Haiti's Earthquake

I have arrived safely back in Haiti. Praise God. Thank you all for your concerns and PRAYERS. I was with the Charbonneau's at a PAOC missions cofference in the Dominican Republic. I will try to give you a quick update on the situation here. We were blessed to find a tap tap that took us right to our door. The street was empty. so praise God he supplied our needs and we did not have to walk after dark.

All photos are taken by me, so yes what you see is real! Devistation has struck. Its like God's hands have been removed from the capital of Haiti. We heard about the earth quake through the news. As always they seem to exaggerate how bad the situation really is. Don't take me wrong IT IS BAD HERE for many of the Haitians. God's hand has been in the area where we are in Delmas. It's as if He placed cupped hands over our area as a shielded bubble.

We came back to Haiti as soon as we could by bus, to be a little comfort and support for those of our church family. I could not see much of what happened as it was dark when we arrived. But speaking with the youth, devestation has struck all around. In fact there continues to be tremors a few which I personally have felt myself. Many people are missing, many have fleed to the country in hopes to recieve some kind of comfort in the fact that they have escaped tragedy. Others are still unaccounted for and still many Haitians are buried under rubble.

We have lost a few of our children, and perhaps many more. Only time will tell. One of our young adults, his name was Gandy, a 26 year old, 3 year bible collage student was one of those who died. He was at his school called "Ministere Pecheurs d'Hommes" on the main floor. We will grieve the loss greatly as he has helped pastor Michel with many responibilities at the church here. Assnique, was also in the same building, but was on top of the schools floor and some how escaped. She has no injuries, but is very saken up.

Many of the youth were grateful to see us return. It seems to be of some kind of comfort to them knowing we stay to help even in unsafe conditions.

I am spending the night sleeping next door with a group of youth from the church, under the stars. The Charb's sleep in the truck. The house seems to be standing safe. However, the block fence walls that protect the compound are distroyed. Since it is safe I will start sleeping inside.

The last few days we have been cleaning and trying to find food and water. Today we had a youth service, over 200 were in attendace a surprisingly low number. The service was held outside on the street. There was no children's church, as parents are too afraid to let them stray to far from thier sight. The words in this photo say it all " Jesus Delivers" Pray that the Haitians turn to God for thier deliverence of all things.

Many helicopters still fly overhead. Please continue to pray. Especially for the weeks that lay ahead. The streets in many areas seem to have a ghost like feel. Many people gather at what they call "camp sites" for the night scattered through out the city. In the morning, they disperse to continue to look for their loved ones. Hope is slowly starting to fade. i believe the next few weeks will be the quiet before the storm, before riots brake out from lack of food, water, and hope.
Will try to keep in touch as the days go by on what the situation is near us.

Ed was thought to have been missing, but has come back from a trip off a small island of Haiti. He is safe. A medical team from the DR will arive here to help us on Tuesday. If you wish to donate funds, or medical supplies please contact me onn how to do so, or visit my web site http://www.journeyoflove.ca/

In His Service,