Letter about the 2010 Earthquake

Dear Friends of Haiti,

We wanted to send out some official information on behalf of the Haiti Mission Project because we know you all care for the people of Haiti and are probably wondering what's going on there.

As some of you may know, Joanna Thiele, a HMP board member has been in Haiti since November. We were able to receive contact from her last night via the internet and over the telephone. She tells us that she is ok physically, but we continue to pray for her strength, courage, and a peace that passes all understanding during this difficult time. She is staying with a missionary family that has lived in Haiti for many years. Please continue to remember Joanna and all those serving in Port Au Prince at this time.

The news from Port Au Prince isn't very pretty. If you've seen the television lately you've likely seen pictures of demolished buildings and people in the streets. Telephones and electricity are still down and in a country already filled with homelessness, even more people are now sleeping in the streets.

The HMP mission trip scheduled to leave tomorrow (January 14) has been postponed. American Airlines is not is not flying in and we have heard from other sources (not from Gertrude herself) that the guesthouse has been leveled in the earthquake.

Here's what we can tell you at this point...

We've heard that Gertrude and Patrick are ok. Also we've heard that Notre Maison is ok. We've heard that Pastor Louis and family are ok.

Here's what we don't know...

We've heard that there is some level of damage at the church on Delmas where we sometimes worship, we don't know to what extent. We haven't heard anything from Lilavois (the site of the big orphanage we've been building.)

We have no idea how deep the damage runs and how many people have been injured. We have no idea how long this recovery will take, but we anticipate a significant amount of time will be needed to rebuild, but we stand ready for action.

The HMP plans to gather as much information about the situation in the coming days and decide how soon we can get in and where we will be most helpful. We understand that all of you are invested in this tragedy and we wanted to give you an opportunity to gather information and find out what avenue will help you take action.

HMP WEBSITE

We will be posting all of our updates and information as we get it from our website. Please keep checking back to find out about our next trips, financial contributions and ministries that are providing emergency aid.

CURRENT INFORMATION

If you haven't been receiving Joanna's emails, you can keep up to date about her at www.lovingonemore.com. She has not posted anything in the last 24 hours, but when she is able to get online, she will surely post something.

A great website from a family of missionaries in Haiti that are doing an excellent job of posting front line news is the Livesay family. Their family blog is www.livesay.blogspot.com

HOW CAN I HELP?

Short-term emergency aid should go directly to any of the following organizations. The mission of these organizations is to get in right away and provide what people need immediately after a disaster. Your money will be used in a powerful way. If you don't know, Haiti possesses no infrastructure to deal with this kind of emergency, so they are left completely in the hands of outside sources. Here are some places where you can help.
The HMP will gladly accept financial donations and put them to use in the relief efforts currently underway.
Non-perishable items will of course bring relief and are needed. If you would like to hold a drive in your congregation, school or place of work, we will take whatever you can donate. We have included a list of items that will be most helpful. PLEASE NOTE that money is the primary need, but anything that can be given will be used.
Prayer is our strongest gift right now. We have also included a list of things for which you can pray specifically. If you can organize a prayer vigil or meeting in your church, please print this list and pass it out to those in attendance. Even when the news stops reporting this disaster, please don't stop praying. Long after CNN is done covering this story the people of Haiti will still need our support and love.
Feed My Starving Children has many slots open for packing food right now and their focus is solely on bringing emergency relief into Haiti. They take financial donations, but organizing a group and taking people to help pack food that will immediately be sent over is a great way to spend an afternoon or evening.

Please don't hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns. We would also ask that you pass this along to anyone who has supported you in the past and will want to know how to help. We are all in this together and this is our time to rise and help our fellow man who has suffered greatly. Please work with us, please pray with us.

The Haiti Mission Project
Danielle Tietjen - danielle.tietjen@gmail.com
Rachel Ehrhard - rachelehrhard@gmail.com
Lindsey Burken
Andy Jolivette
Joanna Thiele

Click here for a list of prayer requests.


Home Who We Are 2009/10 Trips Walk for Haiti Benefit CD Resources Support Us Earthquake Earthquake Prayer Requests About Us Earthquake Relief Fundraiser Photos Earthquake Dear Friends of Haiti, We wanted to send out some official information on behalf of the Haiti Mission Project because we know you all care for the people of Haiti and are probably wondering what's going on there. As some of you may know, Joanna Thiele, a HMP board member has been in Haiti since November. We were able to receive contact from her last night via the internet and over the telephone. She tells us that she is ok physically, but we continue to pray for her strength, courage, and a peace that passes all understanding during this difficult time. She is staying with a missionary family that has lived in Haiti for many years. Please continue to remember Joanna and all those serving in Port Au Prince at this time. The news from Port Au Prince isn't very pretty. If you've seen the television lately you've likely seen pictures of demolished buildings and people in the streets. Telephones and electricity are still down and in a country already filled with homelessness, even more people are now sleeping in the streets. The HMP mission trip scheduled to leave tomorrow (January 14) has been postponed. American Airlines is not is not flying in and we have heard from other sources (not from Gertrude herself) that the guesthouse has been leveled in the earthquake. Here's what we can tell you at this point... We've heard that Gertrude and Patrick are ok. Also we've heard that Notre Maison is ok. We've heard that Pastor Louis and family are ok. Here's what we don't know... We've heard that there is some level of damage at the church on Delmas where we sometimes worship, we don't know to what extent. We haven't heard anything from Lilavois (the site of the big orphanage we've been building.) We have no idea how deep the damage runs and how many people have been injured. We have no idea how long this recovery will take, but we anticipate a significant amount of time will be needed to rebuild, but we stand ready for action. The HMP plans to gather as much information about the situation in the coming days and decide how soon we can get in and where we will be most helpful. We understand that all of you are invested in this tragedy and we wanted to give you an opportunity to gather information and find out what avenue will help you take action. HMP WEBSITE We will be posting all of our updates and information as we get it from our website. Please keep checking back to find out about our next trips, financial contributions and ministries that are providing emergency aid. CURRENT INFORMATION If you haven't been receiving Joanna's emails, you can keep up to date about her at www.lovingonemore.com. She has not posted anything in the last 24 hours, but when she is able to get online, she will surely post something. A great website from a family of missionaries in Haiti that are doing an excellent job of posting front line news is the Livesay family. Their family blog is www.livesay.blogspot.com HOW CAN I HELP? Short-term emergency aid should go directly to any of the following organizations. The mission of these organizations is to get in right away and provide what people need immediately after a disaster. Your money will be used in a powerful way. If you don't know, Haiti possesses no infrastructure to deal with this kind of emergency, so they are left completely in the hands of outside sources. Here are some places where you can help. www.american.redcross.org www.supportunicef.org www.lwr.org www.world-relief.org www.haitilutheran.org The HMP will gladly accept financial donations and put them to use in the relief efforts currently underway. Non-perishable items will of course bring relief and are needed. If you would like to hold a drive in your congregation, school or place of work, we will take whatever you can donate. We have included a list of items that will be most helpful. PLEASE NOTE that money is the primary need, but anything that can be given will be used. Prayer is our strongest gift right now. We have also included a list of things for which you can pray specifically. If you can organize a prayer vigil or meeting in your church, please print this list and pass it out to those in attendance. Even when the news stops reporting this disaster, please don't stop praying. Long after CNN is done covering this story the people of Haiti will still need our support and love. Feed My Starving Children has many slots open for packing food right now and their focus is solely on bringing emergency relief into Haiti. They take financial donations, but organizing a group and taking people to help pack food that will immediately be sent over is a great way to spend an afternoon or evening. Please don't hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns. We would also ask that you pass this along to anyone who has supported you in the past and will want to know how to help. We are all in this together and this is our time to rise and help our fellow man who has suffered greatly. Please work with us, please pray with us. The Haiti Mission Project Danielle Tietjen - danielle.tietjen@gmail.com Rachel Ehrhard - rachelehrhard@gmail.com Lindsey Burken Andy Jolivette Joanna Thiele Click here for a list of prayer requests.