The Geneva College community continues to pray and gather support for the relief efforts in Haiti.

For the past week, Geneva has been collecting donations for Haiti H2O, an organization that works directly with Haitian partners to provide holistic development. Collections are being received in various locations on campus and after this week’s Chapel service in Metheny Fieldhouse. Checks should be made out to Haiti H2O, and donations will be accepted until Friday, January 29. Haiti H2O will then distribute these funds to organizations already established in Haiti.

In addition to fundraising for Haiti H2O, we continue to pray for our alumni, students, faculty and friends who have been directly impacted by this disaster. We rejoice with Sophia Jeune, a Haitian international student who graduated from Geneva in June 2009. She has several family members living in Haiti, and she recently sent this e-mail update to Ann Burkhead, director of international student services:

“My uncle left for Haiti on Wednesday, and after a long journey through the Dominican Republic on an eight-hour bus ride, he ended, making it back with my grandma and grandpa ... They went straight to the emergency room because my grandma had a lot of injuries, but I just praise God that they made it through when so many others weren't as fortunate. God answers prayers, and I just want to thank you guys for being a part of that. The journey still continues as many family members have lost houses and jobs, and it's tough and still need prayers and support, but with God, we will rebuild, and God has new plans for the family and for the country at large.” 

Our prayers are with Doug Bradbury, professor of youth ministry and founder of Haiti H2O, who will be traveling to Haiti several times over the next few months. We are also praying for Dr. James Gardner ’96, who will leave on a medical mission trip to Haiti on January 29. He will be working with a team of doctors from In His Image, an organization that trains Christian physicians in spiritually integrated family medicine.

Geneva College is a comprehensive Christian college of the arts, sciences and professional studies. Founded in the tradition of the Reformed Christian faith, Geneva prepares students to serve Christ in all areas of society: work, family and the church. Geneva College’s philosophy of education is based on the Foundational Concepts of Christian Higher Education. Geneva is a founding member of the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities (CCCU).