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Dear Harvest Family, |
February 19, 2010 |
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This week was full of opportunities to continue helping and ministering in Haiti. We have had numerous requests from groups that want to volunteer to go to Haiti and have run into some issues. The cost of airfare is ALL OVER THE PLACE. Yesterday, Tom purchased tickets for a group going on March 11th and the cost was almost $1,000.00 each. Another team that is thinking about driving down to Ft. Lauderdale are getting a price of just under $300.00 round trip. It’s crazy. |
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Tom Schmidt is heading back to Haiti on Sunday to meet with an organization that is looking for help in hiring labors to be a part of “Cash for Work” program sponsored by USAID. We were called on Monday to see if we were interested due to our experience in Haiti. Tom is meeting with the organization on Monday to see how and if we will get involved. |
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Shipping containers has become more of a challenge. Shipping companies will NOT deliver a container to be loaded prior to confirming that the container can be cleared and moved within a certain time period once it arrives in Haiti. What that means is that whoever we consignee the container to must have the ability, which will be verified by the shipping company’s agent in Haiti, that it can be processed in a timely manner. Once that’s done then they will deliver the container to us here to be loaded. I hope that makes sense. |
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We have received the first 80 “Buckets of Love”. We will be getting several hundred over the next few days and will be getting them ready (put on pallets, shrink wrapped, etc) over the next 2-3 weeks. Our goal is to get the buckets to Haiti as soon as possible. |
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I finally got my computer back but as you can imagine, with a new HD I am having to reinstall all of my software and re-create lost data. It’s been a real challenge and has caused me many moments of exasperation. |
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Please continue to pray for Cullie who is still in Haiti. He is trying to finish the wall around his home before he comes to Ocala. The Wray’s are still in Canada and will be returning to Haiti March 10th I believe. Pray for Tom as he travels to Haiti next week for several meetings. |
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I was able to spend a few minutes with Dolly Lalsee on SKYPE one day this week and they are doing well. Talked with Dick and Barb Johnson yesterday and they are doing well. They are headed to Israel and Uganda in April. They are very excited about their upcoming trip. Pam shared with me that Dr. Betty Daniels, from India, is presently in London teaching and promoting Harvest International. |
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Please pray for Sandy and me as we continue to recover from this illness that we have had for almost 3 weeks. |
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Dear Harvest Family, |
February 13, 2010 |
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As the disaster in Haiti moves from the “front page” of the news, both live and in print, the phone calls and inquiries have slowed down. It is still very busy but not like in previous weeks. We are starting to see a lessening of Military and Private air traffic going to Haiti and expect to find out soon when Commercial air travel will resume. Presently we have 7 teams on schedule to travel March 13th thru April 17th . Two of the teams are medical and the rest are scheduled for cleanup. The Wray’s left Haiti this week for a month of rest in Canada. Cullie is scheduled to come out later this month for a much needed rest. |
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I am starting to see some trends that cause me some concerns. There more NGO’s (non-government organizations) and Ministries in Haiti now than I have ever seen. Some of these well intentioned organizations have a total of 6 weeks experience working in Haiti and in some cases have figured out (a mistake that most Americans make) what needs to happen in the recovery, or as I have named it “The Rehabilitation of a Nation”. Just as an example, there are organizations who have already started to build container houses. These are 20’ and 40’ ocean going containers that have a bathroom and kitchen built in. They will also have indoor plumbing and electrical throughout. Sound good right! Except that most Haitian don’t have sewer, running water, or electricity. Most cook and “go” outdoors. Others are building using wood, some are sending steel buildings that can be put together within days. All very good intentions. I have had the opportunity to share with some what I think will work and what will not work. |
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Since he returned from Haiti 2 weeks ago, Tom Schmidt has been dealing with a call from the Lord. He and Ginger feel that the Lord is calling them back to Haiti “full time”. I was not shocked nor surprised to hear that from him. I have known Tom for almost 15 years and know that his heart has always been in Haiti. Although his departure will create a HUGE hole at Harvest in Ocala, it will be an UNBELIVABLE blessing in Haiti. The goal is for Tom, Ginger, and their 3 youngest children (Haitian children that they adopted) to move to Haiti as soon as possible to start ministering in Port au Prince. One of their goals is to minster to children who are now handicapped, those that have lost limbs due to the earthquake. Tom feels that these children can become productive members of society with the right training. More to follow. |
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Some of our long time supporters have been calling and asking what else they can do other than sending money. These folks have sent money but feel that they can contribute in a more active way. I have started asking for crutches. There is and will continue to be a great demand for crutches in Haiti for a long time to come. A church in the community stopped by yesterday and donated a wheelchair, walkers, and canes. |
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The “Buckets of Love for Haiti” project is going strong. I delivered 100 buckets to be filled to New Covenant Missionary Baptist Church and 250 buckets to First Baptist Ocala last Friday and they reported that the buckets went within minutes on Sunday morning. On Wednesday of this week Tom Schmidt and I took 500 buckets to Trinity. First Baptist Church of Covington, GA is sending a truck load of food that they have been collecting since January 23rd. We have been given “FREE SHIPPING” from Miami to Port au Prince on a 20’ container. I will be making arrangements on Monday to have the container brought to Ocala on February 26th for loading and shipping it to Haiti the week of March 1st. |
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| In closing I want to remind all of us that although Haiti has received ALL the attention over the last six weeks, our missionary’s in other countries continue to labor for the Lord. Our Romania team (Bullocks) are working on several short term teams to go to Oradea this summer. The Kay’s are working on coming home sometime this summer and have lots of work to do to ensure that what they have established will continue. Amy e-mails me often to tell me that they are praying for Harvest and our people in Haiti as well as to encourage me. I have not visited with Lela in 2 weeks but Karen Warren visits her every week and gives me an update of her visit. I do have e-mail contact with Alyona and Viktor regularly and hear about the Boys at House of Hope. Dhan and Dolly Lalsee are doing well in Zimbabwe. I have not heard from them personally but I know that they have been in contact with Pam and Cassie. Barb Johnson is recovering from surgery on her shoulder. I spoke with her yesterday and she said that she was doing well and recovering nicely. All in Uganda is well. The Mays are working on sponsoring Orphans in Kenya and I think they have a couple of teams that have expressed a desire to go to Eldoret. The Harvest Newsletter will be sent e-lectronically (maybe a new word for geeks) before the end of the month. |
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WOW, I’ve been writing this for over an hour. I guess I better close for now. I’ll be in the office until noon today and will be home the rest of the day. I have been diagnosed with “walking pneumonia” and told to get some rest if I want to get well. Sandra went to the doctor because of a cough that wouldn’t go away after 2 weeks and was told she had bronchitis. She told the doctor about my cough. She gave me an ultimatum, “MAKE AN APPOINTMENT FOR YOURSELF OR I’LL MAKE ONE FOR YOU”. It sounds like a hospital at our house with different meds that we are both on and lots of coughing. Please pray for us. |
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Dear Harvest Family, |
February 5, 2010 |
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This week has been encouraging in many ways. My staff has commented that my forehead seems relaxed. I tend to have wrinkles in it when stressed, or at least that’s what they tell me. |
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Monday I received good news that Tom Schmidt was able to get out of Haiti and return to Ocala. Everyone was anxious to see him and hear “First Hand” how things really were in Port au Prince. |
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Tom arrived Tuesday and spent most of the day sharing his stories of the last 2 weeks. He was used by the Lord to provide transportation for medical as well as military personnel. Tom knows his way around Port au Prince and was very helpful in what he was able to accomplish. He says that unless you go to the areas that are devastated you really can’t tell what has happened. Life goes on, people that were not affected (lost homes or family members) go about life. What we need to remember is that over 2 million people have been affected. |
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I spoke to Sandy Woodall yesterday. I had not heard from her or Cullie for several days. Tom did speak to Cullie on Monday before he left Haiti. Sandy continues to work on getting David’s paperwork in order so they can finish their adoption of him. Cullie is having problems with his cell phone and computer according to Sandy.
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The Wrays are continuing to go to Port au Prince and bring people back to live in the “Tent Camp” in Les Cayes. Yesterday they were in route to PAP to pick up 40 orphans 12 of which were under 1 year old (I think I got that right). Over 400 tents are on their way to the Wray’s having been sent to them through a church group in La Crosse, WI. This group was in Haiti for the earthquake and stayed for a week rendering medical help to the hospital. |
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We are working on a deal with a manufacture who wants to donate several units to house people temporarily (see attached). They will deliver the units to Haiti for us as long as we can provide transportation to a location. We are just in the beginning stages of making this work. If we are approved they will donate several of these units to us. Please pray that we are granted favor with this organization. |
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The “Buckets of Love” campaign is in full swing. Hale Academy (see story in Ocala Star Banner, February 4th, Online) raised the funds needed to purchase all 1,000 buckets in less than 2 weeks. The buckets will be delivered to Harvest International today and we will distribute the buckets to several churches who have volunteered to fill them by the end of February. Our goal is to have them on their way to Haiti the first week of March. |
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Much more to tell but I want to get this email out. |
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Please pray for our people on the ground in Haiti. Cullie as he deals with the issues in and around Port au Prince, helping to get Missionaries who’s vehicles have been damaged or destroyed, on the road again, and having to deal with a lack of communications due to cell phone and computer issues. The Wray’s as they continue to bring displaced and homeless people to the camp. Dr. John Leininger as he continues to work to bring 22 orphans back to the U.S. For Tom Schmidt as he works here but longs to be in Haiti. The staff in Ocala as I continue to press them on time sensitive issues. |
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Please pray for Sandy and me as we deal with the stresses of this earthquake. She has been strong and supportive as I deal with all the pressures of making the right decisions. |
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The Lord has shown Himself to be Strong and Mighty during these last 3 weeks. There are countless miracles that have taken place. Many have come to know the Lord through this disaster, many have renewed their faith and walk with Him as well. |
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I want to close this email with the following Scripture: Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Gal 6:9 |
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Dear Harvest Family, |
January 26, 2010 |
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It’s been a really God couple of days. I called Pastor Phil Wade on Saturday and told him that I would be willing to come and share about what is going on in Haiti for the first service at Trinity Baptist Church. He was very excited and welcomed me to share for a few minutes at the beginning of the service. I shared about our missionaries and what they were up to and then told them about a project that is just now catching momentum called “Buckets of Love for Haiti.” I told the church that the biggest need was for them to pray for our people on the ground. What happened next was nothing short of the Holy Spirit taking over the service. Reports from those that attended the Sunday Service at Trinity is that it was a genuine move of the Spirit of God. The church has committed to fill all 1,000 buckets. The same thing happened the second service as Pastor Phil shared. Praise the Lord. |
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I also spoke at New Covenant Missionary Baptist Church and shared the same things. Pastor Stanley Jacob presented me with a check from Hopewell Missionary Baptist church and also with a cash donation from another church. The congregation was very excited about getting involved in the “Buckets of Love for Haiti” project as well. |
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I received an email yesterday from Dr. Bill in Les Cayes sharing that he is using rebar to stabilize broken bones. I shared that information with Raymond Cloutier, who is a orthopedic supply representative, and asked him if he could help me get some pin, plates, screws, drill bits, etc for the doctors. According to reports that I have received from those that are keeping track there are over 250,000 injured people, most of which are orthopedic in nature. Raymond shared my email with some of his vendors and received a response from Ortho Pediatrics, a company in Warsaw, Indiana, who donated 1,000,000.00 (That’s ONE MILLION DOLLARS) in pins, nails, plates, screws, etc. to Harvest International, Inc. PRAISE THE LORD. |
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We FEDEX the supplies (overnight) to Dr. Alberto Sosa, in Miami, FL. The supplies will be divided, half going to orthopods in Port-au-Prince, half going to Dr. Bill in Les Cayes. Raymond is going to Haiti on Wednesday and will take the supplies in. WOW, WHAT A COUPLE OF DAYS. |
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Pray for me as the enemy is attacking my computers. My main computer at work crashed on Friday and I spent most of the day setting up another computer just to do emails. My entire contact list is on the crashed computer so I have to keep asking for email addresses, etc. The computer that I have set up at Harvest is very slow and frustrating. My home computer is over 5 years old and pretty slow. It works fine but the modem is on the fritz so it knocks me offline every now and then. OK, that’s out of my system. I feel better. |
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I spoke to Tom Schmidt yesterday and he’s trying to make a decision on when to come back. He feels like he needs to move to the next step having done all he can for now. His goal for the next few days is to try and rent a vehicle (more will be available as the media starts to leave) and go check on some people. He will try to visit with Ann Farquharson at Garden of Joy School and put some money in her hand. Tom has found a place to cash checks. Exchange rate isn’t very good but that’s a two-edged sword. Low exchange rate is not good for us but very good for Haiti. Tom will also try to make a visit to Gonaives and check on Pastor Charlie of “Charlie’s Champions,” and Pastor Sylvestre of “In His Hands.” |
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I took 30 minutes yesterday to visit with Lela. I now have two trips to plan for her. She is ready to go to Haiti which is the first country she visited before going to Ukraine full-time. She was heartbroken over what has happened and wants to go and spend some time “hugging and loving on those children.” “Danny, I feel good and can travel,” she said. Wants to go back to Ukraine one last time before she dies. I’ll send pictures of her later today (I hope). |
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Pray for all our people on the ground. Don’t forget our people in other countries, i.e. Thomas and Amy Kay (Romania), Dhan and Dolly Lalsee, (Zimbabwe), Edwin and Betty Daniel (India). Pray for Sandy and me. The hectic pace, the phone ringing off the hook, along with normal life has put a stress on us. Just lift us up before the Lord. Thank you. |
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WOW! This is a pretty long update. I better send it before I have another computer/email problem. |
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