Saturday, October 8: 8:25 pm
Hi Everyone,
I wanted to share with you a message I received today from my good friend, Fr. Sam Owen. It’s below. Earlier today, I spoke on the phone with Sam, and the situation in Haiti is dire and growing worse. I trust Sam and his deep connection to Haiti and I believe our funds will have a targeted, direct impact by going through the Haitian Congregation of the Good Samaritan Episcopal Church directly to our Anglican partners in Haiti.
I’m eblasting you last minute to let you know we shall make a second collection at our 8 and 10 am worship services this Sunday and next Sunday in response to the Haitian crisis. We shall send everything we collect directly to the Haitian Congregation of the Good Samaritan Episcopal Church, who will wire 100% of it to their longtime Anglican local partner in Haiti, Fr. Phanord. Please remember them in your prayers and donate whatever you can.
Please make all checks directly payable to: the Haitian Congregation of the Good Samaritan Episcopal Church. You may also send them to our office as well and we shall collect them, tally them, and then send them on. You may also want to share this email with family and friends. Sam told me today that Fr. Phanord had secured some sheet metal to help construct roofs for those without shelter, but they need money to buy wood so the roofs can be stable. Our funds are going to purchase the wood so they can have shelter. As a New Orleanian who lived for years in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, my heart goes out to those in Haiti. We need to remember them in our prayers and use our networks to help them as we can.
Along with our Outreach ministers, we endeavor to always employ structures that respond rapidly to special needs and opportunities, especially those that leverage other Episcopal efforts. In my judgment, this is one of those unique, special opportunities. Thank you for your consideration.
Heavenly Father, whose blessed Son came not to be served but to serve: Bless all who, following in his steps, give themselves directly and indirectly to the service of others; that with wisdom, patience, and courage, they may minister in his Name to the suffering, the friendless, and the needy; for the love of him who laid down his life for us, your Son our Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Faithfully,
Hal
The Rev. Hal Roark
***
Dear Friends of the New York Haiti Project,
By now you have heard about the tremendous destruction in Haiti as a result of Hurricane Matthew. As usual, the poorest of the poor are suffering the most from this catastrophic event. There is total devastation in the village of Bondeau, the site of our partnership with Bon Samaritan Episcopal Church and School. We believe the same is true in the village of Matel, the future site of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church and School, though we still have not been able to contact them. The eye of the hurricane passed within 30 miles of Matel. Thankfully the school and church buildings survived with minimal damage. More importantly there are no reports of loss of life. Many of us were praying for the people’s safety, and we thank God for His protection and care of the people of Bondeau and Matel.
Unfortunately, many homes in Bondeau lost their roofs, and there is very little food or water available. Compounding the problems for the farmers is that virtually all of their crops have been destroyed. This means there will be much less food available for the people. Because there are no crops to sell there will be no money to buy food. The conditions are dire, and could worsen in the coming weeks if help does not arrive.
We are calling on our brothers and sisters in Christ to help the people of Bondeau and Matel in two equally important ways. First, we ask for your prayers. Please ask God to bring relief to them in whatever way God sees fit.
Second, we ask that you make a contribution to the Haitian Congregation of the Good Samaritan Episcopal Church, designated for hurricane relief. The money you give will be used for the most pressing needs. That may include anything from purchasing food to purchasing roofing materials and labor. The money will go directly to Fr. Jean B. Phanord, the priest in charge of both communities. I trust Fr. Phanord, and I have complete confidence that all the money we send to him will be used for relief efforts.
There has never been a more urgent time to help the people of Bondeau and Matel. For them, this hurricane was much more destructive than the 2010 earthquake. Please give as you are able.
May God bless you, and may God bless the people of Haiti.
In Christ,
The Rev. Sam Louis Owen