Joy House at last

The team has arrived at Joy House after a very long day of traveling. It was a rough trip in many ways...rough roads to travel, rough travels through Port-au-Prince, and then the emotional roughness of the devastation. They would see areas where all buildings were leveled and then a few small areas where some buildings were still standing...but then right back into another area where every building was down. The Gressier area has also had a lot of damage. Most of the homes and buildings around Joy House are down. The team is very tired but all are doing well. Pray for them as they have a lot of hard work ahead of them over the next few days. They still have to check on the well to determine if it has been damaged and then begin repairing the major damage on the building and securing the compound. It was difficult to accomplish things under normal circumstances before, but now it is so much more difficult due to limited resources and the challenges in travel and communication. The two bags that were missing on their flight...never made it to them before they left this morning, so they are unsure of what has happened to them. Pray that they will be able to get them because every bag had much needed supplies. Pray the team will be able to get some good rest tonight...I could hear the rooster crowing as I talked to John...so pray the rooster will sleep, so the team can sleep.
Kay

Almost there!

I just talked to John and they made it to Santo Domingo. They had to wait for an open gate and had only two bags that did not arrive on their flight. The airline did confirm that they were on the midnight flight and that they would be delivered to them as soon as they arrive. They will have a few short hours at a hotel before they leave for Haiti. The plan is to leave at 5:30am (4:30 central time) and drive to Gressier. It is estimated to take 8-10 hours to get across the mountains, through Port-au-Prince and on out to Gressier. Keep praying...they are almost there! Another road trip, but this time without the snow.
Kay

On their way

The team made it to Dalls without any issues on the roads. Thank you everyone for praying. I talked to John at 11:30am and they were on the plane and ready to take off on time. Continue to pray for strength for each of them as they are tired from traveling through the night. Pray also for all their luggage to make it to Santo Domingo. I will send an update tonight if I am able to hear from them after they arrive there.
Kay

The challenges have only just begun

It is safe to say that a major winter storm was not in our plans, but it quickly became part of our plan and one of the challenges for the team preparing to go to Haiti. The airport here in NW Arkansas was pretty much shut down today and the word from the airline was that it was very questionable as to whether the morning flights on Saturday would be a go. With all of that in mind, we had to quickly decide…do we wait, or do we find another way to get to Haiti as scheduled. This is where we need everyone praying tonight (Friday into the early hours of Saturday) because Joe, Norma, Wayne and John are driving to Dallas to catch their second leg of the trip which is scheduled to leave at 11:30am Saturday morning. Pray for their safety on snow-covered roads and for God's hand of protection on them over the next two weeks of many challenges ahead. Pray for each of them as they see the devastation and for God's peace and comfort through the impact that it will have on them. Pray that they will be an encouragement to the Joy House team during this extremely difficult time in their lives. And, pray for those that they will encounter along the way who need Jesus. I will send updates as I am able to get word from them over the next few weeks.
Thanks a bunch for all your prayers!
Kay

Haiti Update - January 25th

Please pray for the team of 6 people who will depart this coming Saturday morning for Haiti. We will fly into Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, purchase building materials, water, food, etc, then drive to Haiti. The team will be Joe and Norma Patterson, their daughter Sherry Bass, Wayne Ford, John Rodgers, and Doug Sarver. The primary focus will be to repair Joy House to a safe and usable level which is estimated to take at least a full week. Our water source is a well on the Joy House property. Please pray the well has not sustained damage and will function to provide water needed to take care of a team.

Once we have completed repairs to the building, confirmed the well is usable, and have a secure compound, we will begin the process of forming teams and determine a timeline for those teams to begin going in. The four areas of ministry which we will be focusing on are: 1. Construction - Rebuilding Joy House, Churches and homes in the community, 2. Medical - helping to provide medical care to the area surrounding Joy House, 3. Physical needs - providing food, clean water, clothing, etc., 4. Sharing the Gospel at every opportunity. Those who have expressed an interest in going will be contacted soon to determine their availability.

We received word that Sue Witt was in Haiti when the earthquake hit and returned to the states soon after. She and all the children which were living with her are ok. Some of the children have been allowed to enter the U.S. if they were in the process of being adopted but did not have their U.S. visa. We do not know which of the kids were allowed to come.

As for Daniel, we still have not received any news regarding his whereabouts. We have sent an email to the organization which he works for in Haiti but have not received a reply. Keep praying for Daniel and his safety.

Reminder: Donations can be taken to Grace Point between 8:30 and 4:30 Mon. thru Thurs. and during service times on Sunday. We will continue taking donations over the next several weeks. The items which have been donated so far are being sorted and most of it will be packed and taken with the team that leaves this Saturday.

John & Kay