Haiti Earthquake News
The General Board of Global Ministries is collecting contact information for those who are interested in traveling to Haiti. You can enter this information at http://secure.gbgm-umc.org/HaitiVolunteer/.
March 10, 2010
Statement from the UMVIM Jurisdictional Coordinators
Greg Forrester, Northeast Jurisdiction, Lorna Jost, North Central Jurisdiction and Paulette West, Southeast Jurisdiction returned this past Friday, March 5th from their site visit to Haiti. A plan for United Methodist Volunteer in Mission (UMVIM) team response to the earthquake devastation in Haiti has been designed in consultation with President Gesner Paul and other leaders of the Eglise Methodiste d'Haiti (EMH). Due to the earthquake and changes in EMH leadership, a new list of priority projects and needs have been identified by the church.
Conversations with United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) and General Board of Global Ministries (GBGM) have led to a formalized funded proposal for coordination of UMVIM teams to Haiti. The plan includes a US based calendaring office along with staffing in Haiti to assist in the site planning and hosting of teams. The positions of US-Haiti Coordinator, Haiti-Financial Hospitality Coordinator and Haiti-Volunteer Coordinator have been posted and are expected to be filled by March 19th. Please click on the appropriate position for a job description and application information. Pending approval of this proposal, we estimate some volunteers may be on the ground in Haiti by April 1st.
Teams are encouraged to form, raise funds and start considering when they would be ready to volunteer in Haiti. All UMVIM teams will be expected to work on prioritized projects as set by the EMH and are to be coordinated through the US-Haiti Coordinator with advisement to Annual Conference UMVIM coordinators.
Based on our observations and experience, teams serving in Haiti need to meet the following criteria:
No more than 8-12 members/team.
Team leader has prior experience in Haiti.
Team leader has UMVIM team leader training
Necessary immunizations are up to date (Cholera and tuberculosis may be needed soon - watch the CDC recommendations)
Early Response Training is not necessary but would be helpful
We suggest that team membership include skills/supplies for Vacation Bible School/education, medical, and construction/deconstruction components. Specialized teams for pastoral care will also be needed soon to work with the pastors and lay pastors in Haiti.
We look forward to serving with you in building relationships with our Haitian sisters and brothers to work with them to bring healing to their country.
In Christ's name,
Greg Forrester NEJ
Paulette West, SEJ
Lorna Jost, NCJ
Debbie Vest, SCJ
Heather Wilson, WJ
February 18, 2010
Since last month's earthquake in Haiti, UMVIM, SEJ has been working closely with government, non-government, and United Methodist Church agencies. Next week, UMVIM, SEJ Executive Director Paulette West will travel to Haiti with UMCOR and UMVIM officials in order to attend the annual conference of the Methodist Church of Haiti and to meet with church leadership. While there, Paulette will be having discussions with leaders on the ground as we identify projects and areas in which volunteers can safely and effectively serve. Upon her return, Paulette will submit a report to this email list, detailing the results of her trip.
At UMVIM, SEJ, we are intentional about working with local church leadership as we assess needs and readiness for volunteers. As soon as the Methodist Church of Haiti invites in volunteer teems, we stand ready to facilitate these teams. Please know that the United Methodist Church is already at work in Haiti, supported by your generous gifts to UMCOR. As part of UMCOR's work in Haiti, some of the debris-clearing and recovery work that could be done by volunteers will actually be done by Haitians in a pay-for-work program. In a country with near-universal unemployment, this pay-for-work program is vital, and we believe it to be a faithful part of our work there.
Once this initial work is completed, there will be many, many opportunities for UMVIM volunteers to serve in Haiti. We continue to work with annual conference UMVIM coordinators to disseminate information about the need for volunteers, and we will have more specific information following next week's assessment trip.
To register your interest in traveling to Haiti, please visit http://secure.gbgm-umc.org/HaitiVolunteer/.
January 20, 2010
Bishop Joel Martinez, interim General Secretary of the General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church, has written a letter asking for patience in the volunteer effort, as we assess the situation in Haiti and work with other organizations. Click here to read that letter. (pdf)
January 17, 2010
It is with continued sadness that we note the passing overnight of Rev. Clint Rabb. As the head of Mission Volunteers, Clint has been a guiding mentor for all of us for the last several years. Clint's service with the General Board of Global Ministries began in 1995. Prior to that time, he served as a pastor and chaplain in Texas. Clint's enthusiasm, leadership, and passion for ministry has been invaluable for United Methodist Volunteers in Mission, both in the Southeastern Jurisdiction and around the world. Please pray for Clint's wife, Suzanne, and their family.
UMVIM, SEJ Executive Director Paulette West is traveling to New York this morning to give help to the Mission Volunteer office at GBGM. As we have more information about this tragedy, including the situation in Haiti, we will share that information here.
January 16, 2010
It is great sadness that we acknowledge the passing of our friend, the Rev. Sam Dixon. Sam's work as the head of UMCOR, the United Methodist Committee on Relief, has been instrumental in the United Methodist Church for many years, particularly since Sam became UMCOR's top executive in 2007. While our hearts are broken for Sam's wife Cindy and their family, we rejoice that Sam's work made a difference in the lives of so many. We ask that you remember Sam's family in your prayers.
Sam's passing is a painful reminder to us of the reality and scope of the Haitian tragedy. In the face of such death and destruction, we are left to pray, "Come, Lord Jesus."
The need is so very great. Please continue giving generously to UMCOR via this link, or at umcor.org.
Janary 14, 2010
UMVIM, SEJ continues to hear reports of devastation in the Port-au-Prince area. At this time, the Haitian government has indicated that it will be mid-March before UMVIM teams will be able to enter. While the desire to offer immediate help is universal among Christians, please know that waiting is the most faithful witness we can offer at this time. Persons interested in offering volunteer support should fill out the above form. When we have more information about scheduling a mission trip to Haiti, we will then contact you with the details.
In the mean time, there are three ways to help.
First, continue to give to UMCOR, the United Methodist Committee on Relief. You can give online at this link. UMCOR is already on the ground, assisting in relief efforts and saving lives.
Second, work with your church to complete UMCOR health kits. These kits will be invaluable in the next few months, as UMCOR works to offer healing to many, many people. You can find instructions for completing health kits at this link.
Finally, pray. The relief effort in Haiti will take years, and the need for prayer continues. Pray for the Haitians who are injured and who have lost loved ones, pray for the rescuers, and pray for those who are working behind the scenes to coordinate this massive effort.
We ask, also, that you say a special prayer lifting up the families of the three UMCOR and UMVIM officials missing in Haiti: Clint Rabb, Sam Dixon, and James Gulley. As we work to provide support, our hearts are heavy. You can find more information about this situation at the website for the United Methodist Church.
As always, you can find the latest news on UMVIM, SEJ's response to the situation in Haiti at umvim.org.
January 13, 2010
Friends,
By now, you have probably heard news about yesterday's massive earthquake in Haiti. UMVIM, SEJ continues to monitor the situation as reports come in.
In times of great disaster, it can be quite difficult to watch from the sidelines. We have spoken with many people asking how they can help. During these initial hours and days, there are two ways in which you can help the people of Haiti.
First, pray for Haiti and for those involved in the rescue efforts. It is our prayer that God's hand is on those searching for survivors, and that God's peace is with those who have lost loved ones.
Second, give generously to UMCOR, the United Methodist Committee on Relief. UMCOR is always among the first on the ground in these situations, and the last to leave. You can donate online at this link. 100% of your donation will be used directly for disaster recovery efforts and humanitarian aid in Haiti.
We are in the process of contacting teams who were scheduled to work in Haiti in the coming days. Please know that while it will be a while before Haiti is ready for regular UMVIM teams, UMCOR is already providing aid to the Haitian people. As the situation continues to develop, we will pass along news at our website, www.umvim.org.
With thanks,
UMVIM, SEJ
