Huge Hole in my Heart

I just got this e-mail, so I thought I would pass it on to you, my faithful readers:

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Hello Haiti team members and friends,



I spoke with David Yetter yesterday. He has been in contact with Pastor Withny over the last week, and we have determined that our four teams should hold off until we can be of the best benefit to the people of Haiti. There are many reasons for this.



* The airport is closed to commercial flights until at least the 29th. After that there is no guarantee flights will be allowed in.
* Santo Domingo border crossings into Haiti are closed due to traffic overload. No timeline for them to reopen.
* It currently takes over 3 hours to get just a few miles inside Port au Prince due to congestion and traffic.
* The Government is asking that no mission teams be deployed to Port au Prince at this time.
* There is no electricity, fuel, water, or restrooms to accommodate teams.
* Over a half million people have already fled the city into the surrounding countryside or to their hometowns.
* Another half million are being evacuated to tent cities on the outskirts of Port au Prince in the coming week or two.
* All government and non-governmental agencies are asking that only trained relief and trauma teams be sent in the coming weeks.



Pastor Withny is trying to get back to Haiti this coming week where his first priority is to find and relocate the families of the pastors he knows who died in the quake. He will also be coordinating relief funds sent through Converge NE to meet the most pressing needs. Although he did not say this, the obligation to accommodate 65 people for the entire month of February would severely limit his ability to move around where he is most needed.



Our plan at this time is to postpone the teams until Withny has a better idea where our help is most beneficial. It is clear that the town of Maissade, where all of our efforts have been in the past, is going to be severely impacted in many ways.



* Floods of people will be returning to the town which is already unable to provide for the current population.
* Most families were reliant on the income from family members living and working in Port au Prince.
* Many will be suffering the loss of close friends and relatives.
* Basic food supplies will be in short supply and the price will likely skyrocket.
* There will certainly be more need at the feeding center that is now feeding over 100 kids a day.
* There will likely be more orphaned or abandoned street kids, so the Boaz Home is still an important project to complete.



Our goal would be that our teams can regroup for a project to deploy within 6 months or so. We are still completely open to go wherever and whenever God leads. I am sure you feel a huge hole in your heart, as I do. My instinct is to say “let’s just go and do something!” The Southern Baptist mission group is reporting that two church mission groups have already become “victims” in Port au Prince because of the lack of food, water and transportation. They are now confined in the airport until they can get a flight out.



We want to be thoughtful and faithful in our use of our time, energy, and the sacrificial giving of those who have donated toward our trip. So, here is my last bullet point list. I want to make sure everyone knows a few facts about our project and the funds that have been given



* Money donated specifically to sponsor a team member is secure for a future trip.
* Amy is working with American Airlines to get all of the airfare credited, or at least the majority of it.
* The land for the Boaz Home is purchased and paid for.
* Money for construction of the home has been sent and is set aside in a fund for that purpose.
* Any undesignated funds given above the team costs will go immediately where most needed for relief.
* Donations made specifically for relief efforts are already being sent through Converge NE for immediate relief.



I have asked David if he can try to get fairly regular updates from Pastor Withny so we can pass those on to you. It is important to know that God is using us in Haiti, even while we are not there. We will be watching and praying for God’s guidance, and I still look forward to serving with each of you as we move forward.



God Bless!



Jeff
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Well, Jeff is right. There IS a huge hole in my heart, even though I KNOW in my head that this is the right thing for right now, it still doesn't make it easier. I will still try, as a medical professional, to get there with another organized team, with possibly a return trip with Converge PacWest, when they are ready.

For all of you that donated money, like Jeff said, it WILL be put to good use. And thank you again for all your encouragement!

Signing off with a heavy heart,
Steve