Help for Haiti           

Hope Fellowship was glad to host a concert on January 31st with the proceeds to benefit World Vision.  Artists such as Terry Posthumus, Jay Calder, Kelita, Oceanic Air, Paulis Sanchez and Hope Fellowship's own Stonesthrow shared their talents for the concert. Mike "Pinball" Clemons also was onhand to speak.  A free-will offering was taken and $9,377.70 was raised to support our brothers and sisters in Haiti.  Praise God!

The Christian Reformed World Relief Committee (CRWRC) is the trusted and loved agency of the Christian Reformed Church (CRC) that addresses poverty related issues in Third World countries and responds to disasters when they happen. In North America, for example, it is the CRWRC that oversees the work of Disaster Response Services (DRS) which has sent so many of us from Hope Fellowship to places like Louisiana, Texas and Indiana to rebuild communities destroyed by floods or hurricanes.

As earthquake survivors in Haiti clear rubble, search for loved ones, and mourn their losses, the CRWRC is already providing support and preparing plans for long-term aid. “We want to get survivors out of the sun, out of the damage, and hydrated,” said CRWRC’s Disaster Program Manager, Jacqueline Koster. The senior project manager from its international relief team is now in Haiti to assess the situation and plan our response.

Every Christian Reformed Church in Canada and the U.S. (totaling more than 1,000 congregations) has been asked to hold an emergency offering. On January 24, therefore, Hope Fellowship’s deacons will take two offerings: one for the scheduled local cause and a second offering for the Haiti Earthquake Response.

While there has been widespread loss of lives, all CRC staff and volunteers living in Haiti were spared. Among them are Howard and Ruth Van Dam, missionaries for Christian Reformed World Missions, who reported that their water cisterns broke, meaning they have no running water. Walls also broke outside their home and serious cracks appeared in the walls inside. “We are now beginning to clean up our home slowly. There is a lot of damage. We're not sure if it’s actually livable,” they said. “We are hearing reports from friends and co-workers.  Most are fine and we are so thankful. But we have also heard some horror stories and we are burdened. Please pray for wisdom as we decide what to do.”

It’s time to do something hopeful for Haiti. Prayerfully consider what you can donate to the relief effort and come with your offering. Cheques made out to Hope Fellowship should be marked “Haiti Earthquake 2010” on the memo line and on the outside of the offering envelope.  
- Pastor Peter