Brothers & Sisters:
For sure you know about the absolute destruction in Haiti, and the humanitarian crisis that has begun and will continue for the foreseeable future. It's tough to watch, tough to consider, and tough to know what to do. But we can't let that stop our action, even if we, as individuals, can only do a little bit. Together, we can do much more. There will for sure be opportunities to help in the future, but there are dire needs right now.
Money - If you've been watching the news, you've likely heard that the best way to help right now is in cash donations. There are a lot of great organizations through which to do this. The popular ones like the Red Cross, are good. But there are others that we greatly trust, and through whom we know that the funds will be put to good use. Heart-to-Heart International is a great organization that has already sent medical professionals into the area, and hopes to send more soon.
But what we believe is the best organization and is "closest to our heart" is Nazarene Compassionate Ministries. This is the central compassionate arm of the Church of the Nazarene. Members and friends of the North Street Community will know NCM in a number of ways: we sent a team to New Orleans just two years ago through NCM to help re-build after Hurricane Katrina and NCM is a mother organization of our own Friends of the Homeless of the South Shore.
Supplies - Perhaps what NCM does best is come in after the first responders and begin to address the humanitarian crises. We already have directors, leaders, pastors, and feet on the ground in Haiti just waiting for supplies. What we want to do is collect needed items to send to Miami from where they will be shipped to appropriate places in Haiti. Please take a look at this list to see what items are needed. Bring them to the church building on Sunday or anytime before Wednesday evening when we will pack them up to be shipped on Thursday.
If you are so inclined to help monetarily, we could use money to pay for postage to ship these items.
Stay tuned for more information and plan on joining us in worship as we pray for Haiti on Sunday, January 17th.
