"Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul and forget not his benefits...." This is the psalm of praise recited by the pastor of St. Helene as I visited him last week.
In the midst of destruction and death all around, our pastors are still keeping their focus on the Lord. They were very busy these past several days conducting funerals in Maniche, Cayes, Cambry, La Hatte, Casa Major, St. Louis, Camp Perrin, and the list continues. One pastor commented that he has done more funerals in one week than all of last year combined. Continue to pray for these men as they care for their families and their communities while homeless and churchless.
Thank you for making it possible for ESMI to minister to hundreds of thousands of our brothers and sisters in their time of greatest need. Because you gave, and enabled ESMI to be your hands and feet, ESMI distributed and continues even today to give food:
- 8,450 Bags of Rice (27.5lb per bag)
- 3,450,000 Manna Pack or Similar Meals
- 6,500 Cases of Spaghetti
- 500 Bags of Peas (50lbs per bag)
- 2,300 Bags of Whaet (50lbs per bag)
- 1,300 Gallons of Mazola Cooking Oil
- 2300 Bags of Refined Corn (50lbs per bag)
- 9,800 Cases of Water (24 per case)
- 1200 Tarps
- 400 Tents
Caring for the Medical Needs
*The Chicago Friends of Haiti medical team returned safely yesterday. Thank the Lord for their ministry. They saw about 600 people over 4 days in St. Louis and La Hatte; and also got to spend time with the children at the Cavaillon Children's Village.
*The ESMI medical workers from Cambry saw an additional 958 in the Sud Department
*The ESMI medical staff in the Grand'Anse, with doctors from New Hope Hospital in Cape-Haitienne, have seen over 1,000 people in that department. Because the greatest need seems to be in Pistel, the team will return there this week.
An interesting note: with all medical teams, there is always a time of prayer with each patient seen. May God bring about not only physical healing but also meet the spiritual and emotional needs. Many are still very traumatized.
Thankful for the pastors from the Gonaives presbytery who came to support the pastors in the Sud Department. They visited and prayed with their brothers and brought small financial gifts from their churches. They also went a head of the medical team to provide spiritual encouragement to those waiting to be seen.
Meet ESMI support staff, Fanuel. He wears such a pleasant smile that you would think all is well with him. But not so, his home and small business were destroyed by the quake. He too is homeless with his wife and three children. Yet he and his wife have not skipped a beat in serving and encouraging others.
Photo shows: (L-R) Mary Phil, director of Emmanuel Haiti, Fanuel, and his son
Ted Powers was not only the leader of the Chicago Medical Team, he was also the guest preacher for two nights at the 30-day Revival Conference at the Bon Berger Church in downtown Les Cayes. On Saturday night, 34 people understood the Gospel and gave their lives to Jesus. To God be the glory!
Photo: Ted Powers with baby.
This church is a landmark in downtown Les Cayes and is the very first ESMI church plant with Spanish River Church. Louis St. Germain is the pastor of Bon Berger, a 4,000-member church. The church started a 30-day Revival Conference on August 22. Hundreds have gathered each night for prayer, worship and hearing the preaching of God's Word. To date, the pastors have witnessed 137 conversions! And these new converts are mostly young people! To God be the glory!
But the demolition of this landmark building in downtown Cayes has begun. Since last week, truckload by truckload, this structure is being hauled away. Pray with us that God, with His inexhaustable treasures, will provide all the funds needed to rebuild.
Video below of Bon Berger demolition...
Everyone is now terrified of concrete structures. Here is the proposed structure of wooden homes that are built to hurricane code. Again, we are trusting God for His provision in building these homes and churches.
And here is the proposed construction plan for the 12 ESMI churches destroyed built to earthquake and hurricane code. An estimated $50,000 is needed to rebuild each church to code.
Praise & Prayer Requests
We are grateful for how God provides through His people...
*Thankful for partner churches in south Florida who are collecting earthquake relief items. The first shipment from the south Florida churches is now in southern Haiti. All items, Lord willing, will get distributed this week.
*Thanks also to our Central Florida churches. Last Thursday and Friday lots of boxes were received at El Shaddai Community Church in Winter Haven; on Saturday those were driven to the port of Miami and should be in Haiti by the end of the week.
*Pray that ESMI can obtain 2000 tents and 2000 tarps (15x20) for the following communities in the Grand'Anse (Jeremie) department: Pestel, Paline Matin, Latibolier and Corail. The tent should be for about 5-7 people. A sample of this is on Amazon. Here's the link. Once purchased, these can be sent to El Shaddai Community Church, 2551 Havendale Blvd NW, Winter Haven, FL 33823.
*Pray that ESMI can find/purchase an international, 40ft diesel box truck in the US to send to Haiti. This truck is needed to continue distribution of food and material. The rental of such a truck each day in Haiti is $2000US. A lot could be saved if ESMI had its own!
Thank you all for partnering with us in serving the people of Haiti. Thank you for praying with us and seeing how God answers.
TOP 10 EARTHQUAKE RELIEF NEEDS
Shelter & Home
*Tents *Tarps *Ropes for securing tarp *Blankets *Baby diapers *Feminine Pads *Toothpaste *Tooth Brushes * Soap *Gently worn clothes and shoes
DROP-OFF LOCATIONS
City Rev Church
21113 Johnson St #120
Pembroke Pines, FL 33029
El Shaddai Community Church
2551 Havendale Blvd NW
Winter Haven, FL 33881
Old Cutler Presbyterian Church
14401 Old Cutler Rd,
Palmetto Bay, FL 33158
Spanish River Church
2400 Yamato Rd
Boca Raton, FL 33431
University Presbyterian Church
2562 Rouse Rd
Orlando, FL 32817
Contact Persons: Pastor Tresil at esccwh@gmail.com
WAYS TO GIVE
To donate online, go to the DONATE NOW button and select DISASTER RELIEF
OR
Send a check to:
El Shaddai Ministries Int'l, Inc.
c/o The Keyes Company
2121 SW 3rd Avenue, Suite 101
Miami, FL 33129
Memo: Earthquake Relief