By now you are all probably aware of the devastating 7.0 earthquake that hit Haiti yesterday. The images on the news show just a glimpse of what the conditions and suffering must be like. We can attest that the living conditions were horrible in Haiti before this earthquake took place - we shudder to imagine what the country is feeling and experiencing today as loved ones are lost and injured and found dead. The lack of infrastructure, the absolute poverty (at 80% with most Haitians earning less than $1/day), lack of access to food and clean water are all issues that paint a glim picture in the midst of this disaster. Latest news estimates indicate the death toll to be in the hundreds of thousands.
Given this situation, the New Hope mission trip to Haiti scheduled for today has been postponed. Charles & Gigi (the Eden Garden Orphanage directors) were there at the orphanage preparing for our group's arrival and called us right after the earthquake hit. We were relieved to hear that the orphanage did not sustain any damage and that the children are all safe. The orphanage is located north of Port-Au-Prince and was still willing to host us, but the airport is closed due to damage and flights are cancelled at this time.
Our team was scheduled to leave the area at 6:15 a.m. Wednesday morning, so once we got word that the earthquake hit around 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, the rest of the day and yet this morning has been spent on group conference calls to determine what we should do. Although some of the medical team still wanted to go to help and while our contacts and logistics were being considered, the Lord made it clear to all of us that right now is not the time for us go.
We contacted "HANDS TOGETHER" this morning, who is the organization that we were partnering with for the well project and were scheduled to meet with today in Haiti. We were devastated to learn that the well team was in Port-Au-Prince at the time of the earthquake and had not yet been heard from. Shortly after that call, we got word that they are safe so we are thankful for that. Learn more about them at http://www.handstogether.org/
Thank you for all the phone calls, e-mails, facebook messages and prayers of concern that we have received but have been unable to respond to. For the latest updates, you can visit this blog as many of you already have. We are also keeping our facebook page updated where you can find us under "Sharing our Strength"/S.o.S. Missions Ministry of New Hope.
The mission trip will be rescheduled and New Hope will make it to Haiti in the future as God reveals to us where we can be of service. Your prayers for the people of Haiti during this disaster are much needed and appreciated.
For more info or to donate to Eden Garden Orphanage, visit: http://www.edengardenorphanage.info/
S.O.S. = "SHARING OUR STRENGTH " - INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS MINISTRY OF NEW HOPE / FULTON, MD