Handling Suffering in Haiti

For over two weeks now, CrossWorld staff and Haitian believers have been working together to help the thousands of displaced and homeless people who have assembled on the lawns of the STEP seminary in Port-au-Prince.

Here is a window into their current world reality, through the words of one of our staff:

"This morning I worked with a new medical team to help them get setup. The clinic is outdoors in the plaza in front of the seminary. It looked like a scene from the Civil War, except that most of the injured are women and children: Bandaged heads, arms in slings, casts on legs. Many people limping on injured legs. Some are lucky to have a single crutch. Classroom tables serve as examining tables. Wounds are treated and rebandaged. So many people were hit by falling cinder blocks during the earthquake.

Amazingly, we are receiving some patients who had received no medical care since the quake. One woman was carried in on a stretcher. Her badly injured leg had been treated by a 'Dr. Fey' (leaf doctor). She was one of the few that the medical team were able to transport back to the hospital with them.

But let me change to something more encouraging. Even though a food delivery had been promised, and about 5000 people waited patiently until 4 pm, no food arrived today.

So the people do not get fed. What do they do? They hold an outdoor praise session! They have been singing songs of praise for about two hours now. Hungry, tired, suffering people praising the Lord. I wish you could hear it - songs that say: 'I am not afraid because I have Jesus in my heart.' Or 'Thank you, thank you Lord because I know you.' The songs were upbeat, joyful. Some people were dancing, arms raised in the air to God. I am so humbled.

Prayer requests:

• For the many people who are suffering emotionally. One woman broke down trembling and in tears today, her little baby beside her. Many people have suffered the worst losses imaginable.
• For safety and comfort for the millions of people living on the streets and in fields all across the city. The constant aftershocks continue to reinforce our fear. Some damaged houses have indeed fallen in the aftershocks.
• Pray that we respond wisely to relieve short-term needs but also build the foundation to help people rebuild their lives with dignity and self empowerment.
• A praise that every day God sends another organization to help us with the needs here. Samaritan's Purse just delivered and installed four water purification systems that will allow us to deliver drinkable water to the people here and in the outside community.
• Overall, pray that the Lord will use this disaster for His purposes, that many will come to know the Lord and, like those singing tonight, that He will be glorified.

What a blessing to hear about all the people and communities and even children in the U.S. and elsewhere whose hearts have been touched who are praying and giving so generously. I am grateful and I know that the people here are too. - Thank you!"

At CrossWorld headquarters, we are finalizing the arrangements for sending two new teams into Port-au-Prince this coming week: one medical team, and one team of post-trauma and grief counselors. Please pray for them as they leave the comforts of North America to minister to those in great need and grief.

You can give to CrossWorld's Haiti Disaster Relief Fund. Just Click here and share with those in need. - or give through the CrossWorld offices in Mississauga, Ontario, or Kansas City, MO.

Good News for American Donors: The House and Senate have passed a bill which permits Haiti relief gifts made between January 12 and Feb 28, 2010 to be deducted on the 2009 tax return. For more details, contact Bob Simrak, CrossWorld Director of Advancement.

Good News for Canadian Donors: The Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) will match any donation made by a Canadian individual - to the Haiti relief earthquake efforts. The Gift must be made to a registered Canadian charity like CrossWorld Canada, and given before Feb 12, 2010. Maximum gift per donor is $100,000.

To read news from prior days, click on News at the top of the page.