Haiti Report, Mar 28^th

What a bittersweet morning.  This was my last morning to worship with the  1^st street Church in Cap Haitian.  Lucner had me come to the front so they could thank me.  He said "we cannot give you money or a gift but you have our undying love and gratitude."  The love and the prayers of this church is one of the greatest gifts anyone has ever given me.  The young men, whom I've been working with, met me outside and all told me of their love and friendship.  They are a great group of Christian young men and will be a powerful influence on the church in Haiti for the future.  This morning they sang about 10 songs between the communion and preaching.  The songs were sung one following the other with no break, no announcing the next song.  All I can say is POWERFUL praise time.  Please don't take offense at this but I really wish that I was somehow able to bring some of the Haitian style worship into a Eurocentric body.  People with nothing sure say thank you a lot.

This afternoon I gave my bike to Brother Pierre, minister of the Accural De Nord Church of Christ.  He has not other means of transportation to and from his village and this will provide him greater freedom in his ministry.

The rest of the day was spent saying some goodbyes and packing up.  I'm coming home much lighter both personally and in my suitcase.  I am leaving all my clothing here except for a couple changes.  The relief items I brought are gone as is my money, so, it's time to leave.

I want to share some of our accomplishments with you.  Please don't look at this as a brag list; we see it as what you have done in supporting our work.  Don't forget that David was here before me and will  be here another month after me, so much more will be accomplished.

125,000+ Meals distributed.

150 Churches of Christ provided with food, clothing and/or medical aide

Microphones and Cables provided to 1^st Street CoC

Relief items/food distributed to hundreds of local residents/refugees

Several Orphanages provided with food/relief supplies

1 Orphanage provided with mattresses

Coordination with Royal Caribbean for the receipt of relief items from East Cobb CoC

Trucks rented to accept delivery of relief items from the docks

Trucks/taxis rented to distribute relief items to outlying churches and villages

2 Motorcycles purchased for use by ministers

1 year tuition paid for 2 Orphans

Short term financial support provided to many ministers

Medical costs paid for several church members

1400 meals provided at the local hospital

Prescriptions/medical procedures purchased for 1000+ patients at the local Hospital

Coordination/Transportation costs provided for delivery of relief supplies to the Milo Field Hospital

Medical supplies delivered to many area hospitals/More to be distributed

Spoke to several School Classes on change and education

Procured 3 pallets of school books for the local Christian school

Sewing kits for clothing repair, provided by Littleton CoC, distributed

Bibles (French Language) distributed to Churches

Rent/Housing Assistance provided to numerous people

Tuition Assistance for 1 for adult education courses

Note:  There were many other small financial/physical assistances accomplished during our work that are too numerous to try to remember or list.

This is my last entry, and I am ready to go home and am looking forward to seeing my family, but I will remember this experience forever.   My prayer for you is that through my experience you have gained a more personal understanding of what is happening to the people and especially the church in Haiti. 

May god bless you in your work, jeff