FOLLOW-UP FROM JIM AND DEB

Dear Prayer Warriors,

We are sorry for the delay in sending this report out. We have been very busy since our return from Haiti and just realized we had not sent out an update.

First, Thank you so much for your prayers! We saw God answering prayers as we made our flight in and back home from Haiti! We had a wonderful trip. We were able to see over 525 patients in the clinics. We did not see near as many open wounds as we did the first time. We did see several patients that we had treated previously. It was good to see them healing and much improved. We are also starting to see pneumonia, bronchitis, malaria, and all the related health problems from sleeping outside on the ground in the rain & mud. Because of the aftershocks, they are still afraid to go inside their homes to sleep.

The construction on Sherrie's school is coming along. We left Steve Dawson in Haiti for 2 months to oversee the project. What a blessing to me and to Sherry for Steve to be willing to serve the Lord in this manner.

We will be going back soon with more aid and medical/work teams. Please pray especially for our missionaries that are so overworked and overwhelmed with all that needs to be done. Thank you so much for praying! God Bless you all!

To see Pictures of the trip go to:

Donnatyson.blogspot.com


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

FEBRUARY 2010 MISSION TEAM

Front Row: Addie Dawson, Debbie Hambrick
Back Row: Jim Hambrick, Dr. Kurt Hubach, Dr. Marty Knott, Steve Dawson

Strong aftershocks

Our team has returned home and are slowly returning to their normal routines.
In Haiti, they have had some very strong . Both of our missionaries in Port-au-Prince,
Sherrie and Dorothy, reported that the quakes woke them during the night and they lay
trembling in fear. Please continue to hold this country and these precious friends up in prayer
during this time of reguilding and fear.

Below is an email I just received from Sherrie Fausey

Hello from Haiti,

I have attached a case statement letter telling about our needs. You might be able to print this and share it with your church or group.

The aftershocks continue. We have had 5 aftershocks in 24 hours. Two of them registered 4,7 which is strong enough to wake you up and both of the strongest ones were at night. It keeps everyone jittery and people don't want to sleep. They are afraid of buildings and houses and it has rained a few times. Please keep Haiti in prayer.
People are still living under sheets in tent cities and now they are dealing with mud.

I am so thankful that I am saved and have assurance that I am in God's will and in God's care. Praise the Lord!!!!!!! I wish everyone was.

We have had medical teams come frequently. Praise the Lord!!!!!!! There seems to be no end of medical needs. Jim Hambrick brought a team, then Dr. Mike Hamm brought a team. They all are needed.

Providence School in Jacksonville sent clothes and shoes. Then Food for the Poor gave us some sneakers. Praise the Lord!!!!!!! This helps so much.
Single Purpose Sunday school class sent their Christmas gift for their children they sponsor late so it arrived after the earthquake so they got new shoes too.Praise the Lord!!!!!!!

We added a couple more girls in the orphanage/boarding school. It keeps growing. We now have almost 50 children sleeping here. We have the girls and little boys inside. The big boys are in an army tent because there is not enough room inside. Thank you Lord for the army tent.

Mike and Steve have redesigned the plan for the building in the back section to include a carport and more classrooms than the oroginal design. Praise the Lord!!!!!!!

Prayer needs:
My little truck is 13 years old = a '97 Isuzu pickup and too small. We need a stronger, bigger truck. World Food Program is limiting the amount of free food to how much we can put in the truck. They had planned to give us much more. We also need a bigger truck to handle construction materials.

Please pray for my health. My breathing is still weak and now I have a cold.
Please pray for other permanent missionaries to be able to come here to take part of the load. The ministry has grown and the earthquake added more. God is calling people.

Below is an article I copied about the aftershocks.

God bless you,
Sherrie

Haiti on edge after steady aftershocks

Reuters
By PAISLEY DODDS Paisley Dodds – 1 hr 51 mins ago
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti – Haiti was rocked by a second series of aftershocks on Tuesday, toppling some structures damaged in the deadly earthquake last month and raising tensions among Haitians already on edge.
The magnitude-4.7 quake rattled the capital at 1:26 a.m. (0626 GMT), followed some seven minutes later by a smaller aftershock whose magnitude was still unknown, according to Eric Calais, a geophysicist from Purdue University who is studying seismic activity in Haiti.
Another aftershock measuring magnitude 4.7 struck on Monday, and it was followed by two other small tremors. They struck near the epicenter of the Jan. 12 earthquake that killed more than 200,000 people.
The U.S. Geological Survey usually detects Haitian quakes of magnitude 4 and above, but smaller tremors often are not detected due to a lack of seismometers in Haiti.
"It's important that people stay cautious," Calais said. "In the next three months, there's a significant risk that there will be an aftershock larger than 4.7."
Some walls that had toppled in last month's quake spilled on to the street Tuesday and damaged telephone polls split in half. There were no reports of injuries.
"It feels like the Earth is shaking all the time since last month," said Ermithe Josephe, 48, who is still sleeping outside in a tent next to her crumpled house. "We can't sleep with all of these aftershocks and we're too afraid to go to work sometimes."
Last month's earthquake occurred along the east-west Enriquillo Fault, where two pieces of earth's crust slide by each other in opposite directions.
Scientists are still concerned over whether the January earthquake released enough energy along that fault to ease the threat of more major quakes there. They are also concerned about another fault line in the north — the one that caused a 1842 quake that flattened Cap-Haitien, Haiti's second largest city.
That fault runs from northwestern Haiti to the Dominican Republic and onto land in the Dominican city of Santiago, the second-largest city in the Dominican Republic with some 800,000 people.
"It's that fault that's accumulated more strain," said Paul Mann, a geologist from University of Texas who arrived in Haiti on Monday with a team to survey coastal uplifting caused by last month's quake.
More than 56 aftershocks of magnitude 4 or greater have shuddered through Haiti's shattered capital since last month.
On Jan. 26, four people were trapped when a building collapsed on them, and on Feb. 9, a magnitude-4 aftershock shook loose debris at a shattered supermarket, trapping several more.

Sherrie Fausey
Christian Light Foundation


LETS KEEP PRAYING FOR HAITI.

IN HIS LOVE,
Donna

HOMEWARD BOUND

The last day of a mission trip is always a mixture of emotions. Your exhausted body is ready for a hot bath, a big glass of ice tea, and your own bed. You can't wait to hug your loved ones and you wonder how you will ever explain the events of the week to them. Your heart aches each time you think of the work that still needs to be done. You look around and see the faces of the children, the teachers, and the incredible missionaries who are staying behind and you almost feel guilty about leaving. You hold the children close and promise you will be back soon. You make a mental note of the things you need to bring back with you on your next trip. You begin to give away your supplies and even your clothes from the week....no need to carry them back when they can be of such use here. The extra snacks will be a real treat for the teachers and kids.

Our mission team conducted one last medical clinic Saturday morning and then began to pack up the supplies. They will be stored and ready for the next team in - Dr. Karen McCarthy will be returning next week . Jim treated our group to lunch at Epi D'or, a restaurant in Port au Prince that serves some "American food" (i.e. hamburgers and french fries). Believe me, everyone is ready for that about now! Sherrie and Dorothy, our missionaries in Port au Prince joined them for a time of great fellowship and bonding. The team then went to Dorothy's place for the afternoon for a heavy dose of love with her precious children. Dorothy runs an infant rescue home where she cares for severely ill babies and toddlers. It is truly a place of ongoing miracles! For more information on Dorothy's minisitry, Faith Hope Love Infant Rescue, go to http://dorothypearcehaiti.blogspot.com/ After lots of hugs and playtime with the kids, the team headed back to the school to pack their personal belongings. The doctors had to go back to Karen's house to monitor a lady who was in labor. She will have to be taken to the hospital for a caesarean delivery.

One member of the team, Steve Dawson, will be staying in Port au Prince for the next two months. Steve is a great construction and handy man, and his continued work will be a real blessing with the rebuilding of Christian Light Ministries. Please keep Steve and his family in your daily prayers.

One of the highlights of the work at the clinic today was being able to assist an 8 year old girl with cerebral palsy. Her mother had to carry this young girl dangling on her back wherever she went. Before they left the clinic, the team gave this family their very own wheelchair. The nurses strapped the young girl in and then lovingly covered her legs with a beautiful pink blanket that some third graders had made as their love offering for a chld in Haiti. What a privilege to be able to make such a difference in the life of this young girl and her family. One life at a time, one heart at a time, love heals and renews spirits.

There are many real life heroes in Haiti right now, but I would like to recognize and thank two of them at this time. Karen Bultje is from Canada has been living and working in Haiti since 1996. Her humanitarian work focuses on helping handicapped/medical needs children find care. Karen has graciously turned her courtyard into an ongoing medical clinic for our teams since the earthquake and tirelessly tranpsorted both supplies and volunteers. May God bless you richly, Karen, as you make a difference in Haiti. To learn more about Karen's work in Haiti, check out her blog at http://www.haiticoramdeo.blogspot.com/ .

The second person I would like to thank is Kathy Brooks of Much Ministries in Georgia. Kathy's love for Haiti is contagious and she and her husband, Beaver, are largely responsible for the effectivce system of food and supply distribution at Christian Light Ministries. Beaver was one of the first people to get to our missionaries in Haiti after the earthquake (also after the mudslides in Gonaivies in 2008). Kathy followed close behind to relieve Sherrie Fausey in running the Christian Light Ministries school and orphanage so that Sherrie could return to the states for a time of emotional and physical healing. It was under Kathy's watchful eye and leadership that the school property began to operate as a base camp for food, medical and supply distribution. I love the image of our petite Kathy sitting in the cab of a large UN truck leading a convoy of trucks filled with much needed food and supplies to our property for distribution. Thank you Kathy for your can-do attitude and enthusiastic belief that all things are possible with God. To learn more about Kathy and Beaver Brooks ministry, Much Ministries, check out http://muchministries.org/haiti/.

The team will be flying out Sunday morning on a small seven seater plane. Please join me in asking God for traveling mercies for them. I will let you know when they have landed safely.

Have a blessed Sunday.

In His Love,

Donna

FRUITS OF THE LABOR

No one on our mission team is shouting "TGIF!" today. The week has passed far too quickly and Friday is the last full day of the medical clinics. Another 145 patients were seen today and the team has just begun to "get in the groove". Strong friendships have been formed and communication flows with ease as the team better understands each other's work and communication styles. They celebrate as they see followup patients from the January team's visit....patients are healing and there is visible proof that these medical teams have made an extreme difference in the lives of these individuals. The team is tired but eager to fit in as much as possible in these last few days in Haiti.

Jim was determined to find Erica, the little girl that took his heart on his last visit as he carried her to the hospital outside the Dominican Republic. He had held her hand, cried and prayed with her as she endured surgery with no anesthesia on her mangled arm. He drove back to the hospital to find that she had been released and no one knew where she was. After many hours of investigative work, he learned that Erica had been taken to a refugee camp/rehab area where she and her mother and young brother were living in a tent. Visions of Erica sitting dejected with an amputated arm filled his head, and he continued to seek her out throughout the tents at the camp. She was in "school" and came running with outstretched arms and a huge smile to hug her new hero. The doctors had performed skin grafts from her leg and saved her arm. She was even able to wiggle her fingers for him! Tears of joy flowed freely as they clung to each other - love has no language barrier. Jim's grandchildren (Christian and Aliya) each send one of their favorite toys with Jim on every trip as their love offering to the Haitian children. Jim presented Erica with a little toy dog tht wiggles and barks. She laughed hysterically and clung to the dog as her new treasure - a trophy of survival, love, and her new friendship. The doctors won't let Erica leave the refugee camp/rehab area until they know that her family has a tent or place to live in PA. This is much easier said than done. Jim gave the family some money and told them he would continue to pray for them and check on them. Erica's smiling face and restored arm will remain in all of our hearts as a symbol of hope and Christ's love shining forth through the work of these mission teams.

Every patient has a need. Every patient has a story. It is so hard to see the needs and know that you do not have the power to change the circumstances of their daily lives. This week a severely malnourished baby was brought in by his grandmother. He was dehydrated and starving and the team of nurses fed and cared for him all day. Today his mother brought him back very sick again. It was obvious that he had not been fed or cared for these past few days. Once again, the team of nurses lovingly nurtured him back to a stable point. The doctor warned the family that this baby would be dead within two weeks if they didn't change their care for him. The team asked them to leave the baby in the care of the missionaries until he could stabalize and they would teach the parents how to properly care for him. They refused and once again carried the child away. The Canadian nurses who had cared for the baby shared their concerns and broken hearts with the rest of the team, knowing that this child's chances of survival are slim. These are the visions that haunt you when you get home. Attached is a picture of a similar precious baby we met on my first mission trip to Haiti in 2008 that was taken to Dorothy's for help and attention. Dorothy takes in the sickest of infants and nurtures them back to health until they can be returned to their families with a fighting chance. These are the faces that call for your return.

Ms Sherrie's Little Angel feeding program is designed to stop and prevent this type of malnutrition. Feeders go out each day to the homes in the ravine slum area and give infants vitamins, baby food, Plumpy Nut, and high energy biscuits. Before the earthquake, they were feeding 45 babies and toddlers; now they are feeding over 300....and there are so many more in need. Let's continue to send money to Christian Light Foundation for this program and to hold up these workers each day in prayer.

The team will be working the medical clinic all Saturday morning and then packing everything up in the afternoon for their return home Sunday morning. Please keep them in your prayers during this last day with our friends in Haiti. May God be lifted up.

In His Love,

Donna

And the rains came pouring down....

Good morning faithful friends in Christ,


Did you sleep safe and warm last night?

How blessed we are to be able to cuddle up in a warm soft bed protected from the elements. There are so many that did not have that privilege, including our beloved mission team. Torrential rains poured down on them all night. They sleep on mattresses strewn on the concrete second floor of the school covered by a makeshift leaky tin roof that was just added. As the rains poured in and they huddled for warmth and protection, no one complained because they knew they were the lucky ones. They had some form of covering over them, while thousands lay sleeping nearby totally exposed or covered only by a drenched sheet. Many silent tears fell as the reality hit hard of what trials our precious Haitian friends face on a daily basis. It is rainy season now in Haiti, and a whole new challenge arises as the ground turns to filthy mud. Karen Butjke reported up to six inches of mud in the tent cities today, the perfect breeding ground for future disease and illness.

The medical clinic saw 133 patients yesterday while Jim and Steve began constructing hand rails across the second floor of the school building in hopes of preventing a disastrous future fall. The weather cleared long enough for the men to play a game of basketball with some of the young Haitians after the clnic. It was a great way to release the tensions of a long day, and I understand that several of the younger boys gave them some valuable lessons!

Travel plans have changed once again as they try to work with the ongoing chaos of airport traffic. The commercial flights still aren't flying into Port-au-Prince, so the team will have to fly back on a small 7-seater private plane that is now scheduled to depart on Sunday. Jim is dreading getting back on a small plane in this weather, but is thankful that they have a way home while so many others are stranded. The rest of their luggage and supplies still hasn't arrived, and it looks like it may be Saturday before they will have access to unpack it.

Debbie has fallen in love with a new little girl at the orphanage. Nadeje was brought to the clinic this week by her grandfather for treatment of pink-eye and a bad cold. This precious two year old weighs about 15 pounds and is so malnourished that she can hardly walk . Her grandfather told the interpreter that he needed help as Nadege's mother has 3 other children and is pregnant again. Knowing that they can't provide proper nutrition and care for Nadeje, he asked if the school could please take her in. The doctors gave her worm medicine and treated her eye, and Sherrie agreed to make room for her at the compound. They have surrounded her with love for the past two days and she seems to be doing better. Debbie cried at the thought of a grandparent having to give up a beloved grandchild to total strangers in order to give her a chance of survival. The heartbreaking stories of loss never stop in Haiti. Right across from the now destroyed Providence guest house where we stayed on past mission trips, five people are still buried under rubble. A family member cries that no one will dig them out despite her continuous pleas. She is one of thousands that remain in limbo as they daily have to look at the crumbled concrete sealing in the bodies of their crushed loved ones. These bodies all have a name, a family, and a life story. There is no closure....just ongoing pain for these family members. There is still so much work to be done. We must keep praying and sending help. We must not grow hard to this tragedy in progress. I thank God for those who continue to respond to the call of Haiti. I thank God for the families and prayer warriors who stand behind them here at home. I thank God for going before us on these trips and for His mercy. I thank God for the power of prayer.

In His Love,

Donna

Raw Emotions, Reality and Repairs

It was the first full day at work for our mission team yesterday.
They saw over 150 patients in the medical clinic. There is much less chaos at the clinic this time as they were able to return to the effective "Ticket" patient processing system. A set number of tickets are given out in the morning and patients move from station to station like a well oiled machine. Interpreters (often Sherrie's students) assist at every station. Intake first - name, blood pressure, vital statistics, summary of ailment. Then on to see the doctor for a diagnosis followed by a visit to the Meds Station. With less earthquake trauma injuries, there are more of the "routine diagnosis" being made - i.e. pneumonia, blood clots, cancer, malaria, malnutrition, tuberculosis, worms, HIV, bronchitis, wide open cuts, etc. . But sometimes these diagnosis are the most frustrating and emotional for the physicians and nurses - again and again you witness severe illnesses and pending death that could have been easily prevented with a simple pill or proper medical attention in the United States - the lady who is nine months pregnant with a serious blood clot in her leg - the cries of the starving infant - the death rattle in the chest of the frail man - the film coating a blinded eye. Tonight Dr Marty hung his head in discouragement as he shared the story of the interpreter who refused to tell the lady that she had only 6 months to live due to the cancer that had filled her breast and taken over her lymph nodes. The interpreter shook his head and said he couldn't/wouldn't tell her - "no hope" - "no hope". She left not knowing what her true diagnosis was or what lay ahead of her. I will say it again......Haiti changes you forever. There are no words to describe the poverty, disease, loss, and filth that these people live in every day. You return home overwhelmed at the need and appalled at how much we take for granted in our every day lives here. Please hold the hearts of these team members up in prayer as they experience this time of raw emotion and frustration. This is the shadow side of Haiti, but then there is the light.....



Just as your heart is breaking, God gives you a ray of hope and reminds you that He is still in control. The sound of beautiful praise songs will fill the air, the wide grin of a child delighted with the simplest of treats, the tight hug of a patient who is overwhelmed at the personal care and attention of a 5 minute doctor visit, the tears of a soul who has just understood the concept of salvation and hope in our Lord, the orphan who clings to your neck hungry for just one more minute of your love. Jim cried as he told of purchasing two large French Study Bibles today for Pastor Cenor and his head elder. These grown men wept and jumped up and down. waiving their arms in celebration, and singing praises of Thanksgiving. Jim said the men stayed buried in the word of God throughout the long ride back to the school. With the spiritual revival going on in Haiti, Bibles are one of the most desired items. There are no Creole bibles available right now, so Jim purchased over 250 small French bibles to be passed out to those hungry for the Word of God. I look around and see at least 10 Bibles throughout my home, many that haven't been opened for years. Lord, please give me a renewed appreciation and hunger for your holy word.



Steve is working hard building wooden coverings for the outdoor classrooms to protect the children from the rain and glaring sun. The signs of restored life are popping up everywhere in our base camp. Outside shower stalls and toilets, cleared rubble, rebuilt walls, installed security gates, classrooms in progress, and constant deliveries of food and supplies to be distributed in the area. A sense of hope and the power of our God shines forth in the darkness. We can not become complacent. We can not forget these precious people. We can not stop giving of our time, talents, money, and energy. We can not stop praying. God is at work. I pray that each of us will continue to grow spiritually as we stand in the gap for our missionary teams in Haiti.

Counting my blessings,

Donna

ON THE GROUND

Good morning friends,


Our team is safely on the ground and ready to start work this morning at 7:00. Jim says our prayers are already working!Despite being told they could carry only 50 pounds each of personal luggage on Tuesday, they were able to get 700 pounds of critical medical supplies into Haiti yesterday and the remaining 1400 pounds will be flown in this week. Yea God!


The team had an extremely bumpy four hour flight into Port-au-Prince on a small six seater plane. The small plane had to fly at a very low elevation and there were a lot of prayers going up from the plane as they traveled through some significant weather storms. Once they landed and found their stomachs again, they began setting up the clinic to be held on our dear friend Karen Butje's property starting this morning. As soon as the word got out that the doctors were there, people began bringing patients. What a blessing it is to be able to bring these medical teams right to the people!








We need to keep the team in our prayers as they try to offer medical assistance to as many people as possible in conditions that are still very tough. Rainy season has started in Haiti and it brings it's own challenges even without the earthquake devastation. Despite many hard hours of volunteer work, the living quarters are still very primitive and the medical challenges are many.



The power of prayer is powerful, and your role as prayer warriors is critical. Thank you so much for your continued support for these teams. Your encouragement and love make all the difference.



Have a blessed day!

Donna

HERE WE GO AGAIN!

Praying friends,

As promised, another dedicated team of volunteers is heading to Port-au-Prince today to offer medical assistance and construction labor to the Christian Light Ministries school and orpahanage and the surrounding Haitian neighborhood. The team consists of two physicians,two nurses, two laborers and a team of Canadian nurses who will be joining them on site.



The team has already faced considerable challenges in their travel plans. They have had two different domestic flights cancelled to date and are now heading to Fort Pierce where they will fly out on a MAF flight at 6:00 a.m. tomorrow. Plans have been made for a private jet to pick them up next week to bring them home.



Sherrie Fausey, the director of the Christian Light Ministries school, reports that the security wall and entry gates are now complete. A stairwell has been built to the open second floor "Starlight Hotel" where our team will be sleeping under the stars. The courtyard has been cleared of all the rocks and razor wire now and there are a lot less injuries to the children and dogs on a daily basis. The teachers have returned and they have reopened the school in the open courtyard. There are currently 42 children attending class. All the students are receiving two meals a day, medicines and vitamins. Sherrie says most of her teachers lost their homes and are sleeping on the ground in tents now. They are exhausted and Sherrie is sending out a plea for a well organized team of teachers to come for Spring Break and give the teachers the week off to recoup. Let's hold that request up in prayer.

The Christian Light Ministry property is serving as an important base for the disbursement of critical food, medical attention and supplies to the surrounding community. The larger aid organizations have been quite impressed with our effective system for providing much needed help to mass numbers of Haitians, and they are now delivering supplies directly to the school property. With the help of local ministers and volunteers, we are now serving over 2000 meals a day and continuously distributing tents, clothes, and medical assistance. Addiitonally about 150 Little Angels are being fed nutritional supplements. Thank you God for providing a way to get these donated items directly to the people in need.

Miracles continue to abound! This weekend, the Prime Minister of Haiti accepted Christ on Friday and openly proclaimed it on public radio. He called for a National Day of Prayer for Haiti. Sherrie reports that Haiti is experiencing a huge spiritual revival with 90% of the population fasting and praying for three days. The churches are packed and people are gathering in prayer and praise in the streets! The government had the people march around the fallen palace seven times just like Joshua and Jericho! Yes the Walls are Down! Normally at this time of year, the country is partying hard in celebration of Mardi Gras,, but now they are crying out to God to restore their country. Please continue to pray for Haiti and that God will sweep over their desolate nation and pour down His grace. Only a miracle can restore such devastation.

I will be updating this blog early each morning with a report and pictures from Jim. While there will not be an official 24 hour prayer chain in place for this trip, we do ask that everyone take time to pray for the safety and anointed work of this team every day. There is no greater power than that of earnest prayer.

Thank you for standing in the gap with me as our mission teams serve as the hands and feet of Jesus in Haiti.

In His Love,

Donna

Debbie Hambrick, Allison Moore, Dr. Karen McCarthy, Cindy Hodge,
Jeff Roberts, Jim Hambrick, Pastor Mike Grooms, Jonathan Grooms