Many have asked the question: How can I help? As someone who was on the ground recently talking to the disciples in Haiti and others including Angel Martinez from the Dominican Republic I wanted to share with you some practical ways I believe you can help Haiti…

In the days following the earthquake that almost completely destroyed the city of Port-au-Prince, we have witnessed the entire world come together as one to focus on helping the Haitian people. Thousands of dollars have been raised to date; last week, food, medicine and supplies were taken to the church and as I write these lines Wilner Cornely, evangelist from the Chicago Church and a few others are preparing to head out to Haiti. They are bringing with them a convoy of food, water, medicine and other needed supplies.

The disciples in Haiti are encouraged by this outpouring of love and support and their spirits are revived. However, the needs remain great! Fortunately, they are equally matched by the desire of disciples around the world to help.

First, Continue to pray for Haiti! The Bible says “pray continually;” 1 Thess5:17. To quote PAP evangelist Jorel Claude, “What we need first and foremost are prayers.”

Second, donate money! Though much has been raised already, much more is needed. At this point we cannot wire money to Haiti. The best way to donate is througb www.hopeww.org The supply runs of food, medicine and water to the disciples in Haiti-which last about a week- are costing between $3000 to $5000.

Third, help raise money! Many of our friends and relative want to donate. Help connect them to Hope Worldwide (www.hopeww.org) Tell them about our live online fundraiser Thursday night, January 28.

Fourth, find a unique need that you can meet. Coordination is essential to avoid duplication. For example, a few sisters from New York and Florida are working on compiling a list of missing relatives which they are forwarding to the church in Haiti. This helps tackle a real need and eliminates the need for every individual looking for a missing relative to call the church in Haiti which is already swamped with things pertaining to their survival. Another group has stepped forward as point contacts to help with communications.

2) Travelling to Haiti: I know many have expressed the desire to go to Haiti to help. At this time travel is advised for skilled professionals who are prepared. As conditions improve, there will be more need for help. There are many things to consider:

a. The church is not able to help anyone make arrangements of any kind. They’re not able to pick you up; drive you around; offer you shelter or food. Remember that they are sleeping outside in tents of which they do not have enough and are also lacking in food and water. You have to make your own arrangements and be self-sufficient (flight, ride from airport, lodging, bring your own food and water etc…)

b. If you are planning on staying with the disciples on the church’s property be prepared to be very uncomfortable (no shower, no beds etc…)

c. Be aware of the security concerns. People travelling to Haiti who appear to have supplies are at risk because you are surrounded by a population desperate for supplies. It is advisable to travel with a group or organization like the Red Cross.

d. Up to this point there have been no commercial flights to Haiti. Unless you are going with an organization such as the Red Cross or PIH you should plan to go through the Dominican Republic. I asked Angel Martinez, lead evangelist for the Santo Domingo church to put together a list of preparations for all interested in travelling to Haiti via the Dominican Republic. Please see appendix below.

Finally, allow me once again to express to you on behalf of the disciples in Haiti their love and gratitude for your thoughts, prayers, concern and support. With God’s help and the continued love of the saints around the world the churches in Haiti and the entire country will see better and brighter days.

Due to the limited housing and vehicles that we have in the church in DR, it is very difficult to provide housing and transportation for many of those wanting to come thru Santo Domingo to see and visit their loved ones or to serve and encourage the church or both. As a solution to that, below I have suggested a hotel (that the church uses frequently for guests), 3 ground transportation companies, car rental companies and some information about taxis from the airport as well as the tourist visa that must be purchased upon arrival.

The BQ hotel is a fairly priced hotel which you can booked for under $100US per night.

Bus Lines that Travel into Haiti

(by clicking on “Horarios” you find the bus time schedule. And the average price is about $75 US per person round trip and does not include the $25US tourist visa which must be bought at the border before entering Haiti). The bus will leave from Santo Domingo and will take you to Port-au-Prince.

Capital Coach Line: www.capitalcoachline.com/ 809-530-8266

Terra Bus: 809-531-0383

All three bus companies use comfortable, air-con buses, and the trip takes from six to nine hours and costs US$40; that said, Capital and Caribe are more reliable and recommended. If possible, reserve at least two days in advance as the buses are frequently full.

Capital coach Line has daily departures at 10am, and Caribe and Terra at 11am and 11:30am respectively.

- There are taxis outside immediately to your left when you exit and all of them are specifically identified. The cost from the airport to the BQ hotel should be no more than $40US.

- Upon entering the Dominican Republic you will have to pay $10US for a tourist visa for the time that you will stay in the country, the tourist visa is good for 30 days.

Numerous international and domestic car-rental companies have more than one office in Santo Domingo proper and at Las Américas International Airport – the majority have a booth in a small building just across the street from the arrivals exit. All are open daily roughly from 7am to 6pm in Santo Domingo (sometimes later) and from 7am to 11:30pm at the airport.

Advantage Rent-a-Car (809-549-0536; Las Américas International Airport)

Avis Central Santo Domingo (809-535-7191; cnr Av Abraham Lincoln & Av Sarasota); Airport ­(809-549-0468)

Budget Santo Domingo (809-566-6666; cnr Av John F Kennedy & Av Lope de Vega); Airport ­(809-549-0351)

Dollar Central Santo Domingo (809-221-7368; Av Independencia 366); Airport (809-549-0738)

Europcar Central Santo Domingo (809-688-2121; Av Independencia 354); Airport (809-549-0942)

Hertz Central Santo Domingo (809-221-5333; Av José Ma Heredia 1); Airport (809-549-0454)

National/Alamo Central Santo Domingo (809-221-0805; Av Independencia at Máximo Gómez); Airport (809-549-8303)

Nelly Rent-a-Car (809-549-0505; Las Américas International Airport)

Thrifty (809-549-0930; Las Américas International Airport