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About the Earthquake In Haiti
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March 5, 2010
Message from Grace Baptist Church
Papillon, Nebraska
Working with Pastor Miguel Angel Castill
Bible Foundation Church, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Please pray for our team serving in Haiti. Pastor Castillo took 7 truckloads of food and medicine to be delivered into villages quite a distance away. He continues to persevere through back pain, allowing the Lord to give him strength. A number of the medical volunteers have fallen ill, but are "not out of the game" so to speak.
We have received an update today, from Heidi. Today's blessing of blessings was the delivery of a baby by Christy! Heidi writes that it is so strange that life continues to move on in so much devastation. This mother was living on the street and will now need to go back onto the street (with a newborn); we are praying that God will provide, which is actually the theme for most people here.
Our group split up today. One to Mission Rescue (where Christi helped with the delivery) and one to a more rural tent city. The mission rescue had some more time today to do some praying. Being in one place for a few days really helped relationally and we were so blessed to have sisters and brothers caring for others and for us. Omai is the leader there and does a beautiful job caring for the Haitians as well as for us.
The other group hit the village tent city, it took us about 1 hour to go 8 miles. We had a good day as well as we too took more time with the people and learned of more of their needs, which are housing, food, just the basics like EVERYONE else needs.
The stories of need and devastation are so plentiful, that Heidi further states, "I am afraid we could all write a volume." Pray that the Lord provides peace and discernment to the volunteers, and a strength and resolve to share gospel, the greatest Hope that can be shared, with all of those devastated by the earthquake. Pray the Lord continue to work upon all of the hearts in Haiti- those serving and those being served.
Grace Baptist Church of Papillon
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March 2, 2010
Pictures from Pastor Luis Arocha's trip to Haiti
IBG Church, Santiago, Dominican Republic
And a message from Angela, a nurse from Grace Baptist Church of Papillion, Nebraska who was on the trip.
Paske, Bondye sitelman renmen lezom li bay sel Pitit li a pou you. Tout moun ki va mete konfyans yo nan li p'ap pedi lavi yo. Okontre y'a gen lavi ki p'ap janm fini an. Jan 3:16
As I knelt by the bedside of one dear patient, his brother taught me how to say this verse in Creole. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16
I thank the Lord for His Word and this truth. It provided hope in the last few weeks as we heard, observed and shared life with many dear Haitian brothers and sisters. On February 13th we arrived in Santiago, Dominican Republic. The following day we spent in fellowship with the people of Iglesia Baptista de Gracia (IBG- Grace Baptist Church) and hearing testimonies of some individuals who had spent the previous weeks in Haiti. One of my favorite things was singing to the Lord in Spanish!! (Annette, Claudia and Josh-- hold me accountable to getting better at mi espanol :) )
On Monday, Feb 15th we headed out at 0330 for Port au Prince, Haiti. After nearly 13hrs of travel over rough terrain, bypassing several strikes near the border, and observing traffic and driving like I've never experienced before, we arrived. The first week our base was a home in Croix des Bouquets, an area near Port au Prince. This home was rented by the IBG pastors as a place to serve from for the next year. One of the joys of the first week was supporting these pastors and other members of our team as they connected with Haitian churches, distributed food and water, set up tents in rural communities that have been overlooked in many ways, and sought the Lord for further long-term direction in how to serve the people of Haiti. While they served in a different capacity, the nursing crew of us headed out to serve in a few of the over 66 hospital and clinic venues across Port au Prince and its' surrounding area that were being filled with medical volunteers.
For me the first week was spent in a clinic that was connected to a local church. I was touched by the heart of Yunick, pastor's wife and triage nurse, and the many Haitian youth whom were spending everyday serving here. The day after the earthquake these youth spent over 15hrs cleaning out this house. The next day they returned to prepare it by stocking medical supplies and opened it just three days after the earthquake. One of the first things we were told by Yunick was that we as nurses are doctors here. None of us were too eager to step out of our scope of practice but we did desire to serve as needed. So, we trusted the Lord to equip as we treated scabies, worms, cuts, wounds, post traumatic stress disorder, impetigo, acid reflux, infection of all sorts...... Many times we knew that even in our provision of physical care the deep hurt of their hearts would not be taken away. We were often able to talk with our patients about this, to share the hope of the gospel and to pray to the One who we know can heal and sustain.
Our drives to and from the places we provided medical care opened our eyes more to the marks of the earthquake-- piles of rubble, 4 story buildings in a heap, collapsed buildings next to untouched ones. Many days I would be praying through that drive, "Lord I don't understand and it doesn't even feel real, please allow me to feel a part of what the Haitians feel in this catastrophe, and to respond with a love and compassion that is of you".
The second week, the majority of our time was spent at a hospital known as CDTI. The hospital itself was not structurally sound so only the OR and on some days the radiology area were of use. The patients were housed in tents outside, vulnerable to weather and increased risks of infections. Our hospital was primarily orthopedics and primary care. We ran a triage/ER area and each day countless dressing changes, plastic surgeries, and debridement of wounds were done alongside teams from France and Mexico. Definitely stretched as far as our creativity with resources and encountering things we have not ran across before-- attempting to follow charting in multiple languages, keeping documentation clear with the lack of continuity as medical volunteers come and go, teaching of medications through language barriers, using what medications we did have to fight infection.
Through all this I was touched by the resilient spirit, contentment and joy I observed in so many of my patients. Each individual with a story- all having lost someone and still fighting from the scars left. We wrestled as one dear man with great faith trusted that the Lord would heal and was not yet ready to give up his leg which had been encouraged in order that the infection would not spread into his bloodstream and cost him his life. Yes, we do believe the Lord is able to heal but we're beginning to understand that even if we ask in great faith the Lord's answer may not always be yes. It drove us to keep praying, to have greater dependency on the Lord.
From our first day as a group there to the very end we were often reminded that there is greater needs than we or even 1000 more people can reach. Our drive out of Port au Prince and news of the 8.8 earthquake in Chile served as additional reminders that the needs are great. So day by day I asked and continue to ask- Heavenly Father, may our hearts respond to the needs of those all over the world and as we seek to meet very evident physical needs may we also know both our own and others' need for you alone.
I'm grateful for your prayers, words of encouragement and love that enabled me to spend the last few weeks in Haiti....thanks for allowing me to share with you. I've attached a few pics (the first being some structural damage from the quake and the other two me with dear patients of mine). The Lord broke my heart for the dear Haitian people and I've left part of it there....
Angela
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| There is much security in and around Port au Prince. We never felt in danger. |
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Six weeks after the earthquake, much of the rubble has been removed from the streets. This is one of the many trucks moving rubble outside of the city. |
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| A market in Carrefour. |
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Carrefour has its drainage system full of garbage. |
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February 27, 2010
Message from Miguel Angel Castillo, and Huáscar de Salas
Pastors, Bible Foundation Church
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Dear Pastors and Brethren,
May the grace and mercy of God our Lord be with you and your family.
We have not been able to send you a report on our work in Haiti for a couple of reasons:
- During the past two weeks we have only been returning from Haiti to Santo Domingo on the weekends to be with the family and the church, and
- As you well know, these trips can wear you out physically and emotionally.
But, what have we done in the past two weeks?
- Delivered a great amount of food rations to very needy people.
- Performed several medical operatives in which more than 1,200 persons were attended, and delivered all the medicines to cover their needs.
- Brought enough food for a month to the two orphanages, where 58 children have been living in very precarious conditions. We also provided them with mattresses, sheets and mosquito nets.
- Delivered medicine, sheets and food to several hospitals.
- In other places, we delivered water and sun resistant canvasses to substitute the old rags under which many people were living, as well as a great quantity of bottled water with evangelistic Bible verses; and many other things the Lord has allowed us to do to help these people in need.
What are our immediate plans? Lord willing…
- Next week we will return with members of other Dominican and American churches to perform medical operatives and help all we can in this situation.
- We will bring food, medicine, bottled water in great supply, and 50 canvasses where 14 persons can be comfortably sheltered in each; in other words, about 700 persons will be able to protect themselves from the sun and rain. Unfortunately the rainy season started and this has aggravated the problems for those who live under old rags.
- We plan to bring about 30,000 children’s catechisms in Creole. These have been insistently requested by the churches where we have visited.
Please pray for the groups that will be traveling next week to Port-Au-Prince and other places that have great needs and have suffered so much because of this tragedy. Pray that in this trip we may not only bring material help, but that we may glorify the Name of the Lord by preaching His Word and doing the work He has called us to, in the love of Christ. The most important thing is that the Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ be glorified in the midst of all this tragedy and that many may come to a saving knowledge of the truth.
Your servants,
Miguel Angel Castillo, and Huáscar de Salas
Pastors, Bible Foundation Church
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
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February 19, 2010
From Angelito in the D.R. to a brother in the states.
Good morning my beloved Keith,
I will be in P-a-P be till today because tomorrow I have the pastoral training (monthly training with 150+ pastors at his church location with IBSJ pastors as instructors) and I must leave for Santo Domingo. But I want to inform you that yesterday was a day of intense work too... the tents arrived sent by Lou (Pastor Sloger, Papillion,NE) and immediately together with the team from IBG (Arocha / Peña, Santiago DR) we started handing them out. Pastor Newton (Peña) is doing a great job. Also, the American team of nurses who are with us this week has worked intensely. Yesterday, we took a large amount of food and water to the cities of Kafu and Leogane, to over 50 churches. Today, before leaving we will be visiting one of the places where orphaned children are that are we helping to bring food,and medicine to, also children's catachisms and we will share the word of God. Keith, there are many more things I'd like to tell you but they won't fit on my BlackBerry. But may all be done here for the glory of our great God and His Son Jesus Christ.
Your friend and brother, and servant of God.
Angelito
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February 17, 2010
Brethren-
A few weeks prior to what they are accustomed to, the rainy season has come upon an already devastated Haiti nation! Traditionally, Haiti will “begin” their rainy season in March. The rains began to fall heavily today.
As Pastor Castillo and many team members were making their way through Port au Prince, and preparing for trips into the mountains, the Lord saw fit to open clouds. Please pray for all of those who remain without shelter in Haiti.
Pray for the volunteers who may be clad in only tennis shoes, instead of boots! This was “unanticipated” in some respects! A specific prayer request includes praying for Pastor Castillo and the medical team (complete with medical and food supplies) who are still preparing their truck for their trip into the mountains tomorrow. The mountain roads are known to “flood over” with heavy rains. Please pray for their safe arrival to their destinations and ability to render the necessary medical aid and food rations!
The praises for the day, however, include a tremendous PRAISE for his sovereignty in that a logistical error allowed nearly 500 tents to be delivered to Santiago today, instead of being delivered into Miami where they would still be awaiting transport to Santiago at a port! Also, Pastor Castillo has begun distributing the Catechisms in Creole to children. 20,000 are being distributed instead of awaiting distribution in two weeks! All supplies that were procured and packed for transport with our current medical missionary teams have arrived! This, for anyone who has traveled to the DR or other countries, is a miracle of miracles in and of itself! Only ONE supply bin was delayed but has now been received!
So, please join us in continual prayer for these servants of our Lord and in praise!
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Click on the pictures to see a larger image.
February 8th, 2010
Posted February 16, 2010
Message from Iglesias Bautistas Sirviendo a Haití
(Baptist Churches Serving Haiti)
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN
After the earthquake that affected the Republic of Haiti, a group of Dominican Baptist churches have joined efforts together with Esperanza International to support the relief efforts for the wounded and the reconstruction of the nation and especially to minister spiritually to all that were affected. These churches are:
- Iglesia Bautista del Nuevo Pacto
- Iglesia Bíblica de la Trinidad
- Iglesia Bíblica del Señor Jesucristo
- Iglesia Fundamento Bíblico
To facilitate the work we are doing, we decided to operate under the name of Iglesias Bautistas Sirviendo a Haití (Baptist Churches Serving Haiti), and we’ll also create a logo that identifies us.
Through the trips conducted by a number of our pastors and members after the earthquake, we have witnessed the reality that the people of Haiti are living, especially in Port-au-Prince and its surroundings. Some of the key issues are:
- Thousands of houses of our fellow Christians and the community in general are destroyed, and others are cracked and uninhabitable. Multitudes are sleeping in the streets and squares.
- Many corpses could be seen on the street, while an unknown number are still under the rubble of the buildings collapsed.
- The electrical service is interrupted and transportation is difficult.
- A high number of survivors had to get amputations due to injuries.
- Many are living in a state of shock and depression in the face of the enormity of the tragedy suffered.
- Hundreds of thousands of people have abandoned the capital city to go to other towns and communities in the country.
As part of several trips to Haiti, we have already undertaken the following initiatives:
- Establish a base of operations in Port-au-Prince, with staff and resources required to organize the work.
- Coordinate efforts with several pastors of Port-au-Prince, who are helping us identify the needs of churches and communities.
- Send and distribute a first shipment of almost 6,000 boxes of food; as well as water, tarps and mattresses.
- Provide medical services to wounded and sick.
Our next steps planned are:
- Continue to send food, water, medicine and other necessities for the victims.
- Continue to support medical operations and initiatives related to health, including water purifiers.
- Provision of tarps for those without shelter, before the start of the rainy season.
- Help to organize teams of Haitian brothers who can work in the demolition of ruins and debris removal. We’re buying sledgehammers, picks, wheelbarrows and chisels to equip such teams. The United Nations Organization has provided front end loaders to collect the debris from the edges of the streets, so it is necessary to get them out there.
- Organize a conference for pastors in the month of March, to help those ministers of God to comfort and encourage the sheep that are under their care. The topics would be: a Christian perspective of tragedy; biblical counseling in times of crisis; and the doctrine of hope.
Those churches, organizations and individuals wishing to become involved, supporting the work we are doing, could do the following:
- Donations in cash. These will be used primarily for: food parcels, cots, tarps, debris cleaning kits, and transportation.
- Volunteer workers, especially physicians, who can join relief operations to the injured, both in Haiti and in the Dominican Republic. For example, Iglesia Bíblica de la Trinidad has installed 15 beds in their building to accommodate Haitian patients dismissed from different hospitals in Santo Domingo, who still need medical care.
- Prayers to the Lord that He gives us wisdom in all this work and to multiply resources, with so many needs.
- Iglesia Fundamento Bíblico
It is crucial that we highlight that given the magnitude of this catastrophe, we are viewing this work as a long term initiative. After overcoming the initial emergency, we are convinced that it will require years to support restoration efforts and development of Haiti, which we hope to do in the context of Christian worldview, and with an eye towards the propagation of the Gospel and advancement of the Kingdom of God.
In the love of Christ,
IGLESIAS BAUTISTAS SIRVIENDO A HAITÍ
(Baptist Churches Serving Haiti)
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Click on the pictures to see a larger image.
February 8, 2010
Message from Pastor Miguel Angel Castillo,
Bible Foundation Church
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
THIRD AID TRIP TO PORT-AU-PRINCE
Dear brethren,
May the grace and mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you!
This is a brief report of our third mission trip to Port-Au-Prince Haiti, from Monday, February 1st, to Friday, February 5th. First we would like to thank God for protecting and guiding our team. Our work was focused on bringing more aid in the form of food, medicine, canvas to cover the groups of people living outdoors and congregations that celebrate their worship services outdoors, and medical assistance to people affected by various wounds and illnesses due to the earthquake.
All our plans were greatly blessed by the Lord, and we were also able to serve in other ways which increased our effectiveness. For example, we used our truck to serve other groups to transport goods and medical personnel to different places. We also searched for other places where we could serve, and found two orphanages where there were 35 children of parents who had died in the earthquake. We saw kids who were literally starving to death. The persons who attend these children didn’t have the strength to go to the distribution centers and bring the supplied they needed. We gave them the little food we had left and immediately went and brought more supplies from other missions operating in Port-Au-Prince. As you can see by the pictures attached to this report, these children are receiving this food with great joy.
Our immediate plan is to return next Wednesday with the necessary aid to help these children. Lord willing, we will bring mats so they won’t have to sleep on the cold floor, mosquito nets, sheets, milk, cereal, beans, canned food, a gas stove for each orphanage so they can cook their meals, water, disinfectant, and anything else we’re able to load up in our ministry truck and another vehicle we’ll rent for that trip.
There is a small school which was destroyed in the outskirts of Port-Au-Prince, in a place called Yamele, and the children don’t want to loose their school year. We will be bringing them the furniture and equipment they need since the Santiago group is going to rebuild the school.
We will also bring a couple of doctors from Nebraska together with Dr. Frank Escoto –who did a great job during our last trip– to perform new medical operative in the communities we visited.
Please join us in thanking God for the work He has allowed us to do for His glory, and continue praying for us.
Your servant, in Christ,
Pastor Miguel Angel Castillo,
Bible Foundation Church
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
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February 6, 2010
Message from Pastor Francisco Guzmán, Bible Church of the Trinity
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Pastors and Churches of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Beloved brothers and sisters in Christ.
To show the compassion of our good God and Savior Jesus Christ we are using the third floor of our building and we opened our arms to receive and accommodate ten patients discharged from hospital named Dario Contrario, with multiple injuries and leg amputations caused by knocked down buildings from the earthquake of Puerto Principe.
I am presenting to you a brief story of some of them that you may pray, please (pray) before the throne of grace, with knowledge, for both their physical and emotional recovery.
Fabiola Pierre
She is a young lawyer, 22 years old, married and the mother of a girl who miraculously survived the earthquake.
At the time of the quake she found herself visiting a friend on the sixth floor of a building that collapsed. Of the 200 inhabitants of the building only three people were pulled out alive from the rubble.
Several days later, she could be transferred to Santo Domingo with a broken hip and femur.
Heavy drops of tears from her cheeks as she recounted her experience. Today feels helpless and depressed. She fights with the memories of that building that was"jumping up and down" under her feet. Even a concrete roof was falling on her and the family she was visiting. She remembers the horrifying screams from those whose bones were being crushed by the pieces of reinforced concrete that were breaking loose due to the impact of the quake.
Mirielle Pierre
She is a 26 year old telling us that when the earthquake began at her home, she was on the second floor of the exclusive area of Petion Ville. That building collapsed and her body was trapped between pieces of concrete from the ceiling and floor, she suffered severe trauma to the head, her thorax and right hand were destroyed. Doctors are making great efforts to save her hand and avoid amputation.
She tells us that there are always present in her mind the roar of the earthquake and the cries of those who were near her. At night she awakens overwhelmed with terror amid the nightmares that assail her. She is a Christian.
When she returns to Port au Prince she is thinking of going into a business and take a cosmetology course. Several family members died.
Natacha Germain
She is 24 years old, single mother of two children. At the time of the earthquake, her home collapsed and wall a trapped her on the floor breaking her femur and hip, she also suffered severe trauma to her face and skull, she is clinging to the Lord who her soul loves.
Living with fear and afraid because he thinks the earth will shake again. Several family members were killed or were severely cut.
She dreams of returning to P-a-P to rebuild their lives and raise her children.
Solanie Castin
25 years old, she was inside his house when the roof and the walls began to break apart and everything fell. Of the 7 people who were in the house, only she and two others were found were alive. Her body received several severe cuts and multiple bruises. She is an orphan and having lost her father and mother, she was living with a cousin and his family who died in the earthquake. She does not know where to go when the Lord raises her from her bed. She remains homeless and without a family. She sees her future bleak and uncertain, saying that she would not want to return to Port au Prince.
Suzette Fanfan
She is 33 years old, worked as a teacher in an orphanage, when the earthquake came she was working and the entire building fell on her. Several children died. Her hip was torn into four pieces, her forearm was broken in two, she will will be immobile for several months. She feels very depressed and while she sleeps she is assaulted by nightmares of the earthquake.
Madline Etienne
She is 40 years old, mother of 7 children, when the earthquake occurred it was working like a vendutera (?) in the street. When the earthquake unleashed, a wall fell on her and her left leg was shattered, several days later she was taken off the street and moved to the Hospital Dario Contreras where they had to amputate her leg to save her life.
From the hospital she a came to our lodging place with a bacteria that nearly took her life, she stayed 6 days in a clinic where she was cured from the bacteria. She is Christian. Her house collapsed and thanks be to God, none of her children was seriously affected.
Louis Delva
She is a young 16 year old and was at school when the earthquake came. Of the 10 people who were in the classroom only three were taken out alive. Dozens of students died being crushed by debris. Her femur was broken in two and also her pelvis. Her mother who cares for her and she and her are very traumatized and they suffer from insomnia.
Pray that God's grace will be manifested in the lives of these people so that their lives can be restored. That the Lord will give us wisdom to minister to them in such a way as to be able to remove the emotional trauma that they are suffering.
Pray also for wisdom for the doctors and nurses who are attending them that they might achieve speedy and complete recovery.
Pray that the Lord will restore the material possessions needed to live that they lost.
As you have already seen, they lost everything. Pray that their bodies will return to being productive after spending so many months in medical treatment and physical therapies.
The generous hand of people of God has extended in order to help us to serve them in everything they lacked.
Remember that in Puerto Principe there are two million people who lost their homes and lost everything. For these individuals it will not be easy coming home and finding nothing. Pray that the Lord will help them in the midst of their desolation to fill themselves with God and with his blessed hope.
Pastor, Francisco Guzmán
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January 29, 2010
Message from Carl Key, Founder Partners In Christ
Ashland, Ohio
Dear concerned Christians,
I have just returned from the Dominican Republic. While there, I was able to talk with some of those, who are making trips to bring relief to the needy in Haiti. These men have had an ongoing involvement with about 650 pastors in Haiti and their churches of various sizes for the past several years. The brothers from the D. R. have been holding teaching conferences as well as delivering aid. 70 of the 650 pastors with which they have been working were killed in the earthquake.
Needless to say, there is discouragement among the Christian brothers and sisters in Haiti. The teams of brothers from the Dominican have been trying to encourage them by ministering the Word of God. They also are taking aid to help meet the great physical need. As you have been seeing on TV there is wide spread destruction and lack of necessities.
The relief workers from the D.R. have been helping to transport people to medical facilities as well as distributing relief supplies. They are distributing kits, which will help meet basic needs for a family for one week. These kits include things like soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, plates, spoons, bleach and a variety of different kinds of packaged and canned foods. Also they are distributing small foam mattresses, sheets, and mosquito nets.
I was in a meeting with the church members of IBSJ, in which their pastor told them that they would need to be involved in helping Haitians for many years. They were meeting together to put bulk foods donated by a local food supermarket into smaller containers. The relief teams have plans to organize the Haitians into helping themselves. They are giving them basic tools like shovels and picks to be able to start removing the debris.
They will be paid with water, food, and other supplies for their work. Some of the injured and displaced have come into the D.R seeking medical help in the hospitals there. One of the churches close to a hospital has begun to use the church facility to care for the overflow of patients. Some church members have seen up to 20 relatives come to live with them seeking shelter. The church is helping these members to have food to provide for their relatives.
As you can see there is a huge spiritual and humanitarian need to be met. Partners In Christ is one of several groups both American and Dominicans who the Lord is using to provide funds. Thank you for your generosity in making a gift. I was able to take $6000 with me. There is still money being received, our total has reached $7500. We will be sending more money in about 10 days. Everyone involved appreciates the support you have given. Keep praying for those who need help and those who are providing the help.
Serving together for the glory of God’s kingdom.
Carl Key
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Click on the pictures to see a larger image.
January 28, 2010
Message from Pastor Miguel Angel Castillo,
Bible Foundation Church
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Dear Brothers in Christ,
May the grace and mercy of God be with you!
On Monday, January 18, we returned to Port-Au-Prince with our initial group comprised of Pastors Samuel Nina, Héctor Santana, a team of doctors from The International Baptist Church and Grace Baptist Church of Santiago, and Pastor Newton, and we went to the outskirts of the city to a hospital belonging to a group of Haitian pastors head by Pastor Herodes Guimettres. Everyone agreed that I should stay and help that hospital with my truck serving as a makeshift ambulance, delivering food and consoling those affected by the earthquake. At that medical center they were taking care of patients with minor traumas, and those who needed major surgery or amputation were taken to other hospitals in Port-Au-Prince.
The big problem now is adequate treatment of the physical and emotional traumas as well as the hunger and thirst of many people who have sought refuge in the outskirts of town; people with infected wounds, many of whom have contracted tetanus and are dying. On Tuesday, February 2, Lord willing, I will return to Port-Au-Prince to serve with a group of doctors from Nebraska and Santiago, Dominican Republic. They have been working with these people along with the group from our churches and Hope International, bringing canvases to make tents, medical equipment, medicine and food.
Please pray for the groups that are working in the midst of this tragedy: that God would continue to protect them. Pray that each group would exalt and show the glory of God and the greatness of His kingdom in this time of great testing. Also, please pray for Grace Baptist Church of Essex, Ontario, Canada, for Pastor Richard Valade and the missions group of that church; for Grace Baptist Church of Papillón, Nebraska, and Pastor Lou Slogger, who responded the same day we called for help; for Pastor Keith Maddy, who has responded immediately to all our calls; and for two faithful heroines that are doing a titanic job in this tragedy since the start, and who are considered by the Haitians as the “first ladies” of Port-Au-Prince –Karina de la Hoz, of Oasis Christian Church and Omaira (I can’t recall her last name) of Youth for Christ. These two young ladies and their group have greatly exalted the name of God and His kingdom. May God bless and protect them as they continue to serve, and bless all of you who are praying and helping us for Haiti.
I’m sending some photos showing our groups at work. Some are rather crude, so please use them at your discretion,
In the love of Christ, your servant,
Miguel Angel Castillo
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January 27, 2010
Message from Pastor Francisco Guzmán, Bible Church of the Trinity
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
After having traveled to Port au Prince this past weekend, we met with the elders of IBSJ and Carlos Pimentel from The Foundation of Hope, to assess the post-earthquake situation, and to plan the way forward in the short and long term:
We decided to open a office with two employees who will organize and coordinate all our work there.
Given the reality that thousands of homes of our brothers and those of the people in general are destroyed and others are severely fractured and uninhabitable, it was decided that the pastors should take an inventory of the various affected sister churches.
We will provide food and water in exchange for their using their hands to remove debris.
The odor caused by human feces and decomposed bodies under the rubble is unbearable.
We're buying sledgehammers, picks, wheelbarrows and chisels for our brothers in the faith in order that they may return as soon as possible to the pieces of land where their houses were. It is our goal to be able to involve the churches and communities in building low cost houses with the funds that are coming in and to pay them (the workers) with food and water.
Pray that the Lord will give us wisdom in all this work and that he will multiply the loaves and fishes before a sea of needs so great.
On the spiritual side, we saw the tremendous need to minister the Word of God to pastors and church leaders in Port-au-Prince, as they found themselves confused, depressed and broken hearted to see their buildings demolished and thousands of their sheep killed or injured .
We are organizing a pastors conference for the first week of March with IBSJ pastors, pray that the Lord will give us grace to encourage them to continue moving forward under these present conditions.
On our third floor classroom area we are furnishing 15 beds to accommodate patients who come from different (filled to capacity) high rise hospitals. Pray for the physical and emotional recovery of the patients. Several are believers. We have amputees, broken bones, diverse contusions. Pray for wisdom for the doctors of our churches that are giving assistance.
Atte.
Pastor Francisco Guzmán
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January 19, 2010
Message from Pastor Widmy Mervilus (a Haitian minister living in the DR)
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Thanks, brother for your care for me. I went Haiti with Pastor Casillo and Jean Pierre. We got into Haiti on Thursday and turn back on Friday. When I got there seeing all what had happened I was terrible sick. But I feel prepare now to go and do all what is possible to see were my family are or what is happening with them. I see that communication is going better, and now I believe that I can take a bus to my city.
I will be careful to go alone. I pray God to always find someone to go with me. Also some time I will spend time there to avoid to much traveling, maybe a week or two.
Today I will be working in Elias Pina with a project to take provision to the people of Haiti, and in this afternoon, Pastor Castillo is coming down for us together get into Haiti tomorrow morning (1/19). I will be traveling frequently to Haiti during these next months because I will be supervising an office there in Haiti that will be administrating help for my people there.
Brother, continue with prayers.
Love, Pastor Widmy
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January 18, 2010
Message from Pastor Francisco Guzmán, Bible Church of the Trinity
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Pastors and Sister Churches
This is to let you know that on the premises of our church we are putting to use the third floor Sunday school area for receiving traumatized patients from the Dario Contreras Hospital (close to us) that they cannot receive, because no more patients will fit from the earthquake.
As of Wednesday morning we will have about fifteen patients receiving necessary treatment, the Secretary of our nation's public health doctors will be offering to assist the wounded.
Pray that the Lord will allow us to minister to traumatized souls, those who are suffering from what doctors call post tragedy stress, besides the multiple wounds, bruises, trauma and broken bones.
Next Thursday we will be leaving for Puerto Principe, with Pastor Castillo, Jean Pierre Kawas, Carlos Pimentel from Esperanza Foundation (well known to IBSJ) and others to establish an office with a staff administrator Haitian / Dominican to coordinate all the aid we are receiving.
On Sunday we will be preaching in places where refugees are in abundance. Pray that the Lord will give us grace to minister to the intimate spiritual needs and He keep us from the dangers surrounding us all.
Attentively
Francisco Guzmán
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January 16, 2010
Message from Pastor Miguel Angel Castillo, Inglesia Fundamento Biblico (Bible Foundation Church)
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
May the grace and mercy of God be with you.
On Thursday morning we were able to enter Port Au Prince, Haiti, and we found a city full of dead people lying in the streets and survivors in shelters without anyone to help. Until today the only assistance they were receiving was from the Dominican government. Aide is going to start coming in tomorrow, but until now there is only death, desolation and fear because the earth hasn’t ceased to tremble.
Nobody has escaped this tragedy. We received news from a group of pastors with whom we have fellowship, that seventy of their number were either dead or disappeared. We were able to confirm this news by visiting some of their churches, totally destroyed and full of dead brothers and sisters still trapped beneath the rubble. Last night there was another aftershock. We were all gripped with panic, and there were cries of desperation throughout the entire city. The news transmitted by most of the international networks has not even conveyed 20 percent of the real situation in Haiti. There is no functioning government, no institutions, no hospitals; but yes, one big chaos. Many of the brothers and sisters who have survived are finding shelter in churches in nearby towns.
We can’t give you all the details of this tragedy, maybe one of the greatest in all of human history; but next week we will return to Haiti to bring everything we can to help alleviate this situation. We will also be working with our brothers and sisters who moved to other towns.
Brethren, please pray for us because we are trying to obtain canned food, bottled water, antibiotics, canvas for temporary shelters, beds, milk for children and adults, gauze and any other thing that could be useful in this tragic situation.
In the love of Christ, your servant,
Miguel Angel Castillo
Pastor, Iglesia Fundamento Bíblico
(Bible Foundation Church)
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January 14, 2010
As you know, the Dominican Republic shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti.
I have been in contact with our people in the Dominican Republic. They felt the earthquake that hit Haiti on Tuesday January 12th. Thank God there has been no damage in the Dominican Republic. Neither Logos, nor the work in Juan Tomás and other places we are working in were effected by the earthquake.
However, Lester Flaquer, the administrated at Logos Christian School and director of ACSI Dominicana reported to me that the damage in Haiti is severe. The loss of life is great.
I am sure many of you have been seeing the devastation on television. If you would like to contribute to the relief efforts in Haiti, you can make checks to Partners In Christ and mail them to the address for Partners In Christ below. Please mark them for Haitian relief fund. We will see that 100% of the funds get to those in need in Haiti. We have a working relationship and a direct connection to pastors in Haiti. Thus the funds can go directly through these pastors and churches to help those in need. I will be going to the Dominican Republic on January 20th, Wednesday. I will take the gifts with me. Thank you for your compassion.
Carl Key
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