Just as we were about to catch our breath and update you on God's continued faithfulness, we were hit with the news this morning that a massive 7.2 magnitude earthquake shook Haiti's southern peninsula.
At the time of writing, the news is reporting 304 confirmed dead, but inevitably, this number will rise. The quake has affected three departments/states: Sud (Les Cayes), Grand-Anse (Jeremie) and Nippe (Miragoane). This is an estimated population of more than 2 million people.
Praise God, we are happy to report that all the children at the orphan sites in Les Cayes and Jeremie are well. However, the children homes in Darivager and Cavaillon have been damaged. Reports are still coming in from our pastors about the heart-breaking loss of members and the incredible destruction done to their churches and communities. Twelve of our pastors are reporting that their homes completely collapsed. These men and their families are among many who are now homeless. Some of our field workers are facing the same issues. There is great fear of the impending after-shocks. So tonight, and for the next several nights, many are sleeping outside their homes, or what is left of it. Hospitals were ill-equipped before the quake. We are at a loss of words as to what to expect medically in the coming days.
Pray with us. We need God's wisdom and a brave heart to know how to serve our brothers and sisters in yet another crisis.
ACTION PLAN:
-Minister to the physical needs: food and medicine. The best way to do this right now, is to do as we did in 2010, to get all supplies from the Dominican Republic, pack them in containers/trucks and drive them over to Haiti.
-To provide temporary shelter: acquire as many tents and tarps as possible for distribution
By God's grace, we recently received a food container. Distribution will begin tomorrow.
Pray! Pray! And pray with us! There are many challenges that await us but we know we have a faithful God.
"And my God will supply every need of yours
according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus."
~Philippians 4:19
I, Dony, will travel on Monday to Haiti, Lord willing, to access and make plans with the pastors. We will do our best to keep you updated.
In His Service,
Dony and Sharon
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