Message from Pastor Don: 2/7/10

We are well, safe and secure. This is a good trip, both productive and necessary. I have seen God open the doors all the way. It is good having Marcus traveling with us. Marcus is a photojournalist from the New York Post. He was born in Brazil and speaks fluid Spanish and Portuguese. I would not have wanted to negotiate the leg of the trip through the Dominican Republic without him. He rented a car in the D.R. and with his press pass was able to move us quickly through some places of bottleneck. Roads were fairly fast until we got to Port-au-Prince. Three hours plus to cross town. Marcus was able to smooze the Portuguese speaking U.N. convoy and we fell in line with them. Josue mentioned to us most Haitians do not like the U.N. for their methods and alleged corruption. It was hard for him to be a part of the convoy. In contrast most Haitians like the presence of the U.S. soldiers. They say it would be better if the U.S. could take the lead.For images, visit Marcus' Website find the Haiti file and download.

Grassier was the epicenter. Most every house and wall near the land is in ruins. looking across the little valley there are only piles where houses stood. Everything we had stood well. The wall foundation was deep. I can now see how good it was we did not build anything beyond the foundation. Josue and I laugh about my past frustration and how we are thankful we did not get a house built.

Yesterday was our first full day in Haiti. Today we will start the verification of children. Most all of them have been moved to a Baptist Mission near Cape Haitian (see map) for safety, both physical and emotional since there have been continued aftershocks, although none noticeable since I got here. The congregation that was meeting above momma’s house holds Church and prayer in the courtyard every morning and evening.

I spent time with a man yesterday that had lost 8 family members in the quake. Last night I went with Marcus to the site of the 11 story university that had collapsed. Recovery workers thought someone was calling out from the basement. They were digging and probing with sound and cameras, but nothing. Water and food are more available. No worries. Life is returning to the neighbor hood. Just less of it as many people have left the area and we especially see a lack of children that usually accompanies us.

A little on my own emotional health: I am fine. Nate and I both wonder why we are not feeling more emotion. Several things, God is our strength, I am busy with task, I am reading scripture and praying, Haitian are used to struggle and finally Port-au-Prince does not feel that much different than any other time. The Haitian people have always had struggle. My first trip was probably harder to adjust to then this one. People here are able to sing, laugh, pray and help each other. For the most part they are not expecting anyone to bail them out. It has been three plus weeks since the quake. People all around are beginning to break apart the ruble, sweep streets and trying to secure shelter for the days ahead. The rains start in March. I am focused on logistics of shelters in several areas. It is only a drop in the bucket when one considers the situation, but at least it is something.

Many aid workers who have come wanting to help have no contacts or network in country here. They find themselves frustrated. In contrast, my trip is very, very timely. Everyone extends thanks to the church for their love, support and encouragement.

Love to all, Don

Message from Pastor Don: 1/23//10

If you are following this post you know a medical team sent from a church (West Acres Baptist Church) in Georgia has partnered with our network of Haitian nationals living in Haiti. The intent is to set up a portable hospital where our orphans are located in the Carrefour Feuilles neighborhood of Port-au-Prince.

Nathan Pierce from Hollister, Ca. rushed off Tuesday night to meet up with them in Georgia. They all arrived in the Dominican Republic Wednesday afternoon, repacked everything and headed to Haiti by a rented bus early Thursday morning. By Thursday night they had arrived at their destination.

We are getting small bits of information from the medical team in Haiti mostly patched in via text messages. Friday (Jan.22) the portable hospital was set up and by noon they had seen 70-80 patients and expected to see many more today (Sat.Jan 23rd). Here is some of what we know.

· Safe sleeping and working conditions…not comfortable but bearable.

· Unimaginable devastation everywhere.

· Emotionally difficult.

· They have no exposure to news media.

· Injuries include wounds, lacerations and infections.

· Aftershocks continue.

· The team has brought the first of any aid to reach the neighborhood.

Having traveled the streets of Port-au-Prince many times and watching the news, it is my estimation that aid of any kind has only reached about 20% of Port-au-Prince at best. What is seen on the news is only a small portion of the city. Most Haitians do not expect any aid to come. It is just business as usual.

I am personally amazed that what the government of several nations has failed to do, is being done by a few individuals from Haiti and the U.S., that being, to reach our neighborhood of Carrefour Feuilles with medical aid.

If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. (1st Corinthians)

I am thankful for people taking risks and acting out of love for others.

Message from Pastor Don: 1/22/10

Nathan and the medical team has made it to their destination in Haiti last night (Thursday). They slept on the ground as planned, have plenty of water and it is emotionally hard. We are all praying for all. Information is sketchy so I am still waiting for definition of "destination". I am lead to beleive they made it all the way up to Josue's neighborhood. The fact that they did not have to sleep in the bus is encouraging in and of itself. I do not know why the United Nations, U.S. military, and Haitian government can not get to where a couple of churches working together can get to. Correction; I do know how. Thanks be to God.

A Little about Nathan

Nathan Pierce has been part of our team for years as we partner with Haitian Nationals to rescue destitute children from the streets of Port-au-Prince.

He left this week to meet up with a team racing to get into a Port-au-Prince neighborhood far beyond where any medical help has yet tried. I am posting these exerts from him.

From Nathan Wednesday, January 20, 2010

I arrived at the airport in Atlanta, Georgia early this morning and wandered around a while before finding the correct departure gate. After a while I found the [medical team] from West Acres Baptist Church, Evans Georgia.

We left on the same flight to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. There was some confusion at the luggage carousel, but I think we finally realized … 49-or-so boxes of medical supplies had all arrived.

The medical supplies, donated over just the last 4 days, were packed for weight. There are IVs and fluids. We have two tables of medication. We have a whole section of surgery equipment …

Tomorrow, we wake for breakfast at 6:30 a.m. then pack the bus and leave for the border at 8 a.m. I was told we’re expecting armed guards to escort us along our journey and I think, stay with us in Haiti.

Pastor Josie Joasaint will meet us at the border and accompany us into the capitol. None of us really know what to expect. … … I learned we have 500 bottles of water. Perhaps I’ll register patients. Perhaps I’ll hand the scalpel when the doctor calls for it – or the hacksaw as the case might be. I don’t really have any clue what I’m in for.

Oh, and by the way, I just found out: The armed guard is my roommate for the night. He speaks no English. He hasn’t yet arrived. I heard he might be at the bar.

Nathan Pierce

From Nathan Tuesday, January 19, 2010

So, here I am at the San Francisco International airport waiting for my flight to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic via Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

I have never done anything like this. I was not intending to go. Having made three prior trips to Port-au-Prince, most recently two months ago in November 2009, I certainly have thought much of my friends there since my [supervisor at work] shared news from her iPhone minutes after the quake hit. I grew up in the earthquake capitol of the world – Hollister, CA – so tremors for me aren’t much to get excited about. Yet I recalled the comparable 6.9 I lived through in 1989. I recalled the damage in Santa Cruz, San Francisco, and little Hollister. Buildings in Port-au-Prince aren’t made for quakes. Buildings in Port-au-Prince are made of cinder block that crumbles. They aren’t built to code – not even what little code exists in the nation that struggles to govern at all.

[making contact with the medical team]“Good news!” I informed the stranger at the other end of the line. “I’m coming with you.”

“I’ve taken a first responder class,” I began reciting my requisites. “I have a water filter,” I tried to entice him. “I have a backpack to carry my own things, I am willing and able, I’ve been to Port-au-Prince, and I am a familiar face to Josue.” I guess I qualify because they told me where to meet them.

Nathan Pierce

Message from Pastor Don: 1/18/10

I now believe most of our sponsored children survived although a number of children in several locations that are part of our program did not, particularly in the Cite Soliel and Carrefour Feuilles neighborhoods. Many of our children at the main location stay in houses in the neighborhood so they do not have to sleep under a tarp. Many unaccounted for and Pastor Josue continues to search the neighborhood.

A medical team from Augusta Georgia made up of 14 surgeons, nurses and a portable hospital are planning to enter the Dominican Republic on Wednesday, Jan. 20th. They will then drive into Haiti the following morning. Pastor Josue will be meeting them on the border and accompanying them into Haiti. He is arranging to have them air lifted into the Carrefour Feuilles area of Port-au-Prince. They are targeting the courtyard at Pastor Josue's mother's house to set up their hospital. Having traveled up and down the streets of Port-au-Prince many times, I know the news is only showing the tip of the iceberg because P-au-P stretches so far beyond where the camera crews have been able to get.

The medical team is resourceful and experienced. They are an amazing provision. So far no emergency medical attention has reached the outlying neighborhoods (i.e. Carrefour Feuilles) where our orphans are located and the neighborhood situation is extreme. Josue reports there are at least a thousand people in need of medical attention. Many have broken bones and worse.

People walk hours to bring in water and food is scarce. When Nate Pierce was in Haiti in November he set up an excellent water filter system. Josue reports a constant long line of people wait to filter water.

One of the hardships is the constant smoke in the air from burning the deceased.

There are always questions when sending money to a cause. Does it get there? How much gets there? Who takes a cut? 
 We are committed to sending 100% of all funds designated for the Haiti project. Checks can be sent to H.C.F. at the address shown, payable to HCF and designated for Haiti. If you prefer to use PayPal (see our link above), funds automatically will be applied to the Haiti project.

I am reminded of this passage; "Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." (James 2:15-17)