Always On My Mind...

Don't think for a minute that I have forgotten Haiti. I have not! About a month after the earthquake, I had my own personal shaking and I've had to pull back from many things to focus on my sons, meeting their daily needs and keeping my focus. Haiti is always in our hearts and on our minds. I wasn't aware of many who were following this blog, so I pulled back from posting.

For the past two weeks, my sweet little J has been daily praying for and weeping over Haiti. I love his heart. I pray for ways for our family to still be involved and to help the people of Haiti, even in the midst of our own crisis. I do not feel, at this time, that I am called to go into Haiti. I would love to go, but I feel that medical and construction workers are most needed and I'd rather help to send in those types of people.

Lord, we know that the needs in Haiti are still so overwhelming...Grant strength to those who are living there, stuck there and ministering there. Show us how we can best serve our brothers and sisters in that broken land...

The Needs Are Overwhelming

I remember living in Haiti and walking from one end of the mission compound to the other for meals. Three times a day, I had to weave through a throng of people who asked for my shirt, my skirt, my shoes, my Bible...anything that was on me, anything that I carried. I would arrive at the kitchen and see the table spread with our meal and I would feel such guilt. Why was I able to enjoy such bounty when there were thousands of people outside the mission gate who were hungry? I wanted to give them the shirt off my back and the food that was set before me.

However, about three months into my one year stay, I had grown accustomed to the begging and my heart toughened up a bit. I would see visitors come and go and struggle with the same things I did at first, but in order to survive day in and day out, I could not feel that intense need every moment. I didn't want my heart to be calloused, but I also had to find a balance so I could breathe.

Pray for those who are in Haiti day in and day out. Pray that they will have compassion for those who are hurting, and that they will be able to teach them to care for themselves. Haiti does not need to depend on the USA or any other nation. Haiti does not need to depend on the "blancs" to pull them through. Haiti needs to learn to cry out to Jehovah Jireh, their provider. He will meet their every need if they turn to Him. Alone.

Long Term Missionary Families

Please continue to pray for those who have served in Haiti, long before the earthquake. Many are struggling to find the balance between caring for their own families and meeting the overwhelming needs around them. Prior to January 12, 2001, Haiti was needy, needy, needy. There is a "give me" mentality that thrives in Haiti that has only been heightened since the disaster. Pray that each family will seek God's face and know what He is calling them to. Pray that husbands will love their wives as Christ loves the church. He said, "Come to Me, you who are weary...I will give you rest." Pray for wives to feel safe sharing their concerns with their husbands. Pray for children to be honest about their needs and fears about being in Haiti. Pray that this tragedy will bring families together and not tear them apart.

Rescue Haiti's Children

Rescue Haiti's Children: Walk Through a Tent Village from Douglas Phillips on Vimeo.

Prayer for Haiti...

Comfort those who mourn,
strengthen those who are weak,
shelter those who are homeless,
fill those who are hungry,
heal those who are wounded...

"Hear Us From Heaven"

Show Your Power, O God

Lord, today I lift up those who are growing weary. Many have been working day in and day out since January 12. Many have been without adequate food, water, shelter and medical care. So many are suffering and on the verge of death or mental break downs. I ask You to make Yourself known to those who need it most. Comfort those who mourn, feed those who hunger, give water to those who thirst and heal those who are sick. Show Your power, for You are God alone. Make a way where there seems to be no way. Silence the lies of the enemy and bring truth to light. You know the secret agendas of men and organizations, You know the ones who are trying to use this desparate situation to exploit and abuse others. You also know that there are many who are willing to help and lend their hands and hearts to help heal a broken, bleeding people. Show Yourself strong, open blind eyes, unlock deaf ears, come to Your people...

Baby Valentina Went Home to Jesus

My heart aches, the little one I posted about yesterday did not make it. She was just too weak and malnurished. So many more like her are suffering. Jesus, hold them close to Your heart...

Baby Valentina at GLA

"I received an email first thing this morning from Lori Zachary-Moise in Cazale at Real Hope for Haiti. A baby had just come to the clinic that was 1 month old and weighed 3 pounds 14 ounces. She was very malnourished and needed medical care urgently. Lori was very busy and Licia, her sister, was leaving for the States this afternoon. So I sent Susan and our driver, Ernst, to meet them and bring the baby back home.

Her name is Valentina and her mother is mentally ill. Her aunt came with her and said that her mother has been mentally ill since she was 2 years old. Mother gave birth and three days later, she was gone again. She left Valentina with her father and grandfather. They have been feeding this newborn under weight and probably premature baby baby food in a jar! Yes, your read that right! No milk. Only baby food!! We now have her on IV fluids. Her veins are horrible and Lori stuck her several times before finding a vein and the trip home made the IV stop running. So then I stuck several more times before finding a vein. She is now also getting some milk via a feeding tube into her stomach. The aunt said that she just went to visit today and found the baby in this condition. She took her to the clinic and realizes that she is in critical condition. Look at her little ribs showing! I told the aunt that Valentina is only bones! Please pray for Valentina."--from Dixie Bickle at God's Littlest Angels

As The Rainy Season Begins...

...hundreds of thousands are still without adequate shelter, food, water and medical care. Babies, children, men, women, elderly people still sleep in the streets and parks every night, most just have a blanket tarp held up by flimsy sticks. Reports are coming in...Most cannot sleep at all when they are drenched and muddy, uncomfortable and cold. Now is when diseases will spread and water supplies will be contaminated.

Lord, please show Your mercy. Hold back the rains. We know that this is the season for rain and that normally, the island of Haiti would need the rain and wait expectantly for it. You know how many there are who do not have a tent or a building to protect them...Please hold back the rain and open the doors so that supplies and aid can reach those who need it most.

Watch over the voiceless ones, the children who have no say about where they go or what hell they live through. People of position and power are shoving their way into situations that they no little about. SHOW YOURSELF STRONG. You are God alone, the big boss! You are still in control and only You can soften the hearts that are hard and cold. The children are precious to Your heart, hold them close and minister to them...

100 Salvations...

A REAL praise item... James said "he and the Evangelistic team had an AWESOME time of ministry last night, with over 100 people accepting Christ!" P.T.L. Pray for safety for both the Medical Team # 3, as they are to arrive in Haiti today and the Evangelistic team as they leave Haiti for home this morning.

--Report from James Arbaugh's other, Miriam

"Are You Listening" (A Song For Haiti)

I've heard several songs that have been written or rewritten for Haiti since 1-12-10. Many more will be written. This one expresses the anguish and sorrow of the people of Haiti like no other one yet released...

A Song To Sing Over Haiti

A Prayer For Haiti

You are God alone and no matter what we see with our eyes, we know that You are still on the throne. We ask You bring forth Your beauty from the ashes of Haiti. We love the nation and the people of Haiti, but we know that You love them more than we ever could. Reign in Haiti, Lord. Set souls free! Bring a true revelation of who You are and draw hearts to You. Grant the Haitian believers tenacity to serve You and You alone. I pray that today would be a day when many turn their backs on all other gods and run to You. May they serve You with abandon...

Please Do Not Forget Haiti

I was lying in the trunk of a rickety old car, sandwiched between a living person and two rotting, maggot infested corpses. The stench was unbearable and I did not want to breath for fear of losing what little food I had in my stomach. We were trying to identify the body so that some family would have closure. Finally, in utter desperation, we pulled over and our driver threw the corpses out, we simply could not endure the odor any longer.

A short while later, we were on a pier, surveying damages done in the earthquake. Out of nowhere, the dock began to shake and I knew we were going done. Cast into the sea, with debris falling all around, I wondered if this was my dying moment. Somehow, with supernatural strength, I swam to a nearby building, pulled myself out of the churning sea and huddled with four other survivors. Once the aftershock was over, I sat there, wondering "Why did I deserve to live when so many others died?" My next thoughts, "Would the shaking ever stop? Would the earth ever become stable and not threaten to move each day? If so, would the shaking in my own heart and mind ever stop?"

For me, these vivid scenes were only part of a dream. For millions, this reality is everyday life. I am moved to tears each and every time I view the video of a short term mission team being evacuated from NEW Missions near Leogane, Haiti. For the team and their families, that was a blessed day. However, what my eyes see each time is the shoreline that is filled with hundreds of Haitians who came to watch the choppers rescue the Americans, or "blancs." Those Haitians are left behind, without options or choices. They have no say on where they go next or if they have a place to lay their heads at night or if they have enough rice to feed to their babies. They are living day in and out in a hell that most of us cannot comprehend.

Already, our news has moved on. Daily events in Haiti are not being reported or recorded or brought to the front of our minds like they were the first two weeks after the earthquake. I beseech you, do not forget Haiti. Please keep praying and giving to help those who are on the front lines. If God tugs on your heart to go, please heed His voice. I know that going into Haiti right now is a frightening thought, but I am hearing such tremendous reports from hundreds who are there. God will make a way! He is raising up a new generation of people who will have a heart for Haiti. Add that to the hundreds of thousands who already had that heart, and we can be a mighty army, fighting on their behalf.

Please, please, please, do not forget Haiti.

Angel in a White Coat

"Our Bible Study tonight was John 9 and talking about how none of the scholars wanted to believe that Jesus had healed the blind man. We talked about how the the man found after 27 days under the rubble was kind of the same. The journalists are talking about it was not possible to survive that long without water and he must have had something to drink there somewhere! We have had no rain, so he did not drink rain water and there was no water around him when he was found. He says someone in a white coat brought him water from time to time. Everyone here that we have talked to says it was an Angel of God! They believe it was a miracle. I do too! It is unexplainable and why even try to take away from the wondrousness of this event in this man's life and in this nation? This has been a very uplifting thing for all of us right now and all of the journalist just need to except that there are some things that they cannot explain away and sometimes there ARE miracles! As for me?? I BELIEVE!

And life in Haiti goes on..."--From Dixie Bickle, God's Littlest Angels

URGENT NEED IN HAITI

If anyone is reading this and can help out, please email me at dbnhbaker@aol.com and I will put you in touch with Dixie. The needs are still so great, let's not forget about Haiti just because the news has moved on to other subjects.

"The doctor told Laurie that she never wanted to be in this position ever again. She said to be caught without the basic supplies to help in a disaster like this earthquake has been is the most horrible thing. Haiti does not even have ventilators to help patients stay alive if they need breathing assistance. The doctors in her clinic are bagging patients by hand 24/7! Last week, 4 patients died because they did not have ventilators. How sad is that? We need to get more supplies to Haiti. Supplies like ventilators, suction machines, irrigation machines, and other supplies need to come to Haiti. Surely there are medical supply businesses out there that can donate some of these things to our Haitian doctors? "--Dixie Bickle, God's Littles Angels in Haiti

Reflections from Anje Ackerman Cassel, (She Served With the Arbaughs Medical Team #1)

"Evening was beginning to fall on Haiti as our two vehicles, loaded high with our 12-member relief team, attempted the steep rocky ascent of the crumbling road towards our next work site. This was week two of our mobile relief clinic, and exactly two weeks since the first earthquake that toppled Port-Au-Prince and sent its citizens to the streets—the streets where most still remain, with no more than a sheet and a stick for shelter.

We parked the truck and began the ascent past crumbled homes and street fires, stopping to hear an elderly woman weep and gesticulate to the skies, her cloudy eyes rich with the baptism of pain as she reached out and proclaimed that she is “under the arm of the grand master”.

A white dove led the way past twisted rubble as we “blancs” (whites) followed the pastor who was leading us into his own devastated community. We crested the hill and he reminded us to wear masks if we had brought one… Two weeks since the quake, yet many bodies of the victims remain under hopelessly crushed structures, their scent a painful reminder to the families who mourn them.

No vehicles can pass through this area. Demolition will continue one neighborhood block at a time—one cinder block, one board, one red and blue high chair compressed to the floor with a small plush reindeer lying dusty next to it.

Beyond the crumbled homes and offices was another vast hillside, a slumping array of flattened dwellings and leaning structures, pockmarked with eroded sites of homes that slid to crush what laid below. Power lines drooped, waving their dark flags of black plastic bags, soot and other various materials that now cling to them like sea kelp.

The pastor wept as he showed us where his office once stood, across from the spot where his church once stood. A parishoner’s wife lays buried beneath this ground. The girl’s young daughter-- eyes red from dust and sorrow-- sits quietly by, her arm in a makeshift sling.

An odd thing happens as we stand together weeping. A rainbow cuts through the haze and reaches heavenward. Its arm curves to embrace the hillside, much like the “arm of the grand master” that covers the elderly woman who cried out to us in the street.

Joe has prayer with the community’s pastor. They pray for each other loudly as we circle around to lay on hands. Fires burn in the street, fires that burn trash and cremate bodies. We keep praying. We sing Amazing Grace in two languages and we weep some more. We lay hands on Dr. Richard Alderfer and on each other, nurses, EMT’s, relief workers. We feel God’s presence.

Tomorrow will begin another day of mobile clinic work in tent cities. We will see more wounds, more fractures, more sick babies. We will see patients who still have not seen a doctor since the day of the quake. We will treat them if we can. Those too badly injured we will transport to the Miami University tent hospital near the Port-Au-Prince airport. They will be treated there or flown to the USS Comfort for surgery. We will see a young girl with a fractured femur, a grown woman with a crushed pelvis, a boy whose hand must be operated on before gangrene dictates amputation.

Meanwhile, as we return to our truck in the dusk, a shy girl reaches for my hand and flashes a bashful grin. I smile back and she loves this. I think of my own young children back in America, and I nearly fall to my knees to mourn this girl’s loss of innocence. It is more than a mother’s heart can bear. As we weave through the makeshift tents, I pass a hand-painted message “God is good all the time”. I pull myself together and we continue. In the morning we will return to provide medical care—but my hope is to provide more than just that. I pray that we will have the time to listen to a story as a patient waits in line, to give them a chance to tell their stories of loss, and of redemption in the midst of suffering. I know already that these good, strong suffering people will teach all of us what it means to have joy in adversity." --Anje Ackerman Cassel, RN, BSN

Working Together

Below is a report of the Arbaughs and the MCC Medical teams, who met up with NEW Missions in Leogane, Haiti. I love reading stories like this one, God is bringing people TOGETHER and in the spirit of UNITY, things are getting done. He has granted NEW Missions favor and the US military continues to use the mission as a base. In the meantime, much work is getting done and tons of food is being distributed.

"We returned last night from a couple days in Leogane, an area along the coast. We spent the night in a field, and the stars were amazing. Our VMM Haiti Program Management Group (PMG) pastor friend Enoch hosted us. He is a dear, long time member of our mission direction committee whose house was destroyed. The first day we held a small clinic for his village/community. We took care of several patients who had lost children in the quake, which was heartbreaking. That evening, we went to New Mission on the coast a couple of miles away and picked up food and water rations and face masks. Yesterday, we worked outside of a tent city nearby and held clinic for most of the day- we were fortunate to have some shade from trees. The truck’s axle broke, but Joe managed to get it fixed quickly, and pastor Enoch rented a tap-tap (taxi) and we caravanned for the couple of hours back home. In spite of the heat, we are doing well and greatly appreciate your prayer support."--James Arbaugh

From My "Haitian Mama," Malou

I have been anxiously awaiting news from a dear friend, Malou. She served as a missionary at NEW Missions in 1993 with me. She lived there after I left and eventually landed in the Dominican Republic where she serves Haitian refugees. She is Haitian American and grew up in the USA. She attended David Wilkerson's Times Square Church for many years. Malou is a true missionary, she gets into the thick of things with the people she serves, she lives modestly and is a prayer warrior unlike any other I've ever met. She is Jesus with skin on. Fluent in English, Spanish, French and Creole, the Lord has been using her mightily over the past weeks to translate for doctors and other relief workers. Her heart is breaking for her people, anguished over the depth of sorrow and destruction they will face for years to come...

"No matter how dire is the material need of the Haitians , their spiritual need is greater. All of the survivors have been crying out for prayer. They are eager to tell the story of how our Good God has saved their lives . However I believe that many governments can come together to rebuild that nation but without a change of heart it will be useless. There is no doubt that God’s purposes for Haiti will be fulfilled , maybe one of them is to improve the so-so relationship between the two nations of the island : their very first help came from the Dominicans. The Dominican president was the first one to visit our neighbors and in the midst of this chaos , he organized the aids coming from other countries and open his own home to provide a three day rest to his Haitian colleague. The love and care that the Haitian people received from the Dominican people is unforgettable. From every corner of the Dominican Republic came food, water, medicine, oxygen,
eyes full of tears and sadness , a friendly hand to our neighbors. However the nation of Haiti pursue its destiny, no matter what’s going on GOD IS STILL IN CONTROL."--Malou

Add your prayers to mine for Malou and the thousands of others who are serving in Haiti. Please, do not forget Haiti!!

The Story of Rodney and Lillian Smoker, Earthquake Survivors

Haiti Earthquake Survivors from Larre on Vimeo.

Pray For Long Term Missionaries

Please pray for wisdom for the missionaries who are in Haiti, the ones who were living in Haiti before the earthquake. So many are battle weary and needing to be refreshed and renewed, yet plagued by guilt at the thought of leaving the ones they love behind in the aftermath. Pray for God to make His best known to each family, that they would be able to discern His voice and remember to take care of their own bodies, minds and spirits in the midst of such pain. Pray that counselors, friends and pastors would offer listening ears and shoulders to cry on. There is so much to process and many have been operating on pure adrenaline for the past twenty days.

Lord, brings rivers of refreshing in the desert. You open Your arms and invite them in, "Come to Me, you who are weary and heavy burdened and I will give you rest..." Breathe Your breath of life into those who have been fighting on the front lines, long before the quake hit. Hold them in Your arms tonight...Bring peace to every tormented memory...heal them, and they will be whole!

Medical Team #2 (With the Arbaughs)

The support staff of doctor, and replacement nurses and helpers is scheduled to arrive in Port-au-Prince on Wednesday, February 3rd. It consists of the following persons...

Meriwether Anderson, RN, ER, infectious disease

James Conrad, MD from Perkasie, PA with 40 years of experience in family medicine, now retired

Carol Lazer, RN, 43 years in surgical, wound care, now retired

David Powell, Environmental Scientist, lived and worked in Haiti with MCC, knows creole language

Micah Puffer, BSN-RN, Martha Jefferson Hospital Emergency Room, Medical-surgical

Laura Trissel, RN, OCN Rockingham Memorial Hospital, Mission trips to Asia and Africa

Josephine Wagner, RN, Western State Hospital has been to Haiti in 2003

John and Elaine Schaefer and Dr Alderfer will remain in Haiti to join Medical Team # 2.

Haiti Relief Night of Worship

Tonight was a glorious one! Despite the snow and ice outside, over 187 people came out to worship, intercede and give from their hearts to bless relief efforts in Haiti. Three different church worship teams led sets of music and there were at least ten churches represented. Unity in the Body of Christ is such a precious thing! I will have the offering total to report soon and plan to send it to Restoration Fellowship to be passed on to Haiti Family, the ministries of the Smoker and Francois families.

Update--$3700 was raised last night! Praise the Lord!

Thursday Update--Total check was written for $3900!

Praying for Rain to Hold Off

I keep checking the forecast in Haiti. This is normally the time of year that they have a rainy season. Of course, with so many living outside right now, rain would make things miserable. There are reports of light showers, but nothing full blown yet. I looked on weather.com and saw that the forecast is "partly cloudy" for the next week. Lord, please protect these precious people and hold back the downpours until they are safely tucked inside sturdy tents.

Medical Team #1 (With the Arbraughs)

The report is that the team is HEALTHY (praise God) and doing well. They are super busy and blog posts are brief, but they are doing great. Thank You, Lord. The origional plan was to stay in Haiti until February 4, please keep them in your prayers!

The team consists of the following persons...
John Schaefer - Helper and transulator for Creole language, 4 years of mission work in Haiti
Elaine Schaefer - LPN and transulator for Creole language, 4 years of mission work in Haiti
Richard Alderfer - Physician
Anje Cassel - Emergency Room RN from Augusta Health Fishersville
Danny Kiser - EMT
Jeffry Kiser - Helper
Laurie Buel - Operating Room RN
Charlene Simmons - ICU RN's with experience in ER
Luke Bucher - ICU RN's with experience in ER
Karen Treacey - Past EMT and Rescue

Back in the Battle

This precious family survived the 1-12-10 earthquake in Haiti. They were inside a three story building when the quake hit and were able to dig their way free of the rubble. They spent days helping others, came to the USA to rest for a short time and are now back in Haiti, tenting it with the people they love most. Please pray for Rodney, Lillian and baby Jeremiah.



If you would like to hear the stories and testimonies they shared on Sunday night, go to Petra Fellowship's website www.petrafel.org and click on the message from 1-24-10. Powerful!

Haiti Relief Night of Worship

Weather permitting...

We will be have a community night of worship to focus on prayers and intercessions for the country of Haiti. We will also take up a love offering to bless the work that the Francois and Smoker families are doing on ground zero in Haiti.

Sunday, January 31 at 6 p.m. at Potter's House Worship Center in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Worship teams from Family Worship Center, Potter's House and River of Life will each lead a set of music. This event will be a call to battle, a time for us to stand in the gap for those who are serving and those who are suffering in Haiti. If you need more information, please let me know!

James 1:27

"Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world." James 1:27 (NKJV)

Lord, bless those who are on the front lines in Haiti today. Grant them strength, good health and strong stomachs to face whatever challenges this day holds. Bless them as they reach out to the orphans and widows, the ones who are dear to You heart. Bring restoration to the land...

Prayer Guide for Haiti (And the Nations of the World)

Pray Guide for Haiti (And the Nations of the World)

Pray Ephesians 6:10-18 over yourself, your family and the nation you are praying for.
*Belt of truth
*Breastplate of righteousness
*Sandals of peace
*Shield of faith
*Helmet of salvation
*Sword of the Spirit
*Prayers of supplication



Thanksgiving
*Thank God for all His goodness to you and to the people you are praying for



Repent of any sin in your own life, stand as Daniel did on behalf of a wicked nation and people, plead the blood of Jesus over those sins. Daniel 9:4-5
*Study the generation and territorial spirits of the nation God has laid on your heart
*Ask God to open blinded eyes and open deaf ears and soften hard hearts
*Ask God to send angels to walk among the people, to share the Gospel, to be His hands and feet where there is need
*Pray against the powers of darkness, the lies of the enemy and the strongholds of that area



Ask God for His mercy, come boldly before the throne of grace expecting mercy for everything that nation is struggling with.
*Governmental powers
*Financial needs
*Health and medical needs
*Daily needs for food, shelter, clothing, education



Give Yourself to the Lord, invite Him to be Lord of your life, your circumstances, your needs.
*“Today is Your day. Today I thank You. Today I yield my will to Yours. Today I yield my desires to You. Today I yield every plan I have to You. Today let Your will be dong in my life. Today let me be a blessing.”

Ask God to prepare you for the day and to bless the nation that He has placed on your heart.
*“Prepare me/us for every test, trial, opposition, and obstacle that I/we will face today.”



Thank God that the enemy is bound and rebuked.

Something "Normal"

I've been following about ten blogs of missionaries and orphanages inside Haiti. One amazing woman was sharing about how she did a lot of running and marathon training, prior to the earthquake. After the horrific events of that day and the ones that followed, life and death became the glaring reality and all things "normal" went out the broken window. Today, for the first time in 14 days, she and another lady went for a run. Another missionary drove by and said, "It's so good to see you doing something so normal. God bless you." Wow.

While I am not in the thick of the battle like so many people, my life also halted that day. I could not eat or sleep for days on end and our entire routine was thrown off. I have spent more than 100 hours on the phone or computer or praying for the needs on the phone or computer. Last night I didn't get to sleep until three a.m. Nonetheless, today has had a "normal" feel to it...as if life can ever go back to the way things were before the earthquake.

Do you measure time in "befores" and "afters?" I often refer to my life "pre children" or "post children." Often, tragedy splits time in two. "Before she died" and "after she died" can be heard in conversations. I know our family will use the earthquake in Haiti as an event that split life in two. So many things that mattered before seems so insignificant now. And the things that mattered before--staying close to God and each other--are even more confirmed in our hearts. For us, serving Jesus and being a strong knit family is the most "normal" thing we will ever do. So, we move forward...into the norm...

Burning the Midnight Oil

It's almost 2 a.m. and I have not been able to fall asleep yet...

Lord, I surrender myself completely to You. If You have me awake to intercede for those who are on the front lines of the battlefield, so be it! You are here with me, while I sit in the comfort and warmth of my own home. You are also thousands of miles away with the precious people of Haiti and the thousands of relief workers who are giving their hearts and souls to save lives. Lift them up tonight, Lord. For those who are resting, flood them with peace and keep them safe through the darkest hours of the night. For those who are burning the midnight oil, operating and taking care of wounded souls, keep them alert and on guard. Ease the pain and suffering of the hundreds of thousands who are wounded. Oh, God, I cry out for Your mercy, touch bodies and bring healing that can only be explained by the power of Your hand.

I ask for salivations to come forth from this tragedy. You are God alone, only You can make something beautiful out of something so ghastly. Bring people to their knees, I pray that they would cry out for Your mercies and forgiveness. I ask that You touch the hearts of military, medical and relief personnel, I pray that many will come to accept Your gift of salvation even as they offer their gifts of service.

Be glorified! Be exalted! You are the one and only TRUE GOD. Show Your power, oh God, all over that land! Break the powers of darkness, dispel it with Your light. Darkness cannot stand in the presence of light! Break the curses and powers of voodoo, in the name and by the blood of Your precious Son, Jesus! Jesus came to set this people free! I pray that they would reach for Your freedom, Your truth, Your light...

Good News From The Field

Charlie arrived at the mission to find nearly 500 military personnel (navy & marines) camped out with heavy equipment, food, and supplies. They agreed to help him bring food to all the New Missions schools today. We are celebrating that all our school kids will eat today!! Thank you, Jesus!! The military is also treating the injured.--at NEW Missions in Leogane

Some of the guys from Restoration Fellowship (Seth and Doyle) were able to go back to the Labady home to rest, shower and use a real toilet (these are the things that bless a soldier on the field right now). God is knitting hearts together and giving so many a passion to do His work in Haiti.--Francois Family and Restoration

We finally read a post from James Arbaugh last night. The medical team from Virginia which also includes our dear friends the Schaeffers, is safe and busy doing His work. Thank You, Lord for your protection.--Arbaughs

Pray for Unity

As I have read posts from various groups the past few days, I see a theme emerging. We need to pray for unity among those who are on the ground in Haiti. Everyone has a common goal, to heal and restore hope to a broken people. One group has this way of doing things, another group has a far different plan. We see this all over our world and right now, we need to come together, find our common ground and fight our common enemy.

Dear Jesus, You are the only Lord and King, Ruler of everything. You are in Haiti, just as you are with us who are not able to be there. Unite hearts, bring a peace to each one who is far from home and the comforts and safety of what is familiar. People are weary, they have taken in so many sights, sounds, smells and they are on emotional overload. Help them to bind together and not take things out on one another. Bring a spirit of unity and peace to each tent camp, tent hospital, military unit, humanitarian team...Above all, we want to hear Your name exalted. So many went to Haiti to help others, but I pray for those who do not yet know You. May this experience bring them to their knees, crying out for Your mercy and forgiveness, accepting You as their Lord and Savior...

A Song For Haiti--Glory In It All

My dear friend, Paula, shared this song with me. Her worship leader/team at Orlando Baptist wrote this and it speaks to the heart of what has happened to our Haiti. "Lord, have mercy..."

NEW Missions in Leogane, Haiti

"Charlie DeTellis returns to Haiti today after being evacuated one wk ago after the earthquake. Today, the 22 New Missions churches in Haiti will be a pace of hope for the families across the Leogane Plain, Haiti."--from Tim DeTellis

Facts and History of Haiti

LOCATION:
CARIBBEAN, WESTERN ONE-THIRD OF THE ISLAND OF HISPANIOLA, BETWEEN THE CARIBBEAN SEA AND THE NORTH ATLANTIC OCEAN, WEST OF THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

AREA:
27,750 SQ KM (10, 714 SQ FT) APPROXIMATELY THE SIZE OF THE STATE OF MARYLAND

CLIMATE:
TROPICAL—AVERAGE TEMPERATURE IS 81 DEGREES
POPULATION: 8.9 MILLION (APPROX 1.4 MILLION IN CAPITAL OF PORT-AU-PRINCE) PROJECTED POPULATION IN 2025: 13.2 MILLION

INFANT MORTALITY RATE:
62.3 DEATHS PER 1000 LIVE BIRTHS (8.26 IN THE UNITED STATES)

LIFE EXPECTANCY AT BIRTH:
57 YEARS (77.8 YEARS IN THE UNITED STATES)

LITERACY:
ONLY 52.9% OF THOSE OVER 15 CAN READ AND WRITE

NATIONAL HOLIDAY—INDEPENDENCE DAY—JANUARY 1
HAITI BECAME THE FIRST BLACK REPUBLIC TO DECLARE ITS INDEPENDENCE IN 1804.

ECONOMY:
HAITI IS THE POORTEST COUNTRY IN THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE, WITH 80% OF THE POPULATION LIVING BELOW THE POVERTY LINE. THE PER CAPITA INCOME IN HAITI IS $480 PER YEAR. THE VAST MAJORITY OF HAITIANS LIVE ON LESS THAN $2 PER DAY.

LANGUAGE:
FRENCH IS THE OFFICIAL LANGUAGE OF THE GOVERNMENT AND BUSINESS, BUT HAITIAN CREOLE, A MIXTURE OF FRENCH AND AFRICAN LANGUAGES, IS PRIMARILY SPOKEN.

Please, Do Not Forget Haiti

Please, please, please do not forget Haiti...Already the news is showing less and less footage. But for those who remain there, the nightmare is far from over.

Pray, pray, pray. Pass this blog and other information on to others, gather with friends, family and co-workers and PRAY. When you sit down to eat dinner with your family, pray for Haiti and help to keep this devastated nation in the minds and hearts of those you know.

Give, give, give. Even though our nation is in a recession, we do not have the slightest comprehension of what these dear souls are going through. Most of us have homes that are structurally sound, warm and dry. Most of us have more food to eat than we need. Most of us have way too many clothes, toys, gadgets and non essentials. While so many have only the clothes on their back, we must reach into the deepest parts of our souls and ask "What can I do? What can I give?"

Go, go, go. For now, the most critical need is for medical care givers. If you are a nurse, doctor, pharmacist of any type of medical assistant, contact someone for information about taking your skills to Haiti for a week or two. There are so many who are there now, working around the clock. They are working in third world conditions, without the use of technology and they are beyond exhausted.

Please, please, please do not forget Haiti.

Forever Families

Today, I invite you to join your prayers with mine for the hundreds of Haitian orphans who need to be reunited with their forever families. Mothers and fathers from around the world have already gone through the lengthy process of adoption and now they are desparate to have their children removed from the nightmare of what is going on in Haiti. We rejoice with those who have been victorious thus far, and join our hearts together to ask for that same triumph for hundreds of others. I have read the blog from God's Littles Angels this morning and the needs are great. Also, pray for strength for Dixie and the others who are exhausted after nine days of frontline battle work. As Moses lifted up Aaron's arms in battle, so we must lift the weary arms of those who remain in Haiti.

Satan Has Lost!

"Bry said a little girl (5 years old) had to have 2 toes cut off. She was sitting on her mother's lap, screaming and crying in pain, but never kicked or flinched. Her mom had told her that she couldn't move her foot...and she didn't.

I can't tell you how tough and brave these people are. I hope that helps you to understand. You have no idea how proud I am today to have Haitian blood running through my veins.


Bry called to finish the story of the little girl because we got cut off. He said the girl was screaming as her toes were being worked on, "Satan, ou te pedi, ou te pedi, ou te pedi batay sa!"
It means, "Satan, you lost! You lost! You lost this battle!'"--Lisa B.

A Song To Sing Over Haiti

A Haitian Home For $600

Would you like to help REBUILD Haiti? In time, there will be a great need. Denny Nissley, founder and director of Chirst In Action, has been a friend of my family for more than twenty-five years. The ministry is currently sending supplies to Haiti with Friend Ships. The link to thier site is posted to the right of this post.

"We are building a "prefabricated" home here in Northern VA that will be stacked and banded together. We will transport them to the Port of Miami where we will put the houses on our ship that is owned and operated by our partner ministry, Friend Ships, who will take the houses to Haiti. Once in Haiti CIA will have volunteers clearing debris to set assemble the houses. Once the house is on the site it will take only 2 hours to assemble and move a family into it. We are beginning to work with the Haitian government to provide large tracts of land where we intend to plant a church or work with an existing church to build this community around. We are also exploring the idea of building a school and a medical clinic with the church so we can rebuild the entire community around these resources. We are intending to build a few thousand of these homes. We have built prototype of the house and we will begin mass production as soon as possible, hopefully within the next week.

So,$600 will buy the material to build the home. The 15,000 sq ft warehouse we are using is donated for 6 months, CIA is 100% volunteer, no one receives a salary. This keeps the overhead to an absolute minimum. We are raising funds to transport the home to the Port of Miami and to put fuel in the boat. The boat holds 37,000 gallons of diesel fuel and we do not know how much fuel it will cost to go between Miami and Haiti but we will be finding that out in the near future."--Denny Nissley

Needs In Haiti

"I wonder if there are any structural engineers available to come assess the situation here. The Haitians are terrified to return inside. Many have no homes to return to. We are currently looking into options for constructing some temporary housing for folks who have lost their homes. Of course, if we are going to be having aftershocks like the one yesterday, it doesn’t make sense to begin building. And this, I believe, is the source of great stress to so many. We want to say “Okay, the quake happened, let’s clean up and get the reconstruction started.” But it is far from that simple. On Tuesday, Lex had spoken with Boss Pepe, our head mason. He told him we would start rebuilding the walls around the school and the office. When that big aftershock hit, I was glad that we hadn’t started the construction yet, as it would have already been destroyed. Most of us are challenged by the need for such patience.

We desperately need tents, blankets and food for distributing throughout our area. It is the coldest time of the year here and overnights can be extremely uncomfortable. Should we get a serious rain at night while the people have no shelter, they could end up very ill. Please join us in praying for shelter to arrive for these folks." --Renee at Mission Of Hope

Requests from James Arbaugh

"Please pray as you feel led. Here are our current pray concerns...

Thank the Lord that I was not injured or killed in the earthquake.

Pray for the Oasis of Faith Christian Church, Marie and her four children in the loss of their pastor/husband/father.

Pray for the stability of Haiti, both physical and political and safety.

Pray for the people who are living in “tent cities”, because they have lost their homes or because they are scared to go back inside.

Pray for those that were injured and are now recovering. Pray they will get the right medical treatment.

Pray for the upcoming medical teams and others that I am responsible for.

Pray for wisdom in knowing how I can make the most difference.

Pray that Haiti will turn to Christ as their savior." --James

Children Trapped In Haiti

The following letter is the desparate plea of one mother who longs to be reunited with her 17 year old adopted son. He is leagally adopted, but due to some issues with with his visa and passport, he has remained in Haiti much longer than anticipated...

"My mind and emotions are just overwhelmed this week so again, I just almost don't even know where to begin! As an update on our 17 year old Jacques and his friends... They are still in Port-au-Prince. They are able to access the courtyard to their orphanage building so are there with each other by day and then returning to the basketball/soccer field at night to sleep away from the buildings (so that they don't have to worry about collapsed walls while they sleep!) A friend to the kids and to us that lives in Haiti checked on them and reported that they are doing well! We even got to see pictures of some of the kids laughing and smiling. She reported that they have food and water (that we all need to pray does not get looted, as that is happening in other orphanages) and are talking, playing, and doing each other's hair by day. This was a great relief to us parents! While it is still not a good or safe situation. You may be seeing some orphanages getting their children home on emergency visas and humanitarian parol. This is wonderful and we rejoice with them! However, HUNDREDS of orphans and even legally adopted children remain stuck there. Problem is... The directors of the orphanages arrive at the Embassy to get the visas and are turned away! If they show up with the children (which is how the fortunate few have gotten theirs) they put all the children in a very dangerous and unpleasant situation. Here's why~ The Embassy is just overwhelmed! Imagine finding a way to transport (through the demolished streets of Haiti)and take 50-120 children with you to an extremely overcrowded government office (as in pouring out of the door, gates, and well into the streets), with little help. Then imagine being there all day and all night with no food or water for yourself, your help, or your children. And OH, by the way... there are no toilets for the children to use either! Meanwhile... make sure you don't lose any of the children in the shuffle and the crowd. Also, the Embassy is in a dangerous area of Haiti. Orphange children are at high risk of kidnapping because there is a chance they are the child of a "wealthy" family from another country that would pay nearly anything to get their child back! Then imagine going through all of the trouble of making this happen and then being TURNED AWAY! It's just totally outrageous! This folks, is what is happening. We NEED your help immediately! Please write your congressman, senator, and anyone else you can reach! These children need to leave the country immediately for medical care, food, water, and safety. Also, it will allow any still functioning orphanages to bring in the overwelming number of orphans now needing help due to the earthquake! JSCIS had been trying to get the US government to approve the children to all be flown to the US to a compound area they had all set. The kids could receive medical help, food, and water there while the paper work is processed... in safety! However, it was DENIED! What we are seeking now is that President Obama would make an executive order to have the kids taken to a safe place to be processed!

While writing these very words I have just learned that early this morning Port-au-Prince was once again hit with a 6.1 "aftershock"! There is sure to be more grieving and damage. So sad. Just SO sad! Praying for the people of Haiti, and for our children who are there!!!
Each morning we wake up thinking our son Jacques could be home today! Then by the end of the day we must change our thinking to "Maybe tomorrow". However, as more news is coming out we fear that it could turn into weeks and we are in need of a miracle! What we need... #1- Prayer! The God that parted the Red Sea is the same God that can get those kids on a plane!!! #2- Our government to step up! We are hugely thankful that they have promised us our kids can come home, but disheartened that they would not help in the efforts to actually make it happen!

I'll try and update soon. Already in the time that it has taken me to write this post, things have changed and I want to go see what news is coming out of Haiti regarding this aftershock. Keep your prayers going! Haiti is in such need!!!"

A Powerful Report From CCAI, Maison des Enfants de Dieu

"Dear CCAI Supporters,

We landed at Port-au-Prince International Airport at 13:59 pm yesterday and
hand delivered your contributions to the orphanage staff and volunteers in
the form of water, formula, medicine, food, and $10,000.00 cash.

Maison des Enfants de Dieu, an orphanage that has been caring for about 130
kids, was badly damaged by the powerful earthquake that hit the poor
Caribbean nation last on January 12, 2010. Although no children were
severely hurt, their dorms were devastated beyond repair. The older
children have been living under five tents and the babies are being cared
for in the trunk of a big truck. Fox News and CNN managed to reach the
orphanage three days after the quake, but their reports of the terrible
conditions did not lead to the immediate and adequate aid of food and water
that they desperately needed.

On 1/17 at 18:24, Patrick, an American missionary from Denver sent us an
urgent message, pleading, "We need water, food, medicine, and charcoal
quickly!!!"

We immediately contacted one of our long time supporters who had offered
their family private jet for emergency use the day before. They
wholeheartedly supported our request to use their plane to send supplies to
the orphanage. We spent the next five hours storming several Wal-Marts and
Walgreens purchasing formula, medicine, food, water, and charcoal. At 5:30
am, over 2000 pounds of supplies were loaded onto the jet and the plane took
off at 6:33 am Denver time.

Five and half hours later, at 13:59 pm, we successfully landed at the
war-zone like Port-au-Prince International Airport in the midst of many
dozen landing and taking-off aid aircrafts and helicopters from around the
world.

We were totally surprised as soon as we opened the gate. Five orphanage
staff and volunteers including Patrick and his wife, Kim, were right there,
ready and waiting with a SUV and a truck! We had no idea how in the world
they were able to drive and park right by our plane.

We have never in my life seen people so excited, so thankful and tearful,
nor who hugged so hard!

We unloaded the supplies as quick as we could and covered the truck with
tarps. We offered them an advise we received prior to our departure from
another pilot who has been transporting aid to Haiti the day before: Cover
the supplies with tarps and let a couple of guys lie on top of it pretending
dead so supplies will not be high-jacked on the way back to the orphanage.

At 16:00 pm, we left the airport with seven completely exhausted American
and Belgium doctors who had been working in Haiti non-stop for over three
days! A free ride in a fancy private jet could provide a little physical and
emotional comfort to these heroes.

A huge thank-you to all of you unsung heroes who took action to care and to
love. Thank you for entrusting us with your loving donations.

Please visit www.haitiadoption.org to view
our Haiti trip photos.

For The Haitian Children,

Josh and Lily
CCAI Co-founder"

Please Help Wherever You Are

I cannot stop weeping! I hope to get myself together soon so that I can begin to make phone calls to local schools, etc. If you can, join me wherever you live. Call schools and local businesses and ask if you can set up a jar for donations. Link with church and missions organizations that can get those funds into Haiti as soon as possible! At this time, I do not recommend giving to the government, as every donation is taxed, then given to the corrupt government in Haiti...If you want to come to our home to join us in prayer and worship, call me to set a time.

We are halting "business as usual" in our home for the rest of the week. D will go to work, but everything else we do will be centered around praying and gathering funds.

Another 6.0 "aftershock" hit Haiti this morning. I cry out to God Almighty, HAVE MERCY! Protect the precious lives that are hanging on by a thread!

Update from Haiti Family, in Carrefour, Haiti

"Yesterday morning we were talking to Rodney to link him with 4 people and a few supplies. They spent most of the afternoon out walking around just helping people medically. We now have 3 nurses and an EMT on the ground as well as 3 others working on the security of the yard they are staying in. Rodney hasn't been back to Gonaieve since he left Sunday morning and hasn't been able to call his wife.
He requested prayer specifically for safety in the yard area where they have set up camp. Also for supernatural power - more than manpower.

He also updated us on the count of people in the house at the time of the earthquake - there were 54. There was an English class taking place on the 3rd floor led by Ruth. Ruth survived but 3 of her students were killed. Rodney, Lillian and Jeremiah were on the 2nd floor. The rest were on the ground floor. A total of 20 people survived the quake. Today (18th) - the Mayor of Carrefour came by the house because of his respect for Guimps and the Haitifamily. He and his crew helped remove bodies from the house. They removed 17 bodies and placed them in the street for pick-up. Guimps was included in that number. They think Sophi's body was removed last week when the crews came through to clean the streets. That would mean there are 16 bodies still in the house.

January 19, 2010 Update -
At 5:30 am, the plane landed in PAP with a nurse and 3 others as well as money and supplies. The day was quiet as we knew they were busy walking around helping people.

At 5:00pm we received an update from Rodney - He is back in Gonaieves and took Dathan (Lillian's cousin and someone who has been to Haiti many times) with him. He said that a load of rice, sugar and water was on it's way from Gonaieves to Carrefour this evening. The road is crooked because of all the bodies along the way. He plans to talk to Patrice (the pastor of the church in Gonaieves) tonight to form a more permanent plan for their church family. Please pray for their church as they go through this difficult time.
He said in Carrefour the area has been divided up into zones and each zone has a camp for the injured. Within these camps, leaders are rising up to help take care of the injured. In these zones they have water and generaters. He said it's very organized. There are police officers that patrol the streets at night to keep people safe.

Lamar, a wealthy neighbor, has spent the day with Rodney - taking him from Carrefour to Gonaieves. Lamar is taking care of 400-600 people out of his front yard!!!

At 5:30pm Katrina called - she said they were out on the streets most of the day today helping people. One story she relayed was they came upon a girl on the side of street left for dead. They really needed an IV for her. They began praying over her and along came 3 Haitian doctors who just decided to go walk around. The doctors were able to start an IV and Katrina said they took her to the hospital. She said - "we saved her life"!!
She said - WE NEED IV lines, penicillan and other medicine!!

At 6:45pm we spoke to Lillian. Two of her sisters where here at the house and we all said a few words on the speaker phone. Lillian said that she, Rodney and Jeremiah are planning to go into Carrefour tomorrow. They are hoping to get on a government flight and be home before the end of the week. They are all doing well.

Continue to pray for safety!

Our IMMEDIATE NEED is for PILOTS and PLANES!!!!
We have 1 single engine plane that is providing support to the Haitifamily!!! We are so blessed to have this lifeline and would appreciate another one to take Darlene and Lloyd into Haiti. Our team in Carrefour is able to move about freely - we just need a way to get supplies into Port au Prince!
Monetary donations are also needed - address below!!!

Thank you for your support during this time.
- Haitifamily"

You can also follow us on Facebook under the group name HAITIFAMILY.

Donations for Haitifamily:
Wellspring Fellowship
%LaReta Riehl
3800 Rt. 14A
Penn Yan, NY 14527
phone: 315-536-7927
email:lareta@oakhillbulkfoods.com

3 a.m. Call To Prayer

There is something about this time of the morning. For many mornings in a row, 3 a.m. is when I am wide awake. We may never know why the Lord touches us at a certain time of the day, but Church, I encourage you not to worry about what time it is and just begin to lift up the name of Jesus! He is able to take our prayers and make the most of them, there are countless souls who are desperate for relief and maybe this is the moment they need refreshing. Volunteers and relief workers are overwhelmed. Just the stench of decaying flesh alone is driving people to desperation. Reports are coming back that one of the most sought after items right now is toothpaste, as it is being used to spread under people's noses to help disguise the odor. If you personally know of people who are headed in to ground zero, encourage them to take several jars of Vicks vapor rub. The salve will do an even better job of masking odors, and also may be used to heal simple wounds like chapped lips and small scrapes. Pray for more loaves and fishes stories, for manna from heaven and for fresh water to flow from barren places. Our God is the same yesterday, today and forever and He took care of His children before, He will do it again!

Do not shrink back! Pray specific prayers and see Him answer specific ways. This is not the time for us to be passive, Church! Rise up, Bride of Christ! Let's get our hearts right with the One who sees and hears all. Let's cry out for His mercy and forgiveness in our own lives, turn from the things that grieve His heart and then come together with one voice, declaring Him to be the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

If you are reading posts here and do not know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, I invite you to receive His gift of salvation. Acknowledge your need of Him, confess your sin and welcome Him into your heart. It is that simple. Let me or someone else know that you have made this choice so we can support you and help you to grow to be more like Him. The end is near. Do not push this off another day. There are people who need you to point them to the Father, time is of the essence...

--Heather Baker

News From Joe Arbaugh

"James and I are at HAS. got here late last night. we had the mtg with our MCC partner hospital at Bon Repot yesterday, then went and got jacques, then went to see Enoc and Dieu Maitre. Enoc's house fell on them, pictures to follow, they survived with only minor abrasions. living in a feild with their neighbors. 30+ people with a ratio (cooking pot); bench from the back of a tap tap, several chairs, and some sheets, (only) under a mango tree. The vast majority of hatians in port are sleeping in "tent villages". praying for no rain. incredible stories of escape. 90% of Gressier and Flon buildings saverely damaged or destroyed, i saw with my own eyes. Jacques, after helping dig out dozens, started hauling bodies for the mayor, who loaned him a gov. truck. piles of 40 to the landfill. he estimated 2,000. he ran clinic at his house with the supplies we had left from our last team. he is traumatized. now has a dozen or more refugees living in his lakou (yard). he's trying to get my trooper running right so we have more transportation.

need team now, aid agencies overwhelmed, there will be no comprehensive centralized aid. I was at the UN central command (logistics base -called "log base") for the NGO cluster mtg. the relief effort goes like this: the UN devided up the affected area into sectors and assigned the agencies to "go do your thing". In MCC's "sector" there is an MCC partner hospital in bon repot who needs staff to support the haitian doctor and nurses. they are overwhelmed. They want us to take care of changing bandages and smelling for gangerine and other simple stuff, so they can consentrate on the high priorities. the people who were injured and treated and sent home are now coming back by the thousands. their bandages put on the first day are soaked with blood sweat and dirt, and some with maggots already. they dont know what to do. Also they do not have surgery capability so the secondary assignment for our first team will be to transport the ones the doctor wants to send to HAS for amputations. Within a few days it will get easier because we will only have to transport across town to the warf where a hospital ship is coming.

We (Virginia Mennonite Missions, Haiti program management group) as a long term partner of MCC have been asked to provide this service. I (Joe Arbaugh II) have agreed. We need help now. As we assess the changing needs we will be needing other help, I expect to need teams of 8 weekly for the next 2 months. please send this email to everyone who you think might be interested (make sure VMM gets it). get me help now. if you cant fill this team today with our people have andy anderson or someone call a press conference and fill it.

run all decisions through the VMM haiti PMG.

I am working on a detailed list of who and what we need and logistics of how we will do it but here are some basics: teams need to go to santo domingo (untill the airport gets open or untill we can get on MFI). The church of the bretheren picks you up at the airport, puts you up for the night, and puts you on caribe tours bus the next day (like trailways comfortable airconditioned) they take you to the bus station near us in port. (they handle your immigration at the border- althought they didn't even check me because they saw i was with the relief effort) we take you to a large house near the new US embassy where we have been staying peacefull suburb with only 10% of the houses damaged. (clean, comfortable, no clusters of bystanders, indoor flushy with buckets of water. Then James or I take you to the clinic each day and bring you back at evening. the community we are in is controlled by vigilanties (thats a good thing here-the residents take turns watching for trouble makers and would drive them out if nessisary (we have to open "roadblocks" of debris we placed to stop people from bringing bodies to dump in the field behind us). we feel very safe. MCC has given us the green light for now with the warning that if conditions change they may pull you out. we have access to soldiers if we want but i prefer none.

Please send help!

Love,

Joe"

Virginia Medical Team Headed To Haiti

This update comes from James Arbaugh's blog, Missionary James.

"The first medical team, to staff the MCC affiliated hospital in Bon Repo, is assembled; thanks to the hard work of Galen Lehman, Sharon Arbaugh, and my mom and dad.

The team consists of the following persons...
John Schaefer - Helper and transulator for Creole language, 4 years of mission work in Haiti
Elaine Schaefer - LPN and transulator for Creole language, 4 years of mission work in Haiti
Richard Alderfer - Physician
Anje Cassel - Emergency Room RN from Augusta Health Fishersville
Danny Kiser - EMT
Jeffry Kiser - Helper
Laurie Buel - Operating Room RN
Charlene Simmons - ICU RN's with experience in ER
Luke Bucher - ICU RN's with experience in ER
Karen Treacey - Past EMT and Rescue

They are planning to arrive in Haiti through the Dominican Republic on Friday evening, January 22."

NEW Missions Update

This is the report from NEW Missions near Leogane, Haiti. This mission was my home for the year I lived in Haiti. Before the earthquake, it was a peaceful oasis in the middle of a broken land. Our prayers are that it will be restored in supernatural time! I have the link for NEW Missions listed on my page. If you feel led to give a one time donation or feel called to sponsor one of their 9,000 students...let Him lead you!

"Today, Tuesday, January 19, 2010 marks one week since the earthquake hit Haiti. Today, the Navy and Marines are delivering amphibious relief of food to New Missions. Our Haitian leadership at the mission is mobilized for distribution and ground support. This morning Jeanne DeTellis and George DeTellis, Jr. recorded videos for our sponsors and churches regarding our rebuilding efforts and the urgency of each person's involvement.

In one week Charlie DeTellis returns to Haiti with a select team of highly skilled construction team for the phase 1 of our rebuild. School will be operational this month at New Missions. Our 22 Churches are already meeting. We will erect temporary buildings fast. Then, we will be begin to build more secure facilities. Since our priority is to serve the over 9,000 children in our schools and their families.

Thankfully, all across the Leogane Plain, in our 22 locations there are wells all running and providing much needed safe drinking water.

We have been serving in Haiti long before most people knew where it was on a map. Together, with your help, we will rebuild strong and also reach out to more children.

As a child sponsor, please know that your child is safe and alive. You would have been contacted from our Orlando office if there was any specific news on your child. God truly spared those in our area.

Now we must unite. We need you, the Haitian people need you, more than ever.

Serving together,
Timothy DeTellis"

Prayer for A Haitian Pastor (NEW Missions)

"Pray for my friend Jacques. He was once my parent's sponsored child from New Missions. Now a pastor and living in Carrefour, he helped with rescues. The mayor gave him a government truck and asked him to collect bodies. He estimates over 2,000. A friend says that he is traumatized. He cares deeply for his people.... His house was spared, so he set up a clinic with the medical supplies left behind by Americans."--Paula Schaeffer DeTellis

Breaking My Heart

Dear Ones,

I call you today to pray for a precious famiy who needs our support. I found A online while reseaching info on Haitian adoptions. I "happened" upon her blog, shot her an email, heard back from her last nigth and then stumbled upon this blog entry this morning...I weep with her and I ask you to join me in prayer...

"Whew... where do I even begin? Surely, an ocean of tears have been shed from our home this week! As many of you know we have two of our teen adopted children in Haiti right now. We received word quickly that Stephanie and the family she is living with is safe. However, we went about 7 LONG hours before hearing that our precious 17 year old son Jq had survived! We know there are many other families still waiting and wondering about their loved ones and our hearts go out to them and our prayers are with them. So we praise God for sparing the life of our Jq, however, he is not at all in a good situation. From what I understand their building has been basically destroy (though not collapsed) and is unsafe and unusable so the kids (Jacques and over 50 or so other teen orphans) are living/sleeping in an outdoor basketball court. When I explained things to our son J (age 12 and adopted from Haiti) he knew about the place and shook his head and said "That place is VERY dangerous". Needless to say that did not bring any comfort. I do not have information on if they have had food or water since Tuesday. This morning we rejoiced as we learned that they had been reached and rescued, only to later find out that we were mistaken and they have not yet been rescued. Please keep our sweet son and the children from his orphanage in your prayers while you pray for the people of Haiti! He has been our son legally since August but we were waiting on a passport and visa to bring him home. So we cannot get him into America! I've contacted our congresswoman and researched and research on ways we might be able to get an emergency visa of some kind. Problem is~ Haiti has no working government. Probably won't for a long time. So there is nowhere to even take him to get a visa. Hundreds of adopted families are in the same situation with us. Also, we are hearing that adoption related issues are way down on the list of priorities. Understandably the first order of business is getting help out to those who need it the most. We will continue to seek options and pray for miracles!!!We also must comfort J (L is not able to understand what is happening) as he also does not know if his birth family has survived. He asked me "What about my Mom and Dad, my Aunts and Uncles, and all my cousins" and I have no answer for him. I can only hug him and pray with him."

Prayers and Praises

If you are on Facebook, be sure to join the group "Haiti Family." This group is closely following the family Francois family that I mentioned in a previous post. They post video updates with specific ways to pray. Some of these requests come from that footage...

PRAYERS:

*Supernatural power, more than man power, that those who are there to serve will be empowered to do tasks they have never been trained to do

*Protection from violence, people are desperate and will lash out at anyone or steal from anyone to take care of their needs or their families' needs

*For joy and peace that passes all understanding

*For a shipment of rice coming from the DR today, protection and covering as it is transported

*For rest and peace, despite the fact that many are sleeping in open fields and yards, without blankets, pillows or other comforts

*For protection for the missionaries who are being blamed for the deaths of those who were in their home. Haiti has a lot of "unwritten rules" and the Haitians believe that the missionaries should pay for the funerals of those who were killed under their roof. Over 54 bodies have been found so far.

*For B, a man who is giving of his time and resources to assist in relief efforts. He needs someone to assist him with his work back home so he can be released to stay in Haiti.

*For Rodney and Lillian and their baby, Jeremie--they have endured much and have a long road ahead of them. Pray for their protection and for stamina as they minister to the needs around them.

PRAISES:

*Michael and Heidi went to Haiti on a vacation and were there when the quake hit. Michael is a Haitian and has many ties and much favor coming and going from the airport. They feel called to stay for a month and assist as they can. Folks back home have offered to help pay their bills to enable them to stay.

*Heidi reports of seeing an angel in her room one night. This brought much comfort to her.

*Sabrina Zehr, a young woman I have known for many years, was able to join a medical team. They hope to fly into Haiti today. SZ is a nurse practitioner, praise God for her and the many others He is raising up to go in to Haiti.

*Resources are being stretched and we are hearing many "loaves and fishes" stories. Praise God!

Isaiah 41

"Be silent before me, youislands! Let the nations renew their strength! Let them come forward and speak; let us meet together at the place of judgment." verse 1

"The islands have seen it and fear; the ends of the earth tremble. They approach and come forward; each helps the other and says to his brother, Be strong!" verses 5-6

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

"All who rage against you will surely be ashamed and disgraced; those who oppose you will be as nothing and perish. Though you search for your enemies, you will not find them. Those who wage war against you will be as nothing at all. For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you." verses 11-13

"The poor and needy search for water, but there is none; their tongues are parched with thirst. But I the LORD will answer them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them. I will make rivers flow on barren heights, and springs within the valleys. I will turn the desert into pools of water, and the parched ground into springs. I will put in the desert the cedar and the acacia, the myrtle and the olive. I will set pines in the wasteland, the fir and the cypress together, so that people may see and know, may consider and understand, that the hand of the LORD has done this, that the Holy One of Israel has created it." verses 17-21

A Song To Sing Over Haiti

Below is the link to a song that I sent to R on Friday night. It is a powerful song that has minstered to me many times before and for some reason it's the one that keeps coming back to me as I pray for Haiti. I encourage you to listen to this, learn it and sing it night and day over yourself, your circumstances and over those who are working so faithfully to bring restoration to the land of Haiti.

"We shall overcome
By the Blood of the Lamb
And the word of our testimony
Everyone, overcome!"

"A Call To Anguish" by David Wilkerson

Below is the link to a powerful clip from David Wilkerson's sermon, "A Call To Anguish." If you go to youtube you can find the entire sermon, broken up into five parts. If time allows, I encourage you to listen to the entire message.



Lord, I don't want to just be concerned about the things that are on Your heart. I want to be anguished. Teach us how to truly feel what You feel, to lament and to wail for the things that grieve Your heart. Change our hearts, from the inside out, so that our prayers may rise to You and be effective tools for bringing change in our world.

The Francois Family

While it may seem overwhelming to know where to begin in our prayers, I can assure you that there are real people who are in Haiti right, people who live and breathe and care about their children, their neighbors and loved ones like we do. Home have been destroyed, lives have been taken and yet there are many who are still fighting to put one foot in front of the other. Let's join our hearts together to pray for the ones He places on our hearts.

In our home, we are focusing on the Francois family. We have felt a heart connection with them and we want to lift up their weary arms in the battle, just as Moses lifted up Aaron. Ricardo is a Haitian American. He has a tender heart and loves his people with the love of the Father. Kendra grew up on the mission field and they met in Haiti and were married ten years ago. They have three beautiful children. They recently built a home in Haiti and planned to return in February. The earthquake has destroyed their home and so many other buildings near where they planned to live. Kendra's adopted brother and his wife were killed, and many others that are dear to their hearts went on to be with Jesus.

Kendra is in PA with the children right now, staying with her family and being used mightily to communicate and coordinate relief efforts. Ricardo returned to Haiti last night.

Dear Jesus, in the wee hours of this morning, You know exactly what this family needs. You are holding Kendra and the children in PA and You are holding Ricardo wherever he is. I ask that You would surround each of them with Your love and peace. Fill them with Your power and the peace that passes understanding. Minister to Kendra as she ministers to her children. Help her to find balance in each new day. Send people to her who will love her, hold her and meet the physical needs she has. Let the children sense Your presence in a tangible way.

Lord, I also lift up Ricardo to You. I thank You for his tender heart and the way he loves his people. You have given him Your heart for the people of Haiti. Protect his heart and his mind as he takes in the devastation he will witness this day. Cover him, strengthen him, empower and enable him. Let him find rivers of refreshing in the midst of this dry and weary land. When he is overcome with grief and sorrow, hold him and comfort him as only you can. When he feels threatened and afraid, put Your shield of protection around him and bring peace. Put Your songs of praise and deliverance upon his heart and let him sing those praises in the midst of the darkest battle...

Isaiah 61 Song

Isaiah 61

"May this be the year
People turn back to the Father
May this be the time
We see change
May this be the place
Where Your glory falls
Your glory falls on us

Lord, we have prayed
We have cried out to You
For salvation for the world
Open up Your heavens
Let us look inside
Give us a sign

May this be the year
People turn back to the Father
May this be the time
We see change
May this be the place
Where Your glory falls
Your glory falls on us

You have anointed us
To preach good news
You have sent us to bind
The broken hearted
We will proclaim
Your freedom and release
And comfort those who mourn
Yes, we will comfort those who mourn

May this be the year
People turn back to the Father
May this be the time
We see change
May this be the placeWhere
Your glory fallsYour glory falls on us."

Prayer for Intercessors

Lord, I lift up those who have tender hearts for Haiti. We want to do MORE to help the people of there right now. I know there are countless souls all around the world who feel the call to PRESS THROUGH and to carry this burden for the long haul. We cannot sleep or eat like we once did, for our hearts are troubled for those who cannot do either. Use our prayers, Lord...Use our hearts, Lord...Use our hands to help those who are beat down and deserted. It's OK if You wake us, we need You to shake us...Give us Your heart for these people and for others You bring our way. Show us how to love the way that You love, break our heart's for what breaks Yours...Wake us in the middle of the night and stir us all throughout the day to pray the prayers that will bind the broken hearted and set the captives free.

Isaiah 61

“The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, Because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn, To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.” And they shall rebuild the old ruins, They shall raise up the former desolations, And they shall repair the ruined cities, The desolations of many generations. Strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, And the sons of the foreigner Shall be your plowmen and your vinedressers. But you shall be named the priests of the LORD, They shall call you the servants of our God. You shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, And in their glory you shall boast. Instead of your shame you shall have double honor, And instead of confusion they shall rejoice in their portion. Therefore in their land they shall possess double; Everlasting joy shall be theirs. “ For I, the LORD, love justice; I hate robbery for burnt offering; I will direct their work in truth, And will make with them an everlasting covenant. Their descendants shall be known among the Gentiles, And their offspring among the people. All who see them shall acknowledge them, That they are the posterity whom the LORD has blessed.” I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, My soul shall be joyful in my God; For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, As a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. For as the earth brings forth its bud, As the garden causes the things that are sown in it to spring forth, So the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations. " Isaiah 61 (NKJV)

January 12, 2010

Our family was in town, celebrating the twins' ninth birthday. We were in the Dollar Spot at Target when my cell phone chirped. I couldn't get to it in time, and the next thing I heard was D's phone chirping. I knew it must be important. My dad was calling to inform us of the earthquake that hit Haiti just hours before. Things didn't really register as we hit the toy aisle and began looking for Legos. It wasn't until hours later when we arrived home that I was hit with the severity of the situation.

Everyday life and survival in Haiti are difficult on a good day. Poverty plagues the people of Haiti and every simple task takes much effort and perseverance. Many are without electricity, running water, medical and educational provisions. While there are a few who are very wealthy, most of the eight million plus live in extreme poverty, making Haiti the poorest country in the western hemisphere. To fathom the effects of another natural disaster upon a nation so poor is beyond me.

Added to all that, the most sobering detail of all. Haiti is known as the voodoo capital of the world. Even though missions and churches are spread throughout the country (the size of the state of Maryland), this country is still gripped with the darkness of voodoo. There is a remnant of those who are Christians and who call upon the name of Jesus to set them free, but so many are still entangled in the curses and superstitions of voodoo. We must pray for a deeper revelation of Truth for these dear souls.

I will be using this blog to post prayer requests and needs for the Haitian people and for missions groups that are offering relief. Please let me know if you want to give to one of these groups or if you feel the tug to go and offer your time and heart on a relief team. We can all do something, and I pray that this will be a time when the Body of Christ rises up to be His hands and feet in a dark, dark place.