He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward him for what he has done. (Proverbs 19:17)

Duane Zook, Global Chairman of Global Aid Network, prays for a young earthquake victim, whose mother and father could not be found.

The recent cataclysmic earthquake in Haiti has galvanized much of the world into action, an amazing response that includes a number of supernatural components including seeing the hearts of several world leaders moved (Proverbs 21:1). Though hundreds of thousands were killed, millions were spared with remarkable testimonies of survival being shared for many days afterward.

Did you know that when you help someone who is poor that you are directly making a loan to God? Not that God needs anything from us, but He has set things up in this world to work through the hands of women and men to take our ordinary talents and multiply them into extraordinary blessings to those who have nothing.

But God rewards us for our kindness to the poor whether they be someone who has been dug out of the rubble in Port-au-Prince; an orphaned child in a desolate, war-torn land; or an elderly neighbor who is desperately trying to hold onto her home. When you help the poor, you are ministering to God.

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. (Matthew 25:35, 36)

Clearly, God gives us many chances to help people who are impoverished physically, spiritually, or both. Even if the world was somehow a place where everyone’s temporal needs were taken care of, the spiritual need would remain.

But our world is far from being that comfortable place as wars, famine, disease, corrupt governments, and a host of other reasons conspire to keep people down. Yes, you will even have a group of people who simply will not work, but I am not talking about them. Untold millions are poor, needing to be ministered to, but the workers are few though the harvest is great.

Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” (Matthew 9:37-38)

You may not be called to go on a mission trip, but you certainly can be missional minded. That kind of thinking has you praying and taking action as the Lord leads, seeking for ways to make a difference in the lives of the poor, giving to God with the side benefit that you will be rewarded for your efforts.

Photo Credit: Global Aid Network (Campus Crusade for Christ)

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An immense disaster requires a correspondingly large-scale response. That is the approach being taken by World Vision, the Christian relief and development organization, who is doing something a bit out of the ordinary in a bid to yield extraordinary results.

World Vision is asking corporations for cash so that it can purchase needed supplies in South Florida and nearby Dominican Republic for shipment to Haiti. These donations will fund the second wave of supplies for Haiti, following what World Vision already has in place and has begun to distribute.

Speaking about what World Vision has established, Amanda Pennington, communications officer for World Vision’s Global Pre-Positioning Resource Network said, “When emergencies like this earthquake happen, it is critical that people gain access to basic supplies as quickly as possible. We keep supplies like these ready at all times in warehouses around the world, so that we can move immediately when emergencies like this happen anywhere.”

Emergency Kits Needed

World Vision’s appeal is simple, yet direct: they are requesting cash donations from corporations and/or the formation of co-branded fundraising campaigns with employees, customers, and other partners. According to this non-government organization, funds raised will be used to “stock emergency kits, which will include items such as personal hygiene products, kitchen sets, and water purification tablets. Emergency kits are designed to serve families of five and cost $100 each.”

Corporations can join World Vision’s Haiti Relief Response by calling (800) 642-1616.

Haiti’s main airport is located in Port-au-Prince, seat of government for the country and the area hardest hit by Tuesday’s 7.3 temblor with more than 3 million people affected. That airport is currently closed except for military flights which means that private flights from World Vision warehouses in Denver, CO and Panama City, FL are currently grounded.

Rapidly Deteriorating Conditions

Conditions on the ground have deteriorated rapidly with Steve Matthews, a veteran aid worker and communications team member for World Vision reporting via SMS, “Much worse than expected. Bodies in the streets. Mass destruction, injured children. Some really bad. People receiving med treatment in the streets. Chaos. People digging out bodies all over PaP. Prayer and a lot of cash needed.”

World Vision describes its efforts in Haiti as being a marathon, yielding immediate aid for Haitians while remaining committed to serving for the long term, building on the work they began there three decades ago. Their goal is to raise $25 million from corporate partners, while anticipating that more money may be necessary.

The initial reports of the damage and suffering in Haiti only offer a hint of what is unfolding there, with the full magnitude of the destruction and needs of the people not yet seen.

Source: World Vision

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