More Relief Groups Request Solar-Powered Audio Bibles for Haiti
by Staff
January 27, 2010
MEDIA ADVISORY, (christiansunite.com) -- "Many pastors and priests have died in the earthquake," said a Haitian ministry leader."People are taking refuge in the churches that are still standing, seeking comfort. People are suffering and asking for God's help. The need for the Bible is more urgent than we imagined," he said.
Two weeks after the deadly 7.0 earthquake near Port- au-Prince, the desperate needs of these precious people remain in the forefront of the minds of relief groups, aid organizations and Christian ministries.
The U.N. reports that nearly 375 registered relief groups worldwide are providing rescue, recovery and relief. The Chronicle of Philanthropy, a newspaper covering nonprofit organizations, reports that more than $380 million in donations have been raised for relief efforts. A celebrity telethon also raised more than $58 million.
As this massive global initiative is funneling aid and dollars to help Haitians survive, groups will provide spiritual care along with the much-needed supplies.
When Audio Bibles were requested by organizations with a presence in Haiti, Faith Comes By Hearing heard the call. They are sending 600 Haitian Creole Proclaimers® (rugged, dedicated, solar-powered Audio Bible players that do not require any external power source). These Audio Bibles will be carried by other groups involved in relief work and will arrive along with food, water, and medical supplies.
"These are going to Haitian pastors, medical teams and into refugee camps, to very strategic places where people can gather together and listen. We're not mass distributing them to everyone on the street," said Jon Wilke, the charity's spokesperson.
No emergency essentials or personnel are being displaced by these small units, which will begin arriving over the next few weeks. The 600 we've already sent are enroute to partners' locations in the states before being loaded with relief supplies.
Faith Comes By Hearing, a non-profit Bible ministry, is coming alongside disaster relief services, churches and ministries to provide these solar-powered Audio Bibles to minister emotional and spiritual healing to those who have lost and suffered so much.
One of these disaster relief groups is Convoy of Hope. Convoy of Hope feeds the hungry and provides pure drinking water to people in need across the U.S. and around the world. To date, the organization has provided help to nearly 30 million people in 112 countries and 45 states.
Another disaster response team, SCORE International, is using its complex in the Dominican Republic to organize relief efforts. They are delivering food, water and medical supplies to the makeshift refugee camps.
A team of U.S. Christian doctors is also mobilizing to help meet the staffing needs of medical aid organizations. These physicians will also use Audio Bibles in their clinics and facilities. Several other groups are sending needed supplies and will transport Audio Bibles for Haitian pastors.
"It's hard to imagine losing everything--your home, your family and neighbors," said Wilke. "Now, imagine hearing Jesus say (in the Beatitudes) 'Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.' Imagine hearing about how Jesus had no place to lay his head. These verses in God's Word can demonstrate that God understands their situation and has not forgotten them."
Faith Comes By Hearing is making Proclaimers freely available for your relief team, church response group or ministry. Contact the ministry at 800-545-6552 or FaithComesByHearing.com.
