Haiti update: The work ahead

Caribbean Region

Friday, February 5, 2010

Dear Nazarenes:

This is my last scheduled update on the situation in Haiti. In the future you will be able to follow progress at the web sites mentioned later in this update. I am going back to the country in March to again connect with our Nazarenes who are suffering and laboring in the aftermath of this disaster.

Having been in Haiti in January when an earthquake struck this impoverished country, it has become my privilege to build awareness for the needs of all 9 million Haitians, but in particular, the needs of our Nazarene brothers and sisters living through this horrific experience who require our prayers and support.

Managing the Transition

The situation in Haiti is moving toward a time of transition—from search and rescue with first responders to long-term assistance. In addition to responding to physical devastation, the medical needs of the earthquake victims are shifting away from trauma to post-operative care. This calls for nurses and therapists.

The time is coming soon for Work & Witness teams and other volunteers to enter the country. We know the church is ready to help on the ground in Haiti.

Those who want to go, however, need to keep in mind that conditions are very difficult in Haiti. Volunteers will likely be sleeping outdoors during their stay. There is continued violence, and safety is a matter of serious concern.

Though it has been over three weeks since the 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck Haiti on 12 January 2010 killing over 150,000 people, geologists fear an even greater earthquake in the next few weeks or months. The danger is very real.

Contact Information

If you wish to donate to the Haiti fund or volunteer to help, go to Nazarene Compassionate Ministries/Haiti Earthquake. Previous articles on the crisis in Haiti are at www.ncnnews.com.

Giving Thanks

There are many individuals who are responding with tireless effort and courage to the crisis. The church wants to express its deep appreciation to those listed below and the countless numbers of Haitian Nazarenes—pastors and laity—laboring in the name of Jesus each day.

• Dr. Lucien Jean Baptiste, president of the National Church in Haiti and Nazarene Seminary president
• Jean Robert Maitre, academic dean of the Nazarene Seminary
• Sadrack Nelson, director for Seminary Extension Studies and pastor of Tabarre Church of the Nazarene, assisting in the planning and logistics of disaster response
• Walliere Pierre, Nazarene Compassionate Ministries coordinator for Haiti, working with overwhelming conditions, needs, and  volunteer responses while overseeing the direct care of hundreds of refugees who have been on the seminary campus for security and shelter
• Frankel Frometus, administrative assistant
• Edwidge St. Ilvert, accountant
• Frantz Lojeune, Work & Witness coordinator

 

• Central District — Dr. Lucien Jean Baptiste, superintendent. The majority of this district is in the most damaged area of the earthquake zone. The epicenter was on the west end of this district, which includes Port-au-Prince and the cities of Delmas, Petionville, Carre-Four, Croix-des-Bouquet, and Cite Soleil.
• South District — Rev. David Elliocent, superintendent. There was some damage on this district, with major damage at Ti Guave. Gran Guave has a lot of damage but is still standing. Rev. David lost his parsonage.
• LaGonave District — Rev. Beramon Honore, superintendent. The church at Anse-a-Galet, the district assembly site, collapsed. We have no other reports from LaGonave yet.
• South East District — Rev. Sanmerite Derisseaux, superintendent. There are reports of some damage, but no specifics yet. This is one of the most difficult places to reach and survey.
• Lower Artibonite District — Rev. Pierre Antoine, superintendent. We have no specific damage reports yet.
• Upper Artibonite District — No superintendent at this time. There are no specific damage reports yet.
• North Central District — Rev. Gary Jeudy, superintendent. Minor damage was sustained in the Gonaive area.
• Lower North West District — Rev. Livernier Doreus, superintendent. They report minor damage.
• North West District — Rev. Alcine Fresner, superintendent. Rev. Alcine lost his sister in Port-au-Prince and two cousins. Several churches experienced minor damage.
• Northeast District — No district superintendent at this time. There are reports of minor damage.

 
Caribbean Regional Office

Our gratitude also goes to John Smee (Caribbean regional director) along with Curt and Beth Luthye (regional Nazarene Compassionate Ministries coordinator) for their tireless efforts to help coordinate our relief work. Bill Dawson (field strategy coordinator) and his wife, Martha, will direct the church's ongoing work through Nazarene Compassionate Ministries.
 
In Closing

Let me say thank you for the many prayers and inquiries concerning my well-being when the earthquake initially occurred. I was never in any danger after the earthquake. I came out of Haiti because of the difficulty in getting flights as well as the need to free Haitian leadership to give attention to their people and not to me. Upon arrival in Miami, I immediately joined the Caribbean regional office in strategic planning to deal with the crisis at hand.

Perhaps you heard about the young girl who was recovered from the rubble of a home after being trapped for 15 days. French rescue workers identified her as Darlene, age 16. She was taken to a field hospital and airlifted to a military ship for further examination. Though drifting in and out of consciousness, Darlene was able to say thank you to those who rescued her; the doctor said it was a miracle.

There are countless others like this young lady who would want to say thank you for all you have done and are doing to help them in this very difficult time. We express our appreciation for your prayers and financial contributions. They are making a difference.

Continue to pray for the safety and protection of Haitians and medical workers, and remember the nearly 400,000 unaccompanied Haitian children. May God watch over them until help arrives.

More miracles are needed in Haiti.

In and for Him,

J. K. Warrick
General Superintendent

bgs@nazarene.org

 

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