Earthquake Response – Part 3

Earthquake Response – Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5

Open Ports and Open Doors

We received news yesterday that the port has opened on a limited basis. The concrete block machine is en route to Port-au-Prince on the MV Lummus and is expected arrive today. The MV Lummus is also carrying heavy machinery and equipment essential for opening the port further and bringing it back to full operation. Meanwhile, now that we have secured military clearance, we intend to send more cargo shipments to Haiti on other Naval vessels, whenever feasible. We are continually grateful for the relationship we’ve established with the Military Sealift Command and certainly do not take it for granted. Currently, we are working on getting a full container of Crisis Care Kits by sea. We are also looking into getting a 2 or 3 ton diesel truck onto a cargo ship out of Florida in the coming days, as well as any urgent aid requests coming from our brothers and sisters on the ground in Haiti.

The response to our Amazon.com store for the disaster relief items requested from Nazarene Compassionate Ministries has been tremendous. As of this morning, 350 orders had been placed- 290 pounds of rice, 210 jars of peanut butter, 1500 medical facemasks, 250 toothbrushes, thousands of Tylenol and Ibuprofen tablets- just to name a few. Churches all over the country (and possibly the globe) are going online and buying these aid items. It has been a very easy and tangible way for people to come alongside and help out. We are grateful for your generosity and for continuing to spread the word. As soon as each container is filled with aid, we will send it ahead to Port-au-Prince via military vessel.

We have also been receiving numerous calls and emails from people, not only in Central California, but all over California and from other states, asking how they can partner with The Haiti Project and respond to this crisis. We are thankful for your willingness to help and we are eager to talk with you. Please be patient with us if we are unable to respond promptly.

Finally, we have some even more incredible news. The door has opened for Pastor Jason to go to Haiti very soon. He received a invitation from the Nazarene leadership and Nazarene Compassionate Ministries to come and bring a General Contractor with him. Pray that we can find flights- they are still scarce- but we know God will make a way. Pastor Jason will be able to come back and report to us specifically the needs on the ground in Haiti so we can know how to most effectively help and pray in the days and months ahead. This will broaden the scope of our relationship with the Haitian people for many years to come and we hope you’ll join us in committing to Haiti for the long-term. Pastor Jason is extremely anxious to see our Haitian brothers and sisters and come alongside them in solidarity.

Pastor Jason will also be preaching this Sunday at Olive Knolls Church, talking about Haiti and what it means to usher God’s kingdom into the here and now. His sermon will be available on the Olive Knolls sermon podcasts next week if you are unable to join us.