Need some good news this morning? How about this…a 28 year old man was pulled from the rubble of a destroyed building in Haiti today…27 days after the earthquake!! (Read the article) I know that many of you have been praying for the people of Haiti and I just want you to know that God answers prayers.
Has God used this tragedy in your own life? What are some of your reflections on God, yourself, or Haiti as a result of this earthquake?
As told from David and Amy Schmid, missionaries to Haiti.
It’s been two weeks since the 7.0 earthquake struck Haiti, many people here have referred the passing days as AE or After Earthquake which in sense shows how life-changing th
is event has become for many of us. You need to understand that this catastrophe has not just affected the capital, Port-au-Prince but the entire country. Haiti is roughly the size of Maryland so the effects of the earthquake were felt all over the country. Two major towns in the south of the country, Jacmel and Aux Cayes had major destruction as well.
The only building on the mission campus to collapse was the Bible School building that was built in the 1940s out of essentially packed earth. Other buildings have suffered structural damage but for now they are standin
g. Our missions’ (Crossworld) Crisis Management Team is now on the ground and helping coordinate aid.
The missionaries and staff at the Bible college are housing at last count almost 3,500 people consisting of 600 families – 2500 adults and 1600 children. These refugees all camp out during the night and go out in search of aid during the day. Some aid is coming to the campus, although its not from the government. Most aid is coming from other missionaries from around the country. These missionaries are about 100 miles away and each delivery is taking between 10-12 hours to deliver, so each delivery is a real blessing. We are making due with what we have and have made contact with several aid organizations in an effort to relief some of the needs represented at the campus. We are attempting to set up a landing field for a helicopter in the soccer field, but have not yet been able to have helicopter contact.
In spite of all the destruction around them, many of the people seeking refuge on our campus are singing hymns and praising God. On Sunday, we had a service in which a number of people came forward to begin a relationship with Jesus Christ. It was a time of singing, praying and rejoicing in God’s provision of protection.
Please be praying specifically for the following:
1. For safety from looting and theft. Many who are looking for aid and not finding it are turning to crime.
2. For wisdom on part of those giving aid. This is a disaster on a scale that many cannot imagine.
3. Pray for the safety of the rescue workers and medical teams who are still struggling not to be overwhelmed by the needs present.
Follow their story here.
Do you know a missionary or have a family member in Haiti? Send their story here and let the word out. Prayer works.
Many of you have been following the news concerning the earthquake that hit Haiti a few days ago. I want to challenge you all to consider how you might help. One way my family and I are showing our support i
s through giving. I am part of the Christian and Missionary Alliance, a denomination that has long been concerned with global issues. They will be collecting funds to help support the relief efforts that are ongoing in Haiti. All the funds collected will be sent to the relief arm of their denomination Compassion and Mercy Associates (CAMA). In a recent statement CAMA director Phil Skellie stated, “CAMA is gearing up to assist survivors of the 7.0 earthquake that destroyed Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s capital, on January 12. According to a CNN report, the death toll may top 100,000. The hospitals are gone, and medical supplies are desperately needed. About 3 million people—one-third of Haiti’s population—were impacted by the quake. In partnership with sister organizations already on the ground, CAMA will provide immediate assistance—including clean water, emergency shelter, medical aid, and other necessities—as well as long-term help in rebuilding efforts, integrating Jesus’ message of redemption with practical acts of compassion. A compassionate response during a disaster tangibly expresses Christ’s love.” Join us by allowing CAMA to be your hands to a hurting world. Together, we can help support our brothers and sisters whose lives have been disrupted by this earth shattering disaster.
Community Questions:
What other creative ways can we use to reach out to the people of Haiti?
