On Tuesday, July 31, 2007, material support for the Darfurian refugee camp in Gaga, Chad, left the Seaport in Newark, NJ. The shipment is due to arrive in the Cameroon, Central Africa, in 22 days. (Because Chad is landlocked, the shipment had to go into Cameroon.) Then the shipment will travel from the Cameroon to Ndjamena, the capital of Chad, which will take another 10 days. From Ndjamena to the refugee camp will consume another 5 days. We estimate the entire trip will take from 30 to 35 days.

On March 17, 2007, I visited Chad. I met with governmental, civil, religious and rebel leaders. I conferred with rebels in the Bush. We discussed in depth the crises in Sudan and all of Africa. Also, I visited the refugee camp in Gaga. We gave to the people t-shirts we had brought from the USA. I promised we would return with greater supplies. I plan to lead a delegation back to the camp to be there when the supplies arrive.

We kicked off the Material Support Drive on May 5, 2007, with a benefit concert held at Medgar Evers College. We ended the Drive on July 31st. We succeeded in filling a 40 foot container with 70 boxes of books and body apparel. The cost of the shipment is totaling over $20,000. It will cost us an additional $100 per day for every day the shipment remains in port in the Cameroon. We need your help immediately.

The suffering in Darfur, Sudan, has been described as the worst humanitarian crisis in the world today. Reliable accounts consider it a campaign of genocide which, since its beginnings in 2003, has resulted in over 400,000 deaths, an estimated 2.5 million refugees forced to flee the country and others who have suffered rape, maiming, enslavement, destruction of and confiscation of properties. This conflict is a blight on the human landscape and its horrors will continue until there is outside intervention.

The crises continues, even though on July 31st the UN Security Council adopted a resolution which was approved by the Sudanese government calling for a peacekeeping force that would be adequate to stop the violence. The report we have is that there has been an escalation of the violence and occupation as Arabs attempt to acquire as much land and resources as possible before the implementation of the Security Council’s Resolution.

There are three challenges to the crises in Darfur: 1) is to establish peace; 2) is humanitarian aid; and, 3) is for the rebels to unite and negotiate a settlement with the Sudanese government that would bring peace and prosperity to the entire region. If that could be achieved, perhaps it could be a model for all of Africa.

We know that our help is but a drop in the bucket. What we hope is that our effort will at least bring some relief and hope to the people of Darfur and inspire the leaders of the world to do more. Again, I make this urgent appeal to you for support. You can send checks or money orders made payable to, the National Religious Leaders of African Ancestry Concerned About Darfur, Inc. or “NRLAA” for short. Mail to: The House of the Lord Church at 415 Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11217. (Considering our 501(c)3 status has not yet been granted by the IRS, please check with your financial advisors regarding the deductible status of your donation.)

The National Religious Leaders of African Ancestry Concerned About Darfur, Inc., which was founded in September 2006, has made monumental achievements. (See below our Mission, Objectives and Accomplishments Statement):

MISSION, OBJECTIVES AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS

The mission of the organization is to educate, advocate and garner material support on behalf of the Darfurian people.

To date we have:

Incorporated our organization and are working toward a 501(c)3 not for profit status;
Secured the names of the most influential religious leaders as signatories to our official statement;
Been interviewed extensively by print and electronic media;
Participated in various panels, conferences and other speaking engagements;
Circulated countless pieces of literature;
Written a number of articles related to the crises in Darfur;
Conducted numerous press conferences and issued several press releases;
Organized several prayer vigils and rallies at the United Nations and Sudan Mission; including a

Father’s Day Prayer Vigil for the Fathers of Darfur;

Organized community rallies and workshops, in addition to our weekly meetings;
Engaged in civil disobedience at the Sudan Mission on two occasions;

Participated in a 150 mile Walk for Freedom from Brussels, Belgium to Hague, Netherlands to urge
the (European Union) NATO to be more forthright in support for Darfur and to urge the International Criminal Court to speed up the indictment of those who are guilty of criminal behavior;

Organized a divestment campaign and have persuaded local governments to pass resolutions condemning the government in Sudan;

Traveled to Chad, Africa, on a 15 day fact finding trip. We met with top government, civil and rebel leaders. We also visited the refugee camp at Gaga. We brought back rare footage of interviews with key leaders, including rebels in the bush and refugees in the refugee camp;

Organized a Material Support Drive.

Once more, I appeal to you to participate in helping us to resolve one of the severest crises in the world. You will always be grateful that you contributed. It is a story that you can pass on to generations yet unborn.

Upcoming Events
Organizing Meetings regarding Darfur every Thursday - 12noon @ the House of the Lord Church
Keep abreast of our Darfurian activities by checking our web page @ www.holnj.org.
BCAT Program every 2nd and 4th Sunday @ 2p.m.For further Information on all events, contact The House of the Lord Church @ (718) 596-1991

Our Annual Freedom Walk #4 – covering the Underground Railroad, the African Burial Ground in Manhattan, on to the landing site of Frederick Douglass, will take place this Saturday, 8/18/07 @ 9am. Each year we visit historic sites used by the Underground Railroad. Starting at the House of the Lord Church with a continental breakfast and a historical overview, after which, we visit many of the houses that were used by the Underground Railroad, along with the old Bridge Street Church, the Plymouth Church, etc. Downtown Brooklyn was the center of the anti-slavery movement.