Haiti Earthquake Update

Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund
Report Of Contributions Received In 16th District, Last Update: May 15, 2010

16th Episcopal District News Update No. 6 – 2010 Haiti Earthquake Relief

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Commentary Date: 
Sunday, February 7, 2010

AME Church Family:

In less than five days it will be one month since a devastating earthquake hit Haiti and forever changed the lives of our Haitian sisters and brothers. The 16th Episcopal District family pauses now to thank the African Methodist Episcopal Church and her leadership for the outpouring of prayers, love and giving which continues to be extended on behalf of the Haiti Conference as well as the people and families of Haiti. The emergency and immediate needs forces are yet on the ground and restricted entry into the country is still the order of the day. This restricted protocol prohibits us from getting into Haiti to provide the necessary support and make an accurate assessment of restoration needs.

As you are aware, the 24 hour television coverage has disappeared and Haiti is no longer the lead story that keeps its tragedy before the public. However, the fact remains, Haiti has suffered a great tragedy, and to rebuild it will take all of us. You have kept us in your prayers and we are grateful. You have sent donations through the AME Church Finance Department and /or Global Witness and Missions or directly to the 16th District. We thank you for your generosity. You have expressed your selfless interest by volunteering your time to come to Haiti to help with the recovery effort; or asking to be placed on the “Adopt a Haitian Family” list; and offering to send materials and supplies.

During the next several weeks Supervisor Claytie and I, along with the Presiding Elders, Pastors and Lay leadership of the Haiti Conference, will complete an assessment of the communities impacted by the earthquake. Subsequently, we will prioritize areas for relief and rehabilitation in partnership with SADA and Dr. George Flowers. Teams of AME Volunteers from across the Connection and the 16th Episcopal District will be integral in the long-term recovery of the church communities in Haiti. Opportunities will soon be available to come and help in meaningful ways.

In the short-term, we, along with SADA, two AME doctors from the Dominican Republic, and a host of national and international relief organizations and technical specialists have been addressing the immediate needs of providing emergency aid of food, water, shelter and medical care.

While we have a first glance report from Presiding Elder Mehu, shown below, on the status of our families, churches and schools, we are still seeking assessments and needing professional evaluations to determine the extent of all the damages. Until this evaluation process is completed, suitable projects and assignments for volunteer teams wishing to contribute to the recovery effort cannot be identified.

Please continue to communicate with us your interest in volunteering for the recovery effort to Sis. Winifee Charles-Lawrence - winifee@yahoo.com ; or Sis. Sandra Pyke-Anthony - sandrapykeanthony@ymail.com ; or Sis. Madelyn Johnson - madjohnson@msqpc.org. We will contact you concerning the recovery projects as soon as they are identified. Commercial flights into Haiti are currently suspended (latest projection which changes daily, is February 26th) and all non-government sanctioned travel into Haiti must be done via the neighboring Dominican Republic.

Thank you again for continuing to pray for Haiti and to support us in this time of great need as we work together to build a “NEW” Haiti.

Blessings and Peace,

Bishop Sarah Davis

16th Episcopal District News Update No. 5 – 2010 Haiti Earthquake Relief

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Commentary Date: 
Thursday, February 4, 2010

Supervisor Claytie and I along with the members of the Sixteenth District and in particular our sisters and brothers of Haiti, want to thank you for all the prayers, calls of concern and the sharing you have done during this very challenging time. We ask that you continue to lift up the people of Haiti. While CNN and Headline News have reduced their coverage of the situation in Port-au-Prince, “the situation” has not improved for most of the people!

There are still over a million now homeless. Food and water distribution has improved, however the lines are still excessively long in the heat of the day. Many of the injured are still awaiting treatment. We continue to learn of the deaths of our members and their family members. Yet, our brothers and sisters are still praising our Savior. In her latest update to us, Sister Elvire Douglas writes “We are still standing on God promise, we are like Job even in his trial, God never leave him alone….so are we.” What a resilient people. Let’s keep them in our prayers.

Today we learned that our WMS Conference Branch President, Sister Carolles P. Milbin lost her sister in addition to losing her home during the quake. We also received new pictures of some of our churches and schools. As you can see in the pictures below, the damages range from cracked walls and foundations to total destruction. These pictures were sent to us from Presiding Elder Reverend Joel Mehu. We share with you information on the schools so that there is some appreciation for the context of the churches in the pictures.

HAITI CONFERENCE CHURCHES
Mary Becket District, - 6 churches/missions Rev. Jean Joël MAURICE,
Presiding Elder

1.Bethel                  Bretelle Cabaret                  Rév. Pierre Joseph Jacky
2.Mary Becket          Croix-des-Bouquets              Rév. Jn. Robert Petit
3.L.L. Berry             Gonaives                            Rév. Justin Dieudonné Pierre
4.Annabel Freeland   Bayonnais Garteau               Rév. Toussaint St-Louis
5.Christ Révient        5e.Section de Petit-Goâve     Rév. Jean Emarc
6.Mission John Hurst  Gressier                             Pastor: NA

Saint –Paul District – 6 churches/missions Rev. Joel MEHU, P. E.

1.Loulabro Kenton      Port-au-Prince. Rév.            Jacques L. Michelet Mars
2.Canaan Christ Révient, Tombe Gâteau (Route de Jacmel), Rev. Berthony Saint-Marc
3.Rosetta-Lee            Port-au-Prince.                   Rév.Jules André M. Pierre
4.Saint-Paul               Port-au-Prince                    Rév.Jean Baptiste Jean
5.Christine Smith        Petion-Ville                        Rév. Gabriel Chery
6.Mission Siloe Mirebalais          Plateau Central...

St. Paul AME Church and school below:

Loula Brokentong AMEC

Rosetta – Lee AMEC and School

16th Episcopal District News Update No. 4 – 2010 Haiti Earthquake Relief

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Commentary Date: 
Wednesday, January 20, 2010

January 20, 2010, 6:45 pm …from Kingston Jamaica
“We continue to believe and trust in Almighty God for we know He can do all things and that He can relieve all the troubles in our lives.”

We received the following update from Presiding Elder Reverend Joel Mehu only moments ago.

Here is the UPDATE from Presiding Elder Reverend Joel Mehu

Greetings & blessings Bishop Sarah,
Thank you for your prayers and letters for encourage us in this difficult situation.

Every body to be panic-stricken because the earthquake is still continuing; so this morning at six (6) AM about, it's was the panic in the country. All the Haitian families want to exit the country so several of them are already going for other countries.

For your attention:
Only the Rev. Jacques L. Michelet Mars for Loulabro Kenton AMEC has called me on Tuesday 19th to inform me that two (2) members of the Church are dead, and The Rev. Joseph Jacky Pierre, who are called me on Monday 18th, informed me that his sister is dead.

At this moment, no commercial flights to Haiti but, if you want to come by the other way, I must to tell you that the general security is not safe!...
You would need a security Person to go with you anywhere.
You can go to:

  • Saint-Paul AME, Loulabro Kenton
  • John Hurst AMEC
  • Christine Smith AMEC
  • Bethel and
  • Canaan Christ Revient AMEC and may be other.

The things immediately that we need are:
Water, Tent, Blanket, Food kit, health kit, hygiene kit, Clothes, Flash and others.

Note: Since January 12th the day of earthquake, all the BANK are closed; nobody have money to do Nothing. Also, people can't stay inside of houses. Everybody lives and sleep outside; the most of them in the streets. Haiti is completely destroy!!!

But until now if all the people isn't dead that's the Lord is faithful.
We continue to hope in your prayers for the freeing of Haiti and the people of God

Rev. Joël MEHU, P.E. AMEC of 16th Episcopal District -For Haiti Annual Conference / Saint-Paul Dist.

Let us pray, Saints of God.
“Dear God, even when things are their lowest, help Your people of Haiti and our Church family to know that You are still God. Help Presiding Elder Reverend Mehu and our pastors and lay persons and the other people of Haiti to know Your love despite the destruction and disruption to their lives and death of their loved ones. Give the strength and courage that each of them need to wait until the morning comes. Let them not weary in the well doing nor give up on You. Come Thou, our God! Help to mend the broken hearts in Haiti remove fear and replace it with the expectancy of the better days which are in front of them. Let Your people know Your presence. In Jesus Name. AMEN”

Bishop Sarah

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16th Episcopal District News Update No. 3 – 2010 Haiti Earthquake Relief

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Commentary Date: 
Wednesday, January 20, 2010

“We continue to believe and trust in Almighty God for we know He can do all things and that He can relieve all the troubles in our lives.”

We received an update from Sis. Elvire on today and want to share it with our Church family and concerned persons who continue in prayer with us for Haiti.

Haiti Earthquake Update - January 18, 2010

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Commentary Date: 
Monday, January 18, 2010

The following is an on the scene report from Lieutenant Commander Glenda Harrison, an AME Chaplain now serving in Port-au-Prince Haiti:

…I was told at 1130 Friday night that I was to report for a briefing and was on a team to enter Haiti @ 0500 on Saturday morning. We got to Haiti at approximately 0700 in the morning where Joint Operations is based at the Toussaint L'Overture Airport.

I have a lot of information for you with specifics and I'm preparing a formal report for you both. I was up until 0245 Sunday morning preparing

reports for my Command Chaplain, however your report is coming.

I am pleased to report that with the locals help I was able to contact and speak personally with both Presiding Elders and they are doing well.

There is a considerable amount of damage to a few churches in my report I will give you as much detail as possible. The Presiding Elders while they do speak English their accent is very heavy and difficult to understand some of what was being said with the airport noise, as well the fact that I was using one of the local’s cell phones.

Unfortunately, my French is extremely limited, I have more of a background in Spanish. Be that as it may, it was a long day...I embarked back on the ship at around 1700 (5:00 p.m.) and was then called into a Mass Casualty.

We have at least 5-7 Haitians on our hospital ward aboard the ship and a brand new baby who was born, with a couple of my Haitian sailors they served as Creole interpreters for me while I provided ministry. At least 3 had to have amputations done and my medical staff has been pushed beyond the limits.

I thank God for the chaplains aboard the ship who are assisting, however I'm being called in because of my specialty in Cross-Cultural counseling and Ethics. God has moved on-board this ship in a powerful way and I see a lot of good that will come from this experience. The team is pulling together as this experience has assisted in helping our White brothers and sisters better understand and become more comfortable with people of other backgrounds.

I shall get back ASAP at this moment I need to prepare for the evening Gospel Praise and Worship service, which is held @ 1900 (7:00 p.m.) in the Ship's Foc'sle (the largest space available on the ship). We normally have an attendance of 150 and it's standing room only...it will be interesting to see the numbers for tonight.

In the midst of preparation, I still must provide pastoral counseling, which one stands in the wings as I finish this e-mail and then drop by the medical ward to check on the patients.

May the AME church continue to pray my strength in the Lord and I recognize that it's not by "might, nor by power, but by My Spirit says the Lord" (Zechariah 4:6).

Blessings and thanks so much for both of your support during this devastating tragedy.

Respectfully submitted,

LCDR Glenda Jennings Harrison Chaplain Corps, USN Second District, AME Church Washington Conference Bishop Richardson, Presiding Prelate

Please keep Chaplain Harrison in your prayers as we continue to pray for our Haitian brothers and sisters. As we receive new information we will continue to post it here. If you would like to contribute to the relief effort, you can mail your contributions to: 16th Episcopal District AMEC – Haiti Earthquake Fund P. O. Box 821308 Houston, TX. 77282-1308

Or you can donate directly via PayPal.

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Update from Sister Elvire Douglas* of the 16th Episcopal District

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Commentary Date: 
Saturday, January 16, 2010

In an e-mail from Sister Elvire Douglas we are told the following:

  • Sister Douglas’ adopted daughter who lives with her is missing and she suspects that the child is not alive since her school collapsed “like a sandwich” between the floors of the building.
  • Sister Douglas’ has not heard from her other family members to know how they are doing.
  • Sister Douglas’ home is damaged (medium).
  • Our Presiding Elder Reverend Joel Mehu is alive and well as is his immediate family. Praise the Lord!!
  • There is no news on Presiding Elder Reverend Joel Maurice or any of our other preachers and church members.
  • St. Paul AME, Port-Au-Prince is completely destroyed.
  • The Clinic next door to St. Paul is not destroyed too badly.
  • Other Churches in Port-Au-Prince which are damaged include Mary Beckett AME and Lula Brockington AME.
  • Lula Brockington AME School was destroyed.

Sister Douglas has no information at this time regarding the remaining nine churches and four schools of the AME Church in Haiti and neither does she have information about other church members.

Sister Douglas further reports: “We are sleeping on the street, football field, park any spot away from concrete blocks. The scenes are beyond imagination.....Apocalyptic. Port-au-Prince is destroyed at 85%, we are facing serious food shortage, medicines, drinking water as there are no stores or market to purchase anything. The question is for how long we will stay in this situation, time will tell. Have mercy upon us, God knows best....The airport is closed to commercial flight, it seems that the building is crack so not safe for passengers and workers.......At this moment working hard to organize response at the office, no time to cry the death there are so many needs, we have to take care of the injuries, the survivors......”.

We thank God that Sister Elvire and Presiding Elder Mehu and family are alive and doing well. Let us continue to pray for good news as we get reports on others in the Haiti Conference.

If you would like to contribute to the relief effort, you can mail your contributions to:

16th Episcopal District AMEC – Haiti Earthquake Fund
P. O. Box 821308
Houston, Tx 77282-1308

You can also make a donation through our PayPal account.

*Sis. Elvire Douglas is the Connectional Assistant Recording Secretary of the WMS; Treasurer of the Haiti Annual Conference; 16th District Director of Disaster Preparedness; and Official Interpreter for Bishop Sarah Davis

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Haiti Earthquake Update

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Commentary Date: 
Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Thanks for the outpouring of prayers, concerns and support for brothers and sisters in Haiti.

As you are aware the Port-au-Prince, Haiti and a 10 mile area surrounding the capital city was hit by one of the largest earthquakes of the last 200 years. News reports are estimating that there has been significant damage to over 50 percent of the existing buildings in Port-au-Prince, including the Presidential Palace. Regrettably, we are also getting reports of deaths numbering in the thousands.

We have heard from Sister Elvire Medna-Douglas, WMS Connectional Asst. Recording Secretary and translator for the Bishop and Supervisor. Sister Douglas reports that she was several miles outside the city at the time of the earthquake but felt the tremors. She too has not been able to reach any of her family or church members as of this time. However, we have not been able to get through to any of the presiding elders, pastors or members of the churches in Port-au Prince as of this time.

Please continue to pray for the people of Haiti. We will update this site as more information becomes available.

If you would like to make a contribution you may do so via PayPal. To do so, simply click on the “partner with us” link at the left and then on the “make a donation” button and simply follow the instructions. You may specify in the purpose section that your donation is intended for use for Haiti Earthquake Relief. Thank you for your continued support for the people of Haiti.