Due to the surprisingly low number of casualties and the fact that they are not calling for international aid, RescueNet is not planning a deployment to Chile.

Please keep them in your prayers as rioting and looting have already begun.

Blessings,
Dave

A massive 8.8 earthquake rocked Chile this morning. It struck at 03:35 local time (06:36 GMT.) 147 confirmed dead so far, which could quickly and dramatically rise.

RescueNet is tracking this event and we’ll keep you posted. Please be praying for the people of Chile.

Greetings again friends and supporters,

During our time in Haiti our team happened to work alongside the doctors from the US medical show “The Doctors.”  They were impressed with our work and invited one of our team members to join them in taping one of their episodes. It’s a short clip, but shows RescueNet in a good light on national television.

Of course this is never our goal and we never seek the spotlight preferring to work in the areas often overlooked by most responders and the media, but when a commendation seeks us out we are happy to receive it and thank God we were able to be recognized for doing a good job in the task He called us to.

Here’s the link: http://www.thedoctorstv.com/main/procedure_list/1263

It has been one month since Haiti was rocked with an unbelievable 7.0 quake.  Since then the death toll has officially broken 200,000 with 300,000 fleeing the city for rural areas and over 3 million people directly affected by the quake in some way. This week the government plans to move approximately 400,000 of the 1 million now living in makeshift communities in Port-au-Prince to more structured, sustainable tent cities outside the capital so that cleaning, clearing and rebuilding can begin in earnest.

This is a historical moment in our hemisphere. The worst disaster of our time, and possibly ever recorded in this hemisphere. The 2004 tsunami had more casualties, but not in such a concentrated area. Not in such abject poverty.

The numbers are huge, too huge to truly grasp. What can we do?

A lot.

First - do not forget. As time goes on we will become less and less interested in their suffering. This is normal and in some ways healthy, but this country will be rebuilding for an estimated 5-10 years. Not months – years. They will need us to remember and to care and to be involved. Find a way to remind yourself. Set up automatic giving from your credit card or bank account now, before it begins to fade. Compassion, WorldVision, YWAM Haiti and G.O. Ministries are four trustworthy organizations with a long-term presence in Haiti.

Second - pray. These people have been affected like we cannot imagine. There entire nation has been undeniably altered. There is talk of moving the entire capital city. Razing what’s there and starting over. This is truly a chance at a new beginning for this country, and they need it. Pray for strong foundations – geologically, architecturally and spiritually. This event has shown us clearly that all three of them were pretty weak. Let’s hope for something so tragic to be used for so much good – to transform an entire nation.

Third – give. Give to kids, give to schools, give to churches, give for water, give for shelter, give for whatever is on your heart. It’s all needed. Find something you’re passionate about and start giving toward that. Now. And keep it up (see #1 above.) WorldVision has some very affordable, short-term giving projects that will have long-lasting effects. If you can do more, go for it! You will not out-give God. He will take care of you. The biggest needs currently are for food and shelter. Start there. If you want more help, just ask. I can help you find what you’re looking for.

Concerning giving items rather than money – this is an option, but please make sure of two things – you’re not giving them your junk and you are giving things they actually need. Check with groups in Haiti before you start collecting items they may not need. At least not at this stage. There are few things more tragic than a big container full of stuff that’s not being used. Giving money to an established organization will make sure that the right supplies are purchased and usually for a better price than you can get yourself and often from local providers-which has the bonus of helping the country begin to rebuild itself rather than relying on handouts.

Fourth – GO! (you knew I would get here, didn’t you?) I am not one to sit and watch. I want to be there – to be the hands that heal and rebuild. I had that chance in the early days of this disaster. I was there, and possibly could be there again someday. If you can go, go. But don’t go to be a disaster tourist. We don’t need one more person’s weepy blog of pictures without action. We need men and women who will get dirty and sweaty, who can put their own comfort and needs aside for a week or a month (or longer) for the sake of those who have lost it for years, or who may never get it back.

Haiti is less than 2 hours from Miami. It’s very close. It’s doable. You don’t need to be a doctor, contractor or any kind of professional to help. Find a good group to go with – see the list above under “First” for a start. Organize a group from your church, your office, your school through one of these organizations or through another. Just make sure you know them and they will have real work for you to do. There are some well-meaning groups there that are not organized or well-connected.

Questions? Of course. That’s what I’m here for: haiti@rescuenetus.org

Blessings,
Dave

Dave Mansfield
National Coordinator – RescueNet US