Mission Volunteers, General Board of Global Ministries, The United Methodist Church 

Haiti Response Plan

Volume 4, Number 5

January 12, 2012

In This Issue
Two years later...
Doing something with our lives
Rev. Paul offers words of encouragement
Check out the latest on the web
Two years later...
In Memorium, January 12, 2010
 

 

United Methodist Volunteers in Mission and the Haiti Response Plan are included in the Haiti Progress Report, Two Years Later, published by the United Methodist Committee on Relief this week. You can read the full progress report by going to the General Board of Global Ministries, and clicking on the banner image.

  

The UMCOR report notes that over $45 million has been contributed to the Haiti Emergency Advance. Included in that amount is the Haiti Response Plan, which is operating under a three year grant program totalling nearly $4M. The funds are used to supply matching grants for UMVIM team contributions and to support the infrastructure administering the program.

 

The 2011 year end report details the status of all Haiti Response Plan work sites opened since May 2010.

 

Is God calling you to be in mission in Haiti? If you are a team leader interested in bringing a team to Haiti, please be in touch with Susan Meister, the US-based Communications & Calendaring Coordinator.

 

If you are an individual who would like to serve, there are spaces on the following teams:

 

 March 1-10

 March 10-17

 March 10-18

 March 23 - April 3

 March 27 - April 4

 

In addition, Susan can help individuals find a team that would fit their travel schedule.

 

Photo by Joel Black

 NC Conference UMVIM Team

November 2011

 


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Please pray for the people of Haiti and the UMVIM teams who are traveling to work alongside the Methodist Church of Haiti in rebuilding. 

 

We give thanks for all the volunteers in mission who are called and sent.

 

Anniversary Resources

 
Find a number of articles on the United Methodist Church's response in Haiti at

 

www.umc.org

 

http://new.gbgm-umc.org/

 

http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umcor/

 

Greetings!

Today is a day of remembrance and prayer - the anniversary date of the devastating 2010 earthquake in Haiti. For the past two years, teams of United Methodist Volunteers in Mission have selflessly donated their time, finances and energy to assist in the recovery and rebuilding effort. 

Today, the Haiti Response Plan kneel with the people of Haiti and the Methodist Church of Haiti in prayer and remembrance. At the same time, we rise to meet the challenge of our continuing ministry with our Haitian brothers and sisters. May God bless our efforts in 2012.

 

The Staff of the Haiti Response Plan 

"Doing something with our lives..."

UMVIM Haiti Response logoLast week, our staff had the opportunity to have dinner at the Montana Hotel with Jim Gulley. I'm sure most, if not all readers know Jim's experience of having been trapped with Sam Dixon, Clint Rabb, and several others, under the rubble of the Hotel for more than 50 hours after the January 12 earthquake, and the loss of Sam and Clint due to the injuries they sustained.

 

Much of the hotel complex has been rebuilt, although in a different manner. In some cases rubble was moved and used as the base for new construction. The pool is still there along with a beautiful dining area offering spectacular views of the greater Port-au-Prince area, the bay, and the mountains that rise up north of the city. There is a memorial garden.

 

As we entered the parking lot and began making our way to the dining area Jim began to describe the hotel the way it was, where he was at the time, what it looked like, and the events that unfolded so rapidly.

 

Over dinner and then afterward, he talked on a more personal level about the experience, at times pausing to collect his thoughts, reflect, and remember. At times he looked away, tears forming in the corners of his eyes. As Jim shared his thoughts, each of us was caught up in our own thoughts, remembering where we were and what we were doing that day, and how we received the news.

 

An event of this sort raises some of the most difficult theological questions. Why certain things happen. In certain places. To certain people. Why some live, and why some don't. Each of us around the table weighed in with our own particular perspective and understanding of the experience but in the end Jim summed up his thoughts: "Those of us who lived have a responsibility to do something with our lives."

 

Beyond the response to the tragedy in Haiti, is that not the call and mission of the Christian - "to do something with our lives?" A few days later Jim would say to a team, "We can't live in the past. We must use our experiences from the past to propel us into the future. To make a difference. That's why Clint and Sam were here. That's why you're here. "

 

Today, Thursday, January 12, there will be a gathering at 4 pm at the Montana Hotel for a service of commemoration. The Haiti Response Plan staff will be present along with Jim, and Reverend Marco Depestre will represent the Methodist Church of Haiti in the absence of President Paul. It will obviously be a time of great emotion; for many a time of sadness. My hope and prayer is that it will also be a time for us, each in our own way, to recommit ourselves to "doing something with our lives." To make a difference.   In Haiti, in the world. In the name of Jesus Christ.

 

 

Rev. Tom Vencuss,

UMVIM Haiti Project Coordinator

Rev. Paul offers words of encouragement

Rev. Gesner Paul

Dear friends,

 

It is the season of Greetings and we are looking forward to begin a new year which carries with it the different challenges left over by 2011. We are obligated to deal with those challenges even before taking into account those for the year 2012.

 

Let me on behalf of the District staff wish you a Happy New Year 2012.

 

Since the unforgotten day January 12, 2010 the Methodist Church of Haiti has never ceased to thank all the Partners far and near for the support of all kinds. We really appreciate it and will never forget to hold you in our prayers.

 

We are approaching January 2012, two years since the earthquake has caused the loss of 316,000 lives. Parents, friends, and children are still mourning the loss of loved ones.

 

It is time for a good evaluation of the situation to look at where we were and where we are now. We still have some areas that need to be touched such as health, Christian education, and evangelism.

We thank you for being part our response and we hope that with you and with God's guidance, we will make many more steps.

 

Yours,

Rev. Gesner Paul

President, Methodist Church of Haiti

 

Check out the latest on the web

deLeon Team, Hinche, Nov 2011Are you considering ways to commemorate today's anniversary?Foundry UMC, Washington, DC, has agreed to share their ideas, 10 Ways to Commemorate the Two Year Remembrance of the 2010 Haitian Earthquake. 

 

We invite you to take a look at an uplifting new video from the Tomas de Leon team from North Carolina, which worked in Hinche in November 2011. The video compilation was done by team member Andrew Donelson.

 

Our Facebook page includes a December 9 post of a detailed video from a Texas Annual Conference June 2011 team. Team member Brad Morgan remarks, "This video from the...Southeast District Mission Team, by Bob Kelly, might be informative for others about to travel to Haiti or those considering a trip....Thank you VIM Haiti for the excellent support your provided our team!" View the video from the work in Carrefour and read more thoughts and memories at team member Brad Morgan's blog.

 

In addition, on December 26 Lori Starkey Mitchell posted this presentation of her Greater New Jersey Conference UMVIM team's work in Mellier in November.

 

The Facebrook page also includes some great photos from La Tremblay, Dasmas and Delmas 33, a brand new site.

 

Photo by

Tomas de Leon

 

NC Conference UMVIM Team

November 2011

 

 

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Matching 

Grants Available 

New!

Effective November 2011:  Teams of 4-6 persons who raise $2500 in project funds are eligible for a matching grant of $2500. Teams of 7-10 persons who raise $3500 in project funds are eligible for a matching grant of $3500. For more information on how to apply for matching funds, contact Susan Meister, US-based Communications & Calendaring Coordinator.