World Renewal Haiti

WRI Haiti update January 2012

2012-01-03T18:40:00.000-05:00

In order for the gospel to be taken to the world, we as Christians have to reach out to our neighbors with the love of Christ. God may be calling you to reach your neighbor or for sure your family and friends. Sometimes these are the hardest people to reach, or so it seems, however with the power of the Holy Spirit all things are possible.

I want to encourage you to help take the gospel beyond your daily world.

We had a good year in World Renewal International Haiti, much has been accomplished, but much is head of us. We have seen the need for 13 water systems met since November 2011, with only 5 more needed for our current churches.

Our monthly support for Christ Compassion Orphanage has improved with the addition of some monthly sponsors, we are so thankful for the commitment of those who have helped in that area of need. We are currently in the process of purchasing land for the Orphanage, so they can grow some high quality food to improve their diet.

Our church planting is moving forward, and our goals are lofty (200 Church Plants) but not beyond what God has placed on our hearts, please pray that the people will be receptive to the gospel and the funds to start new churches will be available in the future. Presently we have 18 partner churches in Haiti with the most recent church start taking place in mid December 2011.

We have a great and pressing need that I would like you to pray about participating in … A little less than one year ago, we brought on board Pastor Maula Jean Marie, he currently has 6 partner churches that he is overseeing. His focus is the same as what Luc and I have been doing for the last 15 years. He is a friend of mine and Luc’s and has been helping us informally, for several years. When he came on board his support was not sufficient to accomplish the ministry that he oversees. We have received sad news from a major contributor to Maula’s ministry support. They indicated that they are unable to continue their financial support of $1,000 per month. That amount represents 80% of the funding he was receiving.

The economy has been tough on all of us, and around the world, but for Maula this represents more than a cut back, it will not allow him to feed his family let alone have resource to accomplish ministry.

I believe with all my heart God’s people have the ability to help not only offset the loss of monthly support, but increase support to the levels needed. Pray with me about this situation, if God so indicates to you, please partner with us, so that Maula will be able to continue the work God has called him to.

Praise: We had ask for funds to provide Maula with a car, (he lost 2 vehicles in 2008 flood that killed 3000 in Gonaives Haiti) he found an SUV for, $10,000, at present God has provided or we have commitments for $9,000 of the money for this vehicle, however we still need another $1,000 plus money for license and insurance and plates. Maula’s churches are in a radius of 45 miles, this vehicle is one of the necessity that he has not had for the last 3 years.

Life in Haiti is difficult, that is understood, for someone in ministry, it is extremely difficult, without the right tools and resource, it’s nearly impossible to accomplish what God, has set before us. Having said that God does not call us where he will not keep us, be a partner with Maula.

Please Pray and support this work.

If God is leading you to support Maula, please indicate that in future gifts. If God directs to help with the SUV, indicate your gift is for Maula’s car. Online giving can be accomplished through the World Renewal International web site. http://worldrenewal.org/

God is good, because of him we are a blessed people, help us reach the world, making disciples, until Christ returns.

Thank you for your love and support of the ministry God has set before us.

I H S,

Max R Wright

World Renewal International/Haiti Rep.

PO Box 399

Greenfield, In. 46140

Cell 317-590-6099

Office 317-467-9899

maxrwright@gmail.com

Maula’s Blog

http://worldrenewalcim.blogspot.com/

Prayer Request

2011-11-07T14:48:00.000-05:00

Please take time to read and pray over the request from Pastor Maula! It's very time sinsitive

I need very bad a car for the ministry. Because I don’t have one; they are a bunch of things I can accomplish. I felt to pray and look for a good sustainable car by faith. Last week I found a very good used car to buy in Haiti. I really like it because it is a Toyota diesel engine which will be very economic for me. Diesel fuel is a lot cheaper here in Haiti. It will help me to save a lot of money. It will make my life and the ministry going easier. The hard thing, the car cost $ 10,000.00 US. I felt God told me not to give up. I keep praying to know what door to knock on. This morning I received an email from a church who said that they are willing to donate $ 6000.00US. Now I have to raise $4000.00US to get the car. Two good things about this car, I won’t need to deal with all the custom difficulties and the running back and forth for the government license plate. All these things are already done by the original owner. I will put the picture of the care on my blog. If you don’t mind you can take a look at it.

Please, I would appreciate if you could pray for me for another miracle to get the rest of the money. I have a time limit to purchase it. They hold the care for me for 8 days. You are welcome to pass this prayer request to others.

God bless you.
Maula

http://worldrenewalcim.blogspot.com/

Great Picture

2011-08-23T15:58:00.000-04:00

During recent trip, Dorie & son Mick Ireton Stand on the porch of one of Ireton House Orphanage Dorm's

Successful July Youth Conference

2011-08-08T10:40:00.002-04:00

This year has been a very busy year in Haiti, by the end of August we will have had 6 groups going to Haiti to help in the ministry.

January-Water purification (3 from US)
February - Pastors Conference (28 national pastors) (5 from US)
May- Pastor Training (27 national pastors) (1 from US)
June -English Camp for Orphanage kids (5 from US)
July - Youth Conference (85-90 youth) (10 from US)
Aug - VBS ...? (8 from US going)

Dorie Ireton Speaking to Youth Conference

4 more clean Water System installed in July.

Amazing Grace

2011-07-24T21:07:00.000-04:00

Good things are happening in Haiti !

2011-04-24T21:55:00.000-04:00

We have much good news to report for you. from World Renewal International -Haiti.

35 New Christians

Luc Joseph reports. God is working with 5 days of concentrated evangelism in the area of Saint Michelle God produced fruit with 31 people accepting Jesus Christ as their Savior, and are starting a new church. having their first service Sunday April 17th 2011.

Pastor Salnave Frenot Church Atazor

5 Days Evangelism, God is working

Temporary shelter for the new church in the village of Atazor

Pastor Maula reports that last Sunday April 17, 2011 he was honored to Baptize 4 new believers in Christ.

Shown below is Pastor Maula Jean Marie with his wife and 3 sons.

New Addition to WRI Staff in Haiti

2011-03-19T18:31:00.001-04:00

Maula Jean Marie

Luc & I are please to anounce that a long time friend of ours has joined us in our efforts to impact the country of Haiti for Christ. Maula is a pastor in Gonaives and has been working with YWAM in Haiti for several years. He is seen here on the left translating for Chris Reason as he talks about using small group setting to grow Christians in the church.

and as well on the left translating for Pastor Wes Davis

FEBUARY 2011 PASTOR CONFERENCE

2011-03-19T18:07:00.002-04:00

Luc Joseph

Many of those Attending Conference

Pastors get Training for water purification systems

Very good worship times

Chris Reason explains how to teach with flannel graph

When you have a lot of people you need a big pot.

Pastor Wes Davis teaching from God's word.

President Gary Wright teaching homiletics

Learning to use what we've learned.

Chris with many of those helping to feed and care for pastors.

Pastor Wayne Stephens teaching.

Writing card for us to take back to USA children.

Quite a peaceful setting for a Baptism.

3 young men are Baptized

Haiti Earthquake one year later.

2011-01-13T11:40:00.018-05:00

As the country of Haiti and the World remembers the anniversary of the January 12, 2010 Earthquake, life for many in Haiti remains largely unchanged from 1 year ago. For the families of the over 300,000 who's loved ones were killed in last January's earthquake, life will never be the same. But also for over a million people who lost their homes in the earthquake, life has become more like a night mare than a life. One tenth of the population of Haiti are basically homeless, most of these people rented and the landlords are not rebuilding yet.

Homes have not been replaced, the corruption in a failed November 2010 Election is creating unrest among the population, the AID that was given has trickled in at a snails pace. Many donors don't trust the government to use the AID correctly, and so are apprehensive about the release of money.

As I traveled through the north side of Port Au Prince viewing the 1000's of stick & tarp covered shanties, and tents it's staggering to look at...even more today than 6 months ago. According to former President Bill Clinton, the UN envoy to Haiti, progress is being made, but admits progress is to slow.

Haiti has been in crisis for a long time and that will not change soon. The coverage on the news is active again at this 1 year anniversary, but that will go away again like it did before.

That is a fairly grim way to start a Haiti update but it is the reality of where Haiti as a country is today. But the facts are too disturbing to ignore.

I just arrived home from Haiti yesterday after a trip with Pastors, Paul Galbraith, and Wes Ireton. We had a great opportunity to help the Haitians in the north end of Gonaives Haiti, by installing 2 more water purification system. 1 was installed at Luc's home and the other at Ireton House. This is great for them, but just as importantly, how it affects all the surrounding families who now come to them for drinking water. This is reaching out to neighbors and helping in the name of Jesus.

Wes Ireton (grandson of Jess & Dorie Ireton) & Luc Joseph install the signs above the entrance of each Building, honoring their commitment to Christ and the role they have played in lives of many associated with this work in Haiti.

Cholera hit the country in October and is still a major threat, that will be with them for years to come, medical reports indicate 3 years minimum to see improvement. With over 20,000 known infections to date and 3000 dead in 3 months the toll could be high from this water borne disease.

God prompted me many years ago that we needed to Provide the Living water of Jesus Christ and as well the clean water that these systems represent. We desire to see that come to pass in the months ahead, out of the 11 sites that we are working we have 3 systems in place to date.

Below are some pictures of the installation and training of Clean water systems we installed.

MacDonalds teaching some of the older boys of the Orphanage.

Luc & Macdonalds checking the water after chlorination.

Within 24hrs of Chlorination there is no taste of the chlorination.

Children of Christ Compassion Orphanage gather the night before Paul & Wes leave, for time of worship and picture viewing. Great fun!

God is in control and we are not to lament over the state of the country of Haiti however you and I have a responsibility to make a difference in the lives of those who we can help.

Prayerfully consider your part in Haiti's future.

Clean water in Drouin tonight

2010-11-12T22:26:00.012-05:00

I received the Good News tonight our church and the village
of Drouin now has clean water ...
Due to God working in and through the lives of
Fountain Of Hope! Thank you Jesus.

Bill Farrar Of Fountains Of Hope in Drouin with Pastor Luc.

Water Source for the Village of Drouin

Water Purification System Installed.

Training on Water Purification.

Testing Water Purification.

Bill Farrar meets Luc's Mom & extended family in Drouin

Thank you Fountains Of Hope.

Please Prayerfully consider Donation through the web site, to help bring clean water to the country of Haiti.

http://www.fountainsofhope.org/

Good News concerning Cholera, Bad News concerning Hurricane

2010-11-08T16:18:00.016-05:00

Bill Farra of Fountains of Hope let me know Sunday about 1:00am that he was going to try to install a water purification system in Drouin even though we hadn't received the $3,500 need to install a system ... that's a major praise, however we really need to get the monies for that system so he can meet the high demand for his systems in so many places. http://www.fountainsofhope.org/

Luc called me today about the water purification system that will hopefully be installed in Drouin by the end of the week trying to work out the logistics. Fountains of Hope is trying to get a system installed while they are in Haiti, what a blessing this will be for those in this village. He was very pleased.

About 1 hour later he called me to give me the bad news Hurricane Tomas Destroyed 2 church structures . Our churches at Moulin and Botso have sustain major damage due to the hurricane. As well the pastor at Botso, Arnold Etienne brother was kill. the churches are quite a distance from each other so the hurricane swept across a large area leaving destruction on the high mountain tops.

Moulin Church in 2008 when it was started. Pastor Imfranc

Botso church at dedication in 2008. Pastor Arnold Etienne

Hurrican Tomas Hits Haiti!

2010-11-06T16:30:00.004-04:00

ALL THE CHILDREN ARE OK

Gonaives as you see in the pictures below got hit with a lot of rain,
but since the children were on Higher Ground they are fine.

Luc said many people flocked to the mission house as well as the Orphanage

to find a dry place, they are very thankful to all who have helped provide the

safe places for them.

The Face of Poverty

2010-10-26T18:21:00.004-04:00

click on link below article on ....Cholera In Haiti may help you understand the situation.

http://tinyurl.com/36ylrcv

Main Caregiver of Orphanage - Rosanna's Mother Died

2010-10-25T19:21:00.007-04:00

I'm so Sorry to report what I just learned, that Roseanna's Mother, Concilia Constant Carlemont who faithfully cared for the children of the Orphanage has died tonight.

She was from the same village as Luc's father and although I do not have the details, must assume that she has also died of Cholera.

Rossanna is taking it hard, she and her mother were best friends, and spent much time together when possible.

She loved Jesus very much and Heaven is rejoicing even as we morn her passing.

Please Pray for the family, but because she was like a mother to the Orphans, and took care of them night and day, pray for the children, as well people to help fill her shoes she did the work of several people.

Luc's Father passes into eternity!

2010-10-23T11:55:00.016-04:00

Last night I received the Sad News from Haiti..... Luc's father .... Verilus Joseph ... died in Cholera outbreak that heavily affected the southern Arbonite area and village of Douin where he lived. We are sorry for the loss and ask Luc to express our sorrow to his mother Anita Louis Joseph.

The village water supply is from the Arbonite river and feeder canals that are used to flood the rice plain with water.

In early assessment it appears that the area affected follow this water source which at best is contaminated with parasites, and worse case spreading diseases like Cholera to the whole area of unsuspecting people.

Luc sent 1000 gals of water to the village yesterday to help with immediate problem.

Heaven will be rejoicing as he entered into the presence of Jesus and we do also, however we morn the loss with the family and friends please pray that Christ can be glorified in his passing.

He was a wonderful man of God!

Douin Church was the first church that Luc started and we dedicated a nice new building back in 2005 however the water supply that runs by the front of the church needs to be replaced with a well, for this village to prevent this type of disease spreading.

This Photo of the Church and some of it's children was taken standing on the banks of this polluted water supply, all are at risk.

news report.....
Haiti scrambles to contain cholera
Health officials warn the outbreak, which has killed at least 194 and infected about 2,300 others, could get worse. "We do know however that poor sanitation, poor infrastructure in terms of water provision, is one of the main ways that cholera does spread. Normally it spreads when feces gets back into the water system and people are forced to use water which hasn't been cleaned.

"Cholera has not been seen in Haiti for a long time, for about a century actually, so there is not a lot of experience on the part of the population and on the part of the the medical community within Haiti on how to treat this. So this is a big challenge in a number of ways."

Relief organisations were mobilising to ship medicine, water filtration units and other relief supplies to the Artibonite region.

"We have been afraid of this since the earthquake," Robin Mahfood, the president of Food for the Poor, said while the group was preparing to airlift donations of antibiotics, oral dehydration salts and other supplies.

The outbreak is being blamed on the Artibonite river, an artery crossing Haiti's rural centre that thousands of people use for much of their daily activities from washing to cooking.

Charles Henry Baker, a presidential candidate, travelled to the stricken area and pleaded for help.

"The situation is terrible. Inside the hospital, they're overcrowded. They're not overcrowded, it's beyond
overcrowded," he said.

"They need some field hospitals put up as quickly as possible to be able to take in the amount of
people they have. They need doctors. They need nurses. People are all over, on the floor, the way it was after the 12th of January [earth quake]. We need help; we need quick help."

Cholera is transmitted by water but also by food that has been in contact with unclean water contaminated by cholera bacteria.

It causes serious diarrhoea and vomiting, leading to dehydration. The disease is easily treatable by rehydration and antibiotics, but with a short incubation period, it can be fatal if not treated in time.

The World Health Organisation defines cholera as "an extremely virulent disease. It affects both children and adults and can kill within hours".

Children Moved to Ireton House

2010-09-10T16:18:00.007-04:00

It's not quite finished but they are in...
We still have some more work to do but, they needed to move.
Some of the interior & exterior is not finished, 1 indoor bathroom still needs work but we are making progress. The pump is not working properly so we will need to buy a deep well submersible pump. Security Wall not yet finished around buildings but all and all they are pleased with the progress.

The Children said " THANK YOU!" in the e-mail I received.

Eastside View

Additional Outdoor shower & Bathroom.

Beds Build By YWAM team last month.

Table & Chairs we sent.

Preparation for moving in, no more sleeping on the floor! Praise GOD!

Aslanda Home From Hospital

2010-08-24T13:24:00.005-04:00

Thank you for your Prayers!

Luc e-mailed me this morning and indicated that Aslanda is back from the Hospital, she is able to talk now but is still not well, he requested your prayers for her continued health improvement.

Pray for Aslanda (Orphan) is Hospitalized

2010-08-17T11:28:00.000-04:00

Aslanda Charlemont

I recieved this e-mail from Luc this morning.

Would you please pray for God's will is this situation., She is such a sweet little girl.
________________________________________________________________

Hello Max.

Last week, Aslanda Charlemont was sick and she had a fever and she could not talk. My wife went to hospital Marchand and Doctor says Aslanda needs to stay at hospital for some days. For this moment she can not talk, pray for her.

Luc

Ireton House Progress

2010-08-06T11:04:00.001-04:00

Roof is on Ireton House, before Hurricane season hits.

Luc write this...
"Here is the orphanage's picture that I send to you. For this moment we finish with roof, that a great miracle in Haiti. All children very happy to see God's wonderful. So, pray and pray again, perhaps next week children are going to new house."

Front View

From Southwest View

Observation from June 2010 Haiti Trip

2010-07-13T14:14:00.000-04:00

Chris Reason

Just a few weeks ago, I was in the country of Haiti riding in the back of a “tap-tap” and bouncing along pothole filled roads during a two hour commute to church. Even at this early hour on Sunday morning, the sun’s heat was already intense. My clothes were soaked with sweat and my face was dirty from dust and exhaust fumes. Although the ride was somewhat difficult, I had ample time to process what I had already seen and heard during my time in the country.
Our team had only been in Haiti for three full days, but God had already shown me that the people of Haiti are “special” – and I mean this in a supernatural way. Many of these people have “nothing” when compared to our American standard of living. They have very little clothing and only a few possessions. Many do not own a vehicle and have no electricity or running water in their small homes. They have endured many trials through floods, earthquakes and financial droughts. Yet, even those who lack the hope of Jesus Christ appear to remain resilient through it all. They are truly special.
During our short time with the Pastor Luc and his family, I could clearly see that these people have been called to fulfill the Great Commission within the country of Haiti. The Joseph family and the local pastors are full compassion for their neighbors and they showed me a deeper meaning to the words of Jesus that “we are to love our neighbors as we do ourselves”. I saw a supernatural love flowing through all of them and God is using them to impact the country of Haiti.
We were able to spend some quality time with the children of the orphanage and they are incredible. Our time with the kids was filled with soccer games, kite flying, coloring, card playing as well as singing, dancing encouragement and prayer. The kids are full of the love of Jesus and they bring joy to your heart when you see their smiling faces. We were able to see their current difficult living conditions and get a firsthand look at the progress on their new home at the Ireton House orphanage. The new orphanage is a special place that will give the children plenty of room inside as well as open space to run and play outside. The children are very excited and they are definitely ready to move into their new home!
If you listen to the news stories and articles about the devastation and unrest throughout Haiti, you would truly believe that these people are “less fortunate” than we are in America. This description would be accurate only if “fortune” was measured in their monetary wealth, or by the size of their homes, or in their material possessions. In the light of what I saw in the hearts of the believers in Haiti, God has a different way of measuring their fortunes. In Matthew 5:4, Jesus said “blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth”. I cannot find a better word than “meek” to describe of many of the people in Haiti as they are truly humble and grateful to the Lord for all that they have. In my mind, the Joseph family, the local pastors and the orphanage children are some of the most fortunate people on this earth.

Group of 4 from Brandywine Community Church make June Trip to follow-up on Orphanage Construction.

2010-07-05T13:20:00.000-04:00

Due to the Earthquake, materials have skyrocketed in price driving up the cost of all material that have to be imported, i.e. concrete, steel. We still need an estimated $20,000 to finish the Orphanage dormitories. Time is critical due to the coming hurricane season. Pray to see how God would have you respond to this need.

Pastor Luc & Max meeting with Pastor Arnold Etienne & member of Botso Church.

Gabe & Chris show signs of wear & tear of carrying block, sand & gravel to second story of Orphanage.

Pastor Paul is helping Madam Luc cook.

Middle of Photo shows Orphanage Under Construction.

Gabe Wright, Pastor Paul Galbraith, Rose Lucie Joseph, & Chris Reason.

Gabe Wright playing for the Children.

Children singing & dancing for us.

Pastor's Gather

2010-06-06T19:04:00.000-04:00

Here is the leader's picture with new goats.
we had a meeting with all pastors & we spoke about goat project.

They say thank you so much, God's working. Wonderful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Luc Joseph

Well is in & Progress on Orphanage Construction

2010-05-16T00:13:00.001-04:00

Orphanage Construction Underway

2010-04-23T18:58:00.000-04:00

Luc sent me this photo today.

Ireton House

Christ Compassion Orphanage Construction Underway.

2010-04-23T18:42:00.000-04:00

I am happy to report that with God's help and direction World Renewal International & Brandywine Community Church were able to put together a shipment for Haiti. We delivered 10 pallets of supplies that will be put into a container at the first week of May and should be in the Haiti port before the end of May. It is our hope and prayer that it will clear customs and be ready for pickup by the first week in June. Would you pray for that to happen.

April 10th 2010 Photo Show & Haiti Shipping

2010-03-29T18:39:00.000-04:00

Photo Art show at Brandywine Community Church Greenfield Indiana proceeds to help Haiti.

"Where Love Dwells: Haiti" Saturday April 10 at 6:00 - 8:00pm

We will be gathering supplies to ship to Haiti on April 10th in conjunction with the photo art show. The needs for the country are great and although we are not a relief organization we are trying to help meet some of the pressing needs. We have been afforded the opportunity to ship @ $6 a cubic foot up to a half of a container of supplies. Some of the supplies that have been needed are listed below.

Children's Cloths (ages 2-15yrs summer only)
Food (Dry Rice & Beans 25-100lb bags Cooking oil -1gal)
375 sheets of corrugated roofing #26 gage
500' of #6/3 service entrance cable
1/2hp submersible well pump (w/#12 well pump wire 200')
Music keyboard
Portable sound system for evangelism
very small portable generator for evangelism
Motor Cycle parts
30 Twin size mattresses w/covers
$ funds for shipping

for more specific information contact Max Wright 317-590-6099 maxrwright@earthlink.net

RSVP
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=371577266225

Who will save the children?

2010-03-29T18:24:00.000-04:00

I thought I would share with you a video that was composed & posted on Facebook by friends.

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=633583601494

Post Quake Haiti

2010-03-15T21:36:00.000-04:00

I returned on March 3 from a visit to Haiti.

Myself and a friend Herve Louis were able with God's help and direction to be on the first commercial passenger flight into Haiti post earthquake.

I'm pleased to report that aid is getting thru on some levels to the Port au Prince area.

I spent 3 days in Port au Prince to help a friend as well as see what progress is being made to help those displaced by the earthquake. Progress is extremely slow but that is the normal pace in Haiti.

To date I believe Luc has purchased and delivered approximately $15,000 in medicine, food and water. Much to the Port au Prince area, but also to hospital in the Gonaives treating victims. In Haiti the Doctor may well prescribe medicine for those treated, but often the hospital isn't able to fill the prescription and most don't have the money to pay if it is available. So Luc was able to help filling prescriptions, then minister to the people and families by delivering to to them.

Although very tired Luc and family are doing fine. The children in the orphanage are alright but living in very cramped quarters. I told them that we are trying our best to get their new home finished in the next 3 months.

The well for the Mission house and Orphanage should be finished very soon.

When I left in October Luc was planing to get the house painted. That happened and it looks great. The house is about 90% finished, he had a very pleasant surprise in December, his cousin that lives in Florida was so kind to give them the money to finish the home. Kitchen cabinets are in and the floors are now tiled. A year ago we had a family donate money to buy furniture to replace what was lost in the 2008 flood. The furniture, much of it stored is now being used they are praising God. The thing that most surprised me was the house warming gift that this same cousin gave them for Christmas, a flat screen TV... yes...when I ask them about how it worked, they said all they knew was it said NO SIGNAL.. they didn't have an antenna but Luc said they only wanted it for showing the evangelism video's. I hooked the portable DVD player they use for evangelism video's and 2 nights in a row we had neighbors come in and watch the Jesus Film and The Gospel of John. They watched intently and talked about the video with their neighbors. What a blessing.

30 Days After the Haiti Quake

2010-02-15T15:01:00.000-05:00

Thursday of this week Myself and Herve Louis are headed to Haiti. At last we're able to get a commercial flight into Port au Prince. Until this week if you were not flying in relief supplies, or a member of a medical or rescue team it was very difficult to get authorization for a flight, one of the few options was a Private or Charter flight into Haiti, not in our budget!!

Our need to be in the country were not that critical since we were able to get relief funds into the country.

The needs are still tremendous but I hope to be able to give a better assessment 3 weeks from now.

The Graffiti behind the woman reads "An Earthquake happened in Haiti Killing many people, but we are Still Alive"

I would request that you pray that God will give us wisdom and insight of how we will best help in the future.

Only 4 weeks after the earthquake, the world is now turning to new news, to fill the 24hr news cycles. The report is more than 215,000 people lost their lives, and yet the reporting is waining, were it not for the return of CNN's Anderson Cooper I don't know if there would be any International TV reporting at this time.

The news reported that they were having a national prayer vigil in Port au Prince.

However a Friend of mine living in Port au Prince told me last night that for 3 days the country has been in Revival. She indicated God is moving in the hearts of the people. Pray that this continues.

Information on Haiti Disaster Migration

2010-01-29T14:05:00.001-05:00

"Kay koule twompe soley men li pa twompe lapli"
*A leaky house can fool the sun, but not the rain

-Haitian Proverb

A friend of mine had this saying on his facebook page ... for hundred of thousands in Haiti they must find permanent shelter before the rains prove this proverb.

Todays Update

2010-01-28T22:57:00.000-05:00

When I talked to Luc this morning he was so pleased to hear the he had $$ available to buy food as he goes toward Port Au Prince tomorrow in another effort to get charcoal and food supplies.

We agreed that God is in control and we are trusting him to provide what is needed to meet the needs of all that God has put in their path. Pray that the Light of Jesus will shine!

Talked to Luc Tonight

2010-01-23T20:32:00.000-05:00

I hadn't been able to talked to Luc since Monday, but he called tonight. He said food is drying up in Gonaives area, and he is leaving Monday to find larger amounts of food. His family is OK as well as the children. He ask that we pray for Pastor Michel of Petite River church, I did not understand if he was injured in the earthquake or if it was his family. But God knows.

Pray for safe travel for him and that he will be able to locate relief food to help the people that have migrated to the Gonaives area.

Haiti Earthquake Captures World's Attention

2010-01-19T15:29:00.000-05:00

After many calls, many conversations, and interviews it is apparent that people are interested in the status of the situation in Haiti.

Like many in the World I have tried to glean as much new information from the International News Media, as well as, from my many contacts in and out of Haiti. CNN has done a good job of giving as much information as you could possibly hope for, in a country that for decades has been devoid of international coverage.

We are able at this point to have regular cell contact still with some difficulties, but at least it doesn't take a 50-100 tries to get through. In Gonaives, Luc and my friend Maula have told me that the flow of people from the south appears to be a steady stream of injured and destitute people. Many will be Village people who had gone to Port au Prince over the years in hope of finding a better life, for themselves and their family. Now it appears that hope is gone. Shattered by an earthquake that has brought the city of over 2 million to their knees, and destroyed their homes.

Scripture teaches us to always be ready to give the reason for our Hope, Jesus.

Pray that the only Hope for Haiti, will be brought to light through this disaster.

Don't miss Gospel group:

Buchanon Unity preforming a Haiti Earthquake Relief Concert.
Hosted by: First Baptist Church New Castle
January 22nd 2010 7:00pm

100% of proceeds will go to relief efforts for Haiti.

Map:

First Baptist Church New Castle

709 S Memorial Dr
New Castle, IN 47362

(765) 529-2687

News From Luc

2010-01-15T21:25:00.000-05:00

I just received a phone call from Luc. He said that his family and the children are fine.
The Hospitals are full, people coming in from all the areas around Gonaives to the hospitals. He described the situation a very serious for the people of Haiti. The needs are great for those who have been injured, and many of the needs are in short supply.

We need to thank God for sparing them from harm.

Earthquake Update

2010-01-13T16:46:00.000-05:00

The report we received today is that Gonaives does not appear to have been affected, in the way that Port au Prince has been affected. No Phone service yet, and no direct contact, with Luc and family but, we need to pray for those who have been affected.
CNN is reporting hundreds of thousands may have died in Haiti.

Haiti Earthquake

2010-01-12T23:11:00.000-05:00

In a country that has a population of poor, any disruption in trying to sustain life is a major problem. As I write this I have little more news that you can get from CNN or Fox News. My only direct contact has been with an acquaintance located in Cap Haitian in the north east of the island, he reports that all cell service is down, I have tried land lines with no success either. Below is a link that can give a little more information. I will up date as I have information, but it could be days before communications are restored. Loss of life is certain, knowing the construction techniques.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article6985823.ece

Journalist view of ministry in Haiti

2010-01-04T12:30:00.000-05:00

We were blessed to have 2 photo journalist with us on the October 2009 trip to Haiti. For me after many trips and so much information, knowing what has happen in World Renewal International Haiti over the last few years it's great to have a fresh perspective, on what others see, and most importantly a veteran journalist writing her perception. The Star Press in Muncie Indiana allowed her to share this in 4 articles, along with some of the pictures that she and her husband took on this trip.

the link below will take you to her articles.

http://www.thestarpress.com/article/99999999/NEWS01/91229016&template=theme&theme=HAITI

The good news for you is they told me Sunday they would like to return this summer.

October Trip Pictures

2009-11-25T11:44:00.000-05:00

We have tried to take some photo's over the years to share with those who desire to see the work that we are doing in Haiti, but never have so many high quality candid shots been available to share with you.
We were so blessed to have 2 professional photographers with us on this trip, Perry and Jerri Reichanadter. So you are going to be blessed with some of what they shared with us. More to come later.

Brandywine Community Church Team October Visit

2009-10-30T13:48:00.000-04:00

Prayer for Pastor Gedeon of the newest church Plant at Camathe

Pastor Luc, Rose Anna, Rose Lucie Joseph

We just returned from a trip to visit Pastor Luc in Gonaives.

Pastor Mark Wright, Pastor Paul Galbraith, Elder Brad Gray along with Photographer Perry Reichanadter and wife and Photojournalist Jeri Reichanadter and myself make a week long journey to Haiti.
We were able to visit 3 churches and spend time loving on 27 Orphans as well as deliver the news that Brandywine Community Church has raised over $30,000 toward the building of new housing for the Orphans.
The news that I received today from Luc is, he has hired the engineer to draw up the plan for Ireton House construction.

Faces of Joy

Pyramid of Love

Hugs from Grand Pappa

Luc calls it God's Miracle!

2009-10-06T19:55:00.000-04:00

I received these pictures from Luc today showing the new Generator the funds were donated by some wonderful folks trying to make life easier in a country that not much in life is easy.

Luc followed up with a call to say, Praise God! God is working! God's miracle!

Frank & Max Visit Haiti in August

2009-08-27T10:41:00.000-04:00

Luc translates for me as I give a message on Sunday at new church plant near Saint Michael. The church was full, but as you can see not hard to renovate due to the flexibility of the walls.
We need $1,000 to put up a structure that has a rain proof roof and substantial walls, although on a nice day on the top of a mountain it was beautiful and cool.

Frank is teaching the Kids Hail Jesus Your My King. They learned 3 new songs in English in 1 morning. Good teacher, great Kids.

Frank, Pastor Josel & Luc at Perou Church, Morning after holding service and showing Jesus film.

Islanda, Max & Frank

Trip to Bassin Church to meet with Pastor Julio and kids put on a little song service for them. Pray that God will provide $4000 to build the church. Land is purchased and temorary structure is up foundation is in place but they have out grown it already.

HOW CUTE !!

Islanda in the front is handicapped due to illness that has left her Left arm, hand and leg somewhat paralyzed and in the rear Jacob's right eye was blinded by a stick accident while playing prior to coming to the Orphanage.

New Church July 2009

2009-07-11T10:43:00.001-04:00

(Saint Michelle Area of Haiti)

Camathe Church

Many people in USA when thinking of a church building often think of a nice white building with a tall steeple on top.

There many churches around the world that would fit that description but many more that would not.

When people gather in Christ name no matter where, he will come and dwell with us

Sunday people gathered in this little palm branch hut.

In services July 4-5th 2009 25-30 people ask for forgiveness of their sins and accepted Christ as their Savior.

Pastor & Wife of Camathe Church

Temporary Benches & Palm Roof.

When it rains as it did during these services Saturday nite it's almost as wet inside as it is outside.

The church needs $1200 to install corrugated metal roof and make more comfortable benches. I'm sure these are a little uncomfortable for a 3 hr service

July Update

2009-07-01T15:48:00.000-04:00

I talked to Luc today and shared with him that we had a $6000 donation to help cover the cost of purchasing a diesel generator, as well as $2000 toward Orphanage land purchase.

Both are great news, however he had much better news for me.

This coming Sunday July 5 2009 he is intending to have the first church service of a new church plant in the Saint Michelle area. Praise God. This is the general area of our last church plant 1 year ago in Botso, however the area is huge and may require 10-15 churches to reach the people.

I believe this is an indication that we are back on track, the floods in 2004 and 2008 have hampered life in Gonaives Haiti tremendously, however we also planted 4 churches in those 4 years.

Pray that God will have his way in getting the mission house finished, water well intalled that was paid for in October 2008 and the children housed in a new Orphanage so that we can concentrate on training pastors and planting churches.

2 Brothers come to Christ Compassion Orphanage

2009-05-27T00:01:00.000-04:00

I have sent you pictures of the two brothers Jacob and David Cherry. They were living with their parents a tragic accident of the death for both parents which caused the boys to live with their Aunt. Now when they started to live with their Aunt Jacob's left eye was distorted when a fellow cousin hit him with a stick on accident. As their Aunt became ill they had less hope on succeeding in life. It was one day when I was campaigning for Evangelism I met the two brother and they were interested of coming to the orphanage. Jacob is the youngest, sometimes he cries because kids bully him around in the area. I ask you to pray from the new comers on board. God Bless Pastor Luc Jospeh

Shippment Arrives in Gonaives

2009-04-18T10:10:00.000-04:00

Luc called me last night to tell me that the his brothers 25' truck filled with their house hold goods arrived, cleared customs, and now is at his home in Gonaives. The cost of shipping was more than the cost of the contents but that's the reality of life in Haiti.

Trying to get anything in Haiti is always a chore, but when Luc and Rosanna were in Fort Lauderdale in January, we shopped and shopped for replacement household goods, everything they owned was lost in flooding in September 2008. We were looking for Bedroom furniture, living room, stove, refrigerator, dining table ect... for people who are not accustomed to this type of shoping, quite an experience.

We looked at every second hand shoppe we could find, a fea market that went on for acres and acres, but had no success in finding anything that was even somewhat usable for the budget we had .

BUT GOD PROVIDED,........ thru a generous doner, we were able to buy new items in the scratch and dent section of a nice store in Fort Lauderdale, and as well, pay for shipping and customs.

I could hear the joy in Luc's voice over the wonderful report he gave me last night, I'm sure both had a big smile on their faces praising God for the blessings.

Pastor Madam Anthony Coreus Get Promoted Eternally

2009-03-24T17:03:00.000-04:00

Pastor Madam Anthony Coreus Grand Saline Haiti died Saturday evening in her home village of Grand Saline, Haiti.

God Called her when the only church in the village was down to about 5 people to step up in leadership. She never aspired to be a pastor but when God has work to be done he uses those who are willing. At her passing the church attendance was running about 80. In 4 years God brought about a remarkable change in this remote village of fishermen and their families.

Life in Haiti is always difficult however the role of a women pastor is even harder. Madam Anthony lost her husband just 2 1/2 years ago and now she is with him, Praise God.

This church was struggling as many do at some point in Haiti because the church was built on land owned by an individual, and all was not going well with this situation, she had lamented much over the way Satan was trying to intervene in the ministry work.

Pray that God will have his way in this work in the future.

World Renewal International has set up a memorial fund to both help with meeting the family's needs in her burial but also to buy land to build another structure for worship.

Jesus used fisherman to spread the gospel to but as beautiful as this scene is life in this remote village is very difficult.

I don't know if Madam Anthony ever equated her ministry situation to that of the early followers of Christ but the boats they use today are not much different, and the work that the people do on a daily basis is much the same.

Pray that the ministry will move forward and the congregation of 80 will be faithful and expand to reach their neighbors.

Frank Penna Haiti Visit

2009-03-13T22:13:00.000-04:00

Frank spent 12 days in Gonaives with Luc & Rosanna and the kids from Christ Compassion Orphanage. He reports on his visit on his blog. Please take time to link to it and see the pictures he took as well as his report on how things are progressing since the September 2008 flood.

I am so thankful for his faithfulness to make this trip and love those who much of the world would rather forget about.

http://fpenna.blogspot.com/

Things are so difficult that most would lose all hope, but thru the love of Christ we can show that not only we care but much more importantly that God has not forgotten the Haitian People.

I H S,

Max

A TIME FOR REST AND RESUPPLY

2009-01-18T21:41:00.000-05:00

Luc and Rosanna are in US for a little rest at our insistence. I explained to them that even Jesus pulled away from the crowed in order to rest. With over 30 living in a small unfinished house and still no well drilled due to a drilling machine that keeps breaking, life is still the major struggle as it has been for the last 5 months. That they are doing as well as they are, is nothing but a miracle. Although they are both tired, they still have the joy of the lord in their life. They are staying in Fort Lauderdale at Luc's brothers, and I brought 9 crates to Florida for them, donation from people who wanted to help, full of bed linens and personal hygiene items. It is our desire to purchase and ship a substantial amount of household items to replace some of the daily living items that were lost in the flood in September. Where do you start, when you loose everything and live in a country where obtaining anything is difficult? Pray that God will provide wisdom and resources for what he desires. Pray that Satans hold on this country will be broken forever.

According to Luc & Rosanna the 25 orphans are OK just in need of more room and more supplies.

Trusting God with Luc & Rosanna

Max

Luc travels to US in November

2008-12-06T13:37:00.000-05:00

Willie Nelson sang on the road again ... and Frank encouraged Luc to pose by this mural in youth area at Derby Friends Church while we were visiting Wichita Kansas area, in honor of the 2,500 mile road trip we were making.

Luc flew to Kansas City where Gary Wright, Frank Penna and I picked him up, we then visited several people who have supported ministry in Haiti over the last few years one way or another, this was such a good time for people meeting with Luc most for the first time.

One of the most wonderful meetings was this one, with Mrs. Clouse at her home, she has helped with training pastors and leaders for several years now in Haiti. (These Conferences have been named in honor of her Husband Clint Clouse) Mrs. Clouse had never had an opportunity to meet with Luc, this was a God designed meeting, Frank & Gary as well as myself were privileged to be there. The obedience of this wonderful lady has had a great impact on our ability to train our leaders in Haiti.

First Church Service after the flood

2008-10-23T21:43:00.000-04:00

People gather in Unfinished Mission house to thank God for their survival.

Madam Luc Leads singing.

The Children of Christ Compassion Orphanage

2008-10-23T21:28:00.000-04:00

Standing in the compound of the Mission House under construction.

It's not Christmas but these Birthday Party for Jesus bags are all they have. Look at the smiles.

Standing on the porch of the mission house under construction, this is home for now.

These gifts couldn't have been picked up any earlier or they would have been gone with everything else in the flood, God worked it out.

More of the Aftermath of the 4 Hurricans & Floods

2008-10-23T20:47:00.001-04:00

This family is digging out trying to get into their home to make it livable.

It's hard to believe this is a Street.

The flood waters were so strong they overturned these cars.

It looks more like a war zone than anything.

More Pictures from Goanaives, Haiti Flood

2008-10-23T19:06:00.000-04:00

2 of our Pastors were in town on September 1st and fled to the attic space to excape the flood, this is the 2nd story of the rented Orphanage building.

Interior of Gonaives Church after flood damage, not safe to use anymore.

This home is almost covered in dirt & mud.

Luc's family & 25 Children fled from their home to the roof of this building behind the house, and still were concerned for their lives for the next 3 days.

Luc's former home after the flood.

2008-10-23T17:08:00.000-04:00

Team Evangelism in the days before the Flood

2008-10-23T16:56:00.000-04:00

In the days before the 2008 September flood as a result of 3 hurricans in a row, life was as usual in the city of Gonaives Haiti. These pictures show adults and children getting ready for evangelism. And then came the rain!

Luc's Video in the days after the Flood

2008-10-21T22:01:00.000-04:00

Luc walks the streets of Gonaives after the flood waters receded. Look at the Houses, they were completly under water. Mud is left knee deep inside some of these homes. The women are trying to clean up but the water is unbelievably muddy.

September was a difficult month

2008-10-18T14:18:00.000-04:00

Gonaives Haiti Flood 2008

September was a hard month in Gonaives Haiti for Luc Joseph and his family as well as 25 Orphan children living in Christ Compassion Orphanage. The hardships continues but here is a little of what happened in their lives, what was happening in your life during that time?

September 1st 7:00am God tells Luc Joseph to go to the rented property for Christ Compassion Orphanage and bring all 25 Children to his house. No known or specific reason, only go to get children not a routine happening.

September 1st it started to rain about 2:00pm but by 10:00pm the city was under siege by flood waters.

September 1st by 10pm they had to evacuate the house and flee with all the children to the top of the 3 story building behind them that was under construction.

September 2nd by morning they could not see the top of the house they lived in next to the building they fled to, it was completely under water.

Sept 3rd still on the roof no food no water.

September 4th finally able to leave the top of the building where they had been stranded, and walked in water for 2 or 3 kilometers to mission house under construction.

Everything of value lost, in the families rental house was full of mud, the rental house for the Orphanage full of mud almost everything gone including a building.

God knew that lives were in the balance, he told Luc go get the children, Luc obeyed, not knowing why, only that he need to do what God instructed him to do.

For more than 2 weeks the only thing they had to eat was what they could salvage from the flood waters, most notably was banana from the trees that had been washed away from the hills above the city. The only clean water to drink was rain water.

By the 10th a Catholic priest gave Luc some bread that they could eat.

By the 24th Western Union Gonaives was open, and we were able to send money for buying food.

By the 29th we were able to deliver a substantial amount of money and he Luc was able to buy food in Saint Marc.

For the first time they had enough food to meet their daily needs.

Over the very difficult month of September, God had told Luc what he needed to do, and he was faithful to do it.

Although it was very difficult, and they are all alive but still living in a bad situation as of the 17th of October, in an unfinished mission house with 25 children, plus his family, plus other people who help with the children, they are all alive.

We are trying to get the mission house finished; I have delivered funds to Luc for drilling a well as well as some funds to continue work in order to complete the mission house.

But even when they have a well, and the mission house is finished, the problems will not be solved.

25 Orphan Children living in a house designed for 1 family and a few guest.

We need to purchase the land next to this house and build an Orphanage, school and church.

This is not a small project, but God loves these children, he saved them from certain death, and now we need to take the opportunity that God has given us to provide for these children, God does not want the present situation, with over 30 plus people living in a situation designed for, 10 people.

This project will cost an estimated $80,000 when completed, but to start with we need to purchase the land, at an estimated cost of $10,000 US.
Next we need to secure the property with walls, and then we need to build a building that will house a minimum of 30 children.

Can you turn your back on this situation? Scripture tells us to take care of the widows and orphans. These children need your help!

Luc was obedient and the children have survived, you and I need to be obedient also.

Max R Wright – WRI – Haiti Rep

YOUR HELP IS NEEDED!

2008-10-06T16:06:00.000-04:00

I Talked to Luc this afternoon.
Drinking Water is the most difficult problem affecting health right now. The people need food, but if they drink bad water they are at serious health risk. The water plant in Gonaives was destroyed so safe water has to come from about 40 miles away.
Mosquitoes are an extreme problem in Gonaives right now, and Malaria will follow which is always a problem in Haiti. This will drive the death toll higher, the old and the young are at most risk. We are going to try to get sufficient Mosquito Nets for those living in the unfinished house.
The Gonaives Church and school is not able to function at present due to the destruction of the rented church buildings. Luc is holding services at his unfinished home, where he and his family and 25 Orphans are living in the unfinished mission house. Your financial help is needed to finish the house, install a water well, toilets, sewer, and get generator power to the house. We need your financial help now.
In the near future it’s Luc & my belief that God desires us to purchase the land adjacent to the mission house in order to have both an Orphanage as well as a building that can hold church services as well as school. The estimated cost of the land is $25,000 the cost of this project is estimated at $80,000. Obviously we need you to help this desperate situation.
In a country that is so poor how can the cost be so high? Everything that is not a natural resource has to be shipped in, other that the coral sand, everything else has to be shipped in so you have to add fuel and shipping cost to everything.

Haiti Death Toll Raises

2008-10-05T19:25:00.000-04:00

Haiti raises storm death toll to nearly 800
The Associated Press
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti -- The official death toll from four storms that ravaged Haiti this summer has nearly doubled to some 800 people, authorities said Friday.
Civil defense director Maria-Alta Jean Baptiste said in an interview with The Associated Press that 793 bodies have been found so far, and authorities are still looking for bodies in the mud that swamped coastal settlements.
"As we're cleaning, we don't know what we're going to find," she said.
Crews have found 466 bodies in the hard-hit town of Gonaives alone, and government workers are burying the dead immediately to avoid contamination and the spread of infectious diseases, she said.
The four tropical storms that struck in late August and early September also wiped out at least 60 percent of Haitian agriculture and destroyed roads, bridges and homes.
The government had previously said 425 people died in the storms, which left thousands homeless.
International aid and food has poured in, but the U.N. World Food Program has so far received only US$1 million of the US$54 million it requested.

Good News

2008-09-29T16:40:00.000-04:00

I was able to talk to Luc today and he confirmed that he received money that we had wired last week and also that sent via Bob Wakeland who had a planned trip prior to the flood with a group going south of Gonaives. Luc was able to meet with him today and get the money we had sent him. He was in Saint Marc buying supplies when I spoke to him.

His request was continued Prayer for all of those impacted by the flood.

They are living in less than acceptable conditions in the mission house that was under construction before the flood, no drinking water and no toilet facilities.

We continue to need $$ resources, to impact this crisis.

Pictures From Luc

2008-09-29T16:13:00.000-04:00

Picture to the left is the 3rd story building roof where Luc his family and 25 Orphans escaped the flood.s

The house to the left is almost unrecognizable as Luc's rental house, the house had walls 8' high that enclosed the home, now thats gone.

It's dry compared to what they have been experiencing, now part of the sleeping arrangement's for Luc's family and 25 Orphans.

A city trying to deal with the aftermath of Flooding.

2008-09-14T17:49:00.000-04:00

Click on link below or copy and paste the link in your Browser.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvcizzZw728

Some Relief Arrives Click on You Tube Link

2008-09-14T17:10:00.000-04:00

Click on or Copy and paste this link in your browser and watch this You Tube Video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sygFl7dwO48

Roads are Closed & Bridges Out

2008-09-11T14:08:00.001-04:00

Gonaives is cut off from the rest of Haiti by land. The roads at present are impassible from the south to the north of Saint Marc and from the east at Ennery.

The Port at Gonaives is in shambles, and the UN can not unload because of security problems. Despirate people do despirate things.

Pray that God makes a way to get relief to the people of Gonaives.

PIctures from a Friend

2008-09-09T18:11:00.000-04:00

More die as a result of storm.

2008-09-09T12:24:00.000-04:00

By JONATHAN M. KATZ, Associated Press Writer Tue Sep 9, 3:13 AM ET

GONAIVES, Haiti - Nine people died in shelters in this marooned city desperate for relief supplies, even as waters from Hurricane Ike receded and a U.S. Navy ship dispatched amphibious boats to deliver food.
Two children were among the dead at shelters across Gonaives on Monday, said Daniel Dupiton of region's civil protection department. It was not immediately clear what caused those deaths.
Thousands have taken refuge in schools, churches and homes on high ground, many with scant supplies or supervision.
"We cannot confirm that they died because of hunger," said Vicky Delore Ndjeuga, a U.N. spokesman for the mission in Gonaives. "We need to make an examination to make sure it was because of food."
With most roads across the country still impassible, Haiti — and the world — still lacked a complete picture of the destruction, and desperation was setting in among people who have spent days in the floodwaters and mud.
Aid groups are appealing for donations to sustain a lengthy response, warning of a secondary disaster caused by waterborne illnesses and other problems in the weeks ahead.
The death toll — which government officials said stood at 331 people in four tropical storms in less than a month — is sure to rise as more bodies surface in the mud.
Two more bodies were found Monday in coastal Cabaret, where 60 people died as mudslides and floods unleashed by a swollen river crushed homes in the middle of the night. Sixteen others were missing, mostly children.
Late Monday, authorities confirmed 10 more deaths, five attributed to Ike and five to Tropical Storm Hanna.
In Gonaives, Police Commissioner Ernst Dorfeuille said his poorly equipped force — 15 officers for the city of 160,000 — has buried dozens of badly decomposed and unidentifiable corpses in graves outside the city.
"After three days, those bodies could not stay," said Dorfeuille, adding he witnessed the burial of five people.
It wasn't clear how these bodies fit with previous tallies of the dead, but Dorfeuille denied reports citing him as giving a death toll of nearly 500 in Gonaives.
On one city street, a man used a rope to drag a bloated body through the floodwaters.
Hard-hit Gonaives, north of the capital, remained cut off by land. Red Cross trucks trying to reach Gonaives and Les Cayes on Haiti's southern coast had to turn back, one of many international aid efforts still struggling to leave the capital.
Broken pews were scattered across the mud-smeared floor of the Gonaives cathedral, where about 50 people now live in the choir balcony. They gathered around a small cooking pot, stirring some goat meat and cornmeal to share.
Meanwhile, inmates at the city's jail clamored for deliverance from the overpowering stench of filth and sewage, and supplies for jail staff and U.N. peacekeepers as well as the 224 inmates were perilously low, said Dr. Manvoor Ahmad, a Pakistani member of the U.N. mission.
The USS Kearsarge arrived in Port-au-Prince Monday after it was rerouted from a humanitarian mission to Colombia. With eight helicopters and three landing ships, it can deliver cargo and equipment all over Haiti, providing much of the logistical support needed by aid groups that have not been able to get through on land.
But even the Kearsarge was frustrated in its effort to bring prompt relief to Gonaives.
The ship spent most of Monday heading into port, sending helicopters ahead to find places around the city large and secure enough to offload. None were identified.
Two helicopters carrying with rice, beans and cooking oil from the World Food Program headed instead to the town of Jeremie on Haiti's southwest peninsula, also cut off by flooding.
A woman who cares for 110 children at the Haiti Gospel orphanage was among about 50 people asking for a share of the rice, beans and cooking oil from the World Food Program.
"My garden was destroyed," said Yvros Pierre, who had just two bags of spoiled bread mix left. "My food is finished. My boss told me to see if there were any Americans coming and ask them for help."
The Kearsage finally docked in Port-au-Prince in the evening, loading the amphibious ships with food for an overnight trip to Gonaive and hard-hit Saint Marc.
"We can deliver several thousand tons a day. It's not what we can do, it's how it can be done," said the mission's commander, Capt. Fernandez "Frank" Ponds.
___
Associated Press Writer Alexandra Olson, with a helicopter crew from the USS Kearsarge, contributed to this report.

These very recent Pictures were shared with me.

2008-09-08T12:03:00.000-04:00

More Flooding Ike Hits Haiti

2008-09-07T17:37:00.000-04:00

I talked to Luc Joseph at 2:30pm today. He said hurrican Ike was causing more flooding, even at his new house construction site. At the time his family and the Orphans were on the roof of the house, the wind was blowing hard causing the phone connection to be difficult. However he did say he was able to buy some food for the children.

Haiti gets more of the same.

2008-09-07T17:20:00.000-04:00

Ike's floods add insult to Haiti's misery, kill 10 from The Associated Press.

Residents leave the area in the back of a pick-up truck after heavy rains in Gonaives, Haiti, Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008. Hurricane Ike damaged most of the homes on Grand Turk island as it roared onto the Bahamas, raked Haiti's flooded cities with rain and threatened the Florida Keys on its way to Cuba as a ferocious Category 4 storm Sunday.

Residents wade through a flooded street after heavy rains in Gonaives, Haiti, Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008. Hurricane Ike damaged most of the homes on Grand Turk island as it roared onto the Bahamas, raked Haiti's flooded cities with rain and threatened the Florida Keys on its way to Cuba as a ferocious Category 4 storm Sunday.

Residents wade through a flooded street after heavy rains in Gonaives, Haiti, Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008. Hurricane Ike damaged most of the homes on Grand Turk island as it roared onto the Bahamas, raked Haiti's flooded cities with rain and threatened the Florida Keys on its way to Cuba as a ferocious Category 4 storm Sunday

Haitians took to their roofs to escape rising floodwaters Sunday for the second time in a week as squalls from Hurricane Ike added insult to their misery, inundating homes and collapsing a bridge on the last open land route for aid to the desperate city.

Five adults and five children drowned overnight in the coastal town of Cabaret north of Port-au-Prince, civil protection director Marie-Alta Jean Baptiste said, raising Haiti's overall death toll to 262 from four tropical storms in recent weeks.

Above Haiti's coastal floodplain, in the Artibonite Valley, authorities prepared to open an overflowing dam, inundating more homes and possibly causing lasting damage to Haiti's "rice bowl," a key farming area whose revival is key to rescuing the starving country.

Associated Press © 2008

CNN Reports

2008-09-06T09:41:00.000-04:00

GONAIVES, Haiti (AP) -- A ship carrying 33 tons of U.N. relief supplies managed to dock Friday, the first significant aid delivery after four days without food or water for thousands of survivors from Tropical Storm Hanna
Soldiers with assault rifles stood guard in the crumbling port while dockworkers offloaded 15 metric tons of relief supplies from the capital of Port-au-Prince. The container ship was loaded with bottled water, 36,000 water-purification tablets, 16 metric tons of high-energy biscuits and 2 metric tons of rice, along with cooking oil and other supplies managed by the U.N. World Food Program.
Belching white smoke from its stack, the Tres Rivieres ship was able to dock after the Argentine soldiers worked through the night with heavy equipment to drop boulders into a gap in the pier left by the storm. They aimed to distribute the biscuits and water within hours to emergency shelters, where 40,000 people were marooned and increasingly desperate.
Hanna's floodwaters inundated more than half the homes in Haiti's fourth-largest city when it struck on Monday, and corpses surfaced in the muddy wreckage Friday as floodwaters receded, raising the known death toll to 137.
But the break in the weather is expected to be short -- Hurricane Ike, now a Category 3 hurricane -- could sideswipe Haiti this weekend, even as international aid groups struggle to reach thousands of victims.
"I am worried because the soil is completely impregnated with water, and there is no way for the rivers to take more water," said Max Cocsi, who directs Belgium's mission in Haiti of Doctors Without Borders. "We don't need a hurricane -- a storm would be enough."
Cocsi, who arrived in Gonaives on Thursday, told The Associated Press that no one knows how many have been killed. The focus now is on reaching the living, not recovering bodies.

Views of the Gonaives Area Flooding

2008-09-05T10:05:00.000-04:00

Some 250,000 people are affected in the Gonaives region, including 70,000 in 150 shelters across the city, according to an international official who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to release the information.

Hanna's death toll rises to 137 in Haiti

2008-09-05T10:00:00.000-04:00

9/4/2008, 9:57 p.m. EDT
The Associated Press

GONAIVES, Haiti (AP) — Haiti's government says the death toll from Tropical Storm Hanna has more than doubled to 137, with most of the deaths coming in the flooded port city of Gonaives.
The Ministry of the Interior and the Civil Protection Department issued statements Thursday saying that 80 of the deaths were in Gonaives, which has been almost entirely cut off by floodwaters from Hanna.
Virtual lakes have formed over every road in the city and officials are attempting to get food and water to residents who were stranded.

Another 22 deaths were confirmed in areas immediately surrounding the coastal city.
The rest of the deaths were scattered across the country.
The previous death toll had been 61
© 2008 Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

Rescuers can't get aid to starving Haitian city

2008-09-04T22:28:00.000-04:00

Posted on Thu, Sep. 04, 2008

By JONATHAN M. KATZ
Associated Press Writer

GONAIVES, Haiti --
The convoy rumbled out of the U.N. base toward a flooded, starving and seething city Thursday, carrying some of the first food aid since Tropical Storm Hanna drowned Gonaives in muddy water three days ago.
Hungry children at three orphanages were waiting for the canvas-topped trucks, loaded with warm pots of rice and beans and towing giant tanks of drinking water.
The trucks didn't make it.
The convoy crept over mud-caked, semi-paved roads past closed stores, overturned buses and women wading in water up to their knees with plastic tubs on their heads.
After about 45 minutes, the half-dozen trucks ground to a halt. U.N. peacekeepers wearing camouflage fatigues and bulletproof vests jumped out while others stood guard with assault rifles.
Before them, a huge gouge marred the road. The floods had split the asphalt, and water ran through the 10-foot-wide (3-meter-wide) gap.
The convoy turned around. And the children - like tens of thousands more in this increasingly desperate city - went another day without food.
Some 250,000 people are affected in the Gonaives region, including 70,000 in 150 shelters across the city, according to an international official who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to release the information. Argentine Lt. Sergio Hoj estimated that half of Gonaives' houses remained flooded Thursday.
Many houses were torn apart. Families huddled on rooftops, their possessions laid out to dry. Overturned cars were everywhere, and televisions floated in the brown water.
Gonaives - a collection of concrete buildings, run-down shacks and plazas with dilapidated fountains - lies in a flat river plain between the ocean and deforested mountains that run with mud even in light rains. Hanna swirled over Haiti for four days, dumping vast amounts of water, blowing down fruit trees and ruining stores of food as it swamped tin-roofed houses.
The official death toll rose to 61 on Thursday as Hanna finally moved north with near hurricane-force winds on a path toward the southeastern U.S. coast. But in the chaos there was no way to know how many people might be dead, or how many had been driven from their homes. Two other storms killed 85 people in August, and forecasters warned that fearsome Hurricane Ike could hit Haiti next week.
Haiti's government has few resources to help. Rescue convoys have been blocked by floodwaters, although the U.N. World Food Program said Thursday it was sending a food-laden boat to Gonaives from the capital, Port-au-Prince, and would set up a base in the stricken city.
In the capital, U.S. Embassy spokeswoman Mari Tolliver said $250,000 in relief supplies arrived in Haiti Thursday, including jugs of drinking water, and would be sent to Gonaives by boat or plane.
"The idea is to get it there within the next day or two. Every effort is being made," she said, adding that another $100,000 will be used to buy bedding, kitchen items and other goods for victims.
"The situation in Gonaives is catastrophic," Daniel Rouzier, Haiti chairman of Food for the Poor, wrote in an e-mail. "We, just like the rest of the victims ... have limited mobility. You can't float a boat, drive a truck or fly anything to the victims."
Anger and frustration was growing at the inability or unwillingness of the government and the international community to help.
"If they don't have food, it can be dangerous," warned Sen. Youri Latortue, who flew in by helicopter. "They can't wait."
Dozens of people gathered around the gates of the U.N. base. Some children climbed cinderblock walls topped by barbed wire to ask soldiers inside for food. Edgy U.N. peacekeepers went on a heightened state of alert, and have traded their floppy hats for helmets.
Ad Melkert, associate administrator of the U.N. Development Program who just returned from Haiti, admonished international donors to do more.
"The poverty in the rain and mud of Haiti that I witnessed is nothing less than a disgrace," he said. "Many actors or potential actors try to play their part, ranging from the national government to multilateral and bilateral donors and NGOS. They all need to do more and better."
The few aid-group representatives in Gonaives did what they could - but knew it wasn't enough.
A local coordinator for the Florida-based Food for the Poor charity sailed through the flooded streets in a 22-foot fishing boat and picked up survivors, including two men struggling to keep afloat.
"The whole town is destroyed," Bernard Chauvet told The Associated Press over his cell phone as he headed for dry land, his boat jammed with 22 people including a pregnant woman and several crying children.
"These people lost everything," he said. "They have no water, no food. It is very bad."
Up to 400 people huddled in the Roman Catholic Church and the residence of Bishop Yves-Marie Pean, turning it into a de facto refugee camp. Many camped out on the watery grounds, while the lucky ones rested on chapel pews.
"We have shared with them what we had, but now we don't have food or drinking water," Pean said by telephone. "What is left is for the babies. We are praying together in solidarity in this very difficult moment."
Chantal Pierre, 19, somehow made it to the gates of the U.N. base, which is occupied by mostly Argentine troops. Soldiers carried her on a stretcher into a gym and laid her gently down. She went into labor amid the weightlifting equipment.
Minutes later, at a makeshift hospital on the base, she gave birth to a healthy girl.
A day earlier, Dorlean Nadege, 26, had given birth at the same place. Both babies slept in their mothers' arms Thursday. The doctor, Julio Cesar Lotero, said Pierre would leave on Friday, but Nadege would stay because her home was destroyed by floodwaters.
"She has to stay here," he said. "She has nowhere to go."

Associated Press writers Danica Coto and David McFadden in San Juan, Puerto Rico, contributed to this report.

Food & Water

2008-09-04T13:18:00.001-04:00

Dear Friends in Christ
Pray that God would provide a miracle in the form of food and water and safety, for Luc’s family and the 25 children in his care. The largest city is cut off at present even the UN cannot access the area to provide aid. It will require your prayers and Gods hand to meet the daily needs of those in distress.
Haiti simply has no infrastructure, and although they have appointed officials to meet the needs of the people in crisis the reality is much worse than most Americans can imagine.
Pray that God would move is all that Luc has asked for in my last 2 conversations with him.
We want to help but sometimes we are frustrated when we can do nothing immediate but pray, don’t be frustrated, PRAY.
If God speaks to you to help, the best help at present is money. It will take 30 days to ship supplies and we may well do that but it takes $ donations to make any of this possible.
We do need cash relief funds.
WORLD RENEWAL INTL
PO BOX 399, GREENFIELD, IN 46140.
317-467-9899
LOVED ONES IN HAITI is the relief fund.
The quickest method is checks by phone. We can receive Master and Visa cards however there is a delay in receiving those funds from the card service.
All funds received will be used without WRI taking any administration fees.

Max R Wright
World Renewal International Haiti-Rep

Hosung Solutions

2008-09-04T13:11:00.000-04:00

Present location of Family and 25 Orphanage Children.
Luc’s Mission House is under construction. It is presently 60% completed. The compound has exterior walls and gate for security. The house has walls, roof and steel doors and barred windows. There are no electric, plumbing, nor are the walls or floors finished at present. It is safe and on higher ground. We estimate that it will take an additional $10,000 to finish the house. The cost have sky rocked since the Oil prices have gone up, the cost of gas in Haiti was up to $7.00 in July.
There is a piece of land next to this property that we would like to purchase and build an Orphanage. We feel that it would be a good, safe place to have an Orphanage, school and church for the near future. Under present pricing it will cost approximately $80,000 to build the Orphanage and buy the land which has tripled in price since Luc purchased the land next door in the last 4 years.

Made Contact with Luc

2008-09-04T13:00:00.000-04:00

This morning I was able to make contact with Luc for the first time. They have all made it out alive, of the city of Gonaives to the construction site of their new house. They were able to feed the children last night with the food they brought with them. But now they have no food or water. All the systems of the city of down. No market, no banking, no water plant, no electic. Pray for a miricle that God will provide where there is no provision.

Flood Waters

2008-09-03T18:50:00.000-04:00

Flood waters force people out of homes to higher ground.

Flood waters

2008-09-03T18:49:00.000-04:00

Flood Waters

2008-09-03T15:15:00.001-04:00

When the city floods you only can salvage what you can carry.

Entrance to the City of Gonaives

2008-09-03T15:15:00.000-04:00

This is a view of the National 1 leading into the south end of Gonaives. The road is under construction to elevate it above just such flood waters...but it's not finished.

No Contact with Luc as of 11:30am

2008-09-03T13:26:00.000-04:00

FYI No contact with Luc Joseph as of this morning cell towers are out of service, the best report I can get is 10 dead in Gonaives.

Excerpts from article by: JONATHAN M. KATZ: Associated Press Writer

A day earlier, Hanna added to the misery in Haiti, a country still recovering from drenching by Hurricane Gustav and Tropical Storm Fay in the past two weeks.
In all, floods and mudslides from the three storms have killed more than 100 people as Haiti's deforested hills melted away in torrential rains.
Families screamed for help from rooftops Tuesday in a flooded city as U.N. peacekeepers and rescue convoys tried in vain to reach them.
By Tuesday night, Hanna claimed 21 lives in Haiti, including 12 dead in the state containing the cutoff city of Gonaives, said Marie Alta Jean-Baptiste of the country's civil protection office in Port-au-Prince, the capital.
Iris Norsil, 20, managed to flee Gonaives on Haiti's western shore and told The Associated Press people there were isolated by muddy floodwaters as evening fell, seeking refuge on rooftops as wind gusts drove horizontal sheets of rain.
"They are screaming for help," Norsil said as a U.N. aid convoy tried unsuccessfully to drive into Gonaives, now surrounded by a virtual lake of floodwaters. A team of AP journalists accompanied the convoy.
Another convoy carrying Prime Minister Michele Pierre-Louis had to abandon efforts at getting into Gonaives when one of the cars was nearly swept away, said Julian Frantz, a Haitian police officer who was providing security for the group.
Floodwaters rose rapidly outside Gonaives, where Norsil and scores of other residents who abandoned the low-lying city shivered violently in soaked clothing, nervously eying the rushing, debris-clogged waters.
"The situation is as bad as it can be," said Vadre Louis, a U.N. official in Gonaives. "The wind is ripping up trees. Houses are flooded with water. Cars can't drive on the street. You can't rescue anyone, wherever they may be."
Those who could move clutched mattresses, chairs and other belongings as they slogged through waist-high floodwaters.
At 5 a.m. EDT Wednesday, Hanna's maximum sustained winds were near 60 mph (95 kph), but the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami said it could regain hurricane strength and turn toward the east coast of Florida, Georgia or South Carolina in the next few days.

Reuters Report

2008-09-02T19:59:00.000-04:00

Severe flooding hits Haitian city of Gonaives
02 Sep 2008 14:42:22 GMT 02 Sep 2008 14:42:22 GMT ## for search indexer, do not remove
-->
Source: Reuters
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Sept 2 (Reuters) - Heavy rains triggered by Tropical Storm Hanna triggered severe flooding in the Haitian city of Gonaives, where thousands died four years ago during a similar catastrophe, the head of the Caribbean country's civil protection agency said on Tuesday.
"The city is flooded and there are parts where the water gets to 2 metres (6.5 ft)," said civil protection director Alta Jean-Baptiste. "A lot of people have been climbing onto the tops of their houses since last night to escape the flooding."
By Tuesday morning there had only been a report of one death, Jean-Baptiste said. Mudslides and similar flooding caused in 2004 by Tropical Storm Jeanne killed around 3,000 people in Gonaives. (Reporting by Joseph Guyler Delva, Editing by) news ## for search indexer, do not remove -->
AlertNet news is provided by

Update 3:30pm

2008-09-02T15:27:00.000-04:00

Haiti blasted by third deadly tropical storm in under three weeks
September 2, 2008 1pm
PORT-AU-PRINCE (AFP) — Ten people were killed as Hanna lashed the north of Haiti Tuesday, the third deadly tropical storm to unleash its wrath on the impoverished Caribbean nation in under three weeks.
Haiti's third largest city, Gonaives, was under water, and officials pleaded for help in a region still traumatized by flooding from Tropical Storm Jeanne four years ago that killed more than 3,000 people.
"The situation in Gonaives is extremely urgent. I appeal for help," said Stephen Moise, mayor of the city of 300,000, 152 kilometers (94 miles) north of Port-au-Prince.
Jeanne's driving rains in the northern mountains of Haiti caused severe flooding and mudslides in the Artibonite region, especially in Gonaives. The storm killed 3,006 people in Haiti, with 2,826 of those in Gonaives.
"Practically the whole city is flooded, there is water everywhere. The water is rising in some areas to more than two meters (six feet)," Moise told AFP by telephone.
"The situation is critical today, it can be compared with what happened four years ago," Moise said.
Gonaives residents reached by telephone said floodwaters had reached the ceilings of some homes, forcing inhabitants to seek safety on the roof.
"I have seen about 10 bodies floating in the flooded streets of the city," Ernst Dorfeuille of the Gonaives police told AFP by phone.
"I don't know how long we will stay alive," a clearly panicked father, Germain Michelet, told AFP. "If we have to go another night in these conditions, there will not be a lot of survivors."
The latest devastation came as Haiti was still reeling from Hurricane Gustav, which killed 77 people and left eight others missing after barreling by the south of the hemisphere's most impoverished country only a week ago.
And only two weeks ago Tropical Storm Fay sparked flooding that left about 40 people dead.
Flooding in hardscrabble Haiti is a persistent problem. Its force is felt in part due to Haiti's mountainous geography. And deforestation -- as Haitians cut down trees and bushes as fuel for cooking fires -- exacerbates the flooding disasters.
Hanna lost some wind strength and was downgraded to a tropical storm Tuesday with driving rains that could spark deadly flooding in Haiti and eastern Cuba, the US National Hurricane Center in Miami warned.
With Hanna packing sustained winds of 70 miles (110 kilometers) per hour, it was expected to churn on a track taking it over the southeastern Bahamas Tuesday and the central Bahamas late Tuesday and Wednesday, the NHC said at 1500 GMT.
It said Hanna could dump up to 20 inches (50 centimeters) in the southeastern Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos islands, and up to 12 inches (30 centimeters) in the central Bahamas.
"Rainfall amounts of two to four inches with maximum amounts of up to eight inches (20 centimeters) are expected over the mountainous terrain of eastern Cuba and northern portions of Hispaniola (shared by Haiti and the Dominican Republic) where these rains could cause life-threatening mudslides and flash flooding," the NHC warned.
Hanna could regain hurricane Wednesday or Thursday, the NHC added.
Officials here said some 15,000 Haitian families were affected by Gustav, which leveled some 3,000 dwellings and damaged another 11,458.
At least 77 people died in Haiti after it was hit by Gustav, which blasted Louisiana with powerful winds and rain as a Category Two hurricane on Monday. Gustav later weakened as it passed overland and was downgraded to a tropical storm.
Gustav killed a total of more than 100 people as it tore across the Caribbean and into the United States.

Storm Hits Haiti

2008-09-02T13:23:00.001-04:00

Dear friends

I received a desperate call for prayer, from Haiti this morning from my friend and National Pastor Luc Joseph living in Gonaives Haiti. At the time 7:50am, he was at our Orphanage trying to get 25 children to safety from flood waters.

Gonaives is located in a runoff area and in 2004 when Hurricane Jean hit 3000 people died as a result of the flooding.

Would you please pray that God will bring the Children and Luc’s family to safety. And help them to minister to those who may be devastated by this Hurricane.

If you look at the news channels, you will find little if any of this information, partially due to the isolation but partly due to or narcissism of our society, so concerned about our own situation that we rarely see people reach beyond our own concerns.

Don’t let this be only a blip on your radar screen. The prayers of the rightous availeth much.

I H S,
Max R Wright
World Renewal International –Haiti

Original Post

2008-03-22T16:34:00.000-04:00

To God be the Glory for the Great things he has done.

World Renewal Haiti

2008-03-22T12:37:00.000-04:00

Ministering in Haiti, the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere.