December 19, 2003: On the eve of Haiti's 200th anniversary political protests have taken a violent turn. The US State Department advises curtailing travel to the region, affecting the mission plans of United Methodist volunteers. The Rev. Raphael Dessieu writes, "The situation is going from bad to worse with. . . armed civilians supported by the police and the government reacting in a brutal manner." Rev. Dessieu, the president of the Methodist Church of Haiti, requests prayers "to stop the killing of many innocent people." Protests have increased as Haiti's eight million people face worsening poverty. UMCOR Advances support many ministries there, including a school lunch program, education projects and a children's hospital.
Among the 500 storms that destroyed homes and lives across the United States this year, some received virtually no media attention. In the Rio Grande Valley of Texas, United Methodists are joining other faith communities to provide long-term recovery assistance to hundreds of families flooded out by days of rain. Along the Atlantic seaboard, well out of media attention, the long, unglamorous recovery continues from one of the worst storms-- Hurricane Isabel. For Puerto Rico, where virtually every town suffered flood damage in November storms, UMCOR is providing a grant to assist with recovery. If you can participate directly in repair and rebuilding of homes, please call the UMCOR Volunteer Hotline, 1-800-918-3100. UMCOR is also grateful for generous donations to Hurricanes 2003 Advance #982438 that will fund long-term assistance for the most vulnerable people in the affected areas.
For as little as $10.00 you can help UMCOR to deliver tents, water purification tablets and blankets, and to comfort an international victim of disaster. Or for $15.00, you can help teach a woman to read and write. These are two of UMCOR's wishes on our annual Christmas Wish List. Remember, 100 percent of your contribution goes directly to support projects. You can find these ideas and others online at http://gbgm-umc.org/umcor/whose.stm. Perfect for your holiday giving!
Stay current with breaking news of humanitarian projects and disaster recovery every week in the UMCOR Hotline. We're changing our publication date. The Hotline will appear online and by phone every Tuesday beginning December 23. We hope this new release date will make UMCOR Hotline more useful to you and your faith community-- for sermon preparation, mission minutes and newsletter distribution.
At Christmas we remember the life of one who came to transform. With your generous gifts and prayers this year, you have made transformation a real possibility for the millions of people who encounter the work of UMCOR. UMCOR is effective because we call forth generosity, restore dignity and teach the ways of peace. Your interest and support empower us to continue. With wishes for a joyous Christmas season, we thank you for all the hope you have brought.
UMCOR provides emergency relief in many areas of the world. To find out more about UMCOR's ministries, please visit umcor.org. You can donate to any project by placing a contribution in the offering plate at a local United Methodist church; by sending a check to UMCOR, PO Box 9068, New York, NY 10087-9068; or by calling 1-800-554-8583, where credit card donations are accepted. UMCOR is exempt from tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of the United States and qualifies for the maximum charitable contribution deduction by donors.
And, please pray for those who are hungry, displaced, sick or in poverty because of these and other natural and human-made disasters, and for the workers who minister to them.