article on Ian Douglas discussing his ties to Haiti

The Road Home: State's new Episcopal leader brings worldly perspective (video)- The New Haven Register - Serving New Haven, Connecticut

Ian Douglas is the bishop-elect of Connecticut and was until recently one of my professors.  In the 1980's, he lived in Darbonne, Leogane, Haiti, in the same rectory in which I lived last summer, and it was through his time there that he found his vocation to ordained ministry.  The article and video include discussion of those continuing ties.

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(photo is from the newspaper article linked above)

Bishop Duracin Thanks Episcopal Relief & Development

Here is a video of Bishop Zache Duracin from College St Pierre, the (collapsed) school whose soccer field is now home to so many.

Duracin Thanks Episcopal Relief & Development for Response to Haiti Earthquake

Darbonne photos, part 2 - before the earthquake

In my blog entry of a few days ago, I posted photos of the school and church following the earthquake, but for the life of me, I couldn't get these two "before" photos to load.  Today, no problem. Go figure. 

I really do want you all to see what it looked like before the earthquake.  Haiti is so much more than a pile of rubble.  With all the negative commentary out there about Haiti, it seems to me that people need to know that Haiti is a beautiful country, worth caring for and rebuilding. 

I am happy to report that Willy, who is in the picture of the primary school here, and Alissa, who is in the church photo below, the little girl in blue, are both alive and well, though the buildings are not.  If you haven't seen the "after" photos, scroll down two entries.

Agape Flights - information for those wishing to donate material goods

Click on http://www.agapeflights.com/  to reach Agape Flights.
They post a DAILY list of the most needed items. The Sisters have used Agape Flights for many years. Their website says, "YES, Agape Flights is flying often and able to land in Port au Prince. Agape Flights' planes are being met by the missionaries we serve. The supplies are reaching the medical clinics, orphanages, schools, and churches through the 130 missionary families we regularly serve in PAP. Mike Labady, Agape's Emergency Field Director is on the ground in Port au Prince working to coordinate activities."
AGAPE NEEDS:

"We have a critical need for tents that can be used for shelter as well as back packs or duffel bags for the homeless in Haiti to have something to carry whatever belonging they might have with them. We are accepting back packs and duffel bags with supplies for those in Haiti. Back packs are for either a single female or a single male and the duffel bags are for families. Please be sure to label the bags accordingly for easier delivery and distribution!! All bags need canned/pouch meat, a blanket, a sheet, a towel, peanut butter, crackers/cookies, plate, fork, cup, 8 foot plastic rope, toothpaste, deodorant, small scissors, wipes, shampoo and bar soap in a baggie. If you are packing a bag for a female, please add some sanitary products or for a male, please add a razor. Family duffel bags just need double the amount of supplies."

ALL ITEMS SHOULD BE SENT DIRECTLY TO:

AGAPE FLIGHTS
100 Airport Avenue
Venice, FL 34285-3901

pictures from Darbonne after the earthquake

I hope to edit this post later on with "before" pictures, but at the moment they won't upload.  The turquoise building is the grade school; the white one is the parish church.

ADDITIONAL NOTE 2/2:  I have posted the "before" photos two entries above this one.

BBC on what it will take to rebuild

This is a great article, offering details of needs in the areas of food, water, health, shelter, rebuilding, infrastructure, security, economy, funding, agriculture, and government. 

BBC News: The Challenge of Rebuilding Haiti

benefit concert

"A global concert to benefit Partners in Health's Stand with Haiti

In keeping with its mission to Heal the Community through Music, Boston-based Longwood Symphony Orchestra and New England Conservatory present Symphonic Relief for Haiti at NEC’s Jordan Hall, Sunday, January 31, 2010, 12:30–2 p.m. Artistic Director Jonathan McPhee will conduct LSO, an orchestra whose membership is comprised mainly of health care professionals representing nearly every medical institution in the city. Featured artists will include NEC faculty Paula Robison and Richard Stoltzman, NEC student Jean Bernard Cerin and Project STEP/Preparatory student Aurélie Théramène, A Far Cry chamber orchestra, and the Boston Children's Chorus. Student musicians from NEC, Longy School of Music, Boston Conservatory, and Boston University will augment the instrumental ensembles."

Read more at the link below.

Longwood Symphony benefit concert, Sunday, January 31