Jeff's Desk
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Haiti Update
While the news reports regarding Haiti are nearly non-existent, the commitment by members and friends of the ECCC continue with strong resolve. Since the earthquake, work teams from two congregations (with a third arriving in April) have gone to work with our Haitian partners at the Eben-Ezer Clinic. Together with Haitian nationals, painting, tiling and plumbing have advanced the Hospital to the point where overnight stay is possible.
The work of the clinic, while 250km north of Port au Prince is both essential and impacted by the devastation of the earthquake. Estimates are that nearly 500,000 people have moved to other sections of the country out of Port au Prince. In the first two weeks after the earthquake, the clinic treated two to three times as many patients as they would normally see. The staff worked long hours to accommodate the increase. Dr. Manno, the staff, and the clinic board are working to provide high quality healthcare in an environment of dignity.
In addition to the work at the clinic, Dr. Manno and his staff have made a commitment to deliver medical and food aid to an area that is not being served by the major NGO’s. All accounts say the best thing for Haiti is for Haitians to take the lead in the needs of their country; Dr. Manno is doing just this. With funds from Geneva Global and the ECCC the clinic will be going at least twice a month to deliver supplies. The ECCC has received over $40,000 to go toward the relief work done through the Eben-Ezer clinic. This includes subsidizing medical costs in the initial days when the clinic dropped all fees on services and medicine plus additional staffing needs and costs for direct relief supplies and expenses.
Ours must continue to be an ongoing commitment to this partnership. We must be extremely careful that we do not fall into the trap of going just so we can feel good about ourselves; we go to work with and to learn from these brothers and sisters. We will continue in this year to provide funding for the clinic at a rate of $2200 per month. These funds go toward staffing costs so that the clinic can have quality staff. We also have two young women, and Shauna Bennett who are in support positions to Dr. Manno and the clinic. The level of support is significant but we believe it is sustainable with the continued good support of our congregations and individual donors.
For those wanting to see footage of the clinic and Port au Prince I would direct you to a video that has been compiled by Phil Wright our Director of Discipleship Initiatives: www.youtube.com/ecccanada
Yours in Christ,
Jeff Anderson, Superintendent
Below is information from Jeff's previous letter on how you can help!
If you are lacking the words to pray, consider checking out this link and this song of prayer:
. http://www.brocktyler.com/prayerforhaiti/Prayer%20for%20Haiti.mp3
Please consider giving.
There are many great organizations that you can support but World Relief Canada is the official partner of the ECCC for Relief and Development. You can find information on them at www.wrcanada.org. You can use their online giving link or if you prefer you can send your donations to the ECCC office marked for World Relief Canada and we will send them on.
I know that some of you would like to give in an even more focused way. The ECCC is raising relief funds for the Ebenezer Clinic and the work they are doing as they continue to meet the needs in both Haut Limbe and will be helping in a neighboring town in Port au Prince. Donations can be given at: http://www.canadahelps.org/CharityProfilePage.aspx?CharityID=s12866. We have a specific list of criteria for fund disbursement and if you are interested we can send it to you. Email Shauna for more information: messengr@escape.ca
Individuals or churches may send supplies down to the clinic but keep in mind this will take time. Supplies* can be shipped directly to Missionary Flights International in Florida. You must also send the shipping cost (estimated at about $2/lb) for sending the supplies from Florida to Haiti. For more information on MFI shipping go to: http://www.missionaryflights.org
Ebenezer Clinic
Dr. Emmauel Mareus (HCCC)
c/o Missionary Flights International
Unit 1053, 3170 Airmans Dr.
Ft. Pierce, FL 34946 USA
*Supplies such as non prescription drugs, tylenol, other pain medication, vitamins, sheets, light blankets,
Consider being part of a group that goes to Haiti
The ECCC has had groups going to Haiti for a number of years now. We are committed to a long partnership with the Ebenezer Clinic and will be sending teams not just now but well into the future. There are a number of congregations sending teams over the next year. If you would like information on how to put a team together or on how to join a team that is already planned please contact either Jeff (ccc1@mts.net) or Shauna (messengr@escape.ca).
Stay Informed
It is easy to become over-saturated or desensitized but I encourage you to follow what is happening. There are many online Haiti sources but we would mention the following as a good starting place for us in the ECCC:
http://www.wrcanada.org/news/quick-news&entry=54
http://www.janelleinhaiti.blogspot.com/
http://www.covchurch.org/cov/news/item7506
Thank you so much for your partnership in the Gospel and for your desire follow the way of Jesus during this time of great need!
If you wish to download this letter in PDF (you will need Acrobat reader to read it) Click on this link. Letter
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