January 15, 2010

CHICAGO – Haiti will need to rely on the good will and compassion of people and churches if the Caribbean nation is to survive, according to the Rev. Joseph Livenson Lauvanus, president of Eglise Lutherienne d'Haiti (Lutheran Church of Haiti).

"If there is ever a time for people to help Haiti, the time is right now," Lauvanus told the News Service of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).

"Everyone knows that Haiti is a poor country in the Western Hemisphere," said Lauvanus. He attributes the survival of Haiti to "the good will of our churches. We are thankful to have a church like the ELCA that understands the whole matter of togetherness, reinforcing what we call the ‘Communion of Saints.'"

When news about the earthquake emerged, "I was shocked, particularly with the magnitude of the earthquake," said Lauvanus. He called the earthquake "a nightmare. The situation there is beyond belief, and we cannot do anything for ourselves. That is why we rely on people to help us."

Lauvanus is currently in the United States. He calls his presence here "a miracle." Originally scheduled to visit the United States on Jan. 22, Lauvanus took advantage of a good airfare and rescheduled his trip, escaping the earthquake.

Lauvanus is in central Florida visiting his "adoptive father," the Rev. David E. Johnson. Johnson, a pastor at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Venice, Fla., is in hospice care. Lauvanus is also participating in the congregation's 50th anniversary. Emmanuel is a congregation of the ELCA.

"Emmanuel is my home congregation," said Lauvanus, who served a two-month internship at the congregation. Members of the church had awarded Lauvanus a stipend to support his livelihood and ministry in Haiti.

The Lutheran Church in Haiti has 12 congregations, said Lauvanus. "We are a young church, a growing church. We do not have a large presence in Haiti, but wherever we are our presence is manifested," he said.

Lauvanus is planning to return home to Haiti when possible. In the meantime, he plans to talk with congregations and others in central Florida to raise awareness about Haiti. The ELCA Florida-Bahamas Synod shares a companion relationship with the Lutheran Church in Haiti.

ELCA congregation plans trip to Haiti, still hopes to go

The Rev. Stephen P. Winemiller, Faith Lutheran Church, Sarasota, Fla., has been to Haiti 10 times in the past five years on medical assignment. His next trip is scheduled for Feb. 4, when he will accompany a group of doctors, nurses, a pharmacist and pediatrician who will treat school-age children. Most of these medical professionals are members of Faith Lutheran Church.

While in Haiti, the group will set up mobile clinics in classrooms to perform medical examinations, said Winemiller. The trip was scheduled a year ago, but Winemiller said he's concerned that the trip may not happen given the transportation issues in Haiti. "More than ever, we'd like to help," he said.

The earthquake that struck Haiti also hit close to home for members of First Lutheran Church in Brockton, Mass., said Sister Virginia E. Strahan, ELCA New England Synod, Worcester, Mass. First Lutheran shares its building with The Church of God of Deliverance, a Haitian congregation. Brockton has a fairly large Haitian community, said Strahan.

"First is primarily a Swedish congregation, or has roots in Sweden," said Jim E. Benson, First's parish administrator. He described the relationship between the members of First Lutheran and the Haitian community as "very warm and friendly. The relationship has been in place for three to four years."

Members of First are working with the Brockton mayor's office, other city officials and interfaith groups to determine how best to help meet the needs of earthquake survivors, said Benson. He said the congregation is collecting resources to put together health kits to be sent to Haiti via Lutheran World Relief, a ministry of the ELCA and the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. The congregation is garnering the help of other local Lutheran congregations to assemble kits, and "we'll eventually invite others to help," said Benson.

"We will also be gathering clothes, blankets and other items that we will deliver directly to local Haitian congregations. They will see to it that (material donations) are sent to people in Haiti," said Benson.

Financial contributions to support relief efforts in Haiti can be made at http://www.ELCA.org/haitiearthquake/, or by calling 800-638-3522.

ELCA News Service