The Florida Annual Conference

I have called every Haitian-American pastor of our conference I could reach to talk with them about what they have heard about relatives and friends in Haiti. Most congregations with Haitian-American members report grievous news of deaths, injuries, missing persons, and property damage. The earthquake in Haiti has caused a catastrophe of human suffering.

There is also grief in our church over the deaths of two General Board of Global Ministries (GBGM) staff members, the Revs. Sam Dixon and Clint Rabb, who died as a result of being crushed in the collapse of the Montana Hotel in Port-au-Prince. There were staying at the hotel while directing United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) and United Methodist Volunteers in Mission (UMVIM) work in Haiti. Truly, we are all in pain because of the grief and suffering of the Haitian people, and we experience what the apostle meant when he said, "If one member suffers, all suffer together with it" in the body of Christ (I Corinthians 12:26).

Many people want to ask, "Why?" in a time like this. Some people lose their faith in God when suffering comes, no longer able to believe in divine providence. The question is inevitable if we were to understand God's providence as being a matter of God's will directly causing everything that happens. However, in the heart of the Christian tradition, we do not understand God's relation to the world in this way. God does hold the world, put limits on evil, and guide history toward its final destiny. But, God also grants to the creation freedom. With freedom, events occur which God has not willed. Without freedom, there is no goodness or beauty in the world. In the midst of natural and human freedom, God is at work in the world.

The Christian understanding of divine providence is expressed eloquently by the apostle when he says, "In all things God works for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28, variant translation). Nowhere is God's providence more revealed than in the cross of Jesus Christ, where what should not have happened is used for the accomplishment of the divine purpose. So then, in times of catastrophe, we look with the eyes of faith for what God is doing--pouring the Spirit into the spirits of those who grieve and suffer; inspiring human solidarity in a time of trouble; calling others to pray for and to help those who cannot pray or help themselves; and over time even bringing some good out of terrible suffering.

I think we United Methodists primarily respond to disaster not by trying to give theological answers (although we cannot avoid saying something about our understanding of the ways of divine providence), but by being in mission through prayer and action.

Our conference has provided means for us to be a part of the work of relief and recovery in Haiti by giving us ways to give to UMCOR and to the Methodist Church in Haiti. Thank you for your faith and love expressing itself through your generous gifts.

O living God, you who are an ever present help in trouble, be the strength and hope of all the people in Haiti and their relatives and friends wherever they are on earth. Bless the government officials, soldiers, providers of aid, and missionaries who are present to rescue, serve, and rebuild. Guide us by your Holy Spirit in our response so that we may share in the work of caring for your people; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

(For more information on how the Florida Conference is responding to the earthquake in Haiti, click h ere.)

As I have worked with the Haitian people over the past two years, I have learned so much from them. Now as I watch them on the news, I am awed by their faith, their remarkable resilience! They sing and pray and smile as they dig and bury! What a people! What a testimony to the world! What a challenge to my own life! Thank you for your reminder to us all in this article of Haiti's need for our continuing support.

Bishop Whitaker, thanks for the video. We showed the video in our Sunday worship and people felt moved by the holy spirit to continue the collection for our Brothers and Sister from Haiti. May God Bless you.

Thank you, Bishop. We have made copies of this blog to distribute to our congregation this weekend.

I as a United Methodist member appreciate your message both written and spoken, may your prayer be our prayer today and in the days to come.

I cannot stop thinking about the terror and trauma brought upon my people by this earthquake. Through this disaster, as horrible as it is, the world is force to look at Haiti finally. I cannot but pray and believe that a positive and permanent change will result from this surreal tragedy. May the good Lord give the leaders at the International Airport in Haiti wisdom to get the medicine and food already there out to the people as quickly as possible. Thank you Bishop Withaker and many thanks to each and everyone for standing in the gap with Haiti.

Bishop Whitaker, Thank you for taking the time to share great nuggets of practical wisdom in your blogs. We are continually blessed and challenged by your insight and leadership. Let's continue this informal venue for our reflection on important issues.

Bishop - This is a most vital message and needs to be seen by our people. Thank you for such a needed message.

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