Cory and Laura Beth Lamb are a very special part of Manna Global Ministries. They have led mission teams and even served two years as missionaries in the Dominican Republic. Laura Beth continues to work directly with MGM as the administrative director and she is invaluable to the work!! Cory recently returned to the DR to help coordinate the relief efforts from that side. There was a great article about them in their local newspaper. Here is the link:
HELPING IN HAITI: Local missionaries work to help survivors of earthquake
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Update from Haiti
Brad, along with Mark Gibson and Danny Beard, made it to Santo Domingo and into PAP on Thursday. The Manna team transported 13,000 lbs of food and medical supplies today and will transport 7,000 on Monday. To date, Manna has directly transported over 40,000 lbs of food, water, fuel and medical supplies to our partners in Port au Price. We are invloved in the direct distribution and utilization of these goods. Yesterday, we met with some leaders and pastors in the community and we will also begin distributing through them to meet the needs of the Haitian people.
A Note from Tammie
Brian and Tammie Wallace and their two children served as Manna missionaries in Haiti for many years. Their son, Wesley, was part of the initial Manna team to serve in Port au Prince after the earthquake. Following is a post from Brian and Tammie's personal blog about Wesley's experience:
Links: Amarillo's Channel 10 Newscast
The Canadian Record
Making A Difference
Just before Wesley returned home to Canadian, TX, the local newspaper The Canadian Record interviewed his wife, Ashleigh, about his response to the news of the earthquake in Haiti. The paper even included scripture and the MGM website address, to give people an avenue of how they can help the ongoing efforts. The newspaper wants to do a follow up in this week's addition.
Last Sunday Wes was asked to speak about his trip at his boss' church and how they could help the relief efforts and yesterday Amarillo's channel10 newscast did an interview with Wesley.
It's people like Wesley, people from your community, that can make a difference in people's lives, not only in times of natural catastrophes, but daily reaching out to ones who are hurting and searching for a reason to life.
Be a Light!
Links: Amarillo's Channel 10 Newscast
The Canadian Record
Friday, January 29, 2010
Coming and Going
There is now a flow of people working with Manna in the Dominican Republic and Haiti. We've been grateful for the volunteers who have helped coordinate the purchasing of supplies in the Dominican Republic and transporting them to the border as well as for those on the Haiti side who are making sure they make it from the border to Port au Prince. If you've ever traveled the roads in a third world or developing country you know those are not easy jobs. God has blessed the Manna team with some beautiful hearts to serve in this area.
There is also a Manna team now in Port au Prince helping Roberta with contruction, repairs, food distribution, and baisc medical care as needed. Brian has been in Port au Prince since the week of the earthquake and is continuing his work there. He said many times last week, "The more I think about the name 'Manna,' the more I like it. God gives us just what we need for today but if we try to gather too much, it rots. And tomorrow, God will meet our needs again."
Brad was home for 3 days and is now back in Haiti. He is driving a truck with supplies for Roberta from Santo Domingo to Port au Prince, along with some other volunteers including David Woodside, Mark Gibson and others (I'm sorry I don't have all the names).
NOTE: For those of you who have been part of the ministry of the school in Lagosette, you may remember Anne. She is a very special young lady who, because of generous gifts, had been able to continue her schooling in Port au Prince. Her heart is to become a doctor and return to Lagosette to serve there. We have heard that she is safe but lost all her belongings in Port. She wants to continue her education and we are looking into possibilities for that. We praise God that she is alright and is now with her family in Lagosette and Cap Haitian!!
There is also a Manna team now in Port au Prince helping Roberta with contruction, repairs, food distribution, and baisc medical care as needed. Brian has been in Port au Prince since the week of the earthquake and is continuing his work there. He said many times last week, "The more I think about the name 'Manna,' the more I like it. God gives us just what we need for today but if we try to gather too much, it rots. And tomorrow, God will meet our needs again."
Brad was home for 3 days and is now back in Haiti. He is driving a truck with supplies for Roberta from Santo Domingo to Port au Prince, along with some other volunteers including David Woodside, Mark Gibson and others (I'm sorry I don't have all the names).
NOTE: For those of you who have been part of the ministry of the school in Lagosette, you may remember Anne. She is a very special young lady who, because of generous gifts, had been able to continue her schooling in Port au Prince. Her heart is to become a doctor and return to Lagosette to serve there. We have heard that she is safe but lost all her belongings in Port. She wants to continue her education and we are looking into possibilities for that. We praise God that she is alright and is now with her family in Lagosette and Cap Haitian!!
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
MGM Update, and Moving Forward
It truly has been amazing to see God’s hand at work these past 2 weeks in Haiti. In the face of a horrible tragedy, the Manna team found themselves among the most amazing people on the ground in hospitals, orphanages and even an airplane piloted by a Moroccan pilot adamant to get us into PAP despite not having clearance to do so! From the first moment Manna committed to traveling to Haiti, the prayers, support and encouragement passed on to us has continued to carry us through this challenging time. We thank you for that.
The Manna team that God brought together for this was amazing. We went in on faith knowing the Lord would direct our steps in how to best serve Him and the people of Haiti. And man, did HE deliver! Once landing in Port au Prince (PAP), the team immediately set out to find a standing hospital in which to serve. All hospitals that we were familiar with had been destroyed, thus we began our search for other clinics in hopes to find one to work with. Upon driving in downtown PAP, we found an area that had been set up for people who had been displaced from the earthquake and immediately saw several people that needed critical medical attention. While starting to assist an injured woman, we had an American man come over to us. We immediately recognized him as a surgeon that Holly had met a year ago in the Dominican Republic. He asked us if we had a place to serve yet and directed us toward the Haitian Community Hospital (HCH) in downtown PAP. We loaded up our truck with people needing medical attention and an hour later found ourselves among hundreds of critically injured people at HCH where we were able to set up a triage and immediately began assessing and treating people for the next 10 days.
At the same time the team was at work in PAP, the rest of the Manna team was mobilizing and working in the DR and the US. Norm coordinated shipments of supplies to cross the border into Haiti on a regular basis. Those runs are now being carried out three times a week with each one transporting over 7000 lbs. of food and supplies. We have been blessed to have numerous volunteers come down and help us in both Haiti and the DR to insure the work Manna is doing continues to have an impact in the lives of the Haitian people.
Our initial focus was meeting the acute needs of the people on the ground and forming a sustainable network in Haiti to continue the work. We are now moving into our long term efforts in order to continue to provide much needed assistance on various levels. We are fortunate that we have been able to partner with several other individuals and organizations to further facilitate this endeavor. Moving forward, the majority of our efforts will continue to consist of the following:
•Continue to routinely transport much needed food and medical supplies into Haiti
•Provide medical resources to HCH and local churches to care for the people
•Continue to partner with trusted individuals, local churches and organizations
•We have already organized teams to come in to assist and will continue to do so to address specific needs
•We are aware that people are leaving PAP and traveling to other parts of the country. Because of our relationships in the Cap Haitian area, we will also be assessing and meeting the needs of the displaced people there as we are able
People continue to ask us what stands out in our minds over the past two weeks. If I had to sum it up in one word, it would be “HOPE”. We serve a loving God that provides hope in the midst of tragedy. The presence of God has been so evident in the people that have committed to share His light, which includes the incredible Haitian people living through this tragedy.
We look forward to keeping you updated and partnering with you in this endeavor as the Lord leads.
In Him,
Brad and Monica Gautney for the Manna team
The Manna team that God brought together for this was amazing. We went in on faith knowing the Lord would direct our steps in how to best serve Him and the people of Haiti. And man, did HE deliver! Once landing in Port au Prince (PAP), the team immediately set out to find a standing hospital in which to serve. All hospitals that we were familiar with had been destroyed, thus we began our search for other clinics in hopes to find one to work with. Upon driving in downtown PAP, we found an area that had been set up for people who had been displaced from the earthquake and immediately saw several people that needed critical medical attention. While starting to assist an injured woman, we had an American man come over to us. We immediately recognized him as a surgeon that Holly had met a year ago in the Dominican Republic. He asked us if we had a place to serve yet and directed us toward the Haitian Community Hospital (HCH) in downtown PAP. We loaded up our truck with people needing medical attention and an hour later found ourselves among hundreds of critically injured people at HCH where we were able to set up a triage and immediately began assessing and treating people for the next 10 days.
At the same time the team was at work in PAP, the rest of the Manna team was mobilizing and working in the DR and the US. Norm coordinated shipments of supplies to cross the border into Haiti on a regular basis. Those runs are now being carried out three times a week with each one transporting over 7000 lbs. of food and supplies. We have been blessed to have numerous volunteers come down and help us in both Haiti and the DR to insure the work Manna is doing continues to have an impact in the lives of the Haitian people.
Our initial focus was meeting the acute needs of the people on the ground and forming a sustainable network in Haiti to continue the work. We are now moving into our long term efforts in order to continue to provide much needed assistance on various levels. We are fortunate that we have been able to partner with several other individuals and organizations to further facilitate this endeavor. Moving forward, the majority of our efforts will continue to consist of the following:
•Continue to routinely transport much needed food and medical supplies into Haiti
•Provide medical resources to HCH and local churches to care for the people
•Continue to partner with trusted individuals, local churches and organizations
•We have already organized teams to come in to assist and will continue to do so to address specific needs
•We are aware that people are leaving PAP and traveling to other parts of the country. Because of our relationships in the Cap Haitian area, we will also be assessing and meeting the needs of the displaced people there as we are able
People continue to ask us what stands out in our minds over the past two weeks. If I had to sum it up in one word, it would be “HOPE”. We serve a loving God that provides hope in the midst of tragedy. The presence of God has been so evident in the people that have committed to share His light, which includes the incredible Haitian people living through this tragedy.
We look forward to keeping you updated and partnering with you in this endeavor as the Lord leads.
In Him,
Brad and Monica Gautney for the Manna team
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Hope
God is at work even in the tragedy. I can only tell what I saw, and that is a tiny little snapshot in a huge city. The Manna team had been working at Haitian Community Hospital and there were hundreds of people being treated there. Everyone was setting up tents and mats outside because most people, especially after the second earthquake on Wed., were afraid to be inside. There were so many people with broken bones and large wounds and a lot of amputations and the need for follow up care was great. There was a little boy named Anson who had a broken leg and an external fixator. Brad was cleaning his incision which was becoming infected. Anson was full of smiles and never complained, even though he was going to have to return to the OR to have the incision "washed out." I saw him again after he was taken inside and someone had given him a soccer ball to hold, so I stopped to talk with him and his dad. We talked about "futbol," and I found out that dad and son both liked to play. Anson was only 4 years old and his dad wanted to know if he would ever play futbol again. I pray he does! Please pray that the infection in his leg is cleared and someday Anson and his dad will kick the soccer ball together again.
I was truly blessed to meet a young lady named Maude. Maude is a nurse and it was necessary to amputate her leg due to the injuries she sustained in the earthquake. But when Brad introduced me to her, she had the most beautiful smile that lit up her whole face! She was so grateful to God to be alive. She was not mourning the loss of her leg, but talking about her plans for the future. She wanted to get a prosthesis and practice nursing again so she could continue to help others. What an amazing testimony to her sweet spirit!
These stories help me remember that this is a tragedy for the country, but each individual is walking through it and have their own story to tell. We will continue to pray that the "stories" will bring glory to God. What an honor to serve a God who brings hope in the midst of tragedy.
I was truly blessed to meet a young lady named Maude. Maude is a nurse and it was necessary to amputate her leg due to the injuries she sustained in the earthquake. But when Brad introduced me to her, she had the most beautiful smile that lit up her whole face! She was so grateful to God to be alive. She was not mourning the loss of her leg, but talking about her plans for the future. She wanted to get a prosthesis and practice nursing again so she could continue to help others. What an amazing testimony to her sweet spirit!
These stories help me remember that this is a tragedy for the country, but each individual is walking through it and have their own story to tell. We will continue to pray that the "stories" will bring glory to God. What an honor to serve a God who brings hope in the midst of tragedy.
Monday, January 18, 2010
What an amazing 24 hours. I got a call early yesterday,Sunday, morning from Roberta saying she was ready to try to make it to the Jimani, DR border. It was a one shot deal. The last of her supplies were getting critically low. She had drained the last of her gas and diesel from everything, and put it in two trucks and was headed there to Jimani (he-ma-knee), asking me to meet her there with a truck load of much needed supplies, including food, fuel, and household items (clorox and toilet paper are now imposible to purchase). All praying God would protect and open the doors. Problem was, we thought we were 5 hours away (Rio San Juan to Jimani), not to mention having to purchase the supplies she wanted. Only by God's grace, we pulled together a team of 3 vehicles, cash, empty fuel tanks, and reserves from this side. And within an hour were headed to Santo Domingo to purchase supplies and then meet her at the border ASAP. Our only miscalculation was the distance between here in the border, 8 hours!! Instead of the five we had anticipated. In the mean time, God had opened the door, literally. Instead of passing the supplies between the borders,
when Roberta arrived at 3:00 to the border, the DR guards agreed to let her
and her trucks and crew drive right into Haiti and stop at the first fuel
station they came to, about 1 mile in. Now waiting for us to arrive, rather than meeting her at 3:00 or so, we hooked up in a fairly dark border Jimani town around 8:00PM. A bit surreal. But our only concern was Roberta and her crew's safety. We backed our trucks up to hers, and quickly off loaded all the supplies she had requested... And within an hour she was on her way back home. And, within an hour after she left the DR border, she called from Haiti to say she was back home, safe and sound. We then traversed to the DR again, another 8 hours, and arrived back here in Rio San Juan at 4:30AM. But, all safe and sound and absolutely no problems what so ever. Our plan is to repeat the process several times a week until supplies become more readily available through other avenues. For those of you sending money, just want you to know where your money is going. This trip was around $4,000 in supplies and fuel. We will also use this method as a transportation hub for folks that are scheduled to come in to help. It's clunky and long, but it works. And, that remains to be a good thing when you can say, "It Works". Thank you all for what you've done. We will continue to honor your help and resource that you have sent. But more importantly, we're just wanting to serve as best we know how. We wake up each day not knowing how it will work out, and amazingly at the end of the day (even those that end at 4:30AM), it works out perfectly. Today, Monday, we're doing another supply run. Leaving within 2 hours to try to get a large vehicle across the border for Brad and Brian to have. Even more supplies, but more importantly getting the large truck into Haiti. Again, please ask God to open doors normally closed and we can get the vehicle across without have to wait weeks for the "normal" and "necessary" paper work. Thanks for the prayers, I sound like a broken recorded but they are working. It's not any of us, I promise; I promise. It's the prayers. I can't explain it all or even understand it all, but that's my story and I'm sticking to it!
God bless,
Norm
when Roberta arrived at 3:00 to the border, the DR guards agreed to let her
and her trucks and crew drive right into Haiti and stop at the first fuel
station they came to, about 1 mile in. Now waiting for us to arrive, rather than meeting her at 3:00 or so, we hooked up in a fairly dark border Jimani town around 8:00PM. A bit surreal. But our only concern was Roberta and her crew's safety. We backed our trucks up to hers, and quickly off loaded all the supplies she had requested... And within an hour she was on her way back home. And, within an hour after she left the DR border, she called from Haiti to say she was back home, safe and sound. We then traversed to the DR again, another 8 hours, and arrived back here in Rio San Juan at 4:30AM. But, all safe and sound and absolutely no problems what so ever. Our plan is to repeat the process several times a week until supplies become more readily available through other avenues. For those of you sending money, just want you to know where your money is going. This trip was around $4,000 in supplies and fuel. We will also use this method as a transportation hub for folks that are scheduled to come in to help. It's clunky and long, but it works. And, that remains to be a good thing when you can say, "It Works". Thank you all for what you've done. We will continue to honor your help and resource that you have sent. But more importantly, we're just wanting to serve as best we know how. We wake up each day not knowing how it will work out, and amazingly at the end of the day (even those that end at 4:30AM), it works out perfectly. Today, Monday, we're doing another supply run. Leaving within 2 hours to try to get a large vehicle across the border for Brad and Brian to have. Even more supplies, but more importantly getting the large truck into Haiti. Again, please ask God to open doors normally closed and we can get the vehicle across without have to wait weeks for the "normal" and "necessary" paper work. Thanks for the prayers, I sound like a broken recorded but they are working. It's not any of us, I promise; I promise. It's the prayers. I can't explain it all or even understand it all, but that's my story and I'm sticking to it!
God bless,
Norm
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Update from the field
I have pieced together information from emails that I've gotten from Brad. It's a struggle for him to share things they have seen and has said that some of it doesn't seem right to even try to put into words on a post. I know they are working so hard and God is giving them the strength to do all they can. Please don't stop praying that God will renew them so that they can continue to serve the people in Haiti, and continue praying for the people in that country whose lives will never be the same.
"Another good, but brutal, brutal day. Set up clinic with MOH and a couple of other organizations in the heart of PAP today…. as yesterday I cannot begin to even count how many patients we saw. The medical Manna group was unbelievable and we saw tons of patients today with a Haitian crew from ST. Louis du Nord. They are gold. Melissa Curtice is here with us [from Northwest Haiti Christian Mission].....Brian and Wesley are the best and I am more than blessed to have them here with me. I love those guys so much. The same goes for Holly, Luckson and Melissa, and Rustin is also such a blessing
I am honestly just having a hard time writing what I have seen. . . .I do not have the energy right now to write anything else. [We are] going back to the Community Hospital tomorrow in the heart of PAP…..will be the same....Pray for strength and wisdom. I am good. God is renewing us each day."
Saturday, January 16, 2010
A Note from Norm
We are working to continue to establish a supply line for our team there in Port Au Prince. We are hearing from them on are regular basis. Monica Gautney is our main communication link with Brad Gautney who's leading the team. Everyone is doing well physically.
Our main focus is continuing to help with the the relief team we have in place, and gather information for an extended aide process. We will be very challenged to get food, water, fuel, and medicines to our workers. As, hopefully you got the MGM update, you'll know that our team is working in a hospital that had few, if any, clinicians until they arrived. By the Grace of God, they were led right to this place and countless people were there waiting to be seen.
In speaking with Roberta just before she boarded her plane to Port Au Prince, she's reminded me of the long term needs that will be present for much time to come. All those not receiving immediate treatment, inadequate treatment, and because of the poor quality of the water supply, inevitably a second round of critical clinical needs will arise. Infections, fevers,and various diseases will set in quickly. The healthcare issues will be massive and long term.
We're continuing to look both short term and long term as to how we can best help. Many of you have offered to go in with us. We continue to try to define exactly what role our folks can fill, and how to support that team with needed supplies, safety, lodging, and transportation. As you all have seen on the news, it's a huge logistical problem.
With an estimated 1.5 million people displaced, we are so thankful that our major building structures (children's home, feeding center, etc.) appear to have suffered little or no damage. That allows our attention to be focused on others.
Roberta is back in Port Au Prince. I know what she and the rest are seeing is horrible. I did get an email from Luckson, sharing a portion of it I think may be helpful in you understanding their position in helping......
From Luckson: ------Norm, it is bad here. We worked at an hospital today and it was bad. I have no words to explain what I was seeing today. I had to tell a 13 yrs old today that she was going to lost one of her eyes and it was hard. It is hard for me to be here but I wouldn't changed this for anything else in this world. The Lord is using me and everyone in our group.----------
Certainly, the Haitian people are suffering indescribably, but those close to the situation are also absorbing a lot of hurt by the critical conditions and their ability to only help so much. Even though all of our team is well trained for Haiti conditions, this situation is overwhelming. Please pray for them that they can deal with the pain in their own hearts as they help others.
God help us to help them.
Norm
Our main focus is continuing to help with the the relief team we have in place, and gather information for an extended aide process. We will be very challenged to get food, water, fuel, and medicines to our workers. As, hopefully you got the MGM update, you'll know that our team is working in a hospital that had few, if any, clinicians until they arrived. By the Grace of God, they were led right to this place and countless people were there waiting to be seen.
In speaking with Roberta just before she boarded her plane to Port Au Prince, she's reminded me of the long term needs that will be present for much time to come. All those not receiving immediate treatment, inadequate treatment, and because of the poor quality of the water supply, inevitably a second round of critical clinical needs will arise. Infections, fevers,and various diseases will set in quickly. The healthcare issues will be massive and long term.
We're continuing to look both short term and long term as to how we can best help. Many of you have offered to go in with us. We continue to try to define exactly what role our folks can fill, and how to support that team with needed supplies, safety, lodging, and transportation. As you all have seen on the news, it's a huge logistical problem.
With an estimated 1.5 million people displaced, we are so thankful that our major building structures (children's home, feeding center, etc.) appear to have suffered little or no damage. That allows our attention to be focused on others.
Roberta is back in Port Au Prince. I know what she and the rest are seeing is horrible. I did get an email from Luckson, sharing a portion of it I think may be helpful in you understanding their position in helping......
From Luckson: ------Norm, it is bad here. We worked at an hospital today and it was bad. I have no words to explain what I was seeing today. I had to tell a 13 yrs old today that she was going to lost one of her eyes and it was hard. It is hard for me to be here but I wouldn't changed this for anything else in this world. The Lord is using me and everyone in our group.----------
Certainly, the Haitian people are suffering indescribably, but those close to the situation are also absorbing a lot of hurt by the critical conditions and their ability to only help so much. Even though all of our team is well trained for Haiti conditions, this situation is overwhelming. Please pray for them that they can deal with the pain in their own hearts as they help others.
God help us to help them.
Norm
Friday, January 15, 2010
An update from Brad
From an email I received from Brad tonight:
We left MOH today early and went into PAP to check on an orphanage that we know of. [Right after leaving there] we saw a DR surgeon we knew in the road in downtown PAP. He stopped and asked us if we could go to a hospital in the epicenter of where most of damage was. We agreed and when we arrived found hundreds and hundreds of people laying on the ground waiting for medical care as there is just so limited amount of any medical care. The hospital was the Haiti Community Hospital. I immediately met with the administrator and he put us in charge of setting up triage outside and began seeing the people that needed the most care. We saw mostly large lacerations 3+ days old from the earthquake. We were able to clean, debried most of them and get them started on antibiotics. Broken bones, skulls, spines, you name it. After a couple of hours, a Haitian orthopedic surgeon showed up and we began working hand in hand with him. Haitian med-students helped us tremendously and we worked incredible together. They were such a huge blessing. The hospital was almost completely out of meds and supplies so we left all we could.
Upon leaving to head back to MOH, the mass destruction was just unbelievable. It really is hard to believe to be honest. Still trying to comprehend it and not sure how we will. It took us over 3 hours to get back as the Haitian government and UN closed so many of the roads to retrieve and move bodies from the rubble.
Upon leaving to head back to MOH, the mass destruction was just unbelievable. It really is hard to believe to be honest. Still trying to comprehend it and not sure how we will. It took us over 3 hours to get back as the Haitian government and UN closed so many of the roads to retrieve and move bodies from the rubble.
Tomorrow we will head out with MOH to do mobile clinics.
Friday
The group spent the day in Port au Prince, beginning at a children's home and then working at a local hospital all day. My phone conversations with Brad usually start with, "I can' only talk a minute....." so I'm only getting bits and pieces and fewer details than I would like. But I am so thankful that we've gotten to talk at all and just to know that they are well and the Lord is at work.
Our prayers that the Lord would lead them were answered in a special way today as they left Roberta's home. They were driving through the city and "happened" to see a surgeon and director of an NGO that they had met in the DR. They stopped to talk with him and he told them there was a hospital that was in serious need of help and how to get there. They went directly there and hundreds of people were waiting, needing medical attention and very few medical personal. Our team was put to work immediately and worked there all day. They treated wounds and saw many people with crushed and broken bones and did whatever they could to help. They eventually had to leave to insure they were back to MOH before dark. Thank God for sending them where they were needed and that they were allowed to be his hands today!
On a personal level, we received another encouraging report today. One of Hope's brothers, Thony, is currently in the US and had been unable to hear from their other siblings in Haiti. We knew 2 brothers were safe but he heard from the others today. Praise God!
It is encouraging to know that people all over the world are uniting in prayer for the people of Haiti.
These verses came to mind today as a prayer for those affected by this tragedy. We serve an amazing God:
Our prayers that the Lord would lead them were answered in a special way today as they left Roberta's home. They were driving through the city and "happened" to see a surgeon and director of an NGO that they had met in the DR. They stopped to talk with him and he told them there was a hospital that was in serious need of help and how to get there. They went directly there and hundreds of people were waiting, needing medical attention and very few medical personal. Our team was put to work immediately and worked there all day. They treated wounds and saw many people with crushed and broken bones and did whatever they could to help. They eventually had to leave to insure they were back to MOH before dark. Thank God for sending them where they were needed and that they were allowed to be his hands today!
On a personal level, we received another encouraging report today. One of Hope's brothers, Thony, is currently in the US and had been unable to hear from their other siblings in Haiti. We knew 2 brothers were safe but he heard from the others today. Praise God!
It is encouraging to know that people all over the world are uniting in prayer for the people of Haiti.
These verses came to mind today as a prayer for those affected by this tragedy. We serve an amazing God:
"He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners. . . . to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion-to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair."
Isaiah 61:1-3
Good News
I was blessed to get an unexpected phone call from Haiti this morning. Our group is in Port au Prince today and were able to check the children's home run by a friend (who was out of the country at the time of the earthquake and trying to return). Sadly, we had gotten word earlier in the week that one of the children had been killed when an outer wall fell, but the rest of the children are well. Most of the outer walls are down, but their home appears to have no structural damage. The kids are managing very well and and will have part of our group staying with them for the next few days. They have the food they need and are boiling water from their well. Thankful to hear the children are doing well and have a safe place to sleep at night!
Most of the group was going out into the city after we spoke to be of help where ever they are needed. There is a water and fuel shortage now, so travel is limited and difficult. I'm praying that God directs them to where they are needed most and that they will take his light and hope with them as they go. With each moment, we continue to pray for those who are trapped, that they will be found, and that those who are hurt will receive comfort. Lord, make yourself known in a mighty way.
Most of the group was going out into the city after we spoke to be of help where ever they are needed. There is a water and fuel shortage now, so travel is limited and difficult. I'm praying that God directs them to where they are needed most and that they will take his light and hope with them as they go. With each moment, we continue to pray for those who are trapped, that they will be found, and that those who are hurt will receive comfort. Lord, make yourself known in a mighty way.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
In Haiti
I just got an email from Brad's co-worker and friend here in Kansas City that our group made it safely to Port au Prince today and are now at Mission of Hope. Her email:
I just got off the phone with Marilyn from MOH who was on skype with Brad Johnson while we were on the phone. The team made it. Brad Gautney was at work in the clinic while we were on the phone.
So thankful to know our team is there safe and sound and looking forward to hearing from them soon. Will continue to post as we hear.
Link to Mission of Hope blog: http://disasterrelief.mohhaiti.org/
I just got off the phone with Marilyn from MOH who was on skype with Brad Johnson while we were on the phone. The team made it. Brad Gautney was at work in the clinic while we were on the phone.
So thankful to know our team is there safe and sound and looking forward to hearing from them soon. Will continue to post as we hear.
Link to Mission of Hope blog: http://disasterrelief.mohhaiti.org/
Flying into Port au Prince
We heard from our team this morning as they were getting ready to fly from the DR to Haiti. They were able to join with other relief workers, from what I understand, on flights to Port but had to split the team into three different groups and will re-group once they've all arrived in Haiti. There are 9 people in our group, about half of them trained medically and almost all speak Creole and have lived in Haiti at some point. We do know communication is very limited so it may be a while before we hear any news. Prayers continue for all involved.....for strength, peace, and the presence of God in a mighty way.
Haiti Updates
Brad and Brian and a small group are heading into Port au Prince today. They routed through the Dominican Republic and will be flying across the border this morning, Lord willing. We will have limited, if any, communication with them most likely, but anything I hear will be posted on this blog. Not it's original purpose, but a good way to keep information going to our friends and family.
I spoke with Brad briefly on the phone this morning (though bad connection) and they have made contact with several of our friends in Haiti and the needs are great and very extreme. They've gotten all the medical supplies they could in the DR and will be taking those with them. Here is an email from our good friend, Micheal Miller, after he spoke with Brad this morning:
Just got off the phone with Brad. He's in the Dominican Republic. Flights were delayed, etc.
They are either going by car or helicopter to Port au Prince today. In that, he was able to get access to around $5,000- $6,000 in medical supplies, specifically antibiotics. If you watch the news at all, they are already out of these at most clinics.
This is money they were not expecting to incur so soon. So, they are already in need.
Once in Port au Prince they are going to leave the meds at the clinic and join rescue teams to find people in the rubble.
Help is needed immediately with money going to medicines.
Michael
Please pray for the safety of our team and that the Lord will lead them. Please join us in prayer for all the people of Haiti, relief workers, and missionaries, for their strength and peace in such horrific circumstances.
NOTE: Many have asked about our friends in Lagosette. We have heard from our neighbors at the orphanage that all is well. They definitely felt the earthquake, but clearly not at strong as in Port au Prince. As far as we know there is not substantial damage in the Cap Haitian area. They will truly be affected by this in the days and weeks ahead as all food, supplies, and fuel come through Port au Prince.
I spoke with Brad briefly on the phone this morning (though bad connection) and they have made contact with several of our friends in Haiti and the needs are great and very extreme. They've gotten all the medical supplies they could in the DR and will be taking those with them. Here is an email from our good friend, Micheal Miller, after he spoke with Brad this morning:
Just got off the phone with Brad. He's in the Dominican Republic. Flights were delayed, etc.
They are either going by car or helicopter to Port au Prince today. In that, he was able to get access to around $5,000- $6,000 in medical supplies, specifically antibiotics. If you watch the news at all, they are already out of these at most clinics.
This is money they were not expecting to incur so soon. So, they are already in need.
Once in Port au Prince they are going to leave the meds at the clinic and join rescue teams to find people in the rubble.
Help is needed immediately with money going to medicines.
Michael
Please pray for the safety of our team and that the Lord will lead them. Please join us in prayer for all the people of Haiti, relief workers, and missionaries, for their strength and peace in such horrific circumstances.
NOTE: Many have asked about our friends in Lagosette. We have heard from our neighbors at the orphanage that all is well. They definitely felt the earthquake, but clearly not at strong as in Port au Prince. As far as we know there is not substantial damage in the Cap Haitian area. They will truly be affected by this in the days and weeks ahead as all food, supplies, and fuel come through Port au Prince.
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