HAITI RELIEF RESPONSE FROM VINEYARDUSA

ON SUNDAY, JANUARY 24th, we raised over $2000 for a special offering that will go toward the VINEYARDUSA Haiti relief fund (see below). You can still give toward this fund! PLEASE MARK YOUR SPECIAL GIFTS as "HAITI RELIEF".

I am writing to let you know how we as a movement are responding to the catastrophic earthquake which has caused so much devastation and loss of life in Haiti. To begin, I wish to express my gratitude to God for the overwhelming response we have already experienced from many of you who are ready to help. This demonstrates that our Lord’s mercy and compassion is alive and at work among us by His Spirit.

Let me assure you that Vineyard USA is already responding in several strategic ways. First, we are working with two large, well-respected organizations (see update letter below) which have had a strong presence of compassionate and effective service in Haiti prior to the earthquake. Through our relationship with these organizations, we virtually already have eyes and ears “on the ground” which are assessing the needs and discovering how to best address them. Second, we are also learning about the situation through our mission partnerships with the Vineyard Churches in the Dominican Republic. These churches have many relationships and connections with their neighbors in Haiti and are proving to be a strategic source of information at this early stage. Third, we are in communication with Vineyard USA churches who likewise have been ministering in Haiti prior to this calamity.

There are many ways that we as a community of churches can respond to this tragedy. One way, probably unwise in the stewardship of our resources, is for us to begin showing up on the scene and each attempting our own limited relief efforts. The immediate, on-site response with a natural disaster of this magnitude is likely best handled by government and military personnel, providing security, performing search and rescue, and beginning to clean up the massive carnage. Very soon, we will more fully enter the second phase which is that of recovery. In this phase, there is a need for temporary housing, distribution of food, water, and the assessment of other needs. As I mentioned, through our partnerships with churches and relief organizations, this has already begun. Once we have some measure of orientation, we will be in a better position to coordinate our efforts. Rest assured that such efforts will extend beyond the second phase of recovery and into a phase of re-building. In this third phase, we will concentrate on re-building and supporting churches so that they can be of service to their community. Then, by collaborating with these churches, we can begin to re-build the homes and lives of those within the respective communities.

To assist us in moving forward as quickly and effectively as possible, here are a few ways you and your churches can take action:

(1)  Have your church offer corporate prayer for the people of Haiti. This tragedy is catastrophic and millions of people are suffering. They need the mercy and power of God.

(2)  Have your church take up an offering that will begin to fund our relief effort. Once collected, send the offering to Vineyard USA with “Mercy Response” in the memo line. This money will immediately go to setting up a base of operations. Money is needed to fund the transportation and supplies of this initial response. Money is also needed to purchase supplies such as food and water. Instead of churches collecting supplies, boxing and sending them either to Vineyard USA or somewhere it Haiti, it will be more cost-effective for us to work with suppliers and relief agencies. Furthermore, we can be sure that such supplies are in fact being distributed to meet the human needs.

(3)  Check the VineyardUSA.org website for regular updates. As soon as we have the information that enables us to take the next strategic steps, we will post them on the website. This way, our energy and resources as a movement can be funneled and focused to provide a maximum level of help for the good of the Haitian people and for the greater glory of God.

There will be other steps to take. For now, I ask that you take these three.  You can send all communications regarding our response to this disaster to haiti@vineyardusa.org. May the God of all comfort work through us with the compassion of our Lord Jesus, and may the power of the Holy Spirit bring help and healing to this part of the groaning creation.

Blessings,  Bert Waggoner, National Director, Vineyard USA

UPDATE LETTER on January 21, 2010

Dear Vineyard Pastors,

In Bert Waggoner’s letter last Friday he mentioned that the Vineyard is working with two large, well-respected organizations in response to the earthquake in Haiti. The two organizations he referenced are Convoy of Hope and Compassion International. We have a strong working relationship with both of these organizations. Both had a presence in Haiti prior to the disaster and currently are engaged in relief efforts in the hardest hit areas. Additionally, Vineyard USA Mercy Response has an assessment team on the ground and they made it to the border of Haiti through the Dominican Republic yesterday. Along the way, they stopped and checked in on the Vineyard Church in Jimani which is about an hour from the border. The church is intact and doing what they can to help in their community. The assessment team plans to head towards Port Au Prince today.

Please be assured that we are constantly processing information from a number of sources as we evaluate the situation. Many of you have asked when you can send teams and how to help; right now the biggest need is financial support and prayer for the victims of this disaster as well as those responding. Our current assessment is that bringing in teams right now could actually hinder the relief effort, but that could change quickly so please continue to check our website for updates.