Haiti Earthquake updates

Below is news and updates as received from various sources (not the news media) . These reports are from individuals, organizations with whom I am familiar. Read and pray for Haiti.

March 2,2010

Our 10-year Warfare Prayer offensive in Haiti is beginning to rout the enemy. Keep praying!

40,000-Plus Haitians Have Professed Faith in Jesus Christ Since Earthquake; Pastor Believes Vision of 1.5 Million Haitians Coming to Christ is in Process of Being Fulfilled Teresa Neumann (Mar 2, 2010)

Many conversions took place during the three days of prayer and fasting called for by the Haitian government Feb. 12-14. "People were in the streets, literally begging God for forgiveness and mercy."

(Port-Au-Prince, Haiti)—A reported 40,127 Haitians have made professions of faith in Jesus Christ since a major earthquake hit the impoverished nation in January, according to pastors and directors of missions within the Confraternite Missionaire Baptiste d'Haiti (CMBH).

"Haiti is ripe for a spiritual movement from God," said Craig Culbreth, director of the Florida Baptist Convention's partnership missions department. (Photo: CNN/Getty) Indeed, a report in Baptist Press states that "During a Feb. 16-17 citywide holiday observance in Cap Haitien, Haiti's second largest city, Culbreth saw 'thousands upon thousands filling the streets where people are seeking God and asking Him to spare them from what happened in Port-au-Prince.'"

"For me," said Culbreth, "it was a New Testament expression of what it looks like when the Spirit of God shows up. I have never seen anything like it."

Many conversions took place during the three days of prayer and fasting called for by the Haitian government Feb. 12-14, during which Dennis Wilbanks, an associate in partnership missions, said "People were in the streets, literally begging God for forgiveness and mercy."

According to the report, Louis LaBranche, CMBH director of ministry had a vision of God telling him that 1.5 million Haitians will be saved in the next five years.

"He believes it and so do I," Culbreth said.

Source: Barbara Denman - Baptist Press News

February 26,2010

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E-News: Fri 26 Feb 2010  Dear Wayne It's with mixed emotions that we write to you again today. With deep sadness as the official death toll from Haiti's devastating earthquake is raised to 222,517 people confirmed dead, with 310,090 people wounded, one million people homeless, half a million people who have left Port-au-Prince to seek refuge in other areas. Stop for a moment and consider those lives - not just the numbers. And we write with deep joy, at the work of the Holy Spirit among the Haitian people, particularly through the days of national prayer and fasting that ended on Tuesday 16 February with a March for Jesus in the northern city of Cap Haitien, Radio 4VEH's hometown. An estimated 50,000 people marched through the streets of Cap Haitien, carrying signs proclaiming: "No freedom for Haiti without Jesus" "Long live the faithfulness of God in Haiti. Praise the Lord" Radio 4VEH had the privilege of broadcasting live, with our reporters commentating on the events to share the truth and power of Jesus with listeners all over Haiti, as well as Haitians listening abroad via the internet. Have you ever listened to such an event on your radio and felt the excitement deep in your soul that God is doing great things? Hearing the crowds sing praise songs, hearing the Word of God preached, hearing prayers voiced for the future of Haiti and its people. Praise God!   For almost 60 years, Radio 4VEH has been broadcasting hope to the Haitian people in the name of Jesus. We press on today, and we continue to rely on your prayers and financial support. Will you make a commitment to support Radio 4VEH today? Visit our website at www.radio4veh.org Thank you for your support of Radio 4VEH as we continue to minister to listeners across Haiti in these times. God bless you, Rev. Storly & Kate Michel, Radio 4VEH Visit www.radio4veh.org for more photos of the March for Jesus in Cap Haitien Praise God for this witness! HELP BROADCAST HOPE IN HAITI: Give today to support the ministry of Radio 4VEH and help broadcast hope in Haiti. In the US: send a gift by check. Make your check payable to One Mission Society. In the memo line, write: # 404890 - BCASTHOPE2 and send to: One Mission Society PO Box 1648 Monument CO 80132-1648, USA  Click here for donation form. In Canada : make your cheque payable to OMS International Canada, in memo line write #70028, and send to:OMS International Canada, 293 Wellington Street North, Box 132, Hamilton, ON L8L 8E7 Give online at www.omsinternational.org/give/donate  Or on Facebook, give and invite your friends to support the Cause at: Cause - Radio 4VEH: Broadcast Hope After Earthquake http://apps.facebook.com/causes/433032 For photos, video and other resources, visit www.radio4veh.org    and    Find Us on Facebook : www.facebook.com/radio4veh      Forward this message to a friend Radio 4VEH is a ministry of One Mission Society (formerly OMS International). In Haiti, OMS works with the Emmaus Fellowship of Churches and ministers through Emmaus Biblical Seminary, Bethesda Medical and Dental Clinics, Starfish Kids student sponsorship and Radio 4VEH.

Radio 4VEH, The Evangelistic Voice of Haiti PO Box A Greenwood, Indiana 46142 USA Read the VerticalResponse marketing policy.

February 25, 2010

Prayer Partners and Co-Laborers                                                                                                  

“. . . we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus our Lord . . . to give the light of the knowledge of the

glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” (II Corinthians 4:5,6)

“COME TO JESUS,” was Pastor D’s passionate and persistent plea to a crowd of more than 2000 people standing in downtown Jacmel on February 15 – 18 (in the very spot where Mardi Gras Carnival is held yearly), and his invitation penetrated all of the downtown area. The crowd grew to almost 4000 strong Tuesday night. Many (160+) came to Christ for salvation during the four nights of meetings, and hundreds more came for individual prayer because of what they suffered during the earthquake. Three witchdoctors accepted Christ during the week, one of whom is well-known in town and was not timid to announce his decision publicly. “I want to have a future with God . . . the demons have no future, and I know that,” was one of the statements he made the evening before he came to Jesus. A woman witchdoctor who came to Christ on Wednesday evening asked that Pastor D come to her house and burn her fetishes in the presence of her witchdoctor father as her testimony to him. By Friday, he had turned to Christ also.

The people of Jacmel could not stop talking about the meetings. Those who were not in attendance heard the service over the radio. It was the talk of the town. Comments such as the following were heard throughout the city: “We have never publicly had anything like this in Jacmel,” and “Jacmel has never heard the Gospel like this,” and “Glory to God!”  God WAS glorified – though the enemy exercised his best efforts to frustrate us and do damage to the Gospel message. God used Pastor D and our musical team to confront the enemy head-on, and the grace of God was manifested in our team beyond our expectations. Their spiritual ministry became the governing spirit – even beyond their musical contribution. We don’t even care to mention the enemy’s subtle and blatant tactics because we are so overwhelmed by God’s grace and power that covered us – and our hearts bow before Him in awesome wander!! Only in the annals of Heaven will we have an accurate record of what actually was accomplished spiritually in Jacmel. Our team was made up of Frank Garlock, Shelly Hamilton, Susan Jones and Lynsey Haught.

MFH wants to take this opportunity to thank the thousands who interceded before the Throne of Grace for these meetings. The power of God was at work in ways that could not be seen. “While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” (II Corinthians 4:18)

The work of the Holy Spirit continues daily. Since the quake, Hosanna Ministries has seen the salvation of over 325 souls. Their church building and yard cannot even accommodate these in a Sunday worship service.  Likewise, the follow-up on all these converts is becoming very difficult. In short and above everything else, we covet your prayers for Pastor D and the over all ministry!!

In grateful praise and thanks to God,

Tom and Sarah Bennett

    For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which ye have showed toward His name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.” Hebrews 6:10

February 13, 2010

I have received more reports since I wrote last evening and want to share excerpts for our rejoicing and intercession.  I'm afraid the U.S. media is missing the significance of what is going on in Haiti right now, one month after the earthquake.  It's unprecedented and truly amazing.

Excerpt from the YWAM leader who ministers in St. Marc, Haiti

"We feel strongly to call the nations to pray and intercede for Haiti during these 3 days of prayer, repentance, and fasting that started this morning. We feel it will be the deciding factor for Haiti’s future; will they choose repentance and God or go back to their old ways and not heed the call and the warnings. I would not like to think about what would happen if they did choose the latter… 

"Everything is closed today and people are all working their way to the park!! It is so full that you can no longer get in. All the roads around it are filled... They are worshipping and praying; pastors are leading them but...could not hear what they were saying as there are so many people there. They have set up a stage to the right of the pavilion and have a worship band there.

"... (at) the corner by the arena (is) where the witchdoctor lives. He was dragging all his voodoo stuff out; he had dug it up in this yard and collected it from around his house, and was dragging it with him to the park to get rid of it all! He was telling people who were watching that he was going to give it all up."

Excerpt from an American radio engineer who has visited Haiti many times:

"About 3 days ago the Haitian president announced that there would be 3 days of holiday from work for the purpose of fasting and prayer.  This is absolutely historic...could you ever have imagined such a pronouncement?  ...This morning I saw a young Haitian-American woman...crying because the Americans could not understand the incredible importance of this day...

"This was not 'a minute of silence for the deceased'... As I sit here this evening, I can hear the preaching coming from a nearby church.  Services have been going on all day...   As we left the guest house about 7:30 am,  we were met by throngs of well dressed people headed to various churches.  The sounds of Christian music and worship filled the air everywhere.  The next observation was that there was NO traffic. Port-au-Prince streets are always clogged and overflowing with bumper to bumper traffic.  This morning there were only a few vehicles on the roads, a few small buses (tap taps),  some UN and military vehicles, and a few private cars.  We had clear sailing through town.  The same was true of foot traffic.  Usually the streets are clogged also with people walking.  Today there were only a few and many of them dressed for church.  The only place that there were traffic blocks was in front of several churches where the congregations had overflowed the buildings, and the yards and had moved out into the streets as well.

"The next observation was that EVERYTHING was closed!  We could not find even one business or gas station open.  There were no intercity buses running.  Whereas the sidewalks are usually overflowing with millions of street venders, we only saw a few here and there.  The huge outdoor market near the wharf where thousands work each day and spread out to cover most of the street, was EMPTY.

"Where were all the people?  They were in churches and makeshift meeting sites.  Every church (except a JW church) had services going on, almost always overflowing into the streets.  Beside broken down churches, services were taking place outside.  In homeless camps, there were services.  Everywhere the nation was gathered to worship and pray...  This scene was repeated in every town and hamlet that we passed through.

"...What has been happening and is continuing to happen in Haiti did not happen because of the earthquake.  It has been happening because the Haitian people know how to pray.  This is a tremendous outpouring of God's power as the result of prayer. 

"...While a nation that has long been under Satan's domination is turning to God with total commitment, our nation, founded on Godly values has rejected God and rapidly trying to forget that his name even exists.  Let us pray for revival."

What a challenge!

Marilyn

February 12, 2010

Can you believe it??!!

The government of Haiti has canceled all Mardi Gras celebrations AND called for Prayer and Fasting February 12-14!  That’s this weekend !  Let’s join in as Haitians seek God’s face in repentance.  Truly, this is a New Day in Haiti.

It seems there is a widespread conviction that Haiti’s deep involvement with the demonic and its worship of “other gods” is responsible for the catastrophic earthquake of Jan. 12 which destroyed much of the nation’s capital city and caused the loss of untold thousands of lives.

Whatever our thoughts, it is certain that God is using the disaster to bring about His purposes.  One church near the OMS compound has been holding nightly prayer services and the place is packed!  I suspect we would find many such services throughout Haiti these days.

A steady stream of medical teams has been ministering under tents to bring relief to the hurting in a rural area near the OMS hospitality center in Port-au-Prince.   Emmaus seminary students, on “vacation” since the earthquake, have also set up a tent.  Aptly dubbed the “Tabernacle”, it is a holy place where students talk to each patient, listen to the sad stories, offer comfort and share Jesus as the only answer to every person’s need.  Hundreds of people have found new life as a result.  And the students say they will never be the same, either.  Pray for these new converts that they may find the nurture they need to grow spiritually.  Pray that an evangelical church may be planted in the area.

Emmaus Biblical Seminary hopes to resume classes Feb. 17.  In addition to the present 35 students, the seminary has extended an invitation to seminary students in Port-au-Prince whose facilities were destroyed to finish the school year at Emmaus—at no cost!  What a wonderful way to inaugurate the new Emmaus campus.

February 8, 2010

Dear Prayer Partners, (written on Friday 2/5)
Hello from snowy Indianapolis. We are supposed to get 5-7 inches today and tonight and it looks like it will happen.
The last couple weeks since the earthquake in Haiti have had us running here in the office to get medical teams to Haiti. It has been challenging and rewarding to get all the details pulled together. As I
would worry about how we would pull this off, I would pray----Ok Lord, these are your teams and only with your help can it all come together.
Bill (Evans) did a great job of sharing about he last couple weeks and what has gone on so I copied part of his update into mine. I always tell him writes better than me anyway so will let him tell you about whats gone on.
We sent our first medical team (11 people) into Haiti on January 23. That team went to an area near Port Au Prince where it was expected they would have various types of surgeries and other"major" medical procedures to complete. What they found instead was that by the time they got their the "major" needs had either been met, or were no longer necessary. What they experienced at the end of their week of "roughing it" was that they had seen more than 2000 patients and helped many people to have some sense of "normalcy" in their lives after having everything turned upside down.
Another blessing that related to this team was that our OMS Seminary was closed for the month of mourning that was decreed in Haiti. The students went to Port with this team and did evangelism. And Glory to God, they saw about 275 people make first-time decisions for Christ. Only eternity will tell what strong positive impact this team had in their brief stay.
We sent in another team (14 people) on January 30. Before they even got to Haiti they were a blessing. I got a message from the private airline we use in Fort Lauderdale that told how our medical team was able to minister to the owner of the airline who had a bothersome sty on his eye. One of our docs performed minor surgery, and even set up an appointment to revisit her work when she returns from Haiti on Feb. 13.
We sent in yet another team (9 people) on February 3. They are also going to the Port Au Prince area. We have another team of 19 going into the Dominican Republic today and then Haiti today to also minister in Port.
Lastly, we have a team of 10 leaving for Cap Haitian next Tuesday. As of right now we have hit the PAUSE button on medical teams until the field can evaluate the needs and how we should respond to them.
So, please pray for the team coming out tomorrow. An email from one of their wives this week, said that they had been operating from 6 am in the morning until midnight. She described it as a sad but productive time and wondered how we get more people in to help. Also, pray for the teams that went in Wed. and today and for the group next Tuesday that they will be the hands and feet of Jesus.
Thanks so much, we covet your prayers.
Kent Eller
MFMI National Director
941 Fry Road
Greenwood IN 46142
Office--(317) 881-6752

February 5, 2010

Since the evening of Jan. 12, life for those living in Haiti has drastically changed. The 7.0 earthquake that rocked the capital city of Port-au-Prince and the surrounding areas caused more than 150,000 deaths. Hundreds of thousands are now homeless and without food or water. It has been a heart-wrenching time for many as loved ones’ bodies have been inhumanely dumped into common graves out of sheer necessity.

In the midst of this indescribable devastation, thousands of relief workers from many countries have poured into Haiti to bring hope to those who are unable to help themselves. Our One Mission Society team, based in Cap Haitien, (approximately 150 miles north of Port-au-Prince) has joined many other mission organizations to show Christ’s love by taking food, water and supplies to the needy. Our missionaries in Haiti have transported several large trucks filled with rice, beans, sugar, water and cooking oil, along with needed medical supplies. A trip from Cap to Port takes seven hours one way due to the poor road conditions, yet our team on the ground continues to send truckloads of supplies several times a week.

We have a medical clinic set up near Port. OMS has sent several medical teams to treat the wounded survivors. To date, more than 2,000 patients have been treated and of those, nearly 300 have made decisions for Christ (many Haitian Christians, including six of our seminary students and staff, have come alongside the workers to share the Good News with each patient). Please pray for these medical personnel as they minister to these hurting people.

OMS also has a permanent medical clinic in the north in Cap Haitien. We are seeing our patient load increase daily because of displaced survivors from Port that are fleeing to Cap, Haiti’s second largest city and a major center of ministry for OMS. This migration has created a food problem in the north, so we are now providing food through our Emmaus churches (the denomination that OMS works with in Haiti) to feed thousands of people.

Our field missionaries are assessing the current situation to determine what One Mission Society’s next best step should be. We continue to assist, as able, with immediate needs, but we want to plan for the long-term. OMS has served in Haiti for more than 50 years. We loved the Haitian people long before the earthquake, and we will continue to love them long after the media pulls its cameras from the scene. Join us as we join God in reaching Haiti for Christ. We are expectant about what God will do. Positive things are already beginning to happen. One OMS missionary says, “The people here are calm, and you do not hear Voodoo drums at night--just praise and worship. Haiti is changing. God is working and is faithful.”

Later this month, we will begin sending in trained trauma and grief counselors. Prayer is vitally needed. Pray for all those who are working in these heartbreaking conditions, assisting those who survived. Pray for the scores of people who have been left without family, home or food. Pray earnestly that God will continue to enable the many Christians in the country to show the love of Christ and lead people to faith in Christ, which will give them hope for the future. We will also be monitoring the emotional, mental and spiritual needs of our OMS team. It is almost impossible to describe what they are facing daily.

Many have asked about our Starfish Kids child sponsorship program. Here is an update from our coordinators in Cap Haitien: “All of the Starfish kids and schools are located in the north (Cap Haitien area), and we were unaffected by the earthquake. All schools in Haiti have responded to a government request and closed on January 13 until a time to be determined by officials. Pastor M. continues to oversee the day-to-day operations of Starfish but because the schools are closed, it has been very quiet. We want to assure all sponsors that all of the children are well.”

Our radio station in Cap, Radio 4VEH continues to be used of God to bring hope and comfort to the many listeners who have depended upon this station for up to 50 years as their main source of news and Christian programming. The station is fulfilling a vital ministry at this time. It has been broadcasting in Port daily from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m., in addition to its schedule in Cap. Please pray with us that God will supply the additional funds to buy the fuel needed to keep the station on the air for these additional hours.

In addition to your prayer support, we continue to need your financial assistance. We are using the money to buy much-needed food and medical supplies. As God directs you, would you send a generous gift to OMS today to enable us to continue helping in Haiti.  You can give online or you can mail your check to: One Mission Society, P.O. Box 1648, Monument, CO 80132. Please mark your gift for project #405120.

NOTICE:  People giving donations for Haiti relief between Jan. 12 and March 1, 2010, may be able to claim it as a deduction on their 2009 tax returns. Check with your local tax authorities.

Thank you for your faithful prayers and generous gifts. To date, more than $150,000 has been donated for Haiti relief efforts. We will keep you updated here as new information becomes available.

February 3, 2010

Dear Family and Friends,

First of all, we want to thank you so much for the assurance of your prayers while Dave is in Haiti.  Yes, he is still there, and although email contact is intermittent, I can share the following:

• One day after arriving in Haiti, Dave drove to Port-au-Prince (7 grueling hours) with Dr. Gavin to search out a site to set up a medical clinic.  They found a community of about 1000 families located on the mountain above the OMS’ hospitality center, where the majority are living in bed-sheet tent homes.  The next day a medical team of 11 arrived, which treated 1220 people the first week.  Of those, 198 gave their hearts to Christ and many more rededicated their lives to Him.   More OMS medical teams will be going in each week.
• Emmaus seminary students, who were sent home after just three days of class in their newly-dedicated facilities, have been working among the patients to encourage and evangelize.   I believe seminary classes will resume soon.
• The OMS team in the north of Haiti continues to mobilize relief supplies and transport them to Port-au-Prince, with a truck going every couple of days.  They buy live chickens to hang from the sides so the trucks will resemble all the others on the road and not stick out as a target.
• Over a million people have left Port-au-Prince, with thousands pouring into northern Haiti.  Arriving pretty much destitute, family and friends are forced to house and feed them, an additional burden on an already-strained budget.  OMS is channeling food through Emmaus churches to help these families.
• Dave spent a few days working on generators for Radio 4VEH and the OMS compound, as well as passing along information and pointers to Bud Dennington, a new missionary involved in maintenance for the OMS ministries.
• Yesterday Dave and members of the Emmaus Church committee traveled to Port-au-Prince to meet with the pastor of the large Emmaus church which collapsed in the earthquake to discuss plans for the future.   Can you imagine how many such planning sessions are being held these days?

Keep on praying for Dave and the OMS team in Haiti, as well as the entire nation which has been affected by the earthquake.  In spite of the overwhelming heartache, God is doing some amazing things, bringing “beauty from ashes.”  I’ll try to share a few things I’ve heard in the next day or so. 

Marilyn

You might like to check out this blog for some great photos and commentary by an OMS missionary in Haiti: 

                                                                      mshaiti.blogspot.com

January 29,2010

JC,Friends and Family,
 
   I am sure you are checking the website.  [ http://www.Missionaryflights.org ]www.Missionaryflights.org  We have transported 350 tons to Haiti using many aircraft including DC-3, C-130, DC-4, DC-6, 767, 747 and cruise ships.  We have about 150,000 pounds left in the hangar waiting for the next flights and more relief supplies are flowing in every day.  The Hendricks and Gibbs motor sport people are helping us haul passengers with their 45 passenger aircraft.  We have flown nearly 1400 passengers so far.  Wish you all could just see what is happening here.  It is truly amazing.  We have about 100 volunteers a day showing up to make everything happen.  Everyone is doing "their thing" and it is working out as if it was all orchestrated.  I think it was...by GOD.  Yesterday there was a meeting of the major players at the airport in PAP.  The Haitian authorities, the US authorities, the US military and the MFI and MAF reps were all present.  All of the government organizations commented that MFI/MAF were the example on how things should be done in assisting Haiti with logistics. We have a great team serving Haiti that God has pulled together.
 
    Thank you all for your prayers and your donations.  It cost MFI $65,000 to send a C-130 to Haiti with supplies.  We have done that twice.  It cost $28,000 to send a DC-4/DC-6.  We have done that four times. We have sent numerous DC-3 loads.  That cost about $10,000 each flight. The 160,000 pounds we sent with the military did not cost MFI. A few other flights we donated as well.  Thanks to our very generous donors, we are able to pay the bills.
 
Dick and Linda Snook

Reporting Till HE Comes,

Jason Campbell
Creative Producer
One Mission Kids
One Mission Society
317.888.3333 ext. 330

"God had only one Son, and He made that Son a missionary." David Livingstone

January 29, 2010

January,28 2010

Out of the Ashes

Souls won for Christ

Since the evening of Jan. 12, life for those living in Haiti has drastically changed. The 7.0 earthquake that rocked the capital city of Port-au-Prince and the surrounding areas caused more than 150,000 deaths. Hundreds of thousands are now homeless and without food or water. It has been a heart-wrenching time for many as loved ones’ bodies have been inhumanely dumped into common graves out of sheer necessity.

In the midst of this indescribable devastation, thousands of relief workers from many countries have poured into Haiti to bring hope to those who are unable to help themselves. Our One Mission Society team, based in Cap Haitien, (approximately 150 miles north of Port-au-Prince) has joined many other mission organizations to show Christ’s love by taking food, water and supplies to the needy. Our missionaries in Haiti have transported several large trucks filled with rice, beans, sugar, water and cooking oil, along with needed medical supplies. A trip from Cap to Port takes seven hours one way due to the poor road conditions, yet they continue to send truckloads of supplies almost daily.

We have a medical clinic set up near Port. OMS sent in a medical team of 11 on Saturday, Jan. 23. During the first day, they treated 256 people, and 20 people accepted Jesus (many Haitian Christians, including six our seminary students and staff, have come alongside the workers to share the Good News). In day 2, the medical team treated 311 people, with 11 conversions. The team is staying in the OMS guest house, known as “The Villa.” We have several more medical teams planning one-week to 10-day trips in the coming weeks. These include: 14 leaving on January 30, 9 leaving on Feb. 3 and 9 leaving on Feb. 9. We have not scheduled more trips beyond this as we are waiting to hear what the field requires. Please pray for these medical personnel as they minister to these hurting people.

OMS also has a medical clinic in the north in Cap Haitien. We are seeing our patient load increase daily because of displaced survivors from Port that are fleeing to Cap, Haiti’s second largest city and a major center of ministry for OMS. This migration has created a food problem in the north, so we are now providing food through our Emmaus churches (the denomination that OMS works with in Haiti) to feed thousands of people.

In February, we will begin sending in trained trauma and grief counselors. Prayer is vitally needed. Pray for all those who are working in these heartbreaking conditions, assisting those who survived. Pray for the scores of people who have been left without family, home or food. Pray earnestly that God will continue to enable the many Christians in the country to show the love of Christ and lead people to faith in Christ, which will give them hope for the future. We will also be monitoring the emotional, mental and spiritual needs of our OMS team. It is almost impossible to describe what they are facing daily.

Our radio station in Cap, Radio 4VEH continues to be used of God to bring hope and comfort to the many listeners who have depended upon this station for up to 50 years as their main source of news and Christian programming. The station is fulfilling a vital ministry at this time. It has been broadcasting in Port daily from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m., in addition to its schedule in Cap. Please pray with us that God will supply the additional funds to buy the fuel needed to keep the station on the air for these additional hours.

In addition to your prayer support, we continue to need your financial assistance. We are using the money to buy much-needed food and medical supplies. As God directs you, would you send a generous gift to OMS today to enable us to continue helping in Haiti.  You can give online or you can mail your check to: One Mission Society, P.O. Box 1648, Monument, CO 80132. Please mark your gift for project #405120.

NOTICE:  People giving donations for Haiti relief between Jan. 12 and March 1, 2010, may be able to claim it as a deduction on their 2009 tax returns.

Thank you for your faithful prayers and generous gifts. To date, more than $85,000 has been given for Haiti relief efforts. We will keep you updated here as new information becomes available.

January 28, 2010

Latest Update from Mary Lou Wunker in Haiti

UPDATE FROM MARY LOU WUNKER   -    January 26  2010

Russ Wunker, Mary Lou’s brother, recently had a call from Mary Lou. She is well, and heavily involved in the ongoing ministry and relief efforts in Cap Haitien. Here is an update on some of the many activities.

  • Thousands of displaced survivors are moving into the north – where OMS

    has its major center of ministry. (Cap Hatien is the second largest

    city in Haiti and it has an airport.)

  •  OMS is bringing medical teams into the country for 1 or 2 week

    sessions. They will fly into the north and proceed to the South or

    where most needed.

  •  Dr. Gavin McClintock and his (nurse) wife have arrived from Ireland

    (He served at the OMS clinic from 2005 to 2008)

  •  OMS Cap Haitien has accommodated some transient relief workers over

    night who fly into the north and then move to other areas. They also

    have provided accommodation for some that traveled to the north to

    leave the country.

  •  Haitien government officials are expediting the shipment of supplies

    and things are now going through Customs with little delay and duty

    free.

  •  Money is needed to purchase supplies – food and medicine.

  •  Two OMS trucks – plus Mary Lou’s pickup are used to move relief

    supplies to Port. So far one trip (2 trucks) has been made to the

    Dominican Republic to purchase supplies. (Rice and beans are the

    staple food stuffs). More will be planned if items are not readily

    available in Haiti.

  •  One truck and driver have been loaned to Samaritans Purse. OMS is

    working with many other NGO’s and Mission organizations.

  •  Mary Lou is helping to co-ordinate trucks and Haitien drivers, track

    what’s going where, purchase supplies, facilitate money exchange, etc.

    (At first Banks were not open, now they are open, but amounts of cash

    that can be processed in a single business day are limited, so other

    avenues are also being used).

  •  Distribution of supplies is being done through known Pastors and

    Churches to ensure best utilization. OMS is also working with the

    Mayor and others in the north that are coordinating relief efforts for

    those coming from Port.

  •  As an example, on Saturday food for 300 persons was given out to 4

    local pastors. On Monday, food for an additional 700 was given to be

    distributed to those that five other churches are caring for.

  •  Shipments go from OMS in the north to the capital several times a

    week.

  •  The distance is about 150 miles but a trip can take over 7 hours.

    (Efforts are underway to widen and repair the road which goes over a

    mountain range.)

  •  Security is generally not an issue – though they avoid arriving in

    the capital after dark.  •      • Some sections of the capital are

    worse than others – but generally little disruption and at night you

    can hear the survivors singing and praying.  •   

 Distribution in Port au Prince is in the community surrounding the OMS Villa as they know the area and the people – and no other organization is working there.

January 26, 2010

Sowing in tears reaping in joy…

Dear Friends of Haiti, 

Jan 12, 2010 was the end of life for countless numbers in Haiti; however it marked the beginning of a new life in Christ for millions of others.  No one ever dreamed that a tragic earth quake like this would hit Haiti, but God who orders the steps of man and counts every second of life, was still fully in control.

Many of the EBM mission stations have been damaged; some worse then others. Much of the damage still needs to be assessed.  Thankfully, I have not received any reports of deaths of any of our national staff but several of our church people who were in Port-au-Prince at the time were either hurt or killed. 

I appreciate the many prayers and donations given to enable me to offer assistances to many.  At the time of the quake, I was in Indiana, but I am heading back into Haiti on Feb. 4th. I would like to encourage you to keep praying and giving as God leads you. 

Many wonder why, something so tragic would be allowed by God?  We see it as tragic, but I believe the Lord is using this pain and loss as a wake up call to a nation that has called on the powers of Satan for over 200 years.  Even in the midst of the fear and pain, in the nights following the earth quake, I was able to make phone contact with several in Port-au-Prince and Jacmel the two hardest hit towns.  When I called Haiti even at 2 or 3 am, my friends would answer the phone and I could hear many all around them singing hymns, praying, calling out to God for forgiveness of sin, and praising Him for sparing their life.

Yes,  God is doing a wonderful work in Haiti, and the ministry doors are opening up much wider then I ever dreamed possible.  On my visit to Haiti, I will be making contact with several pastors and church leaders to see how we can organize a nation wide campaign of evangelism to the hurting of Haiti. We must act now while the harvest is ripe.   We have been sowing in tears, but soon I believe we will be reaping in joy.    

I believe that together can make an impact; through prayer, giving and ministering to the physical and spiritual side of the hurting and weeping Nation of Haiti.  The school, church and kid’s nutritional program have been suffering for lack of funding. As long as there is life there is hope. Lives are being changed and God is blessings.  I know I cannot do it alone.  We must work together and keep touching lives for Christ. 

When I return I will give you a more detailed report of the mission activities and how the earthquake has affected the mission and ministries in Haiti.  Thank you for giving, praying and offering hope and love that only comes from Jesus.

A pastor friend in sent me this prayer offered for Haiti. Would you join me in praying for Haiti.

Lord, I just want to say THANK YOU,
Because this morning  I woke up and knew where my children were.

Because this morning my home was still standing,
Because this morning  I am not crying
Because my spouse, my child, my brother or sister, my parent does not need  to be buried
or to be pulled out from underneath a pile of concrete,
Because this morning I was able to drink a glass of water,
Because this morning I was able to turn on the light,
Because this morning I was able to take a shower,
Because this morning I was not planning a funeral,

But most of all I thank  you this morning because I still have life and a voice to cry out for the people of Haiti .
Lord I cry out to you, the One that makes the impossible, possible,
The One that turns darkness in to light,
I cry out that You give those mothers strength,


That  You give them peace that surpasses all understanding,
That  You may open the streets so that help can come,
That You may provide doctors, nurses, food, water, and all that they need in a blink of an eye.


For all those that have lost family members, give them peace, give them hope, give them courage to continue to go on!
Protect the children and shield them with your power.
I pray all this in the name of Jesus!!!

Thank you for your prayers,

David Bustin

January 22, 2010

Hendrick crew transport precious cargo from Haiti
Two aircraft, flight crews donated to help nonprofit group

Time was running out, dark was approaching and wheels had to be up by 5:30
p.m. Inside the plane parked on the tarmac, Dave Dudley is texting his
boss back in the United States. Don't worry we're en route, explains the
veteran pilot and director of aviation for Hendrick Motorsports.
Finally, with less than five minutes to spare, a van arrives.
"I just said, 'Look board them and let's go, crank the engine. I will
deal with customs at Fort Pierce," Dudley said. "Honestly I
think all of us were willing to risk our pilot's license to get them home."
The van doors opened and out climbed 26 Haitian orphans all displaced from
last week's earthquake that killed thousands in their Caribbean country.
Exhausted and visibly distressed, the children -- some as young as six
months old -- filed into the plane. It was the same plane used to
transport NASCAR team owner Rick Hendrick's drivers and crew members to
and from the races during the regular season. Now it was a ride home for
26 tired and scared children.
Doing his part to aid in the relief efforts in Haiti, Hendrick has
provided two 45-passenger Saab 2000 aircraft and two flight crews with
additional support staff to help a nonprofit group, Missionary Flights
International, conduct support missions into and out of Port-au-Prince,
Haiti.
Most of the operations involve transporting U.S. citizens trapped in Haiti
who were there conducting mission work before the earthquake struck.
Navigating through bureaucratic red tape required in time to transport
Haitian orphans to the states was not something Dudley thought was
possible.
So once he saw the children within his reach, some wearing no shoes and
fearful of the plane, Dudley became overwhelmed with emotion.
"It was surreal. The children were traumatized and scared. It was
extremely quiet at first, but within 45 minutes they were laughing and all
over the place," said Dudley, who rode in the plane's jump seat.
Starved for human affection, Dudley said he had children climbing on his
lap, putting their tiny hands on his legs and just wanting to be held.
"They were the sweetest kids you would ever want to meet in your
life. They were running down the aisles, drawing pictures and they had
never been on a plane before."
Picking up the precious cargo was just the beginning for Dudley and his
Hendrick Motorsports crew. Delivering them to U.S. families waiting at
customs in Fort Pierce to take them home was the true joy.
"These families might have had to wait years for the adoption
process, but because of the circumstance they were able to take them
home," Dudley said.
Hendrick Motorsports has yet to determine how long they will continue the
missions but when NASCAR.COM spoke with Dudley on Tuesday night he was
scheduled to pick up a dozen more orphans Wednesday.
"I can easily tell you that after flying for 37 years, this was by
far the most awesome experience I've had as an aviator," he said.
"The best flight of my career. There is nothing that will come close.
I mean I got to hold those babies."
Typically, January is a month of rest and recuperation for Hendrick
Motorsport's aviation department. Flight mechanics, pilots and flight
attendants work a rigorous schedule during NASCAR's regular season that
starts in February and doesn't end until November.
Nevertheless, when the boss said he wanted to help the victims in Haiti
his employees lined up to help, volunteering their personal time and
personal safety.
In addition to Dudley, five captain-level pilots, one operations manager,
a mechanic and two flight attendants are a part of the Hendrick missions
staying in Fort Pierce until further notice.
Marshall Carlson, general manager for Hendrick Motorsports, said the
amount of support from the employees and team sponsors is amazing.
"So many folks stepped forward," Carlson said. "Rick said
yesterday if everybody waited for someone else to help they'd never get
any help, so we reach out when we can."
And because of Hendrick's generosity, members of the NASCAR family are
benefiting as well.
Driver Mike Wallace's family who supports a children's medical clinic in
Haiti received support from physicians flown in on the Hendrick plane.
Emily Woodward who works in NASCAR's Charlotte, N.C. office was able to
turn to Hendrick's mission flights when her family needed help shipping
the body of a deceased family friend back to the United States.
"We were struggling to get his body home to North Carolina and heard
about the Hendrick planes. They were the conduit, the one missing piece
that was able to gain closure for the family," Woodward said.
Hendrick sponsors are stepping up to the plate as well.
To date, team sponsors have donated $3.8 million to relief efforts in
Haiti.
Meanwhile, back in Fort Pierce, Dudley can't help but think about the
orphans on the plane; the impression they left with him. He also thinks
about his boss, Mr. Hendrick, who lost his son in a team plane crash five
years ago.
"I know this one is tugging at his heart," Dudley said.
"You can't help but wonder if this is the earth moving in a good way,
something is happening for us and it's bringing orphans home to loving
families."

January 22, 2010

Below is an update from Maury Graham who is still in Haiti helping to coordinate the efforts of getting medical teams in place.

Dear Friends and Family:

Well, I'm well into my second week here. We have teams scheduled in for the next four weeks. Most of them are coming on Saturday and staying through the following Saturday. About one-third are coming for a two-week period. The logistics are mind-boggling. Most teams will fly into Cap because of difficulty of getting flights into Port-au-Prince. So we will be transporting them, as well as medical and logistical supplies, each week as they arrive, and then back to Cap for departure. It is a six or seven-hour trip each way, though only about 100 miles.

One of our team met a man by accident who flew into Cap a couple of days ago. He had road building equipment that landed at Port, but he could not land, so came here. His assignment is to widen and re-build the road between here and Port, for safer, faster transport. He reports directly to Bill Clinton. He went to Port with our truck yesterday morning.

We have supply trucks that go about every other day, with fuel, food, fresh water, and/or medical supplies, in addition to those bringing medical teams.

With the influx of refugees from Port, the stress continues to escalate here. We work directly with local churches, who are doing their best to meet the needs, spiritual as well as physical. Part of the money coming to OMS for Haiti Relief Project #405120, goes to them to help meet those needs. That need will increase exponentially as the influx escalates.

OMS is putting together a container for needed supplies to be shipped here, which will include lumber, steel, clothing, fuel, tools such as hammers, sledge hammers, saws etc.; roofing nails, 3/4" plywood, bicycles, Creole Bibles, etc.  But the best way to help is to send money so that needed items can be purchased locally to avoid shipping costs.

Keep us in your prayers! We're counting on you!

God bless!

Maury Graham

MFM Cabinet Member

January 21, 2010

Please continue to pray for the needy people of Haiti.

As you know, a 7.0 earthquake struck the capital city of Port-au-Prince on January 12, causing devastation and destruction throughout the area. Many thousands have lost their lives, others continue to need emergency medical attention and much of the city is in shambles.

A second earthquake of 6.0 hit outside the capital on January 19 and it, too, was felt in the Cap Haitian area, where the main OMS ministry center in Haiti is located 80 miles north of Port-au-Prince. We have received news from our team in Cap Haitian that, although shaken, no one on our team was harmed. 

OMS has two ministry centers in Port-au-Prince: a church belonging to the OMS-related Fellowship of Emmaus Churches and a guest house known as “The Villa.” The largest church building of the Emmaus Churches was completely destroyed. The Villa’s outside wall was destroyed, but we are so grateful that all the personnel is safe.

OMS has been ministering in Haiti for more than 50 years, and this is the worst disaster our missionaries have faced. They have begun helping, and as of January 19, they had already delivered two large truckloads of supplies to Port-au Prince with more planned for the near future. OMS is networking on the ground with Samaritan’s Purse; the Church of God, Findlay, Ohio; Christian Service International, Muncie, Indiana; Mission Possible, Findlay, Ohio; and an Adventist group next to the villa in Port.

We have established a disaster relief task force at the headquarters in Greenwood, Indiana, to assist the field in getting help to the Haitians. Our missionary team reports that things change so quickly it is difficult to make concrete decision, so some decisions must be made on a day-to-day basis.

Many have asked how to help.

Our Men for Missions team has coordinated our first trip and will be sending in a medical team of 10 on Saturday, Jan. 23. They plan to continue sending medical teams in each week for the foreseeable future. If you are a medical professional, please contact Bill Evans to arrange getting to Haiti to help, if possible.

We plan to send other teams in the future to help, perhaps in a month or two, but currently, we are only sending in medical teams.

In addition, we soon hope to mobilize our Every Community for Christ evangelism and church-planting teams to minister to the holistic needs of the people of Haiti. They will partner directly with our churches.

Right now, our top priority is to get emergency supplies to those who most need them. Because of this, we are not taking donations of material goods. This may happen at a later date. Our current major need is for cash donations to purchase these supplies.

Also, please do not take the need for prayer lightly. Prayer is desperately needed for our missionary team who is facing some very difficult days for many months to come. Our team there includes:

Matt and Stacey Ayars, Brett and Angie Bundy (field leader), Bud and Jane Dennington, Maury Graham, John and Rachelle Hubele, Joetta Lehman, Gavin and Julie McClintock, Storly Michel, Jerry Poff, Pam Simpson, Erica Thompson, Mary Lou Wunker and Kate Zlotnicki.

We are also blessed to have two of our veteran missionaries return to assist our team there. David Shaferly, who spent more than 40 years there, arrived on January 21, and David Graffenberger, who spent over 30 years there, will arrive on Feb.9. Both of these men know Haiti well and are fluent in the language. They will be a great help to our team. We ask you to pray for spiritual, emotional and mental strength for our entire team as they face many challenging circumstances.

We also ask that you pray for the nation of Haiti. Pray that God would use this tragedy for His good and His glory to bring people to Himself. Pray for those who still need medical attention. Pray for those who have lost family members and friends. Pray for the national Christians that are working tirelessly to serve their countrymen. Those in Cap Haitien are beginning to help hundreds of people migrating from Port-au-Prince.

We also need your continued financial help. Right now, the money raised is being used to purchase food, water and medical supplies. Additional funds are also needed for fuel to keep Radio 4VEH on the air, which is ministering to thousands and thousands of troubled Haitians, giving them hope and comfort in the midst of tragedy.

To date, OMS has raised more than $22,000 for Haiti relief. Be assured that your money is being used with integrity.

We'll keep you informed as information becomes available. Donations can be sent for project #405120 - Haiti Relief Fund.

January 20,2010

Dear Friends,                                                                                                               
It’s another early morning flight. More than 140,000 pounds of emergency aid have already been sent to Haiti. The airplanes sit outside the hangar to make more room for the several hundred thousand pounds of cargo ready to go to Haiti.

A heavy fog hangs over the airport reducing visibility. This will delay the five planes from taking off on time. The 100 passengers which include doctors, nurses, construction workers and missionaries will have to wait a little longer before boarding the planes.

As the first traces of sunlight illuminate the horizon, the planes glisten with heavy dew. Finally, the fog lifts and the planes take off 1 by 1, each loaded with people and relief supplies. Normally, things are quiet at the airport after the planes take flight, but that is no longer the case.  Ten to thirty volunteers arrive to help sort, weigh, load and answer phones. People are driving in to drop off 1, 2, 3 or more boxes. A U-haul pulls in with 2,000 pounds of medical supplies. An empty semi truck arrives, ready to carry 30,000 pounds to Opa Locka, Florida where a DC4 is chartered by MFI to help carry the cargo. We load a flat bed truck with another 16,000 pounds. Boxes are toted, planes are loaded, flight schedules are changed and it’s only lunchtime.  Today will be another long day that will carry on into the late night. The returning flights need to be met. Planes need to be refueled, serviced and reloaded for tomorrow’s flights.

(Sarah’s note) As I write this around 11pm tonight, Larry is still working at the airport.

Thank you for all of your prayers and e-mails of questions, concerns and support.  God is good.  These are trying days for all of us at MFI.  continue to

PRAY

For strength for all of MFI and volunteers as they put in long hours

Safety for all the planes and crews

$ for the fuel  and expenses

Most of all for the Haitians as they cope with this horror in their lives

Remember to check  [ http://www.missionaryflights.org ]www.missionaryflights.org for more info.

                                     Tools in His Hands,

                                           Larry & Sarah

Reporting Till HE Comes,

Jason Campbell
Creative Producer
One Mission Kids
One Mission Society
317.888.3333 ext. 330

"God had only one Son, and He made that Son a missionary." David Livingstone

January 19, 2010

Good Morning -

I cant get my blog to post....so I am sending out a quick email asking for prayer.

I have heard this morning that the two trucks that we sent to the DR are still working on getting supplies and that they will not be returning until tomorrow.  Brett is going ahead and heading down to Port now to get things set up for our Medical teams that are coming in.

Please pray for His trip, for the Lord's guidance in organizing, and for our trucks to return soon with the supplies!'

thanks,

angie Bundy

January 18, 2010

Dear All,

Brett Bundy and myself were both interviewed by Charles Morris of Haven Today about Haiti. Charles knows us from visiting Haiti in the past.

The program airs Tuesday on Moody Radio, in Indianapolis area on WGNR (97.9 FM) at 12pm and 2.30pm.

You can also listen to the program on Tuesday at www.haventoday.org or sign up in advance and get it emailed to your inbox. Pray that many who know us and many who don't yet know about our work will hear the program.

Thanks...Kate Michel

Kate Michel
Radio 4VEH
kmichel@radio4veh.org

January 18,2010

To view video of the Haiti situation go to: www.youtube.com/firesideint   This footage is provided by Luke Renner who lives with his family at the OMS compound  near Cap Haitian. 

January 18,2010

Latest News from OMS International in Haiti Dear friends, On the Weekend

Brett came back last week shell shocked from what he saw.  Our three storey OMS church in capital was just a pile of rubble, indistinguishable from other piles around it.

The Villa compound has cracks in walls from after shocks and the outside walls are down.  200 folks are camped out in the Villa yard with no food/water.  Samaritans Purse is on the ground in area and we are working to help them with transportation.  We plan to take our OMS truck with supplies and drugs on Sunday.  We have enough for 500 individuals.

Banks are still closed.  Gas Stations in the North shut.  Therefore we're planning on cutting generator use to conserve fuel.  Bus loads of folks are on way north out of Port.  We expect the shortage of supplies in the North will worsen.  Internet is off and on.  Cell phones are starting to get better.  Missionary Flights is getting into the country

Last night we decided to close the seminary until further notice.

 Students having trouble getting transportation and the president has

called for a month of national mourning.   We may move the Ayars and

myself back to the main compound to conserve generator use.

Today

The truck that took supplies to Port on Saturday got through OK and came back here yesterday (Sunday).  We haven't connected with Samaritans Purse yet, but we're still letting them know we have a truck available if they still need it.

Today we're sending 2 trucks to the Dominican to get relief supplies for Port (fuel, food, medical supplies, cash).  Also another missionary from Kids Alive is going with his truck.  We are working together.

Made contact yesterday with the parent of one of the families that I taught at Cowman School (the children are adults now).  Brett and I are

going to see them today to get money changed.   Also they import food, so

we can get stuff through them.

I am trying to keep Brett free to be the liaison with relief organizations and working with other missions.  Last night we had 25 or so here at the compound overnight.  These folks got out of Port and LaGonave (island near

Port) and Missionary Flights is to pick them up here in Cap this afternoon, after delivering relief supplies to Port.

Mary Lou

_________________________________________________________________________

January 18,2010

Latest from the Haiti Field:

Propane for cooking here is tighter than fuel.  Along the way, we made stops for supplies and contacts.  Praise God we "just happened" to pass by a parent of former Cowman School student.  They probably have the highest connections in Cap.  Monday, Mary Lou and Brett will go to his business and they will help us with food, money, etc.

Another mission near here is working to get UN clearance/papers to go to Dominican Republic (DR) for fuel and food.  Once that is obtained, we will send one truck for fuel and one for food and medical supplies.  (After this report, Joetta reported that on Monday, two trucks are going to the

DR:  one for grain and one for fuel). 

David Shaferly will be coming for a month or two to help Brett and probably working on generators. Dr Gavin is scheduled to arrive here Thursday, and then he will be networking with medical relief for us.

Storly Michel will also be coming in to help with special radio programming for Port. The guys who went to Port arrived back safely Sunday afternoon. We shut the generator off for a few hours this afternoon to conserve fuel.

We need orthopedic doctors, surgeons, especially anyone who speaks Creole.

 Please coordinate with MFM and we will coordinate where to send them in-country. (MFM contact info: (317) 881-6752;

keller@onemissionsociety.org)

We are networking with Samaritan's Purse (still trying to make contact), Trans World Radio, Churches of God, and the General Conference located in Pierre Payen.  We are trying to help the Nazarene Seminary in Port however we can. Our Port-au-Prince church is gone as is on other Emmaus church that we know of.  Many Emmaus parishioners have lost family members in Port.

Saturday we sent a truck full of food and construction supplies to the Villa.  We want to get a wall structure up for security.  We are trying to rent a truck to send more supplies and send supply of water to the Villa.

In about 2 weeks, Brett will probably return to Port and re-evaluate things.  The Emmaus President is contacting the pastor in Port to see how he prefers we help his congregation. We are expecting a group of 21-25 Sunday evening from World Hope who have been transported to La Gonave and will be flying out of Cap on Monday afternoon.  We will be providing meals and lodging for them.  So in addition to folks coming in we will also be sending out location as much as possible.

Thanks for praying!

Haiti Powerline News

___________________________________________________________________________________

Sunday Jan 17, 2010           5 pm

Dear Friends,    This is a saga about our recent Haiti trip for those interested.

                        For those who like the ending in the beginning. "We are home in Stow Ohio

                        and save and sound and praising the Lord for his providence."

MANY of you have left messages vial email, voicemail, and text messaging asking about us and the situation. THANK YOU FOR YOUR LOVE FOR US and YOUR CONCERN FOR THE BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE OF THE ISLAND OF HISPANOLA. (Haiti & Dominican Republic)

This note will serve to update you if you have not been already. It is just not possible for us to write or speak personnally to everyone that have tried to contact us and have left messages. We just returned to Akron last evening about 9 pm and after a short night's sleep have been about catching up on many issues. Vince has been communicating with folks who maybe able to go to Haiti to assist in disaster recovery.

To Review:

Vince went to Lanzac,Haiti from 12/26/09 - 1/2/10 with Mission Possible

                        http://www.ourmissionispossible.org/

as a part of a team that did construction, medical/dental, and Moringa Tree education planting. Vince was part of the medical and moringa teams at various points. For those of you interested, the Moringa tree is called the "Miracle Tree" and in Haiti is called "Doliv, Benzolive,  or Agaci). 

   http://www.treesforlife.org/our-work/our-initiatives/moringa

   http://www.moringainacan.com/files/John_Hopkins.pdf

On 1/9 - 1/16/10 Lee & I had the priviledge of joining a Mission Possible team lead by our daughter Julie again to Lanzac Haiti. Mission Possible has 6 schools and a number of churches. The purpose of this trip was to take photos of the 2,500 Mission Possible children for those with sponsors and hopes of getting many of the children sponsored who presently were in school but were not not sponsored.

 Also part of the team was a women's health team which presented education and demonstrations including young women's issues, pregnancy and delivery, newborn infant care, and nutrition. The Moringa Tree information was incorporated in the teaching with demonstration of preparing Moringa "powder".

As you all know on Tuesday 1/12/10 at about 4:15 EST there was a major earthquake in Haiti with the epicenter about 10 miles east of Port Au Prince. Lee & I were inside the married quarters on the Mission Possible Center. I was working at a table doing reports and Lee was sleeping in another room which was our bedroom. I heard a loud noise behind me outside that sounded like a automatic washing machine when it is in the spin cycle and off balance and moving across the floor. I look up and the walls and columns of the building we were in begin to sway and "ripple". To be honest I could not figure what was going on an did not react as I should have. I just sat there for about 20 seconds wondering what was going on. I looked outside. The Center in on the beach and it was a beautiful crystal clear day and the waves were gentlely hitting the shore as usually. I ran outside with others and called Lee out. We collectively decided it most have been an earthquake. Fortunately, we had satellite internet service and immediately we were able to get the information.

I want to make it clear in retrospect we were really not in harms way being 60 miles north of Port Au Prince in buildings build my mission teams to withstand hurricanes. However, immediately on the net there was issued a Tsunami watch for the western coast of Haiti which included us. Our Haitian and American leadership were not at the Center when the shock hit us but they arrived quickly and a plan to move to higher ground was put in place if they need arose. Fortunately, in a couple of hours the Tsunami watch was cancelled. We did fell a number of after shocks for a few hours.

We were schedule to leave Haiti on Saturday 1/16/10 from Port Au Prince and it became immediately evident that that route would not be an option. There were many many events that happened where we could see God's hand so clearly as it related to our team. If you are interested in those sorts of reports, I would be glad to share with you some time.

One was that we had major medical  and non medical supplies in store rooms at the Mission Center in no particular order and a MAJOR reorganization and inventory needed to be done with those supplies. But of course at the end of the day and that not being a part of our team's focus, it was on a "wish list" However, once the quake hit, all our plans changed and the team immediatled went through 5 rooms of medical and non medical supplies and put together "kits" that could be used in diaster relief. There was a physician and 3 nurses on the team and part of the pre trip preparations were preparing 300 birthing kits that included blankets, soap, diapers, etc. So God not only had the supplies, but personnel on our team that could decide what could be immediately used at the St Marc Hospital ( an hour north of us that were receiving causalities). 3 of our nurses  and our Haitian Director and others went  to St Marc after dark, Wednesay night with the supplies.

The Mission Possible leadership in the USA, Haiti, the Domincan Republic felt it necessary to for us to exit asap although many on our team wanted to stay and help. Arrangements were for us on Thursday to travel south to just  a few miles north of Port Au Prince and then go east to the DR border where we were met and then transported by DR Mission Possible staff to Barahona where MP has a large elemenary school located in a Batey.

One of the God experiences we had was that when we got to the Haiti/DR border, our daughter Julie looked out the window of the bus into the mass of folks crossing the border both ways and began to shout "let me out, let me out, Ruth, Ruth, Ruth !!" She finally got out of the bus and ran calling "Ruth!" and got Ruth's attention. The two hugged and cried. What most of us did not know was that Ruth was the wife of the MP Dominican Director.

Ruth had gone to Port Au Prince Tuesday, the morning of the quake to see her sister. Once the quake hit, cell service ended. Prayer immediately went out for Ruth and the Haiti people. As it turns out she nor her family in Haiti were injured. Without transportation, she worked her way back to the border by Tap Tap and motor bike and arrived there a short time before our arrival. No one knew she was coming and her husband and the MP staff were praying she was alive. Imagine her joy, the joy of the Dominican staff, and those on our team who knew here when she saw the MP bus there at the border, not knowing it was there to pick us up. Our daughter Julie knows Ruth very well and 2 years ago they were in Israel with their mates studying and touring the Holy Land. Ruth is a pediatrician.

Well, I could go on and on but wanted to give a report to those many who have been praying for us, wondering about us, love us, or knew nothing about it at all but who are friends who would want to know.

Thanks to you all.  There is a saying in Missionalogy: "some pray, some give, so go". At this point we were privileged to go. Many of you have prayed, given, and gone in the past. Many can not go or give, but pray. It is all a vital part of obeying the "Great Commission" that Jesus gave before returing to this Father.  " Go into all the world with the Gospel make disciples, for lo I am with you to the end of the age" Matthew 28:18-20

As you know there is a massive outpouring of relief geared to help the people of Haiti who again have suffered a major disaster. Many of you have read the book "Mountains Beyond Mountains" by Trace Kidder. If you have not I would highly recommend it if you are interested in the history and plight of the beautiful people of Haiti. There are mountains upon mountains in Haiti. The word for mountain in Creole is "Deyemon". So in Haiti you often hear " Deyemon beyond Deyemon ".  This means in this culture literally and figuratively, that once you climb this mountain, you find out that the next one "looms" in front of you. That has been the plight of the Haitian people for the last 200 years since the slaves revolted and ousted Napoleon. Tradition has it that they made a voodo pack with the devil to accomplish this. Haiti, the western part of the Island of Hispanola once was called the "Pearl of the Antille" when Columbus landed over 200 years ago. Many believe that grip and influence of Voodo has been the reason that Haiti continues to be the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere regardless of the years of outside support,  and hundreds of  in country missionaries, etc

Lee & I left Santo Domingo about 6:30 am yesterday and had an uneventful trip home to Akron. We were met by our son's Dave's family and signs and hugs "welcome home Grandad and Grammy. You can imagine our joy to be with family but our sorry when we reflect what we left and what is ahead for the country of Haiti to try to rebuild to where it was in Port Au Prince which was so minimal, a very big Deymon.

There are many legitimate ways to help financially and of course we have some near and dear to our hearts that we know of from personal experience. Would be glad to give you information if you desire.

Thanks

Vince ( for Vince & Lee)

___________________________________________________________________________________

January 17, 2010

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