Urgent News…. Haiti Earthquake Relief Update
HAITI IS A WAR-ZONE
Words and photos cannot fully express the destructive scale of the earthquake tragedy that I witnessed in Haiti last week. Downtown Port-Au-Prince looks like a war-zone. Most of the buildings are destroyed or broken-up beyond repair. The nearby city of Leograne is 90% destroyed. I walked through makeshift tent cities where thousands of families are now living, desperately in need of food, water, and medical assistance. Massive aid agencies continue to prepare for wide scale relief efforts, but bureaucracy moves slowly and the death toll continues to rise. Latest reports say over 200 thousand killed, hundreds of thousands left homeless, and millions in need of humanitarian aid and medical assistance just to survive.
OUR PASTORS NEED ENCOURAGEMENT
I traveled to Haiti through the Dominican Republic, accompanied by three others from our ministry, Scott Gerhart, Paolo Costa, and Jerry Schmidt. Each one of our team was uniquely qualified with missionary experience and a deep love for the people of Haiti. My goal was to travel across the country encouraging our Haitian Pastors and organizing a channel for long term distribution of humanitarian aid and re-construction supplies. Our ministry, Gospel Crusade, Inc., has been incorporated and operating in Haiti now for 57 years under the French name, Croisade Evangelique International. Our network of 200+ churches spreads throughout Haiti and provides schooling for some 10,000 children and a daily food program for 5,000. These Haitian pastors and teachers are caring, committed, leaders who love their country and the Haitian people. We can encourage them at this time of crisis by sending help of any kind.
EIGHT REGIONAL DISTRIBUTION CENTERS
We are focusing our efforts on the establishment of eight regional Distribution Centers to receive shipping containers or other bulk deliveries of relief aid throughout Haiti. After meeting with some of our Haitian leaders and observing the operation of relief efforts on the ground, it is apparent that many organizations are generously sending relief to the nation, but are having difficulty getting it into the hands of needy people. Our Distribution Centers are walled, gated and secure church properties with honest, capable leadership. We are sending 40’ shipping containers to these locations and we will offer the help of our Distribution Centers to any other churches and organizations that want to send bulk supplies to Haiti. For further information, contact our Missions Director, Ron Bauza, at
CLOAKING
HAITIAN ORPHANS AT CHRISTIAN RETREAT
We are preparing to receive up to 100 orphans from Haiti, boys and girls, at our Christian Retreat Center in Bradenton, Florida. This, of course, is pending government approval, a national issue under debate at this time. Actually, it’s not a difficult decision for us. Over the past 57 years, our mission organization in Haiti has nurtured and supported a host of orphan children. In our own orphanages we currently have more than 100 children who are living outdoors because the buildings are severely damaged and need to be repaired or rebuilt. We’d like to temporarily bring the children to Christian Retreat while these repairs are made. These are certified orphans who have lived in our orphanages for years. On my trip last week, I brought back birth certificates for the children and death certificates for most of their parents. There are many more orphans in Haiti that are currently living outdoors and struggling to survive because their living facilities have been destroyed. Additionally, there are thousands of children who have lost their homes and parents through the earthquake, and are living in temporary care centers. This is a huge issue for our government at this time. We are simply offering to help by caring for the orphans for whom we are partially responsible. We are also looking into the adoption process and taking names of good parents who are interested in adopting a Haitian orphan.
RELIEF COLLECTION CENTER AT CHRISTIAN RETREAT
We are collecting relief supplies and packing 40’ shipping containers at Christian Retreat. As soon as a container is filled, it will be shipped and distributed to the needy in Haiti. Bishop Joel and Doris Jeune told me today that the U.N. and military delivered MRE meals to the 15,000+ people that are camped out on their mission compound in Lamentin. They worked all day until 2:00 AM to distribute the meals. Praise the Lord! But tomorrow is another day and food is still the biggest daily need. Additionally, they need tents, tarps, and sleeping bags. If you can get the supplies to Christian Retreat, 1200 Glory Way Blvd., Bradenton, FL 34212, we will get them to Haiti. Please don’t send junk. All used equipment, clothing, and furniture must be clean and like new. Our HAITI RELIEF COLLECTION CENTER is clearly seen as you drive along Glory Way Boulevard. If you are coming from a long distance, please call and let us know so we can properly receive you. 941-746-2882.
WE NEED CASH DONATIONS
Frankly, that’s what we need most. We are receiving generous donations of relief supplies. But shipping and logistics are expensive. Additionally, we need to put cash into the hands of our leaders in Haiti for gasoline, equipment repairs, and various incidentals that are not being donated. While I was in Haiti we left cash with our leaders at every stop, along with the donation of food and supplies. It’s impossible for us to meet all the needs that they face at this time, but cash gives them more options. You can give on line at www.ChristianRetreat.org or simply mail your donations to Christian Retreat, 1200 Glory Way Blvd., Bradenton, FL 34212. Make sure to clearly mark your donation for Haiti Relief. And stay tuned to our website for more pictures and updates on our Haiti Relief efforts.
Thank you in advance for your love and compassion. And remember the promise of God in Proverbs 19:17 (NIV) “He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward him for what he has done.”
Pastor Phil Derstine
