wfn.org | ABCUSA: Funds Marked for Victims of Flooding in Haiti

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

by Eleanor Lundy, American Baptist International Ministries

American Baptist News Service (Valley Forge, Pa. 9/23/04)--The American 
Baptist World Relief Office will release $5,000 in emergency One Great Hour 
of Sharing funds in response to needs resulting from the recent flooding in 
Haiti.

The official death toll reached 1,070 yesterday following disastrous 
flooding caused by Hurricane Jeanne, which hit the coast of Haiti last 
weekend with winds of 80 m.p.h.  In addition, hundreds of houses, animals 
and gardens have been destroyed.

Jules Casseus, rector of the Christian University of Northern Haiti, asked 
for prayer for the people of the low-lying city of Gonaives and surrounding 
areas, where many were killed or left homeless.  According to Casseus, the 
dead included the pastor of the Beracca Baptist Church in Gonaives and his 
wife.

American Baptists wishing to support relief efforts in response to the 
flooding can do so through their church's monthly report of mission 
support, designating contributions "OGHS-Haiti Hurricane Relief."  Those 
wishing to contribute online can do so by accessing the "American Baptist 
Missions" or "Give Now" pages of the ABCUSA Web site, www.abc-usa.org, 
designating where their contributions should go.

At the time Jeanne hit, the people of Haiti still were recovering from 
political and economic unrest earlier this year. The country also still is 
suffering from the effects of severe flooding in May, when thousands lost 
their lives and homes.

American Baptist missionary Mabudiga Nzunga, a professor of theology at the 
Christian University of Northern Haiti, expressed concern about sanitation, 
basic supplies and additional economic hardships as a result of the 
flooding. Nzunga said that also among areas hardest hit were Pilate and 
Port-de-Paix, where the airport is flooded.

Nzunga expressed heartfelt gratitude for the recent prayers, expressions of 
support and financial contributions by American Baptists. He and his wife, 
Kihomi, minister in partnership with the Haitian Baptist Convention.

K/2004ABNS/04ABN112

American Baptist News Service: Office of Communication, American Baptist 
Churches USA, P.O. Box 851, Valley Forge, PA 19482-0851; (800)ABC-3USA 
x2077 / (610)768-2077; fax: (610)768-2320; www.abc-usa.org; 
richard.schramm@abc-usa.org