Life on the ground in Haiti has not changed much in the past couple weeks.  LHM has gotten occasional food and supplies through various sources, but no more large shipments from the military have arrived. Some of the more recent developments are:
 
1. Checks can now be cashed, which allows LHM to purchase some supplies and pay the staff
2. LHM has just finished 5 days of prayer for Haiti, with specific prayers for God to realign the earth under Haiti so the tremors will cease
3. The tremors have finally been decreasing in frequency and severity this week (per a discussion I just had with Mary Jane today)
4. Everyone is still living outside -- they have been advised not to go into buildings yet
5. We have shipped some supplies in from the US and are waiting to see how well that process works
6. Pastor Bob Carpenter is now scheduled to arrive in Haiti on Tuesday for a reconnaisance mission.  Pleas pray for safety and success for this mission -- it has been delayed twice so far.
7. It is still unclear when school will resume.  The government first said schools should open March 1, then said schools cannot open until they have been inspected.  In any case, Andris does not believe they will be ready by March first since
    building repairs are necessary  -- and the repairs cannot begin until the earth is stable.
 
Paul's instructions to the Colossians are applicable to us today, both in the US and Haiti. "Devote yourself to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too,that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ.."     Through this earthquake and the aftermath, God has opened a door for His gospel to be spead further in Haiti and elsewhere.

 
Mark Breading
614-562-8310
visit http://www.livinghopehaiti.org to learn about Living Hope Ministries in Haiti

Thank you all for your prayers and support over the past few weeks.  The February newsletter recaps the recent events in Haiti and provides a current status of LHM.  http://livinghopehaiti.org/doc/2010-02.pdf

 
Mark Breading

I would just like to say Thank you to all who are praying for LHM. They need it. All the people of Haiti also need it. Please keep not only LHM in prayer, but Haiti also. Their was a news report that food was getting in, but UN officials were making people pay if they wanted to get it out to the Haitians. We need to pray that this will change---soon. We need to remember that all of this is in the Lord's hands. He will take care of us.

Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and He shall sustain thee. Psalm 55:22a
~Sveta~

LHM would like to thank everyone for your continued prayers and support.  Food and supplies are still an issue for LHM and the village. Since the large food delivery 9 days ago and a small delivery last Saturday, there have been no further deliveries of aid. Andris and Mary Jane were able to go into Port-au-Prince yesterday and speak with the US Army. They were promised a delivery of food and medical supplies within 2 days for the whole village. We also have a commitment from Food for the Poor to deliver food for 500 families.  Please pray with us that these aid deliveries will arrive soon. 
 
Our reconnaisance team led by Pastor Bob Carpenter was scheduled to leave yesterday, but their flights have been delayed until Feb. 9. They will be carrying in tents and some very specific medical supplies that are urgently needed.
 
We would like to extend a special thanks to all our supporters who have been so faithful in prayers and so generous with financial support. Through you, God has raised over $50,000 for earthquake relief and there are many fundraisers still underway.  When Pastor Bob returns from Haiti, we will put together a detailed plan on how to address the needs over the coming months. We know that we must repair buildings on the LHM campus and we expect to have a special focus on housing for the members of the Zion Church Haiti congregation and LHM staff who have lost their homes.
 
We are thankful for many of you who are involved in collecting items to send to Haiti. We will be providing guidance soon on how those goods will be transported to Haiti throughout 2010. The food,clothing, hygiene kits, medical supplies and other items will meet critical needs as the aid from governments and international aid agencies inevitably begins to decrease. 
 
Thank you all for continuing to answer God's call us to help our brothers and sisters in need.  "If one of your countrymen becomes poor and is unable to support himself among you, help him as you would an alien or a temporary resident, so he can continue to live among you." Lev. 25:35

p.s. Please pray also for the American missionaries who are being tried in Haiti on child abduction charges
 
Mark Breading
614-562-8310
visit http://www.livinghopehaiti.org to learn about Living Hope Ministries in Haiti

 

 

God is using LHM to minister to the surrounding area. Since LHM has gotten food aid, they have distributed food to 1600 families. The distribution has been very orderly. They received more food Saturday from a Christian aid group based in the Dominican Republic and have heard that they may get another large distribution from the military today (Monday). In the midst of this crisis, LHM has continued to hold church services and Bible studies - all outdoors. School has not resumed since they are still not able to go into the buildings.
 
Pastor Bob Carpenter is taking a small reconnaisance team to Haiti later this week. They will take in much needed medical supplies and tents and will help us to make plans for the next several months regarding mission teams and shipment of goods. Please pray that their travel will go smoothly and safely.

Let us all put our hope in the Lord:  "...those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."  Isaiah 40:31
 
Mark Breading
614-562-8310
visit http://www.livinghopehaiti.org to learn about Living Hope Ministries in Haiti