The Bahamas Conference of the Methodist Church takes up the challenge of responding to Hannah and Ike

The President of the BCMC, Rev. Bill Higgs states that the Methodist Church is in response mode and ready to work with those persons suffering loss and damage to their homes in The Bahamas as a direct result of the massive damage caused by Tropical Storm Hannah and Hurricane Ike. “Methodist Habitat, our Disaster Relief Agency, is working with our Methodist Partners in the United States to line up teams of volunteers to move into the islands affected by the storms”, Rev. Higgs said.

“Methodist Habitat is ready to work with all persons who have suffered damage to their homes; we are a non-partisan organization and our record speaks for itself; we do not help just Methodist members; we respond to the most severe needs and we work with NEMA and the Department of Social Services to ensure that all related matters are in order,” he said.

On Wednesday, September 10, Rev. Bill Higgs accompanied by Pastor Henry Whyte, Mr. Abe McIntyre and Mr. David Spangler spent the day in Matthew Town, Inagua making contact with the members of Wesley Methodist Church in Inagua and the entire Community.

Mr. Abraham McIntyre, Director of Methodist Habitat spent the last week in Florida working with Methodist Habitat Partners there and putting together a plan for teams of volunteers to travel to the devastated areas to offer help in doing what ever is necessary to improve conditions for the people who have suffered damage and loss.

The BCMC developed a model ministry of partnership with the Bahamas Government and the United Methodist Agencies in the US following the devastating path of Hurricane Andrew in North and Central Eleuthera in 1992. The model worked extremely well and the BCMC built a lot of houses in Eleuthera, Abaco, Cat Island and completed many repairs in those islands and also in Andros and Grand Bahama. The Methodist Church will continue to use that model of partnership with the Bahamas Government and the United Methodist Partners in the USA following the devastation caused by these two storms.

The President of the BCMC has called on all Methodists in The Bahamas to respond to the appeal to help bring relief to those who have suffered through the latest storms.

Pastor Henry Whyte asked to return to Inagua to lead the Methodist Church’s relief programme

On Sunday, August 31, 2008 hundreds of the residents of Inagua filled the Anglican Church Hall to say farewell to Pastor Henry Whyte who had served as Pastor of the Methodist Church in Inagua for four years. It was a time for many tears and farewells as the Inagua community said good bye to a caring man who was know for his visitation ministry to members of all denominations on the island and his counseling sessions with many of the people in the community.

Pastor Whyte and Rev. Dr. Laverne Lockhart were supposed to leave Inagua on Monday September 01 but Tropical Storm Hannah kept them on the island until Friday.

On Wednesday, September 10, Pastor Whyte returned to Inagua at the request of the President of Conference, to lead the BCMC Relief efforts in the community.

Pastor Whyte feels sure that the people will greet him warmly with: “We told you not to leave”


Mrs. Elmena Bethell, Vice President of The BCMC to lead a visit to the Turks and Caicos Islands in the wake of the damage caused by Tropical Storm Hannah and Hurricane Ike

The new Vice President of the BCMC will lead a team of persons to the Turks and Caicos Islands to explore the possibilities of Methodist Habitat helping out in the relief efforts in those islands.

Mrs. Bethell, a native of South Caicos, was elected Vice President at the General Conference of the BCMC in May 2008. She will be installed as Vice President on Sunday, October 05, 2008 at 7.00 p.m. at Ebenezer Methodist Church.

Many members of Mrs. Bethell’s family suffered structural damage to their homes in South Caicos.

The BCMC will continue to keep the Bahamian public informed of ways that they can help in its disaster relief programme.

Rev. Jean Semé Joseph, Ministerial Moderator for the Methodist Church in the Eastern Abaco Region will head the BCMC’S Relief Programme to Haiti.

The Methodist Church and Queen’s College will launch an appeal to assist the people suffering from severe devastation in Haiti.

The Queen’s College Auditorium will be the depot for persons wishing to donate items to be shipped to Haiti.

Items to be received are: Clothing for men, women, children and babies; sheets, towels, small toys for children, house hold utensils and non-perishable food items. Persons donating items should be aware that these items have to be packed and shipped to Haiti and are asked to refrain from donating large items. We ask that persons also ensure that clothing and other items are in good condition. Donors are also asked to pre-sort their clothing items before bringing them to the Q.C. Auditorium. Items should be brought in firm card board boxes and labeled as to the content in each box.

The Principal and Administrative staff of Queen’s College made a decision early in the week to raise the awareness of the students at Q.C. in terms of the devastation and disaster occurring in Inagua, The Turks and Caicos Islands and Haiti following the three storms. “We anticipate that the PTA, parents of the school and all staff will rally to the call to help people who are suffering,” Ms. Andrea Gibson, principal, said.

The BCMC and Queen’s College will also partner with Cooperate Businesses, Rotary Clubs and with many of the Mail Boats servicing the Family Islands so that Family Islands can also be involved in this relief effort.

Rev. Jean Semé Joseph is a native of Haiti and has served as a Methodist Minister in Haiti and Jamaica for the past seven years. He recently joined the staff of the BCMC and on September 01, 2008 was appointed as the Ministerial Moderator of the Eastern Abaco Region which includes St. Andrew’s Methodist Church in Dundas Town, Epworth Chapel in Cherokee Sound and St. James Methodist Church in Hope Town.

Persons interested in volunteering to assist with manning the depot are asked to call Queen’s College 393-2646 or the BCMC Office at 393-3726.

The Depot at the Q.C. Auditorium will be open for receiving items on Fridays, beginning on September 12 from 2.00 – 8.00 p.m. and on Saturdays, beginning on September 13, 8.00 – 5.00 p.m.

More than any thing else we need money to help fund the disaster relief programme. Here is how you can help!

We invite individuals, businesses, churches and all organizations to make a financial donation to the BCMC Disaster Relief Fund. The BCMC has a history of 16 years of Disaster Relief Programmes and continues to work to help those in need. Our ministry is carried out through Methodist Habitat, with Headquarters in James’ Cistern, Eleuthera, at Camp Symonette.

Donations can be mailed to Bahamas Methodist Habitat, P.O. Box S.S. 5103 or if you phone us we can collect your donation: 393-3726.
OR: Make a deposit to Methodist Habitat, Royal Bank of Canada, Mackey Street Branch (Branch # 05715) Account # 1284553

Abe McIntyre, Executive Director of the Bahamas Methodist Habitat, has further information for volunteers who are coming to help with reconstruction

Volunteers
-You will be Roughing It, be prepared.
-Nothing is there for us, we will need to bring everything. 110% Self-sustainable! We even brought our own water and food today for our short day trip.
-We will have a better idea in the morning of when you all can start coming in.
-Logistics are going to be a challenge but nothing that can not be mastered.
-We should have our volunteer fee figured out very soon as well as the arrangement with Angel Flights.
-If you are willing to be flexible....you are welcome to come in the first volunteer group....if not, please wait until at least the second trip. It is going to be great but flexibility is key

Donations
There has been some confusion how and where to donate funds.

Option 1: Click on the web address below and it will take you to our Bahamas Habitat website and allow you to donate on-line: http://www.bahamashabitat.org/wordpress/?page_id=81

Option 2: Mail checks to our Bahamas Habitat Stateside Support 501(c)3 These donations are 100% USA tax deductible.Bahamas Habitat, 103 Dumbarton CtCary, North Carolina 27511-6305 (NC Corporation No. C200721900211-1FEIN: 87-0809313)

Specific Donations Needed (Qty)
We are expecing that all this will be coming in Duty Free, but we will take care of that side of things.
Generators, at least 5000 Kw (6)
Drinking water (As much as possible)
Non-perishable food (For local families and BMH Volunteers)
Large Ice Maker (1)
Cots (20)Large Tarps, at least 20'x20' (40)
Toiletries
Cleaning Supplies including Bleach, PineSol, and Mops
Roof Jacks, for steep roofs (4 sets)
Chain saws (3) including Replacement Chains (3) and Chain Lube (3)
Air Compressor (2)
Air Hoses (5 at least 50')
Shingle Nail Gun (4) and 1 1/4" Shingle nail coils (4 cases)
Ladders - 8' (4)

Thank you all and I look forward to seeing each of you all down here but if you can not make it, please support us by your financial assistance.

Abe McIntyre