Originally written for Shepherd of the Ridge Lutheran Church, apply these ideas to your local context.

I just got this note from Lutheran Church Charities. If you’re looking for a way to help, here’s your chance.

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat… The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’ (Matthew 25:35, 40)

As you are aware, yesterday afternoon Haiti was hit with the worst earthquake in 200 years. Most of the capitol city, Port-au-Prince, has been destroyed.  In addition, there have been over 30 aftershocks, which makes the situation even more dire.  Having been to Haiti numerous times, I know that Haiti is always in dire circumstances without a disaster!  But disasters such as this allow the Christian Church to show the Compassion and Mercy of Christ to those who do not know Him (over half the population in Haiti practices Voodoo).

Some of the ministries that Lutheran Church Charities works with in Haiti are all right since they are not located in the Port-au-Prince area.  Pastor Isaac and his orphanage are safe.  However, they will be indirectly affected since Port-au-Prince is the key hub for Haiti.

Haiti, The Poorest Nation in the Western Hemisphere

Few countries are as vulnerable to natural disaster as Haiti, the poorest nation in the Western hemisphere. Wracked by political instability and poverty, and hammered by a series of hurricanes in 2008, Haiti faces a tough recovery ahead.  Poor communications are making it difficult to immediately assess the extent of the damage and fatalities, but as daylight comes, the scale of the quake’s destruction is slowly coming into focus.

International Red Cross spokesman Paul Conneally said an estimated 3 million people (one third of Haiti’s population) may have been affected by the quake and that it would take a day or two for a clear picture of scope of the destruction to emerge.

I have been in communication directly or indirectly with those in Haiti and with the Lutheran and Christian ministries that LCC works with. I have also been in contact with ministries in the United States such as LCMS World Relief and Human Care (Rev. Glenn Merritt) to find out what their immediate needs are.

We have a mission group scheduled to leave for Haiti on March 11th, headed by Susan Gross at Christ Orland Park and other congregations.  We will be able to send relief efforts over with them.

The Immediate Need And How You Can Help

Given that Haiti is the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere – food is ALWAYS a need.  With four out of five people living in poverty and more than half in abject poverty, any financial assistance to help with food and water is desperately needed at this point.

Lutheran Church Charities has a program called “Feed The Invisible Guest” based on Matthew 25, where for .50 a day a child can be fed.  You can contribute to the “Feed The Invisible Guest” fund here.

Make A Difference!

Having spent time in Haiti over the years, I can testify to the great need there, even before the earthquake.  With the earthquake hitting Port-au-Prince the whole country will be affected as Port-au-Prince is the main hub.

LCC always guarantees that every dollar given goes directly for its intended purpose with NO administration charges taken out. We will work through the Lutheran Church in Haiti for the distribution of the food.

Thank you for your compassion and help!

Serving Together, Serving Christ, so we can serve others IN HIS NAME,

Tim Hetzner

See our web site for the most current updates.

Web site: www.lutheranchurchcharities.org
phone: 866-455-6466