Haiti Hit Hard and Still Suffering

I have taken the liberty to include a few pictures from some of the websites that I will mention below. I hope you will still take the time to look at the links listed to view other photos and read the personal accounts of those who have been there. I believe that these accounts will stir your emotions and fill your heart with a sense of believing in the goodness of others and the power of God.

One after another they came in a short period of time. First there was Fay, then Tropical Storm Gustav, then Tropical Storm Hannah, and the last devastation by Hurricane Ike all in a matter of a month. The Haitians barely had time to regroup or recover from each surge of disaster. It is a very real possibility that they will be hit with more.

I have heard from Saint-Victor of MSMBH a couple of times by email and also had a chance to talk with Actionnel of OFCB a few days before Hurricane Ike arrived in Texas. The primary thing they could share was that people were sick, starving and dying everywhere, every single day, and the water just kept coming and coming. Both Pastors have taken several families into their homes and are relying on the help of God and others to bring some relief.

As of today, there is still no clean running water. The roads between Gonaives and Bayonnais have been washed out or covered in debris in many areas. Even the bridge in Bayonnais was significantly damaged by floodwaters. Most of the farming crops have been destroyed as well as the majority of the livestock.

There was, however, one amazing blessing that came to Bayonnais and that was literally delivered by helicopter with God's grace and the efforts of many to coordinate the huge task of trying to take food, water, and medical supplies to the thousands who were very ill and starving in the community of Bayonnais .

The following is a list of websites to read the heartwarming stories told by different missionaries and see the happy faces of those who were blessed to receive. The first is the OFCB website at http://www.ofcbministries.org/ Click the links on the left of the screen for the Newsletters and the Pictures. There are three great postings by David Nichols regarding the relief efforts. The next is the website of the Myers Park United Methodist Church in Charlotte, NC. Read about Rev. Kevin Wright and how he managed to coordinate the fantastic mission to get supplies to Bayonnais by clicking on this link:

http://i.b5z.net/i/u/696924/f/Cornerstones/2008Cornerstone09_24-all.pdf. After reading the front page of the article, scroll down to page three to read the rest of the story and see the picture of the helicopter. The actual website for Myers Park is http://www.mpumc.org/

The third is for the Doctors Without Borders and their efforts to bring help and relief to the suffering. Click on this link to the most recent news: http://doctorswithoutborders.org/news/article.cfm?id=3104&msource=ADN080901E01 which explains what they are doing in many areas of Haiti. The actual website is: http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/ These doctors are truly God's angels who go to Haiti and other countries to offer their services for a good cause.

There are many websites and other organizations that have their hearts in Haiti and have been helping for years. Of course, Bayonnais is closest to my heart but I have personally seen and experienced the dire living conditions in other towns and cities of Haiti and know that it is only so much worse now than before.

If anyone is interested in helping with the community of Bayonnais (and also with Gonaives where many lives are closely related to Bayonnais), then please check out the OFCB website for the information on how you can help. The South Mecklenburg Presbyterian Church in Charlotte, N.C. has set up a U.S. account for the OFCB ministries and will forward all funds to Pastor Actionnel. The Myers Park United Methodist Church is also raising funds for Flood Relief.
At this time I am unable to reach Pastor Saint-Victor and know that he does not have the ability to set up an account for MSMBH as of yet; muchless, get to a city where one can be opened. I can only pray that the blessings that are received in Bayonnais will be shared by all. Saint-Victor said that as far as he knew, my kids were okay but, as we know now, they are all suffering. Keep the people of Haiti in your prayers.

Here in Texas, the coast was slammed pretty hard by Hurricane Ike. The islands of Galveston and Bolivar were hit the hardest and the pictures are very similar to what we are seeing in Haiti. Here in the Houston and surrounding areas, there are many families without homes, power, food or water. I know that other states were affected as well as the huge storm moved up through the eastern part of Texas and on up through the northeastern areas of the U.S. Ike truly was a merciless Hurricane.

This photo is of the only house left standing on the Gulf Coast side of Gilchrist, TX, which is part of the Bolivar Peninsula across from Galveston Island.

There are millions of souls who have serious needs so please help whenever and wherever you can. God's Blessings to all.