The images of the disaster in Haiti are both astonishing and heartbreaking, and the death toll continues to rise. The compassion of Christians everywhere has turned toward those left homeless, widowed, and orphaned. The services of search and rescue teams, the provision of essential food and water, and the army of skilled medical personnel will meet immediate needs, helping to establish order, providing shelter, and meeting basic needs. But after the media shifts its attention, there will still be many needs to meet—food and drinking water; workers to clear rubble, repair the infrastructure, and rebuild; and counselors to help victims and their families adjust to a new reality.
Even though the main port is in shambles, and planes circle above a closed airport, Christians can still make a tremendous impact in Haiti. How? By partnering with established organizations with the infrastructure to convert donations into practical ministry, providing food, water, and counsel.
Grace Community Church has an ongoing partnership with Children's Hunger Fund (CHF),a compassion ministry that is unique in being gospel-centered and biblically-minded. Some of CHF's staff and leadership are members of GCC, and a few have been trained at The Master's Seminary.CHF is an efficient and trustworthy organization, having earned the highest possible ratings from MinistryWatch.com and Charity Navigator. Ninety nine cents of every dollar donated to CHF goes to those who are hurting and in need.
By the providence of God, a CHF team trained Haitian pastors and volunteers in Bible-based mercy ministry just before disaster struck. In conjunction with their trip, they sent a sea-container to Haiti with 1,800 "Food Paks" (containing food, supplies, and aid)—the container arrived the Wednesday before the quake hit. CHF's network of churches, pastors, and counselors, having just been equipped and supplied, is right now on the ground distributing aid and proclaiming the hope of the gospel to a frightened and bewildered nation looking for answers.
CHF has another sea-container, filled with bottled water and emergency food rations, staged and ready to ship from their warehouse in San Antonio, TX; they plan to send at least ten more cargo containers in the immediate future. From offices and warehouses in San Antonio and Los Angeles, CHF is already engaged in a coordinated effort with its network of churches in Haiti and the Dominican Republic to provide help and hope to the victims in Haiti.
You can help CHF fill and ship these containers full of aid, and you can support CHF and its network of churches, pastors, and counselors in several ways—pray for CHF and its efforts; give to CHF; and connect CHF with donors and resources. Take advantage of this opportunity to show Christian compassion. All the details are at the CHF home page.