Earthquake Devastates Haiti - Anglicans Mobilize for Relief
Jan 14th, 2010 by David
From the ACNA site:
Haiti, the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, was struck by a magnitude 7.0 earthquake on Tuesday, January 11. The quake was centered southwest of Port-au-Prince, a city of about 2 million inhabitants. Aftershocks have sparked fear and panic. Reports indicate that most buildings – including hospitals, relief agencies and churches – have collapsed or are unsafe. There is extensive loss of life, and unimaginable injury.
The Anglican Relief and Development Fund (ARDF) is working with our partners to respond with assistance to the victims.
“Having led several medical missions to Haiti in the 1970s and 80s, I am particularly concerned for our response to those good and suffering people in our hemisphere’s poorest country. We Anglican Christians need to respond to the devastation both with our prayers and resources,” said Archbishop Robert Duncan.
You can help Haiti now. Please give generously to the Anglican Relief and Development Fund.
Compassion Canada has sponsored children in Port au Prince, and has a Haiti disaster relief fund as well:
https://www.compassion.ca/donation.asp?intid=29
It is wonderful to see Anglicans doing what they do so well - responding to those who need help so much, the people of Haiti. I am happy that the Primate of the AcoC is taking such a procative role as well in mobilizing Anglicans in action, especially through the PWRDF. That truly is a large part of living out the gospel in the world. We may have major differences in many things but here is where we can all agree
#2 agreed, as well, for the Archbishop of the ACNA. But due to acknowledged Canadian Government stepping up restrictions for the granting of charitable status (bad guys are out there) our request for charitable status has been delayed. Consequently no tax relief for Canadian’s yet. In converstation with ANiC it has been suggested that we just give to any of our favorite charities. May I suggest that a note or any thank you acknowledgement from your charity be passed on to our Primate indicating our caring on behalf of ARDF. Our Archbishop has personal reasons and like us his heart is breaking.
Regarding Pat Robertson’s very ill timed statement regarding Haiti’s latest catastrophe, our dollars and prayers will help in bringing about repentence and perhaps with a national swing to the Lord and Saviour of the universe. The Grace of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit might bring a new day to this sad and impoverished people.
On the same theme, the Canadian Government is matching donations to the Canadian Red Cross up to $50 million.
I think they are matching donations to all “qualified charities”, but I couldn’t find a definition of “qualified” anywhere.
Randy #2:
It is so unfortunate that one takes the initiative of “putting others down” because of their choice to walk a different path from the one they were on. God knows the truth about all of this Randy and I for one will follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit as to how to help in Haita and through which organization. Samaritan’s Purse is already on the Ground in Haitia with volunteers doing solid Christian Work in the name of Jesus and not in the name of some “Denomination” which I personally feel is the right way to go on this.
World Vision is also already in Haiti
Kate was asking about qualification for a charity to receive matching funds. From the CIDA website FAQ here : http://www.acdi-cida.gc.ca/acdi-cida/ACDI-CIDA.nsf/eng/ANN-114115719-MVV
“The maximum amount per single donation that the government will match is $100,000. To count toward the Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund, donations must be:
– made by an individual Canadian;
– made to a registered Canadian charitable organization that is receiving donations in response to the January 12 Haiti earthquake;
– specifically earmarked by such organizations for the purpose of responding to the earthquake; and,
– made between January 12 and February 12, 2010.
The government will not match donations made by corporations, governments, businesses, partnerships, schools, incorporated or non-incorporated entities, or unions from their existing resources that were not raised from individuals specifically in response to the earthquake. However, amounts raised from fundraising events undertaken to raise money from individuals in response to the earthquake are eligible, and this fundraising may be undertaken by schools, faith-based organizations, clubs, social groups, businesses, incorporated entities, or charitable organizations.”
ARDF does not appear to be registered in Canada so the matching of funds would not take place.
Some of the known Haiti earthquake relief funds are:
Compassion Canada
Oxfam Canada
Oxfam Quebec
Save the Children Fund
CARE Canada
Red Cross
Salvation Army
Primate’s World Development and Relief Fund
Mennonite Central Committee
World Vision
I’m sure there are more.
Some are having tough times and need to pinch every penny this should not create guilt, the Lord knows and cares. May I suggest that prayers are at least, and depending on the circumstances, more, than equal to the money being gathered. Haiti needs to turn her attention to the God of the universe.
Gerry: It boggles the mind how you can take the statement I made in #2 and interpret that as “putting someone down”. Have you become so cynical and mistrustful now as to find suspicion with every word written here by individuals that may not agree with you on everything? The statement I made was not meant to be anything more than to commend Anglicans, whether they are ACNA or ACoC, for their wonderful reaction to the crisis in Haiti. The events happening there are far greater than any of us. How you can twist it to something else is a marvel. As well, I did not say there were no other way to respond, if you have found one that pleases you than that is wonderful. But please don’t throw cold water on something as positive as I was espousing for Anglicans all over the country. Did anyone else interpret my words above as Gerry did? Please let me know. For the life of me I can’t figure it out.
Randy,
I confess, given your past contributions to this blog, the thought that you might be making a political statement did cross my mind - but I set it aside.
This post was intended to encourage people to contribute to efforts at alleviating the dreadful circumstances in Haiti - nothing more.
Any further comments - from either side - that have the potential to turn it into a bun-fight will probably be deleted.
Thank you David…I’m sure you and I were’nt alone, just the “fear” of starting turf wars suggested to the more sensible to say nothing. I will let it go……
Delete if you must David with all due respect.
Time will tell clearly that the conflicts that have created the crack in our communion were caused by leadership and special interest groups along with a (what I believe is a) minority of laity. Some of us feel that we have been weakened severely by this. My point is that any attempt to lend credence to this anti-Christ agenda for any reason needs to be dealt with. I salute Gerry for attempting to do so even though He is not well. (forgive me Brother)
Please join with me in prayer for the family of James W. Coates, 37 yr old male from Deer Lake Newfoundland who was killed in Haiti working for the UN. James has been verified as one of 5 Canadians killed in the Quake. I last saw Jimmy when he was maybe 10 years of age, living in Grand Falls-Windsor, Nfld. when we visited for the day, a mere two days before his father, Ward Coates, RCMP, passed away in his early 40’s. James leaves his Mother Lillian Legge/Coates of Deer Lake and three sisters in St. John’s Area. Please pray for this family. Thank You
I join with Gerry in inviting your prayers for the Coates family. I have met several people at the Anglican chrch in Grand Falls Windsor, where they worshipped as a family up to the time James’ father passed suddenly. It is difficult for anyone to imagine their grief at this time and I’m sure they will be comforted through your prayers.