| God at Work Through His People in Rochester, NY |
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17 Collection Sites in Rochester, NY It was almost 10 years ago that Mark and Lynn Lillie, along with their best friends Ken and Sue Gross of Orland, Park IL, went on their first mission trip together to Haiti. Through subsequent mission trips they built relationships and friendships with people of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Haiti and fell in love with the Haitian people and the culture of Haiti. When LCC put out a request for collection sites for donations for Haiti Relief Mark and Lynn heard a clear call from the Lord to respond. Talking it over with other friends and Pastor Deknatel of Risen Christ Lutheran Church in Rochester, NY they responded by listing their church as a collection site. Together they went to work to procure a warehouse, packing equipment, donations of packing supplies, and other collection sites and coordinators. They decided to begin their collection on February 1st and continue through the month of February. With two weeks left, they are hoping to more than double what they have now. (pictured above is what members of Risen Christ brought in the first two weeks).
When Pastor Deknatel heard of the collection he suggested that the boxes be stacked up in the sanctuary of the church so as to emphasize the need and the ministry. Lynn reported "Pastor Deknatel is hoping we will not have enough room in our church to sit as the boxes pile up." What a great visual to remind us to continue to pray for the people in Haiti and to keep bringing them hope. After two weeks, the area on the platform next to the altar has nearly 100 boxes stacked to the ceiling and four rows deep.
What a great thing God is doing in and through his people in Rochester, NY. Pray that God blesses their efforts to touch the lives of the people of Haiti and to proclaim the love and compassion of Christ in all they do. Click here for a list of the Rochester Collection SitesClick here for a list of items requested from Haiti Click here to donate to the Haiti Disaster Response Fund |
Word got out and some of the public schools and businesses heard what Risen Christ was doing, they wanted to be part of the action. A local school district decided to use the funds from the district's annual basketball game charity fundraiser (that will be held in middle or late Feb) will be donated to Haiti. They are looking to raise nearly $3000 to aid Haiti.