North Alabama United Methodists continue response to Haiti Disaster

1/19/2010
A message from Rev. Matt Lacey, North Alabama Conference Director of Mission and Advocacy

We in North Alabama grieve the loss of Sam Dixon of UMCOR and Clint Rabb of GBGM Mission Volunteers. I have served with Rev. Rabb for several years on the UMVIM board, and with Sam through UMCOR, and know these losses will be felt instantly across the denomination. Though the loss of these lives and many, many others are tragic, we must continue to believe in a God who continues to move and work, and a God who grieves when we grieve and knows our pain. Continue to pray for their families as well as the families of those whom we may not know personally, and every single Haitian who has been affected.

I have received many phone calls and emails about North Alabama’s disaster response effort, and continue to be moved by the outpouring of support from our churches large and small.

I urge you to continue to pray, support, and give. At this time the best way to help is to donate money through UMCOR. While most people feel this is the most impersonal way to give, it helps in any number of ways, including stimulating the local Haitian economy.

Health kits are, and will continue to be for many months, needed and will continue to be collected either at the United Methodist Center in Birmingham, the disaster response warehouse in Decatur, and at Anniston First UMC.

I have also received some phone calls about volunteering in Haiti. While some trained staff are on the ground at this time, please do not send volunteers into the disaster area. If you know of anyone from North Alabama that is currently on the ground, or is planning to go, please let me know immediately. We estimate that it will be mid-March at the earliest before mission teams will be sent.

This week, as we remember the work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. we must remind ourselves of the importance of our service. As Dr. King said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: ‘What are you doing for others?’”
 

Comments

1. gil griggs wrote on 1/24/2010 3:07:53 PM
FUMC Florence is interested in joining a construction team going to Haiti to help as needed. Please pass this info along to any group that is going this spring/summer.