Earthquake Relief   

"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;

I will guide you with My eye."  Psalm 32:8

What's happening in March 2010 ?  NMHI Board of Directors are reviewing directives for the long term vision in assisting House of Hope , handicapped facility, in Port au Prince.  -- Purchasing property -- Constructing a compound -- Establishing a vocational center --Financing horticulture and/or aquaculture projects, etc.  Mark Elliott, President of NHMI Board of Directors, shares:  "This is a big dream, but the need is bigger .  The "bigness" of God is revealed through the "bigness" of our dream.  In a nation that has suffered one of the greatest human tragedies in history, God desires to demonstrate that through His church, His grace and restoration are greater!  May the glory of God cover Haiti as the waters cover the sea, and may this nation that has been covered in darkness become a sign and wonder of the light of God's incomparable glory."  

A three man point team, Brent Baird, Mark Elliott, and Phillip Harrelson, served in Port au Prince and Cap Haitian, Haiti, from February 22 through the 26th.  Youth Pastor Phillip Harrelson wrote a daily blog of their experiences. 

Tuesday morning, 7 a.m .  Interesting night.  About 1:30 a.m., 2 aftershocks measuring 4.1 on the Richter scale, shook the two-story compound where we are staying.  People moved their mattresses outside.   Tuesday afternoon, 12:30 p.m .  The devastation seems endless.  The stench -- the sounds.  It's so hard to grasp!  T hey say 250,000 people met God here on January 12, most within the time frame of 37 minutes .  Many of these buildings have not been touched, much less bodies extracted.

Tuesday evening, 8:30 p.m.   Today we traveled into the epicenter of the earthquake and the destruction was indescribable!  The home for the handicapped girls is a miracle in and of itself.  It was full of young ladies in wheelchairs and on crutches.  Everyone made it out alive - although some were trapped for hours.  Some were even pulled out by prisoners who had just escaped before the prison was destroyed by earthquake tremors.   What a powerful sight it was to see a large circle of girls in wheelchairs studying the Bible.  The refugee camp (tent city) was not just housing the girls, but others displaced by the quake.  Tents were spread over what was the floor of a massive hospital that had collapsed.  

Beautiful Haitian children have lived through something that no war veteran should have to see.  Not just dead bodies pulled into the streets by the tens of thousands, but for many the bodies of their parents and siblings.  Their scars are many, and there is no salve for dealing with their anquish outside of Jesus. 

Wednesday night, 9:30 p.m.   Today we surveyed land that might become a compound, a safe haven, for the handicapped girls.  I learned that those who have a handicap are considered cursed in Haiti .  Very little is done for a child with a disability.  What a unique opportunity we have to show redemptive love to these girls.  Many details still need to be considered, but I saw enough to get VERY excited! 

Afternoon plans include flying overland to Cap Haitian where NHMI ministries are located.   T hursday, 5:30 p.m.   Today has been a terrific day.  We traveled to 3 of the 4 church/school locations of New Hope Missions.  700 children annually receive a Christian based education,  Although school is still suspended nationwide due to the earthquake, I was able to see many of the sponsored kids!  One hundred poverty stricken children are in the NHMI sponsorship program.  They live in extreme poverty; so, the monthly support given to one child goes a long ways and is greatly appreciated!    

    Thank you for your team involvement through effective and fervent prayer! 

Partnership with "House of Hope"

During the last two years, NHMI has developed a working relationship with Brother Edy , founder of "House of Hope." This is a ministry  to the handicapped population within Port au Prince -- which mainly serves handicapped young girls.  Because of the damage to their facility, the girls have been safely relocated to a refugee camp known as a "tent city." FYI: In order to assure safety, no building can be physically used in Port au Prince until it is repaired and passes a structural inspection. 

Also, during the earthquake, many more Haitians suffered loss of arms and legs.  Amputation was necessary for survival.   Prayer Request : Additional prostheses are needed as well as technicians to adjust the artificial limbs.  

Haitian refugees are relocating to Cap Haitian, Limonade, and Milot from Port au Prince.  Our desire is to be prepared as a Mission to assist with the immediate needs of those who find "renewed hope" in northern Haiti.  Please pray for NHMI Haitian pastors as they daily cope with the untold grief of paramount loss.