MISSION: HAITI was formed more than 10 years ago within the Fl-GA District to assist the mission and ministry efforts of the Lutheran Church in Haiti. Initially MISSION: HAITI supported the efforts in Haiti financially and sent mission teams primarily for teacher education and provided lunch programs within the Lutheran schools in Haiti. We also helped raise funds for self-sufficiency projects.

After the hurricanes and mudslides in 2008 we felt the need to help in very tangible ways with disaster relief. Partnering with Cross International of Boca Raton, FL as well as the FL-GA District, MISSION: HAITI sent 3 containers of food, clothing, water and other relief supplies valued at more than $600,000.

In addition 2 medical teams of EMT's and nurses were sent to assist with the medical issues. During those two trips in Oct. of 2008 and Jan. of 2009 more than 2,000 people were treated for everything from dehydration and cuts and bruises to malaria, worms, malnutrition and burns. The life of one 3 day old orphan was saved by the efforts of the Oct. team.

Once again MISSION: HAITI would like to help respond to the terrible human suffering in Haiti. In partnership with LCMS World Relief and Human Care, the FL- GA District and Cross International, we will be sponsoring 2 40 ft. containers to shipped as soon as possible filled with relief supplies. 

The two collection points are
     Gloria Dei Lutheran Church
     7601 SW 39th St.
     Davie, FL 33328            or

     St. Paul Lutheran Church
     801 West Palmetto Park Rd.
     Boca Raton, FL  33486.

We are collecting the following relief items: Bottled water, canned food with pop tops, peanut butter, rice, beans, dishwashing liquid, bedsheets, shovels, buckets, antibacterial ointment, band aids, washcloths, soap good clean used clothing IF IT IS BOXED AND LABELED
(ie; women's clothing, children's clothing etc).  

Dear District Presidents and District Disaster Response Coordinators,

Greetings in the name of Jesus!  As we write you, LCMS teams are working in Haiti and the Dominican Republic to determine how best our church can continue to assist the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Haiti (ELCH) to help suffering congregations and communities as quickly and as efficiently as possible. Since the earthquake, these teams have been assessing needs, securing emergency supplies, and providing medical and pastoral care.  Team members recently met with Rev. Marky Kessa, president of the ELCH (an LCMS partner church), and visited devastated cities.  

Over the weekend, an LCMS World Relief and Human Care Mercy Medical Team (MMT) returned to the United States from a hospital in Jimani near the Dominican Republic and Haiti border where volunteers treated a flood of earthquake survivors. Since the hospital was operating with extremely limited supplies and medicines, each of the 13 team members took along 100 pounds of needed items. They worked tirelessly in 12-hour shifts.  A second MMT is preparing to depart later this week, and yet another team of medical volunteers is in the works. Please visit www.lcms.org/mercyteams for updated information, to volunteer, or to donate supplies.

LCMS World Relief and Human Care (LCMS WR-HC) also is working closely with Orphan Grain Train to ship food into the Dominican Republic for distribution along the border and further into Haiti as transportation becomes feasible. Please know that LCMS missionaries based in the Dominican Republic have been outstanding in their organization of aid and are fantastic partners on the ground.

At this time, the greatest needs are for financial donations and some material goods. Information on ways to give to LCMS WR-HC Haiti earthquake relief follows below. For a list of needed material goods, please click here.  As we continue to get reports from the LCMS assessment team, we will share that information so that you, your disaster response teams, and congregations can discuss how best to respond with us in LCMS relief efforts.

We also ask that you join with us in prayer, asking that our Lord bring comfort and peace to those suffering in Haiti, that He give strength and wisdom to those bringing aid, and that He make generous the hearts of those who would send gifts from their homes and churches.

In Christ Jesus,

LCMS World Relief and Human Care

To give online, visit www.lcms.org and click on “Donate Now” at the top of the page