Church Involvement in Haiti

One of our own from NRHBC at work in New Orleans after Katrina

While our hearts are broken over the situation in Haiti, we must keep a couple things in mind. First, we need to keep the best interests of the Haitians in mind and work towards long-term solutions. In disaster-relief situations, sometimes relief efforts can do more damage in the name of good intentions because short-cuts are tempting. We cannot forget that whatever we do as a church reflects on Christ. There have already been reports of people doing damage to the name of Christ even though they intended to "help." (for example - http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americas/01/31/haiti.border.arrests/) Second, we need to work together to accomplish this task. No one church, group or denominational entity can solve the problem. This is time for the church to be the church - to come together, work together to help Haiti recover physically, emotionally and spiritually.

Ephesians 3:10-11 gives testimony to the importance of the church at times like these, "His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11 according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord." (NIV)

People have asked why would God allow such a terrible tragedy to hit Haiti. It is my desire that in the weeks, months and years that follow, people will say, "Thank God for his Church - which steps up in times of need to help the people of the world." Haiti gives us the opportunity to obey the second greatest commandment - to love our neighbor as ourselves.

Now to turn to specifics about the situation, as I understand it after attending a couple meetings this week:

On this past Monday (1/25), the first assessment team from the North American Mission Board (NAMB), the International Mission Board (IMB) and the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) Disaster Relief team returned from Haiti. Therefore, everything right now still has a hint of conjecture until more assessment has occurred.

The reports are that the first relief teams will not be able to go to Haiti for 90-120 days. This is for a couple of reasons: 1) difficulty of travel to Haiti (the country has only one international airport capable of receiving a jet, and the airport only has one runway; the country has only one operational port with one pier and one crane functioning) - it is not like New Orleans, where it was possible to drive down and help within days of Katrina. The Dominican Republic is an option, however, for the time being, it is very difficult to travel from the Dominican Republic into Haiti. 2) Instability - political, material, - in other words, in just about every way the country is unstable. Therefore, until organized relief efforts begin, there is very little mission teams can do to help. (Unless, of course, the team consists of doctors, nurses, and other medical personnel)

The first teams to go with the SBC will be Disaster Relief teams exclusively. The needs are so immense that in 3-4 months and for the next 12 months, disaster relief teams will be the only ones sent because they will be the only ones needed - disaster relief teams can help with feeding and "cleaning" before reconstruction can occur.

In order for someone to go with NAMB or the IMB, when teams will be allowed to go in 90-120 days, they need to do the following things:

1) Attend disaster relief training (in SBC Disaster relief jargon - attend yellow cap training)
2) Procure a passport
3) Receive the following vaccinations: Hepatitis A & B, Typhoid and Tetanus - and procure Malaria medication
a) Only healthy people should go - conditions will be very difficult for the foreseeable future (tents, canned food, etc)

As of right now, they do not expect "regular" volunteer teams, especially student teams, will be able to go to Haiti for 12 to 18 months. They have no idea about costs or precise dates.

I am attending another meeting this week. As soon as I know more information, I will pass it along.

The best thing we can do now is pray for the people of Haiti - pray for their spiritual, emotional and physical restoration. Pray that when we can help, we will provide long-term care.

God Bless,

Mark