I know we have all been shocked this week by the tragedy unfolding in Haiti. The indescribable destruction and loss of life is simply beyond words. Currently we have one Haitian group here in the Carolina Conference. Several of them have immediate family members in Port-au-Prince the epicenter of the earthquake. As I write this they have still not heard any word as to the status of their loved ones. We do know at this time of at least one SDA minister who was killed when the union office collapsed. It is still unsure whether the union president of the Haitian Union has been killed or not. We have over 330,000 SDA's in Haiti and so this disaster has not only affected the country but our church family as well. Communications are nearly non-existent presently and so it is very slow receiving definitive word from there. We do know a number of our church and school structures have been destroyed or heavily damaged but we do not know the extent of death or injuries yet.

This Sabbath, tomorrow, there will be a special opportunity to contribute to ADRA which is already in country and providing relief. I know we as a Carolina Conference Family will be generous in our support of these relief efforts. For updated news on the work of ADRA in Haiti you can go to ADRA.org

This past week a one day Minister's meeting convened in Charlotte. Don McLafferty was the featured speaker. He is the Director of Kids in Discipleship from Collegedale, TN. His presentations were truly timely as he presented the importance of family and helping our children make a personal commitment to Jesus. All were truly blessed.

I look forward to being with our Korean brothers and sisters in Columbia tomorrow. On Sunday I will be in Mt. Olive, NC for the grand opening of the Mt. Olive Spanish church building. This has been a work of faith and sacrifice on the part of this church family and I look forward to being with them for this special occasion.

As the Haiti tragedy continues to unfold it simply reminds us the need for Jesus' soon return. The setting up of His Kingdom is the only solution to the pain and heartache of this world. What a wonderful knowledge it is to know that He IS coming back soon!

Your friend,
Jim