Audio Bibles to Accompany Haiti Disaster Relief Teams

Before the earthquake, Haiti was one of the poorest nations in the world. About 70% of Haitians live on less than $2 a day, and now they have lost everything.

Faith Comes By Hearing, an international Audio Bible group, is working with Convoy of Hope to provide relief in Haiti.

Convoy of Hope, a disaster relief organization and ministry partner to Faith Comes By Hearing, feeds the hungry and provides pure drinking water to people in need across the United States and around the world. To date, the organization has provided help to 28 million people in 112 countries and 45 states.

Lauded for its effectiveness and efficiency, Convoy of Hope mobilizes thousands of volunteers each year to deliver food and supplies and to offer hope to the poor and suffering.

Convoy of Hope has people on the ground ready to receive containers of food, clothing and supplies being sent to Haiti. They are working with local Haitian churches that are ministering to those left in this deadly earthquake.

Faith Comes By Hearing is coming alongside their disaster relief services to provide solar-powered Audio Bibles that will minister emotional and spiritual healing to this impoverished nation.

A missionary there wrote on Twitter, “some of the worst effects are emotional…no smiles on the street and sense of despair.”

Another ministry partner in Haiti sent in a report stating, “Many are thirsty for words of comfort and ask us for the Bible.”

When her office suffered damage, the first thing she went in to retrieve–Proclaimers.

While relief efforts help provide the physical needs, Faith Comes By Hearing’s Audio Bibles will help bring the promises of God in the heart language of the people so desperate for hope.

“It’s hard for us to imagine losing everything–your home, your family and neighbors,” said Jon Wilke, Faith Comes By Hearing spokesperson. “Now, imagine standing in a line waiting for aid and 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 also making these Audio Bibles available for other ministries, relief groups and local churches. To get involved call 800-545-6552

Audio Bibles to Minister Hope in Haiti

Standing on a pile of concrete and tin metal rubble, a 20-something Haitian man points over his shoulder.

“This was my father’s house,” he said, matter-of-factly. Then the reality rolls over him like a wave, and his voice breaks, “My mother was in there. My family was…”

He is interrupted by another man who yells, “I can hear them in there. But we can’t get to them. Without a loader, we can’t move this.”

On Tuesday, Haiti, the poorest nation in the western hemisphere, was struck by a 7.0 magnitude earthquake near its capital city, Port-au-Prince.

People have set up makeshift shelters, refugee camps and hospitals as others dig through concrete mounds that once held their children, spouses, family, friends and neighbors.

Faith Comes By Hearing, the world’s foremost Audio Bible ministry, is responding to this crisis by providing faith, hope and love through God’s Word in audio.

“We already have 600 Proclaimers on their way through our ministry partner, Convoy of Hope,” said Jon Wilke, the ministry’s spokesperson. “These portable, solar-powered Audio Bibles will be given to local pastors so people can hear God’s Word in their own language–Haitian Creole.”

“There is an immediate need for 3,000 Proclaimers. We want to equip those short-term groups, disaster relief teams, church teams and ministries with the Word of God in a format people can use,” he said.

Right now, Haitians are afraid to go inside whatever is left of their homes. They are fearful of aftershocks or further collapse. Masses of people are sitting outside, on the curbs and under homemade shelters. Peoples’ houses are crumbled, their families are shattered and they are living in ruins.

“Haitians will need that long-term hope and comfort that comes from knowing God has not forgotten them through this tragedy,” said Wilke.

Churches can get involved by providing funding for more Proclaimers or by incorporating these Audio Bibles into their short-term trips. Learn more at www.FaithComesByHearing.com or by calling 800-545-6552.

“Please continue to pray for the people of Haiti and for those who are mobilizing to meet the tremendous needs that are impacting thousands of people,” Wilke said.

Haiti Earthquake: Lutheran World Relief Launches Text-to-Give

Lutheran World Relief has announced that it is launching a text-to-give campaign to raise funds for its response to the devastating Haiti earthquake. On Friday, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans announced that they will match members’ gifts to LWR for Haiti, giving $1 for every $2 donated. The $1 million challenge, “Helping Haiti,” is expected to generate a total of $3 million for Haiti relief through LWR, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod and the Lutheran World Federation.

To support LWR from your cell phone, just text the keyword “LWR” to 40579 to donate $10. Remember to reply YES to the confirmation. It’s quick and easy, and the donation will appear on your next cell phone bill. Standard messaging and data rates may apply.

Thrivent Financial members interested in making a financial gift to help earthquake victims in Haiti can make their donation online at www.thrivent.com/helpinghaiti or by phone at 1- 800-236-3736 between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. Central time, Monday through Friday. When prompted, please say “directory” then enter ext. 83003. Thrivent Financial will add a maximum of $250 per member donation, and donations will be accepted through March 31, 2010.

“Our hearts and prayers go out to the people of Haiti and all those working tirelessly to rescue the thousands of victims,” said Bruce Nicholson, Thrivent Financial chairman, president and chief executive officer. “Thrivent Financial and our members want to help in this time of great need. We believe our members throughout the country will give generously to those affected by this catastrophic natural disaster.”

“We are so thankful for Thrivent’s generosity, and that of their members,” said John Nunes, LWR’s president and CEO. “With each passing day our help is even more critically needed in Haiti, and these gifts will enable us to reach even more people in desperate need.”

He continued, “Thrivent’s record of generosity to LWR helped us to mount an effective and comprehensive response to tsunami affected areas while also mobilizing US Lutherans. We look forward to the ways in which this current partnership will do the same.”

WHO IS LWR? Lutheran World Relief, an international nonprofit organization, works to end poverty and injustice by empowering some of the world’s most impoverished communities to help themselves. With partners in 35 countries, LWR seeks to promote sustainable development with justice and dignity by helping communities bring about change for healthy, safe and secure lives; engage in Fair Trade; promote peace and reconciliation; and respond to emergencies. LWR is headquartered in Baltimore, Md. And has worked in international development and relief since 1945. LWR is a ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod (LCMS), individuals and parish groups in international relief, development, advocacy and social responsibility.