My Final Post (for now)

And a really good title, too, I might add. :)

So, my dad is re-couping, we continue to speak in churches every weekend and the occasional student assembly, people continue to gather supplies for another container shipment, the work in Carrefour continues, and we are planning another trip to Haiti the end of March, the goal being to get to Jeremie.

I have loved keeping you all abreast of this adventure we have shared! I am sorry to leave this blog, regretfully having nothing new to report, aside from the above listed things. Please check back on occasion, in case of new developments.

I have no way of knowing who most of you 10,000 people are, but thank you for reading. Thank you for caring about this love of my heart. Don't forget her.

I am posting a link to a video that I hope you will all watch:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cd-RkzfTxzU

Love, Lisa

Dad Comes Back to the U.S.

Dad is in Tampa with Heidi at a hospital. April will be joining them tomorrow. They are running a bunch of tests on him and he's pretty exhausted. Thank you everybody for all your messages of concern and all your prayers! We appreciate it.

Angry in My Living Room

As of right now, a container full of tarps, supplies and a flat-bed truck, destined for Carrefour, is sitting at the port in Gonaive. It has been sitting there for almost three weeks now, while our friends in Haiti: Dieudonne, Jean-Michelle, Rodney, Bryan, (when he was there and now from here on the phone), and others, have worked to negotiate its release from Haitian port authorities, who are currently demanding $200 for each "piece of paper" (ie: manifests, signature documents, etc.). Of course the number of papers required for its release keeps increasing. Ah, life was good before customs was "back in efficient working order."

There are other containers in process of shipment right now from other organizations who are now helping the Carrefour area that will undoubtedly meet the same fate. We are all very frustrated and the government officials in Port-au-Prince claim that "their hands are tied."

When Rod's container ships to Jeremie, you can be sure it won't be going through Gonaive. I came home to hear Bryan yelling on the phone in Creole. He is very frustrated (understatement).

We used to just pay the bribes after wheedling them down. Now, however, we thought that surely, in the wake of such a disaster, there would be a general outcry against this kind of corruption, which is literally taking food from the mouths of children and shelter from their families. But nothing.

And the rain is coming.

Anybody want to call the New York Times? Anybody want to call God?

Update on Wes

Doctors on board the Comfort were unsuccessful in taking my dad off the ventilator today. It was discovered that he had also suffered a heart attack a few days ago, probably because of the overload of I.V. fluids that had to be given to him. Doctors are hopeful that he can come back to the States by the weekend.

It's hard for all of us to be far away and not even able to communicate with him. Even Heidi still hasn't been able to visit. Undoubtedly, though, Dad has probably made many friends on board the ship. The whole experience allows us all to more closely identify with some of the Haitian people, those lucky ones whose lives were saved.

Wes Recovers

My dad is stable and O.K. His blood pressure is back to normal and his breathing is better. He had some sort of bacterial infection and they're keeping him on the ship for a couple more days. Thank you everyone for your prayers. Heidi gets to visit him on the Comfort today. Lucky. I'd love to see that ship!

The Hands and Feet of God

The individual responses to the needs in Haiti have been so varied and astounding! From schools collecting money, to food drives, to container shipments, to banquet fundraisers, to linen drives for hospital sheets...It's been wonderful to see so many different people responding in so many unique ways.

So...if you would like to send some extra sheets that you may have in your linen closet, (or if you would like to buy brand new ones), send them to Everett, who has taken it upon himself to collect them. They will all go to Haitian households who need them and hospital admits who have no resources. In the public hospitals in Haiti, the patient must provide his own sheets, food, etc. Thank you, Everett, for this ministry! Questions can be directed to ramoseverett@yahoo.com

Everett Ramos

P.O. Box 80

213 Hadley Road

Stony Creek, NY 12878

And here's another one:

Rod Johnson writes:

We are going to ship a full container to Jeremie, Haiti! By networking and working together we will succeed. It will take some time and the logistics will need to be figured out, but we don’t have to wait to start collecting. I’m willing to provide storage space for everything collected that won’t freeze in my garage. I figure one bay full of totes ought to fill one shipping container.

Suggested items to collect: non-perishable food(not canned goods), large quantities of rice and dry beans, nutrition bars, cornmeal, children and adult vitamins, dry milk, bottled water, powdered formula, baby bottles, pedialyte(8 oz. size), baby wipes, clean t-shirts, pants/slacks, dresses, and socks/underwear.

Someone I love wrote, “As Christians we should expect to serve. We should seek opportunities to give. We should joyfully rise to these occasions(challenges)……….

Rod Johnson 518-696-3644 or rodj43@frontier.com for information or assistance.

Rod is out of town for a few days but I will take messages for him at lisabartow@yahoo.com.

If God lays something on your heart, don't be afraid to pursue it! There are so many people looking for purpose, for opportunity, for ideas...many gifts, one purpose!

My dad, Wes Smith, who has been in Carrefour for a couple of weeks, is now on board the USNS Comfort, the floating hospital in the bay of Port-au-Prince...and yes, he is there as a patient.

Last night, he had a fever over 105 degrees, blood in his lungs and rock-bottom low blood pressure. He was given 9 liters of fluids and was hospitalized in Carrefour. The American doctors on staff said he had to be evacuated as soon as possible, since they couldn't figure out what was wrong with him...perhaps some kind of infection. TB, typhoid fever and malaria have all been ruled out. After several hours of attempting to get him relocated to a facility with a ventilator, he was finally choppered out of Carrefour to the USNS Comfort. My sister, Heidi, is with him. Pray for his swift recovery.

Jon Logs 200!

For those of you who are just coming into this blog, Jon is the man who has been our pilot. Bryan called him the day after the earthquake to ask him if he would fly us down and he said "yes." Jon also found a friend who would let him borrow a plane. And he's been in the air ever since, flying the many other people that soon followed us to help the Smoker mission in Carrefour toward recovery.

Jon just logged 200 hours of air time. That is TWICE the number of monthly hours a commercial pilot is legally allowed to fly. Fortunately for thousands of Haitians, Jon was sustained by a God who didn't limit him at all in this first crucial month after the earthquake... Instead, He energized him, and gave him total joy and peace in the process.

Jon is going home now...to a new job...and a bid for County Commissioner in Warsaw, IN. (Vote Fussle)

Despite immense sleep deprivation, frustrations with customs, and a ridiculous schedule, Jon says that his job flying to Haiti has been "the easiest of anyone's" and "a total blast." He said, "If this is serving God, then I don't know why anyone in their right mind wouldn't jump at the chance!" So, I guess the verse about "His Yoke being easy and His burden being light"...is true. :)

Jon...thank you. I think I speak for the thousands of Haitians we've been able to impact. I think I speak for all those who flew on "Little Tyke" with you. I think I speak for all the people who have cared enough to read this little blog and for the people who helped pay for fuel or who donated supplies. And of course, I speak for me and my family. Well done, Jon. We love you.

Now go home and get some sleep!

News from Jeremie

Frere Poteau, the head pastor of our churches in and around Jeremie, said that many, many people in these congregations are supporting big additions to their families, making it financially very difficult for them, especially since food is really expensive now.

For example, our friend Dieudonne's own household size has increased by five people, but some homes have as many as 15 additional people living in them now! We are sending the donations you have given directly to these people. Our precious pastor, along with Dieudonne and the other church leaders, will buy food with this money and distribute it to those who need it most. What a priveledge to be in a position to give directly to those who need it!

Brother Poteau also said that the weekend conference at Mission Par La Fois was amazing. He said the compound grounds could not contain the numbers of people who had flocked there from the town to pray and fast and worship. It is an enormous place, by the way, and he said people were sitting on the walls and on windowsills and even crowding outside in the street in order to be a part of it, so there must have been thousands and maybe tens of thousands in attendance. The faith of the believers has only increased in the midst of this tragedy. Some of the people who have recently abandoned voodoo have done so because they say, "the Christians are the ones who love."

Cool story Bryan just told me...

He was talking on his satellite phone from the roof of a house in Carrefour when an old Haitian guy on the ground overheard Bryan speaking English and shouted up (in English), "Where is the aid? What are you going to do?" Bryan responded in Creole, explaining that the group was a small operation, and he was getting as much aid to the people as he possibly could.

The man was surprised and asked Bryan where he learned to speak the language. When Bryan told him that he had learned in Jeremie, the man became animated, telling Bryan that Jeremie was his home town. Of course, Bryan explained that his wife (me) was the granddaughter of George Clerie, a pastor from Jeremie who founded many churches in the Grand Anse province.

The man was overwhelmed and elated to hear this news. Bryan wondered what the big deal was...and then the man said, "George Clerie baptized me!" My mom would have loved that little "coincidence."

On another note, USAID is getting some food to the Catholic hospital in Jeremie to help the people, which is a great relief. Almost all the refugees have been incorporated into the homes of people in Jeremie, many being family, and all is peaceful. This is a great testimony to the generosity of the Haitians there.

For now, money that comes in to us through Full Life Crusade or our home church will be wired to Jeremie to buy more food from the local vendors to help these families feed all the extra people in their households. We want to support the local economy as much as possible, while we continue the process of shipping containers, and possibly get some helicopter lifts??? It's still all talk at this point, but that sure would be great!

My sister, Heidi, is on her way back to Haiti. This time she's going with a doctor and another nurse and perhaps some others. It will be a different camp than the one she helped to start a month ago. There has been so much progress!

The One-Month Mark

The word from Dieudonne is that there is no food aid getting to the 80,000 refugees in Jeremie. So far, only their families and the local people are trying to feed them. The hospital received the truckload of medical supplies that Dieudonne drove from Carrefour and were very thankful. Other people are trickling supplies to them, too, but the hospital is still overflowing with people needing treatment.

Mission Par La Fois, a huge mission compound up the road from my old family home in Jeremie, has opened their doors and is crowded with people. Evidently, the Haitian government has declared today, the one-month anniversary of the earthquake, a day of mourning.

But the Christians in Jeremie (and throughout the rest of the country) have taken it one step farther. They are praying and fasting (for those who weren't already fasting) for three days. All of the churches in Jeremie have combined to participate in this and they are having non-stop prayer vigils and services over the weekend at this Mission compound. Dieudonne said almost all the members of the churches are fasting and praying. Undoubtedly, this will help to preserve the limited food stores in the village.

Basically, the believers will be giving up three days worth of food, so that others may eat. This is yet another beautiful act of self-sacrifice. For every man who steals a bag of rice from a woman, there is another man somewhere on his knees, willingly going without. We have a God in heaven who hears us...and will answer.

Amy treated hundreds of people in the short time she was in Carrefour...mostly babies. She said that after her visit to the hospital, she was glad to be outside, treating them in mobile clinics.

The nearby hospital is disorganized and chaotic, with many patients getting no care at all. If there is no family to speak up on a patient's behalf, bring them food and water, wash their sheets, etc., it doesn't get done. That's typical of Haitian hospitals, even without these terrible circumstances, but now, it seems more tragic than ever. She said that one paralyzed girl had not had any treatment for two days. She had such a deep ulcer on her back that the bone was showing, but no one was helping her. Amy did all she could for her and then had to leave her to her fate.

Amy said there were several instances that stand out in her mind. One was a little girl, who didn't want to leave after she was treated. She preferred to stay with Amy, a complete stranger, over returning to the camps to live in misery.

Of course, an experience like this changes one's perspective. She said that when she went back to work, it was a very busy day, one that would normally stress her out, but on the back of Haiti, the day felt like a cakewalk. She had all the supplies she needed and everything was in it's place...it was clean and comfortable...but she did feel like dismissing half of her patients...telling them, "Oh, you have the sniffles? Go home." and "Oh, you think you're sick? Well, you're not! Go home." :)

She was amazed by the gratitude of the Haitian people...like the thankfulness of the children who received four crayons and one sheet torn from a coloring book. I bet Amy's girls are not going to get much sympathy in the whining department for a few days. :)

I am so thankful for the many people, like Amy and Duane, who have been willing to drop everything and go help. I am also thankful for their husbands, wives, children, parents, and co-workers, who carry the load in their absence. It takes many people, supporting this work in many different ways, to allow it to continue. Thank you to all those who have worked behind the scenes, or given financially. Without you, this wouldn't be happening.

The plane came in at midnight and put us all home by 2 a.m. Everybody slept in this morning. Jesse missed the bus so we had to drive him to school. Bryan and Kate are both under the weather, either from sickness or exhaustion or both. Kate slept in her dirty clothes. I might have to fumigate her blankets. Other than that, Bryan is back to making his contracting calls and Kate to her facebooking.

They said it was a great week. Bryan made a lot of headway in terms of coordination and the offfloading of containers in Gonaive, while Kate treated patients and helped Amy and the nurses talk to the Haitians. Every person who was fluent in Kreyol was otherwise engaged, so Kate was left to translate as well as she was able. Bryan said the last day, there were three or more people all talking to him at once with questions, translation requests, logistical decisions...he thought he might lose it.

Amy said that she has been forever changed by the journey and calls that an understatement.

Our pilot Jon has got a pretty bad cough from whatever illness he has contracted. The maximum legal flight time for commercial pilots is 100 hours/month. Jon has put in 180 hours in three weeks (that doesn't count flight planning, coordination of slot-times, loading, unloading, tarmac time, Haitian red-tape, and other coordinating).

Tomorrow night the team is going to get together to debrief. They'll need it, especially Amy and Duane, who were the first-timers.

Home Again

Bryan, Amy and Kate are coming home tonight. It was another good week. I'll give you all the news tomorrow. Trav and I spoke at Church of the Nations in Corinth this morning. As usual, we were met with so much support and encouragement that we are quite overwhelmed. Thanks everybody, not only for your financial support, but for the love and compassion you have poured into this little work in Haiti. For those many people out there wanting to go with us, we will start taking teams as soon as international flights are functioning again. Send addresses, e-mail, and all contact info. to me at lisabartow@yahoo.com. We'll keep you posted. Anyone collecting supplies for a container shipment, keep it up and hang onto them. We'll be directing you as to where to deliver so that we can get supplies moving regularly into Jeremie.

Duane's Report

Duane Moulton, a good friend of ours and cement contractor, arrived home last night to a grateful family. The man who told me his stories at my kitchen table was a jumble of emotions...everything from intense anger and frustration, to joy, to thankfulness for what he was able to do to help. He said, "This is not the third-world, this is fourth-world. It is the worst thing you could ever imagine...times 100. I saw the best of people, and I saw the worst. I've dealt with death and terrible situations, but this trip jerked my emotions from one extreme to the next..."

He said the situation on the ground in Haiti was maddening. The corruption of the Haitian police and government, the bullying of the strong, the arrogance of those in a position to help...Duane thought it was a good thing he didn't have a gun because he was so close to getting himself in real trouble in order to defend those who are helpless.

He said the women who stand in line for hours to collect food from USAID get their bag of rice, put in on their heads, and start running. He wondered why they were running until he saw that as soon as they are out of sight of the U.S. marines, gangs of men surround these little women, knock them down, and take their rice. The men laugh and cheer when they catch one of these women and steal her food. The peaceful lines of women may be peaceful for the USAID workers (so it's nice for those "distributing" the food), but it's not so peaceful for the Haitian women, 100 yards away. Duane said some women would get away, if the men were distracted with someone else, but not many.

He said that one night, he and Bryan picked up a load of baby food and medical supplies from MAF, a private airline company delivering supplies. At 7:00 p.m. they found themselves in a downtown Port-au-Prince traffic-jam, where they were quickly surrounded by Haitians looking into their truck to see what could be taken. Fortunately for them, at that very moment, the 82nd Airborne were moving some trucks through town so Duane hollered at them and told them that they needed some help. The 82nd guided our truck into their own convoy and escorted them safely through the crowds.

The group in Carrefour tries to distribute food at midnight, when it's not so likely they will be mobbed. Still, in 30 seconds, Duane said there were perhaps 60 people clamoring around the truck, even at that late hour. Much of the distribution must be done on foot. The Haitian police showed up and tried to stop the truck to take the food that Bryan and Rodney were distributing, so Rodney, who was driving, was forced to outrun them, knowing the police officer's only goal was to steal the food. He did actually manage to lose them and get most of the food distributed.

When they arrived back at the camp, however, the police were there...waiting to take the few remaining boxes of food for themselves. Rodney gave them a good tongue-lashing, shaming them in Kreyol for their behavior, but was forced to give them something anyway. Thankfully, it wasn't much.

The boxes of food had come from the German government, who has sovereign control of their own aid. Previously, a German kid had found the camp in Carrefour and decided to stay to help. He quickly saw the needs, and promptly went to his government to ask for supplies. At this simple kid's request, the Germans sent us a truckload of food (500 boxes with each box containing rice, flour, oil, sugar and beans), and a huge water purification system, which they hooked up to the well there. Generators pump the water from the well into stainless steel tanks where the water is filtered before flowing through two hoses that go out to the community. All day, people come with buckets to get pure water. Amy said parasites are becoming a big problem because of the lack of clean water, but this will certainly help.

Duane said that looking at the big picture makes you so angry you don't even want to try to help, but seeing the little people (one by one) and helping them makes it all worth it. When Bryan let Duane go "cool off" by doing some hard labor, Duane went to help Patrick clear the rubble from his home site. With sledgehammers and wheelbarrows, he and the Haitian men cleared Patrick's site of debris. Duane said they moved about 4 dump-truck loads of debris to the edge of the street but Duane couldn't understand why the city dump trucks weren't picking the stuff up until Patrick explained that he didn't have any money to hire the trucks. It costs about 30 US dollars per load (including labor), to have it hauled away. Duane peeled off $120 and gave it to Patrick. They both wept. Duane said, "It's that stuff. It's being able to impact somebody's life in a huge way that's awesome. For me, $120.00 is nothing. For him, it was everything."

Duane told us that a mega-church group from Texas arrived from the U.S., video equipment in tow. They had heard about our little camp and wanted a "heartwarming story." Do you remember the little boy who lay under the rubble for three days with his dead mother? Well, Kate brought that same little boy and his aunt to this group, who interviewed the two while Bryan translated. The aunt has no way to care for this boy, who lost the rest of his family, and wants him to find a home where people will love him and take care of him. The group from Texas was so moved, that one of them is going to adopt the boy. Papers are in process.

Bryan said Amy had the opportunity to leave Haiti this morning but refused to take it. She said she needed to go back to the mobile clinics that they've set up. Duane said she's the "man in charge" right now. She is the one giving direction to the many nurses who are there right now and has done an absolutely amazing job of treating the people. As a PA, she is the top-ranking physician in these tent communities. Her first stunned words upon arriving in Port-au-Prince were, "What in the h--- (censored for the good Christian readers) did I get myself into?" That's so ironic now, since she doesn't want to leave!

Bryan said Dieudonne has arrived in Carrefour from Jeremie. They were in the process of loading up a truck with food and supplies while he was talking to me. Pray that this one load makes it safely to the hungry and injured in Jeremie. There was also a lot of hammering going on. The people are constructing a building to house the precious supplies in order to keep them safe from thieves.

Duane is exhausted and overwhelmed and got little sleep during the time he was in Haiti. I asked him if he regretted his decision to go. His answer?

"No way...no way."

An Anonymous Letter

This is directed to Janice Waterhouse, one of the teachers involved in the fund-raising effort to help Haiti at our local high school. We are so honored to have read this, and so thankful that hearts have been changed! I am publishing it in its very embarrassing entirety, in hopes that others may read the beautiful words of this teenager, and be inspired too. Know that we are only clay pots, in the hands of the potter....and very grateful to be used for His Glory.

To the student who wrote this letter,

Travis and I have struggled with staying here in the U.S. right now. You've made us so thankful that we did!

Dear Mrs. Waterhouse,

Yesterday was an eye opening day for me. I was given the opportunity to see and hear about the unimaginable magnitude of suffering occurring on the island of Haiti. Yes, I knew that an earthquake caused tremendous damage and that aid is desperately needed. I knew that hundreds of thousands of people died, and that those left behind are in a living nightmare. I knew that there is not enough food, water and medicine for those who need it. However, I also knew that Haiti is thousands of miles away, and countries across the globe are working to help. Why should I act? What good could I possibly do?

I like to think that Lisa and Travis Bartow slapped me in the face yesterday. I'm grateful to them. They proved to me that, no matter where I am or what little aid I can provide, I can make a difference. The children starving in the streets, the injured that are experiencing absolute agony, the family members that have watched their loved ones die--they can be affected for the better by the compassion of one person. Whether I donate 50 cents or 125 dollars, I now know that I have the power to change the world. Together, here at Hadley-Luzerne and beyond, we can do so much not only for Haiti, but for everyone who needs a helping hand.

It amazes me how selfish I have been. Too often I focus on the "negative" aspects of my life---the challenges, failures, and problems that now seem so insignificant. At least I have a life to live! I have comfort and security, a family, a home, and more than I could ever need. The Haitian's don't. Just thinking of the little boy who spent three days crushed against his mother's skull, or of the sound of bodies being compressed by a garbage truck...I feel sick not only because of their pain, but because of my lack of pain here. Simply being miles away from the problem is not an excuse for apathy. It is time for me to change--I need to act.

With this letter you will find $125.00. It is my wish for this money to go into the "Hearts for Haiti" fundraiser. I am so thankful for the opportunity to donate towards the Bartows' efforts--they are courageous people, performing terrifying yet incredible tasks. Even more so, there is no doubt in my mind that the donations gathered through "Hearts for Haiti" will go directly towards helping the Haitian people. If it is not too much to ask, please hang 125 blank hearts within the school, just like all the other hearts with names. Hopefully, through these visual reminders, we may never forget the suffering of the Haitian people--and, equally as important, our ability to change the world.

Sincerely,

A Changed Student

Silver Linings

Wonderful news from Bryan! And we need it, since my friend Rod told me that these blogs are getting really depressing.

Here are the details: Until today, Bryan has not been able to make any contact with Jean Gary, who is our good friend in Port-au-Prince and the man we always hire as the driver for the teams we have led to Haiti over the years.

Today, Bryan went to a place in Carrefour to rent a truck, and Jean Gary was standing there!

I don't think I need to remind anyone that this is a city with a population of three million. The chances of Bryan "bumping into" Jean Gary are....hmmmm. Not much.

He, his wife, and all their children survived the earthquake! It was the shot in the arm that Bryan needed so badly. It was the voice of the Father in the midst of corruption and chaos saying, "See. I'm still here. Trust me."

So Rod...there ya go. Cheer up!

Food and Supplies to Jeremie

Bryan's had it with the beaurocracy and just told Dieudonne to come with a truck from Jeremie to pick up a load of stuff from Port to take back with him. Bryan will make sure it's loaded. It's a 15-18 hour trip, so Dieudonne won't arrive until tomorrow, but at least he and Bryan will be able to talk and make a plan to get supplies into that town and distributed, with or without help from the big boys...or at least until we have help from them. May I suggest Dieudonne Ettienne, for one of those Haitian Senate seats? For those non-French readers...his name means, "God-given." So true. And there are many, many Haitian men just like him. May everything they are doing for their people be blessed 100x.

My dad, who flew into Carrefour with the Smokers, is going to continue talking with USAID even after Bryan has to leave.

Red Tape

There are now 80,000 refugees in Jeremie!

And we have no way to get there! Jon can't fly there because there's no gas so he has no ability to refuel in Port-au-Prince. And we don't have time to take a truck or boat. Jon was hassled for a long time yesterday when he was trying to fly out. Hassled by the Haitian government, who is trying to get their sticky fingers back in the pie. They used to collect a lot of money at this airport in "taxes." They are also quite resistant to deregulation of the adoption processes, as that was also an enormous source of revenue for them.

They still have not opened Jeremie as a port so we are forced to go through Port-au-Prince. Everybody keeps whining about the bottlenecks, but nobody's making the simple decisions to open the floodgates. The days of small relief planes may be drawing to a close if they continue to complicate flights.

We used to be able to drive back and forth from Gonaive to Port-au-Prince with food. Those days are over. Now, we go to Gonaive to pay for a piece of paper to take back to Port-au-Prince (8-10 hours round trip) to get an extortionists signature (more money) before returning to Gonaive to try for the food again. This process can be repeated a couple times before food is actually released from USAID. But it is the Haitian government's involvement now with USAID that is making this even more excruciatingly wasteful in every sense of the word. Yesterday, one of the Americans finally just bribed people to try to get food. Welcome to Haiti.

Evidently, Amy almost got caught in the midst of a food riot. She said she is completely overwhelmed by the need. This was a pretty rough introduction to the the third world. She's going to need some major decompression when she gets home. She said she treated a lot of babies yesterday. The Carrefour camp is well-organized and well-supplied, though, even to the point of being able to give supplies to other clinics and hospitals. But it's because all those supplies have been flown in on our little planes. The immense ship-yards offer nothing.

Bryan did talk to another man with USAID yesterday about supplying Jeremie, specifically. He was much more open than the chick was. The guy seemed to be surprised and concerned by the vast numbers of people Bryan said have arrived empty-handed and unattended there. Dieudonne said he thinks the numbers are accurate because he's there and he says all the buses and ferries end up at the dock, where they are counting heads. Bryan is hopeful that this man will direct aid toward Jeremie. USAID said they only have access to 11 helicopters in the country. Bry told him that he could fill a boat and have it shipped down the coast quicker, with more supplies on board, and cheaper. The guy seemed to show interest and they will talk again today. Bryan sounded pretty desperate on the phone. Pray that they will move the food more quickly! It will get increasingly more frustrating to distribute the longer people go hungry.

Duane is on the plane and coming home tonight. He went to evaluate the rebuilding situation and has seen plenty in just a few days, so his job is done. Plus, the camp is getting another influx of volunteers today or tomorrow, so we all must make room for fresh troops.

Evidently, Kate is begging to go on to Jeremie by truck to stay there with our Haitian friends and to volunteer her help at the public hospital. Bryan is saying no, so it looks like she'll be coming home with Bry and Amy (perhaps Sunday). In which case, Travis and I will be the preachers again on Sunday for a church service and youth group, without Bryan home to speak. It's OK. We have no shortage of words.

Bryan says the little outdoor church services the Haitians are having are precious times, with singing, prayer, thanksgiving and healing. Beautiful.

School Assemblies

Travis and I spoke yesterday at the King's School in Corinth and at the Hadley-Luzerne High School this morning. The kids were very respectful and responded positively. They are actively pursuing ways to contribute to the work in Haiti. The teachers, too, are helping the kids find ways to get involved. It's pretty great to see the schools take time out to hold assemblies on behalf of Haiti. It is a huge encouragement to all of us. Thanks to all those who made that possible. More drops in the bucket.

Travis did pretty well, speaking. It's still hard for him to talk about some of his experiences. His face clouds over and I can tell he's reliving some of the more difficult sights and sounds of the suffering. It's probably good for him to have to keep talking.
He's also done a terrific job of holding down Bryan's business details, even though he's frustrated to be here, so I'm pretty proud of him. And I'm glad he doesn't read this blog. :)

Amy called home and said she's seeing some pretty bad stuff and is working as hard as she can, together with a nurse. Maybe Sabrina, I'm not sure.

Still waiting to hear whether or not it's possible for them to get to Jeremie.

Lloyd and Darlene, the founders of the mission in Carrefour, arrived today. It is the first time they will see the devastation with their own eyes. So many of their closest friends are dead. Pray for them as they grieve...and begin to heal.

The Ups and Downs

Bryan spent most of the day trying to get his hands on some of the acres and acres of supplies and food at the airport and docks. He, along with hundreds of other small organizations throughout Port-au-Prince, could distribute food to thousands of people who are still unreached, at their own expense. Many have connections, vehicles, and manpower...but no food.

Instead, Bryan was directed from one person to the next from morning until late afternoon, before finally being turned away by USAID, who has taken control of food distribution from the U.S. military. And the control won't be shared.

The USAID woman in charge told him that "there is plenty of food getting to the people." Perhaps that is true in some areas (the areas they are servicing) ...but not ours, and especially not in the villages experiencing the influx of hundreds of thousands of refugees. But there was no convincing her otherwise. I guess she has a funny idea of what "plenty" means. Her stomach must be full tonight.

Bryan was more than angry, as was Duane, who had accompanied him. Bryan finally told Duane to go help the Haitians, who are still clearing rubble at the site in Carrefour. Duane was happy to forego any more beaurocratic runaround and gladly got his hands dirty. I'm sure the work helped him to simmer down, but Bry was still pretty frustrated when we spoke. He told me it's a good thing I wasn't with them because I would be in jail by now. I told him I could bunk with the Baptist "traffickers." :)

Amy and Kate spent the entire day moving from camp to camp, treating the sick. Amy said she was seeing things that still couldn't be treated for lack of supplies. Amy was flushed red with the heat and the work, but in her element, as was Kate.

Bryan wants to get to Jeremie tomorrow, but is beginning to doubt that they'll be able to make it. Flights to Jeremie are sporadic and seats are difficult to come by, and Jon's fuel supply wouldn't hold out for him to fly them, since there is no ability to refuel in Port-au-Prince. It has been a frustrating day for him. Pray that tomorrow is more profitable and that he will be encouraged.

There is a Danish organization that has building supplies they are giving to people who have cleared their plots of rubble. Apparently, they are little temporary homes with tin roofs that can be easily erected. That is an exciting prospect to many who are left, who are literally starting over from scratch.

There is great affection among the Haitian people for the Americans right now. Not so much for the UN, however, which the people see as an idle military presence, both historically in Haiti, and currently. They have seen the U.S. military presence in Haiti during this crisis as active and kind. So thumbs up to our men and women in Haiti. This is great news for us Americans who have worked there, since it will make it relatively easier to get things done.

Bryan confirmed that it is true. Of the thirty people holding senate seats in Haiti, 20 senators are dead. No comment.

Yo Arrive! (accent grave over the E)

No, this is not a Sylvester Stallone impression. They have arrived in Port-au-Prince. Bryan called long enough to get cut off.

The most recent team is on the ground and safe and sound with Rodney! And good news from Rodney, by the way...he says that the emergency crisis they have faced in Carrefour the last couple of weeks is over. Well, not over...subsiding. You know what I mean. :) The edge of extreme tension is off. Or maybe Rodney's just used to it....hmmmm.

Evidently, many areas of Port-au-Prince have not fared as well as this little section of Carrefour, which has now survived the worst of this disaster. To think that it's all because little people all over the U.S. decided to do something big! You gave money, supplies, planes, pilots, trucks, encouragement, prayer, yourselves...Unbelieveable!

Let us not rest on our laurels, though. Continue to pray. Continue to give in any way you can. There are hundreds of thousands of people in Haiti still waiting. Still suffering. Let us press on.

Yet Another Flight Out

Jon is in the air and on his way to the Providenciales, where he will refuel before going on to Port-au-Prince. They should land tonight at 6 or 7. Bryan said Amy and Duane are pretty psyched! This makes a total of around 20 people we've been able to take to Haiti to help, as well as untold amounts of relief and medical supplies! God is good!

I talked to Jean-Michele in Jeremie this morning. He thinks perhaps upwards of 30,000 refugees have arrived. Food is a BIG issue. We hope that Bryan can find a way to get relief to the southern provinces of haiti, which are full of refugees who have been largely cut off from help, due to their geographic location on the island....so far from Port-au-Prince (or any other port of entry). Pray for success in dealing with the powers that be, who make decisions that may expedite this process.

Stay tuned. Bry should call me from the ground (tonight, I hope).

Carrefour Update

The following is a letter from one of the German volunteers at the camp in Carrefour to his supporters as translated into English.

Hello dear friends,

Thank you very much for your prayers and for caring. We are doing well. Right now we are in Carrefour. For two days I have been sleeping in a tent on a mattress. Before I was sleeping outdoors with the others.

Yesterday it was raining for the first time, but only 10-15 minutes. It was enough to get wet. We pray, that it will not rain anymore - because the people do not live in their houses. The word building has become a sensitive word. Everybody who walks into a building, tries to get out as soon as possible. Every day we still feel afterschocks.

In Port-au-Prince people are trying to get back to a normal life. Here you see a lot UN and other Aid Oranisations as well as mobile clinics. Many people leave the city to go to the countryside.

In Carrefour the situation is different. In this part of the city there are almost no Aid Organisations and no physicians. Ricardo´s house was levelled off and several tents were built up where some of the group stay overnight. Today a large tent will be put up and equipped to examine and treat the sick. Our group is consisting of Haitians, Americans, French and Germans. Every morning we have a prayer meeting and review the situation.

One group is working in a hospital, another one is going into camps, trying to take care of the sick and injured, another one is going “from door to door” and one group is trying to transport the seriously ill to the hospital. Yesterday we have put together 6000 $ US to buy a suitable vehicle, but they were either too expensive or in need of repair. So for now we have rented a car. The sick and injured people are so seriuosly ill, that they can not wait another day, but need medical help right away. In the meantime our partner church in the USA shared our urgent need for a pick-up truck and God heared our prayer. Somebody donated a 2006 Nissan King Cab, which is to be used for transporting the injured.

In Port-au-Prince there is an international organisation with enough physicians to help us. But everyone is frightened of Carrefour (security problems). A group of the German television station ZDF promised to join us and report on it, but today we are still waiting for them. We have called them a few times, but they preferred to stay in Gonaives.

People here are very thankful when we visit them. The fear of violence that many organisations have is understandable yet not very helpful – when the Haitians are treated decent, the great majority of them responds very friendly. Off course there are many criminals who went free from the prisons after the earthquake and now terrorise the people.

When we have to take the seriously injured to the hospital, one of us foreigners has to be present, otherwise they are not admitted to the clinic. Some had been waiting up to 3 hours only to return home without any treatment. It is hard to describe what we are expieriencing here. Sometimes we move around till late at night.

Right now we are trying to provide food to the needy. A lot of food is coming into the country and we are trying to get some before we have to buy it at high prices. Arche Nova, a German Aid Organisation from Dresden will pass by - to see whether they can give us a water purification system for the people here. The GTZ, also a German Aid Organisation, is providing food for the people. A Dutsch Organisation will supply us with a truck, so that we can transport food to Carrefour maybe on Monday.

From another organisation we can get tarps, so that the people are better protected against the rain. Yesterday evening we prayed for a man who had lost so much weight that he is only skin and bones.

Since we have still problems with our internet-connection and Jonas has not been able to send pictures we have posted two pictures from Beth McHoul. She and her husband John - and many others do an incredible work in Haiti. We bless them!

Prayer requests:

most urgent:

prayer for strength, courage, wisdom, comfort

we still need another vehicle for transportation of food

physicians, nurses etc.

for the long term:

work teams

earthquake-proof housing

housing for orphans

schools

healing for spirit, soul and body

finances

Lots of love - Jonas

Packing Again

Once again, there is a pile of medical supplies in our living room. The team is preparing to fly out tomorrow, some going to Jeremie, some to Carrefour. Those plans could change at any given moment, depending on the needs once they are on the ground in Haiti. Pray for the Bartow, Carbone and Moulton families, for those staying here, and those flying out.

Bry and the kids spoke at the United Methodist church in Corinth this morning and will speak at the community worship service tonight in Lake Luzerne. Travis and Kate are scheduled to speak at the local high schools this week. Now, Travis will be speaking alone since Kate is leaving again. Not his favorite thing to do, but nonetheless, the task falls to him this time. Keep him in your prayers...that his voice would ignite compassion and action in our young people.

I believe that putting into action whatever God has breathed into our hearts is where it's at. It is the thing that separates those who practice religion, from those who believe.

I had the privilege of praying with a young man last week who is from another country. He was expressing his great grief in "slowly losing his faith" since coming here to the U.S.A. He says it is too hard to be a real christian here because it's easy to just go to church and come home, week after week. He said, "there is nothing for me to do here." In his home country, he serves every day at an orphanage. It is his faith working itself out in action that keeps him strong and alive. And of course, it is also the love of his life!

I know there is stuff to do here. That's not the point. But I do understand where he's coming from. And I believe we were created to do more than we think we can do.


I John 3:16-18 "We know what real love is because Jesus gave his life up for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters. If someone has enough money to live well but shows no compassion---how can God's love be in that person? Dear children, let's not merely say that we love each other, let us show the truth by our actions."

The news from Carrefour is sooo good! A big overhead tent has been set up, and there is cooperation between other area leaders so the number of people being treated has increased to 2,200! There is talk of a full-blown hospital! Some nurses have begun to branch out to other areas, with the operation in Carrefour being their source for medical supplies to other areas of Port-au-Prince. Pray for food, however, which is getting harder to come by in Gonaive to bring into Carrefour.

Bryan is flying out from Albany on Monday, and from Ft. Lauderdale on Tuesday with Amy Carbone (a physician's assistant), Duane Moulton (owner of a cement contracting business) and Kate (who will help orient and assist Amy in Jeremie). Bryan plans to divide his time between Carrefour and Jeremie. Hopefully Jon can puddle-jump with a plane between these two regions of Haiti.

My uncle used to say, "In Haiti, you never say you will do such and such. You say you will try." But it's pretty amazing what God can do with people who try. I counted and rolled all the change that our young people collected in only a couple days. It was $513.00...that will feed a lot of Haitians....just some little kids...

More from Heidi

There is something very powerful about sitting down at someone's feet. Washing their wounds. Bandaging them up. I could feel it with every man, woman and child. It reminded me of the story of Jesus, washing his disciples' feet. If Jesus could do this, then I could. He was human...like me.

The Haitians offered us chairs but it didn't seem right. What seemed natural was kneeling in the dust, surrounded by many eyes. They in the chair. Their dusty feet, naked and calloused.

I loved praying for them. It made me wonder why my prayers for my friends, neighbors and strangers have been so few.

Refugee Situation in Jeremie

Dieudonne is guessing perhaps 20,000 have arrived...maybe more.

In my cousin Lori's words, "You know, the earthquake killed a lot of people...but the earthquake didn't kill A LOT of people."

Welcome Home Dr. Gerdes!

Patrick Gerdes is slightly shell-shocked and overwhelmed, like everyone who has gone to Haiti to help. He says it is absolutely impossible for there to be enough health care workers in Haiti right now. He says the whole countryside has become a hospital and that the difficulty in transporting patients to hospitals with better care is one of the most necessary and immediate needs. His expertise as an anesthesiologist was stretched beyond what he was comfortable doing.

His first day on the ground, he examined a four-year-old, whose toes had been partially amputated, but were now re-infected and in terrible shape, with bone showing. He was forced to call on his satellite phone to a vascular surgeon at his home hospital in Glens Falls, who walked him through the process of repairing the damage. He quickly became comfortable with medical procedures that were out of his element, simply out of necessity.

Dr. Gerdes said he was able to seriously impact many lives. One of those lives was a boy with an amputated arm, which was badly infected. He was able to block the area, drain the arm, and give the boy IV antibiotics. He said in three days, the boy was significantly better and would survive.

He said the biggest problem in Haiti, without question, is organization. There are people to help, food, medical supplies, and water, but the underlying problem is getting all these parts to work together efficiently. Many people have died and are dying from simple issues. But everyone can only do what they can do. Speaking of which, Dr. Gerdes sends his profuse and heartfelt thanks to the nurses at Glens Falls Hospital, some whom came back early from vacations, to cover him in his absence. "Without all these people," he says, "what I did would not have been possible."

I am amazed, still, at how God has brought all these people together, to pull together in this time of crisis. I know how Dr. Gerdes feels...without the many, many people, and without the help of God, none of this would have been possible.

The reports are that there are now about 50 outside workers in the Carrefour area in which, two weeks ago, we were alone with the Smoker's. We are so thankful for God's provision in providing so many willing hands to help!

Dr. Gerdes is on his way home now, having stayed as long as he could. Many thanks to his wife, children, and Glens Falls Hospital for allowing him to go!

One of our goals next week is to visit Jeremie, a town receiving an enormous influx of refugees. Bryan and my father, Wes Smith, are going to meet with the church leaders there to organize an effort to help feed these people and the families who have taken them in.

We also want to take our friend, a physician's assistant, to help at the public hospital when we go. Travis, Kate and one of their friends, Justin, have all withdrawn from their college classes in order to return to Haiti. They are waiting to see if there will be room on the plane for them.

My cousins, Lori and Jenny Martineau, both arrived and worked in the Petionville area hospitals as interpreters for the doctors. Jenny just returned to the US to take care of her son. Lori, however, has also withdrawn from her classes and is staying indefinitely to help.

Bryan is fund-raising, speaking in churches, communicating with our Haitian contacts, and keeping his business going. Pray for energy and strength to continue.

A Note from April (Lisa's baby sister)

It has been difficult for me to try to sit down and write something about our most recent trip to Haiti. We’ve all come away with so much and it seems impossible to convey all the experiences, stories and thoughts in a few short paragraphs. I could go on and on and on about each of God’s provisions on this trip. It was non-stop. But for the sake of brevity, I will summarize.

From the day we started planning this trip, we saw God intervene on our behalf and on the behalf of the Haitian people. I have never in my life felt God’s hand like I did last week in Haiti.

We had packed our bags full of as many medical supplies as we were able to collect in one day. We were as prepared as we could have been putting together a trip on such short notice. We were a small team going into an area with so much pain, suffering, injuries, sickness and devastation, but we were determined to do as much as we possibly could with the resources we had. But, as it turned out, in spite of our desire to help everyone we could, time and time again we found ourselves in situations where our skills and resources were completely exhausted. There was nothing more we could do. We had nowhere else to turn... but to God.

And so we would pray. And pray. And pray. And things would just start to happen. People would show up. Supplies would show up. Over and over and over we saw this happen. When we found ourselves at a roadblock, when we were lost, when we felt helpless, God would pick up where we could go no further. And as it turned out, we were not lost. We were not helpless. We had God on our side. He is a faithful and merciful God that met us where we were and carried on when we couldn’t carry on any further.

Because of one such turn of events, we were able to find Jude, a 22 day-old baby who had not been fed in so long he was completely listless. He could barely keep his eyes open and just a few sucks from a bottle completely exhausted him. Had God not been guiding us and providing for us, we never would have stumbled upon this precious child, nor would he have been able to receive the treatment that the Mission of Mercy staff (that showed up at just the right time) was able to provide him. He has since been placed in an orphanage and Pastor Michael Parker, who was there with Mission of Mercy, is working to adopt him. Please continue to pray for baby Jude for a complete recovery.

As small as we may feel in light of all the pain and suffering around us, God is bigger than all of it. I feel privileged that I was able to be a part of this past trip and to share a small part of myself with the people. But just as it happens each time I go to Haiti, I feel I have come away with so much more than I could ever offer in return. Thank you all for your support, love and prayers. You are making a difference.

Bryan's Recollections

Bryan keeps re-playing the images and sounds of a little old man, who had screamed in pain as the doctor worked on his infected foot.

Bry said he keeps seeing the sweat pour down the old man's face. Bry just wrapped his arms around the man and prayed in English, in Creole, weeping in compassion.

He says it's haunting to hear the cries of people in agony...A whole city crying out for someone to rescue it...

The pastor of the Smoker's mission cried out most of the first night, before finally falling silent.

Let us not forget Haiti just because the newspaper headlines do.

Good News!

Good news from Carrefour! Gas stations are opening and fuel is not so hard to come by. That is going to make transportation much easier! It's a real pain to push a truck to the airport from Carrefour!

Ricardo's crushed home has been cleared and a perimeter set up in which to contain incoming supplies, workers, and perhaps a small medical clinic. The current plan is to construct a temporary building (stick built/tin roof) in that location. Anything permanent could possibly be torn down by the government, which probably has a master design plan for reconstruction of the city, so it's probably smart not to do too much, too fast.

Two of the original team members, Sabrina, a nurse, and Katrina Smoker are helping to manage a local hospital and supplies are beginning to trickle in! Dr. Gerdes is also still on the ground and hard at work.

Bryan is hoping to fly out again next week since Rodney wants him to help on the ground with logistics for a few days. This would free Rodney up to work with his people.

From there, Bryan is hoping to fly to Jeremie with my father. (Newcomers to the blog: Jeremie is not a person, it is a village :)

Cancel Haiti's Debt

Here is a link if you are willing to sign a petition asking the world to cancel Haiti's debt.

http://www.avaaz.org/en/haiti_cancel_the_debt_9/97.php

Work Ahead

Things are in progress right now, through the connections of my very rich, very politically connected family in Haiti, and my very rich and well-connected Father in heaven :), to get the Port to Jeremie opened up!!! If this happens, we would be able to ship containers filled with food and supplies directly to refugees arriving by the thousands. The last ferry, which was supposed to seat 600, held 3,000 people.

The Grand-Anse province of Haiti, in which Jeremie is located, had the largest percentage of Port-au-Prince immigrants, who are now, of course, returning to their hometowns, in droves.

Jon is continuing to fly in and out of P-A-P, but the airport has just run out of fuel. He either has to wait at the airport for more, or fly to Cap Haitien to refuel before returning home.

Our church in Jeremie is preparing to aid the refugees as I write. It is up to them to figure out the best and most organized way to do this, and it is up to us to supply their needs from the US.

We hope to fly into Jeremie with supplies, and probably Bryan, too, who wants to check things out and meet with the church leaders there. My father, Wesley Smith, is accompanying Lloyd Smoker with yet another pilot and on another private plane into Port next week. We are still moving forward.

Keep up the prayers and support, you have been an incredible encouragement to us! And thank you, church family, for letting us cry on your shoulders last Sunday. What would we do without you?

Conversation with First Team to Carrefour

This is the first relief team to and from Carrefour, coordinated by the Bartow Family. They are talking to their pilot Jon, over breakfast.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1Eypnv7Z1w

Rodney and Lillian's Story

The following is a link to Rodney's story, in his own words. Listen and be blessed:

http://www.petrafel.org/resources/messages

Just in from Jeremie

We got word from Jeremie, Haiti, this morning, that refugees are showing up from Port-au-Prince by the thousands. This is the village that our family has been working in for five generations (including my own children, Travis and Kate). So this is our personal stomping grounds.

The public hospital is full to overflowing from the injured that are pouring in. Most of the refugees are staying with extended families who were already living in the village, but this puts a tremendous strain on these people, who already can hardly eke out a living.

We are going to aid these refugees in Jeremie, with the help of the many people donating to this cause! All of the money received will go straight to the Haitian people, no extra salaries or the immense waste of beaurocracies. Yea!!!

As the Carrefour area begins to receive outside aid (but so far, nothing from any big organizations or governments), it is going to be increasingly important to support the outlying cities of refuge, where the residents of Port-au-Prince are headed.

Through the power of the spirit, we can do this thing!

Travis is Healthy and Safe

Ah, health and safety! Two American obsessions that paralyze us. It seems like half of every magazine is dedicated to our greatest fears...

Two weeks ago, millions of people thought they were safe. We think we're safe, too. If we don't take any risks...

After enjoying a week in Haiti of perfect health and safety, our team returned, went out to breakfast in Miami, and headed for home.

Travis apparently had eaten a bad egg sandwich, because we had to stop the car on our way home from the airport so he could vomit. It was good to be back in the States where we could enjoy such health.

After Travis spoke with Kate at their youth group last night, he drove some kids home who didn't have rides. The roads were icy and dangerous. Soon they came across an overturned vehicle where they helped a man's wife get out of the wrecked vehicle. Travis took the couple home, dropped his friends off and was on his way back to our house when he, too, slid off the road, losing a headlight, his grill, and front bumper.

Yes, it is good to be back in America, where it is safe.

Our family has enjoyed some pretty good laughs over these ironies!

Let's face it, we must live our lives without fear, trusting in God to keep our lives, or take them. Trust Him...and be set free to serve.

To Blog Newcomers

The smoker family history blog is from Lloyd Smoker. I am posting it to help familiarize blog followers with this family and the work they were involved in before the earthquake. This is the family that we were able to take on one of our shuttle trips to Haiti, as well as support them with doctors, nurses, medical (and other) supplies.

Have patience with us, photos and video of our involvement in the quake relief efforts are forthcoming.

Haitifamily Ministries History

The Lloyd Smoker family moved to Haiti in 1986. Lloyd, Darlene, and our three small children - Kendra, Rodney, and Katrina were sent out by an Elim Fellowship Church – Bethel Fellowship located in Montour Falls , NY .

God sent us to Haiti with a specific and unique mission – to lie on a dead body, breath life into it and see it come alive. ( II Kings 4:32 -37) Along with this mission, He also gave us a promise. “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit…fruit that will last. ( John 1:16) After 20 some years of giving our lives to accomplish this mission, our declaration is that God is Faithful!

The first 10 years we partnered with a local pastor, Eddy Francois, and his church. In 1996 we started a ministry school – a training seminar where people fall in love with Jesus and His word and it gives them a solid foundation in the Bible. People got saved and a cell-based house church grew – Legliz Kay an Kay.

Over the years this church has become our family – Haitifamily. We lived with them and literally taught and gave them everything we know. God raised up men and women to embrace the vision as we lived and walked out this mission. In fact, in 2006 we handed the torch to Guimps and Sophonie Noel.

We believe in ministering to the three parts of man: spirit, soul, and body. Because of this we started small businesses such as desktop publishing, taxi service for busing school children, English classes, computer classes, and a small bakery. This provided jobs and it’s a wonderful way to mentor those we love.

But now with the shaking of the city, this is no more. Guimps and Sophonie are with Jesus, the church building is gone, the ministry school is gone, the small businesses that were started to support church members are buried in the ground. Most of Legliz Kay an Kay have been transported to Gonaives , living in community. But there are a few of us who have dedicated our lives to the homeless out on the streets, bringing food and shelter with one hand and the power of God with the other. We realize that if we just bring the food and shelter without the power of God we will be feeding a sleeping giant that will rise up and destroy us. Our vision and heart for the nation of Haiti has not been shaken. There still is a dead body to lie on, one that is dead spiritually and now even more economically. Our heart is that with the tools God is providing and with the giftings of his people he is putting together now, we will raise up a new beginning in that nation- one of hope and one of healing.

Our three small children are now grown and God blessed us with another daughter, Lareesa, who was born while we were in Haiti . All our children are a part of Haitifamily giving their lives for the Kingdom.

Kendra, our oldest daughter, married Ricardo Francois. Their house across the street was also destroyed in the quake. Ricardo is currently in Haiti overseeing the needs of the community. Kendra and their three children are in PA helping to coordinate aid for Haiti .

Rodney, their second-born, built a house next to Lloyd and Darlene. This was “God’s House” and was used for various ministries. This home was also destroyed. Rodney, Lillian and their one year old son, Jeremiah, were in Haiti when the earthquake happened. By a miracle they escaped. They are in Haiti with Ricardo helping the homeless in Carrefour.

Katrina and Lareesa are also in Haiti . Katrina is out there on the streets everyday giving medical assistance to anyone who needs it. Lareesa went to be a help to Rodney’s family while they are in Haiti .

Email: haitifamily@aol.com

Phone: 717-517-7146

Follow us on Facebook - Group Name: Haitifamily

Donations - Make check payable to:

Wellspring Fellowship

c/o LaReta Riehl

3800 Rt 14A

Penn Yan, NY 14527

Rodney

Our prayers continue to go out to Rodney Smoker and his family as they are recovering here in the States. By the time Rodney finally escaped the rubble of his home/church building, it was dark. He was already exhausted from the escape, but spent the remainder of the night pulling his friends out of the rubble of the church, both the living and the dead.

He and his Haitian brothers worked for hours and hours prying, lifting and digging with their bare hands in the dark until they were all utterly exhausted. Rodney freely shared all of this with Bryan, periodically breaking down as he recounted the horrors of that night. And the days that followed.

Rodney said that when he and the other workers could not continue physically, they were forced to quit, leaving one poor man pinned under a big piece of cement. They couldn't remove him because their strength was gone, the cement was just too heavy. They couldn't pull him out from under the slab because a piece of rebar had pinned the man to the rubble through his abdomen.

Rodney apologized to his friend, promising they would all be back soon when they regained their strength and had some daylight with which to see. The man said it was OK and released Rodney to go with his blessing.

When Rodney and the others had regained some strength, they returned to try again. But their friend and brother was dead.

Pray for the completion of healing in the hearts of these who have experienced such loss.

Travis did not cry in Haiti. He didn't cry when he came home. But this morning, when he shared in church, his tears were mixed with the tears of so many others as he began to experience the cleansing power of God.

Travis is withdrawing from his college classes for this semester. He said college will be here when he gets home. I know he is right. This is right. He says he has to go back to Haiti.

He goes with our prayers and blessings.

Rodney is preparing to fly back to Haiti on Tuesday, to continue the work that his parents began so many years ago. Pray for him and his task ahead.

Kate Keeps Talking

"My first patient was a woman between the ages of 50 and 60. She was lying face-down on a filthy, fly-infested mattress. One-fourth of her back was covered with scrapes. I asked someone to translate for me."

"He said she had broken her back and was unable to move. Here in America, I would question someone who told me they had broken their back and couldn't move. In Haiti, however, when someone says they cannot move, they mean it. The Haitians are a strong, tough people, who can even work with broken bones. She could move her neck and arms, but not her lower body."

"I cleaned her wounds as best I could. Aunt Heidi and April came over from working with other patients. Whoever's patient it was, was their turn to pray aloud. Since this was mine, I knew I would have to pray."

"I love to pray. But I hate to pray out loud. I never know how to say it quite right. This time, however, the words spilled out of my mouth. I said, 'God, we can't do anything for this woman. Her back is broken and she needs to be healed. And You, God, have the power to heal, so I ask this in Jesus' Name. Amen.' We always kept it simple and brief. Prayers that are too long just get annoying. God knows what we want because he reads our hearts."

"When I walked through that same area later that week, I saw her walking, supported by a "cane" (it was a stick). She limped over, sat in a chair, and I re-bandaged her wounds. She smiled at me and said, 'merci Jezi' and I said, 'Beni swa l'eternel.' " (which translates: 'thank you, Jesus' and 'Blessed be the Eternal One')."

"Some might say her back was sprained. But knowing the Haitian people, and knowing Jesus Christ, I know she was healed."

Kate

An Open Letter From Heidi

Lis

I was reading the blogs and thought I'd send one to you if you wanna post it.

On my way to Ft. Lauderdale I prayed that God would help us make a dent in Haiti and that it would make a dent in me. It made a much bigger dent than I had hoped for!

To Jon: You know how we have told you how very thankful we are that you could fly us down to Port-au-Prince. I feel so very lucky to have been a part of this! And we couldn't have accomplished this without your faithfulness and skill.

To the accusors: After cleaning and dressing wounds, there was "just one more" to help. What is the price of just one more person? I CANNOT and WILL NOT put a price on someone's life... A life from God. Saying that little organizations aren't needed in Haiti is ignorant and I pray that God will shut their mouths and open their eyes. I refuse to believe that small acts can't change a person, a city, a country, the world.

To all the prayers, donors, volunteers: I could feel your prayers and I thank you so much for backing us in so many ways. All the medical supplies and food that came in was amazing. The supplies really did seem to multiply in our bags! We were able to touch so many people with your generosity.

To the Haitians: We won't forget and we will continue to help you, pray for you and keep you in our hearts. I love you.

Heidi

One Woman Makes a Difference

Bryan met a wealthy, Haitian woman, one of the few in Haiti known as "bougeoisie," historically despised by the poor, and for good reason.

But this earthquake put all haitians in the streets, regardless of money or power. Tonight, the rich sleep with the poor.

This woman told Bryan, "I have taken from this country my whole life. Now I know it is time to give back." She is doing what we are doing, using her connections, money, and resources to shuttle supplies and Haitian doctors and nurses from Florida, to the people who have nothing...who have always had nothing...and now have even less.

The doctors that she brought are the ones who happened by...when Evelyn was lying in the street...

Jon Takes Some Heat

People are telling our pilot, Jon, that he shouldn't be wasting his time with such a small operation as ours, which has been bringing support to Carrefour, an area of Port-au-Prince still untouched by outside aid.

They told him that people's money would be better spent on larger organizations, like the Red Cross (which is currently sitting on tons of supplies at the airport, by the way).

This was very discouraging to him.

Please comment here to encourage him. He has been like an angel to us. An angel with slightly dirty and very human wings.

Kate

"One of the people I grew closest to was a man named Patrick. He was probably in his 30's. He was one of our translators and also one of the men who secretly delivered packages of food to people in need throughout the community."

"One day, I was talking to him. He was so happy that I didn't think he had lost anything. I asked him about his family."

"He took out a little picture of his whole family. And he just pointed to the different people who had died: his three sisters...his grandma...his fiancee."

And then he looked at me and he smiled." Kate is sobbing now as she continues, "He said, 'It's O.K...God is so good...I am here...And you are here now.' Then he collected his things, and walked away... to continue carrying food to his people. That was the only time I cried on the trip. But since I came home, I've cried a lot.

"Another little boy I was working on had gashes on his arm, head and leg. Aunt Heidi and April fixed his head and moved on to his leg. I was fixing his arm.

When we finished, he said, 'Merci, Jezi.'....It's not that I was Jesus, it's that they saw an answered prayer. They saw Jesus, through me.

"At midnight we would hear people praising God in the streets. They were raising their hands and clapping. Dancing in the dust of their city. The Haitian Christians are not taking this like I took it, when I first heard about the earthquake. I was mad. These people were not cursing God for what they had lost, they were thanking him for what they still had."

Come and Join Us

Bryan and the kids will be sharing with our home congregation of Rockwell Falls Presbyterian Church in Lake Luzerne, tomorrow morning at 10:30. Please come!

We are grateful for Pastor Mike's eagerness to support us in this way and for the opportunity to share with the people who have carried this work from here, to haiti and back...and beyond.

May this be a time of community, compassion, and healing.

Bryan

"A little boy came to our camp. His arm had been amputated."

Bryan is sobbing as he tells this story. Sobbing with grief, exhaustion, gratitude...every conceivable emotion.

As he and a doctor worked on the boy's arm, Bryan asked the boy if a piece of cement had crushed his arm. The boy answered, "No my mother's head crushed it."

When the quake happened, his mother had wrapped herself around him to protect him. They both were knocked down and covered. His mother's head was resting on his arm, crushed. She was dead, but probably saved his life.

He was trapped in her arms, under the rubble, for three days before someone finally found him, pulled him out, and brought him to us. Now he is in the care of our team, recovering physically.

But he will never have his arm, or his mother.

Pray for this precious little boy, and the thousands like him.

God, keep our hearts broken. Broken forever.

Travis, 18

Travis watched the dead, bloated bodies being thrown into the back of a garbage truck. The men picking them up would slap them once, first, to make the flies rise like a cloud off their bodies.

Then Travis, and the other Haitians who were watching, moved away as the truck began to crush the bodies, to make room for more. The bodies crunched and popped, and the small crowd stepped back, afraid of the taut skins exploding, since they were so bloated.

But these were people, not animals! Travis said it wasn't the gore or the putrid smell that bothered him. It was knowing that each one was a real person...with friends and family. And he said it was the living that bothered him the most. It was the living who were suffering.

Trav says, "People brought Evelyn to us on a board. It reminded me of the guys that lowered that man down through the roof, for Jesus to heal. So desperate... They laid her on the ground and we started to pray. As we prayed, we watched her slowly come to life, in front of our eyes. First, her fever went down, then she started to sit up, then she took a drink, coughed and began to moan and gain consciousness. By that time, probably 150 people had gathered to watch and pray, the prayer increasing in intensity as her life came back. Some doctors showed up, and the man with the IVs showed up...out of nowhere... and the doctors started the IV.When she left, I was afraid that the miracle would stop taking place. But before we left to come home, she had been taken to a special hospital that could handle cases as severe as hers, and hopefully, will make a full recovery."

Travis wishes that more doctors, who are also Christians, would rely more on the power of God in prayer in treating patients. God can take take physical capabilities and multiply their effectiveness!

"The thing that hit me hardest," Trav said, "was seeing this little orphan girl on the plane. The seatbelt looked so big compared to her. She was so sweet and she just sat there. So precious. So quiet. Such innocence. Knowing she was just one among so many. She just sat there. So peacefully. One of so many...so many."

Travis is very serious. He says he feels like he's never contributed to making a difference like he did this past week.

"I did everything." Trav says, "And everything I did mattered." He says he has to go back.

Kate, 16

One man was carried to Kate, his entire leg wrapped in bandages. She unwrapped the first layer, then the second, each layer getting more difficult until the last wasn't moving. The bandages had grown into the scabs and there was a lot of infection.

Kate says almost everyone's wounds were infected. She slowly lifted the bandages, snipping piece by piece, tearing off scabs, while the man tried to control the agony he was in. She was able to clean his leg with peroxide and iodine, and coat it with antibiotic ointment.

A man arrived on the scene to interpret. She was able to tell him that these bandages needed to be changed regularly. The interpreter stayed by her side for two days, helping Kate talk to the people. After two days of helping, Kate finally asked him what she could do for him. He said all he wanted was a little food. Kate gave him a handful of granola bars, which he took to his family. She said he was so grateful.

Another man came with a bandaged foot. Kate unwrapped the filthy bandages and the smell of rot and decay hit her in the face. The man's toes had been crushed, and were now rotting. Kate could see that no amount of cleaning was going to help this man.

Kate put her hands on him and began to pray, "Jesus, please send me some doctors! Please let me find a doctor for this man!" At that moment, Travis ran up to Kate and said, "Kate! There are some doctors who came! They are getting set up at our camp!"

Travis ran to the camp, found a stretcher, and returned to help carry the man to the doctors, who promptly amputated his toes.

But every night, as the Haitians and Americans lay on their backs, pressed side by side under the stars in a cramped space of clear ground, they would sing praises to God. With all their might!