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LORD, WHEN WAS IT THAT WE SAW YOU?

On January 12, a powerful earthquake hit approximately ten miles from the capital of Haiti, Port-au-Prince. An earthquake of this magnitude would be devastating to any city, but in one of the poorest countries in the Western hemisphere its effects are catastrophic. Millions of people have been affected by this disaster and tens of thousands—possibly hundreds of thousands—are feared dead. With many of the established sources of safety and security demolished—churches, schools, hospitals and government buildings—survivors are searching for signs of hope and help.

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is responding through Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA). PDA is rushing an initial $100,000 from One Great Hour of Sharing and designated funds to provide immediate emergency relief to the affected people. Funds are being sent through our ecumenical and local partners working in Haiti.

Presbyterian World Mission is gathering information on the safety and status of our mission personnel and ecumenical partners in the area. For updates on the earthquake and the church’s response, please visit the PDA Web site. Financial support for relief efforts can be designated to DR000064.

Gifts can also be made by phone at (800) 872-3283, weekdays between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. (EST), and checks can be mailed to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, P.O. Box 643700, Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700.

What you can do

As God’s people, we are called to stand in the “GAP”— GIVE, ACT, PRAY.
Give – Financial support for relief efforts can be made online and designated to DR000064. Your gifts, combined with those of others, provide a visible and tangible demonstration of God’s care in the midst of this tragedy. Recovery will be a difficult and long process, but Presbyterian Disaster Assistance has time and time again modeled a faithful response over the long haul.

Act – Congregations and individuals can put together hygiene kits and baby kits to be distributed through Church World Service. For information, visit the PDA Web site.

Pray – Join with others in lifting up the people of Haiti and those seeking to provide aid in this critical time. As the eyes of the world turn to Haiti, let us join our hearts in prayer:

God of compassion, please watch over the people of Haiti, and weave out of these terrible events wonders of goodness and grace. Surround those who have been affected by tragedy with a sense of your present love, and hold them in faith. Though they are lost in grief, may they find you and be comforted; guide us as a church to find ways of providing assistance that heals wounds and gives hope. Help us to remember that when one of your children suffers we all suffer. Through Jesus Christ who was dead, but lives and rules this world with you. Amen.

Bruce Reyes-Chow, Moderator of the 218th General Assembly (2008), Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
Gradye Parsons, Stated Clerk, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
Linda Valentine, Executive Director, General Assembly Mission Council, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)