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An Appropriate Response . . . At An Appropriate Time
As FAME has mapped out a short-term and long-term strategy
for Haiti earthquake relief, we have seriously taken into account who we are
and how to make an appropriate response.
FAME is not a first responder or trained in emergency rescue. Hence we made the decision to wait until
March to start sending in teams. FAME is
not a clothing ministry or a food ministry.
FAME is a medical mission. Therefore
we made the decision to collect only items that would be appropriate for
medical use or in getting a medical facility ready to reopen. We will ship these items only when our
partners on the ground, missions that we have partnered with for years, are
ready to receive them.
Interestingly, I
found our approach validated by an article that appeared this week on the MSNBC
website ( Disaster do-gooders can actually hinder help). We will leave it to those who
are trained in disaster relief to respond for the next few weeks. Haiti needs help recovering from this
earthquake for a long, long time. Our
turn will come soon enough and you can help us to be ready when our turns comes. Help us respond in an appropriate way, at an
appropriate time. With this in mind,
here is what we are planning for our short-term and long-term response. Short-Term:
- Provide medical supplies and
medicines to those teams that can go into Haiti now. Ron Lydick stopped by last week to pick up medicine to be carried in to Lifelife Christian Mission. Presently we have shared items with four
teams headed to Haiti and anticipate helping to equip more.
Send in FAME short-term
medical teams. We have a team
scheduled to go to Haiti March 6 - 14. This team has been scheduled for
months (please note, this team is
already full). We are in the
process of scheduling additional teams that will go to Haiti throughout
the year. Ship sea containers of
supplies to Haiti. From our
warehouse in Indianapolis we plan to ship multiple containers to Haiti
when the time is right.
Long-Term:
Provide funding for the
reconstruction of FAME medical facilities in Haiti. Continue sending in
short-term teams and shipping equipment and supplies. Establish effective
long-term development programs for Haiti through Community Health
Evangelism. Provide scholarships for
qualified Haitian students who are studying to be Christian medical
providers in their country.
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The Long Haul
Continue
praying for the people of Haiti and relief efforts underway. Pray that the workers
in Haiti will be strengthened for the task.
Prayerfully consider your financial response. Funding is one of the
most needed things right now. FAME
will be in need of funds for clinic and hospital re-building and shipping
of desperately needed medicines and supplies.  Collect, inventory, and sort
simple hygiene items that FAME can store and box so
that when FAME ships a sea container (or more) of supplies, we will be
ready. For information in becoming a Collection Site for your church and others in your community, contact Shane Whybrew. Collect
over-the-counter medicines such as Ibuprofen or Acetaminophen. Please make sure the expiration date is
at least six to twelve months away. Click Haiti Earthquake Relief List for a complete description of desperately needed medicines and supplies. Consider
going to serve on a medically-focused short-term trip with FAME. A list of our regularly scheduled trips
all over the world can be found on FAME's website. |
MISSION: FAME is passionate in taking help and
hope in the name of Christ to the unreached and underserved in the world
through medical evangelism.
VISION: A
Global Leader in Evangelism Through Healthcare
· Taking Christ to the unreached and underserved
· Integrating spiritual and physical healing
· Providing medical supplies and facilities for
the developing world
· Assisting nationals to become healthcare
providers and educators
· Promoting health and wellness through community
development
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