What a week! An earthquake devastated Haiti on Tuesday afternoon, and by noon Wednesday we had a staging center set up in a printing company’s warehouse in Clayton. (The owners of the warehouse are members of Horne Memorial UMC which first reached out for donations for Haiti.) We knew there were would be an incredible response, but I don’t know that any of us thought we would have collected, sorted, packed, inventoried, labeled, palletized and shipped to MERCI donations in excess of 18 TONS! Yes, 18 tons and counting. Before I left the warehouse this evening, another good-sized load arrived.
I met this afternoon with the owners of the printing company and Ann Huffman of MERCI. The CGP owners agreed to let us continue to operate from their business for another 5 days. We would then determine Friday if we think we need to operate on Saturday and Sunday. At that time, we will need to shut down operation from that location.
The owners of CGP have asked that we not allow children under 16 years of age to come to the warehouse because of liability issues. We have had lots of young kids there for the last week and they have done a wonderful job of helping; however, the company is open for their own business and there are machines that could potentially harm the kids. They regretted having to set this rule, but we certainly understand.
We are in need of volunteers throughout this week. We will be open from 9 – 5 Monday through Friday. There are times when we don’t have anything to do; other times there is a great flurry of activity. There is no way for me to assure you that you will have something to do when you come. I can say this with certainty, however: even if you come and there is not much to do, you will still be blessed just to see all the good that is being done.
I encourage all churches to send some folk. This is a district-wide effort, so I pray that all churches help with the ministry.
You have all received the information about the conference-wide plan. Our focus will be food kits. Please note that if we are already doing something, we are to continue to do so. So, don’t stop sending the medical supplies, health kits, water and food. Oh, by the way, we are chronically short of toothpaste, tooth brushes, hand towels and combs for health kits. Please help out if you can.
Directions to Wharehouse
Peace and grace.
Jo Elaine Harris
Raleigh District Pastor of Missions
The United Methodist Church
7071 Forestville Road
P. O. Box 83
Knightdale, NC 27545
Telephone: 919-266-2373, ext. 108
Email: joelaine@nccumc.org
