Haiti Earthquake Relief, Update #1

February 8, 2010

In the past several weeks, Mission Encounter has received hundreds of phone calls regarding what people can do to help in Haiti. Mission Encounter is currently working on establishing contact with people on the ground in Haiti from several denominations and ministries that are currently providing support to the Haitian people.

Here is an excerpt from an email that we have recently received from the President of Christian Fellowship Missions who operate an orphanage in Haiti:

"As current president of Christian Fellowship Missions (CFM), I am personally touching base with you to assure you that the CFM board is excited about your inquiry into our important work in Haiti and look forward to developing a relationship with you as the doors open for rebuilding Haiti.  Jared has told me of your expressed interest and we have every intention of getting you folks in here as soon as we can logistically accomplish the things you would be coming to do. We have initially prioritized security wall repairs first, followed by facilities repairs, and then perhaps helping with rebuilding homes and other important agencies as building is authorized and funds are available.  Haiti's needs have been great for many years, but they are far greater since the earthquake as many with meager homes and existences have had their live’s  tipped upside down losing their belongings, homes, jobs, and most importantly even family members.  The disruption of the banking and commerce has created financial difficulties. Availability of food, water and fuel has begun to ease but can still be challenging.  The city is still without electric and water distribution. At the moment transportation is a huge challenge with the Airlines still not flying into Port au Prince till the 18th of February or later.  As the government allows building projects to commence, the next biggest problem will be availability of building materials. The gripping images of immense suffering have touched the world for Haiti and raised awareness of their people's plight. We desire to reach past the needs of CFM’s infrastructure to the rebuilding needs of our community agencies that provide critically important services to our Haitian brothers and sisters. With our facilities intact we plan to facilitate relief workers for these purposes as much as possible. It is our prayer that folks interested in helping will remain patient and committed, as this recovery effort will not be a sprint, but instead a marathon. 
 
I will be attempting to get Government clearances needed to start our projects while in Haiti this coming week of Feb 1st.  Lord willing we may be able to accept US relief teams by late Feb or early March.

We will keep in communication with you, and are avail for questions as they arise.  I will be primarily unavailable for the next week while in Haiti. I can receive messages intermittently through the Internet, if I can obtain access. 
 
I will contact you when back in the US so we can chat on the phone."

Please visit our site often for more updates on our Haiti relief efforts.

Peace,

M.E. Staff

Welcome to MISSION:BLOG!!

February 4, 2010

Thanks for taking the time to visit our website and our blog. We assume that you are here because you or your church is interested in serving through a short-term mission trip. We have a variety of mission locations to choose from and a wide selection of available dates through the spring and summer months. There is plenty of information listed on all of our sites, but if you can't find what you are looking for please contact us and we'll be happy to answer any questions you may have.

There is still time to register for a trip this summer. Because of the elaborate relationships we form with all of our mission sites and the year-around ministries we operate at those sites, it is very easy for us to take on volunteer teams at short notice. We will have many teams register even into late May.

Finally, remember to come back and check our blog periodically as we will post announcements concerning our projects, helpful hints, and other useful information on a weekly basis.

Peace,

M.E. Staff