Haitian Needs

Many of you have waited patiently for an update on the well fundraising. I hope to have a current number by the first of October - I believe we are close. Also in October - our friend Leon Dorleans will be visiting the Triangle. Leon and others have been keeping us abreast of the situation in Haiti - it is desperate. As much as the well and other sources of clean water is needed, the food shortage is critical. Hurricanes Fay, Gustav, Hanna and Ike have wiped out at least 60% of this year's food harvest. Much of the soil has washed into the ocean with the torrential rains (the mountains cannot hold onto their topsoil because of the vast deforestation). 425 people were killed, many more injured, and malaria and other diseases are beginning to spread. The U.N. has asked for $108 million in aid and only about 2% has been raised. Please consider donating to a Haitian Relief effort. White Memorial (www.whitememorial.org) has several (see Mission and Outreach), as does Stop Hunger Now (http://www.stophungernow.org/).

God bless you all - you'll hear from me soon!