Ekip Kreol - Helping the plight of the Haitian people in Haiti and the Dominician Republic

Haiti and the Dominican Republic share the island of Hispaniola in the Caribbean. The second largest island of the Greater Antilles, Hispaniola lies west of Puerto Rico and east of Cuba and Jamaica. Its western third is the nation of Haiti, and Eastern two thirds is the nation of the Dominican Republic, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are occupied by two countries.

Haiti is a country caught in a time lapse, being the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. It is the only nation to win its own independence from slavery. Haiti has a violent history with frustrations that surface in the form of violence even today. The education level is between second and third grade. Estimates are that Haitians make from $200 to $400 per family per year, with supplies and food costing as much and more than in the United States. Jobs are very rare, with hundreds of people for each available job. Infant mortality is extremely high, so Haitians have many children, hoping that some will make it to be adults in order to have someone to take care of them in their old age. Tuberculosis, AIDS, Malaria, and Typhoid take the lives of people of all ages. Malnutrition is prevalent with most people

There is an estimate of more than 2,000,000 Haitians of either transient workers or individuals who have settled in the Dominican Republic, looking for work and a better way of life. Generally, they take the basest jobs, doing whatever they are able at a minimum salary, and are employed for the majority of unskilled jobs. Haitians are often mistrusted and live with prejudice. Some live in worse housing conditions that they did in Haiti, trying to make enough money to live and if there is any left over, to send back to family in Haiti. Language barriers due to not speaking Spanish well or due to accent can also contribute to misunderstandings and prejudices. Haitians generally live in communities of Haitians and often live in groups, depending where they came from in Haiti. The Dominican Republic was under Haitian rule at one time, which is a major contributor to prejudices against Haitians in the Dominican Republic.

To help with Haiti Earthquake Relief, please email haitiresponse@imb.org or visit http://www.baptistglobalresponse.com/new/

News Update

Sunday, July 18, 2010

Holding the Ropes for Haiti
Sam & Delores York

Prayer Warriors, please read the following information;

Date: July 7, 2010 7:12:27 PM CDT
To: "Charlotte Davis"
Subject: Haiti - Prayer of Praise

"Jesus looked at them and said, 'With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.' " (Mark 10:27, NIV)

Faithful Intercessors,

Thank you for continuing to pray for S, the Haitian hougan. Tuesday afternoon S came to Port-au-Prince to see the Baptist missionaries and tell them that he wanted to make some land available to be used for a church. An appointment was set to meet him at the land today. After viewing the plot of land, S then led the group of Christian workers to his peristyle (place where fetishes are kept and voodoo ceremonies are held). It was in this place that God's began His work and the prayers of hundreds were answered.

S decided that today was the day he would give his life to Jesus Christ and turn from the life of voodoo to which he has long been enslaved. IMB missionary Delores York and other workers began praying as S began the task of dragging all his fetishes from his peristyle into the yard. Neighbors stood at the gate and watched in amazement as they listened to Christian workers pray aloud for him. It was described as a "tremendous effort" for S to bring the various articles from the small building into the yard for all to see. They watched as he bought kerosene and matches and then ignited the flames that destroyed visible evidences of his life of darkness. The neighbors were awe-struck at what they saw. Word traveled quickly through the neighborhood, and others gathered to watch. The Christians continued to pray for him in the yard, as onlookers saw the life-changing experience of their neighbor who had said, "I want to change like Saul changed to Paul."

Give praise to God for His mighty power to redeem S.

Pray that God's marvelous grace will be boldly proclaimed through S's life.

Pray that S will grow in his understanding of eternal salvation through the powerful name of Jesus Christ.

Pray that God's power in S's life will be a vivid demonstration of "the One who is in (S) is greater than the one who is in the world." (1 John 4:4)

Giving all praise and glory to God!

Charlotte Davis
Stateside Prayer Advocate for Haiti
praying4haiti@mail.com

Thursday, July 1, 2010

July will put us well into rainy/hurricane season and many people are still living in tents in Haiti. As the winds blow, the tents take a beating and the effects of the sun are showing as the tents begin to shred. Haiti is not in the news anymore, but the needs are still there. Pray for protection from the sun, the wind, the rain, and the Evil One.

"S", hougon (voodoo witchdoctor) in Cazeau [KAH-zoh] has "accepted Christ" seven times, burning his fetishes, and seven times has returned to practicing voodoo. He wishes to do it again. He says he wants a change in his life like Paul had on the Damascus road. Pray that God will speak to him in such a way that it will truly change his life forever and that God will do whatever it takes to bring him to a point of no return.

"Y", is a man of peace in Bon Repos. We have begun Bible storying in his yard and have shown an evangelistic film. "Y" has prayed the sinner's prayer and yet Satan keeps tugging at him. He has stopped smoking and he is going to retell a portion of the story next Sunday. Pray that God will bring the story to his remembrance, so that he feels good about presenting the story of Abraham. Pray that God will use "Y" to touch others in his family and his community.

There are many exciting things happening in Haiti - small concrete houses are being built, medical clinics are being held, Bible studies are being started, new projects to work in new communities are being planned, U.S. Baptist churches are partnering with Haitian Baptist churches .... God's work is alive and exciting. Pray for strength, wisdom, fellowship, and changed lives, as we follow the Holy Spirit's lead in helping Haitians recover and begin anew.

Sam and Delores York
Phil. 4:13
Southern Baptist Missionaries working with Haitians


(And, please read)
June 29, 2010

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

We have city electricity most nights now, which is enough to keep the refrigerator cold enough to keep meat a little longer and to run fans at night. Thank you for standing in the gap for us in even the little details of life, like electricity. We can run a generator during the day when we have to do laundry and now we have a clothes line that actually looks like a clothes line. Space is still a problem, but then maybe I'm just going to have to learn to adjust more to Haitian living. Please, pray that God will give me wisdom about how to arrange my life in a way that I can find the things I need without tripping. (The house next door will not happen, as the price has tripled since we started talking about renting it.) Pray that God will give us little respites of rest in the chaos and business of each day. Pray that God will remind me to be a Barnabas and to be aware of the needs of others around me. Your prayers have gotten us through so far and we thank you so very much - please don't grow weary in praying for us, for the volunteer missionaries, and for the many Haitians who need help.

We have two summer missionaries (Jordon and Kristi) who came this week and hit the ground running. They are an addition to the Journeyman (Parker) and two ISC missionaries (David and Candy) who are here with us. Our two leaders (Carter and Mark) come and go - alternating who is here. It is a good team and we are learning to work together better and learning what strengths each person has.

A ten year old girl came to the clinic in Meyer, where a medical/dental/eye clinic team from Alabama was working. The little girl had tooth pain, but she was really frightened, because she had four teeth pulled previously - possibly without anesthesia. It was a team effort of making friends and gaining her confidence enough to get her in the dental chair. Dr. David blew up an animal balloon and she clung on to it. It wasn't just a clinic to help the hurting, but Jesus love in action that could be seen there.

Houses are going up. I wish you could see the lovely smiles and they contentment for the people who are able to move from tent living into a small house. They rains and wind can be strong and we into hurricane season now, so these houses are an important way to demonstrate God's love. Pray that as children are hugged, group prayers are said at work sites, and language learning both ways occurs, Christ will show through and grow in the hearts of both the volunteer missionaries and the Haitians who are receiving the help. May God receive all the glory as we get into high gear in Haitian

Sam and Delores York
Phil. 4:13
Southern Baptist Missionaries working with Haitians


Blog This is Parker Hall's blog that will give you another view of what is happening here.
Also, I am tweeting DeloresJDY and have Facebook: Delores York, so look me up



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Date: 6/7/2010 9:22:38 AM

Traveling down Rt. Nat'l #1 on Sunday afternoon with two teams, our bus came to a sudden halt right in the middle of the street. The men got out to push us to the side of the road (very un-Haitian thing to do) while the women prayed inside the bus. We had three good mechanics with us and they got busy. While this was going on, two of the young men started gathering a crowd by doing some street dancing - sort of a competition between the two young men. One of the men decided to share the evange-cube since there was a crowd of young adults gathered. One young man said he was a baptized believer and he would like to be able to share that story with others. The evange-cube was given to this young man and the team prayed for God to bless his sharing and to give him the words to bring others to faith in Christ. A wonderful discussion followed with a number of the people on the street, then the someone asked if we only helped the Christians or did we help those who don't know Christ yet? They were told that we help those in need of help and asked what their needs were. They said they have houses down, but what they really need is a medical clinic. At that exact moment the bus hummed to life and we were told to get back on the bus. We have a medical team coming next week that had not been assigned. We believe this is one of those "God things". Pray for God's leadership in the exact location to set up. There is just a feeling that this could be a new church start. If that is God's plan, please ask Him for wisdom and discernment as we go about His business. May God be glorified in everything we do and say.

Sam and Delores York
Phil. 4:13
Southern Baptist Missionaries working with Haitians

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

From: Charlotte Davis

Faithful Intercessors,

A U.S. news network announced over the weekend that 1.5 million Haitians are homeless! Southern Baptists and other Christian organizations including numerous U.S. aid groups are working tirelessly to provide Haitians opportunity to move from tents into proper shelter. Small houses are being constructed by volunteers through the partnership of the International Mission Board and Global Baptist Response. Volunteer teams arrive each week to work toward the goal of eventually providing for 1,000 homeless families. Intercede daily for the safety and physical strength for these construction teams.

Your prayers are vital to the on-going ministry of volunteers in Haiti. Two young adult workers arrived a week ago and described their travel from the Port-au-Prince Airport to the compound where they would live this summer as experiencing “culture shock to the max!” They expressed their emotions in this way: “Three hours into the first day, we were thinking of every possible excuse to catch the next plane home. The faithfulness of our Lord completely renewed us by the next morning. We already have seen the amazing power of prayer.”

As IMB missionaries Sam and Delores York traveled with volunteers this past weekend, their bus came to a sudden halt. The men pushed the bus to the side of the road while the women prayed inside the bus. Men with mechanic skills began checking out the bus. The volunteers attracted a crowd of young adult Haitians. One of them realized a witnessing opportunity, and with the help of a translator he shared the gospel stories of Jesus using the pictures on his Evangel-Cube. One Haitian man said he was a baptized believer and expressed a desire to be able to share the Jesus story with other Haitians. The Evangel-Cube was given to the young man and the team prayed for God to bless his sharing and to give him the words to bring others to faith in Christ. A wonderful discussion followed. One Haitian asked the Christian workers, “Do you help only the Christians or do you help those who don't know Christ yet?” They were told that they helped anyone in need. When the volunteers asked what their needs were, they said they needed a medical clinic. At that exact moment the bus “hummed to life” and the group was told to get back on the bus. Only God could have arranged this unexpected gathering for this need to be made known. A medical team is scheduled to arrive next week; their place of ministry now assigned! Pray for God's direction as IMB workers determine where the clinic can be set up. Could this be a potential place for starting a new church? Intercede for IMB workers to have God’s wisdom and discernment as they go about His work each day. Pray that God will be glorified through every word and every deed.

“Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear.” (Isaiah 64:24, NIV)

Charlotte Davis
Stateside Prayer Advocate for Haiti
praying4haiti@mail.com

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

05-10-2010
I had hoped we could have Internet by now - well, maybe this week. Thanks for the birthday wishes and the Mother's Day wishes. A team bought a cake for my birthday. We drove to Jimani for Mother's Day, trying to get a generator for Cazeau. Should be able to cross back later today if all goes well. We're paying big bucks just for the crossing of the generator, but it is badly needed.

My computer is acting sick. We are still trying to get the house next door to the annex. We will be focusing on cleaning up rubble and building some one room starter houses that can be added to as people are able. It rains most nights, which makes tent city living difficult. The rain cools it down some at night, but then makes it more humid during the hot days. Also, rapes are a big problem in the tent cities, as well as sanitation. There are many people who have turned to the Lord, so God has used a really ugly thing to make something lovely in changed lives. I would write more, but it has taken three days to get this much written with computer problems and Internet problems. Please continue with your prayers for Haiti, its people and the workers!

Please find two additional letters below.
Sam and Delores York
Phil. 4:13
Southern Baptist Missionaries working with Haitians

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Sent: Sun, May 9, 2010 2:04 PM
Dear Faithful Prayer Partners,

Thank you for praying for the pastoral counseling team as they met May 4-6 with nearly 100 Haitian pastors and lay leaders in three locations with earthquake destruction. These key leaders were led in a series of sessions to help them process their individual trauma and stress, and they received workshop training to equip them to minister to their church members and people in their communities who experience post-traumatic stress syndrome. These leaders asked "If God loves us, why did God let this happen? "Why did God not keep this from being so bad? Through open discussions and counseling, they came to understand that "We can focus on what we see around us or we can focus on Jesus Christ and who we are in Him in site of our circumstances and this will give us hope." The leaders were encouraged to focus on biblical counseling to help others to come to understand that God knows their fears and will give them hope. At the end of the week, the comment heard over and over was their appreciation that the counselors confirmed their devastating situations and without minimizing their fears offered a biblical perspective of a powerful God who sees their suffering and is able to bring healing. The open and honest dialogue prepared the Haitian leaders to begin their ministry. Pray for them as they continue to healing process. Intercede for them to be empowered by God’s Spirit to help others in the same way they received help (2 Corinthians 1:3-4, NIV).

Many volunteers in recent weeks have expressed similar emotions and feelings about Haiti: "I have been around the world (or in many places) and I have never seen or experienced a situation like I have experienced in Haiti." Pray for volunteers to be physically and emotionally strengthened by the Lord as they work and come face-to-face with unbelievable situations.

Before the earthquake there was 80% unemployment in Port-au-Prince. It is now being reported that since the earthquake unemployment has risen to 90%. There remains an urgency to pray and serve with compassion. On May 7th, CNN reported the death of a 15 year-old Haitian from diphtheria. With unprecedented numbers living in tent cities and impoverished conditions, newscasters and relief workers express concerns that an epidemic of this nature could cause massive deaths. Pray for relief workers as they plan a strategy to protect the millions from this highly contagious and deadly disease.

Please pray for important meetings scheduled with officials this week. Ask God to guide discussions and provide answers as new strategies for ministries are pursued. Pray for His perfect will to be done.

Charlotte Davis
Stateside Prayer Advocate for Haiti

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Sent: Sun, May 9, 2010 5:53 am
Greetings to all,

I wanted to write quickly while my feelings were still fresh, but this week has passed quickly since my return from Haiti on April 30th. Last Sunday, the International Christian Fellowship where I pastor had a wonderful day of worship on the beautiful grounds of the Betenbough building (here in Lubbock). We worshipped, baptized a young lady from Ivory Coast and a young man from Oregon, and ate a delicious meal. What could be better?

I talked to the Lubbock pastors on Monday noon about Haiti, then later that same day, both Judy and I shared at the Senior Adult camp about Guadeloupe and Haiti. Since we are seniors ourselves (me more than Judy), we stayed with them for the 4-day camp, before I went to Roswell for a couple of days with my mom who is in a care home there.

But my feelings are still very real on the subject of Haiti. I am grateful for your prayers, having been in some rather dangerous situations, mostly due to traffic. A journeyman and I were in heavy traffic when there were gunshots very close to us. Needless to say, we left that area as quickly as possible, which was not quickly enough in that traffic! I felt God's presence in spite of the heat, humidity, mosquitoes, lack of water, noise, etc. I sat in a symphony performance in Lubbock on the evening after my return, and marveled at the clash of two cultures, even two worlds. But even more so, I felt the contrast in Haiti between the hopelessness of the devastation and suffering and the hope that I witnessed in worship with a church, and in conversations with pastors. Hearing them tell of the people who have come to Christ, how their attendance has doubled since January, was like a light in the darkness around me. I did a lot of translating for other team members, and was able to communicate in French with the pastors, while getting along quite well in Creole with others. It was good to be in a French-speaking situation again.

Our emphasis now will be building small houses for those who lost all. Food, water and clothing needs are less obvious now, but the need for shelter is overwhelming. I may return in June to translate for a Tennessee team who will be doing a partnership with a church there in building houses, and I will definitely be leading Lubbock Baptists in such endeavors.

I will be grateful for your prayers as we move forward, and I will keep you posted on future opportunities for praying for Haiti.

Al Gary
Pastor

Saturday, April 17, 2010

We are stretched beyond belief.

Prayer Partners, please read the following e-mail from Charlotte Davis. She has eloquently and accurately put into words Haiti, as it is today. Please direct your prayers accordingly.


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“Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet My unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed.” says the Lord, Who has compassion on you. (Isaiah 54:10 NIV)

Dear Faithful Prayer Partners,

It has now been three months since the earthquake of January 12th struck the Caribbean nation of Haiti bringing indescribable destruction and loss of lives. The devastation was so catastrophic that if you were to go there today you would most likely ask, “What, if anything, has been done?” when in fact, untold thousands of volunteers have responded with humanitarian efforts to preserve lives and to restore some normalcy to daily living. The rescue and recovery aid of Southern Baptists, through the coordination of the International Mission Board representatives and in partnership with Global Baptist Response, have provided water, food, tents, medical teams, and teams for clean-up of debris at house and church building sites. These efforts have connected caring people to people who are hurting. For most of the Haitian people, life will never be the way they once knew it.

Thank you for your fervent prayers for the healing of this nation and for those who are working on-site week after week. Through your intercession, God is providing, strengthening, enabling, and multiplying Himself, over and over through His ministering and committed laborers. Please continue to pray for the physical and spiritual restoration of the Haitian people.

More than 5,000 prisoners escaped their cells following the earthquake. This has resulted in many unsafe communities. In one of these communities, Pastor R is organizing his small Baptist congregation in a ministry to children where many homes were damaged or destroyed. His church is providing a hot meal to 300 children, ages 18 months to 17 years, each day. This ministry will be greatly enhanced with the provision of cooking stoves, propane gas, and cooking utensils provided by Southern Baptists. UNICEF has provided tents the church uses to shelter the children from the intense sun during the day.

Pray for Pastor R and the congregation as they give sacrificially to help those in their community when many of them are also in dire circumstances. Thank God for this compassionate pastor and church. As you are eating your noon meal each day, pray for the children who are being served a hot meal. Pray that they will also receive spiritual nourishment that will reach far into the lives of their families.

Pray for the physical safety and emotional stamina for volunteer teams as they serve in Haiti this week in difficult circumstances with intense heat and humidity. Pray that through their work, their deep, abiding love for Jesus Christ will be evident and their witness received by those whose hearts are searching for eternal hope.
Please remember to intercede for missionary Peggy Rutledge as she has breast cancer surgery today (April 13) asking the Great Physician to provide her physical healing and health.

Trusting the Heavenly Father in all these concerns,
Charlotte Davis
Stateside Prayer Advocate for Haiti
praying4haiti@mail.com

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Thank you all for continuing to pray, even when you haven't heard from us. We are now living in Cazeau and are very busy. At first it was just getting a spot livable and now we are busy with teams. When we drive through the different aresa it can be overwhelming to think what has happened and what needs to be done. But working in a community, we can make a difference one on one.

We were at the airport this week and a young boy was begging, as so many people do. We had nothing for him at the moment. As we drove off, he looked into the vehicle and pointed at each of us individually, saying, "You have forgotten me. You have forgotten me. You have forgotten me." It broke my heart, because it can be so easy to get on to the next item. Life goes on. We don't have enough for everyone who wants and needs. As you drive through neighborhoods you see homemade signs saying, "We need food, We need water. We need tents." Even as your life goes on, please, remember to pray for Haitians who continue to have difficulties.

In clinics we have seen everything from Typhoid Fever to dehydration to undiagnosed fractured skulls to post traumatic stress from the earthquake. Mosquitos are everywhere. Sanitation problems are rampant. Crowding and stress abound. Many people are just putting one foot in front of the other - just trying to keep living. Pray for the physical needs.

Hearts are more open to Christ right now than we have ever seen before. Pray for us to always remember that we must take time for the spiritual needs while hearts are still tender.

We do not have Internet yet, so if you need to get in touch with us, contact someone else with the IMB who can contact us. Pray for wisdom, stamina, and for leading of the Holy Spirit. May God be glorified in all we say and do. Pray that we will decrease as the Lord increases.