JIM AND DEB SHARE

SATURDAY JANUARY 30, 2010

Dear Prayer Warriors,

We have been home for two days now and still have not absorbed everything we saw while in Haiti this week. It is impossible to put into words the emotions we felt as we helped to feed hundreds, treated major injuries, witnessed the devestation of Haiti and the pain and suffering of the Haitian people. Most every one we spoke with lost at least one loved one and many their entire families along with every possession. It was heartwrenching, and yet amazing to also witness the Haitian people and their strength to endure and press on. Most of the people we ministered to were praising God they were alive and thankful for what they had. I am humbled at their faith in such a devastating time. God has truly given them strength and comfort in their time of need and we saw it first hand in their eyes.
It is going to be a long road to recovery for the Haitian people and together we can make a difference. We are organizing another medical team and we will be in Haiti the 15th of February. We can't wait to get back and minister once again to these precious people.

Thank you for your faithful prayers. We surely felt every one of them!

Below, you'll see we have put together a video of pictures.

Thank you!

Until The Whole World Knows,
Jim & Debbie Hambrick

God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. Psalm 46:1-2

Haiti Relief - Christian Light Foundation - Jan 2010

JONATHAN'S VIDEO

Dear Prayer Warriors,

Wow!

You may want to check out this touching video also by team member Jonathan Grooms.
One Heart at a Time

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AOrSMwOWqs&feature=player_embedded

Blessings,

Donna

HOME SWEET HOME

TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2010



THEY ARE BACK! Our team of heroes is safely back in the states after a long day of traveling yesterday. They waited in the Port-au-Prince airport all morning for the delayed MFI plane. They boarded the plane (loaned to MFI by Hendricks Motor Sports- thank you!) at 1:00 p.m. and landed safely at Ft Pierce at 3:15 p.m. By 4:30 the team was in a caravan headed toward Jacksonville with an important stop for Pizza first! They headed to their individual homes last night exhausted and trying to absorb the incredible events of the week. Each vowed to continue their commitment to make a difference in Haiti with fundraising and return visits.

This was an anointed team. Each one continues to talk about how well they have worked together without any complaining, slacking, or confrontations. This was a team dedicated to give their best and they were a great example of individual people with different skill sets working together as the body of Christ. Oh that we would all follow that example in our daily lives.

Jim and I talked on the phone as they headed toward Jacksonville. He said he left Port-au-Prince with a heavy heart for the people but feeling encouraged about the work Christian Light Ministries is doing in the area. Kathy Brooks of Much Ministries has done a great job heading operations for this basecamp as Sherry heals her body and spirit here in the states this week. Kathy exudes the most beautiful joyous spirit of the Lord, and her fearless "can do" attitude is contagious. Early yesterday morning Kathy went to the airport with several men to pick up some more supplies. Jim laughed as he recalled seeing several big UN trucks filled with food pulling out of the airport with Kathy in the cab waving to the team! She led these trucks to the CLF compound and unloaded food which will continue to feed the thousands living in the ravine area and tent cities around the school. These tough UN guys were touched by the loving hugs of the many orphans being cared for at our site and were quite impressed with the successful system that is in place to distribute food, medical help, and supplies to the Haitian people. What a testimony this will be in showing the world what God can do when His people answer His call and trust Him. A new team of 4 arrived before our team left and were already hard at work cleaning up and rebuilding the school site. Jim was particularly impressed with one man with construction experience who had hired around 15 Haitian men to being moving the block and rubble from the grounds. This team was committed to get two more working bathrooms in place, the large gate fixed, and the security walls finised so that future teams will have a safe place to stay and a functioning base from which to operate.

You always return from these mission trips with one particular memory that touches your heart and motivates you to return. Jim said that he still couldn't process all that he had seen this week. It was just too much. Then he again told me about Erica, the young girl that had a bad arm injury, a possible compound fracture betwen her elbow and wrist. When they went back to pick Erica and her mom up on Monday to transport her to the hospital outside the Dominican Republic, she came out of the rubble dressed in a white dress holding her teddy bear. This beautiful young girl was dressed in her finest for this special trip with her heroes. She spoke no English, so communication was challenging during the 2 1/2 hour trip to the hospital. They do not have pain medicine to administer to these victims, and Erica cried out in severe pain as the doctors worked on her mangled arm. Jim knelt beside her and tried to keep her attention on him. She held her breath in silence as he prayed for her, but the pain was too great and the screams soon returned. Jim kissed her forehead and told her that he loved her, and Erica looked up through her tears and uttered back "I love you too" in broken English. That was Jim's moment. The power of love had broken the communication barrier. He cried again as he shared the story with me and said he would be putting Erica's picture on his thank you and follow-up cards this week. She was his reminder of the power of love over suffering. God's love will prevail.

Once I knew Jim and the team were home safe, I sat and cried in thanksgiving. The families of this team have been on alert and in constant prayer all week, and my own exhaustion has now hit me. As I read through Jonathan Grooms journaling on his blog again (see link in side bar), one picture tore me apart, perhaps because I was holding my new 3 month old granddaughter. It was the picture of Elmo in the rubble. These people have lost EVERYTHING. They have nothing but their trust in God to sustain them. No food, water, clothes, work, or shelter. They are in physical and emotional pain. The tremors continue (3 today!) and it is supposed to rain tonight in Port-au-Prince. The ground where they lay will be soaked as will be the clothes they have on and the sheet tent over their head (if they are lucky enough to have one). They are already weak, and this will surely result in many cases of pneumonia and bronchitis. May the wings of angels be outstretched over them in loving protection. Keep praying, my friends.

We scheduled the prayer chain through noon on Wednesday to cover our team for any delays and for their hours of physical and emotional transition upon their return. I will be posting recollections and prayer requests on the blog this week and will keep you updated on the next team leaving. Please don't give up now. There is so much to be done.

And now, we regroup. We schedule new medical and construction teams. We set up new prayerchains. We keep raising money and praying. And we watch God work.

Mwen renmen nou. (I love you)
Donna

PACKING UP

MONDAY JANUARY 26, 2010

The emotions of the last day of a short term mission trip are intense. You are exhausted physically, mentally and emotionally. You long for a hot bath and the comfort of your own bed. You miss your family terribly and tear up at the thought of a loving embrace and kiss. And yet your heart is torn. You just figured out how to function effectively here. You finally have some sort of routine going and better understand how you can best serve in this setting. You have built relationships with others on the team and the precious people of Haiti. You can actually speak a few words of Creole and communicate with the people. In awe, you realize how much the team has accomplished this week with God's help....and you are intensely aware of how much more still needs to be done. How can you possibly leave? Your life will never be the same.

Our team worked hard again today. They set up a medical clinic at Karen's place and saw patients from sun up to sun down again. The injuries seemed even more severe today. Jim, Jonathan and Michael transported people to a doctor's station just a few miles outside the Dominican Republic. The roads were incredibly busy. There were hundreds of big semi trucks filled with supplies from all over the world coming in from the Dominican Republic to Port-au-Prince. Many places the traffic came to a dead stop and the truck drivers would just get out of their trucks to stretch and talk to each other. Thank God for the caring hearts of so many people who are donating money for much needed tents, water, food, clothes, and medical supplies. Please pray that there will be some organization in the way that the supplies are distributed to the people. The airport is packed with supplies and people coming in to help. Just today, a large group of 40 people flew in from LA. The problem is that if they are not plugged in to someone locally, they have no idea what to do or where to go when they get to the city. How blessed we are to have the Christian Light Mission site as a base to work from. God has provided us with wonderful ongoing relationships in Haiti which help us network, find resources and meet the needs of the people effectively. A huge thank you to the many missionaries and people in Haiti who have worked tirelessly with our team to allow us to serve so many people this week.

Pastor Mike preached again today at the clinic and many souls were saved. Hearts are receptive and Pastor Mike's words are anointed. Thank you God.

Dr. Karen's flu bug has passed and she was working at 100% again today (not that she ever stopped! ). Praise God for answered prayer. When the last patient was seen today, our medical team let out a praise whoop and gave high fives. A job well done. It took hours to pack up all the medicines and supplies for the next medical team to use. Then everyone began to pack up their belongings for the trip home Tuesday. Funny, when you begin to pack is when you realize you can't possibly get it all back in the suitcase. How do you pack the memories, the love, the faces, the experiences of the week? You find yourself crying but you can't fall apart - you must prepare for the evening devotions and you don't want to miss the last night with your new friends. The last meal together will be filled with lots of laughter and sharing of memories. The evening devotions will be filled with praise and singing and sharing. Each person will share their special memories of the week and will be encouraged to look for the lessons. There will be an overwhelming sense of the presence of God - and there will be many tears of pain and joy shared. The team is homeward bound- yet they will leave a piece of their heart there in Haiti. They will vow to return soon to work again. They will lay down tonight and go through their own reflections of the week.

Our team secured seats on an MFI flight to Fort Pierce leaving Port-au-Prince mid morning on Tuesday. They should be back home for dinner. It seems they are all craving Pizza now and they plan to stop at the closest Pizza Hut once they land in the States. :) I know everyone wants to see them and hear their stories, but I encourage you to give them a few hours to adjust when they get home. They have seen a lot this week..... they have given their all. I remember standing in the hot shower for a long time feeling numb to the world. I remember the joy of falling into my own bed and feeling the comfort of the soft sheets and pillows. I remember the stabbing pain in my heart as I realized with every drink of available water, every bath, every comfort of home that my precious new friends in Haiti could not experience this blessing. They will never know these comforts which I take so for granted. And I wept...and I held my hands up in praise and prayer.....and I cried some more. Forever changed. Thank you God.

PLEASE PRAY FOR A SAFE JOURNEY HOME FOR OUR MISSION TEAM TODAY. Pray that others will now go and fill the gap there in Haiti. There are many specific prayer needs that I will be posting along with some special words from Jim and others on the team. Please keep checking the blog so we can share important updates with you. Thank you for your continued prayers.

Praising the Lord in Port-au-Prince

Sunday, January 24, 2010

The whole team traveled to the area of our beloved "church on the rooftop" today for worship service and a medical clinic. Pastor Cenor worked hard to ensure a great turnout for both events. Attending this unique church in the past was always a highlight of the trip. It was an open air church literally held on the rooftop of a home half way down the valley. It was a very long steep walk down to the church. People would stand outside of their homes all over the hillsides to listen to the sermon and join in with the singing. I have attached a picture of Dr Karen and me attending a service there in 2008. Also attached is a photo of the destroyed homes that sit there now. The people have now set up a tent city made of sheets and sticks at the top of the hill. Pastor Cenor has been given permission to put up a new tarp church at the top of the hill on borrowed land. I believe the churches are going to be a key factor in people being able to survive now. We can channel food, water, and supplies to the pastors to share with their congregations. Let's keep Pastor Cenor and his congregation in our prayers.

Awwww....A quick hello from Jim!

GOD'S ENDLESS SUPPLY

Good morning my friends,

So many of you are sending me words of encouragement and stories of how God is working in your life through your prayer time commitment. Thank you. Oh that we could keep that sweet quiet time with Jesus as a priority in our lives after this week's mission trip.

Everyone is handling their prayer time a bit differently: some are praying while they walk, some exercising and praying, some pulling away and being still, some are gathering with family and/or friends. One friend says she reads the blog and prays for everything mentioned in it. One friend said she looks at the team's picture and places them in a circle of light and protection. I have a 2 hour stretch each morning from 3 -5 a.m. and I have been combining prayer, scripture and journaling. Let me encourage you to fill your thoughts with the positive things that God is doing rather than the constant barrage of negative news blasts. Our thoughts are so powerful in creating the filter through we see the world.

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 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. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."
Philippians 4:4-8

With that in mind, I am attaching a link to a news clip on a young 12 year old artist inspired by God The picture she drew of Jesus really touched my heart, and in my prayer time yesterday I found myself holding each team member up and envisioning Jesus embracing them close to His heart at the end of a weary day of serving him. With the embrace of our loving Father, their individual fatigue and pain and fear melted away. With a gentle kiss on their forehead, he cleared their heads of all the pain and suffering they had witnessed and gave them a fresh compassion to be able to continue doing His work. I found that the image of Jesus was much like the picture this artist has drawn. It was quite beautiful and I realized I had spent an entire hour in that specific activity. The Lord renewed my own heart and weariness as well and I wept with his faithfulness.
The link is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmm-0-Rdxo8

I am also including an email I received last night from one of our prayer warriors that testifies to yet more miracles occurring in Haiti. Praise God! There is no lack in the Creators hand.

Donna, I have to share this with you and maybe you can somehow share it with the team to encourage them. Our Life Group Leader works for the Fla Baptist Convention and he told this story this morning.

There is a team of doctors from Arizona who have been in Haiti, running a clinic. They took with them whatever they could gather on short notice, in the way of medical supplies, which wasn't much. When they set up their little clinic with one room was set aside to store the medical supplies. Every day, they've treated upwards of 75 patients and they pull the supplies and medicines all throughout the day. At the end of each day, they take stock and miraculously, none of the supplies have gone down. They are not low on anything and haven't run out of anything. It's as if they haven't used one thing!

Also, the FBC took cash to supply their pastors and church plants, feeling that if the pastors and their families are taken care of, then they can better minister to their church members and to those in the community. They took $20,000 cash to hand out to these (800 )pastors all over Haiti . The man said he keeps giving out cash and knows exactly how much money was in that bag yet there is more money in the bag now than when they started.

God is so good! It's like the story of the loaves and the fishes. We have many friends and family keeping up with the blog and praying. They may not have signed up for the prayer chain but they are praying. I've been posting a link everyday to my facebook page and I get at least 10-15 comments and e-mails per day about people watching it and praying.

There is HOPE for Haiti in the sweet love of our Savior, Jesus Christ and these willing servants who have made themselves available to do His work. Susan Eng


We serve an amazing God!

One of our mission team members, Pastor Jonathan Grooms, has established a new blog where he has uploaded his pictures and a daily account of the trip from his perspective.. He is a gifted writer and I encourage you to check out the blog.
That link is http://haiti-disaster-relief.blogspot.com/ .

Enjoy the Gift of Today! and Keep Praying!
In His Love,
Donna

CONTINUED BLESSINGS

REPORT ON TEAM FOR SATURDAY, JANUARY 23, 2010

We serve a mighty God!  There is no doubt that God has his  hand on our mission team.  He continues to bless them with an abundance of food, water, supplies, blessings and protection.  There is power in prayer and the name of the Lord!  

Our team had another "good day" serving in Haiti.   The medical team continues to see patients from sunrise to sunset.  Dr Karen McCarthy has such a heart for our Haitian friends  and she is tireless in her efforts to see as many patients as possible during the day.   Allison and Cindy complete her team with warm personalities and great nursing skills.  It is incredible to watch them in action and see how efficient and caring they are with each person.   On this trip, they added Debbie's  medical knowlege and organization skills to the team and created a powerful force.  What a blessing that we can take the medical team in to the  people rather than waiting for them to come to us.  On past mission trips, walking the ravine with Dr. Karen and her nurses was one of the most memorable parts of the journey.  The ravine is one of the poorest, filthiest places in the city.  People live along the banks in make shift homes of cardboard, cloth and plywood. Entire families may live in one small room with no floor or furniture. They drink from the same water in which they bathe and wash clothes while pigs wade through trash right beside them.   Needless to  say there are many sick children there.  Most of the children in Sherrie Fausey's school are from this area and they are given food and loving care while under Ms Sherrie's watchful eye.  Since this area had so little to start with, it hasn't changed that much since the quake.  The medical team has walked the ravine trying to help these families in addition to the clinics.  On Sunday they will be setting up a clinic to minister to the people around Pastor Cenor's "church on the rooftop".  That is going to be quite a challenge as the homes are built into the steep mountainside and there was great loss in this area. On Monday, the team will be working a clinic at Karen's again.   Please keep them in your prayers. 

Pastor Michael Grooms preached at the clinic site today and 6 lives were saved.  Mesi Jezi!  (Can you guess what this means in Creole?) Pray that there will be a revival among the people of Haiti as God begins to heal this land. Praise God that we have Christian doctors, nurses and laborers who give God the glory as they work.  Thank you Pastor Mike for the sharing of your anointed word.  The team will be having a praise and worship service at the clinic site Sunday morning with Pastor Cenor's congregation.  Pastor Mike will be preaching with a translator.   Oh how I wish I was there with them! Haitians truly enjoy their songs and  worship - there will be a whole lot of clapping and praise going on in those hills Sunday! Pray that more souls will be saved as Pastors Mike, Jonathan, and Jim share their faith.

It appears that the larger support organizations have quite a supply of food and water just sitting at the airport waiting to be distributed.  Many of the volunteers have never been in Haiti before and are actually

afraid to go out into the communities with the Haitian people - probably due in large part to the alarming reports of violence being played on CNN and other news channels.  How frustrating to know much needed water and nourishment is just sitting there unused . Jeff and the guys on the Georgia mission team  are making sure  the people around the school and  the ravine area are getting supplies. They have been making numerous trips to the airport to load up supplies and distribute them to those most in need.  It is amazing what you can do when you walk with  authority!   I understand some people even got crutches today! You rock, Jeff!

Kathy Brooks is doing a GREAT job running the base camp until Sherrie returns in the near future.  They have secured a generator, set up a working bathroom, and the Haitian cooks are preparing meals for the large group of children and adults now staying there.  They cook in large pots over open fires - lots of beans and rice!  Peanut butter, poptarts, and MRE's (military version of tv dinner) are the popular foods now. The Haitian laborers have completed  one of the outer walls and  continue to work hard to complete the rest of the security wall. 

The team has loved the beautiful songs of praise that can be heard coming from the street during the night and early morning.  Last night there was one beautiful voice that stood out like the voice of an angel.  Jim was so taken with it that he sought the lady out today.  He found a 20 year old woman behind the captivating voice and made a video of her singing to share with us when he returns.  He invited her to join the team for their evening devotion time and she serenaded them with three solos.  Jim said it was simply amazing!

In the midst of all this praise report, the reality is that there is an overwhelming amount of work yet to be done, and the conditions are really rough. The safety of our team continues to be a major prayer request.  There are thousands of starving, frustrated, hurt, homeless people filling the streets.  It has to be overwhelming for our team to know they are leaving soon when the need is still so great.  The next few days will be very emotional for them as they feel torn between their two worlds.  Please hold them up in your prayers.

I pray each of you supporters will enjoy a day of rest and restoration on this beautiful Sunday.  Thank you for standing in the gap with me for this important  mission team.   To God be the Glory.

SHARING JIM'S HEART

FRIDAY, JANUARY 22, 2010

I began and ended the day talking with Jim. What a blessing! I was thrilled to hear his voice this morning assuring me that all is well. The team is making a difference every day in the name of the Lord. I began to immediately ask a million questions about the team's health, safety, and work. They are praising God for his incredible faithfulness every step of the way. In the middle of our conversation, a strong tremor, later to be identified as a 4.4 quake, hit and I listened as Jim yelled "Tremor" out to those around him. I could hear the fright in his voice as he hurried to escape the concrete second floor sleeping quarters. He exclaimed that the whole building was shaking and I held my breath in disbelief while saying a prayer for their safety - this 30 seconds of chaos was surreal - and then it abruptly stopped. Jim hadn't yet descended on the ladder and he resumed our convervation with a bit more emotions. He said that the tremors are frequent, though not as hard as this one, and he asked that the prayer warriors pray for these tremors to cease so that our team can work and sleep on solid ground.  When the tremors hit, they produce great anxiety and fear as everyone goes on alert - they have a routine to get away from any buildings asap. Evidently one person can feel a powerful tremor and a person only 100 feet away will feel nothing! They keep everyone on constant alert. Jim shared a story about sitting at a metal table yesterday while a young Haitian boy played in a small tent beneath it. A big tremor rocked the house and the young boy panicked and began to scream in fear. The zipper was stuck on his tent and he couldn't get out. Jim struggled with the zipper from the outside as the boy pulled at it from the inside. The ground was shaking beneath them and Jim said he felt so helpless at that moment. His emotions overflowed with the awareness that he must get out of the building but he couldn't leave this young boy behind. The zipper released and when they both finally got safely outside, he was so weak he had to sit down. He realized that these precious children will have to live in this type of ongoing fear long after he returns home. I stopped asking questions then and listened as my brother shared his heart with one story after another of emotional experiences from this week. He spoke of his visit to the ravine where a nun called him over to help a young preteen boy with a crushed leg. The boy had open infected wounds wrapped in a bloody, pus covered bandage. Jim knew they had to get him to the clinic that was 1 mile away, so he prayed for strength to physically carry him. When they got to the street, along came Jeff driving a truck going to distribute food for one of the agencies! Jeff stopped and gave them a ride to the clinic - Praise God. ( These are not accidents - these are miracles! ) . The young boy cried out in pain the entire ride. but evidently transformed into a whole differnt personality when the pain meds took over. He began to smile and joke and give high fives to those around him. Unfortunately when this dear Haitian boy's pain meds wear off, he is going to have to live in excruciating pain again. Jim was overcome as he saw Sherries house and how close she had stood to death. He wept with Pastor Cenore as he listened to the details of the destruction of our beloved "church on the rooftop" . So many lives were buried alive as all the houses built into the hillside came tumbling down into the valley . He said the US troops were able to save many, but wouldn't carry off the dead bodies. A mass grave now lays in the rubble of a once awe-inspiring spot. The team is handing out lots of food and water for the UN and other support agencies. Everyone has a role now, and Jeff is doing a lot of supply distribution. It seems the smaller non-profit agencies are doing a much better job than the large agencies at getting the food and water from the airport to the people. Jim said in order to avoid mobs, he often gives the local pastors the food and supplies who in turn call their congregation together to distribute them to the indiviual families. He doesn't see a lot of armed forces there in the slums of the ravine area, yet there is little violence. There are many pictures of children helping other children throughout the streets. Some of the street venders are setting up again with their limited supplies ( a couple cans of tuna, a bottle of mustard, vegetables, dusty flip flops ). The big cargo planes and the helicopters transporting patients fly over them constantly, but the most beautiful sound is that of the Haitians singing their praises to God throughout the night. I am convinced that this is how God is refreshing the spirits of our weary team each night and morning. That is a very different sound than the voodoo drums I heard on my last trip. Jim said to be sure to tell you about the airport. Each assisting country has taken a field of their own where they set up tents and proudly fly their flag above their relief efforts. It is a beautiful picture of a united world joined together in hope and love. Hopefully someone will get a picture of it for us. I apologize for rambling. There is so much to share and so little space. There is another mission team of 6 Georgians staying there at Sherrie's also. It is really hot there now ( 90s) and everyone is struggling to stay hydrated. Water is not readily available all the time and they end up giving away most of it everytime they get another supply. They are working hard. Today the medical team saw 103 patients. Yesterday they saw 133! Pastor Genada is staying with them to oversee the rebuilding of the outer security wall. They have hired Haitian men to help and the wall is really progressing. It looks like we are one of the only homes rebuilding in that poor area. Jim says familiar faces greet him everywhere as he walks and everyone wants to share their story of loss. Tonight Jim sounded tired but was happy to report that "It was a very good day!".

Please pray very specifically for these things today:

1 - The tremors cease and our team has firm ground to stand on.
2 - Renewed strength and energy for our team as they work long hours in high heat in the poorest of circumstances.
3- That God will continue to walk before our team preparing the way   
     for them to make a difference.
4 - That a spirit of revival will overtake Haiti and God will be honored
5 - Continued physical protection for our team
6 - Pray for their emotional well being while seeing so much tragedy and loss constantly.

7 - That souls will be saved!


Jim ended our conversation  thanking everyone for their prayers. They are overwhelmed at the number of people who are praying for them each hour. Prayer works! Our team is living proof.

There is power in the name of our Lord!

I pray I have honored Jim with a correct sharing of his heart. I love you, my dear brother.
 Keep up the good work!       To God Be The Glory!

AN UPDATE FROM A TEAM MEMBER

An Update from Pastor Jonathan  -  Posted Friday about Thursday's experiences

God knows what is needed before you even know you need it! Today we watched God provide in so many ways at just the right time.

A few of us walked down to the ravine and found some people who were really injured or sick that needed immediate care. Can you believe that someone we knew was coming down that very street in a truck right when we needed them? I can!

We were able to get 3 wheelchairs at the Haiti airport when we arrived. At the first medical clinic on Wednesday they needed 3 wheelchairs! Coincidence? No. God? Yes!!

Today we were able to meet a lot more people, hear more stories, see more of the devastation to the city, as well as see a massive amount of people who have been injured. Our medical staff worked from a little after 6am until right before dark - almost 12 hours non-stop. They were amazing! They show so much love and care to each individual patient. They saw a lot of really bad broken bones, many burns, bad cuts, and many were dealing with sickness due to the stress and trauma the earthquake has caused. I was in one of the rooms this afternoon and a woman passed out. We helped her to the floor where she vomited all over. It was very sad. The nurses and doctor were able to help her feel better. Some of the patients were so bad that they had to be sent to a hospital to receive further care, especially the ones with broken bones, mostly legs and arms. One young man had a cut so bad on his leg that they could not use stitches to put it back together. He had had the same bandages on his leg since the day of the earthquake, more than 1 week ago.

This morning a few of us went to Sherrie Fausey's home. The front of the house has a few cracks in it, but the back of the house was completely destroyed. It is truly a miracle that Sherrie is alive today. We saw where Sherrie was standing during the earthquake, and she was just a few feet from having concrete ceilings collapse on her. We took time to thank God for sparing Sherrie's life and we also thanked God for the life of Peterson, praying specifically for his family and friends who are grieving his death. They showed us the place where they found him buried in some of the rubble. It tore your heart apart to know that a child lost his life at this place just 8 days ago.

There are so many people that are homeless here in Port-au-Prince. Many people are living in their front yards because their homes are not safe to live in. Everywhere you go, there are make-shift tents set up. People are living side by side in tents made out of tarp, blankets, and sheets. As we walked through these tents today, the cries of the children were painful to hear. Some of these homes are literally surrounded by piles of trash. The living conditions are horrible. Many were asking for food or for just a drink of water. In many ways I just felt so helpless. We are not able to feed and give water to everyone who asks!

Today I talked with one of the teachers at Sherrie's school. He had a beautiful smile on his face. I asked him how he was doing. He said, "Great. My house was destroyed and I lost everything, but I am alive so I am very happy". This is the testimony of many throughout Haiti.

Today we were able to also see Dorothy Pearce, Pastor Lenny, Pastor Genada and his daughter. All of them came by the Christian Light School. We rejoice to know that all of them are alive and well, serving the precious Haitian people. Pastor Cenor's heart was broken as he shared about the many people he knew that were killed in the earthquake. He could not talk without tears coming to eyes!

As I was getting ready for bed I got on the internet on my phone to look at the blog that was set up by Jim Hambrick's sister, Donna Tyson. I was brought to tears as I read all of the names of the people who are praying for us 24 hours a day. From the bottom of our hearts, THANK YOU!! Your prayers continue to make a difference in the lives of the Haitian people and in each team member's life as well. As you pray the things that seem or could be impossible to take place in Haiti, remember that they are all possible with God!!!

In His Amazing Grace,

Jonathan

LETTER FROM MISSIONARY DOROTHY PEARCE IN HAITI

Thought you would enjoy seeing how God is at work with our missionaries in Haiti during this time of crisis.
We serve an awesome God! 


Jan 22, 2010
Day 10

Praise God! We found diesel fuel, kerosene, propane and gasoline! The water truck brought 3000 gallons of water to fill our cistern! God is SO good! He promised to provide and He is still doing it. Natasha is taking Marie shopping for fresh fruits and vegetables today.


[Wednesday] A big tremor this morning made me jump out of bed and scurry outside. My big wardrobe shook. I wasn't surprised to learn it was a 6.1 quake though 35 miles outside of Port au Prince and deeper than the first one. The nannies said to me "See, it isn't finished. We cannot sleep inside yet." I don't know how to make them understand what is happening, that it is unpredictable.

We are still feeling aftershocks and Haitian people are still panicking. At the HIV clinic yesterday an aftershock sent people screaming for the stairs. The doctors stopped them before they could harm each other in their rush. Our children and staff are still sleeping outside but our staff are getting braver. They watch Natasha and I look around then go right back to work during an aftershock, then they do the same. I heard Jesula tell another nanny not to worry, God will take us when He's ready and we'll be in heaven. Until then we're okay here.


Good news from the HIV clinic: Johnny's blood test showed his CD4 count very high, a really good thing. We thank God for this precious child.

People ask what we need. At first, thinking only of us for the next few days, I hadn't listed very much stuff. Then we ran out of toilet paper. That's enough to bring you back to reality. For the moment we have what we need. Over the next few weeks we will need everything. We are still finding out what is available on the streets.

We are able to change some money at the gas station. Before the earthquake we got over $8 Haitian for each $1 USD. Now it's only $7 Haitian per $1 USD. Prices have doubled. Christian Light Foundation and Much Ministries brought cash to us so we can buy what we need. We can't thank God enough for providing for us and others here in Haiti.


Violence has not come to our neighborhood: we have only heard about it. In our old neighborhood the citizens formed watch-committees. They beheaded 2 thieves. No mercy is shown for wickedness. What I see the most of is people helping other people.

A family came and said the mother of a 3 month old baby was killed, would we take the baby. We said yes, bring it to us. That was several days ago and they still haven'tcome back. I pray the baby is getting milk made with clean water.


I have been sick - bronchitis, I think. Thank God for azithromycin! Natasha is getting a cold. The kids are starting to cough and run fevers and get stuffy too. Our pediatrician has been helping with relief but will come soon to check our children.

Small groups of civilians are getting in, many thru the Dominican Republic. They have been great help to us and other people in neighborhoods. We have received milk, sardines, tomato paste, diapers, antibiotics, toilet paper, wipes, infant formula, ready to eat meals, cases of Kids Against Hunger meals, and Pop Tarts. Despite great difficulties, God's people have found a way to help others.

Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for your love and prayers. We can only take one day at a time. It is much easier to do with your support. Much love from all of us.


Dorothy Pearce

"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." I Cor. 13:13


Faith-Hope-Love Infant Rescue


God be with you Dorothy.  We love you.

READY TO GO AGAIN!

Our mission team is up and ready for a new day of sharing God's love.  At 5:45 am Pastor Michael Grooms shared the following thoughts:      

"Early Friday Morning in Haiti. As I awoke early under the star filled sky, my first thoughts and prayer was when Jesus said "inasmuch as you have helped the least of these you have done it unto me". Today we minister to Jesus! Then I noticed the Big Dipper overhead in a position like it was pouring out God's over the city."

As I read this, I think of our loved ones there looking up to see a star filled heaven and looking down to see precious orphans sleeping safely under tarps on the ground  below.  My eyes fill with tears, and my heart overflows with a strange blend of sorrow and joy.  Thank you Lord for filling the gap between us with your love.  Thank you  for protecting our team thru the night.  Give them renewed strength for the challenges of this new day.  May they experience moments of joy and peace throughout the day that remind them of your incredible love and presence.  Be with their friends and families here and give us your peace that passes all understanding. Use our faith in you to touch the lives of those around us in your name. Be the light in the darkness, Lord.  Amen  

Let's keep praying!  God is at work.

                                                                

MISSION TEAM ASKS FOR PRAYER FOR CONTINUED SAFETY

THURSDAY , JANUARY 21

11:00 pm        

Our team had another powerful day of helping those in great need today. They all send their thanks for your prayers and support and say they can definitely feel it's power. Jim and I are having trouble connecting his satellite phone to my mobile - it is very garbled and we loose most of the conversation. Please pray that we can get a better connection. The team is "sleeping beneath the stars" on the open second floor of a concrete building at Sherries.  They have a time of prayer and praise each evening before laying down to sleep. Michael and Jonathan both posted how they love laying there looking at the heavens and hearing the sound of Haitians praising the Lord through song. What a beautiful way for God to refresh their weary souls after a full day of meeting so many needs.   At about 10:15 p.m. tonight there was another tremor which scared some of the team who were just drifting off to sleep.  It put them on alert again and the team asked for our continued prayers for their safety as these aftershocks continue to hit.  Pray they sleep and stand on solid ground.

                                                

God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.  So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea.   Psalm 46:1-2

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Let's keep signing up prayer warriors to cover them in prayer at all hours of the day and night.

Here are some "footprints" of the team's first full day in Haiti.

Praying for clearance for take-off after the new quake.

Upon arrival.

Immediately to work.

Early morning.

Ready for a new day.