On Thursday, we welcomed Vilardeau back to Santiago. It was so good to see him. He had been working in Port-au-Prince after graduating in industrial engineering here in Santiago last July. Before he left Santiago, Bob had spent a lot of time with him, studying the Bible and talking about life. He will be here until the plant where he works can reopen. He is a real leader. His presence here will be an encouragement to the other Haitian students in Santiago, especially to Erline, his fiancee!
The building in which he worked in PAP shook incredibly hard during the quake, but did not collapse. He was able to walk the few miles to his home, which was also spared.
More students are returning each day to Santiago. This morning we took one of the students to get a new pair of glasses. She fell trying to get outside during the quake. Her glasses were broken. Her new glasses were donated by a Dominican doctor who is a friend of ours. This afternoon we visited with a friend whose mother died when their home collapsed. Her father survived, although he was badly bruised and scraped. She was able to bring him with her to Santiago.
It just seems like we have had a year's worth of experiences in the last month! Please keep praying that we can encourage the students here and help them heal from the emotional trauma they have experienced.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Update for Wednesday, January 20
Sunday, five tense days after the earthquake in Haiti, we shouted for joy as we finally heard from two Haitian friends, Vilardeau and Erline, who were in Port-au-Prince (PAP) at the time of the quake. Both are ok physically but emotionally shaken by the horror of it all. Erline’s home collapsed. Her mother and grandmother were sitting beside a wall. Instead of falling in on them, the wall fell away from them; so they are alive.
As we listened to Erline’s story, she amazingly thanked God that she was in PAP that day. She had gone to the bus station to get a bus back to Santiago, to begin the next semester of classes at the university. The bus was full and she had made no prior reservation; so she began walking away to catch local transportation to go home. The quake hit as she walked, the earth heaving back and forth like a giant see-saw, buildings collapsing on her right and left. She walked at least two hours to get to her family, hearing wailing for the dead and cries of the injured and trapped all along the way. She kept repeating to herself assurances that her family would be okay. They all slept that night out in the street, fearful with each successive aftershock. Because she was there she was able to help her mother and grandmother find a bit of shelter in a nearby garage.
Erline made it back to Santiago and we helped her gather clothes, soap, food—anything she could grab quickly to send back to her family with a friend who was going into Haiti with a group of young doctors.
When she first arrived, Erline was not sleeping or eating well, had trouble concentrating, and often woke with a start in the night. We are keeping daily contact with her and helping her with basic needs here so she can begin classes. She will complete her degree this year, LORD willing.
That Sunday night, after we heard Erline and Vilardeau were okay, the relief was immense, but we were still tense as we headed for a Haitian church service where Bob would preach to 50-60 young Haitians, mostly university students. Some had just returned from PAP. Many of their families’ homes had been destroyed. Of the group that came that evening, no one had lost immediate family, but everyone knew somebody who had lost somone.
We were expecting a grief-filled service. What we saw and heard were a group of strong and resilient young people. Their faces showed the fatigue and strain of the past five days, but their voices were strong as they sang praises to God. As we hugged many of them after the service, I couldn’t help but think that Haiti still has a future because these are the young men and women who will help rebuild.
The needs within Haiti are immense and if you would like to give to relief efforts through CrossWorld, you can do so at www.crossworld.org. You can see updates there as well on the situation in PAP. There is a “refugee” tent camp of more than 4000 people camping out on the seminary campus where two CrossWorld families live.
We have been continually asking the Lord what our personal response should be. We do not sense that we should enter Haiti at this point in time. More of the students who study here are returning from Haiti. We have been spending time with them, helping with immediate needs. We want to be sure that they have food, shelter, and someone to listen to their stories. Many who are arriving are afraid to sleep inside their apartments. So far all of the students that we know personally have survived without serious injury. One good friend lost her mother.
Looking ahead to the future, we would like to help those students here in Santiago who have lost family and/or homes to be able to continue with their studies. The university in Haiti will not reopen this year. Buildings collapsed and many students died in PAP who were in class at the time of the quake.
As we listened to Erline’s story, she amazingly thanked God that she was in PAP that day. She had gone to the bus station to get a bus back to Santiago, to begin the next semester of classes at the university. The bus was full and she had made no prior reservation; so she began walking away to catch local transportation to go home. The quake hit as she walked, the earth heaving back and forth like a giant see-saw, buildings collapsing on her right and left. She walked at least two hours to get to her family, hearing wailing for the dead and cries of the injured and trapped all along the way. She kept repeating to herself assurances that her family would be okay. They all slept that night out in the street, fearful with each successive aftershock. Because she was there she was able to help her mother and grandmother find a bit of shelter in a nearby garage.
Erline made it back to Santiago and we helped her gather clothes, soap, food—anything she could grab quickly to send back to her family with a friend who was going into Haiti with a group of young doctors.
When she first arrived, Erline was not sleeping or eating well, had trouble concentrating, and often woke with a start in the night. We are keeping daily contact with her and helping her with basic needs here so she can begin classes. She will complete her degree this year, LORD willing.
That Sunday night, after we heard Erline and Vilardeau were okay, the relief was immense, but we were still tense as we headed for a Haitian church service where Bob would preach to 50-60 young Haitians, mostly university students. Some had just returned from PAP. Many of their families’ homes had been destroyed. Of the group that came that evening, no one had lost immediate family, but everyone knew somebody who had lost somone.
We were expecting a grief-filled service. What we saw and heard were a group of strong and resilient young people. Their faces showed the fatigue and strain of the past five days, but their voices were strong as they sang praises to God. As we hugged many of them after the service, I couldn’t help but think that Haiti still has a future because these are the young men and women who will help rebuild.
The needs within Haiti are immense and if you would like to give to relief efforts through CrossWorld, you can do so at www.crossworld.org. You can see updates there as well on the situation in PAP. There is a “refugee” tent camp of more than 4000 people camping out on the seminary campus where two CrossWorld families live.
We have been continually asking the Lord what our personal response should be. We do not sense that we should enter Haiti at this point in time. More of the students who study here are returning from Haiti. We have been spending time with them, helping with immediate needs. We want to be sure that they have food, shelter, and someone to listen to their stories. Many who are arriving are afraid to sleep inside their apartments. So far all of the students that we know personally have survived without serious injury. One good friend lost her mother.
Looking ahead to the future, we would like to help those students here in Santiago who have lost family and/or homes to be able to continue with their studies. The university in Haiti will not reopen this year. Buildings collapsed and many students died in PAP who were in class at the time of the quake.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Good News
We have just heard from our friends, Vilardeau and Erline. They are fine, praise the Lord! Erline is now back in Santiago to start a new semester of college. Vilardeau remains in Haiti. Erline's family is camping out in the streets of Port-au-Prince because their home is unsafe. There is nowhere to go for shelter, no place to even rent a room.
Our CrossWorld friends at the seminary campus in Port-au-Prince, with 2000 or so neighbors camped out on the grounds, report today that helicopters are passing overhead. We are hoping that means that supplies will soon be available.
Our CrossWorld friends at the seminary campus in Port-au-Prince, with 2000 or so neighbors camped out on the grounds, report today that helicopters are passing overhead. We are hoping that means that supplies will soon be available.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Late posting of December newsletter
The low rumble of an early morning snowplow clearing the roadway reminds my foggy brain that we have left the 90° December temperatures of the tropics and entered the cold, white winter world of Virginia. As I pull the blanket closer, I thank the Lord for this opportunity He has given us to spend Christmas with Bob’s parents.
Returning to the states for Christmas was not part of the original plan. However, Bob’s dad had a serious accident October 12 in which the fuel truck he was driving rolled over several times. The first responders to the accident were sure that he could not possibly have survived; yet, God miraculously protected him. After two days in the hospital, he left with a few scrapes and stitches, wearing a neck brace and a back brace to support three cracked vertebrae. Now, two months later, Bob’s dad has started driving the truck once again. And for the two weeks that we are here in Virginia, Bob is helping his dad and brother-in-law stay caught up with the home-heating fuel oil deliveries.
This is also a time to pray and plan for the ministry challenges facing us in the New Year. Please join us in praying for the following challenges:
1) Strengthening the marriages within the Central church family
Juan and Lila are an extremely talented couple. As we walk through their home, the beautiful paintings on the wall are all signed by Juan. In the sewing room of their home business, Lali’s amazing designer clothing creations hang on a rod. But the stress in their home is palpable as we sit down to chat. This is the second marriage for both of them. To avoid constant conflict, Juan is withdrawing. Lali is exasperated and ready to give up. They have asked for help.
Working alongside a Dominican couple, Bob and I have served in the Central couple’s ministry now for two years. Lately, each time there is a couple in crisis, the church leadership asks us to help. They feel inadequate to the task. Guess what? So do we! However, we’ve discovered that just talking with a couple—sharing our own struggles and the things we have learned—can help a younger couple regain perspective and the will to keep on loving.
Pray for us as we facilitate a 5-week, small group experience for couples this year. We’re hoping to provide an environment that encourages sharing and growth, and at the same time begin to identify couples who can be trained as marriage mentors. In addition, we’ll be focusing on “fireproofing” our marriages in the monthly couple’s meetings—now attended by 40 couples.
2) Training men and women to study, teach, and preach God’s Word with integrity and practicality
Daniel steps up to the pulpit and warms us with his wide smile. His rich words focus our minds on worshiping the Lord. This is Daniel’s Sunday to lead the praise team. He has a double workload since Central started a second service to accommodate new growth. This expansion has fueled the desire of the elders to develop more leaders. Daniel is one of six men who are studying preaching methods with Bob on Sunday mornings. On Saturday afternoons, a larger group of 12 studies the biblical qualifications of a leader. Pray that these men grow in their desire and ability to be servant leaders.
Each major ministry at Central has a Christmas banquet specializing in great food and words of encouragement. During the women’s ministry banquet, we ran out of plates and silverware due to more than 100 women attending. As part of the women’s leadership team, I (Judy) watched as two of our team led a recent meeting—one younger and vibrant, the other graced with a kindly and mature wisdom. Their teaching gifts are evident, but they lack confidence in developing their own Bible studies. Please pray with me as I work with them and others this coming year.
We had quite a few Christmas celebrations before we left for Virginia. In the Los Girasoles church, we joyfully sang carols in three languages in a joint Dominican-Haitian celebration—a rarity for these two so-different cultures. The singing group Pecha—comprised of nine Haitian young men studying at the university in Santiago—harmonized in an acapella praise song. Within this group are the core leaders of the Sunday evening Haitian congregation, which has recently doubled in size to 50-60. Pray for their spiritual growth as Bob continues to train these men.
3) Learning how best to help the LaYaguita church impact their community for Christ
This small church, led by Pastor Ramón, continues to minister daily through their child development center to more than 70 children. Most of the children come from difficult family situations. Some of you have said you want to bring a team in 2010 to minister in this poor neighborhood. As you work with us, we’d like to help the church clearly define their mission and recognize the resources they have at hand. Pray for us as we work with Pastor Ramón and his leadership team to plan healthy ways that US churches and the LaYaguita church can minister together.
We’re actually looking forward to these challenges, and whatever else the Lord brings our way in 2010, realizing that our adequacy comes from Him. Edward Everett Hale once said, I am only one, but I am one. I can’t do everything, but I can do something. And what I can do, I ought to do. And what I ought to do, by the Grace of God, I shall do. So pray that we will do what we ought to do by God’s grace.
As you encounter your own challenges in the New Year, we pray for wisdom and strength for you. We return to the Dominican Republic on January 1, Lord willing. And for the first time, my (Judy’s) mom will be flying from Dallas to meet us in Miami and travel with us to Santiago. Please pray for good health for her during her stay. We live on the 4th floor—no elevator!
Returning to the states for Christmas was not part of the original plan. However, Bob’s dad had a serious accident October 12 in which the fuel truck he was driving rolled over several times. The first responders to the accident were sure that he could not possibly have survived; yet, God miraculously protected him. After two days in the hospital, he left with a few scrapes and stitches, wearing a neck brace and a back brace to support three cracked vertebrae. Now, two months later, Bob’s dad has started driving the truck once again. And for the two weeks that we are here in Virginia, Bob is helping his dad and brother-in-law stay caught up with the home-heating fuel oil deliveries.
This is also a time to pray and plan for the ministry challenges facing us in the New Year. Please join us in praying for the following challenges:
1) Strengthening the marriages within the Central church family
Juan and Lila are an extremely talented couple. As we walk through their home, the beautiful paintings on the wall are all signed by Juan. In the sewing room of their home business, Lali’s amazing designer clothing creations hang on a rod. But the stress in their home is palpable as we sit down to chat. This is the second marriage for both of them. To avoid constant conflict, Juan is withdrawing. Lali is exasperated and ready to give up. They have asked for help.
Working alongside a Dominican couple, Bob and I have served in the Central couple’s ministry now for two years. Lately, each time there is a couple in crisis, the church leadership asks us to help. They feel inadequate to the task. Guess what? So do we! However, we’ve discovered that just talking with a couple—sharing our own struggles and the things we have learned—can help a younger couple regain perspective and the will to keep on loving.
Pray for us as we facilitate a 5-week, small group experience for couples this year. We’re hoping to provide an environment that encourages sharing and growth, and at the same time begin to identify couples who can be trained as marriage mentors. In addition, we’ll be focusing on “fireproofing” our marriages in the monthly couple’s meetings—now attended by 40 couples.
2) Training men and women to study, teach, and preach God’s Word with integrity and practicality
Daniel steps up to the pulpit and warms us with his wide smile. His rich words focus our minds on worshiping the Lord. This is Daniel’s Sunday to lead the praise team. He has a double workload since Central started a second service to accommodate new growth. This expansion has fueled the desire of the elders to develop more leaders. Daniel is one of six men who are studying preaching methods with Bob on Sunday mornings. On Saturday afternoons, a larger group of 12 studies the biblical qualifications of a leader. Pray that these men grow in their desire and ability to be servant leaders.
Each major ministry at Central has a Christmas banquet specializing in great food and words of encouragement. During the women’s ministry banquet, we ran out of plates and silverware due to more than 100 women attending. As part of the women’s leadership team, I (Judy) watched as two of our team led a recent meeting—one younger and vibrant, the other graced with a kindly and mature wisdom. Their teaching gifts are evident, but they lack confidence in developing their own Bible studies. Please pray with me as I work with them and others this coming year.
We had quite a few Christmas celebrations before we left for Virginia. In the Los Girasoles church, we joyfully sang carols in three languages in a joint Dominican-Haitian celebration—a rarity for these two so-different cultures. The singing group Pecha—comprised of nine Haitian young men studying at the university in Santiago—harmonized in an acapella praise song. Within this group are the core leaders of the Sunday evening Haitian congregation, which has recently doubled in size to 50-60. Pray for their spiritual growth as Bob continues to train these men.
3) Learning how best to help the LaYaguita church impact their community for Christ
This small church, led by Pastor Ramón, continues to minister daily through their child development center to more than 70 children. Most of the children come from difficult family situations. Some of you have said you want to bring a team in 2010 to minister in this poor neighborhood. As you work with us, we’d like to help the church clearly define their mission and recognize the resources they have at hand. Pray for us as we work with Pastor Ramón and his leadership team to plan healthy ways that US churches and the LaYaguita church can minister together.
We’re actually looking forward to these challenges, and whatever else the Lord brings our way in 2010, realizing that our adequacy comes from Him. Edward Everett Hale once said, I am only one, but I am one. I can’t do everything, but I can do something. And what I can do, I ought to do. And what I ought to do, by the Grace of God, I shall do. So pray that we will do what we ought to do by God’s grace.
As you encounter your own challenges in the New Year, we pray for wisdom and strength for you. We return to the Dominican Republic on January 1, Lord willing. And for the first time, my (Judy’s) mom will be flying from Dallas to meet us in Miami and travel with us to Santiago. Please pray for good health for her during her stay. We live on the 4th floor—no elevator!
Update on Haiti
Waiting for news is difficult. We have no news of our friend, Vilardeau Vilfranc, or his girlfriend, Erline. Erline and I (Judy) were meeting weekly for Bible study before she left for Haiti for the Christmas break. One of our Haitian friends here, Rubens Vieux, is waiting for news of his sister. Slowly, some of the Haitian university students here in Santiago are able to make contact with their families by cell phone. Some are rejoicing that their families were spared. Others are mourning the death of loved ones. Two of our friends have gone into Haiti to be with their families.
Please pray for us as we reach out to comfort those around us. This Sunday night Bob will be preaching at the Haitian church service at Los Girasoles. It will be a very emotional time.
Continue to pray for CrossWorld personnel in Haiti. All are safe, but in difficult situations. The STEP seminary campus is now “home” to about 2000 people, sleeping on the ground, from the nearby neighborhood. Water and food are in low supply. You can see updates on CrossWorld’s website at www.crossworld.org.
Please pray for us as we reach out to comfort those around us. This Sunday night Bob will be preaching at the Haitian church service at Los Girasoles. It will be a very emotional time.
Continue to pray for CrossWorld personnel in Haiti. All are safe, but in difficult situations. The STEP seminary campus is now “home” to about 2000 people, sleeping on the ground, from the nearby neighborhood. Water and food are in low supply. You can see updates on CrossWorld’s website at www.crossworld.org.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Earthquake
You may have heard about the strong earthquake that just hit Haiti. The quake registered 7 on the Richter scale. That quake lasted up to 90 seconds depending on location. The quake measured 6.1 tops in the DR near the border with Haiti.
Here in Santiago, we felt a tremor for about 20 seconds. After spending the day visiting Puerto Plata, we arrived home about 4 PM. About 5:30 (we are 1 hour ahead of the US Eastern Time zone), we felt our fourth-floor apartment swaying. We have felt tremors before--but since this one didn't stop, both Judy and I went and stood under the main support beam of our apt. Then we called Judy's mom, who was still in her bedroom, to come out and stand with us (uh, we didn't give her an earthquake drill when she came!) I then began to move the dining room table under the beam. We remembered that in a major quake, it's best to get under a solid object like a table. But before I had finished moving the table, the tremor stopped.
Our Crossworld personnel are fine here in the DR; we have temporarily lost cell phone coverage, but we still have landlines.
However, we have no word on CW personnel in Haiti. We understand that the airport is closed and that all communication is cut off around Port-au-Prince. Only satellite internet and ham radio operators who have generators are getting out. Public power is down--except for the occasional generator, the city has been plunged into darkness right now. With a low front from Miami, it is cloudy, rainy, and in the tropics, when we have those conditions, it gets very very very dark. We also hear that in some areas, every other building has collapsed or been severely damaged. With the combination of darkness and rain on people who don't have shelter, we are concerned for those living in Port-au-Prince which is close to the epicenter of the quake.
Please pray for Haiti, for CrossWorld missionaries there, and for a young man named Vilardeau that we had the opportunity to disciple while he was studying here in Santiago. He now works in Port-au-Prince.
By the way, even though she is now 80 years old, this is the first time Momma has ever experienced an earthquake. We are grateful that for us, it wasn't worse.
Here in Santiago, we felt a tremor for about 20 seconds. After spending the day visiting Puerto Plata, we arrived home about 4 PM. About 5:30 (we are 1 hour ahead of the US Eastern Time zone), we felt our fourth-floor apartment swaying. We have felt tremors before--but since this one didn't stop, both Judy and I went and stood under the main support beam of our apt. Then we called Judy's mom, who was still in her bedroom, to come out and stand with us (uh, we didn't give her an earthquake drill when she came!) I then began to move the dining room table under the beam. We remembered that in a major quake, it's best to get under a solid object like a table. But before I had finished moving the table, the tremor stopped.
Our Crossworld personnel are fine here in the DR; we have temporarily lost cell phone coverage, but we still have landlines.
However, we have no word on CW personnel in Haiti. We understand that the airport is closed and that all communication is cut off around Port-au-Prince. Only satellite internet and ham radio operators who have generators are getting out. Public power is down--except for the occasional generator, the city has been plunged into darkness right now. With a low front from Miami, it is cloudy, rainy, and in the tropics, when we have those conditions, it gets very very very dark. We also hear that in some areas, every other building has collapsed or been severely damaged. With the combination of darkness and rain on people who don't have shelter, we are concerned for those living in Port-au-Prince which is close to the epicenter of the quake.
Please pray for Haiti, for CrossWorld missionaries there, and for a young man named Vilardeau that we had the opportunity to disciple while he was studying here in Santiago. He now works in Port-au-Prince.
By the way, even though she is now 80 years old, this is the first time Momma has ever experienced an earthquake. We are grateful that for us, it wasn't worse.
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