This morning, 5 trucks arrived at LHM and unloaded 510 boxes of food. The convoy included the US Navy, the Sri Lankan Army and the Mexican Army. The food came in packets with rice, soy powder and spices – a ready to cook meal. They determined that there are actually 7,000 families that will be serviced from the LHM distribution point. The delivery this morning is not enough to feed that many, so LHM is making arrangements to purchase more large bags of rice so that everyone in the village will have food. They have developed a distribution system, letting a limited number of people into the campus at a time to get food. Continuing prayer requests are: 1. Tents - there are still no tents available 2. Water - the delivery this morning did not include water. LHM is trying to distribute as much as they are safely able to from the well on campus 3. Ongoing food deliveries – today’s food won’t last very long so please pray that LHM will now be considered an official distribution point and receive supplies every couple days. 4. Aftershocks – they had a large tremor this morning. After two weeks they are still not able to go into the buildings Thanks be to God whose timing is always perfect. Ps. 75:1 We give thanks to you, O God, we give thanks, for your Name is near, men tell of your wonderful deeds.
The Navy did reach LHM yesterday, but they did not deliver any food. When I talked to Mary Jane, everything was arranged and they had just phoned her to say they were 30 minutes away. Unfortunately, they only sent 2 jeeps for reconnaiance first, then decided the road up to LHM was not suitable for their supply vehicles. And they do not want to unload and distribute from the main road. In addition, there is a concern that a helicopter landing might be risky because the some of the walls with cracks might collapse. This leaves us back where we have been - trying to work both ends - from the US and Haiti - to get emergency supplies delivered. My apologies for the overoptimistic message sent out yesterday.
In the end, regardless of which individuals and organizations we work through, it will be God who moves through people and situations to provide for His people: Ps. 9:18 "But the needy will not always be forgotten, nor the hope of the afflicted ever perish."
I just spoke to Mary Jane and found out that the Navy is arriving now with food and supplies for 5,000 people. LHM will become a distribution point for the village. The Navy has asked Andris and Mary Jane to help with other mission contacts in the area to distribute supplies to more areas in need.
Thanks to the many people who have contacted government agencies, the US military and aid organizations on behalf of LHM. There will still be a great need for food, water and supplies over the weeks and months, so all aid deliveries that are eventually made will be welcomed and well used.
On a sad note, the one student who lost his life in the earthquake was a 4 year old pre-school student. He was not a sponsored student. I know that all of you who sponsor a student have been concerned about the child you sponsor. The rest of the students are ok, although most have lost their homes.
Waiting for God's timing is sometimes difficult, but we have a God who works on our behalf. Isaiah 64:4 "Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for Him."
We had another update this evening from Haiti.This was our longest call so far - so I am posting an update even though one was sent out just this morning. We know that many of you are praying for LHM and eagerly awaiting updates. For those who are concerned about the students they sponsor or Haitian friends met during mission trips, we still do not have details on specific individuals.Here is some additional information. 1.Pastor Andris’ sister by the airport is ok, but lost her home – so all of Andris’ family survived – Praise God! 2.They do have food on the campus for now, but food is very limited in the village 3.They have been fixing meals for about 30 people per day on the campus (cooking outside) 4.They found out that yesterday there were 3-4 food drops in another village near them 5.The most urgent need in the area is water – the community well is damaged and will need repair (this is the well installed by LHM) 6.16 families from the church have lost their homes and all their possessions 7.Tents are still urgently needed. They built a wooden structure yesterday to sleep under and protect from rain.It has also been cold at night. 8.The banks are beginning to open. We continue to investigate ways to get food and supplies directly to LHM and we have some promising options – please pray that at least one of these channels will be able to deliver to LHM in the next 24 hours. In addition, we hope to use some of these channels to continue to deliver items to LHM over time. In the midst of this crisis, it is wonderful to see God’s people come together in prayer and in community to help those in need. As we step forward in support of our brothers and sisters in Haiti, remember the words of Jesus who said “...I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.”Matthew 25: 40
As you may have seen by now, Haiti experienced a 6.1 earthquake early this morning with the epicenter about 20 miles west of LHM. Shortly after that, Mary Jane Jolibois was able to get through to her mother, although it was a very short call. We learned that: - The wall around the campus is intact - it has 2 cracks that need repair but overall this is very good news. It means they have protection. - Both the church and school buildings have sustained some damage - They are still staying outside - about 20 people permanently staying on the campus since the initial quake - They are trying to find a tent due to the rain Psalm 20:1-2 "May the LORD answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you. May He send you help from the sanctuary and grant you support from Zion."
Mark Breading (vice-president) visit www.livinghopehaiti.org to learn more about Living Hope Ministries in Haiti
Sunday's news Sun, Jan 17, 2010 8:15 am Subject: Update from Haiti
Mary Jane (Director's wife and founder) was able to get through to her mother during the night. Here is the situation. 1. Andris’ family is ok – but the they have not been able to reach one of his sisters (Andris is the director and is Haitian. He has family in different parts of the country) 2. We have lost a couple students, but too early to determine exactly how many (LHM has a primary school with 270 students and a trade school) 3. One young man from the village has lost his whole family of 10 people 4. The well is working so they are boiling their water (A hand-pump well) 5. They have supplies and food for now 6. They will be able to cash checks next week 7. They have been advised not to go into the buildings until 3 days after the shaking stops – they are still having aftershocks 8. They expect that they have damage inside the buildings 9. They have all been sleeping outside 10. They are very low on fuel so not running the generator 11. There are a lot of people and families staying on the LHM grounds ( I imagine quite a few of the church members)
Two great verses to ponder – Philippians 4:6-7. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
I was just able to talk to Mary Jane and they are all ok. God miraculously protected LHM in the midst of this devastating earthquake. I count it as God's intervention that I was even able to get through via phone, even though it was for only a minute. Their concerns now are for the many aftershocks that are occuring, the people in the surrounding area and the nation of Haiti. They may have sustained some minor structural damage but will make a more complete assessment tomorrow. As more news and needs become known we will communicate them to you.
The days and weeks ahead are likely to be difficult for Haiti. Please pray that LHM will be a place of refuge and support for the surrounding area and that God will work through LHM to further His Kingdom in Haiti.
May we and our fellow believers in Haiti remember that "The Lord is my rock, my fortress, my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge." Psalm 18:2a
As you know by know, Haiti was hit by a magnitude 7.0 earthquake about 5pm EST this evening. Many of you have contacted us with your concerns and prayer support. At this early stage, we do not have any information about Andris, Mary Jane and Living Hope. We anticipate that it may be awhile before we get any news - phone circuits are jammed and electronic communications are difficult and may be that way for days. We do know from the news reports that the epicenter was a few miles from LHM. If you are watching the news reports, you will see Carrefour on the map west of Port-au-Prince. LHM is a couple miles further west of Carrefour.
Please keep Mary Jane, Andris, the Zion church Haiti congregation, LHM students and all the people of Haiti in your prayers. We will send out updates when more information is available. We know that God, the Creator of the universe, is in control of every situation.
Mary Jane and Andris - The directors at Living Hope Ministries
Living Hope Ministries in Haiti is a Christian mission organization near Carrefour, Haiti that operates a primary school, trade school, entrepreneurship program, and a church. living Hope (LHM) is about 2 miles from the epicenter of the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that hit Hiti January 12th, 2010. God has providentially proctected LHM in the midst of the devastation so the mission will have a large roll in the coming months in sharing God's word in love and action.
There are 3 primary ways you can help the people of Haiti - prayer, financial contributions, and donation of material goods. One Hundred percent of the contributions will go to Haiti. The money contributed will provide jobs and income to local Haitian Staff (40 people) and Haitian construction workerswho will be hired for repare and constructions of buildings on the LHM campus.
To make a donation send a check payable to: Christ community Church-- earmarked for Haiti Relief.
Send checks to: Christ Community Church 1382 Halon Young Rd. Liberty, KY 42539
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