[Contacts] News from Community of Christ HAITI UPDATE

Fri Jan 15 16:23:29 CST 2010

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<http://cofchrist.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=35dc4dcd10932f0ebafe02d2
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Contact Made with Church Leaders in Haiti
15 January 2010

Apostle Bunda Chibwe and Executive Assistant Steve Graffeo were able to
speak with Michel Rosier, Haiti Mission Centre Financial Officer this
morning on the phone. "Michel reported to us that his home is destroyed and
he and his family are living in the street. Renand Hilaire, our Mission
Center President and 3 of his children sustained injuries when their home
was destroyed and they too are living in the street," said Graffeo.

We have been able to determine that most of the damage and destruction has
occurred within the Department of the West. Community of Christ has more
than 10,000 members in this area along with 40 churches and 20 schools.

"At this time we know that the school in Petionville is completely destroyed
and the church standing near the school has sustained major damage," said
Graffeo. "We have confirmed the deaths of 7 church members." He continued,
"On a more hopeful note, we learned that the school had just released all
the children for the day minutes before the earthquake hit, hopefully
enabling the children to be out of the building before it collapsed."

Apostle Chibwe was also able to speak with Faustin Charlestin, a world
church minister in Haiti, on the phone last night. Faustin's home has been
completely leveled and he and his family are living in the only church still
standing in Croix de Bouquet. He was deeply moved to hear from Apostle
Chibwe and to know members around the world are praying for him and his
people.

"When I asked Faustin how the people were doing, he said the church is
packed with people who have no where else to go. Then he shouted, 'Praise be
to God' and then I heard a chorus of voices in the background shout back to
him, 'Praise to the Lord, Praise to the Lord,'" said Chibwe. "And then I
heard singing. In my African heritage, when a man cries it is seen as a sign
of weakness but when I heard that singing tears started dropping from my
eyes. I wondered how these people who have lost so much could still praise
the Lord at a time like this. Their faith has touched me deeply."

Chibwe continued, "When I asked Faustin how we could help he replied
immediately, 'Everything is destroyed, there are dead bodies everywhere.
Continue to pray for us. We need prayer.'"

Chibwe and Graffeo will continue to make contact with church leaders over
the coming days. As soon as an evaluation team is able to get into the
country, specific needs will be assessed. Your continued prayers and
donations to the Oblation Fund are critically important. Donate at
<http://cofchrist.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=35dc4dcd10932f0ebafe02d2
a&id=9b21cae0fd&e=GgbQpfDgC8> www.CofChrist.org/give/.

Contribute Online
ALL contributions to the Oblation Fund
<http://cofchrist.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=35dc4dcd10932f0ebafe02d2
a&id=a3b9ea2aaa&e=GgbQpfDgC8> between now and February 7 will go directly to
relief efforts in Haiti. Your generosity through prayer and financial
resources are critical to our brothers and sisters in Haiti. 

Online News
Read stories about Haiti and a full selection of news
<http://cofchrist.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=35dc4dcd10932f0ebafe02d2
a&id=3c3b286d99&e=GgbQpfDgC8> from around the church is always available
online.

What's New
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