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

A three man point team, Brent Baird, Mark Elliott, and Phillip Harrelson, are in Port au Prince and Cap Haitian, Haiti, from February 22 through the 26th.  Youth Pastor Phillip Harrelson is writing a blog account 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!  They 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.   Thursday, 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!    

 To read in-depth first hand accounts and see pictures, (1) Log onto http://www.whenwecare.com (2) Click the tab at the top marked "Blog."    

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

Partnership with "House of Hope" and "Well of Living Water Ministries"

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 are currently sleeping outside on the ground.  In order to assure safety, no building can be physically used in Port au Prince until it is repaired and passes a structural inspection.  There is an immediate need for financial assistance to purchase tents, food, beds, and make the necessary repairs to the "House of Hope" the girls sleep in.  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.  

2.  Another church/school/orphan ministry that NHMI is partnering with in Port au Prince is Well of Living Water Ministries.  Being at the epicenter of the earthquake, NHMI has already sent monies to help the survivors of this ministry walk forward in His strength and in His grace.

3.  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.