pray for those who are injured and missing. Pray for those who have lost loved ones.
- Pray for the medical and sanitary conditions for all the people there right now. (Need of medical supplies, water, food...)
- Pray for the missionaries: protection, encouragement, wisdom
- Pray for the 1,000's of displaced people
- Pray for our churches and our people
Dale and Patti are both posting updates regarding Haiti on their facebook. You are welcome you as friends, if you are not already. (Facebook: DaleCoad and PattiCoad)
Update From Convoy of Hope
From schools to shacks — 3.5 million Haitians in Port-au-Prince are reeling from the 7.0 earthquake that struck late yesterday afternoon.
But as you read these words, Convoy of Hope is responding to this urgent disaster.
Your immediate online donation will help provide critically needed items for the earthquake victims.
Our teams are already setting up an emergency command center just outside Port-au-Prince. Containers are being filled with more food, water, and supplies in our world distribution center in Springfield. Emergency shipments are scheduled to be sent.
Due to the extent of the damage, Convoy of Hope has already committed to long-term relief efforts there. We need your help to meet immediate needs NOW ... and to continue meeting needs in the coming months, as countless families try to rebuild their lives.
Today, I urge you to stand with us in compassionate giving.
Please share this need with friends, neighbors, schools, churches and businesses. This is a movement of compassion.
Your generosity today will make an incredible difference. Thank you!
God bless you,
Hal Donaldson
President
Phone: 949-252-8400
Fax: 949-252-8435
Email: