Where is God in the Haitian Earthquake?

It's a but rough at the start, but I hope offering a respectful response to Pat Robertson's comments on Haiti from a bibical perspective will be helpful.

peace,
Frank+
The Rev. Frank Logue, Pastor

Responding to Haiti's Crisis

As you pray for Haiti, know that it is the largest diocese in The Episcopal Church. Haiti is one of the mission areas outside the US that remains part of our largely US denomination. From the Diocese of Haiti, the Rev. Kesner Ajax writes:

• There is no Cathedral. The entire Holy Trinity complex is gone.
• The convent for the Sisters of St. Margaret is gone.
• The Bishop's house is gone.
• College St. Pierre is gone.
• The apartment for College St. Pierre is still standing.
• Bishop no longer has a house in which to live.
• In Trouin, four people were killed during a service.
• In Grand Colline, the church is gone.
• In St. Etienne, the church is gone.
• In Les Cayes, BTI is OK, but some people were injured trying to get out of the buildings during the quake.
• The rectory in Les Cayes is in very bad condition.

Because this is our largest diocese, The Episcopal Church is in a position to respond and Episcopal Relief and Development is already jumping into action. To donate directly, follow this link: E R-D Haiti Fund.

Riding for their lives

Bishop Mark Hollingsworth of the Diocese of Ohio, and seven other cyclists have completed their 12-day, 4,000-mile relay bike ride from the General Convention in Anaheim, California to the Episcopal Church Center in New York City. The ride raised awareness as $35,000 for the Episcopal Relief and Development Nets for Life Project.

There is an Episcopal News Service article, Cross-country ride raises awareness in the fight against malaria, and blogs from the riders telling about their cross-country trek, which included 120-degree heat in the desert and the closeness which can only come in sharing an RV bathroom among 11 people (including the support team).

For more information on the malaria prevention project, go to www.netsforlifeafrica.org.

An Update from the Congo

You may recall an earlier post Pray for Stranded Anglicans which told of a group of 150 that could not safely return home from a diocesan convention due to rebel attacks. An update is online here Anglicans arrive in Bunia after two-day trek through Equatorial forest and news of aid going to them through Episcopal Relief and Development is online here In Congo, ERD responds to civil unrest.

The short version is that:

Bishop Henri Isingoma and a group of Anglicans from the Diocese of Boga have arrived safely in Bunia after a recent upsurge in rebel activity forced them to travel for two days through the bush in eastern Congo.

and

About 40 families are temporarily living in church buildings in Bunia. United Nations peacekeepers have been stationed around Bunia to quell the violence but tensions remain high as government troops clash with rebels in neighboring regions only six miles away from the Bunia. As the threat of attack persists outside of the town, displaced people are continuing to seek shelter in Bunia churches. It remains unclear when the rebel groups will disperse and allow the families to return home securely. ERD is providing funds for the churches to feed and shelter the refugees until they can safely relocate.

The Episcopal Church Responds

As always, when disaster strikes, Episcopal Relief and Development creates an appropriate response to deal with the physical needs of those effected, as further assistance to churches in the area providing spiritual aid. Click this link to donate to ER-D's midwest flood relief.

The Episcopal Church Aids Mayanmar

Episcopal Relief and Development is, once again, responding to tragedy with support. ERD has a proven ability to find partners with whom to work to get the aid in after a natural disaster. Now that the low-lying Irrawaddy River Delta has been flooded with a 12-foot wall of water, food is short, the water supply is tainted and more suffering is anticipated. Abagail Nelson, ERD's VP for Programs says,

Episcopal Relief and Development's programs in Myanmar have helped people achieve economic stability through education, vocational training, and micro-finance initiatives. We have also provided tools and training to improve the food supply and access to clean water. This is a major disaster that will require a strong and committed response. Survivors urgently need water, food, and shelter. We must respond generously to save lives now and help people recover.

To help people affected by the cyclone in Myanmar, make a donation to ERD's "Myanmar & Cyclone Response" online here, or by calling 1-800-334-7626, ext. 5129. Gifts can be mailed to: Episcopal Relief and Development "Myanmar & Cyclone Response" P.O. Box 7058, Merrifield, VA 22116-7058 or click the ERD link above to donate funds online.

You can also find online an Update from the Anglican Church of the Province of Myanmar.