The Oregon Faith Report - Faith News from Oregon

January 14, 2010

Oregon Faith Report News Note:

Nineteen missionaries in Haiti from two Oregon churches, Beaverton Christian Church and Salem Evangelical Church experienced the earthquake but were unharmed. One story told on how the missionaries were handing out care packages when the earthquake hit. Some kids who came to pick up care packages saw the bench they were previously sitting on, moments before the quake, be destroyed by falling walls from the tremors.  More here.

Another Oregon outreach group in Haiti, the Eugene based Holt International, reported that they were fine and stated “Our huge worry is will there be a tsunami, and trying to keep all the children calm and staff calm.”. More here.
Portland based Medical Team International issued this action call: “Medical Teams International is sending volunteers and aid to Haiti following a 7.0 earthquake.“We have partners on the ground who are responding,” said Medical Team International President, Bas Vanderzalm. “We’ll send a volunteer medical team with emergency medical supplies as soon as we can get a team into the country.”  Volunteers Dr. Joseph and wife, Linda Markee, an RN, have already agreed to travel to Haiti to help families in need.  The Markees, from Vancouver, Wash., are veteran volunteers for Medical Teams International and served as medical missionaries in Haiti for many years.”

Catholic Archdiocese will take up special collection to assist Haiti earthquake victims: Archbishop John G. Vlazny has asked the parishes of the Archdiocese of Portland to take a special collection the weekend of January 23-24 to assist victims of the Haiti earthquake.  The entire collection will be forwarded on to Catholic Relief Services, the official overseas aid and development agency of American Catholics.  Catholic Relief Services is already in Haiti providing assistance.   More information on Catholic Relief Services can be found at www.crs.org.