Moravian Volunteer Resources Issues Update on Haiti Response

MVR UPDATE : HAITI – 1/21/10
Moravian Volunteer Resources

Sisters and Brothers,

I am writing to you in hopes to help you understand what we as MVR are doing to assist in the relief effort in Haiti. As I have written to you before, please continue to pray for all involved. As we continue to pray and ask God for guidance we are looking into ways in which we can be as effective as we can. In the past we have found that Moravians are so much better on the long-term recovery because of our size and resources. Our size does not mean that we are not as effective. We have been the vehicle of God’s love to many souls that have seen desperate times and this time will be no different.

I have received many phone calls and emails asking what as Moravians we are planning to do. I feel that there is confusion among you, so let me try and explain. We are going to allow the professionals to do what they do best. They are establishing an environment which will allow us and others in the future to go in and make a long-term impact on these people’s lives. This is what Moravians do best, it is our gift! One option we are considering is to buy a shipping container full of dehydrated food products which require adding water and boiling. This is something that will be needed for years to come. With all the aid flowing into Haiti right now, we would not purchase and ship these products until they are needed. This is one of many options we are considering, but most of these options will be aimed toward a long-term recovery!

All of this will take money, your money, God’s money. If you feel you are led to give now, by all means give! The Moravian Church, through the BWM, has a formal relationship with Church World Service, so we encourage you to support their work. Beginning with the Berlin Airlift in 1948, CWS for the past 60 years has developed expertise responding to disasters worldwide on behalf of 35 different denominations. They are currently working with 4 partner organizations who operate in Haiti full-time. No matter how you feel led to give, the most important thing right now is giving from your heart to help God’s people respond to our Haitian brothers and sisters. Donations for CWS can be mailed to Church World Service, P.O. Box 968, Elkhart, IN 46515.

For the latest in what Church World Service is doing with resources and in response to the disaster, please visit www.churchworldservice.org.

If you feel led to give to MVR for a future, long-term recovery effort, please send your contribution to the Board of World Mission, designated for MVR RESPONSE, PO Box 1245, Bethlehem PA 18016-1245.

I know how hard it is to watch and hear the cries of desperate people. I am constantly in the midst of people that are in some form of need, many of whom have been desperate for some time. May we be as desperate to call on our God to use us in helping to bring an end to all of this suffering. Even so, come Lord Jesus!

Your brother in Christ,

Mark Ebert, Director of Volunteer Ministries
Board of World Mission
500 South Church St
Winston- Salem N.C. 27101
email- mebert@mcsp.org