So, the past couple of posts that I actually published here were about Haiti. I figure it only appropriate that this one be as well.
I’ve been continuing to try to figure out just how I can help the people of Haiti. Of course I pray and give but I want to do more. I’m even considering going. Maybe you’d like to join me. At the very least I want to let you know about something else that people are doing and that you have the opportunity to be a part of.
I figured that the outpouring of support would end pretty quickly following a week or two after the devastating earthquake that hit Haiti on January 12. However, here we are a little over a month later, and, while I’m certain that donations have probably slowed, there are still some people actively working in Haiti and others who continue to see what they can do to raise awareness, funds and supplies for the ongoing relief effort there. Right now there’s a group of youth ministry bloggers there with Adventures in Missions. They went to survey what was happening, make connections and help out wherever they could. And they’re seeing some incredible things. You can find out more about it here.
I previously wrote about how you could help tremendously simply by giving to Compassion International’s disaster relief fund (which you can still do). I now want to let you know about something else that Compassion is doing. Shaun Groves (a great songwriter and musician who works with Compassion Bloggers and whom I’ve written about before) has been working tirelessly to see if he couldn’t make something big happen to help Haiti. His idea has been to host a concerts in two different cities to raise awareness and money for Compassion’s efforts in Haiti and to simulcast those concerts. It’s a big idea, especially considering the time-frame in which he has wanted to pull it off.
Well, a number of people have caught Shaun’s vision and joined him and making this idea a reality. The result is Help Haiti Live. Here’s the skinny.
On February 27 two concerts will happen, one at the Ryman in Nashville and the other at the Wiltern Theater in L.A. The lineup for these events is incredible. Big Kenny. Alison Krauss with Union Station (featuring Jerry Douglas). Jars of Clay. Mat Kearney. Dave Barnes. Matt Wertz. Brandon Heath. Francis Chan. Amy Grant. LeAnn Rimes. Rebecca St. James. NEEDTOBREATHE. And as if that weren’t enough, there’s promise of a “to-be-announced special guest headliner” for the L.A. event.
Tickets have gone on sale today. So all of you who live around Nashvegas or the City of Angels, get ‘em now. For those of you who don’t, have no fear. The concerts will be broadcast live at HelpHaitiLive.com.
It’s not just Shaun and these artists that have come together to make this happen. This whole thing is being made possible through the effort of numerous other individuals and corporations who all care deeply about the plight of the people of Haiti and who see Compassion’s work there as essential and effective and want to help equip them further with what they need to continue releasing the children of Haiti from poverty in Jesus’ name.
That’s why all the proceeds from Help Haiti Live will go to Compassion’s Haiti disaster relief fund.
All money raised in response to the Haiti earthquake will be used immediately to re-equip Compassion’s local support structure and to provide for the immediate needs of Compassion-assisted children and families.
Compassion has been meeting the physical and spiritual needs of Haitians for more than forty years and will continue to serve them in this time of extreme need. Already Compassion International has supplied more than 15,000 families with clean water, food, blankets, temporary shelter, medical supplies and counseling. Donations will lay bricks, feed, educate, clothe, heal and rebuild Haiti for many months to come.
Compassion International is the world’s largest Christian child development organization that permanently releases children from poverty. Founded in 1952, Compassion successfully tackles global poverty one child at a time, serving more than 1 million children in 26 of the world’s poorest countries. Recognizing that poverty is more than a lack of money, Compassion works holistically through local churches to address the individual physical, economic, educational and spiritual needs of children, enabling them to thrive, not just survive. Charity Navigator, America’s largest charity evaluator, has awarded Compassion its highest rating “four stars” for eight consecutive years.
So don’t let the opportunity pass you by to join this great group of people in helping some others who could really use it. Just because a month has passed, don’t think that the need is any less great, any less vital, any less urgent.
You can make a difference.
Won’t you?
Help Haiti February 27th – HelpHaitiLive.com from Compassion International on Vimeo.
