Destination AFRICA (Update) February 9, 2010
Posted by LaWanda in Africa, Free Methodist Church, Travel, Women's Ministries International.add a comment
Had a good trip so far: COLD in Amsterdam (26), warm in Nairobi (70 outside, about 80 inside the airport.) Flying over the Swiss Alps was awesome as was the incredible vastness of the Sahara Desert.
Thankfully we had extra seats & could stretch out on both of the long segments. In a few minutes we’ll board the plane for Bujumbura, Burundi – it’ll be wonderful to sleep in a bed & get cleaned up. 
What a VERY long trip! I’m not complaining, we’ve had comfort & 2 meals on both the last two 7 1/2 hour flights. The 6 hour trip by Land Rover will be an experience tomorrow, I’m sure!
We are so blessed to be on this trip for King Jesus!
LaWanda
Financial gifts are tax deductible, should be made payable to WMI, marked ‘WMI Mission Trips’ and mailed to:
WOMEN’S MINISTRIES INTERNATIONAL
P O Box 535002
Indianapolis IN 46253-5002
Destination AFRICA February 8, 2010
Posted by LaWanda in Africa, Free Methodist Church, Travel, Women's Ministries International.add a comment
In just a few short hours, Rex and I will be boarding a plane in Tampa and heading to Africa via Detroit and Amsterdam. Our itinerary is below and I will be updating the blog as I am able. Please join us in prayer that God will journey with us and will bring strength and encouragement as we minister to our brothers and sisters in Africa.
Here’s the 2/8-23 Itinerary: Africa time (GMT +2) is 7 hours ahead of EST; i.e., 1:00 PM EST is 8:00 PM where we’re going in Africa.
8 Feb 2010 Monday
Leave TPA 1:50 (Detroit, Amsterdam, Nairobi, Bujumbura Burundi) arriving 12:20 A.M., Feb 10
11 Feb 2010 Thursday
Travel to Nundu, Congo (Democratic Republic of Congo, about 6 hrs over ‘moonscape roads’) transported by Randy and Alice Matthewson in Land Rover
12 Feb 2010 Friday
Day of orientation and rest prior to the Women’s Conference
13 Feb 2010 Saturday
First day of Women’s Conference, expecting at least 600 women from the Democratic Republic of Congo
14 Feb 2010 Sunday
Second day of Women’s Conference – Valentine’s Day
15 Feb 2010 Monday
One day to rest/explore after the conference
16 Feb 2010 Tuesday
Travel back to Bujumbura, Burundi – overnight in missionary’s home (they are in the states)
17 Feb 2010 Wednesday
visit Hope Africa University & attend dedication of new Administration Wing, in Bujumbura – overnight in missionary’s home
18 Feb 2010 Thursday
Travel up-country (7 hrs) to Kibuye Hospital – Frank and Carol Ogden, hosts
19, 20 Feb 2010 Friday & Saturday
Tour Kibuye Hospital
21 Feb 2010 Sunday
Attend church up-country in the Kibuye area, return to Bujumbura Sun afternoon (about 2.5 hrs), spend night in missionary’s home
22 Feb 2010 Monday
9:40 AM Leave Bujumbura (Nairobi, Amsterdam, Detroit) arrive Tampa 4:41 PM 2/23
Believing in the One from whom all blessings flow!
LaWanda
Financial gifts are tax deductible, should be made payable to WMI, marked ‘WMI Mission Trips’ and mailed to:
WOMEN’S MINISTRIES INTERNATIONAL
P O Box 535002
Indianapolis IN 46253-5002
Katie Zook’s story, in her own words February 5, 2010
Posted by LaWanda in Earthquake, God's Mercy, Haiti, Katie Zook.add a comment
See Katie’s Interview with Scott here
by Scott Evans
Idaho’s NewsChannel 7
Posted on January 29, 2010 at 5:23 PM
Updated Saturday, Jan 30 at 6:37 PM
******
BOISE — Katie Zook, the N-N-U graduate who survived the Haiti earthquake talks. We first told you about Zook the day after the earthquake. We’ve kept you up-to-date on her progress. Now we hear her story in her words.
Scott Evans talked with her this afternoon via Skype. From the comfort of her hospital bed, Katie Zook took us back to that fateful day in Port au Prince. This is her story of the earthquake that killed over 100,000 people.
“It happened so quickly. The first thing that I remember was there was a very loud rumble,” said Katie Zook.
It was the end of a long day for Katie Zook. She was four months into a two year mission for the Free Methodist Church. She was working on the top floor of a four story concrete building, when the now infamous Haiti earthquake struck.
“It started moving and I knew it was an earthquake, but you know, I’ve had earthquakes in Washington and this was nothing like that, it was horrendous, just so much movement,” said Zook.
Standing in the doorway, Zook realized that was not the best place to be. She bolted for cover under a single legged round wooden table.
“And I grabbed on to the leg and covered my neck with my left arm and closed my eyes and don’t remember anything else until everything was black,” said Zook.
Everything – the concrete walls, the concrete ceiling and the concrete floor buckled. The table and the way the rubble crumbled created a small pocket. Small enough for Zook to move her hands a little and her head from side to side.
“Did you know that you were alive? At first I wondered, but it didn’t take me too long to figure it out. Breathing and sweating and being able to smell the dust, I figured out where I was and what had happened, but I didn’t know how bad the damage was, I didn’t know if I could get myself out. I didn’t know anything like that because I couldn’t see anything,” said Zook.
Moments of panic settled in. What if I’m never found? What if I run out of air? What if … what if … what if.
“One thing that calmed me down was I started counting the times that I smiled, because ironic things would go through my head and make me laugh, and so it helped calm me down to count how many times I would smile,” said Zook.
But counting smiles didn’t bring her closer to rescue. She could hear her boss’s husband, Jack, screaming for help – directing rescuers. But he couldn’t hear her. For three hours she alternated between screaming and tapping a bottle against the rubble.
“When we finally heard familiar voices it was very comforting,” said Zook.
They eventually heard her.
“I was looking for light because one of the guys that was digging had a flash light, and was kept asking me do you see the light, do you see the light, so when I finally saw the light I just started screaming that I saw the light, and I was very very excited,” said Zook.
For 30 minutes rescuers removed the rubble
“They had to dig carefully. They had to find me, and then once they found me they had to make sure that the rocks they pulled out didn’t make more rocks fall on me,” said Zook.
The concrete that fell on her crushed her left side. It collapsed a lung, fractured ribs, fractured vertebrae and caused nerve damage on her left arm.
“When they first pulled me out they had to kind of uncurl me, which was painful, and they laid me out on the hood of the car and everything was black and dusty and I couldn’t see what Port au Prince looked like,” said Zook.
Taken to a UN Hospital, she spent the night on a mattress outside. Then to the U-S Embassy. Then Guantanamo and eventually to a hospital in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. There she spent 10 days in ICU before moving to Acute Care where she sleeps tonight.
“I consider this a miracle,” said Zook.
“I just think it’s important that we don’t quickly forget Haiti, that this event doesn’t just fade.
Katie’s parents have been by her bedside ever since she returned to the states. Her condition is constantly improving. She’s waiting for one more surgery then she’ll be released. She’s hoping that comes sometime next week. She should have a full recovery.
Of the eight people inside Zook’s building at the time of the earthquake, only four survived. Two of the people who died were missionaries. They had been there only for an hour and a half.
Financial gifts are tax deductible. 100% of all gifts received to these accounts, go to Haiti:
Give on-line at help haiti heal
OPERATION HOPE or
THE BISHOPS FAMINE & RELIEF FUND
P O Box 535002
Indianapolis IN 46253-5002
Update on Jack Munos, Katie Zook and the Desvaristes January 27, 2010
Posted by LaWanda in Earthquake, Free Methodist Church, Jack Munos, Katie Zook, Women's Ministries International.add a comment
Rex and I drove to Ft Lauderdale to see Jack and Katie in one hospital and the Desvariestes in another hospital, about 20 minutes apart.
Pastor and Gerthy Desvarieste
Our first stop was at Broward Medical Center where we saw Pastor Desvariste & Gerthy, his wife. She is in much pain & they are giving her pain medication; the leg is draining & the swelling slowly going down. Another operation is scheduled for later this week. Pastor Desvariste is very tired but “so thankful the Lord’s Presence is with them there, supplying their needs.” He expressed his deep appreciation for all the prayers, phone calls, visits, care & love the church family is showing. He told us that on the day of the quake, he & Gerry were downtown Port au Prince at the hospital, to see a Dr because he had been very sick for 2 days. The building began to shake and they ran for the door; he was able to get outside but Gerthy was hit by a piece of concrete just above her left foot. They stayed in the lobby of the collapsed hospital 2 days then he was able to get her to the car and to the U N compound. The Dr there thought her leg should be amputated but Pastor D said “No, try to save it.” They were able to get to the Dominican Republic hospital where they worked on Gerry’s leg. They received word that a private plane was bringing in 8 doctors to Port au Prince and they could fly Gerry to FL for better treatment. So back to Port au Prince by ambulance they went, leaving their 7 and 10 year old boys (who have asthma) with his niece’s family in the DR. They were told to be at the airport early Thursday morning; they were there at 6:00. At 6:30 they were loading Gerthy on the plane, Eliodor thought he would have to stay behind. Then he saw there were empty seats on the plane and asked if he could go with his wife. “No problem” was the pilot’s reply. The Devaristes had their passports in their pockets in readiness for a trip to the states on the 13th so all was in order for them to leave together to get medical care for Gerthy! How we praised God with them for the wonderful way He works!
Jack Munos
At N Broward Medical Center, Jack spent the day before in rehab & actually moved around a bit which he felt helped in the operation on his right leg this morning. Swelling has gone down considerably. He told us he’s been waking early, having time with the Lord, crying, but knowing where Jeanne is then crying some more. He was glad to get our update on Pastor Desvariste and Gerthy as it filled in some blanks for him; he was in good spirits.
Katie Zook
Katie is just around the corner from Jack; she’s looking better too and is awaiting word on when the surgeon will sew up the wounds on her leg. She’ll have to wear a back brace for 3 months so her chipped vertebrate and ribs can heal. She, her mom and dad were able to have devotions together with Jack & his brother, Chuck, in the cafeteria yesterday & were so thankful.
Rex and I are now on our way home, driving across Alligator Alley. It’s been a very good day, taking greetings from our church family to those so thankful for people who care. Please continue to pray for Jack, Katie, the Desvariestes and all those suffering from the aftermath of the January 12th earthquake.
Weary but rejoicing,
LaWanda
Financial gifts are tax deductible. 100% of all gifts received to these accounts, go to Haiti:
Give on-line at help haiti heal
OPERATION HOPE or
THE BISHOPS FAMINE & RELIEF FUND
P O Box 535002
Indianapolis IN 46253-5002
Sunday Report from Dr Delia Nuesch-Olver in Haiti January 25, 2010
Posted by LaWanda in Earthquake, Free Methodist Church, Haiti, Women's Ministries International.add a comment
Port-au-Prince, January 24, 2010
Standing in rubble Sunday morning, I had the honor of preaching at one of our Free Methodist churches. The church and school buildings were unsafe so we met under a tarp in the school’s patio. Surrounded by unbelievable pain and destruction and odor and bugs and thirst and hunger, it was very moving to join with our Haitian sisters and brothers in singing, “For I know whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that he is able …”
We attempted to bring words of comfort and hope and arranged to have water delivered. A team from the Dominican Republic will continue to deliver water and food to people from the church and neighborhood we visited for the foreseeable future.
Some reflections from members of the team after visiting downtown Port-au-Prince this afternoon:
Flattened
It looked like a nuclear bomb had gone off
Total, breathtaking destruction beyond any kind of description. Overwhelming.
People burned, still alive. Sorrow.
Visible decaying bodies. Smell
Hard to process the suffering.
And finally:
The pictures you’ve seen in TV are not true; it is much worse.
There was an aftershock this afternoon. We fear unstable buildings may no longer be standing.
Alice Judy had asked her husband, Larry, (one of our team members) to find out whether their friend Bill was alive. Larry asked around to anyone he thought might know. No one had heard from Bill since the earthquake, and Larry was increasingly concerned. Today as we returned from church Larry was sitting in the back of an open pick-up truck. Suddenly, Larry heard his name called out and saw his friend Bill waving at him animatedly. Bill and Larry hope to connect again tomorrow. In the midst of so much sadness, devastation and masses of people in this capital city, this felt like a wonderful moment to all of us.
On Monday the team will divide in three. We will start work again at 6 a.m. Ken LaBelle will continue doing building inspections. Dr. Dale Woods and I will meet for a third strategy meeting with the Haitian leaders, after which I will visit schools and pastors with Andy Yardy. Meanwhile Dale will fix generators to make it possible for the ICCM central office to start functioning again.
Be wise in your giving toward Haiti. We have seen people from international organizations jumping out of cars for a quick photo shoot, and then speeding away with their media material. I recommend the Bishops Famine and Relief Fund and Help Haiti Heal.
Thank you for your prayers for Haiti and the Haitian people.
Financial gifts are tax deductible. 100% of all gifts received to these accounts, go to Haiti:
Give on-line at help haiti heal
OPERATION HOPE or
THE BISHOPS FAMINE & RELIEF FUND
P O Box 535002
Indianapolis IN 46253-5002
UPDATE on Katie & Jack January 19, 2010
Posted by LaWanda in Earthquake, Free Methodist Church, God's Mercy, Haiti, Jack Munos, Katie Zook.add a comment
Rex & I just left the hospital after being with Katie Zook & her parents, then with Jack Munos. It was wonderful to be with them & pray for them. God has spared their lives and they are so appreciative of so much love that’s coming their way by way of phone calls, visits & prayer.
Here’s a picture I took of Katie, she’s as comfortable as they can make her. Her arms & hands are very swollen but she’s smiling & in good spirits. Her parents & two brothers from WA are with her, so that’s terrific.
Saw Jack who also is as comfortable as drugs can make him with broken bones, cuts, bruises, swelling & having lost his wife Jeanne. Jeanne’s brother got in today & the hospital is letting him stay in a room on the floor above Jack.
Both Jack & Katie are undoubtedly still in shock I’m sure but at least they’re in a good place & w/family.
Just got word that Gerthy Desvariste (Port au Prince Haiti) was evac’d to Miami hospital for a possible leg amputation. Her husband is with her. PLEASE pray that God will spare her leg & bring total, speedy healing.
Continue to pray for Jack & Katie to heal quickly & completely too. God bless you for your faithfulness.
With love and prayers,
LaWanda
Financial gifts are tax deductible. 100% of all gifts received to these accounts, go to Haiti:
Give on-line at help haiti heal
OPERATION HOPE or
THE BISHOPS FAMINE & RELIEF FUND
P O Box 535002
Indianapolis IN 46253-5002
Katie Zook’s Story January 18, 2010
Posted by LaWanda in Earthquake, Free Methodist Church, God's Mercy, Haiti, Thanksgiving.add a comment
From Free Methodist World Missions, Monday, January 18, 2010
Katie Zook’s rescue story as told by her father, Greg Zook:
Katie was finishing her day on Tuesday, January 12, in the fourth floor apartment of a four-story building when the earthquake hit. She sought protection in a doorway when, at the last moment, Katie chose to dive under a table when the building began to crumble. The next thing Katie remembers is finding herself under rubble, unable to move but able to hear the cries of people in the street. As Katie struggled in the dark unable to move, the aftershocks continued to shake the now destroyed building causing Katie to fear that she had survived the initial quake only to be killed by the aftershocks.
Eventually, Katie heard the familiar voices of friends and co-workers, digging in the rubble and calling out for her. Our Haitian friend, John Willair, who works for the mission was digging with his bare hands and praying for Jesus to show him where to dig. Eventually, more help came and after three hours Katie was pulled from the wreckage of the building. Our friend Dr. Dan Snyder was there to provide Katie with some initial medical care and transport her to the U.N. Hospital. Katie was Med-Vac’d to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, where she was treated in the U.S. Naval hospital and then rushed to her current location here in Ft. Lauderdale early Thursday morning. We have been holding vigil over Katie and sharing with her your expressions of love and support. Our Superintendent Matt Whitehead along with his wife, Melanie, happened to be in Florida for a working vacation and have been a great support to us.
Thank you for your overwhelming prayers and support for Katie and Jack Munos. Cards may be sent to them at:
North Broward Medical Center
201 E Sample Road
Deerfield Beach, FL 33064Personal visits are discouraged so that Katie and Jack will be able to have sufficient rest to heal as quickly as possible.
* Pray for the family of Erlin, Haitian caretaker of FOHO (Friends of Haiti Organization), who perished in last week’s earthquake.
* Continue to pray for Jack Munos and Katie Zook, who are recovering in a Ft. Lauderdale hospital ICU unit.
* Pray for the wife of Haitian pastor Eliodor Devariste who was badly injured. Samuel and Kendra Luna, Free Methodist friends in the Dominican Republic, are attempting to bring her to the DR for specialized medical assistance.
* Pray for the wife of Oscar Mondale, International Child Care Ministries Haitian Director, who was injured.
* Pray weather conditions will continue to cooperate with rescue efforts.
* Pray for God’s peace to reign in the midst of this desperate situation.
* Pray the many Haitians refugees who are leaving the Port-au-Prince area to receive the assistance they so desperately need.
A 2nd Free Methodist response team will leave this week for Haiti. They will strategize with the Haitian church for future volunteer deployment and will assess standing buildings for structural safety.
Day of Prayer and Fasting: The Free Methodist Church has declared Wednesday, January 27, as a Worldwide Day of Prayer and Fasting for the Haitian church. Bishop David Kendall will send a letter this week to pastors providing more information.
Steve and Ruth Hersey, VISA Affiliates serving with Quisqueya Christian School in Port-au-Prince, were not injured in the earthquake. They will remain in Haiti.
To share your prayers or words of encouragement for the Haitian church or to share reflections, go to the forum board at help haiti heal
A second video message to be shown in FM churches will be available for next Sunday, January 24. More details will follow.
Donations to the Help Haiti Heal fund have been coming in at a rapid pace. Thank you for generosity to your Haitian brothers and sisters. We will do our best to bring you word Wednesday of total giving to this point. Two avenues to donate – Missions Connect and PayPal – are available at the Free Methodist World Missions website.
Costs for administrating the funds coming in through Help Haiti Heal are taken from the FMWM operational budget so that 100% of your donations can go directly to relief efforts.
LaWanda
Financial gifts are tax deductible. 100% of all gifts received to these accounts, go to Haiti:
Give on-line at help haiti heal
OPERATION HOPE or
THE BISHOPS FAMINE & RELIEF FUND
P O Box 535002
Indianapolis IN 46253-5002
HAITI UPDATE January 18, 2010 January 18, 2010
Posted by LaWanda in Earthquake, Free Methodist Church, Haiti.1 comment so far
From Free Methodist World Center
With profound sadness, Free Methodist World Missions reports Rev. Jeanne Acheson-Munos, Merle West, and Gene Defou, the three missionaries who have been unaccounted for, have not been located and are now presumed to have lost their lives in the earthquake. Saturday Bishop David Roller conducted a funeral service at the site of the building they were in which collapsed when Tuesday’s earthquake hit. These three individuals gave their lives in service to the Haitian people whom they loved deeply.
Rev. Jeanne Acheson-Munos, and her husband, Jack, were appointed as career missionaries to Haiti in March 2004. Together they worked alongside the national church to develop and strengthen the conference, pastors, church leaders and members. Jeanne’s deepest desire was that Haiti, the Pearl of the Antilles, would shine again with “Haiti for Christ” becoming a reality.
Merle West had been ministering in Haiti since 1978. He served as president of FOHO (Friends of Haiti Organization) and supervised construction of the new FOHO building. Merle was active in Craftsman for Christ and worked construction in the Miami Haitian churches. He also took three trips to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.
Gene Defou had been on three trips to Haiti and one to Africa. Gene, along with Merle, was active in Craftsman for Christ and worked construction in the Miami Haitian churches. Gene and Merle were good friends, enjoying each other’s company and sharing a heart and love for Haiti.
Jack Munos and Katie Zook (Arlington FMC, Arlington WA) remain in ICU in a Miami hospital. Both continue to improve. Katie was on a 2 year VISA assignment which began September 2009. She was assisting Rev. Jeanne Acheson-Munos in day-to-day ministry and helping with hospitality at the FOHO Guesthouse.
DeeAnn Snyder has arrived safely in Michigan. Dan is expected to arrive late this evening. James, their son who was with them in Haiti, returns to his college in the U.S. this evening.
VISA Ministries Volunteers: Among the Free Methodists serving in Haiti at the time of the earthquake were several VISA Ministries volunteers. Melanie Brooks, Chris Browne, Dave Hornish, and Bruce Oberlin, part of the Clear Blue Global Water Project from the Cornerstone FMC (Akron, OH), returned home safely late yesterday evening.
Working in conjunction with the Clear Blue team, Rev. Arron Swenson and Jason Sheete from Cornerstone Community Church (Pendelton, OR) and Kelly Perkins from the Deer Flat FMC (Caldwell, ID) are expected to arrive in Seattle this evening.
Russ and Sherrie Cole from the Quincy FMC (Quincy, WA), who have been in Haiti since November helping with guesthouse management/hospitality, bookkeeping and maintenance, depart from Miami on Monday.
Scenes in the video show the shelter at an International Child Care Ministries school where medical supplies, water filtration equipment and other much needed resources were delivered.
The best way to give and have 100% of your money go to Haiti relief is to go help haiti heal. God bless you as you give and pray for those suffering!
LaWanda
Financial gifts are tax deductible. 100% of all gifts received to these accounts, go to Haiti:
Give on-line at help haiti heal
OPERATION HOPE or
THE BISHOPS FAMINE & RELIEF FUND
P O Box 535002
Indianapolis IN 46253-5002
HAITI UPDATE – January 15, 2010 January 15, 2010
Posted by LaWanda in Earthquake, Free Methodist Church, Haiti.add a comment
Pastor Devariste (see picture in my photo album) is safe! His wife is in the hospital, presumably in one of the make-shift ones in Port-au-Prince. The church, school and college are still standing! Praise the Lord for some GOOD NEWS!!
Pray that food, water, medical supplies and medicines will get to the people soon.
The search continues for Jeanne, Merle and Gene.
Jack and Katie are both doing better today! The both have severe leg wounds and are still in ICU in Miami. Jack also has a broken left wrist.
The above information came directly from Matt Whitehead, Chairman of the Free Methodist General Missions Committee, from Seattle Washington. Matt is in Miami with Jack and Katie.
Bishop Roller is flying into the Dominican Republic today. Superintendent Riley is driving to the Miami hospital to be with Jack and Katie. Other church pastors in the Florida area will be checking in on Jack and Katie each day representing the entire Free Methodist family and letting them know they are loved and their church family is there for them.
We serve a miracle working God!
LaWanda
Financial gifts are tax deductible. 100% of all gifts received to these accounts, go to Haiti:
Give on-line at help haiti heal
OPERATION HOPE or
THE BISHOPS FAMINE & RELIEF FUND
P O Box 535002
Indianapolis IN 46253-5002
HAITI UPDATE January 14, 2010
Posted by LaWanda in Earthquake, Free Methodist Church, Haiti.add a comment
I have been off-line due to computer issues which I am working to resolve. I am doing my best to post updates as I am receiving them.
We continue to hold our dear brothers and sisters in Christ who are suffering in Haiti up to our Father in Heaven! He is the great healer, physician and miracle working! We are believing him for miracles today!
I received this update from Linda Adams, International Child Care (ICCM) Director, Free Methodist World Missions (FMWM):
Due to extreme conditions and disrupted communication lines, we have still not received direct information about ICCM-sponsored children and Haitian staff in the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area. Linda Adams and ICCM staff, along with Free Methodist World Missions staff, are continuously trying to make contact and gather helpful information to be able to assist the church in an effective response.
Free Methodist Director of Multi-Media Andy Yardy, representing ICCM and Free Methodist World Missions, flew to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic and is now in Haiti on his way to Port-au-Prince today. He is carrying relief money and water filters to distribute and will work on logistics of a wider response. We hope he will relay news of our loved ones. Andy is Twittering from @laxglobal and posting updates, whenever possible, at Help Haiti Heal.
At this time I have received no additional word on Jeanne Munos, Merle West and Gene Dufor. We believe them to still be missing. As we updated yesterday, Jack Munos and Katie Zook have been evacuated to Guantanamo Bay Hospital.
We have received word from Shawn DeOrnelius, that the Church of God (Holiness) team including Mark Surbrook, Silas McGehee and Paul Confer have reported to the US Embassy and are safe.
As I receive other updates, I will pass them on to you!
Keep praying and believing! As Twila Paris sang, “God is in control! We believe that His Children will not be forsaken!”
LaWanda
UPDATE 12:08 PM EST – Received the following updates this morning -
From Oriental Missionary Society (OMS)
Angie Bundy just updated via Facebook:(OMS missionary in Haiti)
I heard from Brett. They are at the Villa (OMS’s guesthouse in Port)…the outer wall crumbled in the quake but all the buildings and staff are fine! Amazing! Brett said the dead bodies along the road is overwhelming…and the need is great. We are trying to coordinate getting supplies to Port. Please pray for God to help work it out.
Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) – We are now at the airport. I can see the tower, it is still standing. I get a message “Operation not permitted” on my cell phone when trying to call. So getting info that way is non-existent at this time. We have a Voila phone at our office and will try that phone after I get done with this email. The trip down from our houses which usually takes 30 minutes, took most of an hour. The streets are filled with people walking like I saw on film on WWII when refugees were walking along the roads en-mass. There is no way at the moment what the future holds for the airport. There is only one security personnel at our terminal. I feel that most workers are trying to get themselves together from the trauma and deal with any traumatic family issues. I talked with a security guy here just now and his wife died and some of his children’s feet are crushed. They are in a hospital. He is beside himself. I will keep you posted as I find info. Mark
From Missionary Flights (MFI)
Dear Family and Friends,
MFI flew to Haiti today with one plane. Two planes will go tomorrow. We are receiving hundreds of calls from folks wanting to help or to go. Many mission agencies can not reach their people in Haiti so they want to go look for them. We will send another plane on Friday. We also have a large four engine plane coming tomorrow to begin to help us transport more supplies. A 53 foot semi came in today full of relief supplies. Please keep praying for MFI and for the missions in Haiti as well as the desperate people. Dick and Linda
Richard McLeish, 317-881-6752, rmcleish@onemissionsociety.org
UPDATE 12:15 PM – From Free Methodist (FM) South Atlantic Conference (SAC) Superintendent Darrel Riley: Jan 14, 2010.
The following 2 internet sites will be most helpful to you in getting all confirmed FM information directly:
FM Home Page: www.freemethodistchurch.org (all of Bishop Roller’s messages are viewable there).
Hotline (FM missions) internet news bulletin (2 – 3 are being sent out daily) To subscribe to the Hotline, go to the Missions website, then in the very bottom click on CONTACT US and a box will appear for you to insert your email address. You’ll immediately start receiving Hotline updates.
As the Bishops and World Missions are working to respond to the need in Haiti, the best things you can do are to PRAY and to GIVE. The FM news sources above (as well as US national news) can guide your PRAYING. The following sources are provided for your GIVING (the first 2 Funds give 100% of every dollar that comes in to Haiti, the 3rd may retain a very small admin fee).
1. Bishops Famine & Relief Fund – Haiti: give on-line by going to the FMC website and clicking in the Upper Right on the map of Haiti
2. Bishops Famine & Relief Fund – Haiti: send your check made out to the Bishops Famine & Relief Fund to the Board of Bishops, PO Box 535002, Indianapolis, IN 46253
Those seeking information about friends & loved ones in Haiti can check online at www.state.gov or 1-888-407-4747.
UPDATE 3:20 PM EST – The following is an update from Bishop David Roller
* Jack Munos and Katie Zook were airlifted from Guantanamo Bay last night because their conditions were deemed more serious than originally thought. They arrived in Miami early this morning. Pacific Northwest Superintendent Matt Whitehead is at the hospital and reports both are doing well. They are in ICU but alert. Both have been suffered quite a bit of trauma. Katie’s family is now at the hospital and has been a great encouragement to her. I was able to speak to Jack for a few moments by phone and encourage him with, “Well done good and faithful servant.” Jack asks us to not give up hope on Jeanne even though he recognizes her rescue would require a miracle.
* The Free Methodist World Missions team, together with the Board of Bishops, are working to produce a short video for use in FM churches on Sunday. Please reserve a couple of minutes in your services to project this video. I (Bishop Roller) will be the face of the video but will be representing the broad spectrum of Free Methodists with ministry in Haiti. Remember that International Child Care Ministries, Clear Blue Global Water Project, FOHO (work teams), Eden Reforestation and other FM-related ministries will be involved in our response. Please alert ministries to connect with us before developing independent plans.
* We are working to put together an exploratory team to travel to Haiti and connect with the Haitian church leaders. We will rely heavily on the wisdom of the Haitian church to create a response strategy and action plan. We also are working to make connections with other denominations and NGOs to participate in a coordinated response. We anticipate this exploratory team will provide a fuller assessment of the needs, as well as the best way for North-American teams to respond over the next months.
The next weeks and months will be filled with uncertainty and grief. At the same time, we know God will redeem and heal. He will make sense out what appears random and cruel. There will be opportunities for Haiti to be rebuilt as a new Haiti. Soon, unprecedented opportunities will open up in Haiti for the church to participate in building safer and better housing, more reliable infrastructure and a more just society. The Haitian FMC, which has always been intrinsically wholistic, will need our partnership. Get ready.
Bishop David Roller
Financial gifts are tax deductible. 100% of all gifts received to these accounts, go to Haiti:
Give on-line at help haiti heal
OPERATION HOPE or
THE BISHOPS FAMINE & RELIEF FUND
P O Box 535002
Indianapolis IN 46253-5002
