Haiti Update

Good day to all of you.

As I shared previously from the pulpit, CCM collected a little over $2,000 for the Haiti Relief. Perhaps a pittance to some. But not to me. It's a gift, heart-impromptu-impulse,motivated by love and compassion.

Our meager benevolence will translate into many, many tents in Port Au Prince, Haiti. CCM reminds me of the Philippian church, in the region of Macedonia. While not wealthy, they gave and gave for cause greater then their own interests:

Romans 15:26 For it pleased those from Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are in Jerusalem.

Read below. There are Calvary Chapel Relief Teams in-country; footsoldiers, Christian doctors and medical personnel; a consortium of several Calvary Chapels working in conjunction and mutual endeavors.

We're wiring the financial-gift straight, directly in the very hands of those daring and caring souls mentioned below. Love you. And once again, my appreciation and gratefulness in allowing me to represent a beautiful flock. God bless you all.

TONIGHT'S STUDY:
If you're not attending tonight, please read Jeremiah 14-15. If Haiti was not on the forefront of our media and consciousness, these chapters would be very hard to accept morally, and digest intellectually and believe spiritually. Why would a loving God cause havoc upon His own people? Destroy His own heritage? His Temple? His beloved city, Jerusalem? The carnage...the method of destruction: Draught, Dearth, Sword, Famine and Pestilence (Diarrhea, hepatitis, typhoid fever, dengue fever, malaria and uncontrolled leptospirosis!) WHAT ABOUT HIS PROMISES?!!!!

Why do bad things happen to good people? Were the people of God good...or bad? Read and hear from God Himself as He declares it to the weeping prophet.

His and Yours,

Pancho

An update on CCOB ministry in Haiti will follow later today. In the meantime, our teams in Haiti have been blessed to use a ministry home operated by CC Delta (PA) as their basecamp for the past two weeks. On Monday they were joined by Pastor Doug of CC Delta, whose church sent us the following report about yesterday's joint ministry with CCOB and other churches in Port-au-Prince:

This morning they left at 6 am to assess the situation to decide how they might best serve and how our fellowship in Delta and ministry in the DR can be involved in aiding the Haitian people. Their first stop was a visit the hospital in Jimani, Dominican Republic that we had heard about. It is on the border, and they talked with the medical personnel. They have a huge need for nurses right now.

After leaving there, they tried to contact Pastor Serge, the pastor of CC Port-au-Prince, who was to meet them at the border. The phone service was not working, even though they talked to him by phone the day before. They made their way into Haiti, having no problem crossing the border. They were never able to locate the pastor to help them, but the Lord miraculously led them, and they ended up at CC Port-au-Prince! The pastor was able to show them the church, their small orphanage, and then discuss the needs they had. It was so encouraging to hear that this group of Haitian believers who have personally lost so much were going into the tent cities and sharing their faith in Jesus Christ. They report that people have been very open to the gospel. Pastor Serge also took the team(which also included 3 of the leaders from CCOB, a doctor from Boston, to visit the site of a new tent city they are establishing 15 minutes outside of the downtown area. There is a great need for tents, so please pray that we can access some. The church there had already moved a group on handicapped women out of the main downtown area to the new tent city location.

After leaving the church, they travelled into the downtown areas of the city, including the area around the Presidential Palace, and saw the devastation first-hand. They had to travel with the windows up because of the smell. Traffic was quite heavy. Our pastor was overwhelmed by the magnitude of the destruction, commenting that the news can't do it justice. He said that large 3-4 story buildings were collapsed down to around 6' tall. He was surprised at how large a city it is and how crowded, with people too fearful to move indoors, and thankfully, many foreigners. However, even with all the aid workers, there is still way more need than supply. They only saw 2 food distributions and are wondering where the rest are. He said that there was no where you could turn to look away from the destruction. One of the other team members commented that it was the closest thing any of them would probably ever see to an apocalyptic scene.

They travelled back to Barahona, DR in late afternoon. The plan for tomorrow is to try to buy supplies in Barahona early in the morning, including tents. They aren't sure that there are tents in Barahona, so please pray that the Lord would direct them and provide the tents and supplies that are needed. Then they are intending to go back to Port-au-Prince to deliver the supplies and tents to the church. They are going to try to evangelize in the tent cities. Pray that they have an open door to sharing the gospel and that people wouldn't miss hearing the message because it comes from Americans who are seen as physical aid providers. They will be joined by other servants, including one who speaks Creole. They are also looking for a secure place to stay in Haiti, and if they can locate one, will be spending the night. The pastor has some connections to hospital personnel, and they will help our medical team to see where the areas are that have the greatest need.

Pastor Doug asked me to ask you all to pray for the things above, for safety(he said it wasn't scary at all today), and for Holy boldness to share the love of Christ with these hurting people. His heart is broken, and they need God's heart and empowerment as they go.

Blessings to you all, and thank you for your prayers and support for the lost in Haiti.

--
Patrick Farrell
Assistant Pastor
Calvary Chapel Old Bridge • www.ccob.org