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Mississippi College Responds to Haiti Disaster


Mississippi College is joining the worldwide response to this week's earthquake in Haiti that devastated much of the Caribbean nation's capital of Port-au-Prince.

MC is partnering with the International Mission Board to provide food, water, clothing, medical care, reconstruction and counseling for survivors, says Eric Pratt, MC's vice president for Christian development on the Clinton campus.

Students and others are asked to donate money at MC chapel services January 19 and January 26 at First Baptist Church Clinton. Donations can also be made at 212 Nelson Hall and in the MC business office in the building's lobby. Checks should be made to Mississippi College with the notation Haiti.

MC students and others at the Christian university raised money at chapel and other events after a tornado ripped through the campus of Union University in Jackson, Tenn. nearly two years ago. MC supporters also made donations after Hurricane Katrina slammed south Mississippi in August 2005.

An MC delegation hopes to visit Haiti later this year.

"I believe we will be able to schedule at least one trip to assist in Haiti recovery sometime this summer when the all clear is given and the country is open for groups to help," Pratt said in an e-mail to MC faculty, staff and students Thursday. "My office will continue to be in contact with local churches and groups to help coordinate opportunities to minister to the people of Haiti."

Thousands were dead due to the magnitude-7.0 earthquake that transformed many hospitals, houses, schools, roads and stores into rubble. Haiti -one of the world's poorest countries - is forced to turn to outside assistance to survive this disaster. It was the worst earthquake in Haiti in 200 years.

"Please continue to pray for the people impacted by this disaster," Pratt said.

Mississippi College has some personal connections to the powerful earthquake in the capital city of two million people.

Karen Nazaire, a second-year Mississippi College law student in Jackson, has parents living in Haiti. She has a cousin in the hospital hit by a falling brick. "I am asking for prayers and support for Haiti," she wrote in a note to MC School of Law Dean Jim Rosenblatt. "I appreciate all the prayers and support Mississippi College can provide."

Officials in the Caribbean nation say it will take days to estimate the damage and casualty tolls. Some leaders estimate the death toll will surpass 100,000.

Area churches like Morrison Heights Baptist Church in Clinton are letting members know about ways to respond. "There are a number of helping agencies and options for people," says Greg Belser, the church pastor.

A Southern Baptist assessment team plans to travel to Haiti next week to meet with Haitian Baptist leaders, reports the International Mission Board on its Web site Thursday.

Donations can also be made to the Red Cross by calling 1.800.REDCROSS or visit redcross.org or call 1.800.SALARMY or visit salvationarmy.org. The International Mission Board can be reached at 1.800.999.3113.

Besides the United States, other countries, including China and Mexico, are assisting the people of Haiti. President Barack Obama has promised an all-out rescue and humanitarian effort, including ships, helicopters, transport planes, Marine units and civilian emergency teams.