We are trying hard to put into words all that we are feeling and thinking at this time. This may end up being nothing but rambling but I will try to explain what we know, what we feel and what we are praying for.
First and foremost we know without a shadow of a doubt that God is in control. God will use this tragedy to bring people closer to Him. Our faith is in Him. We will cling to Our Father in Heaven!
What else we know…
Most of the Americans we know in Haiti are accounted for. However, Jimmy is still not! We have no idea where he is now or where he was when the earthquake hit. I do know that at some time in the morning yesterday he was in town at a cyber café. We received an e-mail from him with a time stamp of 8:15 am. He was asking about school and the family, telling us he loved us. That is the last contact we have had with him. He lives just outside Petionville. The report is there has been some serious damage to that area.
Three Angels orphanage, where Landon, Sutton and Isaiah lived, is OK. The children still there are all OK. St. Joseph’s Guest house where we often stayed with missions teams has collapsed. Most of the people at the guest house were not in the building however, Bill (the drummer for the dance team) was there. He was able to get out with only minor injuries. The last I heard there was still a guest missing. The Caribbean Market where we did most of our shopping also collapsed. It was described by a friend as “looking like ground zero”. The UN headquarters where Jody worked has sustained major damage. We were watching CNN news and saw people we worked with from the UN helping with the rescue effort. Quisqueya Christian School appears to be fine. I’m told most of the staff is accounted for.
Our prayers…
For the entire country to come together and assist one another no matter their income or religious beliefs. For the US and other countries to act quickly to provide assistance. For the Haitian people to remain calm after the shock wears off. For God to provide a way for Jimmy to reach us soon!
Showing posts with label prayer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label prayer. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Gustav
It's still raining. ALOT! Gustav may have moved on but the aftermath has only just begun.
School has been cancelled for our kids again today. Port au Prince was not hit hard; I hear that it rarely is. BUT, we are hearing of massive flooding in Jacmel, Les Cayes and other outlying areas where they suffered the brunt of the storm.
I have never been in a hurricane before so I wasn't sure what to expect. I've watched the news from Florida and other states and what I experienced was nothing like what I thought I would.. We experienced surges of wind and rain, hitting every hour to hour and half. Between the surges it was eerily calm. Haiti is a country of sounds: people shouting to one another; singing; church bells ringing; tap-taps honking; diesel engines revving; roosters, pigs, donkeys and dogs all fighting to be heard; children playing; constant sound. Yesterday we heard none of that; just the sound of the wind and rain and then… silence.
Of course, we were 50-75 miles from the eye of the storm and so we did not get the worst of it. However, for Haiti it isn't necessary for the eye of the storm to pass over to cause problems, it's the "fringes" that do the most damage... the rain... the wind... the flooding... the cold. In a country that has stripped its mountains of vegetation, that has no sewer system, that does not have any sort of emergency preparation procedures in place, whose rivers are unable to handle the deluge of water, with people who have no access to television or the internet the results can be devastating. Denial is also a huge factor. I read reports of people saying there was no storm coming because it was sunny out! Haitian’s I talked to here seemed to dismiss the possible severity of the storm.
It saddens me to see the devastation that occurs that is so preventable. People have already died and most likely there will be more. People who are starving and need to get food will try to cross rivers that are not passable. Mudslides will occur; the land just can not hold this much water. Levies will break, villages will be swept away. All of which is preventable with time and effort. Unfortunately once the threat has passed, more pressing concerns will get in the way and replanting trees, fortifying the river banks, educating the people etc. will be put off once again. People will die, children will be left as orphans with no where to go since the orphanages are already filled to capacity.
It’s a cycle that has been going on for hundreds of years. I have no solution for the problem. But, I can do something… I can pray!!
I pray that the cycle can be broken; this country has enough heartache as it is.
School has been cancelled for our kids again today. Port au Prince was not hit hard; I hear that it rarely is. BUT, we are hearing of massive flooding in Jacmel, Les Cayes and other outlying areas where they suffered the brunt of the storm.
I have never been in a hurricane before so I wasn't sure what to expect. I've watched the news from Florida and other states and what I experienced was nothing like what I thought I would.. We experienced surges of wind and rain, hitting every hour to hour and half. Between the surges it was eerily calm. Haiti is a country of sounds: people shouting to one another; singing; church bells ringing; tap-taps honking; diesel engines revving; roosters, pigs, donkeys and dogs all fighting to be heard; children playing; constant sound. Yesterday we heard none of that; just the sound of the wind and rain and then… silence.
Of course, we were 50-75 miles from the eye of the storm and so we did not get the worst of it. However, for Haiti it isn't necessary for the eye of the storm to pass over to cause problems, it's the "fringes" that do the most damage... the rain... the wind... the flooding... the cold. In a country that has stripped its mountains of vegetation, that has no sewer system, that does not have any sort of emergency preparation procedures in place, whose rivers are unable to handle the deluge of water, with people who have no access to television or the internet the results can be devastating. Denial is also a huge factor. I read reports of people saying there was no storm coming because it was sunny out! Haitian’s I talked to here seemed to dismiss the possible severity of the storm.
It saddens me to see the devastation that occurs that is so preventable. People have already died and most likely there will be more. People who are starving and need to get food will try to cross rivers that are not passable. Mudslides will occur; the land just can not hold this much water. Levies will break, villages will be swept away. All of which is preventable with time and effort. Unfortunately once the threat has passed, more pressing concerns will get in the way and replanting trees, fortifying the river banks, educating the people etc. will be put off once again. People will die, children will be left as orphans with no where to go since the orphanages are already filled to capacity.
It’s a cycle that has been going on for hundreds of years. I have no solution for the problem. But, I can do something… I can pray!!
I pray that the cycle can be broken; this country has enough heartache as it is.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Prayer requests
I'm going to try a start a weekly prayer request post. I say try because I am horrible at 1) remembering to post regularly and 2) I'm not good about sharing our needs with others.
So here goes...
Pray for wisdom with our finances. 4 of the kids started school last week and it is very expensive. We also need to find the money to have Carsen's car shipped to her ASAP. She has been borrowing a car from the Varner's and they need it back.
Health... I have a nasty head cold with body aches and fever. I feel all around pretty rotten.
Praises... I am now working at the kids school as the afternoon librarian. One of the benefits is a reduction in tuition so that is helping some. Pray that I can learn the job quickly and can be a positive role model to the students who use the library.
Pray for Isaiah's adoption, we are currently in MOI, we are hoping for a fast exit and to get through the US side of things quickly. We are praying that his adoption is done by the first of the year.
Also, for Carsen who left today. She is lonely and misses her family. School is starting soon for her and she is going to need to juggle a full load while working. She needs her car!
For Jody who goes back to work tomorrow. He has been on vacation and there have been several changes while he was gone. Pray that he is not affected by the many transfers that have been happening.
Pray for the kids as they adjust to their new school.
Thanks, friends!! When I am feeling better I'll fill you in with the details of my new job and the kids school, but for now... I'm going to bed.
p.s. Spell check isn't working and I feel to crummy to figure out what is wrong... so please excuse my horrible spelling :)
So here goes...
Pray for wisdom with our finances. 4 of the kids started school last week and it is very expensive. We also need to find the money to have Carsen's car shipped to her ASAP. She has been borrowing a car from the Varner's and they need it back.
Health... I have a nasty head cold with body aches and fever. I feel all around pretty rotten.
Praises... I am now working at the kids school as the afternoon librarian. One of the benefits is a reduction in tuition so that is helping some. Pray that I can learn the job quickly and can be a positive role model to the students who use the library.
Pray for Isaiah's adoption, we are currently in MOI, we are hoping for a fast exit and to get through the US side of things quickly. We are praying that his adoption is done by the first of the year.
Also, for Carsen who left today. She is lonely and misses her family. School is starting soon for her and she is going to need to juggle a full load while working. She needs her car!
For Jody who goes back to work tomorrow. He has been on vacation and there have been several changes while he was gone. Pray that he is not affected by the many transfers that have been happening.
Pray for the kids as they adjust to their new school.
Thanks, friends!! When I am feeling better I'll fill you in with the details of my new job and the kids school, but for now... I'm going to bed.
p.s. Spell check isn't working and I feel to crummy to figure out what is wrong... so please excuse my horrible spelling :)
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Praying for our family and friends in Southern California
The current fires raging in SoCal could threaten many of our family and friends. Here is what we know as of today.
Jody talked to Andrew last night, he is fine and currently is not in the fires path.
My grandfather was in LA yesterday and was on his way home to Escondido. As of yesterday he was not in the mandatory evacuations but the fire was getting closer to his neighborhood. My foster brother Rod and his family live a few miles from grandpa so if he needs assistance getting out Rod is there to help.
We have friends in Ramona (entire city of 30,000 evacuated on Sunday) that we have not been able to contact, Rod and Lisa we are praying for you!
Jody lived in Poway for 30+ years before we moved to Northern California, he has numerous friends still there and we are praying for their safety. He also worked and played alongside most of the fire fighters in that area and again we are praying for their safety!
We also know a few family's affected by the Stevenson's Ranch fire, our prayers are with you as well!
As I get more information I will keep you posted.
Jody talked to Andrew last night, he is fine and currently is not in the fires path.
My grandfather was in LA yesterday and was on his way home to Escondido. As of yesterday he was not in the mandatory evacuations but the fire was getting closer to his neighborhood. My foster brother Rod and his family live a few miles from grandpa so if he needs assistance getting out Rod is there to help.
We have friends in Ramona (entire city of 30,000 evacuated on Sunday) that we have not been able to contact, Rod and Lisa we are praying for you!
Jody lived in Poway for 30+ years before we moved to Northern California, he has numerous friends still there and we are praying for their safety. He also worked and played alongside most of the fire fighters in that area and again we are praying for their safety!
We also know a few family's affected by the Stevenson's Ranch fire, our prayers are with you as well!
As I get more information I will keep you posted.
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