Prayers answered! As you last knew, we had on short notice had help from our physician and staff to fax scripts for large quantities antibiotics to Florida. Our unhelpful national chain store refused the script.
Caleb called Saturday morning to say that he could go no further. The big W store had promised to forward the scripts to an independent pharmacy who could help, Christian folks, but instead informed Caleb on Saturday morning that they destroyed the scripts and would no longer assist.
Our local physician and the PA in Newcomb were both out of town. We were out of solutions and went to prayer. I thought I should give Sandy a call at home, and she volunteered to go to the office and reissue scripts, maybe stay at the office to unsnarl problems. This time the scripts went to the right hands as it was no doubt intended to be.
The intial contact was superb, so if you are ever in Palm Beach please thank My Community Pharmacy. They in turn directed the guys to other stores in a chain sequence, everyone sending them to someone helpful. The guys bought out the available inventory at every place until they depleted their assigned budget. The grand total is 10,130 pills of various antibiotics. Don't get sick in Palm Beach, they are out of antibiotics. If anyone needs a list of medication names and numbers, I have it. Andy is very thorough and always gives detailed phone reports.
I am so grateful that God is here to open the doors, and also to arrange the timing of events. I have been chafing over delays in sailing for St. Marc, but without the shipping delay there would be few antibiotics. God knows what the people of La Gonave need, and when they need it.
Another matter for prayer is this: my brother Pete Thompson is working successfully toward getting a light plane to fly straight to Anse-a-Galets with a pallet load of medicine. Prayer is needed because he needs to find a doctor to take the right seat, and must coordinate with Butch at the base to get a truck to the airport. Communication with base is very difficult for reasons you can imagine. We also need funding, they don't ship for free although it is under $1000. It appears that the meds will be free of charge, hard to believe, but apparently supply is overtaking the distribution network in PAP.
Here is the answer to the big question: it appears the Monarch Empress will sail tomorrow. She has been delayed by Coast Guard inspections which are backlogged by the amount of ship traffic. I'll update as soon as I have firm news.
Where is our help going?
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Other Parts of Haiti Update Saturday, January 30, 2010
his appears to be from a Catholic mission. Please note the desperate conditions they face there. Famine looms over the land. Please pray that God shine his light into this dark and troubled nation, and that we open our hearts in love to those in need.
Fr. Roosevelt reports that food is becoming more difficult to find on the mainland. When food is available, it is mostly rice. Oil and beans are not available from any merchant. Even if merchants have food for sale, they are reluctant to sell too much because they are afraid they will run out of food to feed themselves and their families. After finding rice in Mirogoan last Monday, Movil Camille took the chaloup from Pointe-a-Raquette to Mirogoan on Wednesday to try to purchase additional food. He was able to get a small amount in Mirogoan, but he had to take the boat farther west to purchase enough food to make the trip worthwhile. Father sent the Director of the chapel in Ti Palmiste to St. Marc, north of Port-au-Prince, yesterday to purchase more food. He has decided he must go back into Port-au-Prince, where it is rumored that food is available, on Monday. Father will need to rent a truck to take the food from Port-au-Prince to the dock at Monwe which is north of the city. A sailboat will bring the rice directly to Pointe-a-Raquette from Monwe. Father will take the chaloup to Anse-Galets and travel by motorcycle back to Pointe-a-Raquette to meet the sailboat. This is a very indirect route to get supplies to Pointe-a-Raquette, but it is not possible to travel south from Port-au-Prince to Mirogoan with supplies. The roads are blocked with rubble south of the capital.
Because of your generosity, Father already has purchased about 10,000 pounds of food, which will provide about 40,000 meals. This food has been distributed throughout the parish of St. Louis, from Picmi and Opak, which can be reached only by boat, and to the mountain towns. Father’s truck is not working well enough to travel the mountain roads, so the people are coming down from the mountains with donkeys to take food back to their villages. Distribution is occurring under the direction of the chapel directors. No food from any international source has been received in Pointe-a-Raquette since the US Navy distributed food for about 500 people 10 days ago. Your donations are keeping the people in Pointe-a-Raquette and the surrounding areas from starvation.
Here is a message received this morning from Fr. Roosevelt:
We give all the people in Pointe a Raquette some food. We go in every house to give a marmite of rice. They are very very glad. For Ti Palmiste I gave Mme. Emile money to go to Saint Marc to buy some food for people who are very hungry. Pointe a Raquette is full of people. I do not know exactly what I am going to do with Hunger. Thank the people giving money to save lives in Pointe a Raquette.
God will continue to assist you and protect your life.
May the almighty living God bless your mission to help the poorest of the poor.
Fr Roosevelt
Friday, January 29, 2010
URGENT PRAYER REQUEST
Your beseeching God on our behalf WILL make a difference.
Folks, we have some good news and some bad news. Nothing here God can't overcome, so this is a request for prayer on a matter of lifesaving importance.
We thought we had a solid plan in my earlier update, had the scripts, a cover letter, and a couple of decent guys walking into a chain store with Haiti aid on their heart. I spoke on the phone with the boys to be sure there weren't any hitches. They said they were in the store and it looked great.
Well, it went south in a hurry. The assistant manager was going to fill the script (20-30,000 pills) but the manager got a look at it and put an end immediately. Pleading mercy for Haiti had no effect, apparently fear of our governments regulatory power was more compelling than helping Haitians. It's a big store, has a w in its name, and money and rules matter.
So where are we? No antibiotics in hand. I called an emergency contact in Fl to a pharmaceutical warehouse, praying that it would save the day. No go.
It was hard to do, but I called the boys and said "we have no backup, no connections, many are praying, it's up to you. Do what you can, pray first and work hard,"
Caleb wanted me to relate how hopeless they felt, but they prayed and set out for small independent pharmacies that had more managerial freedom to honor unusual (but legal) prescriptions. Apparently the script is transferable once registered in the system, so they could get it from the big w. to anywhere.
Caleb wants all to know in plain language that God guided them to the right place after chasing one pharmacy after the other down main street. I don't have the details, but he was insistent on this
Please pray that the transaction goes smoothly first thing in the morning. It looks promising, the owner said all the right things and is helpful, but how many times have we seen critical needs dashed only to be saved by God. Please humbly ask Him to help us and the people of La Gonave. Pray that the boys can carry 20-30,000 antibiotic pills to the only hospital on La Gonave.
We thought we had a solid plan in my earlier update, had the scripts, a cover letter, and a couple of decent guys walking into a chain store with Haiti aid on their heart. I spoke on the phone with the boys to be sure there weren't any hitches. They said they were in the store and it looked great.
Well, it went south in a hurry. The assistant manager was going to fill the script (20-30,000 pills) but the manager got a look at it and put an end immediately. Pleading mercy for Haiti had no effect, apparently fear of our governments regulatory power was more compelling than helping Haitians. It's a big store, has a w in its name, and money and rules matter.
So where are we? No antibiotics in hand. I called an emergency contact in Fl to a pharmaceutical warehouse, praying that it would save the day. No go.
It was hard to do, but I called the boys and said "we have no backup, no connections, many are praying, it's up to you. Do what you can, pray first and work hard,"
Caleb wanted me to relate how hopeless they felt, but they prayed and set out for small independent pharmacies that had more managerial freedom to honor unusual (but legal) prescriptions. Apparently the script is transferable once registered in the system, so they could get it from the big w. to anywhere.
Caleb wants all to know in plain language that God guided them to the right place after chasing one pharmacy after the other down main street. I don't have the details, but he was insistent on this
Please pray that the transaction goes smoothly first thing in the morning. It looks promising, the owner said all the right things and is helpful, but how many times have we seen critical needs dashed only to be saved by God. Please humbly ask Him to help us and the people of La Gonave. Pray that the boys can carry 20-30,000 antibiotic pills to the only hospital on La Gonave.
The only hospital on the island of La Gonave is in Anse-a-Galets and is run by the missionaries we are going to assist and support. During the best of times they have many needs. Right now they have those needs and so many more. One of needs that is dire is the need for basic rudimentary medications. These are medications that will mean the difference between life and death for many in Haiti.
Situation as of 28Jan10
- Mission at the town of Anse-a-Galets still treating large number of injuries daily
- 27,000 refugees thus far in the town, making about 57,000 total near the mission
- Fuel situation is better, food is critical, medical situation is dire. Water still flowing in town.
- Marines scouted the island two days ago, then left. Unrest is brewing over food situation.
- First (Wesleyan) 44,000 lb container (CONEX 1) loaded with food and medicine bundle 1 at the pier in Miami.
- Second (Calvary Spokane) 44,000 lb container (CONEX 2) loaded with food and at the pier.
- Waiting on the Lord to open the door for second medicine bundle - provider having problems.
- Ship leaves sometime this weekend, arrives St. Marc sometime around the 4th.
- Caleb and Andy hate Palm Beach and Denny's, can't wait to get underway and deliver the goods
- Pete and Chris are working on funding containers 3 and 4, logistics, planning, aid coordination
- No other aid on the horizon from US Mil, UN - but we haven't given up on it
- AMAZING outpouring of God's work through E. NY Wesleyan District and Calvary Chapel Spokane
- Facebook pages and blog - we're hip and getting more visible every day.
Plans for tomorrow
- Connecting with Sam's Purse, YWAM and Calvary Melbourne FL, other churches
- Planning for CONEX's 3 and 4
- Updating UN and US Military logistics requests and situation reports
- Paypal connections on facebook and blog
- Content uploads and refinement
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Wesleyan La Gonave resupply update 1/28/10
Folks, really good news to report. Andy, Caleb, and Skip landed in Orlando successfully, took a day or so to meet with Pastor Mark James and make plans to coordinate various deliveries. The logistics of this operation are surprisingly complicated.
You'll notice the pictures on the website (link below) show lots of people sitting in a restaurant. I suggested to the guys that it looks un-missionary like to be sitting around in clean clothes in comfortable surroundings. I thought we might like to see pictures of bags of rice and sweaty laborers, so they obliged and you will see them on the website as soon as Mike posts them, probably later tonight.
Our team worked out of Ft. Lauderdale as they worked with the shipper and the wholesale grocer. The process went smoothly enough, but there are many challenges. Thankfully we have cell phones and contact lists.
Mark James had his church volunteers very organized, and they raised a princely sum of money and brought medical and other items straight to the loading facility at the appointed time. Andy the loadmaster had calculated precisely the amount of cubic foot storage and weight allowed in the first 20' conex. I hear from the field that they wish they had a little extra, but everything got stuffed in with a shoehorn.
I have not been able to get a precise medical supply list yet, but it includes many high grade antibiotics, saline drip bags, needles, betadine, antibiotic ointments, bandages and wound cleaning supplies. Also there are exam gloves, gowns, masks, and anything else our medical friends could think of for a field hospital use. For your information, these items are in large quantities, often in case lots quantity.
Other folks donated as they felt led. I believe over $800 just in shelter-sized tarps and rope, also tents, personal hygiene products, pails, sheets, and whatever is useful.
So: we have 1 conex packed with 44,000 pounds of food and supplies, and one to go of the same weight. The next will be packed tomorrow, minus Pastor Mark's church involvement. There is a significant matter for prayer on this. We have -- with many challenges -- succeeded in ordering a second med bundle (say $4500 or so) to go in conex #2. We have Randy Beck, a Christian brother and pharmacist in Winter Haven who has been a blessing in helping this mission. Unfortunately there may be a misunderstanding in pricing with his employers -- wholesale vs. retail -- that would make impossible purchasing more meds. Would you please pray that the owners would have a heart for the poor people of Haiti and release the medications at reduced cost rather than retail price?
Please pray for the availability of medication and that our guys are able to get the conex packed before the warehouse closes tomorrow. Everyone would like to know when the ship leaves for St. Marc. Here is the answer, we do not know but it looks like Sunday. It has gone from Thursday to Tuesday like a compass needle swinging, but in fairness to Monarch (shipper) it seems to be Coast Guard or inspection issues.
We have heard from the base daily, the situation remains unchanged and becomes worse daily. The marines were there recently and caused some excitement, but it appears that it was a scout element rather than relief. It did make possible the air evacuation of critically injured people for shipboard surgery, and that is gratifying. My brother Peter has been working to get the plight of La Gonave to military and UN sources. We have seen mission maps, and unfortunately at this time I have to say we are NOT on mission maps. Please pray that it changes, it would really help to have some assistance.
Pete Thompson's church contributed -- and they are neither large nor wealthy -- $25,000 in funding for conex #2. This how our DS James did it... is it a good idea, will it work? Ok, do it and we will find the money. God bless them. That's the way to witness to the world and get the job done, folks. 3 John 1:5 comes to mind.
Before I close, let me say that I'm hearing of a huge outpouring of donations to District because of all our effort. Pete says he notices that in WA state also. People we don't even know are giving, I am told. So thank God for people who love their neighbor and want to help. Please send any emails -- or better yet the link to the website -- to anyone who may wish to turn their donation into 100% necessities to Haiti in a 100% accountable manner. No overhead, zip.
You'll notice the pictures on the website (link below) show lots of people sitting in a restaurant. I suggested to the guys that it looks un-missionary like to be sitting around in clean clothes in comfortable surroundings. I thought we might like to see pictures of bags of rice and sweaty laborers, so they obliged and you will see them on the website as soon as Mike posts them, probably later tonight.
Our team worked out of Ft. Lauderdale as they worked with the shipper and the wholesale grocer. The process went smoothly enough, but there are many challenges. Thankfully we have cell phones and contact lists.
Mark James had his church volunteers very organized, and they raised a princely sum of money and brought medical and other items straight to the loading facility at the appointed time. Andy the loadmaster had calculated precisely the amount of cubic foot storage and weight allowed in the first 20' conex. I hear from the field that they wish they had a little extra, but everything got stuffed in with a shoehorn.
I have not been able to get a precise medical supply list yet, but it includes many high grade antibiotics, saline drip bags, needles, betadine, antibiotic ointments, bandages and wound cleaning supplies. Also there are exam gloves, gowns, masks, and anything else our medical friends could think of for a field hospital use. For your information, these items are in large quantities, often in case lots quantity.
Other folks donated as they felt led. I believe over $800 just in shelter-sized tarps and rope, also tents, personal hygiene products, pails, sheets, and whatever is useful.
So: we have 1 conex packed with 44,000 pounds of food and supplies, and one to go of the same weight. The next will be packed tomorrow, minus Pastor Mark's church involvement. There is a significant matter for prayer on this. We have -- with many challenges -- succeeded in ordering a second med bundle (say $4500 or so) to go in conex #2. We have Randy Beck, a Christian brother and pharmacist in Winter Haven who has been a blessing in helping this mission. Unfortunately there may be a misunderstanding in pricing with his employers -- wholesale vs. retail -- that would make impossible purchasing more meds. Would you please pray that the owners would have a heart for the poor people of Haiti and release the medications at reduced cost rather than retail price?
Please pray for the availability of medication and that our guys are able to get the conex packed before the warehouse closes tomorrow. Everyone would like to know when the ship leaves for St. Marc. Here is the answer, we do not know but it looks like Sunday. It has gone from Thursday to Tuesday like a compass needle swinging, but in fairness to Monarch (shipper) it seems to be Coast Guard or inspection issues.
We have heard from the base daily, the situation remains unchanged and becomes worse daily. The marines were there recently and caused some excitement, but it appears that it was a scout element rather than relief. It did make possible the air evacuation of critically injured people for shipboard surgery, and that is gratifying. My brother Peter has been working to get the plight of La Gonave to military and UN sources. We have seen mission maps, and unfortunately at this time I have to say we are NOT on mission maps. Please pray that it changes, it would really help to have some assistance.
Pete Thompson's church contributed -- and they are neither large nor wealthy -- $25,000 in funding for conex #2. This how our DS James did it... is it a good idea, will it work? Ok, do it and we will find the money. God bless them. That's the way to witness to the world and get the job done, folks. 3 John 1:5 comes to mind.
Before I close, let me say that I'm hearing of a huge outpouring of donations to District because of all our effort. Pete says he notices that in WA state also. People we don't even know are giving, I am told. So thank God for people who love their neighbor and want to help. Please send any emails -- or better yet the link to the website -- to anyone who may wish to turn their donation into 100% necessities to Haiti in a 100% accountable manner. No overhead, zip.
Loading the cargo container
God's goods, for God's children in need.
A truck load of supplies from the fine folks at http://www.aplacetobelong.com
A truck load of supplies from the fine folks at http://www.aplacetobelong.com
Counting down to "Go Time"
The guys are currently in Florida prepping and going over plans and strategy for the trip. All logistics are being given the final once over. Cargo is being loaded packed, checked and rechecked to ensure that we are able to give the most help to the people of Haiti.
Anse-a-Galets End of Day Report 27Jan10
http://www.haitiwish.org/default.asp
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100127/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/cb_haiti_earthquake_459
Please Read these two links to get a picture of what's going on in Haiti. Another day closer to getting the first shipment of food and fuel to La Gonave! If you want to see a power point presentation of our work so far, let me know and I'll send it along.
I was hoping I was wrong about the food need. I actually thought that maybe the roads would be clear enough to get food out. Unfortunately, there's not enough distribution to meet the need on the mainland. So, people are leaving population centers to the thugs strong enough to violently steal food and re-sell it, sometimes to those they stole it from. They are leaving for places like La Gonave Island, where we are sending our aid.
Our team is doing pretty well overall with security in Palm Beach as we get the first two shipping containers of food loaded, but I wonder about our destination. The latest update from Butch and Trisha (first link above) at the Hospital doesn't paint a great picture. I think the general plan has been to call on the YWAM team to provide help at St. Marc, so the goods can be offloaded onto the mission's small boat network. Now we may need help and some security when we land on the island too. Based on Butch's report, the need for food is pushing the swelling refugee population closer to unrest every day. We definitely need to consider the security situation as we move on.
It's hard to quantify for certain, but the Wesleyan Mission and Hospital have enough food and fuel to last until about 6 Feb without our shipment. They now have a reliable source of fuel now, and the banks have supposedly opened again. It's a fluid thing down there. They are providing food for uncounted thousands, receiving 750 refugees daily, treating 150 of these as new injury cases daily, and keeping the generators for the water system and hospital going all the time. I'm not sure anyone there knows for certain when they will run out of food, but emails we get tell us that our shipment is encouraging them greatly - they believe they can hang on until then.
Based on what we know today, our shipment of 88,000 lbs. should leave Sunday 31 Jan and arrive Wednesday 4 Feb. The food will take about a day or so to transfer to the island from St. Marc. The 750 gal. of diesel we purchased will be offloaded into drums and brought in the mix. The food can feed about 30,000 people for 8 days. The next Monarch ship sails about a week later, and we will pre-purchase fuel and hopefully have funds to put another CONEX box or two on it. We have decided to use the balance of recently donated funds to purchase medical supplies that can be squeezed into the two containers - the Hospital is (probably) completely out of stock and some people may die without antibiotics. The Lord will provide more funds for food in His timing.
We are confident the Lord is in this - so much prayer answered and so many needs met just in time. Thank you for your help and prayer.
Today's events:
Ship delayed!!! Got to put CONEX 2 together just in time!
CONEX 1 at shipyard
CONEX 2 funded just in time, being loaded w/goods
Med Bundle 1 funded, purchased, being delivered to shipyard
Med Bundle 2 funded, seeking wholesalers and delivery
Tomorrow:
CONEX 2 to shipyard
Med Bundle 1 load in CONEX 1
Med Bundle 2 purchase and delivery, load in CONEX 2 if able
Seeking funding for Fuel, CONEX 3
Seeking other aid sources
Prayer:
People of Haiti and servants in their midst
The Gospel to be told and lived by the Lord's servants
The sick and injured and mourning
Clarity of mission for all of us, God's purposes in these opportunities
The staff at the Mission and Hospital
Security for the missionaries, food shipment
Caleb and Andy down in FL, working to get it all aboard
Med bundle 2 and purchasing, loading issues
Funding for more food, medical supplies, fuel
Getting the word out to those who can help fund more food
PT for Chris, Caleb, Andy
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100127/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/cb_haiti_earthquake_459
Please Read these two links to get a picture of what's going on in Haiti. Another day closer to getting the first shipment of food and fuel to La Gonave! If you want to see a power point presentation of our work so far, let me know and I'll send it along.
I was hoping I was wrong about the food need. I actually thought that maybe the roads would be clear enough to get food out. Unfortunately, there's not enough distribution to meet the need on the mainland. So, people are leaving population centers to the thugs strong enough to violently steal food and re-sell it, sometimes to those they stole it from. They are leaving for places like La Gonave Island, where we are sending our aid.
Our team is doing pretty well overall with security in Palm Beach as we get the first two shipping containers of food loaded, but I wonder about our destination. The latest update from Butch and Trisha (first link above) at the Hospital doesn't paint a great picture. I think the general plan has been to call on the YWAM team to provide help at St. Marc, so the goods can be offloaded onto the mission's small boat network. Now we may need help and some security when we land on the island too. Based on Butch's report, the need for food is pushing the swelling refugee population closer to unrest every day. We definitely need to consider the security situation as we move on.
It's hard to quantify for certain, but the Wesleyan Mission and Hospital have enough food and fuel to last until about 6 Feb without our shipment. They now have a reliable source of fuel now, and the banks have supposedly opened again. It's a fluid thing down there. They are providing food for uncounted thousands, receiving 750 refugees daily, treating 150 of these as new injury cases daily, and keeping the generators for the water system and hospital going all the time. I'm not sure anyone there knows for certain when they will run out of food, but emails we get tell us that our shipment is encouraging them greatly - they believe they can hang on until then.
Based on what we know today, our shipment of 88,000 lbs. should leave Sunday 31 Jan and arrive Wednesday 4 Feb. The food will take about a day or so to transfer to the island from St. Marc. The 750 gal. of diesel we purchased will be offloaded into drums and brought in the mix. The food can feed about 30,000 people for 8 days. The next Monarch ship sails about a week later, and we will pre-purchase fuel and hopefully have funds to put another CONEX box or two on it. We have decided to use the balance of recently donated funds to purchase medical supplies that can be squeezed into the two containers - the Hospital is (probably) completely out of stock and some people may die without antibiotics. The Lord will provide more funds for food in His timing.
We are confident the Lord is in this - so much prayer answered and so many needs met just in time. Thank you for your help and prayer.
Today's events:
Ship delayed!!! Got to put CONEX 2 together just in time!
CONEX 1 at shipyard
CONEX 2 funded just in time, being loaded w/goods
Med Bundle 1 funded, purchased, being delivered to shipyard
Med Bundle 2 funded, seeking wholesalers and delivery
Tomorrow:
CONEX 2 to shipyard
Med Bundle 1 load in CONEX 1
Med Bundle 2 purchase and delivery, load in CONEX 2 if able
Seeking funding for Fuel, CONEX 3
Seeking other aid sources
Prayer:
People of Haiti and servants in their midst
The Gospel to be told and lived by the Lord's servants
The sick and injured and mourning
Clarity of mission for all of us, God's purposes in these opportunities
The staff at the Mission and Hospital
Security for the missionaries, food shipment
Caleb and Andy down in FL, working to get it all aboard
Med bundle 2 and purchasing, loading issues
Funding for more food, medical supplies, fuel
Getting the word out to those who can help fund more food
PT for Chris, Caleb, Andy
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Update 26Jan10
I am trying to send frequent updates whether the news be great or small. BTW, if you know anyone who wants to be on the list, please send me their email addresses or fwd. them along.
As mentioned, our bills are paid to the grocer and shipper and the loading process is underway. Have not heard from Caleb/Andy/Skip since this morning, there were a few hurdles ahead but things should be moving.
Sounds like they may have to load the 44,000 pounds of food by hand from truck to container, we had initially thought it was a forklift job. Fortunately they are young and have good backs...
They have a firm plan with Pastor Mark James to collect supplies from his Winter Haven Church for the container, that was worked out last night before they parted. Do not know what it is though, other than he is using medical professionals to maximize the amount of medicines and determine what to send. Those folks donated a very generous sum of money to this effort.
Anyone in Fl who missed out on helping could either contribute financially or wait for the next container.
There MUST be more containers. Pray that my brother Pete Thompson can raise funding and that others come forward to assist.
Below is the first communication from Pastor Dan since just after the quake. We have heard near-daily from his base in Anse-a-Galets, but Dan has been working hard off island on medical and other matters so has been necessarily silent. Lest there have been any doubt about need on La Gonave, here it is:
Hello Caleb,I should not longer be amazed by God’s timing, your visit to and work on LaGonave in November allowed you now to orchestrate an answer to prayer.In the next few weeks fuel and food will be a crises on LaGonave. The Mayor of Anse-a-Galets estimates that 750-1000 refugees are arriving daily on LaGonave. An island that already struggled to supply food to over 120,000 residents certainly cannot offer fix this crises. Food in great quantity will be needed; key Pastors of churches in Anse-a-Galets are poised to be distribution centers, when relief supplies arrive. We deeply appreciate your district for allowing us to be Jesus to these hurting people who have lost everything.So many times LaGonave has been the last to receive aid. Caleb, I appreciate you taking the lead on this, bringing hope to the hopeless.Blessings,Dan
Link below is to a USAID map showing a sitrep and relief plan. You can clearly see that La Gonave is not in the path of help. It is up to Christians. I learned a Creole phrase that applies here, "kenbe fem", pronounced "kenbay". It means "stand strong, be firm". What we and the Haitians must do in prayer and Faith.
Chris
Monday, January 25, 2010
Quick update
Shipper and grocer are paid. Boys are in FL, packing starts tomorrow.
Will have 1000 gal. diesel on board.
Will be sending med supplies as yet to be determined consulting with our doctors.
Meds, 250 gallons of fuel, and other necessities are courtesy of Mark James' church congregation in FL. He is the DS brother.
GREAT NEWS: my brother and his churches will supply another container & fuel to follow ASAP. He is raising funds in WA state and sending them to our district. Pray that this happens soon, Dan needs more than we can send.
Will have 1000 gal. diesel on board.
Will be sending med supplies as yet to be determined consulting with our doctors.
Meds, 250 gallons of fuel, and other necessities are courtesy of Mark James' church congregation in FL. He is the DS brother.
GREAT NEWS: my brother and his churches will supply another container & fuel to follow ASAP. He is raising funds in WA state and sending them to our district. Pray that this happens soon, Dan needs more than we can send.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Tetanus vaccine La Gonave
I am on the track of getting funding and making arrangements for Td vaccines. If we can get the money we will have it on the ship.
I spoke with a friend at length last night. Am aware of temperature requirements. Have a delivery address near the ship that can accept it and keep it cool. The boys will either cold pack it in a cooler or beg fridge space from the ship.
The friend asked for the information I had from the hospital and I had precious little to give him other than they are begging for it.
There may be a considerable price differential between the active and passive forms of Td. I think we should go for whatever will save the most lives in the immediate, but we need professionals to tell me what is needed.
I spoke with a friend at length last night. Am aware of temperature requirements. Have a delivery address near the ship that can accept it and keep it cool. The boys will either cold pack it in a cooler or beg fridge space from the ship.
The friend asked for the information I had from the hospital and I had precious little to give him other than they are begging for it.
There may be a considerable price differential between the active and passive forms of Td. I think we should go for whatever will save the most lives in the immediate, but we need professionals to tell me what is needed.
Update La Gonave resupply
We had prayer for the guys at church today, it was moving. There have been generous donations and much prayer for this, it is impressive to see God and God's people moving here.
They are now in Albany planning to head to FL at 6AM. They will pack the container and leave Thursday.
Here at the "nerve center", all that remains is to get some information to the DS at 7 AM so he can wire the funds to the shipper and food supplier. I am working with other churches and groups to show them that they can ship food also, there is interest and I hope to help others do as we did. La Gonave needs more than this shipment to feed and treat those poor people.
I have spoken with Mark James (DS James' brother) who has a large church in Winter Haven FL. It is unclear to me exactly how they will mobilize goods to be packed in our container, but he is on it. His church has raised a goodly sum of money, so tomorrow AM we will discuss whether some of that (like most of it) can be used to pay for tetanus vaccine to be sent to the hospital with our guys. Either Russ Rider or members of the FL congregation will facilitate the prescription and other details. Please pray that we can get vaccine for the people, they will have many deaths without it.
Thanks again to all for their generosity and prayers. Keep praying, only the first step of the mission is done (funding) and there are many challenges ahead.
I'll keep the updates coming. Please contact me if you have questions/suggestions.
They are now in Albany planning to head to FL at 6AM. They will pack the container and leave Thursday.
Here at the "nerve center", all that remains is to get some information to the DS at 7 AM so he can wire the funds to the shipper and food supplier. I am working with other churches and groups to show them that they can ship food also, there is interest and I hope to help others do as we did. La Gonave needs more than this shipment to feed and treat those poor people.
I have spoken with Mark James (DS James' brother) who has a large church in Winter Haven FL. It is unclear to me exactly how they will mobilize goods to be packed in our container, but he is on it. His church has raised a goodly sum of money, so tomorrow AM we will discuss whether some of that (like most of it) can be used to pay for tetanus vaccine to be sent to the hospital with our guys. Either Russ Rider or members of the FL congregation will facilitate the prescription and other details. Please pray that we can get vaccine for the people, they will have many deaths without it.
Thanks again to all for their generosity and prayers. Keep praying, only the first step of the mission is done (funding) and there are many challenges ahead.
I'll keep the updates coming. Please contact me if you have questions/suggestions.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
La Gonave donations in FL
Folks in Florida:
Below is the contact info the church which will be collecting supplies for our container. I was wrong, not Orlando but rather Winter Haven.
I do not have time and place, I suggest you contact Pastor James by phone. I will broadcast an email with that info if I hear back from the Pastor. Caleb is on the phone with him right now, but he has to arrange time with his people.
be sure to let others know who aren't on this email list...
Will let you know the W. Palm Beach when business opens Monday.
Pastor Mark James (DS's brother)
w: 863-875-1090
H: 863-325-0010
Email: mark@aplacetobelong.com
www.aplacetobelong.com
1895 Overlook Drive, Winter Haven, FL 33884
Telephone: 863.875.1090 Fax: 863.325.0903
Below is the contact info the church which will be collecting supplies for our container. I was wrong, not Orlando but rather Winter Haven.
I do not have time and place, I suggest you contact Pastor James by phone. I will broadcast an email with that info if I hear back from the Pastor. Caleb is on the phone with him right now, but he has to arrange time with his people.
be sure to let others know who aren't on this email list...
Will let you know the W. Palm Beach when business opens Monday.
Pastor Mark James (DS's brother)
w: 863-875-1090
H: 863-325-0010
Email: mark@aplacetobelong.com
www.aplacetobelong.com
1895 Overlook Drive, Winter Haven, FL 33884
Telephone: 863.875.1090 Fax: 863.325.0903
Volunteer Donations for Wesleyan Mission, Isle de La Gonave
Folks in and near Orlando will have a short time to collect supplies to be sent to the Wesleyan mission and town of Anse-a-Galets. Room has been reserved in a 20' hi-cube container. Supplies from Orlando will be driven to a warehouse in W. Palm Beach for loading on Tuesday or so.
There is not much room in the container. Andy has calculated that we have available 500 cubic feet and a weight limit of 4000 pounds. We can not exceed either of these numbers. Strongly suggest that a person from the church be assigned with a clipboard to prioritize donated items with weight/volume of container in mind.
The container to La Gonave contains 40,000 pounds of rice, red beans, flour, sugar, and oil. The remaining 500 cubic feet will hopefully be used for priority items.
Strongly advise against shipping liquids (other than emergency medical supplies) as they might contaminate food in event of breakage. Advise against shipping aerosol products and flammables. No bottled water.
The mission in Anse-a-Galets advises a large need for used clothing. Goodwill, Salvation Army.
Medical supplies are critically needed. Hopefully someone has good connections with a doctor.
Consultation with professionals and the hospital indicates large need for:
Tetanus vaccine - from physicians only - highest priority
Saline solution IV bags available at med supply house - highest priority
Sodium Bicarbonate (liquid available with MD order) to prevent renal failure from crush injuries
IM and IV needles for tetanus vaccine and saline drip
Antibiotics - oral or injectable - speak to a physician
Gauze, 4X4 bandages, white tape
Antibacterial ointment, neosporin etc
Betadine or other topical disinfectants
Exam gloves
Tylenol, ibuprofen
If any volunteers in FL have a connection to medical people or medical supply house, they might procure some of these items. Others such as bandages, etc., are readily available.
Other items that would be helpful:
At least 2 - 20x20 foot or larger tarps to protect the load on small boat to La Gonave
Small tarps for shelters, rope
Hygiene products (soap, toothpaste, toilet paper, baby-wipes, etc), feminine napkins (also usable for bandages), paper towels.
bandaids
plastic pails, cups
collapsible water containers
heavy duty (contractor grade) garbage bags
Pool chlorine tabs or powder (used for disinfecting water and medical facilities)
blankets
batteries, flashlights, matches
cases canned chicken (important in local diet)
peanut butter
tomato paste
canned vegetables (pull top cans)
There is not much room in the container. Andy has calculated that we have available 500 cubic feet and a weight limit of 4000 pounds. We can not exceed either of these numbers. Strongly suggest that a person from the church be assigned with a clipboard to prioritize donated items with weight/volume of container in mind.
The container to La Gonave contains 40,000 pounds of rice, red beans, flour, sugar, and oil. The remaining 500 cubic feet will hopefully be used for priority items.
Strongly advise against shipping liquids (other than emergency medical supplies) as they might contaminate food in event of breakage. Advise against shipping aerosol products and flammables. No bottled water.
The mission in Anse-a-Galets advises a large need for used clothing. Goodwill, Salvation Army.
Medical supplies are critically needed. Hopefully someone has good connections with a doctor.
Consultation with professionals and the hospital indicates large need for:
Tetanus vaccine - from physicians only - highest priority
Saline solution IV bags available at med supply house - highest priority
Sodium Bicarbonate (liquid available with MD order) to prevent renal failure from crush injuries
IM and IV needles for tetanus vaccine and saline drip
Antibiotics - oral or injectable - speak to a physician
Gauze, 4X4 bandages, white tape
Antibacterial ointment, neosporin etc
Betadine or other topical disinfectants
Exam gloves
Tylenol, ibuprofen
If any volunteers in FL have a connection to medical people or medical supply house, they might procure some of these items. Others such as bandages, etc., are readily available.
Other items that would be helpful:
At least 2 - 20x20 foot or larger tarps to protect the load on small boat to La Gonave
Small tarps for shelters, rope
Hygiene products (soap, toothpaste, toilet paper, baby-wipes, etc), feminine napkins (also usable for bandages), paper towels.
bandaids
plastic pails, cups
collapsible water containers
heavy duty (contractor grade) garbage bags
Pool chlorine tabs or powder (used for disinfecting water and medical facilities)
blankets
batteries, flashlights, matches
cases canned chicken (important in local diet)
peanut butter
tomato paste
canned vegetables (pull top cans)
Pastor Dan - update on Wesleyan resupply mission
Well, we're almost to D-Day here. It has been an adventure trying to secure funds and handle the logistics of getting food onboard a ship for our church mission and the people of La Gonave.
DS James and Pastor Skip Trembley have provided the leadership and funding to make this possible, and Caleb and Andy have done outstanding work in handling coordination, logistics, and scheduling.
Organizing this relief effort with the limited time and resources has occasionally seemed impossible. It is God who opened the doors and brought people together to accomplish this. It could not have been otherwise.
Schedule:
Monday 6:00 Am Caleb and Andy depart Albany for Orlando, meet Pastor Trembley there to gather supplies from local church
Tues. - Wed. Pack the container with food supplies and donations from the church. This will happen in a warehouse at the wharf.
Thursday Jan. 28 Caleb and Andy depart for St. Marc Haiti on the cargo ship, Pastor Trembley returns to NY
2-3 days sailing time
Rendezvous with Pastor Dan's boat in St. Marc to offload diesel fuel.
Get the 20 foot container offloaded and into secure storage. Possibly load food supplies into boats if Pastor Dan can hire local boats to help freight.
After that, Caleb and Andy will boat to Anse-a-Galets to assist with emergency relief. Building repairs and safety assessment will be necessary. Probably much much more and as God leads.
The container will contain 45,000 pounds of rice, beans, flour, sugar, and oil. Also whatever items the local church brings. In addition the District has purchased 750 gallons of diesel fuel to pumped to Dan's boat. The budget is about $16000 for food, $2000 for shipping, and $2000 fuel.
We are generating a list of medical needs in consultation with professionals but it is unlikely we can comprehensively supply the hospital on La Gonave. We will try to get tetanus vaccine, saline solution, sodium bicarb, etc. Anyone who can get this somehow and get it to either the Orlando church* or the ship at W. Palm Beach will get a big hug from Caleb and Andy. I will send contact info and list soon.
*There are some details missing here and will update you soon with better info -- any donated goods must be in W. Palm Beach warehouse by Tues. It is unknown at this time when/where they could be received in Orlando. I know the Orlando location may be nearer to many of you than Palm Beach. I did not want to hold up this email for lack of specifics.
I would like to praise God for the outpouring of support, both financial and in prayer. A number of people not associated with our church have called to pledge support. God bless you faithful people and all who contributed to this effort.
I have learned that many people would like to help Haiti financially, but they only know the big names, i.e Red Cross. When I mentioned that they could send checks to LL Wesleyan or District to provide immediate practical relief they were very interested. Just a fundraising idea for you to remember when you speak with friends and neighbors.
Please pray that $ donations continue to come in. The District is working in Faith, as are we on this mission. More money is needed, and we know it is tight for everyone. Please do all you can to encourage others to donate, and pray that the financial needs of the mission will be met.
Finally please continue to support this in prayer. Specifically that we can be a witness for Jesus to everyone we touch, that we can get adequate supplies there on time, for personal safety for all involved, that funding be met.
DS James and Pastor Skip Trembley have provided the leadership and funding to make this possible, and Caleb and Andy have done outstanding work in handling coordination, logistics, and scheduling.
Organizing this relief effort with the limited time and resources has occasionally seemed impossible. It is God who opened the doors and brought people together to accomplish this. It could not have been otherwise.
Schedule:
Monday 6:00 Am Caleb and Andy depart Albany for Orlando, meet Pastor Trembley there to gather supplies from local church
Tues. - Wed. Pack the container with food supplies and donations from the church. This will happen in a warehouse at the wharf.
Thursday Jan. 28 Caleb and Andy depart for St. Marc Haiti on the cargo ship, Pastor Trembley returns to NY
2-3 days sailing time
Rendezvous with Pastor Dan's boat in St. Marc to offload diesel fuel.
Get the 20 foot container offloaded and into secure storage. Possibly load food supplies into boats if Pastor Dan can hire local boats to help freight.
After that, Caleb and Andy will boat to Anse-a-Galets to assist with emergency relief. Building repairs and safety assessment will be necessary. Probably much much more and as God leads.
The container will contain 45,000 pounds of rice, beans, flour, sugar, and oil. Also whatever items the local church brings. In addition the District has purchased 750 gallons of diesel fuel to pumped to Dan's boat. The budget is about $16000 for food, $2000 for shipping, and $2000 fuel.
We are generating a list of medical needs in consultation with professionals but it is unlikely we can comprehensively supply the hospital on La Gonave. We will try to get tetanus vaccine, saline solution, sodium bicarb, etc. Anyone who can get this somehow and get it to either the Orlando church* or the ship at W. Palm Beach will get a big hug from Caleb and Andy. I will send contact info and list soon.
*There are some details missing here and will update you soon with better info -- any donated goods must be in W. Palm Beach warehouse by Tues. It is unknown at this time when/where they could be received in Orlando. I know the Orlando location may be nearer to many of you than Palm Beach. I did not want to hold up this email for lack of specifics.
I would like to praise God for the outpouring of support, both financial and in prayer. A number of people not associated with our church have called to pledge support. God bless you faithful people and all who contributed to this effort.
I have learned that many people would like to help Haiti financially, but they only know the big names, i.e Red Cross. When I mentioned that they could send checks to LL Wesleyan or District to provide immediate practical relief they were very interested. Just a fundraising idea for you to remember when you speak with friends and neighbors.
Please pray that $ donations continue to come in. The District is working in Faith, as are we on this mission. More money is needed, and we know it is tight for everyone. Please do all you can to encourage others to donate, and pray that the financial needs of the mission will be met.
Finally please continue to support this in prayer. Specifically that we can be a witness for Jesus to everyone we touch, that we can get adequate supplies there on time, for personal safety for all involved, that funding be met.
Update from Pastor Dan - be sure to click video link at bottom page
http://www.wesleyan.org/
GP Director Says Haiti Recovery “Opportunity for Us to be Jesus”
Jan. 22, 2010
Dan Irvine, director of Caribe-Atlantic area for Global Partners, has sent a report and video to update Wesleyans on the recovery efforts and emergency relief in Haiti:
As the world now knows, on Tuesday, January 12, at approximately 4:53 p.m., our lives and the course of the entire nation of Haiti were changed dramatically. An earthquake, measuring more than 7.0 on the Richter Scale and lasting for nearly a minute followed by frequent and powerful aftershocks, has decimated the capital city of Port-au-Prince and several other communities. As you have been seeing on your television screens, the loss of life is unprecedented. The devastation is reminiscent of scenes in European cities after World War II.
The near complete destruction of government offices and archives has made an internal response virtually impossible. Fortunately the international response has been timely and significant, how be it, fraught with the normal problems of communication and coordination.
While the destruction of buildings and loss of life were mostly concentrated in PAP and other cities like Leogane, Petit Goave, and Jacmel, the entire nation is anguished over this event. Because Port-au-Prince was the center of government, educational services, and commerce, every community and nearly every family are grieving the loss of loved ones who resided, worked, studied, or transacted business in the capital or other effected cities.
Historic Tragedy
A week later the capital city continues to be a desperate place. Tens of thousands of people are living in the streets, afraid to enter the shattered buildings that were once their homes. Gravely injured people are unable to find treatment for their injuries or transportation to places of comfort.
In the sprawling city there is no remnant of the public transportation system on which the residents were completely dependent. Even those with cars are finding few streets open for travel, and fuel is virtually unattainable. The telephone infrastructure is functioning sporadically. The city reeks with the stench of thousands of decomposing bodies.
Multitudes of people are fleeing the city for their communities of origin, penniless, injured, and broken in spirit and body. These refugees are becoming burdens to rural communities barely able to sustain existing populations. If there has ever been an opportunity for the church to respond in a redemptive way, it is now. (1 John 3:17)
Churches Destroyed
The Wesleyan Church family has not been spared from this devastation. At the time of this writing, at least three Wesleyan churches are reported to be completely destroyed and several others badly damaged. One of the churches demolished in the neighborhood of Carrefour Feuilles, was the largest Wesleyan Church in Haiti. This church was well-known for its 4:30 daily prayer meeting attended by over 1000 people. Hundreds of members are dead or missing, thousands have suffered the loss of homes and possessions. Accurate statistics are not yet available and may never be given the circumstances.
Missionaries Safe
None of the Wesleyan missionaries suffered bodily harm. However, there are deaths reported among the North American and international missionary communities. Within hours as the extent of the devastation became apparent, the Wesleyan missionaries and national church leaders began to find ways to respond redemptively to this hurting nation.
Search Team and Medical Units Deployed
Since Tuesday’s disaster Wesleyan missionaries have deployed two relief teams to Port-au-Prince. The first team, a search team initiated by and made up of Haitians, took off last Thursday to recover the bodies of loved ones missing in the capital. Our second team, a medical unit made up of one Haitian nurse, a visiting doctor, and five Wesleyan missionaries (including P.A. Diane Busch, Dr. Chris Thede, Pastor Carl Gilles, WISH Co-director Tricia Alexander, and Go-Net Joel Currie) headed to ground zero Saturday afternoon. They treated more than 100 injured people in the area of Carrefour Feuilles on Sunday and were able to link up with a North American medical team headed up by Dr. Steve Edmonson which landed in-country this week. This team is presently evaluating the possibility of setting up a M.A.S.H. (Mobile Army Surgical Hospital) hospital in Petit Goave.
Exit Plan for Short-term Missionaries
In addition, we have also created and executed emergency exit plans for three short-term mission teams, two missionaries, and a missionary kid. Last Friday, the Wesleyan Mission sent the Breezy Sea a new lobster boat to pick up one of these teams (a World Hope group of college students) stranded in Petit Goave. After providing them with food and housing for two days, the mission sent them along with our own short-term team from Hyde Wesleyan Church (Clearfield, Penn.), 12 individuals with the United Methodist Church, and a missionary couple from Celebrate Jesus Mission, to catch planes in Cap Haitien and Port-au-Prince. These 35 individuals are now back safely in the States.
La Gonave Hospital Treats Victims
Within minutes of the earthquake the Wesleyan Hospital began to receive and treat injured individuals. At first, the patients were locals who sustained injuries from panicked flight or building collapses, but a few hours after daylight the following morning, the hospital began to receive casualties from the earthquake-devastated areas. A week later, the hospital is still receiving new cases of earthquake-related injuries. Because of aftershocks and minor structural damage to the hospital building, the patients and staff are afraid to stay under the concrete-roofed hospital building. The hospital is functioning in the tin-roofed clinic buildings and under tarps in the yard.
The “Breezy Sea” Becomes Supply Ship
Today, Monday is the first day since the earthquake that the mission has been able to give its new boat and crew a little rest. The boat has been hauling food, supplies, refugees, and short-term team members. The boat was scheduled this week to haul fuel, if it can be purchased, back to La Gonave. In the next few weeks, the boat will be ferrying relief supplies from cargo ships too large to enter into the wharf at La Gonave.
Short-term Strategy
At present, we are manning a command post on La Gonave, coordinating the arrival of relief workers and the logistics of delivery of relief supplies as well as communicating with mission HQ, friends, and supporters. We are in the process of establishing a front-line relief center and emergency medical clinic. We are maintaining a guesthouse/safe zone for our mission personnel and visiting relief workers in Port-au-Prince.
Over the next few weeks, we intend to find and facilitate the distribution of as much relief material as possible in ministry to devastated communities. We intend to repair the structural damage to the hospital and restore normal functioning. We intend to host and mobilize visiting medical and relief personnel as long as resources and need permit. We will make our transportation resources available to appropriate agencies to facilitate the transport of material and human resources to points of need. We intend to use this time of increased awareness of the needs in Haiti to expand our network especially to those contacts outside our normal Wesleyan support base. We intend to call to prayer the faithful of the Wesleyan Church specifically that The Wesleyan Church will experience a spiritual renewal and a permanent return to the passion for evangelism and social action for which characterized our Wesleyan heritage.
In the next year, we hope to break ground on the new La Gonave Hospital building, a project even more urgently needed after damage sustained in last week’s earthquake. We hope to write and fund an intentional recovery plan for The Wesleyan Church of Haiti, incorporating help for individual families, churches, schools, districts, and institutions. We hope to also write and fund additional projects for enterprise development and sustainable agriculture. We hope to facilitate a new level of administrative, financial, and strategic function in the Wesleyan Church of Haiti. In the next three years, we will search for God’s direction regarding the launch of a Wesleyan university in Haiti.
Video of Dan Irvine, Global Partners’ Caribe-Atlantic Area Director, reporting from Haiti.
The Wesleyan Church World Headquarters
13300 Olio Road
Fishers, Indiana 46037
Mailing address: P.O. Box 50434, Indianapolis, IN 46250
Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. EST
Phone: (317) 774-7900
E-mail: communications@wesleyan.org
Copyright © 2010 The Wesleyan Church
GP Director Says Haiti Recovery “Opportunity for Us to be Jesus”
Jan. 22, 2010
Dan Irvine, director of Caribe-Atlantic area for Global Partners, has sent a report and video to update Wesleyans on the recovery efforts and emergency relief in Haiti:
As the world now knows, on Tuesday, January 12, at approximately 4:53 p.m., our lives and the course of the entire nation of Haiti were changed dramatically. An earthquake, measuring more than 7.0 on the Richter Scale and lasting for nearly a minute followed by frequent and powerful aftershocks, has decimated the capital city of Port-au-Prince and several other communities. As you have been seeing on your television screens, the loss of life is unprecedented. The devastation is reminiscent of scenes in European cities after World War II.
The near complete destruction of government offices and archives has made an internal response virtually impossible. Fortunately the international response has been timely and significant, how be it, fraught with the normal problems of communication and coordination.
While the destruction of buildings and loss of life were mostly concentrated in PAP and other cities like Leogane, Petit Goave, and Jacmel, the entire nation is anguished over this event. Because Port-au-Prince was the center of government, educational services, and commerce, every community and nearly every family are grieving the loss of loved ones who resided, worked, studied, or transacted business in the capital or other effected cities.
Historic Tragedy
A week later the capital city continues to be a desperate place. Tens of thousands of people are living in the streets, afraid to enter the shattered buildings that were once their homes. Gravely injured people are unable to find treatment for their injuries or transportation to places of comfort.
In the sprawling city there is no remnant of the public transportation system on which the residents were completely dependent. Even those with cars are finding few streets open for travel, and fuel is virtually unattainable. The telephone infrastructure is functioning sporadically. The city reeks with the stench of thousands of decomposing bodies.
Multitudes of people are fleeing the city for their communities of origin, penniless, injured, and broken in spirit and body. These refugees are becoming burdens to rural communities barely able to sustain existing populations. If there has ever been an opportunity for the church to respond in a redemptive way, it is now. (1 John 3:17)
Churches Destroyed
The Wesleyan Church family has not been spared from this devastation. At the time of this writing, at least three Wesleyan churches are reported to be completely destroyed and several others badly damaged. One of the churches demolished in the neighborhood of Carrefour Feuilles, was the largest Wesleyan Church in Haiti. This church was well-known for its 4:30 daily prayer meeting attended by over 1000 people. Hundreds of members are dead or missing, thousands have suffered the loss of homes and possessions. Accurate statistics are not yet available and may never be given the circumstances.
Missionaries Safe
None of the Wesleyan missionaries suffered bodily harm. However, there are deaths reported among the North American and international missionary communities. Within hours as the extent of the devastation became apparent, the Wesleyan missionaries and national church leaders began to find ways to respond redemptively to this hurting nation.
Search Team and Medical Units Deployed
Since Tuesday’s disaster Wesleyan missionaries have deployed two relief teams to Port-au-Prince. The first team, a search team initiated by and made up of Haitians, took off last Thursday to recover the bodies of loved ones missing in the capital. Our second team, a medical unit made up of one Haitian nurse, a visiting doctor, and five Wesleyan missionaries (including P.A. Diane Busch, Dr. Chris Thede, Pastor Carl Gilles, WISH Co-director Tricia Alexander, and Go-Net Joel Currie) headed to ground zero Saturday afternoon. They treated more than 100 injured people in the area of Carrefour Feuilles on Sunday and were able to link up with a North American medical team headed up by Dr. Steve Edmonson which landed in-country this week. This team is presently evaluating the possibility of setting up a M.A.S.H. (Mobile Army Surgical Hospital) hospital in Petit Goave.
Exit Plan for Short-term Missionaries
In addition, we have also created and executed emergency exit plans for three short-term mission teams, two missionaries, and a missionary kid. Last Friday, the Wesleyan Mission sent the Breezy Sea a new lobster boat to pick up one of these teams (a World Hope group of college students) stranded in Petit Goave. After providing them with food and housing for two days, the mission sent them along with our own short-term team from Hyde Wesleyan Church (Clearfield, Penn.), 12 individuals with the United Methodist Church, and a missionary couple from Celebrate Jesus Mission, to catch planes in Cap Haitien and Port-au-Prince. These 35 individuals are now back safely in the States.
La Gonave Hospital Treats Victims
Within minutes of the earthquake the Wesleyan Hospital began to receive and treat injured individuals. At first, the patients were locals who sustained injuries from panicked flight or building collapses, but a few hours after daylight the following morning, the hospital began to receive casualties from the earthquake-devastated areas. A week later, the hospital is still receiving new cases of earthquake-related injuries. Because of aftershocks and minor structural damage to the hospital building, the patients and staff are afraid to stay under the concrete-roofed hospital building. The hospital is functioning in the tin-roofed clinic buildings and under tarps in the yard.
The “Breezy Sea” Becomes Supply Ship
Today, Monday is the first day since the earthquake that the mission has been able to give its new boat and crew a little rest. The boat has been hauling food, supplies, refugees, and short-term team members. The boat was scheduled this week to haul fuel, if it can be purchased, back to La Gonave. In the next few weeks, the boat will be ferrying relief supplies from cargo ships too large to enter into the wharf at La Gonave.
Short-term Strategy
At present, we are manning a command post on La Gonave, coordinating the arrival of relief workers and the logistics of delivery of relief supplies as well as communicating with mission HQ, friends, and supporters. We are in the process of establishing a front-line relief center and emergency medical clinic. We are maintaining a guesthouse/safe zone for our mission personnel and visiting relief workers in Port-au-Prince.
Over the next few weeks, we intend to find and facilitate the distribution of as much relief material as possible in ministry to devastated communities. We intend to repair the structural damage to the hospital and restore normal functioning. We intend to host and mobilize visiting medical and relief personnel as long as resources and need permit. We will make our transportation resources available to appropriate agencies to facilitate the transport of material and human resources to points of need. We intend to use this time of increased awareness of the needs in Haiti to expand our network especially to those contacts outside our normal Wesleyan support base. We intend to call to prayer the faithful of the Wesleyan Church specifically that The Wesleyan Church will experience a spiritual renewal and a permanent return to the passion for evangelism and social action for which characterized our Wesleyan heritage.
In the next year, we hope to break ground on the new La Gonave Hospital building, a project even more urgently needed after damage sustained in last week’s earthquake. We hope to write and fund an intentional recovery plan for The Wesleyan Church of Haiti, incorporating help for individual families, churches, schools, districts, and institutions. We hope to also write and fund additional projects for enterprise development and sustainable agriculture. We hope to facilitate a new level of administrative, financial, and strategic function in the Wesleyan Church of Haiti. In the next three years, we will search for God’s direction regarding the launch of a Wesleyan university in Haiti.
Video of Dan Irvine, Global Partners’ Caribe-Atlantic Area Director, reporting from Haiti.
The Wesleyan Church World Headquarters
13300 Olio Road
Fishers, Indiana 46037
Mailing address: P.O. Box 50434, Indianapolis, IN 46250
Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. EST
Phone: (317) 774-7900
E-mail: communications@wesleyan.org
Copyright © 2010 The Wesleyan Church
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Update from La Gonave
http://gpcaribeatlantic.com/
They update this page often.
We continue to work on the logistics of shipping, containers, and supplies. Caleb and Andy are just waiting for it to come together before they fly down to load the container.
If we can get a 40' container it will hold about 60,000 pounds of supplies. That works out to $.17 per pound shipping which is not bad. We have a list from Dan, most will be foodstuffs but some construction materials and clothing they requested. They asked to send enough food for the town since they otherwise will experience violence and looting.
The two problems we face -- and I ask for your prayers -- is the speed of funding and getting a schedule for departure from the shipper. The DS and Missions Director have been a blessing and a pleasure to work with. They are doing all in their power to expedite funding, they are also in contact with National on this matter.
They update this page often.
We continue to work on the logistics of shipping, containers, and supplies. Caleb and Andy are just waiting for it to come together before they fly down to load the container.
If we can get a 40' container it will hold about 60,000 pounds of supplies. That works out to $.17 per pound shipping which is not bad. We have a list from Dan, most will be foodstuffs but some construction materials and clothing they requested. They asked to send enough food for the town since they otherwise will experience violence and looting.
The two problems we face -- and I ask for your prayers -- is the speed of funding and getting a schedule for departure from the shipper. The DS and Missions Director have been a blessing and a pleasure to work with. They are doing all in their power to expedite funding, they are also in contact with National on this matter.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Excellent resupply progress
The District Superintendant of the church just called Caleb. Bottom line is our district will do this and it is highest priority. Caleb was asked "can you guys make this happen?", to which the answer is of course yes.
He wants Caleb and Andy to finish up logistical details and fly down ASAP to rendezvous with the big Orlando church and get it going. There may be more supplies available in Orlando, much of Miami supplies may have been bought out by other agencies. Time is of the essence.
The guys have not yet had their disease inoculations but will go in faith, maybe they can get them in FL and get some malaria pills there.
Bottom line is this is happening fast as we often see when God directs.
Much needs to be done including funding the travel and renting a sat phone. They will be able to pack quickly since they are used to roughing it.
Please continue in prayer, much is riding on this.
He wants Caleb and Andy to finish up logistical details and fly down ASAP to rendezvous with the big Orlando church and get it going. There may be more supplies available in Orlando, much of Miami supplies may have been bought out by other agencies. Time is of the essence.
The guys have not yet had their disease inoculations but will go in faith, maybe they can get them in FL and get some malaria pills there.
Bottom line is this is happening fast as we often see when God directs.
Much needs to be done including funding the travel and renting a sat phone. They will be able to pack quickly since they are used to roughing it.
Please continue in prayer, much is riding on this.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Just the facts
Effects of Earthquake
Port Au Prince Haiti
12 January 2010
4:53 PM
Port Au Prince Haiti
12 January 2010
4:53 PM
150,000 dead as of 25 Jan 2010
Est. 2M injured and/or homeless
3M without food, water, shelter
Structures within 50 nm radius unsafe if not destroyed
Decomposing bodies, sanitation problems, disease threat high
Looting, violence in cities
Present Situation
Injured / homeless migrating - seeking shelter, food, water, fuel
Aid is present, but is not reaching the need - bottlenecked
US Military providing majority of effective aid and port reconstruction efforts
Aid Efforts
Materials through airport (US military control) and smaller ports (St. Marc)Small UN contingent, Large NGO / Mission presence
Short term aid (shelter, food, water, medical)
Focused on Port-Au-Prince & Petit Goave
La Gonave Island
Anse-a-Galets Wesleyan Mission Orphanage & WISH Hospital
Anse-a-Galets Wesleyan Mission Orphanage & WISH Hospital
40 KM NW of epicenter
Orphanage, Only Hospital on Island, Only water source in town
Treating residents and refugees, coordinating aid and utilities, taking orphans
Feeding up to 30,000 now, additional 70,000 islanders without food
YWAM, GO-Net warriors assisting
750+ Refugees Daily - Many Injured
Out Efforts
4 Men total, 2 in field
CONEX Box: 40,000 lbs. food and medical, 750 gal. diesel offload inport
Ft. Lauderdale to St. Marc, then Anse-a-Galets via small boats
3-5 days food @ 40,000 people, 5 days generator time
1 sent for $21,000
Next one $25,000 to include more fuel, meds
Contributions
100% effective – send what they need, lowest cost
100% designated – Anse-a-Galet emergency re-supply (food, medical, fuel, shipping)
100% accountable – escorted in person, all volunteer
Flexible - Stand alone shipment or combined funding (donation toward)
Payable to: ENYNE Wesleyan Church District
Near Term Plan
Ship CONEX #3, improve logistics links
Obtain larger dose (JTF Haiti, USAID, Sam’s Purse)
Open doorways for long term aid
Develop leaders to facilitate short term mission teams
Future Mission Team Development
Love the Lord, Called to Serve in Haiti
Ready to share the Gospel
Willing to serve in any capacity
Excellent medical / dental / physical
Passport
Shots: Typhoid, Hep A and B, tetanus (D/T/P)
Skills: French, Medical, Engineering, Construction, boat handling, mechanic, cooking, diaper changing, etc.
Dates TBA: Feb? April?
Questions?
East Coast Contact: Chris Thompson
CCCV@frontiernet.net ~ (518) 624-6175
West Coast Contact: Pete Thompson
thompsonhomebuilders@dishmail.net~ (509) 935-8141
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)