Poverty

While the New Orleans Saints’ Super Bowl win Sunday may have wiped away memories of the Gulf Coast hurricanes that hit their city five years ago, the mourning in Haiti – for many – still has no end in sight.

Nearly four weeks after Haiti’s 7.0-magnitude quake devastated the capital city of Port-au-Prince and the surrounding areas, life remains difficult for thousands in Haiti who are without food, shelter, and – most desired – the loved ones they’ve lost.

"Haiti is a nation in mourning," commented Sian Platt, child protection specialist for the Christian humanitarian agency World Vision. "People have not just lost homes, jobs and everything they own, they are somehow trying to come to terms with the death of those who loved and supported them.” more >>

International Christian aid agency World Vision is encouraging Americans this month to especially pray for the critical needs of children in Haiti.

The agency proclaimed February to be the month of prayer for Haiti’s children, who are susceptible to diseases, infection and exploitation in addition to homelessness and hunger in the aftermath of last month’s devastating earthquake.

“We are especially concerned about children’s needs and vulnerabilities in this disaster,” said Steve Haas, World Vision’s vice president for church relations. “We know it is going to be a marathon – and not a sprint – to help them and their families recover and rebuild their lives.” more >>

Some of the Christian music industry’s brightest stars have auctioned off a priceless guitar, produced an all-star recording and donated their own money and urged fans to do the same to help Haiti’s quake victims.

Singer/songwriter Bebo Norman, known for his hit song “Great Light of the World” among others, decided with his wife Roshare to auction off a cherished guitar he has had for ten years and donate all the money to Compassion International for Haiti relief.

The hand-made Everett Laurel guitar was a gift to Norman by the builder himself, Kent Everett. It is the first production (Number 00-01) in the Laurel Series. more >>

Wall Street leaders are being called to donate a tenth of their expected bonuses this year to help rebuild Haiti.

Church World Service, which consists of 36 Christian denominations and communions, announced Wednesday its new campaign, “Bonus4Haiti.” The global humanitarian agency is urging Americans to call on Wall Street to commit 10 percent of its bonuses to Haiti.

Americans can put pressure on Wall Street by signing CWS’ Facebook Cause page, tweeting about the campaign and using the Internet to spread the message, “Tell corporate CEOs that to whom much is given, much is expected. Please tithe your bonuses to Haiti!” more >>

A newly formed group of evangelicals led by some well-known figures called for the cancellation of Haiti’s foreign debt on Friday.

Headed by the Rev. Richard Cizik, former vice president for governmental affairs at the National Association of Evangelicals, the New Evangelical Partnership for the Common Good says Christians are called to have a “spirit of compassion for the grieving, the injured and the displaced, and to take action to alleviate their suffering.”

“We believe that Jesus calls us to work together to set free those who are held captive by debt. This call is especially acute in times of crisis,” the group has expressed in statement. more >>