Ken Edwards, Senior Pastor

There is untold human suffering among those who are without resources and where the medical needs among the injured are staggering. Our prayers and our resources are needed to assist those who will remain to try to rebuild their lives in the months and years ahead.
Our United Methodist family is grieving over the deaths of Reverend Sam Dixon, director of UMCOR, the relief agency for the United Methodist Church, and Reverend Clint Rabb, the director of Volunteers in Mission for the United Methodist Church. Both were in Haiti working to strengthen relief efforts among the poor when the earthquake hit. The hotel in which they were staying collapsed. Also among the dead was a Volunteer in Mission worker, Jean Arnwine, from Highland Park UMC in Dallas, Texas. Our love and prayers are extended to the families of these persons and all affected by the disaster.    

Our own Mike Dubose, a photographer with United Methodist News Services, left for Haiti on Wednesday, January 20. Mike is a gifted photographer who will use his gifts to tell the story of human need. Our prayers are with him as he makes this difficult journey.

I agree with the words of Reverend Jim Wallis of Sojourners, who wrote, “God is suffering with the people who are suffering.” God does not bring evil and judgment upon the people of Haiti, as some have thoughtlessly suggested. God is the God of love and hope, and God calls on us to be the bearers of this love and hope to the people of Haiti now and in the months ahead. I have used Jesus’ story about Lazarus and the rich man for my personal reflection on this tragedy. Haiti may be the poor Lazarus at our gate, and we are being called to respond. (Luke 16:9-31)

We can respond with health kits—the response of Belmonters has been outstanding and to make gifts through UMCOR. The United Methodist Church has one of the highest rated relief agencies in the world. UMCOR receives an A-plus rating through Charities Watch and is already on the scene working to make a difference (see the article titled “Help for Haiti” in this edition of the Reporter).