CrossWorld President Speaks on Haiti

Three weeks ago, Haiti was rocked by an earthquake that has affected the world. The devastation was staggering. At least 170,000 people dead. One million homeless. 200,000 families without a roof over their heads. U.N. deputy special envoy, Paul Farmer, reports that more than three-quarters of Port-au-Prince has been destroyed.

In CrossWorld's Haitian association of churches alone we have received reports of ten church buildings and 319 houses damaged, 109 houses destroyed and 76 believers dead. The church headquarters and one STEP Seminary building have also been destroyed, while numerous other ministry centers including the Maranatha School and the evangelical printing press have received significant damage.

4,000 displaced people continue to take refuge on our seminary campus, sleeping outside and under makeshift tarps.

Though media coverage of the catastrophe is now reduced to just a trickle, the catastrophe in Haiti continues like a raging river. With hurricane season just three months away, an already desperate situation could become much worse for those whose homes are gone. For most of Haiti's students, school is unlikely to resume until at least September, and life as it was known in this, the poorest country in the Western hemisphere, will not be the same for years to come.

Many of you who will read these words have responded to this crisis with an outpouring of compassion unrivaled in recent memory. Tens of thousands of dollars have already been received and sent into the country to be used in CrossWorld's relief effort, providing water, food, shelter and medicine for those in greatest need. Crisis specialists, counselors, and medical personnel have also been part of our response, helping to bring much needed order and calm to a chaotic situation. We would not be able to respond as we have, were it not for the gifts that so many have given, and I am deeply touched by your generosity.

Equally moving has been the response of the Haitian people themselves, who are widely reported to have erupted in spontaneous praise to God throughout the crisis, sometimes singing all night long. On one such occasion, reports one of our disaster relief workers, the people began singing "Annou Prepare!" - which translated, means, "Let us prepare (for the coming of the King)". How amazing that while some in our world question what kind of a God would allow such suffering to befall the Haitian people, some of those who have found themselves at the epicenter of the tragedy, take it as a wake-up call to prepare to meet the God they love.

Let me thank all of you who have responded with the love of God to the people of Haiti. And let me urge you to not forget them in the long days ahead. Long after all the cameras are gone, and the politicians and Hollywood stars have returned home, Haitian leaders and CrossWorld's team on the ground will keep working side by side at the arduous task of rebuilding Haiti - the homes and businesses, the schools, the neighborhoods, the families, and the lives. Because of that reality we welcome your ongoing financial partnership and specialized volunteer assistance so that the brokenness of Haiti may be healed. Thanks for being there for us and the people of Haiti.



You can give to CrossWorld's Haiti Disaster Relief Fund. Just Click here and share with those in need. - or give through the CrossWorld offices in Mississauga, Ontario, or Kansas City, MO.

Good News for American Donors: The House and Senate have passed a bill which permits Haiti relief gifts made between January 12 and Feb 28, 2010 to be deducted on the 2009 tax return. For more details, contact Bob Simrak, CrossWorld Director of Advancement, by clicking here.

Good News for Canadian Donors: The Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) will match any donation made by a Canadian individual - to the Haiti relief earthquake efforts. The Gift must be made to a registered Canadian charity like CrossWorld Canada, and given before Feb 12, 2010. Maximum gift per donor is $100,000.

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