I realize it has been a few days since I posted an update... my apologies! I guess I was just too overwhelmed with everything to try to write it all down.
On Monday Indy (our school director) and Petion (Manis' brother) returned from Port-au-Prince. They had gone to take in some supplies and to check on family and our Lemuel kids. With them they brought cameras that we had sent with them, full of images from Port-au-Prince. I don't think I am even going to post them here. I am sure you have seen a lot on the news and some of them I wish I could erase from my own mind. That evening a trailer from Bruce Robinson arrived with all kinds of supplies for Bolosse. The men transferred everything over to our dump truck (no easy task!!!) and got it ready to leave
Tuesday Indy headed back in to Port-au-Prince with the dump trunk since the driver didn't know how to get to Bolosse Campus.
On the way back on Wednesday the dump truck broke down. It is now on the property of a mission that we work with (CAM). We are trying to figure out a way to get it fixed and back here. We would appreciate your prayers as it is really needed.
Below is the most recent update from Cindy McMartin on Bolosse campus...
Greetings!
This morning began with the 6.0 quake. There were at least 2 houses that fell down in the neighborhood around us. It was kind of discouraging because we thought maybe there wouldn’t be anymore big ones. Thank you for messages from you with encouragement from God’s Word. You continue to minister to us with your messages of love, prayers, and the Word.
This morning we had a medical group with another mission who was already in country arrive up here to give a hand. They spent all day up here seeing patients. It was so encouraging to have them here and to see people receiving some medical care. They are returning tomorrow.
A dump truck from our missionary family (Dilus/Robinson) in NW Haiti also arrived last evening. It was loaded with tools/equipment (jack hammer, bolt cutter, generator, wheel barrows, etc). Judy also sent in clothing and sacks of rice and gunny sacks full of plantains. Judy even had the driver get us some peanut butter in one of the cities they passed through on their way in – peanut butter and bread have become a major staple for us – it’s quick and seems to stick to our ribs.
The men who have been working so hard here on campus were running out of energy. Because we had received the food supplies, I had Eliette come and she cooked up some large pans of rice and plantains. All the workers and guards here on campus were able to receive some nourishment today.
Monday, the men went into the Seminary building to retrieve computers, files, and valuables in professors’ and administrator’s offices. Bruce climbed in a hole above his door – sure glad he told me that after he finished – and had a ladder inside so used that to climb back out. He got his laptop, office computer, monitor, printer, files, and a personalized desk calendar with pictures of our 2 grandsons that he’d gotten for Christmas – worth risking your life for, right?! Tuesday he helped the UEBH get into their offices to help retrieve things. After coming out of the finance office door that had been shut, it would not shut again – so he realized things were still shifting. He will not be going back in until we have some expertise help.
We had our kids clubs again today. I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to do mine because it had been such a busy day (and I didn’t eat lunch until 6 pm), but God gave strength and also a young Haitian lady who worked with me. She had such energy and enthusiasm and really got the kids involved. Yesterday I had been so surprised to see how little my group (5-7 year-olds) knew of Bible stories or even the simple choruses I was singing with them. Today I reviewed the Bible story with them and sang the same songs and it was great to see how much they had retained – one girl was even able to recite the Bible verse. After today, I think they all know the story, verse and songs. It was a good time with these dear kids.
So, it’s been a full day. God is answering your prayers and giving us health and strength and providing for our needs. Several Haitian friends (ladies) have brought us buckets of water these past few days. We are tired, and it’s not enjoyable living like this, but God has a plan and we continue on as He gives strength and direction. Please keep praying.
Must go to bed. Our love to each one of you,
Cindy for Bruce too
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Sunday, January 17, 2010
From Cindy Mc Martin
Please read all of this... especially the end. God's ways are not our ways...
Greetings!
I’ll start with good news – we all need some of that!!! Jehu and boys are all alive. The house they are renting collapsed. Only Jehu and Inocin were inside – a miracle they got out alive. David Schmid, Bruce and I made our first trip off the campus yesterday. Jehu’s was our first stop. When I saw the boys all sitting there in the driveway, I lost it. Just a lot of pent-up emotions and I was so thankful to see them alive…especially after all we had just driven through. Their new building on the property outside of the city is still standing. The walls that were going up on the last floor fell, but the rest of the building seems solid. I was able to obtain 2 boxes of some aid food during the day, so we dropped this by for the boys on our way back home. Anyhow, praise God with us for this blessing of safety for Jehu and boys.
Our goal in going off campus was to try and find medical supplies and to make contact with organizations/teams that could give us assistance up here. It was a long and tiring day, but we made some good contacts and did come back with some boxes of medical supplies. All we met said they had not seen any UN or US army troops out at all yet. We know aid has arrived here, but also realize that there is no structure/organization within the Haitian government to help get things mobilized. Today we have heard/seen many helicopters flying over so we believe things have begun to move.
I came home very discouraged. The sites around town were just so devastating. Even though I already knew it, it became even more clear that this will not be an easy fix/repair and that life will become even harder in the days ahead. The stench of death was terrible.
This morning we had a service here on campus in the yards. A time of singing and prayer and then Jacques Louis, a Seminary administrator and professor, brought a message from God’s Word. He challenged us to have the same attitude as David did towards God when he was in the midst of so many trials; to trust in God’s sovereign control and to not take revenge in our own hands; to let God give blessing in place of the hardships we are now facing in His own time. It was good to be together and to be encouraged from God’s Word. An opportunity was given at the end for those who wanted to put their trust in Jesus for salvation to come forward. About 15 boys and young men went forward. Seminary students, professors, and others talked/prayed with them individually after the service. Bruce came up to the house to get a bit of fuel and matches to burn the charms/fetishes of one young man. So, more good news: the addition of these men and boys to the family of God.
Tremors continue – had at least 4 today – the last two I was told were 4.7 and 4.6. So the people continue to be fearful to return to any structure that is left of their home.
We will be receiving a team of 4 men sent by CrossWorld this week. Two of the men are from Crisis Consulting International. They are coming to help us make a plan and to give us some training in what we’re doing here.
We have been so encouraged and ministered to by your emails sharing your prayers of scripture for us, verses to uplift us, your love and concern, and information from there to help us get connected with what’s going on here and some aid. Thank you all.
I know this is long, but there is one more thing I have to share. This morning I received some news – it was a report on a press conference of the President of Senegal. This is a short version of what it said: SENEGAL'S president on Sunday called for Africa to make room for victims of Haiti's earthquake to restart their lives on the continent from where their ancestors were snatched as slaves. His spokesman Mamadou Bamba Ndiaye gave further details of the proposals. 'If it is just a few people, we will offer them a roof and a patch of land; if they come in large numbers, we will give them a whole region.'
Does man every know or understand the plans of God?! What if this is his way to get 100’s of Haitian believers to this country and continent? We want to follow up on this so pray that God will continue to give direction and open doors.
Our love to you all. We continue to need your prayers,
Cindy for Bruce too
Greetings!
I’ll start with good news – we all need some of that!!! Jehu and boys are all alive. The house they are renting collapsed. Only Jehu and Inocin were inside – a miracle they got out alive. David Schmid, Bruce and I made our first trip off the campus yesterday. Jehu’s was our first stop. When I saw the boys all sitting there in the driveway, I lost it. Just a lot of pent-up emotions and I was so thankful to see them alive…especially after all we had just driven through. Their new building on the property outside of the city is still standing. The walls that were going up on the last floor fell, but the rest of the building seems solid. I was able to obtain 2 boxes of some aid food during the day, so we dropped this by for the boys on our way back home. Anyhow, praise God with us for this blessing of safety for Jehu and boys.
Our goal in going off campus was to try and find medical supplies and to make contact with organizations/teams that could give us assistance up here. It was a long and tiring day, but we made some good contacts and did come back with some boxes of medical supplies. All we met said they had not seen any UN or US army troops out at all yet. We know aid has arrived here, but also realize that there is no structure/organization within the Haitian government to help get things mobilized. Today we have heard/seen many helicopters flying over so we believe things have begun to move.
I came home very discouraged. The sites around town were just so devastating. Even though I already knew it, it became even more clear that this will not be an easy fix/repair and that life will become even harder in the days ahead. The stench of death was terrible.
This morning we had a service here on campus in the yards. A time of singing and prayer and then Jacques Louis, a Seminary administrator and professor, brought a message from God’s Word. He challenged us to have the same attitude as David did towards God when he was in the midst of so many trials; to trust in God’s sovereign control and to not take revenge in our own hands; to let God give blessing in place of the hardships we are now facing in His own time. It was good to be together and to be encouraged from God’s Word. An opportunity was given at the end for those who wanted to put their trust in Jesus for salvation to come forward. About 15 boys and young men went forward. Seminary students, professors, and others talked/prayed with them individually after the service. Bruce came up to the house to get a bit of fuel and matches to burn the charms/fetishes of one young man. So, more good news: the addition of these men and boys to the family of God.
Tremors continue – had at least 4 today – the last two I was told were 4.7 and 4.6. So the people continue to be fearful to return to any structure that is left of their home.
We will be receiving a team of 4 men sent by CrossWorld this week. Two of the men are from Crisis Consulting International. They are coming to help us make a plan and to give us some training in what we’re doing here.
We have been so encouraged and ministered to by your emails sharing your prayers of scripture for us, verses to uplift us, your love and concern, and information from there to help us get connected with what’s going on here and some aid. Thank you all.
I know this is long, but there is one more thing I have to share. This morning I received some news – it was a report on a press conference of the President of Senegal. This is a short version of what it said: SENEGAL'S president on Sunday called for Africa to make room for victims of Haiti's earthquake to restart their lives on the continent from where their ancestors were snatched as slaves. His spokesman Mamadou Bamba Ndiaye gave further details of the proposals. 'If it is just a few people, we will offer them a roof and a patch of land; if they come in large numbers, we will give them a whole region.'
Does man every know or understand the plans of God?! What if this is his way to get 100’s of Haitian believers to this country and continent? We want to follow up on this so pray that God will continue to give direction and open doors.
Our love to you all. We continue to need your prayers,
Cindy for Bruce too
Update
Hi everyone,
I am sorry I haven't updated in a while. We have been trying to contact relief organizations to tell them about what is going on at Bolosse. Yesterday our friend Lara in California was able to get a few on the phone and we wrote to any we could think of. We gave them all the address and GPS coordinates. Today I heard from Bolosse that a lot of helicopters were flying overhead so I pray that they were scouting them out and will get to them soon. Today Lara was also able to talk to the woman in charge of World Vision's efforts in Haiti right now. It was a miracle she got through... just as the woman was walking into a meeting to decide their next steps! Her phone hadn't been working at all and then it rang and it was Lara.
We are praying that help will get there soon.
Thank you all for your prayer support. Please pray specifically for strength and energy. I am beginning to feel the effects of the stress, lack of sleep, and days in front of the computer. I cannot imagine how it must be for those in Port. I know they are getting weary and the adrenaline is wearing off and reality is setting in. This is FAR from over and we will be dealing with the effects for a long long time. We need wisdom and perspective.
I am sorry I haven't updated in a while. We have been trying to contact relief organizations to tell them about what is going on at Bolosse. Yesterday our friend Lara in California was able to get a few on the phone and we wrote to any we could think of. We gave them all the address and GPS coordinates. Today I heard from Bolosse that a lot of helicopters were flying overhead so I pray that they were scouting them out and will get to them soon. Today Lara was also able to talk to the woman in charge of World Vision's efforts in Haiti right now. It was a miracle she got through... just as the woman was walking into a meeting to decide their next steps! Her phone hadn't been working at all and then it rang and it was Lara.
We are praying that help will get there soon.
Thank you all for your prayer support. Please pray specifically for strength and energy. I am beginning to feel the effects of the stress, lack of sleep, and days in front of the computer. I cannot imagine how it must be for those in Port. I know they are getting weary and the adrenaline is wearing off and reality is setting in. This is FAR from over and we will be dealing with the effects for a long long time. We need wisdom and perspective.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
The Body of Christ
I have been overwhelmed today at what we can do when we work together and help one another. Below is an email I received from a CrossWorld missionary. Some of you may remember the group of youth from here who went on donkey and mule to take IVs to the hospital in Passe Catabois after the hurricanes. I got tears in my eyes as I read this email...
Word from Bolosse is that you sent them some culligan water but Phyllis is worried that you are going to run short yourself. We filter our water here and have an unlimited supply. Do you need filtered water? There is a man who works with us whose life was probably saved by the IVs that you sent here after the hurricanes. If he needs to return the favor let us know. Bruce
We are fine on water right now. Aunt Phyllis is so sweet to worry about us when she is going through what she is going through! But I just think it is incredible how we can all help each other and work together if we are all willing to give a little.
Word from Bolosse is that you sent them some culligan water but Phyllis is worried that you are going to run short yourself. We filter our water here and have an unlimited supply. Do you need filtered water? There is a man who works with us whose life was probably saved by the IVs that you sent here after the hurricanes. If he needs to return the favor let us know. Bruce
We are fine on water right now. Aunt Phyllis is so sweet to worry about us when she is going through what she is going through! But I just think it is incredible how we can all help each other and work together if we are all willing to give a little.
Perspective
"This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope. The Lord's lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. 'The Lord is my portion,' says my soul, 'Therefore I have hope in Him.'" Lamentations 3:21-24
Thank you Vladimir Jeune for this reminder.
Thank you Vladimir Jeune for this reminder.
Update from Cindy Mc Martin
Greetings, again, Everyone!
First of all, thank you everyone who has written expressing your concern, love, and prayers. It has been a huge encouragement to us.
There is not a lot new or different, but I realize it helps to hear some news from here.
We were awaken early this a.m. by a few strong tremors. Immediately the people all around started calling out to God, singing and praying. We soon realized that going back to sleep was going to be impossible. We lay in bed awhile though because we felt so weary. It’s hard to start a new day feeling this way, especially when we know what awaits us. It’s a combination of emotional stress and a lot of hard work on the men’s part – digging, slugging away at breaking up big cement columns, and pulling away the rubble.
About 5 p.m. the men finally succeeded in removing the body of one student that was trapped in the rubble. This student’s father had come up yesterday asking about his son because he hadn’t heard from him. Bruce told him the news that they believed he was trapped in the rubble. The man, a pastor, broke down and just clung to Bruce. He told Bruce that he had just found out his daughter was killed in a collapse of another building. We know circumstances like this have been repeated many times all over the city.
Last night we had more people come to the campus….if you can believe it. We have a tent up which is being used to put those seriously injured in. The dr. here on campus got some help yesterday from medical people that live in the neighborhood and they were doing what they could with the limited things available: Phyllis ripped sheets for bandages; there were many splints made out of cardboard and pieces of wood; strips of aloe were used on burns. We are still waiting for some aid to arrive here.
Our only communication remains via internet so it makes it very difficult to find out information – about people and about the possibility of aid. We have emailed numerous aid organizations making them aware of our situation here. I’m sure it has taken the groups that have arrived here some time to get organized here in country.
Please keep praying for us. Today Bruce had a student come over to the campus who had been sent by one of our professors. This professor lost his whole house and he was asking what we could do to help him. It is so hard for us because there is really so little we can do. But many keep coming to us – telling us their stories and needing help. We can pray with them, for them, and give what comfort we can, but not a whole lot else. We need wisdom and grace in relating to those around us. We need strength and health in the midst of so much possibility of sickness and disease.
CrossWorld is coordinating teams to come to give humanitarian aid when the airport is open for this. Later there will also be coordination for teams to come help with demolition and rebuilding. You can visit CrossWorld’s web site for updates and info and to see photos we have sent – all those not marked Red Cross were sent from us here at Bolosse.
We will continue to keep you updated. Thanks, again, for your prayers for this country, its people and us.
With love, Cindy for Bruce too
First of all, thank you everyone who has written expressing your concern, love, and prayers. It has been a huge encouragement to us.
There is not a lot new or different, but I realize it helps to hear some news from here.
We were awaken early this a.m. by a few strong tremors. Immediately the people all around started calling out to God, singing and praying. We soon realized that going back to sleep was going to be impossible. We lay in bed awhile though because we felt so weary. It’s hard to start a new day feeling this way, especially when we know what awaits us. It’s a combination of emotional stress and a lot of hard work on the men’s part – digging, slugging away at breaking up big cement columns, and pulling away the rubble.
About 5 p.m. the men finally succeeded in removing the body of one student that was trapped in the rubble. This student’s father had come up yesterday asking about his son because he hadn’t heard from him. Bruce told him the news that they believed he was trapped in the rubble. The man, a pastor, broke down and just clung to Bruce. He told Bruce that he had just found out his daughter was killed in a collapse of another building. We know circumstances like this have been repeated many times all over the city.
Last night we had more people come to the campus….if you can believe it. We have a tent up which is being used to put those seriously injured in. The dr. here on campus got some help yesterday from medical people that live in the neighborhood and they were doing what they could with the limited things available: Phyllis ripped sheets for bandages; there were many splints made out of cardboard and pieces of wood; strips of aloe were used on burns. We are still waiting for some aid to arrive here.
Our only communication remains via internet so it makes it very difficult to find out information – about people and about the possibility of aid. We have emailed numerous aid organizations making them aware of our situation here. I’m sure it has taken the groups that have arrived here some time to get organized here in country.
Please keep praying for us. Today Bruce had a student come over to the campus who had been sent by one of our professors. This professor lost his whole house and he was asking what we could do to help him. It is so hard for us because there is really so little we can do. But many keep coming to us – telling us their stories and needing help. We can pray with them, for them, and give what comfort we can, but not a whole lot else. We need wisdom and grace in relating to those around us. We need strength and health in the midst of so much possibility of sickness and disease.
CrossWorld is coordinating teams to come to give humanitarian aid when the airport is open for this. Later there will also be coordination for teams to come help with demolition and rebuilding. You can visit CrossWorld’s web site for updates and info and to see photos we have sent – all those not marked Red Cross were sent from us here at Bolosse.
We will continue to keep you updated. Thanks, again, for your prayers for this country, its people and us.
With love, Cindy for Bruce too
Hope Comes in the Morning
Yesterday was very hard. Between the first hand and news reports the situation seemed hopeless. But there IS hope. Haitian news reported that over 40,000 bodies were interred in mass graves. This is heart-breaking but at the same time, if they were not buried the situation would have quickly become much worse for those who are alive. The government ministers who survived have met together and gave a press conference yesterday. They are really doing all that they can to get the situation stable and roads cleared so help can get to where it needs to go. This will take time, but it IS happening. Please continue to pray for those who are working so hard to bring help and for those who are hurt and thirsty and hungry who cannot yet get help. This situation is massive and it is discouraging but it is NOT beyond God's power.
Below are two amazing stories from Pastor Edner Jeanty
My office manager at Barnabas was supposed to be in class at the University of Port-au-Prince when the earthquake hit. She "strongly felt" that she should not go inside the classroom but sit on a seat outside. Some classmates urged her to go in, but she said Jesus told her to sit in that chair until 5pm. She was amo...ng the 15 or so students who got out alive because she was not inside a room.
One bank employee from our church "felt" she should not go to work that day. Her boss called and insisted. She was willing to be fired over this. The 3-story building collapsed. She is still alive.
Below are two amazing stories from Pastor Edner Jeanty
My office manager at Barnabas was supposed to be in class at the University of Port-au-Prince when the earthquake hit. She "strongly felt" that she should not go inside the classroom but sit on a seat outside. Some classmates urged her to go in, but she said Jesus told her to sit in that chair until 5pm. She was amo...ng the 15 or so students who got out alive because she was not inside a room.
One bank employee from our church "felt" she should not go to work that day. Her boss called and insisted. She was willing to be fired over this. The 3-story building collapsed. She is still alive.
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