a HEART for HAITI

It can't be Wednesday already!

2010-04-28T19:02:00.023-04:00

Dear friends,

The week is flying by and the team is well aware that there are only a few days left on this mission trip. They are busy with many different projects: construction, painting, putting up tents, organizing storage rooms, working with the children at the orphanage, and sharing the love of Christ.

The Holy Spirit has been at work this week as over 18 salvation decisions have been made! Many of the young Haitian teens at Christian Light Ministries have asked to be baptized and plans are under way to provide additional counseling and a baptism ceremony for them.

Jim preached for the community on Tuesday night and says that the Lord has truly prepared hearts for the harvest there. Please continue to pray that God's presence will be felt in a mighty way and that our team will be able to bring His hope to a discouraged people.

The team continues to work beneath the scorching heat and several are suffering from severe sunburns as there is nowhere to escape the sun. Don't you think Larry and Sue look great with their new cornrow hairstyles!

Here is a panoramic view of the building project on the compound there at Christian Light Ministries. There is a great push to put the roof on the second floor of the school building this week to provide additional shelter from the exteme weather elements. It takes an army of men to create the assembly line needed to pass the buckets of concrete up the ladder to pour the second floor beams. Imagine trying to erect a building with only the most primitive of tools and no safety structures.

Thank you to the many laborers that are working tirelessly to rebuild a safe structure for our work at Christian Light Ministries. Thank you to those who have sent money to purchase the concrete and pay local labor to work alongside our mission teams. For those wishing to send a donation toward this important building project, please send it to Christian Light Foundation at the address listed in the side bar of this blog. Be sure to tag the money to the account of Sherry Fausey or Jim Hambrick/Special Projects.

Please continue to hold our team up in prayer. About now their bodies are weary from the heat, change in diet, and the hard work. Tears flow easily as they are exposed again and again to the great hungers and needs of these precious Haitians .... physically, spiritually, and emotionally. There is not enough resources, time, or money....and each person goes to bed trying to figure out how they can do more to make a difference. Your prayers truly help re-energize them as they serve as the hands and feet of our Lord, making a difference in Haiti in His blessed name.

Thank you for your faithfulness.

In His Love,

Donna

And God said "Not now, Donna......"

2010-04-26T20:39:00.012-04:00

Hello dear friends and prayer warriors,

Well, I had planned to be writing you from Haiti right now. My bags were packed and my airline ticket was in hand; the only thing missing was my passport! It is missing from the file where it usually resides.....and despite a frantic search of the many boxes and files still lingering from my recent move, it is nowhere to be found. Therefore, I am still sitting at home trying to adjust my heart and my attitude.

I truly believe that there is a reason I was not supposed to be on this mission trip as planned, I just don't know what it is yet.

When I missed my flight on Sunday, I cried and was pretty lethargic most of the day. I sat outside and read the entire book, The Walk, by Richard Paul Evans which held a timely message for me. When I rose today, I read the entire book of James and consciously decided to keep my heart and mind open so I will see clearly where God wants me to serve Him this week.

Now, to update this blog and keep you posted on the wonderful team that IS in Haiti right now. My brother Jim Hambrick (who planned this trip around my schedule) is there with my friends Rich & Sue White and Jeff & Rhonda Cole (the team that traveled to Haiti with me last year from Palmetto Shores Church). Donnice Moore, John Lemke and Larry Dempsey are also on this trip. The team is staying at Christian Light Ministries with Sherry Fausey and will be doing a variety of activities this week.

It is very hot in Port-au-Prince right now, high 90's, and the men are doing some heavy construction work. Today they loaded 158 bags of concrete before posing for these pictures. The ladies are unloading a huge storage closet of items rescued from the earthquake debris and trying to organize it as best as possible. Rhonda has already used her nursing skills to doctor a young boy's hurt foot.

The team took the children from the orphanage to church yesterday and were celebrating God's faithfulness as 10 people were saved at the worship service. Praise God for answered prayers! It is amazing to watch the joy and gratitude that these beautiful Haitian people exude after experiencing such devastation and loss. As team members wrap up the activities of the day and share their thoughts at evening devotions, they have expressed how overwhelmed they are by the desperate circumstances and beautiful spirits of gratitude of our Haitian friends.

Please keep this team in your prayers as they serve the Lord in Port-au-Prince. Pray for their safety and health. Pray that God will use each of their unique skills to make a difference in His name. Pray that souls will be saved and hope will be restored for those in such great need. Pray that all of our eyes will be opened to just how blessed we really are!

I would also ask that you say a little prayer for me - that I will get out of my own way this week and will be joyous as I accept this change of plans. I can't wait to see what God has in store for all of us this week!

Thank you for standing in the gap with us!

To God Be the Glory!

In His Love,

Donna

Time to Return

2010-04-18T22:14:00.005-04:00

Hello dear friends,

It is almost time! I will finally be returning to my beloved Haiti next weekend! I will be traveling with my brother, Jim Hambrick, and my friends Sue & Rich White and Rhonda & Jeff Cole from Palmetto Shores Church in Myrtle Beach, SC, who traveled with me in 2009. Attached is a picture of us on our 2009 trip to Gonaives.

Additionally Larry Dempsey, John Lemke, and Donnice Moore will be joining the team this time. We will be working with Sherrie Fausey at the Christian Light orphanage and school

I will try to keep this blog updated during my trip and ask that you hold our team up in your prayers daily.

Preparing for the journey.

Donna

FOLLOW-UP FROM JIM AND DEB

2010-02-28T09:42:00.002-05:00

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

2010-02-27T11:33:00.003-05:00

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

Strong aftershocks

2010-02-23T15:42:00.004-05:00

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

2010-02-21T04:05:00.021-05:00

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

2010-02-20T07:55:00.021-05:00

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....

2010-02-19T04:56:00.019-05:00

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

2010-02-18T06:44:00.012-05:00

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

2010-02-17T05:10:00.011-05:00

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!

2010-02-15T14:36:00.012-05:00

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

2010-02-14T22:41:00.004-05:00

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

JIM AND DEB SHARE

2010-01-30T16:10:00.002-05:00

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

2010-01-30T13:38:00.006-05:00

JONATHAN'S VIDEO

2010-01-30T09:29:00.005-05:00

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

2010-01-27T04:14:00.017-05:00

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

2010-01-26T04:10:00.009-05:00

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

2010-01-25T11:21:00.025-05:00

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!

2010-01-25T10:29:00.006-05:00

GOD'S ENDLESS SUPPLY

2010-01-25T06:43:00.005-05:00

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

2010-01-24T13:29:00.005-05:00

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

2010-01-23T05:49:00.008-05:00

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

2010-01-22T20:01:00.000-05:00

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

2010-01-22T14:07:00.003-05:00

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!

2010-01-22T06:25:00.006-05:00

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

2010-01-22T00:00:00.006-05:00

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

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.

2010-01-21T15:37:00.004-05:00

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

Upon arrival.

Immediately to work.

Early morning.

Ready for a new day.

2010-01-21T15:15:00.002-05:00

I am waiting for an update from Jim this evening about today's events. In the interim, I hope you will enjoy reading a message sent last night by a team member, Pastor Jonathan Grooms. (Thank you Melissa for allowing me to share this!) It brought tears to my eyes as I listened to the words from his heart. What a privilege it is to be a prayer warrior for this anointed team. Thank you God.

An Update from Pastor Jonathan
Praise the Lord!! We have arrived safely in Haiti! Thank you so very much for your prayers for our team. We could sense them from the time we woke up this morning and continue to feel them tonight as we lay beneath the beautiful stars that God has created.

We arrived at the MFI hangar a little after 6AM this morning. At the airport we met a lot of great people who are coming to Haiti to serve those who are hurting. Yesterday we waited for a long time to get IV fluids, but they never came. This morning another team that was heading to Haiti had extra IV fluids that they could not take on the plane, so they kindly offered them to us! God always provides!!! The check-in process went smoothly.

Soon after this, we received word that there was a 6.1 aftershock in Haiti, so we were not sure if we would be able to take off. About 2 hours later, we boarded a Hendrick Motorsports plane (they donated 2 planes to do relief work for a few weeks) for Haiti, with a brief fuel stop in the Bahamas.

We arrived in Haiti with heavy hearts, but also with hearts eager and ready to serve. It took a while to get our passports stamped and to get all of our luggage together. Some of our luggage came on a later flight that arrived after we left the airport and more than half of our medical supplies will be arriving on a plane tomorrow.
At the airport we continued to watch God work. We were able to get 3 free wheelchairs and also about 35 boxes filled with individually wrapped meals of rice and other nutritional items, all at no charge. The majority of this food has already been handed out on the streets in Port-Au-Prince! Praise the Lord.

As we drove down the streets from the airport to get to Karen's home, we saw many places that looked normal, some homes and business with little damage, and then places that were completely destroyed. You can understand why so many people died as a result, because there were just piles of concrete on top of each other. Some sections of town were a lot worse than others. There was one street where all the walls were pretty much destroyed and many of the homes had collapsed. We were told that some bodies were most likely still beneath the rubble. From the smell in the air and the looks of the buildings, it was probably true.

We arrived at Karen's home a few minutes later. Her yard was filled with people and lots of children. This is the place, most likely, where the medical clinic will be set up. There were a lot of tarps that were put up for people to sleep under because their homes were destroyed. I was able to spend a lot of time with the children in this compound. I met two brothers, Samuel and Jonathan. Samuel spoke very good English. He shared with me that his father was killed in the earthquake and his mother's arm was injured. He was in his home when the earthquake hit. My heart broke for these two boys who lost their father. I am sure this is the story of countless children all across this city. I was able to wrap my arms around both of these boys and let them know that people were praying for them and that they are very, very loved.

We arrived at Sherrie's home just a little before dark. Her yard had lots of children in it. I was taken captive by one small boy, 3 years old, who looked like he had a few scratches on his body, not sure if they were from the earthquake or not. I noticed that his belly was sticking out really far and it was very tight. I asked the nurse what was wrong with him. She said that he has worms. I believe they are going to get him some medication to help him get rid of them. I can't imagine how many children across this city will go to bed sick tonight because they do not have access to simple medicines to take care of the needs that they have.

Tonight as I was getting ready to write this note, I heard what sounded like little "angels" off in the distance. Somewhere down the road there were little children signing praises to the Lord. The song that grabbed a hold of my heart was, "Because He lives, I can face tomorrow, Because He Lives, all fear is gone, Because I know, He holds my future.... And life is worth the living, Just Because He Lives!" Wow... I can't imagine what these children went through last week, but "Because He Lives" they are able to make it through today! It is "Because He Lives" that people in this city can have hope tonight amidst the pain and devastation. It is "Because He Lives" that we can share the message of salvation!

We desperately ask for your continued prayers. We heard word that there is a 24 hour prayer chain going on for our team. How humbling! I cannot thank you enough for praying for us. We have already seen God do so much over the last 48 hours, and we are eagerly anticipating what He will do in this country in the days ahead.
As I close this letter I can hear two different groups of people signing praises to God in the distance. God delights in the praises of His people. He delights in the worship of His creation. It brings tears to my eyes and joy to my heart to watch a hurting people be so desperate for God.
As I lie on my mattress on the roof of Sherrie's school and look up at the stars above me, I am reminded of the fact that just as God knows the names of each star, he knows the name of each person in Haiti. He not only knows their name, He knows and understands their hurt, and He desperately loves them. It is my prayer that our team would be able to make God's love known to many, many Haitians tomorrow and throughout the week. Your continued prayers will make a difference!!!!
Partners in His Harvest,
Jonathan Grooms and Team

NEWS FROM TEAM! THEY MADE IT!

2010-01-20T17:02:00.000-05:00

I just talked with Jim via satellite phone. They arrived safely in Port-au-Prince and had two trucks waiting to carry them and their medical supplies to Karen's house where they are setting up a clinic. Karen still has a partial wall up and can offer some level of organization and protection for the clinic. Jim was at a loss of words to describe the total destruction and need there. It is so great that they are a bit overwhelmed on where to even begin assisting. They are already seeing patients even though they have not set the clinic up. Then on to the school and orphanage.

Jim said that despite the utter chaos and devastation around him, he has never felt such peace and protection knowing that God is in control. He said he is sure that is because of your continuous prayers and asked me to again thank you. He was amazed and teary when I told him we are starting to double up the circle on the prayer chain. Know that your prayers are working. Let's keep signing up prayer warriors for every hour so that Satan knows we mean business!

May God be Glorified. Keep praying.

In His Name,

Donna

Update report from El Shaddai and Dessources

2010-01-20T13:44:00.002-05:00

Following is an email received from Marie Prinvil, another Christian Light Missionary in Haiti. They are located in the hills outside of the city. I thought you might want to see glimpses of light in Haiti also. How beautiful to see their heart of God in the midst of this crisis. Donna

Greetings in the name of our most precious Lord & Savior Jesus Christ,

We are so encouraged by the outpouring of love toward El Shaddai. Your love will keep us going and going. We will continue to work for the Lord. Right after prayer this morning we had another aftershock. Everyone responded very quickly and got to safety. Then the mayor's office called for more medical supplies. As always our storage room seems to keep on producing so we were able to send another suitcase to them. We have 25 missionaries here that are out on the field at this time in three different sites to help with medical needs and relief as possible. They are using the home as a resting place each evening. We are very grateful to be able to serve the Lord in this capacity. We also praise God that the Lord is using Dessources.

The children are doing very well. They are handling things with joy. Some of the workers have lost their homes, but are still in good spirits and serving the Lord here at El Shaddai with gladness. They have been a great help receiving all the people who have come.

Food continues to be an issue in Haiti, but the Lord has been gracious to us at El Shaddai (thank you Pastor Ron for the canned chicken). We continue to praise Him for every meal we have.

Most of you know the houses in this area are made of sticks and mud. Most are bent over and damaged and it was a miracle that the Lord's hand was on them. We are praying for God to show us how we can help the people in Dessources to have better houses. Bertin is working now to draw up a plan for a simple but soundly built two-room home. He is also checking on material and prices. As the funds come in, we are in hopes of helping the economy here in Dessources by getting Haitian workers to build the homes as well. Please pray with us as we begin this project. May the Lord lead and guide every step. We will send more details as the Lord opens the door.

Funds have come in for us to purchase rice. We have been able to purchase enough at this time to do a distribution to Dessources and possibly other areas as the rice last.

Every night we are having a praise service inside the walls of El Shaddai. Many people come and the place is packed. The people here are very thankful to be alive but they still are carrying fear in their hearts. Their hearts continue to palpitate rapidly. The Christians in Dessources are taking it very well and continue to give praise to God.

We are overwhelmed at the response of all the people. Many have contacted us to see how they can help. We are truly blessed of the Lord. Thank you so much for all you are doing and most of all for your continued prayers.

Love you, love you, love you, love you!!!!!! Marie & Elizabeth

Please direct donations for El Shaddai Ministries to: www.Christianlightfoundation.com

Marie K. Prinvil
Servant of the Lord Jesus-Christ

THEY ARE ON THE GROUND!

2010-01-20T13:26:00.004-05:00

Our team landed safely. Now we need
a miracle for safe travel for them and
meds to site. We are praying that they
can secure armed guards to escort them.
Join us in that prayer!

Onward!

2010-01-20T11:44:00.000-05:00

Our team has just landed in the Bahamas to refuel the plane and will then take off for Port Au-Prince. They already have a praise report. The team had tried to get some IV fluids to take with them, but were unable to get any. This morning at the hangar, another team going in had an abundance and were not able to take it all with them, so they gave them to the team! Praise God!

I am starting to receive a lot of emails and phonecalls from people with loved ones in Haiti that need help. An orphanage in Leogane (about 1 1/2 hours from Port-au-Prince) fell leaving 69 orphans with nowhere to go.
They were moved into the yard of a private home in Port-au-Prince with
a fence still standing, however they are in desperate need of food and medical attention. 5 have already died and 4 more are about to die if they dont get immediate help. Please pray that we will be able to get help to these precious souls.

It appears that God has bigger plans for this blog than what I originally planned. May He be Glorified and Honored through it's use.

They are off!

2010-01-20T09:26:00.000-05:00

The team is boarding! Praise God for opening the way!
Now we need to pray for God to provide the way at the airport
for them to move the medical supplies safely to the school.

New Quake!

2010-01-20T08:25:00.001-05:00

Dear Praying Friends,

A new 6.1. earthquake or aftershock just hit Haiti this morning. The epicenter was about 35 miles west-southwest of Port-au-Prince. Our mission team is standing in the hangar at Fort Pearce waiting for permission to take off. It appears they may have to wait until things settle down some around the airport from this last big quake. Jim has asked that we pray that the path is cleared for them to get into Haiti this morning.

They were able to load 700 lbs of medical supplies on the plane and have about another 700 lbs waiting to be shipped in later as space provides. Jimmy Hendricks, NASCAR driver, donated his planes, pilots and crews to the Haiti efforts this week and the team will be flying in on his turbo-prop plane. I will post pictures of the team and the plane on my blog this morning.

Sherrie Fausey has contacted the orphanage this morning and assures us that everyone at Christian Light Ministries is fine following this quake - just really frightened.

The news reports that the ground shook like a ship rocking back and forth. This is quite dangerous for the already fragile condition of any buildings standing. Jim isn't wavering on their effort to get into Haiti - this team is eager to get there despite the dangers and start offering much needed assistance to our friends there. PLEASE PRAY for the Lord to open the way for them - for their safety traveling and once on the ground -for the families of the team members to be free from fear for our loved ones. I will keep you posted as to when they take off.

I also want to thank all of you who are signed up for the continuous prayer chain. I know you will be blessed as well as you spend time alone with our Lord in prayer and scripture. If anyone else can commit to even one hour of prayer for this team this week, please check my blog A Heart For Haiti at http://donnatyson.blogspot.com/ for available time slots. Thank you!

In His Love,
Donna

Prayer chain

2010-01-19T13:19:00.002-05:00

Hello my friends,

Just realized today that many of you were somehow dropped from the Haiti update list and haven't been receiving the emails I have been sending. Please go to my blog, A Heart for Haiti, at http://donnatyson.blogspot.com to see the news from Haiti.

Also, I am again asking for your help with manning a continuous prayer chain to stand in the gap for our mission team that is flying into Port-au-Prince in the morning. Please pray about taking even one hour to pray and read scripture dedicated to this team's safety and work for our Lord.

Below is an email I received from Sherrie Fausey this morning. Let's continue to hold her up in prayer as she recuperates.

I love you all and am so thankful for your continued support and prayers. I believe we are going to see many miracles in the days ahead.

In His Love,

Donna

Sherrie Fausey update from US

2010-01-19T12:59:00.000-05:00

Hello from Jacksonville,

I am in Jacksonville but not feeling very well. I'm exhausted. The concrete dust has taken a toll on my breathing and I am running a fever. I have a cough, total laryngitis and cannot talk at all.

Some structures are OK. Many houses fell down. Many more are standing but were damaged and are unsafe. Thousands of people have died. Many are hurt.

By the grace of God and a miracle, I am alive. I was walking in my room when the earthquake hit. I tried to run but fell down into the hall and couldn't get up. I crawled into the bathroom, put a little plastic table over my head, and watched my room fall off the bui;lding. Had I been sitting in my room, I would not have gotten out. The noise was terrible and concrete was falling all around me. I praise the Lord that I got out with just a few little bumps & bruises. Praise the Lord!!!!!!!!!! The house is totally destroyed. The back third of the house fell off. It is a miracle anyone got out.

The children all ran outside. Praise the Lord!!!!!!!!!! They are OK except for Peterson who died instantly when the house fell on him.

We had about 150 people sleeping in the yard Tuesday evening. Pastor Cenor came by Tuesday evening and I asked him to sing & pray with the people in the yard. They thanked the Lord that they were alive. 9 people accepted Jesus. Praise the Lord!!!!!!!!!! The children have a praise time every evening. They thank the Lord for everything they have.Praise the Lord!!!!!!!!!!
There were many injured people in the yard Tuesday evening. One little girl had a big gash in her leg and was losing a lot of blood. Karen Bultje was able to take them to the Sisters of Charity who still had a building and medicines & bandages. Then the little girl was brought back because everyone slept outside because there were frequent aftershocks, some pretty strong. Karen gave us some Ibuprophen to give the injured.

The children are eating. Praise the Lord!!!!!!!!!! We found boxes of Feed my Starving Children rice mix. Then someone gave us cases of Poptarts. They like Poptarts. They are sleeping in the yard of the construction site. Tuesday night the slept on the ground, but by Wednesday we had started to find some mattresses. It is cold at night. By Friday we were finding blankets and sheets. It is very cold at night - especially sleeping outside on the ground. The wind blows fine concrete dust all the time. We have worked very hard scavenging whatever we could from the rubble. We are all exhausted.

We got our medicines out. Sometimes there were aftershocks and the building was shaking as we were working. A doctor with the Restavek Assoc. came by and asked for medicines. She went off Thursday and Friday with a laundry basket full of medicines and bandages to help people.

We have taken in more children. I don't know how many because we had no paper to make a list. Some school children are staying there while the family stays with relatives in the countryside. I expect to get multitudes of children. Please pray that we can help the children who lost parents in the earthquake.

It is very important that we try to keep going. We need to continue the feeding program and medical program. The children in 4th - 7th grades still have classrooms. They need to continue. They need some sort of a normal life. Please pray that we can continue feeding and caring for children.

We got some stuff out of the house. Most of the clothing is ripped & covered with concrete. The children need shoes.

Please help us. The wall around the construction site fell down and needs to be rebuilt. We need to finish the 2nd floor of the construction site to make space. Right now, we are very crowded. We will have about 20 boys in 1 bedroom. We need to build a school kitchen and an orphanage. We need clothing, shoes, and everything for daily living. For right now, cash will be better than people collecting things. You can donate on line at http://www.christianlightfoundation.com/

Thank you for your prayers. The Lord took care of us.

God bless you,
Sherrie

Sherrie Fausey
Christian Light Foundation
PO Box 23881
Jacksonville, FL 32241-3881

Please be sure to include my name on any donations.
http://www.christianlightfoundation.com/

God answers prayers!

2010-01-18T20:18:00.002-05:00

God answers prayers! The way has been cleared for my brother Jim to take in a team of 10 people to Port-au-Prince on Wednesday morning on a MFI plane! While there, they will be setting up a medical clinic and rebuilding the security wall that had fallen around the new school building. I will be staying here this trip and coordinating a continuous 24 hour a day prayer chain for their safety and anointing. I need your help! I am asking you to help secure the commitments of faithful prayer warriors for every hour they are away. I have updated my blog, a Heart for Haiti, http://donnatyson.blogspot.com/, to include an hourly prayer calendar from Wednesday, January 20, 2010 at 6:oo a.m. thru Wednesday, January 27, 2010 at noon. As you email the time slots you can pray, I will update the calendar with the names. Please pass this request on to anyone you think will help us pray. The following people are traveling on this team: Jim Hambrick (team leader) and his wife Debbie Hambrick (nurse), Dr. Karen McCarthy, Cindy Hodge (nurse), Allison Moore (nurse), Jonathon Grooms (construction and crowd control), Jeff Roberts (construction and crowd control), Chauncy Glover ( Fox news reporter) and his cameraman, Pastor Mike Grooms. Jim will be staying in touch with me via a satellite phone and I will be posting all news from Haiti on my blog, so please check it on a regular basis if interested.

Beaver Brooks did make it to Sherrie's place in Port-au-Prince and has been faithfully gathering supplies for them. Needless to say, Sherrie is exhausted physically, emotionally and mentally. Kathy Brooks and a team of 6 flew in today on a MFI flight in order to give Sherrie a much needed break to recuperate. I understand Sherrie will be flown out today to Fort Pierce where her family will be picking her up. Please keep her in your prayers. Also Kathy and Beaver Brooks and their great team from Much Ministries out of Georgia. God continues to provide the workers for His work in Haiti. If you have medical or construction training, please pray about your participation on upcoming mission trips. Jim will have a much better idea of what the needs are when he returns and will be scheduling future mission teams accordingly.

Thank you again for your prayers. It is hard to remain behind when my heart so longs to be traveling to Haiti with Jim, but I know these valuable spots need to be filled with workers for the immediate needs at hand. Let's hold these workers up in prayer and watch as our Lord is honored in this time of crisis.

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!"
Isaiah 6:7-9

In His Love,

Donna

Prayer for path to be opened

2010-01-18T11:12:00.000-05:00

Saturday, January 16, 2010

Good morning my friends,

The effort to get help in to our loved ones in Haiti continues......with many frustrating turns. Thanks in large part to the efforts of Dr Karen McCarthy, we now have a plane, medical teams, medicines, supplies, search and rescue workers and relief funds ready to go but we are hitting brick walls in our efforts to get a clearance to land in Port-au-Prince from the State Department. As you know, there is quite a back up on the airfield. PLEASE PRAY THAT GOD WILL OPEN THE PATH FOR US TO GET THIS HELP IN TO OUR PEOPLE NOW. Please ask your church friends to join us in our prayers for continued safety and provision for these precious people. Time is critical now, and we MUST get help into them.

Attached are pictures of the two people we lost during the quake from Sherry Fausey's location. One child - Peterson - did not make it out of the building during the quake. There is a moving tribute to him on the blog of Jennifer Hambrick who recently spent time with him in Port-au-Prince. http://thehambrickfamily.blogspot.com/
Sherrie's secretary , CHANTAL HYPOLITE, was killed in her own home during the quake. These were precious souls that knew the Lord and were always there to lend a helping hand to our mission teams. May they be at rest in the arms of our Lord.

Word from inside Port-au-Prince continues to trickle in. Great fear, gratitude, danger, and need are intermingled. They have no idea how bad the situation really is all over Haiti. As I watch the rescue efforts, I weep and then thank God for all the blessings in my life. It seems that the only place I can find consoling is in the Word of God. It is then that God reminds me that He is still in control.

Thank you for your prayers.

Donna

Sherrie Fausey update

2010-01-18T11:06:00.001-05:00

Here is the second email I spoke of. Praise God that Sherrie and the children survived the
earthquake. Beaver Brooks should get to her tomorrow with some basic supplies....but we need
to pray for her protection. People there will be watching for when her resources start to come.

Donna R. Tyson
* new contact info
289 Mattox Avenue
Colonial Beach, Virginia 22443
1-540-419-6916
www.drtyson.com
tysonmngt@aol.com

-----Original Message-----
From: Jim Hambrick
To: 'Beaver and Kathy' ; jongrooms@rainbowforest.com; 'Emory Wilson' ; 'Donna Tyson'
Sent: Fri, Jan 15, 2010 3:29 pm

Just got this from Pastor Carl;
We are friends of Sherrie's and we live here in Haiti. We have been very concerned about her and we were getting emails about her. Phones here aren't working and her internet is down so she couldn't contact anyone in the States or here.

Yesterday we went to see her, and we are so grateful to say that she is OK. That is such wonderful news! Julie is OK as well. Sadly though her house was demolished in the earthquake. All the students were able to escape safely, though Anne is hurt and Peterson Pierre died in his attempt to get out. All the orphanage children are safe. Sherrie's secretary Chantal died in her home during the quake.

She is trying to take what she can from the house to the new school, and hopes to begin school on Monday.

SHE NEEDS HELP - THERE IS SO MUCH TO DO. The kids and Sherrie lost most of their personal belongings and clothing so there are immediate needs.

The best way to help right now is through monetary gifts.
She is also going to need Medical Teams - many injuries

Sherrie had asked me to send emails out to her people, but since I don't use Yahoo and my internet time is short, I have not been able to send very many. I found your names listed under Christian Light so I am emailing you to ask if you'd help get the word out about Sherrie and the situation she's in...she has immediate and long term needs and she truly needs all the help she can get.

Thank you so much for helping to get the word out and may the Lord bless you as you continue in the Lord's work.

Blessings,

Karl and Ann Olsson
Sherrie Fausey
Christian Light Foundation
PO Box 23881
Jacksonville, FL 32241-3881

Until The Whole World Knows
Jim Hambrick

Dorothy Pearce update

2010-01-18T11:04:00.001-05:00

-----Original Message-----
From: dorothy pearce
To: Dorothy Pearce
Sent: Fri, Jan 15, 2010 2:53 pm
Subject: We survived the earthquake, all of us!

Jan 15 2010

We survived the earthquake, all of us. PRAISE GOD!!!!!!

Amanda, Natasha and I were just arriving at Sacred Heart Hospital (CDTI) near what we think was the strongest area of the quake. Jesula, our nanny who had been with Poutchino at the hospital, was collapsing on the ground outside, in shock. Natasha ran inside for Poutchino. We parked the car. A man carried Jesula to the car. She was frozen with fear.

Hospital patients were brought outside, injured people came in thru the gate. All hospital personnel worked thru the night and next day with barely a break. Amanda and I took turns holding a flashlight for a surgeon stitching wounds and gradually learned how to do more. Natasha had to stay in the car holding Poutchino.

Some people were beyond help: the doctors gave them medicines for pain and treated those they could help. I counted about 40 people who died during the 24 hours we were there, all ages. Security manned the gate, only letting in the injured people that the doctor felt they could help.

Generators lit the parking lot. It seemed like a scene from hell with all the moans and screams and cries for help and the ground covered with injured people and blood. People panicked at every aftershock. Burns were the worst injuries but thankfully few.

Communications were cut off -- no one could find out about the rest of their loved ones. We had to try hard not to imagine the terribles thing that might have happened to our children and staff. Rumors trickled in about the buildings that had crashed. A rumor started that a tsunami was coming and we had to leave.

Heroes were everywhere. Groups of people sang and prayed and praised God for sparing so many. Doctors and nurses barely stopped to rest thru the night and well into the next day. Pain pills and shots were given freely. Every injured person got a shot of ampicillin. I gave shots, too. The hospital emptied its shelves, giving everything they had to help people. The strong carried the weak. Everyone comforted everyone else. People walked around praying for others. Two people scoured the streets for anything that could be used as splints. I am still amazed and glad that I had donated blood just that morning! We saw God working in us and all around us.

We finally were able to leave the hospital Wednesday afternoon, bring Poutchino with us. Collapsed buildings, wrecked and crushed cars, blood and bodies were everywhere. Coming home was such a blessing! No one was injured, the house was intact! Hallelujah! sweet relief!

Praise God we had just received new supplies of antibiotics. We gave most of them plus a lot of gauze and tape, tylenol and ibuprofen, needles, and IV sypplies to a clinic set up in our neighborhood. We had a little bit left over to give to Healing Hands this morning, and sent home some gauze and soap with a nanny for her injured grandmother.

Poutchino definitely had meningitis but there was no more infection by the time the CSF was tested. Considering the chaos at the hospital we brought him home with us. His abdominal pain is completely gone. He can eat again. I give him 1 gram of ceftriaxone every 12 hours hoping to keep the meningitis from returning. Infection could be hiding in his shunt. An operation to remove the shunt would be difficult to get now.

For those of you who know our staff, Claudia's leg is broken and her house destroyed. Jesula and her family are safe but their house was destroyed and they are staying here. Leonne's home was destroyed and she is staying here. Eva's house was destroyed but she has another place to stay. Suzette's house was destroyed: she can't come to work. Rosemanie is fine. Bébé was thrown from a truck during the earthquake and was injured but is doing okay. She was on her way to work the overnight shift. The other ladies who were here took care of everything. They worked very very hard. Our staff is fantastic!

Both of our usual grocery stores, Caribbean and One Stop, were destroyed. We haven't heard what happened to the people inside. Those were the only places we could cash checks. Gas stations arent open yet. We heard that Sherrie Fausey's building partially collapsed and one child was killed. Sherrie and Julie are fine. Karen Bultje and her kids are fine. Nikki, who went to live with Roberta, was killed by a falling wall. Roberta and all other children are okay. Pastor CJ came by this morning to see if we were okay. He said Pastor Leny and his family are okay. Pastor Genada called. They were in Port au Prince during the quake and a block fell on his daughter's leg. They had to go all the way back to Gonaives to get help for her. Karen Bultje is still being an angel of mercy for as long as her diesel fuel holds out: she brought us several cases of pop tarts so we have breakfast for a while. Dottie was temporarily trapped in her house but is okay now. Nickson and Ivens and their families are okay. Deedee, the Boyers and the Olssons are okay. Barb Lataillade's foot was nearly amputated. The U.S. military got her out to Jacksonville, Florida for care.. Our pediatrician called to check on us.

Phones are starting to work again but not yet normally.. Helicopters are flying overhead all the time, and small planes. The U.S. military is running the airport now. Civilian flights are all canceled. UN police are in charge of security. Not much is seen of Haitian police, I don't know why. I expect, hope, that relief supplies will come in soon. Our biggest concerns at the moment are cooking fuel and water.

We all are fighting shock, trying not to be overwhelmed with grief and horror. I am trying to plan without being overwhelmed with worry. PRAYER AND PRAISES REALLY WORK TO KEEP SPIRIT UP! Remembering what God has already done in protecting and providing for us reassures me that He will continue to provide for our needs. I am so thank Natasha and Amanda were with me at the hospital and that Natasha can stay here for a while to help.

I have heard that maybe 100,000 people died. I can believe it based on what I have seen. I heard that the earthquake was 7.3 on the Richter scale. We need news from outside but please keep emails strictly to news. We have to use our precious supplies of gasoline to get online. Since we have no place to cash checks I have to work with Christian Light Foundation to find a way to get money to us.

Please pray for all of us in Haiti and for all those sending and bringing help.

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
http://dorothypearcehaiti.blogspot.com

Donations:
Christian Light Foundation, Inc.
P.O.. Box 23881
Jacksonville FL 32241-3881
Memo: For D. Pearce, Haiti

updates

2010-01-18T11:02:00.000-05:00

Friday, January 15, 2010 9:50 a.m.
Hello my precious prayer warriors.

I don't want to overwhelm you with emails, but I thought you would want to see two emails describing the quake experiences of two of our key missionaries in Haiti. As I am not very good on the computer, I will have to forward them each separately. Sorry! As you will see, there is still great danger and need, so please keep praying. I am now receiving numerous emails from people inside of Port-au-Prince, the latest advising us that the gangs are now walking the streets with machetes looking for anyone with food and water. As the people become more desperate, violence is a key concern. Pray for a band of protection around our workers, friends, and children there.

Many of you have called to ask how to help financially. I would recommend sending the funds directly to Christian Light Foundation at P.O. Box 23881, Jacksonville, Florida 32241. You can designate the funds to:

1) go directly to one of the missionaries in Port-au-Prince
Sherry Fausey and/or Dorothy Pearce
or
2) go to the general Haiti emergency relief fund Christian Light has established
or
3) go to Jim and Debbie Hambrick Special Projects Fund which allows Jim to
personally take the funds directly in to Port-au-Prince and use them for the greatest needs of the missionaries at that time.

Pray about what is right for you. I traveled with Jim to Haiti in 2008 and 2009 for Hurricane Relief and know how critical those funds were in meeting the immediate needs we saw; so I will be directing all my contributions directly to his special project fund for easier distribution. I can assure you that Jim is one of the godliest men I know and will use the funds wisely. He will also give a personal account of how the funds are used.

Again, thank you for your prayers and continued support. I know your heart is breaking like mine as we watch this crisis in Haiti....but God is faithful. I urge you to spend time in His word and recommit to His work here on Earth. It is time for all of us to boldly stand up and profess our faith here in our own country also. May God Bless You.

In His Love,

Donna

Praise God!

2010-01-18T10:54:00.000-05:00

Thursday, January 14, 2010 4:47

PRAISE GOD!!! Jim just got a report that Sherry Fausey, our school/orphanage director, in Port-au-Prince and all the children but one ARE ALIVE!!!!!
As best we know, only one young boy (about 7th grade) named Peterson didn't make it out before the collapse of the building. Peterson has been with Sherry for many years and knew the Lord. We received the report via Facebook from another missionary named Karen Bultje in the area. The house collapsed, but THE NEW SCHOOL BUILDING WE JUST BUILT STOOD!! It is one of the only ones in the area still standing!! .That is about all we know right now. Obviously there is still great danger of loss of life, so keep praying. Food, water, disease, lack of medical attention are just a few of the issues. I understand that we have a team of 4 or 5 from Georgia trying to get in to Sherry right now, but they have closed the airport. This team is led by Beaver Brooks, the gentleman that brought help into our missionaries in Gonaives after the storm of 2008. Hold them up in your prayers. Also, please continue to pray for my brother Jim Hambrick as he makes decisions on our next Actions steps to help in Haiti.

Right now, it looks like the only people we will take in for the next month are small medical teams. That is the greatest need right now. There is also no place/ food/ water/ supplies for mission teams - so it is going to be tough. If you are medically trained and interested in serving on a team, let me know. I will keep you posted on when we can take others in to help. I will send another email soon with how we can get directly in to these people. Thank you for your prayers!!!! God is Faithful!

Hallelujah!!!!

Donna

GOD IS FAITHFUL!

Please pray

2010-01-18T10:36:00.000-05:00

Tuesdat January 12, 2010 7:29

Dear Prayer partners

Here we go again. Please hold up our friends in Haiti as they go through yet another tragedy. They have been hit with a 7.0 earthquake - hospitals, schools and homes have collapsed. The mountains are coming down and the roads are impassable. Most all cell phone coverage has been cut off. We are staying updated thru my brother Jim at Christian Light. Emory is here in the states in Georgia. We have heard from Dorothy and Marie and they are both okay. We have not been able to contact Sherri Fausey at our main site in Port-au-Prince yet. This is the school and orphanage that held the Christmas programs I recently sent to you. Please hold all of Haiti up in prayer. Their building were very primitive at best and can not stand thru this large earthquake. Now the US National Weather service has also issued a tsunami watch for Haiti. We will be putting together an emergency disaster team as soon as we know we can get in. I will keep you posted. Thank you for your prayers.

In His Love,

Donna

Return to Gonaives

2008-11-18T12:52:00.000-05:00

On November 6th, I had the privilege of returning to Haiti as part of a five person mission team from Palmetto Shores Church. We joined my brother, Jim, and his wife Debbie in Miami and then flew into Port au Prince where we spent the night at The Providence Guest House. While in Port au Prince, we toured Sherry Fausey's school and new building before visiting an orphanage where Dorothy cares for 29 seriously ill children. It was such a blessing to see Levinsky gaining weight and smiling. He was the starving baby we rescued from Jubilee during my August visit who is HIV positive and blind in one eye from Gonorrhea. Love and proper care have created a miracle and given him back his life.

We then started the long trek into Gonaives by KIA truck. The main roads have been washed out and the back roads are covered from the mudslides. It was like a full day of "off roading". Mary and Emory Wilson opened their home to our group and we settled in for a week of renewal and rebuilding. Emory and Mary shared their story of survival from Hurricanes Hanna and Ike, and we were all amazed at God's faithfulness as we relived their incredible drama. The fact that we were now sleeping in the very home that was filled with several feet of mud just last month was pretty amazing in itself. Mary and Emory were sleeping on mattresses atop bags of rice and we slept on air mattresses. Our men set to work fixing generators, building benches for Jubilee feedings, stringing clotheslines, repairing bathroom fixtures and appliances, rehanging doors, and pulling up razor wire from the dried mud all over the property. We took Mary a new keyboard and were delighted to see it used on Sunday morning at Pastor Genada's church service. There was so much to be done and so little time to help, but we did manage to get Emory and Mary a new refrigerator and water cooler, new queen size bedframe and mattresses, and set up enough beds and mattresses to sleep 9 visitors in the future. We took lots of medicine and supplies in and spent a morning sorting and inventorying them so that the medical team coming in the next week would know what they had to work with.

The highlight of our week was the feedings of the children in Jubilee and Roboto. It is impossible to leave this experience in the same condition you arrive. Your heart is forever changed. We fed almost 350 children between the two sites each day, yet had to turn away so many more. On this trip, only those children under 10 years of age and showing marked signs of malnutrition (orange hair, skeletal bodies, and swollen bellies) could be prioritized. Greater than each small body's hunger for food was the soul's thirst for some sign of love....a smile, a touch, a hand to hold. As we walked the village with the children, each of us was overwhelmed with children clinging to our hands and clothes. The power of love was evident to all as we became the hands and feet of Jesus.

We took a medicine bag filled with supplies to the local self appointed medic, Dr J, and had the privilege of worshiping at Pastor Genada's church on Sunday. Pastor Genada and his wife, Rose, were the missionaries stranded on the rooftop for several days with 29 orphans during the storm. They lost everything in the storms and have worked tirelessly cleaning and rebuilding since then to be able to resume their ministries. As I sat with these four courageous, faithful disciples, I felt that I was truly in the presence of living saints. Watching their love. dedication and commitment to God's work is one of the most inspiring experiences I have ever known. We spent each day looking for ways to make life a little better for those suffering around us. There was no tv, newspapers, radio, cellphones, daytimers, makeup or meetings. Only God's work to be done. The days were filled with projects, hard work, sweating, food prepared with love, lots of tears and laughter, sharing and encouragement. The nights were filled with beautiful devotions and songs, emotional sharing and more tears, laughter and encouragement. There was even a rat hunt or two that will be forever remembered in picture and prose! We learned to sing the song "I have decided to follow Jesus" in Creole and vowed to return with a better knowledge of the Creole vocabulary.

We ministered medical treatment to several burn victims and one in particular touched my life deeply. A boiling pot of food had dumped over on her leg and scalded it severely. The open flesh was covered in dirt and we asked them to bring her to our house where we could wash the wound and treat it. This young girl lived in a hut with no floor, no furniture, and no personal possessions. She was brought to us via a long dusty ride on the back of a moped. She was dressed in a beautiful "Sunday best" dress with her hair freshly braided. I was brought to tears as I saw her sit so bravely as Debbie cleaned her leg with peroxide and removed the dirt and clinging burned skin. Any adult I know would have screamed out in pain, but this young girl never cried - it was as though she was numb to life and had given up her right to complain. I cried for her....and all of us who have lost our ability to feel the pain around us. I asked God to refresh my senses that I might see, touch, feel, smell, and taste life fully. The good and the bad.....my own joys and sorrows as well as all those around me. I don't want to be numb to the pain I see here in Gonaives. I want my tears to drive me to take action and do something to make a difference. I know I can not change it all, but I can make a difference one life at a time.

Even though I am home from my trip to Gonaives, my heart is still there. I want to return. I am alive and on purpose while there. I feel God's presence and walk in faith one step at a time. I believe God is reclaiming Haiti, one child at a time. With education and God, there is hope for tomorrow. I want to be part of bringing that hope to them. Mary and Emory have a dream of building a mission center right in the heart of Jubilee. A place that will house the daily feedings, a medical clinic, classes, vacation bible schools, and women's ministries. A place with a well for clean drinking water and bathrooms for all. I am committed to helping that dream come true. I want to thank each of you for your prayers and support. You have allowed me to take resources into Haiti and begin making a difference. I ask for your continued support.

Mary and Emory will be coming to Palmetto Shores Church on Wednesday, December 17, 2009, to share their story at our Heart for Haiti night. We will be having a buffet dinner and a time of testimony, praise and worship. This event is open to the public and I would love for you to join us. I am so excited about my friends and family getting to meet these wonderful people and hear their story first hand. We really want to "spoil" them while they are here. I am personally trying to gather enough funds to secure an outside projector and blowup screen for them to show Christian films as part of their ministry.

If you are interested in helping us make a difference in Haiti, please send a check made out to Palmetto Shores Church, Haiti Missions to me. Earmark the bottom of the check "Donna". Thank you for opening your heart. May God bless you richly as we answer His call to serve those He loves here on earth.

Mwen renmen nou. (I love you)
Donna

November 2008 Return Trip

2008-10-30T13:51:00.000-04:00

Hello my friends,

I can't believe the date for my first return trip to Haiti is here. My wonderful church, Palmetto Shores Church (PSC), has committed to six mission trips to Haiti in 2009. Thank you God!
I will be joining a team of 5 for our first trip into Gonaives from November 6 - 12, 2008. My brother, Jim, will be leading our efforts to assess the best way we can provide future assistance in the rebuilding efforts there. On this trip, we are taking in cash, medicine, air mattresses, baby formula, shoes, pillows and supplies to our missionary friends. We are also taking beads and acrylic paints so that some of the Haitians there can create jewelry and art for us to bring back for fundraising efforts. I ask for your prayers for our team. As we are one of the first teams to go into Gonaives since the devastating hurricanes of last month, this is going to be a very tough trip physically and emotionally. As for me personally, I continue to ask God to show me how he wants me to serve in Gonaives. I know that He has placed a heavy burden on my heart for these precious people and I am blessed to be able to be a mouthpiece now for their needs. I so appreciate the amazing support you have provided this month. Following our Haiti church program last month where Pastor Ronny Byrd and I spoke, PSC members donated $15,000 to the immediate relief needs in Haiti! We joined with two other organizations and dedicated $5000 of those funds toward the purchase of a new vehicle for Emory and Mary Wilson. They are using that vehicle to pick up visiting mission teams (including us!) and are now able to continue the feeding programs they had initiated before the storms. Praise God! Mary and Emory will be visiting the states during the holidays and we are delighted to be sponsoring a Heart for Haiti night at PSC on Wednesday evening, December 17. We will be having a pot luck dinner and then gathering for a time of testimony and worship with Mary and Emory. What a great way to celebrate the Christmas season! The event is open to the public and I would love to see you there!

Many people have expressed an interest in joining me on one of my trips to Gonaives in 2009. If you are interested, please let me know. Make sure you have a current passport and all of the required shots. More specific directions can be found on the PSC website, www.palmettoshoreschurch.com. Begin to spiritually prepare with prayer. I plan to return often in 2009 and am excited about the work that God has in store for us. I know God is putting together a mighty team of disciples ready to spread His light and love in this dark land. Thank you again for your prayers, love, and support. I will write again when I return. In His Love, Donna

My First Trip

2008-09-29T10:42:00.000-04:00

“Forever Changed.” I can find no other words to express the overwhelming flood of emotions that swirl within me upon my return from my first, but not my last, mission trip to Haiti. Even as I try to capture the experience on paper to share with you, I begin to weep at the thought of those precious souls I have left suffering behind. I pray that this sense of guilt will transform itself into a powerful action plan that will enable me to return with better resources to make a difference. For now, I am still processing the week. My brother has been a missionary in Venezuela for the past 11 years and I have never once felt the urge to join him on his quest. I politely declined every invitation and pledged my participation through prayer and donations. When he spoke of his current work in Haiti, I was shocked by his graphic description of the danger, filth, and poverty. I thought “Why would you risk your life and health for such an overwhelming need in a Fifth World country?” This Spring Jim spent three long months fighting a life threatening case of meningitis after returning from a trip building a school in Haiti. It was thru my daily phonecalls to him as he healed that we grew much closer as adults. Perhaps that was why I was more receptive when he called in early August saying “This is the one, Donna.
This is the trip that I really need you to go on with me. It is a small group and we will be visiting all my mission projects in Haiti to assess their progress and needs. You could even do some training for the school staff there. Please pray about it, Sis.” So I did and I said “Yes”. That gave me just three weeks to raise the funding, get all my shots and prepare for the experience of a lifetime. I must tell you that not everyone was happy with my decision. Several friends and family members were quite upset that I would go on this trip with no health insurance and the high risk involved. “What do you think you can accomplish in seven days that will make a difference? If you want to hold an orphan, then you can do that here in the United States. It will cost a lot less and you will be safe.” I listened to their arguments, but in my heart, I knew I had to go. My heart had called me to Haiti. I stood in awe when my entire trip was funded through unsolicited funds given in love by my church family and I saw God at work as caring friends and strangers filled my home with supplies to be taken to the missionaries. I never felt the first moment of fear, only a growing sense of excitement at what God had in store for me. Little did I know that my greatest imaginings could not come close to the reality that awaited me. Last week, I came as close as I ever want to be to “hell on earth”. I held dying babies and walked in the stench of an open sewer ravine where hundreds of ill, starving families camped out. I worked with a medical team giving medicine and treatment to those most in need, but there was never enough. I stood in a makeshift village called “Jubilee” in Gonaives with thousands of homeless survivors of a destructive tropical storm and mudslides.
Skeletal corpses were mingled in with the high piles of debris and filth. We fed hundreds of young children a small bowl of rice and grew sick to our stomachs as we had to close the gate on hundreds more that were starving and begging for food. There was no more to give. How could we decide who lived and died by receiving food that day? The sheer numbers of those in need was overwhelming and I could not fathom “playing God” in this manner every day. But somehow in the middle of all the darkness and suffering, a powerful sense of God’s presence and hope prevailed. I met living saints who have dedicated their entire lives and all that they have to making a difference in Haiti. I listened to young children in the orphanage sing songs of praise in both English and Creole as they gave thanks for their daily food, shelter and clothes. I stood on a rooftop and joined new believers worshipping God at dusk. Everywhere we visited we found groups of loving people who had accepted the call to be the hands and feet of Jesus in this dark land that was officially dedicated to Satan hundreds of years ago. Our evening devotions were always a time of praise and gratitude and I have never felt so alive, so humbled, and so on purpose. Now that I am home I find myself constantly thinking of how to bring training and resources back to my new friends in Haiti. At the urging of a friend, I picked up the book “Mountains Beyond Mountains” by Tracy Kidder and I am inspired by the true account of Dr. Paul Farmer, a brilliant physician who is living proof that one person can make a big difference in Haiti.
Over the past few years, I have shared with you my desire to simplify my life and spend time growing in the Lord. I know God has been preparing me for something….and although I still do not know exactly what it is, I do know that my recent trip to Haiti is an important part of it. The world just got a lot smaller and a lot more real to me. My heart calls me back to Haiti and I will return. I ask for your prayers and your support. If you would be interested in joining me, please let me know. "If you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed...The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs" (Isa 58:10-11 NIV)