Monday, June 14, 2010 – What an incredible day in Haiti! We started out by going to the Minister of Civil Defense’s office for a mandatory meeting. It was called because of a problem that developed Friday. The minister decided to go with us to open 5 containers. (He rarely went to that so it was going to be great or really bad.) When got to the truck yard, there were only 2 containers. Needless to say, the Minister was upset at us for not having 5 containers. (It was a simple delivery problem but still the whole thing almost blew up.) While they were discussing the problem in a loud manner, I felt compelled to sit down, under the deck of a semi-trailer and pray. I prayed for the Lord to intervene. Within minutes I noticed that the voices were calmer. As I looked up I noticed CMBH National Director of Ministry, Pastor Lebranc, giving me a thumbs up. At first, the minister only gave us permission to open the rice container. He said we could not open the bucket one. As we went to open the rice container, we found that someone had placed a lock on it but no one had the key. Again things were tense but the Lord prevailed. Once we opened the rice container, the minister warmed up and decided to let us open the bucket container. That was incredible.
Since the beginning I had visualized this day in my mind. I had been telling the pastors, the contract workers and others about the buckets. They could not comprehend it. When we opened a couple of buckets and showed the minister and his assistant how the bucket was packed, they were amazed along with everyone else. We distributed over 600 buckets this afternoon. We also distributed over 8 pallets of rice. It was hot, tiring, and hard. Still, it was a great day. Several times I had to stop because I became overwhelmed by the enormity of the moment. This is just the first of over 100 containers. The marathon continues.
For those of you practical people, yes the buckets did shift and tumble some because this one was not palatalized except at the back. Many lids cracked because some buckets had more space that the original size we tried to get people to use in the promotion piece. Many bottoms of the buckets bulged, bent and a few cracked. Never-the-less, there was only two buckets that the beans and oil did not survive. They it came apart when they fell out of the back of the truck when we opened the door. Pretty awesome!
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Haiti Buckets of Hope Released
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
From Don Owen in Haiti
First let me begin by saying, Thank You, to everyone who has come to Haiti to work with the medical end of our Tennessee Baptist Disaster Relief effort. I already knew from all your emails and your updates to the blog what a difference the work was making. However after talking to the director of the entire project and with the doctors, nurses and the EMT's I have learned that the half of the story has not been told. Second let me say, Thank You, to those of you who supported, through your donations to the Nolachucky Baptist Association Haiti relief fund, and through your prayer support of those who came and became a living sacrifice. According to the Director of Operations for the Medical project know as Medi-Share more than 20,000 lives were saved as a result of thousands of volunteers supporting and serving through this operation in Port au Prince Haiti. Plus not only were lives saved in the operating rooms and through the care of the doctors, nurses and medicines provided but thousands have given their hearts to Christ and saved for eternity. David Acres, our state DR Director, was here to start up operations of at the hospital project (back in March) and also here to assist in the shutting down our portion of the massive operation. Today,Tuesday, the area where the operations and work took place is just a big open space at the airport. The tents are gone the containers are all gone and that page in the 2010 Haiti earthquake recovery effort is now history.
Now to page two:
Beginning today our efforts will turn toward looking for ways we can effectively work to support the rebuilding in Haiti. A team is flying in this morning from Memphis to meet and show us an area we might possibly serve. There are so many, many needs here and my biggest request of you at this moment is to ask you to pray for God to show us His plan. Please pray for Mr. Acres and me today and the remainder of the week here in Haiti.
A personal note:
It has been incredible for me to see how the people of Haiti have picked themselves up dusted themselves off, and even in their poverty, have kept smiles on their faces as they begin the long uphill battle of rebuilding their country. These are some of the hardest working people I have ever seen. In the heat of the day, and I mean heat with a capitol H, they do not stop. They do not have jack hammers they use hammers or whatever tool they have to bust up concrete in small enough chunks to be carried in 5 gallon buckets outside and dump it in a pile. From these piles others go through sifting it and salvaging everything that has a possible use. Most of these people are doing this for food or possibly up to two dollars per day. Please do not forget the people of Haiti.
- Don Owen
Now to page two:
Beginning today our efforts will turn toward looking for ways we can effectively work to support the rebuilding in Haiti. A team is flying in this morning from Memphis to meet and show us an area we might possibly serve. There are so many, many needs here and my biggest request of you at this moment is to ask you to pray for God to show us His plan. Please pray for Mr. Acres and me today and the remainder of the week here in Haiti.
A personal note:
It has been incredible for me to see how the people of Haiti have picked themselves up dusted themselves off, and even in their poverty, have kept smiles on their faces as they begin the long uphill battle of rebuilding their country. These are some of the hardest working people I have ever seen. In the heat of the day, and I mean heat with a capitol H, they do not stop. They do not have jack hammers they use hammers or whatever tool they have to bust up concrete in small enough chunks to be carried in 5 gallon buckets outside and dump it in a pile. From these piles others go through sifting it and salvaging everything that has a possible use. Most of these people are doing this for food or possibly up to two dollars per day. Please do not forget the people of Haiti.
- Don Owen
Saturday, June 5, 2010
The Last Team Out - Team 13 Post from Haiti
Our team represents the FBC Shelbyville and consists of Bill Chapman, Travis Binion, and Drew Hooker who, by the Grace of God, has had a life changing experience while serving the needs of the Haitian people.
This will be the final blog for the TBDR assignment to manage the Medical Warehouse for the University of Miami/Medishare Field Hospital. We were blessed by the arrival of David Acres and Don Owen to finalize the shutdown of the operation. The Hospital has moved to a permanent location and most of the work today was involved in moving and saying our goodbyes to a wonderful and dedicated group of doctors, nurses, and EMT people. We were informed today by the Project Director of Medishare there were over 20,000 lives saved at this Hospital.
When the Lord led me to go on this mission, I knew I had a desire to serve. But because of the spiritual condition of this country, the Lord gave me a greater desire to find someone I could help to spread the Gospel in this country. On Tuesday, one of the local people approached the Warehouse and made the usual request for water or the Gatorade Sport Drink they call ‘shake’. As I talked to this man, he told me his name was Pastor Alida Edry and said he was a local Pastor at a church he calls the Great Harvest Church of God. He began telling me of this great vision he had to spread the Gospel through his country of Haiti and how God had told him this was a golden opportunity to minister to so many people affected by the devastating earthquake. He is planning to start another church in a city called Cornillon and said he was waiting for the Lord to furnish him with 200 Bibles. One hundred in the French language and one hundred in the Creole language. I told him I would do anything I could to help him get those Bibles. I cannot tell you how blessed I felt! I knew without a doubt I was the one sent to this man to help him with his ministry!
And by the grace and generosity of the TBDR, they have already offered to provide the Bibles for this Pastor. But that does not end the story. I will continually be in contact with this Pastor to provide more of what he needs and the other Pastors that all have the same vision.
And some will say, ‘Well, how do you know if this Pastor is really sincere and is really going to go through with his vision?’
This will be the final blog for the TBDR assignment to manage the Medical Warehouse for the University of Miami/Medishare Field Hospital. We were blessed by the arrival of David Acres and Don Owen to finalize the shutdown of the operation. The Hospital has moved to a permanent location and most of the work today was involved in moving and saying our goodbyes to a wonderful and dedicated group of doctors, nurses, and EMT people. We were informed today by the Project Director of Medishare there were over 20,000 lives saved at this Hospital.
When the Lord led me to go on this mission, I knew I had a desire to serve. But because of the spiritual condition of this country, the Lord gave me a greater desire to find someone I could help to spread the Gospel in this country. On Tuesday, one of the local people approached the Warehouse and made the usual request for water or the Gatorade Sport Drink they call ‘shake’. As I talked to this man, he told me his name was Pastor Alida Edry and said he was a local Pastor at a church he calls the Great Harvest Church of God. He began telling me of this great vision he had to spread the Gospel through his country of Haiti and how God had told him this was a golden opportunity to minister to so many people affected by the devastating earthquake. He is planning to start another church in a city called Cornillon and said he was waiting for the Lord to furnish him with 200 Bibles. One hundred in the French language and one hundred in the Creole language. I told him I would do anything I could to help him get those Bibles. I cannot tell you how blessed I felt! I knew without a doubt I was the one sent to this man to help him with his ministry!
And by the grace and generosity of the TBDR, they have already offered to provide the Bibles for this Pastor. But that does not end the story. I will continually be in contact with this Pastor to provide more of what he needs and the other Pastors that all have the same vision.
And some will say, ‘Well, how do you know if this Pastor is really sincere and is really going to go through with his vision?’
On Wednesday, he wandered into our camp and was reading a devotional, ‘Our Daily Bread’, which looked like he had just about worn it out. I immediately thought about my beloved devotional book written by Henry Blackaby, and with some hesitation, I offered to give him my devotional book. We went to my tent and when I gave him the book, he looked at the cover and said ‘I know this man!, ‘I know this man!’, ‘I have his book!’
On Thursday, the Pastor returned with a notebook. And he pulled out this old ragged book and I could hardly read the cover. When I took a closer look, it was the Experiencing God book by Henry Blackaby!!
This Pastor has been using this book to teach his congregation for ten years!
So God had confirmed my vision as well as Pastor Edry and, GOD willing, the Haitian people. And I know all of our volunteers have been blessed by their experiences with this mission. Many seeds have been planted. And we have fulfilled the final commandment from Jesus Our Lord according to Acts 1:8 and we will all be eternally blessed. Until we meet again , The Last Team, Team No. 13, is signing off.
- Bill Chapman, FBC Shelbyville, Tn
Monday, May 17, 2010
Monday May 17 2010 Team 10
Before we left Cleveland, the Holy Spirit had impressed on my heart that there would not be many salvations on this trip. Instead, Jesus was sending us to minister to His hurting children of Haiti. And for the most part that has been the case.
There is not enough time and space to list all of the answered prayers and acts of love and ministry that Jesus is accomplishing during our trip here. I have not, for the most part, had a translator here. When I haven’t had one, I word my prayer, "Lord Jesus, they do not understand my English, but I pray by the power of your Holy Spirit that you speak directly to their hearts. Tell them that You love them, that you died for them, so they might live for You.” Then the prayer varies as led by the Holy Spirit. I know that the prayers have been answered time and time again by the look on their faces.
We had prayed for God to provide Bibles and a translator for the next chaplain. We met the new team from Georgia yesterday and, guess what? They brought many Bibles. Their chaplain is a pastor from Atlanta Ga., but he speaks Creole like a national because he was born in Haiti. When I was showing him around last night, he met some of his family waiting outside the ICU.
We were able to give a young man who believes in the scientology religion a Bible, and he has promised to read the Gospel of John and call or e-mail us if he has any questions. His faith cannot answer the most important questions in his life, but Jesus can. The Holy Spirit has impressed on all of our hearts that there will be a day that he comes to faith in Christ Jesus.
We are completely spent and many of us are sick again, but the power of the Holy Spirit is moving in a great way here in Haiti and we are thankful.
Wayne
There is not enough time and space to list all of the answered prayers and acts of love and ministry that Jesus is accomplishing during our trip here. I have not, for the most part, had a translator here. When I haven’t had one, I word my prayer, "Lord Jesus, they do not understand my English, but I pray by the power of your Holy Spirit that you speak directly to their hearts. Tell them that You love them, that you died for them, so they might live for You.” Then the prayer varies as led by the Holy Spirit. I know that the prayers have been answered time and time again by the look on their faces.
We had prayed for God to provide Bibles and a translator for the next chaplain. We met the new team from Georgia yesterday and, guess what? They brought many Bibles. Their chaplain is a pastor from Atlanta Ga., but he speaks Creole like a national because he was born in Haiti. When I was showing him around last night, he met some of his family waiting outside the ICU.
We were able to give a young man who believes in the scientology religion a Bible, and he has promised to read the Gospel of John and call or e-mail us if he has any questions. His faith cannot answer the most important questions in his life, but Jesus can. The Holy Spirit has impressed on all of our hearts that there will be a day that he comes to faith in Christ Jesus.
We are completely spent and many of us are sick again, but the power of the Holy Spirit is moving in a great way here in Haiti and we are thankful.
Wayne
Sunday May 16 2010 Team 10
There were two deaths yesterday. Everyone is exhausted. We have some good pictures of the babies. I measured the temperature at my cot at 111 F and it is supposed to be hotter tomorrow. The air conditioners keep breaking down.
We had a wonderful church service this morning. The team told me that I pray too long. A young Haitian gave his testimony about living though the earthquake and how he knew that God was protecting him. They need Bibles in Creole, English, and French.
We have to pace ourselves and take frequent breaks without feeling guilty, otherwise you will be in the hospital with the rest of the patients. I pray for every patient in the hospital, many times their families, the doctors, the nurses, and all the workers, including the guards. All of the new mothers want you to pray for their babies. You can see the love and pride in their faces for their babies.
The Haitian people are so very grateful for everything that you do for them. Things that go without notice in the States receive a heartfelt "merci" or "thank you.” Bill and everyone that has worked in the warehouse have earned the respect of everyone in the camp, including the doctors. We are known as the "Tennessee Baptists."
The team that built the shelves from our home state have left a good testimony. In fact, every team from Tennessee has done so. They recognize the blue T-shirts.
Our group is sharing the love of Christ with everyone they meet.
Charlie Scoggins
We had a wonderful church service this morning. The team told me that I pray too long. A young Haitian gave his testimony about living though the earthquake and how he knew that God was protecting him. They need Bibles in Creole, English, and French.
We have to pace ourselves and take frequent breaks without feeling guilty, otherwise you will be in the hospital with the rest of the patients. I pray for every patient in the hospital, many times their families, the doctors, the nurses, and all the workers, including the guards. All of the new mothers want you to pray for their babies. You can see the love and pride in their faces for their babies.
The Haitian people are so very grateful for everything that you do for them. Things that go without notice in the States receive a heartfelt "merci" or "thank you.” Bill and everyone that has worked in the warehouse have earned the respect of everyone in the camp, including the doctors. We are known as the "Tennessee Baptists."
The team that built the shelves from our home state have left a good testimony. In fact, every team from Tennessee has done so. They recognize the blue T-shirts.
Our group is sharing the love of Christ with everyone they meet.
Charlie Scoggins
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Wednesday, May 12, 2010 Team 10 Report
We cannot tell you all the amazing things that Jesus is doing among the Haiti people. There have been two salvations today. I have prayed so much that I am losing my voice. Charlie said that might be a good thing.
I prayed for all the babies in premature babies, all the babies and their mothers in pediatrics. I prayed for all the patients that gave me permission to pray for them and that were most of them.
Let me tell you what the Holy Spirit of Jesus did today in one case.
As I went around praying I was giving out pieces of paper that said "Jesus loves you". I ran out of papers. I came to two ladies, I requested permission to pray for an elderly lady and the younger lady said that I could.
After praying I started to leave and the younger lady started asking me something. I had not had a translator with me all morning and I thought at first she wanted a piece of paper that I had been handing out, but that wasn't what she wanted.
I prayed "Jesus, I need a translator". I turned around and there stood a Pastor. He translated for me. I found out that she wanted to know my name and what church I was with.
I told her that wasn't important all she needed was Jesus. A Pastor and I explained the plan of salvation to her and she accepted Jesus Christ.
I found out from a Pastor she had been a Muslim. We must protect her identity. The Pastor is to going to take her to his church. Praise God for the work of the Holy Spirit as the Pastor told me afterwards that the Holy Spirit had told him to come to me today and that I needed a translator.
Thank you for your continued Prayer support. God is at work!!!
Your Friends in Christ
Wayne
Johnnie K
I prayed for all the babies in premature babies, all the babies and their mothers in pediatrics. I prayed for all the patients that gave me permission to pray for them and that were most of them.
Let me tell you what the Holy Spirit of Jesus did today in one case.
As I went around praying I was giving out pieces of paper that said "Jesus loves you". I ran out of papers. I came to two ladies, I requested permission to pray for an elderly lady and the younger lady said that I could.
After praying I started to leave and the younger lady started asking me something. I had not had a translator with me all morning and I thought at first she wanted a piece of paper that I had been handing out, but that wasn't what she wanted.
I prayed "Jesus, I need a translator". I turned around and there stood a Pastor. He translated for me. I found out that she wanted to know my name and what church I was with.
I told her that wasn't important all she needed was Jesus. A Pastor and I explained the plan of salvation to her and she accepted Jesus Christ.
I found out from a Pastor she had been a Muslim. We must protect her identity. The Pastor is to going to take her to his church. Praise God for the work of the Holy Spirit as the Pastor told me afterwards that the Holy Spirit had told him to come to me today and that I needed a translator.
Thank you for your continued Prayer support. God is at work!!!
Your Friends in Christ
Wayne
Johnnie K
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Team 10 First Report, Tuesday May 11, 2010
Greetings to all from Haiti,
Today the Lord woke us to a beautiful new day in Haiti. The country is beautiful but full of needs.
Last night we had several inches of rain and some of our sleeping quarters were standing in water. The workers here quickly dug trenches so the water could drain. At least the rain cooled the temp so we could sleep better.
Monday Morning May 9, the translator led me to a man, he said they did not expect him to live long. He was a voodoo highest priest and someone had hacked his leg off with a machete, and he had a bad cut on his arm. He renounced voodoo and accepted Christ ss his Savior.
That afternoon I went back to visit him, the Holy Spirit told me to witness to the man seated in a wheel chair beside him. After much explaining and teaching I was ready to give up when he raised his hand and accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior. This turned out to be the man who hacked the exvoodoo priest's leg off. It was also his brother! The brothers forgave one annother.
Tuesday morning before breakfast Wayne Morrison was sharing Christ with some young belivers and one of them redicated his life to Christ. Now he wants to be a missionary.
We have met three national pastors serving as translators. One of them has planted over ten churches in the back mountains. Another pastor is over 12 small churches, a school, and an orphanage. They are all praying for revival in Haiti.
Pray for our team as there is reports of unrest here with the government.
In Christ,
Wayne Finnell
Johnnie Morrison
Today the Lord woke us to a beautiful new day in Haiti. The country is beautiful but full of needs.
Last night we had several inches of rain and some of our sleeping quarters were standing in water. The workers here quickly dug trenches so the water could drain. At least the rain cooled the temp so we could sleep better.
Monday Morning May 9, the translator led me to a man, he said they did not expect him to live long. He was a voodoo highest priest and someone had hacked his leg off with a machete, and he had a bad cut on his arm. He renounced voodoo and accepted Christ ss his Savior.
That afternoon I went back to visit him, the Holy Spirit told me to witness to the man seated in a wheel chair beside him. After much explaining and teaching I was ready to give up when he raised his hand and accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior. This turned out to be the man who hacked the exvoodoo priest's leg off. It was also his brother! The brothers forgave one annother.
Tuesday morning before breakfast Wayne Morrison was sharing Christ with some young belivers and one of them redicated his life to Christ. Now he wants to be a missionary.
We have met three national pastors serving as translators. One of them has planted over ten churches in the back mountains. Another pastor is over 12 small churches, a school, and an orphanage. They are all praying for revival in Haiti.
Pray for our team as there is reports of unrest here with the government.
In Christ,
Wayne Finnell
Johnnie Morrison
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