RISENCHURCH BOARDS

[tbj]

If you really want to help in Haiti and know that 100% of your money is going to help people in need, then this is your opportunity. No excuses. Dig deep and help.

Chris Williams and Christina Buchner are going to go to Haiti to work with a clinic run by the Washington University in St. Louis Emergency Medicine group. The clinic is currently seeing 400 people per day with volunteers working 12-16 hours per day and some days going around the clock because of the needs. At times, they are taking care of patients who should be in an ICU or other hospital facility until they can find a hospital with space that can take them. This is not easy work, but physically demanding, emotionally draining, and intellectually and professionally challenging.

The tent-turned-clinic was built by the Marine Corps and the agreement is that it can stay open as long as it is staffed by appropriately trained people. As soon as we are unable to keep it staffed, it will close and those people will have nothing. As one of the faculty, I will be going in late March when they may not otherwise have doctor coverage. Chris and Christina are planning on going for the entire month of March to work and make sure they have nurses to stay open.

The cost for them to go will be about $700/each to cover air fare, malaria medication, and vaccines. They will also need to bring tents, sleeping bags, bug juice, and basic supplies with them. A Wesleyan church is helping with food rations and a shower facility. Unfortunately, both Chris and Christina just finished nursing school in December, took their nursing boards two weeks ago, and are basically penniless. So, they need OUR help to serve in Haiti and make a difference. This is OUR mission to Haiti and requires everyone to help.

I will be purchasing their airplane tix as soon as we raise the money so please send me your donations ASAP via paypal (my account id is tbj@ucla.edu) or an email with your pledge (tbj@ucla.edu) and I will hit you up on Sunday. If we raise more than the cost of their flights, the rest of the money will go towards getting them malaria prophylaxis and vaccines, then the other supplies they need.

You may not be able to go or you may have reservations about how donations might be spent with other organizations. I can guarantee 100% that this money is going to help thousands of people and Chris and Christina will be representing Risen’s (and God’s) love for the Haitian people.

On behalf of Chris, Christina, and Risen,
Timothy