| God's Work in Haiti |
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Good news again! We are finally able to cash checks. The exchange rate is way down which means that our purchasing power is down
too. But at least we can meet payroll for the orphanage staff and the school teachers. That is very important. So for those of you who
were asking if you should send us cash, we won't need it. But thanks so much for wanting to help!
Also last night Naudeline was baptized. We are so pleased with her. A few of the other outside kids want to get baptized too. We need
to go a bit slower on this because those kids haven't necessarily been raised Christian so I don't know what they know. But still, if they
want to follow Jesus, that is always a good thing!
Also, we still haven't gotten any of the new kids from PAP yet. We're waiting! However, the elderly mother of one of our church
members came by with her son yesterday. They showed me a radiograph that had been taken of her arm. It is broken in 2 or 3 places
and she has to walk around with it like that. We are helping her get the necessary medical treatment. She seems to be in a lot of pain.
January 26, 2010
Praise God! Two more kids were baptized last night, Lobe (Jean Wilson) and Artiste (Mackendy). I am so grateful that God is using this
horrible tragedy to bring his children to his Son.
More good news: Duchaine's parents just informed me that he is home with his new family in Ada, Oklahoma. I bet he is cold but
happy! I know we are! (well, not cold, but happy!).
As expected, we are starting to see people trickle in from Port au Prince needing help. So far, we have had 3 people come to us for aid:
- A 16 year old boy whose house collapsed on his mom, brother and sister, killing them all. He is staying with his aunt and needs
help with food, a bed, and school. School is not starting again until mid or late February - An elderly woman, mother of one of our church members, had her house collapse on her. She is not doing well although she can
walk. She has nothing, not even a bed. - We also helped a lady in the hospital at Milot this morning with medicine.
There will be more. Everyone is encouraged to shine their light and help God's people here in Haiti. Again I would ask that you please
prayerfully consider a donation to the Southwest Church of Christ in Ada to help these people affected by the earthquake. Most of the
money collected will go directly to Port au Prince, but some of it will be sent to us to help the refugees. Thanks so much!
January 24, 2010
What I wrote yesterday didn't get uploaded. We had a signal problem in Cap and it looks like we are having another one today. I'm not
sure when any of this will get uploaded.
Today was a great day though. 17 more were baptized into our Lord's church. Included were Ti Blan, Jovenal, and Jenny. Jenny of
course is one of the kids in the orphanage while Ti Blan and Jovenal are 2 kids that we have been working with through our outreach
program.
That means we have baptized 42 souls in the last 8 days. There are more on the horizon. Because of the great number, it's imperative
that we disciple these people the way Jesus and the apostles did. Please pray that we can do an effective job. Statistics tell us that in
the US at least, 1/3 of those baptized fall away. I can't accept that here and ask for your prayers and help so that God keeps all of his
souls.
January 23, 2010
Well, I tried posting the below blog a few hours ago and it wouldn't work. The signal at the cyber cafe was below poor and still is. This
is being uploaded now from the Mont Joli hotel. Ummm, no, it didn't get uploaded.
So what did I do in the interim? One of our younger church members, Wilgemps, who is 20 years old and homeless, met me at the cyber
cafe and we trudged up to a shelter of sorts where other homeless people stay and hang out. I saw families, blind people, babies and
the like. Just more heartbreak. But God didn't lead me up there to cry. I can do that another time. He brought me up there to serve.
So again, I ask for your help and support both in prayer and in finances.
Great news! Duchaine our beautiful 10 year old boy who was in the process of adoption was granted his visa yesterday and is going to
his new home in Ada, OK! God is so good. Amidst all this turmoil, devastation, suffering and death, some good has come out of it.
Prayers for his family and thanksgiving to God are most certainly in order.
More good news department: 9 more souls were baptized last night: Evelyne, Guerdine, Arrianne, Danica (Nanot the cook's daughter),
Merle, Ti Myrlande, Degol (lives across the street from us and is like a son to me), Emmanuel (Manno, Merle's brother), and Clauden.
Again through tragedy, God brings his people to him.
More good news (yes, I'm full of it this morning). Yesterday the UN visited us and asked if we could take any of the PAP orphans from
the earthquake. They agreed to help us with food, because I explained that our budget is just for the kids we have and we don't have
extra. Thus we agreed to take 20 kids from PAP and the UN lady told me to expect them late next week. I said 20 because that is the
amount of extra mattresses we have for visitors. However these kids will need help with clothes and medicine. So please prayerfully
consider a donation to the Southwest Church of Christ in Ada to help with our soon to be new additions. Pray also that God uses us to
lead these kids to Christ.
January 22, 2010
Dieulene arrived this morning! She looked great. She will be staying with us until February 18, when the schools re-open.
Also more good news. Emmanual (Manno) Dorestan will be baptized this afternoon. While this earthquake is indeed a tragedy, God is
using it to bring more people to Jesus.
We continue to pray for those impacted and help in any way we can. At this point, we still don't need anything, but please pray that I can
cash a check either Monday or Tuesday.
Note from Holly Eckhart, relief worker and dear friend who is in PAP:
yesterday we loaded daihatsu with powdered milk, rice, beans, water, oatmeal, baby food, tools, mosquito nets, tents, tarps, mats,
doctors, nurses, medical supplies, and a smuggled cache of diesel and gasoline. we drove behind it to make sure it made it into haiti.
border was completely open, and everything arrived at orphanages. thanks for your support.
got news of aftershock on way to border yesterday morning. the haitian immigration official said that everyone in port was in a panic. i
keep looking at the buildings i am in, wondering where the safest place would be. bought a tent to sleep in when i go back in. i know
that is being a baby but i did not like wakin...g up to aftershocks in concrete house. very irrational.
keep thinking of funeral procession in port au prince. many family members wearing black marching along road behind hearse. when we
approached hearse we realized family was pushing the hearse because there was no fuel.
thank you for your love and prayers. have spent week frantically buying supplies, helping more relief teams travel, and setting up
transport of people and supplies to and from Port au Prince from Santo Domingo. going home to kids tonight for a few days. please pray
for me--been functioning well but i am full up to the brim with exhaustion and emotion.
January 21, 2010
For as long as I can, I will try and update people on our conditions here in Cap and what I'm hearing about PAP and the relief effort. No
photos for the time being.
We may be having a North Carolina team of doctors and nurses stay with us next week and use us as a base of operations. Stay tuned
for further info.
The local banks opened today. However, they are only allowing withdrawl of $20H ($2.50US) a day for those with an account. No
international checks because the PAP banks aren't opened. They are promising Monday but we can't hold to that.
I did misspeak on the update yesterday. We do have a very limited amount of electricity at the orphanage. For $25US, we bought
enough gas to power a small 5KW generator which will operate our water pump and enable us to fill the tanks each day. That's about 4.5
gallons of gas and it has lasted for 2 days. During that time, I have a light on and the kids can watch the news.
They were watching TV last night at about 630PM when I came out with news that Frandy Charles wanted to be baptized. Frandy is a 19
year old boy who has been with us for some time. As with the others, I think the earthquake has made the kids confront their own
mortality. They are coming to know they can't live forever unless they live with Jesus.
So anyway, I make the announcement that if they want they can go with me to the harbor to baptize Frandy but they don't have to. I
expected a couple to go, because I was interrupting their TV time. Wrong! Everybody went! The TV was abandoned and we all walked
1/2 mile in the dark to baptize him in the harbor. Even some church members found out and joined us. I was so impressed! Would that
happen in the US he wonders out loud.
Speaking of baptisms, last Sunday 15 souls were baptized. 15 more people made the decision to follow Jesus. Seven of those were
either our kids or kids we have developed relationships with. Those 7 are Djouly, Papoosh, Jetro, Claude, Smakem, Rodlin, and Mozer.
I am so happy for them. We are conducting new convert classes for them at 4PM when we still have light.
I am getting lots of emails of support , encouragement, and offers of help. Thanks so much. May God continue to bless you!
One last thing before I forget. Some of you have emailed me and asked if you should send cash. I don't think so now, because Monday
isn't that far away. Also, you need to understand the risk. Normally we all know that sending cash thru the mail is risky. If unscrupulous
people know that the banks here are closed, then they will be aware of what good people are doing to help and could try and steal it.
You really need to prayerfully consider this, but just not now. If I go a week without posting on here, then and then only should you
consider it.
January 20, 2010
For those of you who don't know, I was in the US visiting my family in St. Louis for the past few days. I left last Thursday the 14th and
returned yesterday the 19th.
Things are still sort of normal here. The local government has mandated no price gouging. How long they can hold that is anyone's
guess. That's good because we need to buy food for lots of people.
We have had some people stay with us who need help from the earthquake. First is Roland Hendrix's family who lived in PAP. There
are also some more kids coming. We will need help for them eventually.
Also, the banks and Western Union are closed. We can't get cash. Thankfully, we have some kept in reserve so we can buy food for
now, but this has the potential to get desperate. I hope I'm overreacting.
Still for now, the relief effort should be in money. Eventually we will be able to cash checks, I just don't know when. Also, what I wrote
and copied below for different churches and groups still holds, but at some point we will need extra help too. We're not there yet, but
it's possible.
Please keep us in your prayers. If you don't here from me for some time, it's because all of Cap has no electricity. Right now, the
orphanage doesn't have any and I'm at a cyber cafe in Cap. That could change by tomorrow.
January 14, 2010
FYI, I am in the US now and won't return to Haiti until Tuesday, Lord willing. However, I do want to pass along an email I received from
long time Haiti friends Tony and Robin Hill of Little Rock. It is more info than I posted yesterday.
Friends and Family:
As you all know, the people of Haiti hold a special place in our family’s heart and it is difficult to see the destruction that has taken place
over the past few days, knowing there is little we can do right now besides pray. Our email box is overflowing with notes asking “do
you have any news?” or “how can we help?”, so I thought I might try to consolidate the information we have from friends that are
currently in the country and others that we know are working on various projects to assist. Below are summaries of reports that we are
getting from organizations that are currently working in Haiti or have considerable experience in Disaster Response and that we have
been in contact with over the past few days.
Hope for Haiti’s Children – www.hopeforhaitischildren.org - Tim and Debbie Vanderbeek and their team live just outside of Port au
Prince and have been active from day one checking on the orphanage that is sponsored by HFHC sponsor and children in their
sponsorship program. They have reported one death at the orphanage, and a number of casualties at the Delmas church of Christ. The
Delmas school and clinic was destroyed as well as the church building. They continue to assess the situation and are providing regular
reports from the area via their website and Facebook.
Manna Global Ministries – www.mgm.mannadr.org – A team that was in the Dominican Republic has made it to Port au Prince this
evening and will be assisting with medical needs and assessing the situation for possible relief teams. The team is made up of three
nurses with years of experience in Haiti as well as others that have either lived in Haiti or the Dominican Republic. Holly Eckert, RN who’
s husband Milton, is the minister for the Rifle, Co church of Christ, and former Director of the Center for Biblical Training in Cap Haitien,
Haiti is part of this team. The Rifle church is collecting donations for their work. Their address is: Rifle Church of Christ 435
Prefontaine Ave. Rifle, Co 81650 Milton, is also planning to travel down in the coming weeks.
Center for Biblical Training – www.haitianchristianfoundation.org – The CBT in Cap Haitien (northern Haiti) has been training preachers
for over 12 years. Most of the men have come from northern Haiti but they have some students from the Port au Prince area. The CBT
is collecting funds and is currently exploring ways they can be of assistance. This group has direct contact with over 30 congregations
scattered around Haiti.
Haitian Christian Development Project – www.HCDP.org – David Smith, MD reports that “Pacius, Linda and their daughter Benedicte are
safe. Benedicte was staying with Linda’s sister in Port au Prince during the earthquake. She spent the night with the sister in a soccer
field, but is healthy. Another sister suffered a broken leg, but not a serious injury. “ Also Oneal Tankersley, has safely returned to the
US. He and a small film crew were travelling from Gonaives to Port au Prince when the earthquake hit. They were able to leave Haiti via
the Dominican Republic.
Healing Hands International – www.hhi.org - HHI is working through the Estes Park church of Christ which oversees an orphanage in
Port au Prince as well as Whites Ferry Road church of Christ Disaster Relief Ministries. They are planning to send in an assessment
team this Saturday and an additional team a week later. They have coordinated efforts with HCDP (above) and other mission points in
Haiti to determine the best course of action. Their website details a phased plan for meeting immediate as well as long term needs
after the disaster.
Judsonia church of Christ – John Kachelman has extensive experience working with the US Government to ship aid containers around
the world. The transportation costs are funded by the US Government. He has been given clearance to begin collecting supplies for
shipping emergency relief into Haiti. The plan is to ship items such as personal hygiene kits, first aid supplies, blankets and food. They
would like to get “family buckets” together. He’s working on a list of items based on input from missionaries in Haiti. Once the logistics
of this project are “fleshed out” it would be a wonderful opportunities for our kids to be involved. He also said that notes can also be
placed in the buckets. They are also collecting donations to purchase food. He has the contacts and resources for purchasing large
quantities of food at very low cost. John contact info is: John Kachelman, Judsonia Church of Christ, P. O. Box 422, Judsonia, Arkansas
72081 Mobile: 901-626-4538.
Over the coming days/weeks, there will be a number of opportunities to provide funding to help with this relief effort. Unfortunately,
there will be many people that will try to use this disaster to their own advantage. Each of the organization mentioned above, our family
has had direct experience either in Haiti or other disasters and are confident that they will be good stewards of funds donated.
If you would like detailed information about any of the work in Haiti, feel free to contact us or use the info on their websites. Also, if you
would rather not be included in future emails, please let us know.
In Him,
Tony & Robin Hill
January 31, 2010
A lot of people are asking us if we have gotten the 20 kids the UN is supposed to send us and the answer is no. The woman who
contacted us told us that they would start to trickle in late last week, but that has not happened yet. I don't know what the story is and we
will continue to wait for them. Again our prayer is that we can be a positive influence on their lives and be used by God to show them
Christ.
Today for worship I went with Jenno to what I'm calling the church on the mountain. I blogged about this on January 23 below. We were
able to help a lot of people with money to eat. The conditions these people live in are appalling, especially considering that when the
rains come, these people are surrounded by mud. Then add to that the mosquito problem, and you have what we would consider a
miserable existence. But yet they press on. Their faith is astounding! Let's meet some of them:
A lot of people are asking us if we have gotten the 20 kids the UN is supposed to send us and the answer is no. The woman who
contacted us told us that they would start to trickle in late last week, but that has not happened yet. I don't know what the story is and we
will continue to wait for them. Again our prayer is that we can be a positive influence on their lives and be used by God to show them
Christ.
Today for worship I went with Jenno to what I'm calling the church on the mountain. I blogged about this on January 23 below. We were
able to help a lot of people with money to eat. The conditions these people live in are appalling, especially considering that when the
rains come, these people are surrounded by mud. Then add to that the mosquito problem, and you have what we would consider a
miserable existence. But yet they press on. Their faith is astounding! Let's meet some of them:
This lady is blind and has no home. She sleeps here at night. She has no other family except for the others that
live on the mountain. She still wants a Bible so that her mountain friends can read to her. We will get her one.
We helped her today with money for food.
live on the mountain. She still wants a Bible so that her mountain friends can read to her. We will get her one.
We helped her today with money for food.
This woman is raising her 17 year old son and 4 year old daughter in this "house." Her husband has left her and
this is how they live. We were also able to help her today with money for food.
this is how they live. We were also able to help her today with money for food.
Another single woman who is raising her daughter in this shelter. Thanks to God, we were also able to help her
today with money for food.
today with money for food.
Jenno is seen here looking at an little baby girl about 9 months old. She has been left here by her mom while
she goes and finds water. The others on the mountain will care for her in mom's abscence. Later her mom came
back and we helped them with money for food.
she goes and finds water. The others on the mountain will care for her in mom's abscence. Later her mom came
back and we helped them with money for food.
These 2 pics are just meant to show you the view from where we were. The first pic was the highest point we
went, and you can see somebody sleeping there. We were told that he had been a "bad man" but had given his
life to God and was now good. Later, he woke up and we helped him with money for food.
The lower pic was taken about the mid point of the hill/mountain we were on. There is actually a wallless
shelter (Creole tonel) there where others sleep to be out of the rain, but of course it doesn't help them with
wind or mosquitoes. We went back there tonight for evening service which is what they asked for.
went, and you can see somebody sleeping there. We were told that he had been a "bad man" but had given his
life to God and was now good. Later, he woke up and we helped him with money for food.
The lower pic was taken about the mid point of the hill/mountain we were on. There is actually a wallless
shelter (Creole tonel) there where others sleep to be out of the rain, but of course it doesn't help them with
wind or mosquitoes. We went back there tonight for evening service which is what they asked for.
These 3 happy faces are Doudy, Benson, and TiRoro (the 16 year old from PAP). They decided to repent and
follow Jesus and then they were baptized today. God is already using us. He is simply amazing. Benson and
Doudy are 2 of the outside kids that we minister to.
follow Jesus and then they were baptized today. God is already using us. He is simply amazing. Benson and
Doudy are 2 of the outside kids that we minister to.
This is a group pic taken after evening worship tonight. It was such a joy to be with them. What incredible
people they are. Sure, they need help in just about every facet of their lives, but none of them has lost focus
or faith. I'm simply amazed.
people they are. Sure, they need help in just about every facet of their lives, but none of them has lost focus
or faith. I'm simply amazed.
February 1, 2010
Happy Birthday to my mom! She is 82 today (don't tell her I told you). She has multiple myeloma and cares for my 89 year old dad who
has advanced Alzheimers. Prayers that she has a wonderful day today. Sorry mom that I can't be with you.
News from the front lines at Port au Prince from Holly Eckhart, an RN and dear friend:
Hi everybody. Just an update. Melissa, Lynn and I spent last week in Port au Prince at Roberta's children's home. Things are opening
up, there is fuel available and traffic is moving around more, but it is still a disaster. We were able to help the University of Miami mash
hospital that was set up at the airport. Lynn actually pitched in and helped staff the OR, and there were doctors from Johnson City TN
that were able to help as well. I spent time driving the other volunteer doctors, Dr. Pearson and Dr. Whittaker back and forth to the
hospital as well. It was encouraging to see that people were getting care, but imagine hundreds of patients lying on cots with no
pillows, blankets, or food. They were well stocked but not with certain supplies, and you can imagine the egos of many of the worldy
medical staff trying to interact with each other. It was a blessing to spend time there, though, because I felt like I was able to minister to
the Haitian patients and families. All were eager to tell their stories of how they had lost homes, family members, and all earthly
belongings. One 4 year old boy had a skin graft and was crying inconsolably. He was hungry. I emptied my backpack of food and was
able to return the next morning with a tent, clothes for mom, some food, and some cash for when they are discharged. Another woman
was on the lawn outside, elderly with no teeth. Her son had been gravely wounded and had surgery at the Israeli hospital. They
bugged out early, and she was searching for her son. No one in this hospital seemed to know anything, and it took a while of word of
mouth information to decide he had been transferred to a naval ship for more care. Coordinating care is a nightmare, as you can
imagine.
At the children's home work was progressing on the wall. The children were still afraid of sleeping inside, and so tents were set up
outside. Melissa, Lynn and I pitched one alongside them. We were thankful for it as the aftershocks continued two nights we were
there. Roberta is distributing food and supplies as quickly as possible, but it is difficult to expand to meet such a need. We divided
bags of rice, beans, spaghetti, sardines, soap, and oil for distribution. The morning of distribution was alarming as they started lining up
at 5 am. I had to leave with the truck to take the MDs to the hospital, and the vehicle was crowded around with people. I was afraid I
was going to run over some child's foot as everyone pressed against it! When I returned from the hospital there was still a crowd but
no food left, and the main gate had been damaged/knocked in during the distribution. It was not a violent crowd, just a hungry and
desperate one. Fortunately there was a team from Tennessee that quickly reset the gate in deeper cement. It is just sad to see the
kids sleeping outside in tents, in the backs of trucks, anywhere they can feel secure. They are loved and secure and in a beautiful
family with each other, so there are many less fortunate, but it is a shock to wake up and see sleeping children in the bed of a truck.
Keep Roberta in your prayers as she has much to deal with and is so exhausted.
We were able to see our student Gusman, who was in Delmas during the earthquake and survived. He was helping Debbie Vanderbeek
pick up food for distribution. His story was that he was outside for the quake and quickly went to a nursing school to help rescue
people. They pulled out 8 injured people and 5 cadavers. He said many more students were left inside, trapped. Tears came to our
eyes as he explained that he was shaken up, that he thought he would never be able to do such a thing. We are thankful he is alive.
His house is destroyed, and he is living in a tent city with no tent. At night when he returns there are five orphans from the quake that
find their way to him and sleep nearby him. We were able to give him a pup tent and pray that we find a larger one for him soon.
Milt got in on Friday, and tomorrow we head into Cap Haitien with a medical team to help where we can. Word is that over 100,000
refugees from Port au Prince have made their way to Cap, the second largest city. The news we are getting is that the hospitals there
are filled, and that tent cities are cropping up there. Many are sleeping in basketball courts and soccer fields. We are going to take our
kids in and stay at the CBT in our old apartment, and we will keep them there as we take turns heading out on projects. Please keep our
health and safety, as well as that of the Haitians, in your prayers. Thank you for loving us.
Thanks for passing this on, I don't have everyone's email address.
Grace and Peace,
Holly
Happy Birthday to my mom! She is 82 today (don't tell her I told you). She has multiple myeloma and cares for my 89 year old dad who
has advanced Alzheimers. Prayers that she has a wonderful day today. Sorry mom that I can't be with you.
News from the front lines at Port au Prince from Holly Eckhart, an RN and dear friend:
Hi everybody. Just an update. Melissa, Lynn and I spent last week in Port au Prince at Roberta's children's home. Things are opening
up, there is fuel available and traffic is moving around more, but it is still a disaster. We were able to help the University of Miami mash
hospital that was set up at the airport. Lynn actually pitched in and helped staff the OR, and there were doctors from Johnson City TN
that were able to help as well. I spent time driving the other volunteer doctors, Dr. Pearson and Dr. Whittaker back and forth to the
hospital as well. It was encouraging to see that people were getting care, but imagine hundreds of patients lying on cots with no
pillows, blankets, or food. They were well stocked but not with certain supplies, and you can imagine the egos of many of the worldy
medical staff trying to interact with each other. It was a blessing to spend time there, though, because I felt like I was able to minister to
the Haitian patients and families. All were eager to tell their stories of how they had lost homes, family members, and all earthly
belongings. One 4 year old boy had a skin graft and was crying inconsolably. He was hungry. I emptied my backpack of food and was
able to return the next morning with a tent, clothes for mom, some food, and some cash for when they are discharged. Another woman
was on the lawn outside, elderly with no teeth. Her son had been gravely wounded and had surgery at the Israeli hospital. They
bugged out early, and she was searching for her son. No one in this hospital seemed to know anything, and it took a while of word of
mouth information to decide he had been transferred to a naval ship for more care. Coordinating care is a nightmare, as you can
imagine.
At the children's home work was progressing on the wall. The children were still afraid of sleeping inside, and so tents were set up
outside. Melissa, Lynn and I pitched one alongside them. We were thankful for it as the aftershocks continued two nights we were
there. Roberta is distributing food and supplies as quickly as possible, but it is difficult to expand to meet such a need. We divided
bags of rice, beans, spaghetti, sardines, soap, and oil for distribution. The morning of distribution was alarming as they started lining up
at 5 am. I had to leave with the truck to take the MDs to the hospital, and the vehicle was crowded around with people. I was afraid I
was going to run over some child's foot as everyone pressed against it! When I returned from the hospital there was still a crowd but
no food left, and the main gate had been damaged/knocked in during the distribution. It was not a violent crowd, just a hungry and
desperate one. Fortunately there was a team from Tennessee that quickly reset the gate in deeper cement. It is just sad to see the
kids sleeping outside in tents, in the backs of trucks, anywhere they can feel secure. They are loved and secure and in a beautiful
family with each other, so there are many less fortunate, but it is a shock to wake up and see sleeping children in the bed of a truck.
Keep Roberta in your prayers as she has much to deal with and is so exhausted.
We were able to see our student Gusman, who was in Delmas during the earthquake and survived. He was helping Debbie Vanderbeek
pick up food for distribution. His story was that he was outside for the quake and quickly went to a nursing school to help rescue
people. They pulled out 8 injured people and 5 cadavers. He said many more students were left inside, trapped. Tears came to our
eyes as he explained that he was shaken up, that he thought he would never be able to do such a thing. We are thankful he is alive.
His house is destroyed, and he is living in a tent city with no tent. At night when he returns there are five orphans from the quake that
find their way to him and sleep nearby him. We were able to give him a pup tent and pray that we find a larger one for him soon.
Milt got in on Friday, and tomorrow we head into Cap Haitien with a medical team to help where we can. Word is that over 100,000
refugees from Port au Prince have made their way to Cap, the second largest city. The news we are getting is that the hospitals there
are filled, and that tent cities are cropping up there. Many are sleeping in basketball courts and soccer fields. We are going to take our
kids in and stay at the CBT in our old apartment, and we will keep them there as we take turns heading out on projects. Please keep our
health and safety, as well as that of the Haitians, in your prayers. Thank you for loving us.
Thanks for passing this on, I don't have everyone's email address.
Grace and Peace,
Holly
On January 9 I blogged about the lady and her husband with 8 kids who lived with water in their house.
Yesterday we finally made it over to see their new house. It's great! I was so impressed! They have multiple
rooms, an outside kitchen, an outside toilet, and a brand new door. It costs $275/year (yes, a year not a month)
to rent, which is kind of expensive, but it's well worth it.
I met the husband and the rest of the kids. Just a wonderful family. We are so grateful that God has used the
family in Nashville from the Hillsboro Church of Christ to help them. They know we are Christians by our love!
Yesterday we finally made it over to see their new house. It's great! I was so impressed! They have multiple
rooms, an outside kitchen, an outside toilet, and a brand new door. It costs $275/year (yes, a year not a month)
to rent, which is kind of expensive, but it's well worth it.
I met the husband and the rest of the kids. Just a wonderful family. We are so grateful that God has used the
family in Nashville from the Hillsboro Church of Christ to help them. They know we are Christians by our love!
February 3, 2010
It looks like I was a bit premature in telling you that there was no structural damage here in Cap Haitien. Our own 5th grade teacher,
Madame Layis, had a retaining wall fall down (they are standing on it in the first pic on the left below). Also as shown above her door and
outside her house in the two right pics, they have cracks in their house which make it unstable.
Madame Layis has been teaching at our school for 17 years. Because of the generosity of many, we are able to help her fix her house so
it doesn't fall down on them.
It looks like I was a bit premature in telling you that there was no structural damage here in Cap Haitien. Our own 5th grade teacher,
Madame Layis, had a retaining wall fall down (they are standing on it in the first pic on the left below). Also as shown above her door and
outside her house in the two right pics, they have cracks in their house which make it unstable.
Madame Layis has been teaching at our school for 17 years. Because of the generosity of many, we are able to help her fix her house so
it doesn't fall down on them.
February 4, 2010 (AM)
I went to the clinic this morning to see the refugees we are helping from Port au Prince (PAP). They are pictured below. A couple of
them want to get to Hinche, a city in the mountains, because they have family there. Again because of the generosity of American
Christians, we were able to help them.
In the first pic, the woman and child on the left are not mom and daughter. The little girl's mom was killed in the earthquake and now her
friend is taking care of her. She is sick and needs medicine, which is why she is at the clinic. We have a part time and free Haitian
doctor (not pictured) who is there to look after them. The medicine is also provided by the kindness of American Christians. The kid in
the middle pic lost all of his family in the PAP earthquake. He stays at the gym in Cap Haitien. Where he ends up is anyone's guess.
I went to the clinic this morning to see the refugees we are helping from Port au Prince (PAP). They are pictured below. A couple of
them want to get to Hinche, a city in the mountains, because they have family there. Again because of the generosity of American
Christians, we were able to help them.
In the first pic, the woman and child on the left are not mom and daughter. The little girl's mom was killed in the earthquake and now her
friend is taking care of her. She is sick and needs medicine, which is why she is at the clinic. We have a part time and free Haitian
doctor (not pictured) who is there to look after them. The medicine is also provided by the kindness of American Christians. The kid in
the middle pic lost all of his family in the PAP earthquake. He stays at the gym in Cap Haitien. Where he ends up is anyone's guess.
February 6, 2010
The lady's name is Sabine. The baby is now 23 days old and she doesn't have a name. In any case, they came back today to stay with us
for awhile until we can get them a permanent place to stay.
In addition to her other problems, Sabine has an internal infection and can't feed her baby. So we have to supply her with formula in
addition to Pampers. Once she is here for a couple of days, we will see what she wants to do and where she wants to live. At this
point, she just needs some stability in her life. Please keep Sabine, the baby, and her 2 older daughters in your prayers as she sorts
out her life.
February 4, 2010 (PM)
This lady with a 21 day old baby (born 2 days after the earthquake) lost her husband and 2 other kids in the earthquake. She has no
place to stay and the friend she was staying with in Milot threw her out. We gave her $100H to keep her in food for the next few days.
She left today to ask her friend for one more night there. The friend also has another 7 year old kid of hers. She is supposed to come
back tomorrow with all 3 of her kids and stay with us until she finds a place. Because she has no job and no nothing, we will help her
with her new home.
The lady's name is Sabine. The baby is now 23 days old and she doesn't have a name. In any case, they came back today to stay with us
for awhile until we can get them a permanent place to stay.
In addition to her other problems, Sabine has an internal infection and can't feed her baby. So we have to supply her with formula in
addition to Pampers. Once she is here for a couple of days, we will see what she wants to do and where she wants to live. At this
point, she just needs some stability in her life. Please keep Sabine, the baby, and her 2 older daughters in your prayers as she sorts
out her life.
February 4, 2010 (PM)
This lady with a 21 day old baby (born 2 days after the earthquake) lost her husband and 2 other kids in the earthquake. She has no
place to stay and the friend she was staying with in Milot threw her out. We gave her $100H to keep her in food for the next few days.
She left today to ask her friend for one more night there. The friend also has another 7 year old kid of hers. She is supposed to come
back tomorrow with all 3 of her kids and stay with us until she finds a place. Because she has no job and no nothing, we will help her
with her new home.
February 7, 2010
Sabine and her 3 kids continue to do well. We helped them again with some money for clothes. They had none. They had been staying
in the same clothes since the earthquake! They said they itched and I can surely understand why.
Also today 16 year old Gerland and her 13 year old brother Jonas were baptized. Jonas is a kid we have been working with for just a
few weeks now. But they both decided to follow Jesus. Pic of Gerland and Jonas with Jovenal onlooking is below.
Also, today was the first day we did a separate childrens's worship. I have wanted this for a long time. However it tends to go against
Haitian culture. The reason we went to it is because our church is growing and there will not be money to expand the church building
for a very long time, if ever. So one way to give us more room is to send all the kids that are 12 and below to children's worship.
Tchooby and I conducted the service. We explained the Lord's supper and why we do an offering. Tchooby also read from from the
Creole Bible Story books. Sorry, no pics. I forgot to bring the camera. But for a first time, it went exceedingly well. We had about 60
kids. I think we will need more help, because I was exhausted when it was over (our worship services are about 2.25 hours long, and
that's after a 45 minute Bible study! Keeping the little ones focused for that long a time is a job!
Sabine and her 3 kids continue to do well. We helped them again with some money for clothes. They had none. They had been staying
in the same clothes since the earthquake! They said they itched and I can surely understand why.
Also today 16 year old Gerland and her 13 year old brother Jonas were baptized. Jonas is a kid we have been working with for just a
few weeks now. But they both decided to follow Jesus. Pic of Gerland and Jonas with Jovenal onlooking is below.
Also, today was the first day we did a separate childrens's worship. I have wanted this for a long time. However it tends to go against
Haitian culture. The reason we went to it is because our church is growing and there will not be money to expand the church building
for a very long time, if ever. So one way to give us more room is to send all the kids that are 12 and below to children's worship.
Tchooby and I conducted the service. We explained the Lord's supper and why we do an offering. Tchooby also read from from the
Creole Bible Story books. Sorry, no pics. I forgot to bring the camera. But for a first time, it went exceedingly well. We had about 60
kids. I think we will need more help, because I was exhausted when it was over (our worship services are about 2.25 hours long, and
that's after a 45 minute Bible study! Keeping the little ones focused for that long a time is a job!
February 8, 2010
We continue to see refugees from the Port au Prince (PAP) earthquake trickle in. They are coming to the clinic first. Alain, our clinician
and aspiring preacher, is very careful to find out who needs help and who doesn't. That really helps me out because it's not always
obvious who could be talking advantage of the situation and who isn't.
This morning, 2 families came in. The first one, pic below, is of Marilyn the mom and Wisken, her 6 year old son. They lived with her
mom in PAP. Her mom was killed in the earthquake. Not sure why they came up here, but here they are in need of help. They have no
place to stay and no food or clothes. Because of your generosity, we will be able to get them a place to stay, some clothes, and some
food.
The second pic is of 3 kids together, the boy on the right is Wisken from above, and the 2 girls are named Joana (age 9 and in the
middle) and Melisa (3). Their mom, Milyechalans who is 35, sent them to the clinic by themselves. Joana said she was coming in a few
minutes. We waited a little bit but she still hasn't showed. When she comes, Alain will call me over and I will get their pic together.
Their story is almost the same. Their father had left before the earthquake and their home and all their belongings were destroyed.
They are dependent on the love of Christians around the world that are donating to the relief efforts to sustain them for a time until
they can get on their feet.
We continue to see refugees from the Port au Prince (PAP) earthquake trickle in. They are coming to the clinic first. Alain, our clinician
and aspiring preacher, is very careful to find out who needs help and who doesn't. That really helps me out because it's not always
obvious who could be talking advantage of the situation and who isn't.
This morning, 2 families came in. The first one, pic below, is of Marilyn the mom and Wisken, her 6 year old son. They lived with her
mom in PAP. Her mom was killed in the earthquake. Not sure why they came up here, but here they are in need of help. They have no
place to stay and no food or clothes. Because of your generosity, we will be able to get them a place to stay, some clothes, and some
food.
The second pic is of 3 kids together, the boy on the right is Wisken from above, and the 2 girls are named Joana (age 9 and in the
middle) and Melisa (3). Their mom, Milyechalans who is 35, sent them to the clinic by themselves. Joana said she was coming in a few
minutes. We waited a little bit but she still hasn't showed. When she comes, Alain will call me over and I will get their pic together.
Their story is almost the same. Their father had left before the earthquake and their home and all their belongings were destroyed.
They are dependent on the love of Christians around the world that are donating to the relief efforts to sustain them for a time until
they can get on their feet.
February 10, 2010
Our trickle of refugees has turned into a small stream. I'm sure we are no where near the volume of souls that the hospitals are seeing,
but each day brings a few more people. Since the last blog entry on February 8, we have seen 3 new families pictured below, who have
a variety of needs.
The first one is Silvus Jwavil. She is 63 and lost everything in the earthquake. She somehow got up here and got some other help and
came to us for a years rent on a new room. We were able to give her $71 for her yearly rent.
The next pic is Sylne Gary, age 29. He is single with a financee. He has family in Pilat and needs help with medicine, clothes, and
transportation to his family. We gave him $7 to get to the hospital so they can re-examine his broken arm, and told him to come back
with any prescriptions he might have so we can either fill them for free from our pharmacy, or give him the money to buy the meds. We
also told him that when he is ready, we will give him the $14 to get to Pilat and some more money to buy some clothes.
The last pic is of 2 sisters, Leona and Silfi Romus, ages 26 and 19 respectively. They each have a child and lost everything in the quake.
They are staying with friends here in Cap now. They actually came to the house of Alain our clinician asking for any help he could give
them. He brought them to the clinic which is where I photographed them. We helped them with $28 for food and clothes and will help
them further once their needs are more known.
Our trickle of refugees has turned into a small stream. I'm sure we are no where near the volume of souls that the hospitals are seeing,
but each day brings a few more people. Since the last blog entry on February 8, we have seen 3 new families pictured below, who have
a variety of needs.
The first one is Silvus Jwavil. She is 63 and lost everything in the earthquake. She somehow got up here and got some other help and
came to us for a years rent on a new room. We were able to give her $71 for her yearly rent.
The next pic is Sylne Gary, age 29. He is single with a financee. He has family in Pilat and needs help with medicine, clothes, and
transportation to his family. We gave him $7 to get to the hospital so they can re-examine his broken arm, and told him to come back
with any prescriptions he might have so we can either fill them for free from our pharmacy, or give him the money to buy the meds. We
also told him that when he is ready, we will give him the $14 to get to Pilat and some more money to buy some clothes.
The last pic is of 2 sisters, Leona and Silfi Romus, ages 26 and 19 respectively. They each have a child and lost everything in the quake.
They are staying with friends here in Cap now. They actually came to the house of Alain our clinician asking for any help he could give
them. He brought them to the clinic which is where I photographed them. We helped them with $28 for food and clothes and will help
them further once their needs are more known.
February 12, 2010
I hope none of you are getting bored by the stories of those we help. I just think it's very important that we continue to put a face on
the devastation that these people have experienced. Thanks for your patience with this.
Speaking of patience...pray for me - seriously. We are getting lines at 3PM out of our door asking for help. We can't help them all of
course, but we try to help who we can. The problem is, they inundate us and sometimes the line seems infinite. It is very difficult for
me sometimes to have the true heart of a servant and help those in need with the love of Jesus. Anyone can dole out money, but that's
not what Jesus calls us to do and I know that. HE never got angry when HE was tired, HE always showed God's love to HIS creatures.
I'm not doing a good job of that. If I'm going to walk as HE walked, then I need to act as HE would act. Thanks.
The first pic is of Filomene. She is a 32 year old single mom with 2 kids injured in the earthquake. They are in the free Christian
hospital in Milot. We gave her money to buy medicine for them, which the hospital doesn't provide.
The second pic Julien. He is 63 and lives with his wife in Madeline. His brother lived in PAP. All of his brother's family was killed in the
earthquake except for his 12 year old nephew. We helped Julien with money for food and clothes for the boy.
The last pic is Elna Joseph. She is 36 and also a single mom. She has 3 kids, 19, 16, and 14. Her house was destroyed in the
earthquake. She came to us for rent money, which we gave her. We suggested she only use half of it for rent and use the other half
for food, clothes, basic household items. We told her that if we could later, we would help her with the other half of the rent. It's up to
her potential landlord if he wants to agree to that scenario.
Finally, the latest update on the kids we were supposed to get from the UN 3 weeks ago. Nothing. No news. No one from the UN has
come around and asked us anything. Those of you that collected money specifically for those kids are urged to contact me to discuss
alternatives. I'm very sorry that this happened or didn't happen as the case may be, but we acted on good faith when the UN lady said
they were coming.
I hope none of you are getting bored by the stories of those we help. I just think it's very important that we continue to put a face on
the devastation that these people have experienced. Thanks for your patience with this.
Speaking of patience...pray for me - seriously. We are getting lines at 3PM out of our door asking for help. We can't help them all of
course, but we try to help who we can. The problem is, they inundate us and sometimes the line seems infinite. It is very difficult for
me sometimes to have the true heart of a servant and help those in need with the love of Jesus. Anyone can dole out money, but that's
not what Jesus calls us to do and I know that. HE never got angry when HE was tired, HE always showed God's love to HIS creatures.
I'm not doing a good job of that. If I'm going to walk as HE walked, then I need to act as HE would act. Thanks.
The first pic is of Filomene. She is a 32 year old single mom with 2 kids injured in the earthquake. They are in the free Christian
hospital in Milot. We gave her money to buy medicine for them, which the hospital doesn't provide.
The second pic Julien. He is 63 and lives with his wife in Madeline. His brother lived in PAP. All of his brother's family was killed in the
earthquake except for his 12 year old nephew. We helped Julien with money for food and clothes for the boy.
The last pic is Elna Joseph. She is 36 and also a single mom. She has 3 kids, 19, 16, and 14. Her house was destroyed in the
earthquake. She came to us for rent money, which we gave her. We suggested she only use half of it for rent and use the other half
for food, clothes, basic household items. We told her that if we could later, we would help her with the other half of the rent. It's up to
her potential landlord if he wants to agree to that scenario.
Finally, the latest update on the kids we were supposed to get from the UN 3 weeks ago. Nothing. No news. No one from the UN has
come around and asked us anything. Those of you that collected money specifically for those kids are urged to contact me to discuss
alternatives. I'm very sorry that this happened or didn't happen as the case may be, but we acted on good faith when the UN lady said
they were coming.
February 13, 2010
Before we start once again on those that we helped because of your generosity and kindness, I wanted to take a few lines and talk
about the spiritual condition of Haiti. I continue to be so impressed by how the entire country is responding positively to the
earthquake tragedy. For those of you who don't know, President Preval has declared Feb 12, 13, and 14 to be national days of prayer
and fasting. That is their spiritual response! The churches here, including our own Petite Anse Church of Christ, are holding prayer
meetings and vigils. The roads here in Cap yesterday were not at all congested.
Also, we are starting the older kids on a weekly class during our Thursday devotional on Lectio Divina, Divine Reading. A friend of ours
from NJ found the class for kids in Creole and got us a few copies. It's great and we started this past Thursday. I hope to make lifetime
Scriptural meditators out of all the kids!
So who did we help yesterday from the earthquake? Lets meet them.
First we have Jenny Joseph. She is 18. Jenny lost all her family in the earthquake. She has become friends with Linda, one of the girls
in the church. We gave her $ for 1 years rent.
Next there is Anyoli Granvil who lost his dad in the Earthquake. His mom is very pregnant and can't come for help. She sent her friend
(also pictured) to get a little help for Anyoli. We have them $ for food.
After that we have 17 year old Romey Jean. All of his family was killed in the earthquake. He is staying with Ti Blanc, one of the guys
who helps Gerome here with mechanics. Ti Blanc just opened his home to this stranger. We gave him $ for food.
Finally there is Jean Marie Carmel. Her husband was working in PAP and died in the earthquake. She has 1 child and may have breast
cancer. We gave her money for food and for rent.
We also want everyone to keep Erick in your prayers. His 22 year old sister died last night of typhoid. His family had asked him to ask
me for money to take her to the hospital but he didn't want to because I had already given him some. He feels very bad right now, but
there was no way he could have known.
Before we start once again on those that we helped because of your generosity and kindness, I wanted to take a few lines and talk
about the spiritual condition of Haiti. I continue to be so impressed by how the entire country is responding positively to the
earthquake tragedy. For those of you who don't know, President Preval has declared Feb 12, 13, and 14 to be national days of prayer
and fasting. That is their spiritual response! The churches here, including our own Petite Anse Church of Christ, are holding prayer
meetings and vigils. The roads here in Cap yesterday were not at all congested.
Also, we are starting the older kids on a weekly class during our Thursday devotional on Lectio Divina, Divine Reading. A friend of ours
from NJ found the class for kids in Creole and got us a few copies. It's great and we started this past Thursday. I hope to make lifetime
Scriptural meditators out of all the kids!
So who did we help yesterday from the earthquake? Lets meet them.
First we have Jenny Joseph. She is 18. Jenny lost all her family in the earthquake. She has become friends with Linda, one of the girls
in the church. We gave her $ for 1 years rent.
Next there is Anyoli Granvil who lost his dad in the Earthquake. His mom is very pregnant and can't come for help. She sent her friend
(also pictured) to get a little help for Anyoli. We have them $ for food.
After that we have 17 year old Romey Jean. All of his family was killed in the earthquake. He is staying with Ti Blanc, one of the guys
who helps Gerome here with mechanics. Ti Blanc just opened his home to this stranger. We gave him $ for food.
Finally there is Jean Marie Carmel. Her husband was working in PAP and died in the earthquake. She has 1 child and may have breast
cancer. We gave her money for food and for rent.
We also want everyone to keep Erick in your prayers. His 22 year old sister died last night of typhoid. His family had asked him to ask
me for money to take her to the hospital but he didn't want to because I had already given him some. He feels very bad right now, but
there was no way he could have known.
February 15, 2010
Just a reminder that the reason this page is so long is because I am leaving the methods for helping the victims of the PAP earthquake
up. In addition to the Southwest Church of Christ in Ada, there are also other organizations listed in Tony Hill's email that I copied (in
red) on the bottom of this page at the January 14 entry.
Also we have done some video updates (finally a fast link!). Check out the Videos Page for vids of Dalancia walking, Eveline's baptism,
and Arianne's baptism. The night ones aren't good at all but at least you get the flavor of the moment.
Yesterday we had about 70 kids for children's worship. Also, President Preval had asked the churches to continue services until noon,
so we had our hands full keeping the little ones occupied. We used Bible stories, Bible coloring, singing, praying, and the reciting of
the 10 commandments. Tchooby and I tag-teamed it, but it wore me out. After that, Sunday truly is a day of rest. Pics below, with the
last one being the 10 commandments in Creole.
Just a reminder that the reason this page is so long is because I am leaving the methods for helping the victims of the PAP earthquake
up. In addition to the Southwest Church of Christ in Ada, there are also other organizations listed in Tony Hill's email that I copied (in
red) on the bottom of this page at the January 14 entry.
Also we have done some video updates (finally a fast link!). Check out the Videos Page for vids of Dalancia walking, Eveline's baptism,
and Arianne's baptism. The night ones aren't good at all but at least you get the flavor of the moment.
Yesterday we had about 70 kids for children's worship. Also, President Preval had asked the churches to continue services until noon,
so we had our hands full keeping the little ones occupied. We used Bible stories, Bible coloring, singing, praying, and the reciting of
the 10 commandments. Tchooby and I tag-teamed it, but it wore me out. After that, Sunday truly is a day of rest. Pics below, with the
last one being the 10 commandments in Creole.
Also, I would like you to meet the latest ones we are helping from the PAP
earthquake. First, there is 12 year old Dilyen. All of his family was killed in the PAP
earthquake. His house was also destroyed. Tabitha brought him to us. He is going
to stay with her because he has no where else to go. We are letting him stay here
at the orphanage until we get a bed and more support for him. He will need a
sponsor and need one quickly. He calls me Papi (daddy). Yea, I like that.
earthquake. First, there is 12 year old Dilyen. All of his family was killed in the PAP
earthquake. His house was also destroyed. Tabitha brought him to us. He is going
to stay with her because he has no where else to go. We are letting him stay here
at the orphanage until we get a bed and more support for him. He will need a
sponsor and need one quickly. He calls me Papi (daddy). Yea, I like that.
Next we have the 3 sisters, Rose Marlie, Farah, and Martine Moise. They are 5, 10,
and 13 years old. They were brought here by friends of Ramon's brother. Ramon is
one of our employees. They will be staying with him forever. Their parents are
alive in PAP but their house was destroyed and they can't care for them. We gave
him help for their school, food, and clothes. We need to give more but we ran out
of money to help. Thanks for anything you can do to help these girls and others
like them.
and 13 years old. They were brought here by friends of Ramon's brother. Ramon is
one of our employees. They will be staying with him forever. Their parents are
alive in PAP but their house was destroyed and they can't care for them. We gave
him help for their school, food, and clothes. We need to give more but we ran out
of money to help. Thanks for anything you can do to help these girls and others
like them.
February 16, 2010
<-- This is Mozer. Mozer is 14 and in our 5th grade class here at the orphanage. We have been ministering to Mozer
and his cousin Ti Blan who is also in our school for probably over a year now. Mozer is also one of the Holy Spirit's
recent baptisms. He is also a real cool kid.
<-- This is Mozer. Mozer is 14 and in our 5th grade class here at the orphanage. We have been ministering to Mozer
and his cousin Ti Blan who is also in our school for probably over a year now. Mozer is also one of the Holy Spirit's
recent baptisms. He is also a real cool kid.
<-- These, in a former life, were Mozer's shoes. He has had them for 2 years he told me. I just thought it would be
informative to see what sometimes passes for shoes here. Yes, we were able to help him with money for new shoes.
informative to see what sometimes passes for shoes here. Yes, we were able to help him with money for new shoes.
<-- Here we have Mackendy Pierre Antoine. Mackendy is the nephew of Julien, a graduate preacher from the CBT
and a good friend. He is also the uncle of Judel, a 9 year old who lives here. He was a med student at the U of PAP.
His house was destroyed and he has no family there, so he had to come back home to Cap Haitien. He has no idea
when school will start again. They don't even know if it will start in September.
There was a few of them from Cap going to the U of PAP. They came up here as a group and are all living together
with one of the guy's family. Lots and lots of people! One of the guys that came back, who had a cinder block fall on
his head, continues to have headaches. We gave him and his friend money to go back to PAP and get a Cat Scan,
because there are no facilities here that offer that. We also gave him $ for food for himself and the group.
Another thing of interest, at least to me, is what happened today in Cap. I went to the Mont Joli to use their free
internet and of course it was out, so I had to go to one of the $0.88/hour cyber cafés. Because it was Carnival (Mardi
Gras), there was some kind of giant Catholic procession of some sorts that blocked many of the streets I would have
normally taken. So I had to find alternate and quite circuitous routes. As I was doing this, it occurred to me that if I
was in a major American city with a laptop and cash in my backpack, I probably would be somewhat fearful going to
different and unknown places. But not here. There is no place in Haiti that I have ever been where I have felt afraid
for my personal safety. I just wanted to relate that, because with all the incredible poverty and tragedy that these
people have experienced, they continue to exhibit an unquenchable spirit. What a blessing they are to me!
and a good friend. He is also the uncle of Judel, a 9 year old who lives here. He was a med student at the U of PAP.
His house was destroyed and he has no family there, so he had to come back home to Cap Haitien. He has no idea
when school will start again. They don't even know if it will start in September.
There was a few of them from Cap going to the U of PAP. They came up here as a group and are all living together
with one of the guy's family. Lots and lots of people! One of the guys that came back, who had a cinder block fall on
his head, continues to have headaches. We gave him and his friend money to go back to PAP and get a Cat Scan,
because there are no facilities here that offer that. We also gave him $ for food for himself and the group.
Another thing of interest, at least to me, is what happened today in Cap. I went to the Mont Joli to use their free
internet and of course it was out, so I had to go to one of the $0.88/hour cyber cafés. Because it was Carnival (Mardi
Gras), there was some kind of giant Catholic procession of some sorts that blocked many of the streets I would have
normally taken. So I had to find alternate and quite circuitous routes. As I was doing this, it occurred to me that if I
was in a major American city with a laptop and cash in my backpack, I probably would be somewhat fearful going to
different and unknown places. But not here. There is no place in Haiti that I have ever been where I have felt afraid
for my personal safety. I just wanted to relate that, because with all the incredible poverty and tragedy that these
people have experienced, they continue to exhibit an unquenchable spirit. What a blessing they are to me!
February 17, 2010
I have forgotten to tell everyone that school has not started yet. A couple of days ago here in Cap, a school that had started collapsed
and killed 2 kids and one teacher. Please pray for those families involved. But because of that, the government is concerned and we
don't know when school will start. Monday is possible but we just don't know.
On a happier note, I just found out some good news on the walk over here. There is this deaf and mute kid probably around 15 that I
see on the street a lot. I help him out with a little money every once in a while. He has a great attitude and is a pleasure to be around,
even if we can't communicate.
When I last saw him on Monday, he was on crutches and had stitches from a cash in his leg. I had assumed the worst, that somebody
cut him out of just being evil. Today, I found out that wasn't true. As I was walking here I saw him but I also met a neighbor of his who
works at the gas station. He says the kid lives with his mom in Madeliene, which is easy walking distance from the orphanage. Now I
can go to his home, meet his mom, and see what their needs are (the neighbor says they are very poor). I am so glad that God
blessed me this way today.
I have forgotten to tell everyone that school has not started yet. A couple of days ago here in Cap, a school that had started collapsed
and killed 2 kids and one teacher. Please pray for those families involved. But because of that, the government is concerned and we
don't know when school will start. Monday is possible but we just don't know.
On a happier note, I just found out some good news on the walk over here. There is this deaf and mute kid probably around 15 that I
see on the street a lot. I help him out with a little money every once in a while. He has a great attitude and is a pleasure to be around,
even if we can't communicate.
When I last saw him on Monday, he was on crutches and had stitches from a cash in his leg. I had assumed the worst, that somebody
cut him out of just being evil. Today, I found out that wasn't true. As I was walking here I saw him but I also met a neighbor of his who
works at the gas station. He says the kid lives with his mom in Madeliene, which is easy walking distance from the orphanage. Now I
can go to his home, meet his mom, and see what their needs are (the neighbor says they are very poor). I am so glad that God
blessed me this way today.
February 19, 2010
Good news on 12 year old Dilyen (see blog of February 15)! We have found him a foster home here in Cap. The family has agreed to
keep him for an annual rent of $164. We think his sustaining support will cost us about $60 a month for food and clothes. His school
will be free, because he is going into our new special ed program at the orphanage.
I asked him why his parents never sent him to school and he couldn't tell me. I know he lived in the Cite du Soleil section of
Port-au-Prince (PAP), which has a reputation for being the poorest area in the city. My suspicions are that his family was too poor to
send him. But also because of some of his limitations, they may have thought it a waste of money.
We will see what we can do with him. We have a special educator on call in Nashville with the West End Church of Christ, and she will
fill me in on what kind of education plan we can develop for him.
By the way, the family we have placed him with is Baptist, but they have agreed to let us be responsible for his spiritual welfare. I think
that is great and may be a way to reach that family too.
I also want you to meet Jean Andre St. Fleur. Jean Andre is a friend of Reese Scott from many years ago. He was referred to us by
Maxi of Dondon (his hometown) and Julien Pierre Antoine, both grad preachers of the CBT. He was at PAP studying accounting when
the earthquake happened. He is back here in Cap with other family. We gave him $ for food and whatever else he needs for now.
Notice his right arm in the pic. He was in horse accident when he was 11 or 12 and Reese helped him recover. Pic below.
Good news on 12 year old Dilyen (see blog of February 15)! We have found him a foster home here in Cap. The family has agreed to
keep him for an annual rent of $164. We think his sustaining support will cost us about $60 a month for food and clothes. His school
will be free, because he is going into our new special ed program at the orphanage.
I asked him why his parents never sent him to school and he couldn't tell me. I know he lived in the Cite du Soleil section of
Port-au-Prince (PAP), which has a reputation for being the poorest area in the city. My suspicions are that his family was too poor to
send him. But also because of some of his limitations, they may have thought it a waste of money.
We will see what we can do with him. We have a special educator on call in Nashville with the West End Church of Christ, and she will
fill me in on what kind of education plan we can develop for him.
By the way, the family we have placed him with is Baptist, but they have agreed to let us be responsible for his spiritual welfare. I think
that is great and may be a way to reach that family too.
I also want you to meet Jean Andre St. Fleur. Jean Andre is a friend of Reese Scott from many years ago. He was referred to us by
Maxi of Dondon (his hometown) and Julien Pierre Antoine, both grad preachers of the CBT. He was at PAP studying accounting when
the earthquake happened. He is back here in Cap with other family. We gave him $ for food and whatever else he needs for now.
Notice his right arm in the pic. He was in horse accident when he was 11 or 12 and Reese helped him recover. Pic below.
February 21, 2010
After worship this morning we took Dilyen to his new home and met his new foster mom. She is also Tabitha's foster mom who took
care of her when she moved from Gran Riviere du Nord to here in Cap Haitien. She seems like a real sweetheart. I was really
concerned about Dilyen and how he would react, so we withheld the news of his departure from him until after worship this morning.
He was surprisingly OK with it. I assured him he would go to church with us and go to school here. He seemed to like that. Pic below.
I'm being told that because of the collapse of the building in Cap earlier this week, that the local government is mandating that all
schools be inspected for structural defects before they can open. I don't know who is qualified to do the inspection and how that
works. This has the potential to shut school down until September. I understand their rationale but I'm not sure if they have thought
through the ramifications of what they are telling us. On the other hand, we surely don't want a repeat of the building collapse for
anyone, so perhaps it's for the best. It's not my decision anyway, so I just go along with everybody else.
We are getting city electrical power fairly regularly, like every other day. We get it for about 8 hours which charges our batteries for
another 8 or 10 hours. If we are very judicious with power usage, we can stretch that to about 16 hours. It's very nice to have it and
we are grateful to God for giving it to us.
Still no news on the 20 kids from the earthquake. One day perhaps, but it would be nice if they informed us.
Finally, we just completed a very nice if short worship service at the Church of Christ on the Mountain. What incredibly lovely people!
I am so blessed to know them.
After worship this morning we took Dilyen to his new home and met his new foster mom. She is also Tabitha's foster mom who took
care of her when she moved from Gran Riviere du Nord to here in Cap Haitien. She seems like a real sweetheart. I was really
concerned about Dilyen and how he would react, so we withheld the news of his departure from him until after worship this morning.
He was surprisingly OK with it. I assured him he would go to church with us and go to school here. He seemed to like that. Pic below.
I'm being told that because of the collapse of the building in Cap earlier this week, that the local government is mandating that all
schools be inspected for structural defects before they can open. I don't know who is qualified to do the inspection and how that
works. This has the potential to shut school down until September. I understand their rationale but I'm not sure if they have thought
through the ramifications of what they are telling us. On the other hand, we surely don't want a repeat of the building collapse for
anyone, so perhaps it's for the best. It's not my decision anyway, so I just go along with everybody else.
We are getting city electrical power fairly regularly, like every other day. We get it for about 8 hours which charges our batteries for
another 8 or 10 hours. If we are very judicious with power usage, we can stretch that to about 16 hours. It's very nice to have it and
we are grateful to God for giving it to us.
Still no news on the 20 kids from the earthquake. One day perhaps, but it would be nice if they informed us.
Finally, we just completed a very nice if short worship service at the Church of Christ on the Mountain. What incredibly lovely people!
I am so blessed to know them.
February 23, 2010
I'd like to take a few more minutes to introduce you to the latest earthquake victims that God has helped through your generosity:
I'd like to take a few more minutes to introduce you to the latest earthquake victims that God has helped through your generosity:
Herold Mogene. Herold is from Maxi's
congregation in Dondon. He was studying
agriculture at the polytech Univ in PAP. He
lost all his clothes and place to stay and he
just needs help in living back at Dondon
until school starts up again.
congregation in Dondon. He was studying
agriculture at the polytech Univ in PAP. He
lost all his clothes and place to stay and he
just needs help in living back at Dondon
until school starts up again.
Rouseline lost her husband in the PAP EQ.
She was a Jehovah's Witness but is now
staying with our assistant pastor Jonathan
and his family and starting to attend our
church. She has not been baptized. We
gave her $ to help with food.
She was a Jehovah's Witness but is now
staying with our assistant pastor Jonathan
and his family and starting to attend our
church. She has not been baptized. We
gave her $ to help with food.
Imen lost 3 of her 5 kids and her
husband in the earthquake. She is
staying with a neighbor and also
attending our church, although she
has not been baptized. We gave her
$ to help with food.
husband in the earthquake. She is
staying with a neighbor and also
attending our church, although she
has not been baptized. We gave her
$ to help with food.
I now want to take a moment to talk about someone who has not been victimized by the earthquake, Benson Robillard and his family.
Benson, age 14, is Tchooby’s half brother. Same dad (deceased) but different mom. Tchooby still looks out for him and the family.
Benson and his family are pictured below. They are about a week from eviction.
They have been living with permission in an unfurnished house that is scheduled for restoration. When the construction begins, they
have to leave. They have no furniture, they sleep on discarded carpet fragments on the damp concrete.
Benson’s mom, Angeline, lives on charity right now for herself and 5 kids (one is not pictured). Her husband deserted her and was in
PAP. With the earthquake, she doesn’t know if he is alive or dead.
Benson’s family is in a very desperate situation. They need help with rent (probably around $200/year once a place is found), food,
clothes, basic furniture, and then school for the kids that can go. Anything you can do to help would be appreciated. I have featured
them on the kids needing sponsors slide show (pages 17 and 18) but because this is so urgent, I'm asking for help for them now. Thanks
so much for whatever you can do.
Benson, age 14, is Tchooby’s half brother. Same dad (deceased) but different mom. Tchooby still looks out for him and the family.
Benson and his family are pictured below. They are about a week from eviction.
They have been living with permission in an unfurnished house that is scheduled for restoration. When the construction begins, they
have to leave. They have no furniture, they sleep on discarded carpet fragments on the damp concrete.
Benson’s mom, Angeline, lives on charity right now for herself and 5 kids (one is not pictured). Her husband deserted her and was in
PAP. With the earthquake, she doesn’t know if he is alive or dead.
Benson’s family is in a very desperate situation. They need help with rent (probably around $200/year once a place is found), food,
clothes, basic furniture, and then school for the kids that can go. Anything you can do to help would be appreciated. I have featured
them on the kids needing sponsors slide show (pages 17 and 18) but because this is so urgent, I'm asking for help for them now. Thanks
so much for whatever you can do.
February 24, 2010
Yesterday was an interesting day. First of all, Tchooby and I made black bean soup. Actually, Tchooby made it and I supervised. OK
OK, I sat and watched but...I made sure he didn't burn himself! He also used a good amount of habaneros and did a great job. This is
probably my favorite Haitian dish.
Next, we had a 17 year old kid from the outside named Junior ask me if he could go to church this coming Sunday. What's very
interesting about this is that this is a kid that we just started helping. We haven't talked to him at all about church or the Gospel or
Jesus or anything. But he is responding to the love of Jesus by wanting to go to our church.
What makes this all the more interesting to me is that this is the exact opposite of what I am sometimes accused of doing by
non-Christians. I don't know how many saw the Chronicle's article on internet evangelism but in it I talked a bit about doing internet
evangelism on the St. Louis Post Dispatch's Current Affairs Discussion Forum online. This forum has a lot of non Christians and some
are very hostile to Christianity. So I have taken a lot of heat about God's work here and our faith. Some there have accused me of
bribing the Haitians with food to get them baptized and get "another notch in my Bible." That is so far from the truth of the work here,
and I know you all know that. That's why I enjoyed sharing this story, because it shows that if you share the love of Jesus with others,
they will want to know more about it and respond accordingly. I know that's not every case, but it certainly is applicable here.
After that we were visited by the police. No, not about the jaywalking tickets, but they brought a 25 year old handicapped woman that
they found on the street to us. The lead officer's name is Gastin. He is a member of the Hertz Church of Christ and someone I know.
He used to be the driver and bodyguard for Aspile Fleurant when he was mayor of Cap Haitien in 2006. Aspile is also a member of the
Church of Christ but now resides in Miami.
Anyway, they found Jocelyn, also pictured below, wandering on the street and brought her to us to see what we could do with her. She
can't stay here permanently of course but we just can't say no. It seems that she was told to leave wherever she lived in St. Philomene
and she has no place to stay. This will be interesting trying to place her. She seems very emotional and was upset that the police
brought her to us. Stay tuned.
Last, I need to comment on the latest person that God is enabling us to assist. 14 year old Lagrulyssa, also pictured below at the right,
lost all of her family and material possessions in the PAP earthquake. Nanot, our cook, has taken her in. We will help with school but
the work of raising her will fall to Nanot. I am so impressed about how many of our church members have opened their sparse homes
(sparse by American standards) and shared what little they have with others. Another example is our assistant minister Jonathan. He
and his wife have seen their household grow from 5 to 9 with the additions of the kids (3) and mother they are helping. Madame
Chambo, our nighttime help with the little ones, has taken in 5 members of her family displaced by the earthquake. Yes we are helping
them somewhat financially but they have the responsibility for the families from now on. Just amazing to be here and watch the love of
Jesus in action.
Yesterday was an interesting day. First of all, Tchooby and I made black bean soup. Actually, Tchooby made it and I supervised. OK
OK, I sat and watched but...I made sure he didn't burn himself! He also used a good amount of habaneros and did a great job. This is
probably my favorite Haitian dish.
Next, we had a 17 year old kid from the outside named Junior ask me if he could go to church this coming Sunday. What's very
interesting about this is that this is a kid that we just started helping. We haven't talked to him at all about church or the Gospel or
Jesus or anything. But he is responding to the love of Jesus by wanting to go to our church.
What makes this all the more interesting to me is that this is the exact opposite of what I am sometimes accused of doing by
non-Christians. I don't know how many saw the Chronicle's article on internet evangelism but in it I talked a bit about doing internet
evangelism on the St. Louis Post Dispatch's Current Affairs Discussion Forum online. This forum has a lot of non Christians and some
are very hostile to Christianity. So I have taken a lot of heat about God's work here and our faith. Some there have accused me of
bribing the Haitians with food to get them baptized and get "another notch in my Bible." That is so far from the truth of the work here,
and I know you all know that. That's why I enjoyed sharing this story, because it shows that if you share the love of Jesus with others,
they will want to know more about it and respond accordingly. I know that's not every case, but it certainly is applicable here.
After that we were visited by the police. No, not about the jaywalking tickets, but they brought a 25 year old handicapped woman that
they found on the street to us. The lead officer's name is Gastin. He is a member of the Hertz Church of Christ and someone I know.
He used to be the driver and bodyguard for Aspile Fleurant when he was mayor of Cap Haitien in 2006. Aspile is also a member of the
Church of Christ but now resides in Miami.
Anyway, they found Jocelyn, also pictured below, wandering on the street and brought her to us to see what we could do with her. She
can't stay here permanently of course but we just can't say no. It seems that she was told to leave wherever she lived in St. Philomene
and she has no place to stay. This will be interesting trying to place her. She seems very emotional and was upset that the police
brought her to us. Stay tuned.
Last, I need to comment on the latest person that God is enabling us to assist. 14 year old Lagrulyssa, also pictured below at the right,
lost all of her family and material possessions in the PAP earthquake. Nanot, our cook, has taken her in. We will help with school but
the work of raising her will fall to Nanot. I am so impressed about how many of our church members have opened their sparse homes
(sparse by American standards) and shared what little they have with others. Another example is our assistant minister Jonathan. He
and his wife have seen their household grow from 5 to 9 with the additions of the kids (3) and mother they are helping. Madame
Chambo, our nighttime help with the little ones, has taken in 5 members of her family displaced by the earthquake. Yes we are helping
them somewhat financially but they have the responsibility for the families from now on. Just amazing to be here and watch the love of
Jesus in action.
February 28, 2010
First off, happy 16th birthday to my niece Jessica today. I pray and hope that it's a great day and you have a lot more. I'm also glad I'm in
Haiti and you're in Missouri when you learn to drive!
I've also updated the Wish List for anyone wanting to help me here personally. Just click on the tab to the extreme above right.
Also we got a lot more detail on our 25 year old handicapped woman from St. Philomene (see February 24 blog entry and her pic below).
It turns out she is another refugee from the earthquake in PAP. I just didn't have enough detail when I updated this page on the 24th.
So anyway she lost all she had in the earthquake and somehow made it up here. Then she was put in our big gym for refugees and then
found a place in St. Philomene, which is on the other side of town. She was asked to leave that and that's when the police picked her
up.
She is not an easy person to get along with. She stole all of Germone's sheets and hid them under her bed. (I'm laughing as I write this
but Gerome doesn't think it's so funny.) So Gerome got his sheets back and then she got into an argument with Ti Blan, one of the
workers here and tore his shirt. Ti Blan doesn't think it's funny either although he did laugh a bit when he told me. So she is scheduled
to leave on the 3rd of March. As I said before...stay tuned.
One last thing. We had another great worship this evening at the Church of Christ on the Mountain. We had over 30 in attendance. I
preached Acts Chapter 2. We discussed the early church and how Peter preached only Jesus, just Jesus. It lasted a little longer than
before which is good. We are also happy to help them when we can.
We met a very old lady who has a "home" (quasi-shack) with a dirt floor at the base of the mountain. She takes her one blanket and
sheet up the hill to the open shelter to sleep. She did not remember how old she was. We will help her out this coming week. We
thank God for allowing us this privledge.
First off, happy 16th birthday to my niece Jessica today. I pray and hope that it's a great day and you have a lot more. I'm also glad I'm in
Haiti and you're in Missouri when you learn to drive!
I've also updated the Wish List for anyone wanting to help me here personally. Just click on the tab to the extreme above right.
Also we got a lot more detail on our 25 year old handicapped woman from St. Philomene (see February 24 blog entry and her pic below).
It turns out she is another refugee from the earthquake in PAP. I just didn't have enough detail when I updated this page on the 24th.
So anyway she lost all she had in the earthquake and somehow made it up here. Then she was put in our big gym for refugees and then
found a place in St. Philomene, which is on the other side of town. She was asked to leave that and that's when the police picked her
up.
She is not an easy person to get along with. She stole all of Germone's sheets and hid them under her bed. (I'm laughing as I write this
but Gerome doesn't think it's so funny.) So Gerome got his sheets back and then she got into an argument with Ti Blan, one of the
workers here and tore his shirt. Ti Blan doesn't think it's funny either although he did laugh a bit when he told me. So she is scheduled
to leave on the 3rd of March. As I said before...stay tuned.
One last thing. We had another great worship this evening at the Church of Christ on the Mountain. We had over 30 in attendance. I
preached Acts Chapter 2. We discussed the early church and how Peter preached only Jesus, just Jesus. It lasted a little longer than
before which is good. We are also happy to help them when we can.
We met a very old lady who has a "home" (quasi-shack) with a dirt floor at the base of the mountain. She takes her one blanket and
sheet up the hill to the open shelter to sleep. She did not remember how old she was. We will help her out this coming week. We
thank God for allowing us this privledge.
March 3, 2010
Thanks to the Rifle Church of Christ in Rifle, CO, I had a very nice 2 day break at the Mont Joli Hotel March 1 and 2. It was expensive but
it also came at a good time. The constant demands for money and help can be overwhelming at times. It was supposed to be a private
mini-vacation but word got out and I was visited a bit too much. One guy came from Madeline, which is about a mile farther away from
the hotel than the orphanage is. I told him to come back today to the orphanage. He asked me for money so he could go home and
return the next day to ask me for money. Go figure.
We are starting to wrap up our earthquake assistance to new people. We have identified some people who will stay in the area and we
believe they will need sustained help over the rest of this year. Those we will continue to help. Some of them like Dilyen the 12 year
old special kid, will need help for many years in the future. Today though we did help 33 year old Filisea (pic below) who needed some
help after having lost everything.
Thanks to the Rifle Church of Christ in Rifle, CO, I had a very nice 2 day break at the Mont Joli Hotel March 1 and 2. It was expensive but
it also came at a good time. The constant demands for money and help can be overwhelming at times. It was supposed to be a private
mini-vacation but word got out and I was visited a bit too much. One guy came from Madeline, which is about a mile farther away from
the hotel than the orphanage is. I told him to come back today to the orphanage. He asked me for money so he could go home and
return the next day to ask me for money. Go figure.
We are starting to wrap up our earthquake assistance to new people. We have identified some people who will stay in the area and we
believe they will need sustained help over the rest of this year. Those we will continue to help. Some of them like Dilyen the 12 year
old special kid, will need help for many years in the future. Today though we did help 33 year old Filisea (pic below) who needed some
help after having lost everything.
I also wanted to take a few moments to remind everyone about the outside kids we help through your donations. We have had to limit it
to 15 kids a day because it too was becoming overwhelming. But we give them crackers and peanut butter so we know they are getting
some food. They stay from 3 to 4 in the afternoon. We then pick 3 or 4 of the 15 and they clean my house (sweeping, mopping, and
dishes) and after that they get eggs, beans, or Top-Ramen noodles. They love Top-Ramen but there is no nutritional value in them so
we try to limit them. With eggs, beans, and peanut butter, they are getting some protein. Pics below. By the way, since working with
these kids for about 2 years now, most of them have been baptized and are attending our church.
to 15 kids a day because it too was becoming overwhelming. But we give them crackers and peanut butter so we know they are getting
some food. They stay from 3 to 4 in the afternoon. We then pick 3 or 4 of the 15 and they clean my house (sweeping, mopping, and
dishes) and after that they get eggs, beans, or Top-Ramen noodles. They love Top-Ramen but there is no nutritional value in them so
we try to limit them. With eggs, beans, and peanut butter, they are getting some protein. Pics below. By the way, since working with
these kids for about 2 years now, most of them have been baptized and are attending our church.
March 8, 2010
Argggggggggggh! Is school ever going to start here?!?!? They have postponed it another week. Our newest ETS (estimated time to
start) is next Monday March 15. I'm starting to feel like Thomas, I'll believe when I see.
Had another great worship with the Church of Christ on the Mountain. These people are so sweet. I just can't help loving every one of
them. We are explaining the Church of Christ to them. Last Sunday March 1, we taught on Acts 2. Yesterday and next Sunday we are
teaching on the role of women in Christ's church. There are a few churches here in Haiti of various denominations that have women
preachers and pastors. There has been some dissension within our group but definitely they want to know what the Bible says. One
woman yesterday said that one of the main reasons for women preachers was that the men were lazy or uninterested. I told her it's the
same way in the US, but that is no excuse for doctrinal error. I'm enjoying this as I watch a church form before my eyes.
We also visited Granmesi yesterday. She is the old lady that lives in a quasi-shack (it needs upgrades to be considered a real shack)
and doesn't remember her age. She has one tooth. It's so beautiful. Her pic is below. She can't make it up the mountain to the
worship site so we visit her, pray with her, and help her.
Argggggggggggh! Is school ever going to start here?!?!? They have postponed it another week. Our newest ETS (estimated time to
start) is next Monday March 15. I'm starting to feel like Thomas, I'll believe when I see.
Had another great worship with the Church of Christ on the Mountain. These people are so sweet. I just can't help loving every one of
them. We are explaining the Church of Christ to them. Last Sunday March 1, we taught on Acts 2. Yesterday and next Sunday we are
teaching on the role of women in Christ's church. There are a few churches here in Haiti of various denominations that have women
preachers and pastors. There has been some dissension within our group but definitely they want to know what the Bible says. One
woman yesterday said that one of the main reasons for women preachers was that the men were lazy or uninterested. I told her it's the
same way in the US, but that is no excuse for doctrinal error. I'm enjoying this as I watch a church form before my eyes.
We also visited Granmesi yesterday. She is the old lady that lives in a quasi-shack (it needs upgrades to be considered a real shack)
and doesn't remember her age. She has one tooth. It's so beautiful. Her pic is below. She can't make it up the mountain to the
worship site so we visit her, pray with her, and help her.
March 11, 2010
Happy birthday to my older sister Mary! She is 51 today!!!!!
Good news on Dilyen, the 12 year old from PAP that lost all his family and everything else in the earthquake. He can
go to school in the normal classes. I thought that maybe he needed special education but as it turns out he does not.
Our principal Murelle, Fonrose's wife, tested him this morning and we are putting him in the 2nd grade. He is a really
neat kid but he still needs a sponsor.
More good news I hope. Babi, pictured working in our garden to your right, is starting to come around. He was
kicked out of the orphanage for bad behavior and has consistently lied and stolen. He has burned more bridges than
there are in Haiti. However, I put him with our assistant minister Jonathan, the one who just graduated from the CBT.
Jonathan has him working in the garden and is mentoring him one on one. I couldn't have asked for a better
arrangement. Please keep Babi in your prayers. He will be a work in progress for many years to come. But come to
think of it, aren't we all?
One last thing. Many of you email me and tell me you are praying for me. I can tell. Please understand how much that
is appreciated.
Happy birthday to my older sister Mary! She is 51 today!!!!!
Good news on Dilyen, the 12 year old from PAP that lost all his family and everything else in the earthquake. He can
go to school in the normal classes. I thought that maybe he needed special education but as it turns out he does not.
Our principal Murelle, Fonrose's wife, tested him this morning and we are putting him in the 2nd grade. He is a really
neat kid but he still needs a sponsor.
More good news I hope. Babi, pictured working in our garden to your right, is starting to come around. He was
kicked out of the orphanage for bad behavior and has consistently lied and stolen. He has burned more bridges than
there are in Haiti. However, I put him with our assistant minister Jonathan, the one who just graduated from the CBT.
Jonathan has him working in the garden and is mentoring him one on one. I couldn't have asked for a better
arrangement. Please keep Babi in your prayers. He will be a work in progress for many years to come. But come to
think of it, aren't we all?
One last thing. Many of you email me and tell me you are praying for me. I can tell. Please understand how much that
is appreciated.