We are all troubled by the scenes coming to us from Haiti. However for ABC of Iowa staff member Dave Schumacher, the pictures are especially disturbing because of his ties to the tiny island nation through a mission project he is involved with called Serve Haiti.
Many ABC of Iowa members are involved in mission work and we have highlighted those efforts as they become known to us such as the mission trips taken by George Trotter of Van Meter Industrial and one of our apprentice instructors, or the mission trip to Africa by the Robert Shaw family of Shaw Electric. Just last week, I learned from Norm Vos of IES Commercial, that his daughter had arrived in Haiti for a mission trip the afternoon of the earthquake. Fortunately she and her traveling companions survived the earthquake and were able to fly back out of Haiti the next day.
Many of you have probably already given to a charity or mission project set up to help the people of Haiti in the aftermath of last week's earthquake, but if you haven't take a moment to read the open letter below to all ABC of Iowa members from Dave.
Greg Spenner
ABC of Iowa President & CEO
We are all shocked and saddened by the images from Haiti following the devastating earthquake that struck the island nation. When faced with such devastation, it is natural to want to help. While information coming from Haiti remains difficult to obtain, it is clear that this disaster will require both immediate and long-term assistance.
I know as you watch the news, and see the devastation that has hit the country of Haiti, your heart goes out to the people of that stricken nation. You wonder what you can do, and ask ‘How can I give and know my gift will get to the people?’ While there are many charities that can help them, and all of them are good, I am personally involved with an organization called Serve Haiti www.servehaiti.org, a faith based organization, made up of all volunteers.
I have been involved with Serve Haiti for the last four years by making annual trips to the country and working with the people there to help them get to a point where they can help themselves. All trips are paid for entirely by the volunteers, and not by Serve Haiti. I can assure you that 100% of all gifts to Serve Haiti will get to the people of Haiti.
My wife and I were scheduled to make another mission trip to Haiti next month - - obviously those plans are in the air. We were originally going to work at a clinic we built in the mountains of Gran Bois approximately 50 miles east of Port au Prince. Now, I’m not sure, but we are going to do whatever is needed. If you have any questions, or would just like some firsthand information, give me a call at 563-320-4522.
Thank you and God bless!
Dave Schumacher
"I have been told that much US media coverage paints Haiti as a tinderbox ready to explode. I'm told that lead stories in major media are of looting, violence and chaos. There could be nothing further from the truth.
"I have traveled the entire city daily since my arrival. The extent of damages is absolutely staggering. At every step, at every bend is one horrific tragedy after another; homes, businesses, schools and churches leveled to nothing. Inside every mountain of rubble there are people, most dead at this point. The smell is overwhelming. On every street are people -- survivors -- who have lost everything they have: homes, parents, children, friends.
"NOT ONCEhave we witnessed a single act of aggression or violence. To the contrary, we have witnessed neighbors helping neighbors and friends helping friends and strangers. We've seen neighbors digging in rubble with their bare hands to find survivors. We've seen traditional healers treating the injured; we've seen dignified ceremonies for mass burials and residents patiently waiting under boiling sun with nothing but their few remaining belongings. A crippled city of two million awaits help, medicine, food and water. Most haven't received any.
"Haiti can be proud of its survivors. Their dignity and decency in the face of this tragedy is itself staggering."