Building in Haiti...relationships


This is Bud on the right (with the new beard) along with Pastor Charlie (in the middle) and a several new friends in the World Vision food warehouse. Bud often prays, "give me favor with God and men". I know God's blessing has been upon the many who are working tirelessly in Haiti.


Somehow, someway, Bud just emailed me from Haiti.

"Transported people to various hospitals. worked in clinic, built shelves, repaired internet."  3:10 pm

"We have seen around 700 more people today. Took food to over 1500 yesterday.  UN bringing us a big tent because we are running out of space.
Will send short notes because internet is very shaky."  3:25 pm



"We have in the medical area major and minor surgery, broken bones, respiratory problems. Orphans running everywhere. Don't if parents are dead or alive." 

BACK INTO HAITI


I picked up the medical team late last night at the airport and brought them to our house.  The convoy Bud is working with was delayed, so they did not leave Santo Domingo until 7:30 AM this morning.  They are headed into Port-au-Prince today to meet up with Dr. Abner.


This is the triage that is set up on the sidewalk with meds in suitcases.  Tarps overhead give some protection from the sun.  Park benches are used for those who wait. Hotel pool lounge chairs have become the medical examining/treatment tables and at night, Bud says they are quite comfortable to sleep on.


Sheets give shelter  for the supplies and flashlights help find the needed items.  Some tents are starting to show up.  Tents are really needed for the number of people here without homes, volunteers, rescue and security.  Bud and I searched the stores here in Santo Dominigo and we could not find a tent or a tarp.  We have seen so many International organizations in the stores buying supplies to help as well, I hope the stores can restock soon. Bud is staying 8 days this time and is using our truck within the city to shift people and supplies to areas they are most needed.  He assists in triage as well and comforts those who mourn and are broken...and broken-hearted.

Heartache, Help, Hope for Haiti

These days are still about life and death, tragedy and miracles.  Bud told me about a 22 day old baby that was brought into the medical tent and had just been dug out of the rubble...alive!  Rescue crews went back to the site where she was found and continued digging in the concrete and found the mom... alive!  They were treated in the medical tent and then taken to Jimani, Dominican Republic, to a hospital there.

 The little girl's in the fotos were treated at the medical tent....broken bones, burns, gashes. I wept over the fotos, Bud was there, praying.                     Abner was there, healing. God is there, giving hope.
"Now, O God, strengthen my hands." Nehemiah 6:9

The burns are from the heat and pressure of the concrete on this little girl's back.  When her blouse came off, so did the skin.  The greater concern is trying to keep wounds clean and infection free.

Bud was helping all over the city this time and making contacts that we can continue to help in the future.
"Whoever receives a little child in MY name receives ME." Matthew 18:5

New 6.1 Earthquake hits Haiti this morning


Bud arrived home late last night.  The truck needs some work....air filter, air cond. repair, oil change.  Bud said Port-au-Prince reminds him of the images of NY's cloud of dust after the towers went down.  There is a constant film of cement dust through the city and smoke due to fires.
Group foto: Bud and Abner in the back in blue with National Police and medical workers.

The missionaries in and around Santo Domingo are meeting tonight to coordinate our efforts of relief, medical/meds, food/water, clothing/sheets, shelter, and basics.  An incredible amount of help is coming in overland from the Domincan Republic route, due to the limited access in Haiti via air/sea.

[left foto]  The front of the orphanage wall where Abner grew up....."for such a time as this." Esther 4:14


200,000


A girl carries her sister in a refugee camp, where at least 50,000 people are staying, on the golf course.
 
I expect to hear from Bud today.  It's been one week today that the earthquake shook this island. 
 
I had 98 emails and no idea how many phone calls yesterday....concerned people, as well as co-ordinating more efforts to feed and get meds, etc. here. We are working with MVI, other missionaries, and churches....they are collecting clothes, sheets and  food for us to take back.  We will need to buy meds, wound care, gas and supplies.  We are very thankful that God's people are all working together to help. 
 

Most people said they hope they'll return to Port-au-Prince, a rundown city packed with slums and shanties where life already was exceedingly difficult for most people before the quake. Some officials estimate 200,000 people perished and 1.5 million are homeless.

A woman leaving the city said,
"It's become insanely expensive," she shouted amid the animated crowd, saying the one-way fare had nearly doubled to the equivalent of US$7.70 — more than three days' income for most Haitians.

Saint-Julien, the driver of a bus he'd named "Saint Yves" in bright, painted lettering, said he had no choice but to jack up his prices.
"It's not my fault, gas has doubled" because of shortages, said Saint-Julien, who is now paying US$50 to fill his tank.  (J. M. Katz)



 Desie Ulachine, 7, at a hospital in Port-au-Prince, January 18, 2010. The pace of food and medical aid deliveries picked up in earthquake-shattered Haiti, providing some hope to desperate survivors, but doctors worried disease would be the next big challenge for the tens of thousands left injured and homeless a week ago.  (Reuters)

The medical diagnosis of an earthquake victim is written on a  piece of paper on his chest.

Two girls share a plate of food at a tent city at the Petionville Club, at *Delma 40B, in Port Au Prince. (AP)

*Delma is the area where Abner's aunt lives.  She is fine, her house is standing.  Abner will stay to work in the medical field.

Haiti's tent city of sheets

msnbc.com fotos
"A mass of people are fleeing Port-au-Prince.  People are being tended for medical needs all along the way from the capital to the D.R. border. The capital is like a war zone." This is from our missionary friend, Miguel.  He was coming out of Haiti, as Bud was going in. 


The heartbreak in Haiti is beyond imagination.  While it is a time of uncertainty there, I'm glad to know that Abner, who is a gifted doctor, is there helping....that my husband, Bud, is there to give physical, emotional  and spiritual help to a hurting nation.  This is what God commanded us...we love Him, we love others.

Crossing the frontier

Bud called when they crossed into Haiti today.  That was the end of our communication for now.  It was a safe and non-eventful trip from the capital.  They met up with World Vision in the town of Jimani and were being escorted by them to Port-au-Prince. Safety in numbers and we are all one in Christ!  Please pray for the Lord's direction for where to help...where to begin....where to return.

sun-sentinel.com


2:30 a.m. Bud and Dr. Abner on their way!


Our truck is packed and headed to our pastor's to pick up cases of water and more supplies....it's 2:30 AM and Bud and Abner are heading into Haiti today.  There was an issue with the big truck that is transporting the bulk of the supplies, so we had a one day delay.  They bought sleeping bags and necessary items for the trip into Haiti.  Bud packed his power tools (battery run) as they are still first responders and hope for this to be a rescue, recovery and care to the wounded.   One of Bud's favorite scripture is,  "He who is gracious to the poor lends to the Lord." Proverbs 19
If you are lending to the Lord.....then it is HE who will repay you!  Awesome! 
Please consider a donation at this time as much of the main help to Haiti is overland via the Dominican Republic.  Bud will be gone 5 days, return, restock supplies and go back.
The Lord is our Hope. Our strength. Our strong tower.

"GO and DO likewise."

Thank you for your many prayers for our neighbors in Haiti.  "Who is my neighbor?....The one who showed mercy...Go and do likewise."    Luke 10:29-37



(AP Photo/Gregory Bull)                    (AP Photo/Ricardo Arduengo)

Relief supplies such as gloves, surgical masks, blankets, pain meds, wound care kits, mosquito nets and cases of bottled water are being loaded in our truck today. I've packed first aid kits and stuffed Bud's backpack with supplies as well. Bud is driving into Haiti tomorrow with a few of the Santo Domingo YWAM staff and Abner, the Haitian doctor that lives with us.  Abner left at 6 AM this morning to fly into Haiti with some other workers, but is still on standby at the airport.  So unless God has something else in mind, Abner will be traveling with Bud tomorrow.

Pray for their safety, God's direction and the Spirit of the Lord to move among the broken hearted and comfort them as only the LOVE of God is able to do.

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because the Lord has anointed me, TO BRING GOOD NEWS to the afflicted...bind up the brokenhearted....comfort all who mourn"......  Isaiah 61

For those who would like to join our efforts, please continue in prayer and to help in funding our response here on the ground.  ~ Missionary Ventures International, PO Box 593550, Orlando, FL 32859
(Attn: Bud/Karen Simon-Domincan Republic)
Love, Love, Love
~ karen y bud

AP Foto/Radio Tele Ginen

Earthquake 7.0 Port-au-Prince, Haiti




An earthquake registering 7.0 on the Richter scale, with the epicenter located 15kms south of the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince, was felt at 5:54pm DR time in the southern, southwestern, central and northern parts of the Dominican Republic yesterday. It was preceded by a 5.9 earthquake at 5:53pm and followed by 33 aftershocks, including 9 ranging from 5 to 5.5.


In Haiti, thousands of people are said to have been killed and damage is estimated in the billions. In the DR, the earthquake caused no material damage or deaths, according to an assessment by the Dominican government and its emergency assistance teams. Nevertheless, the Emergency Operations Center (COE) did issue a preventive tsunami watch for coastal areas shortly after the earthquake, but this was later lifted.
 
THANK YOU for your love, prayers and many offers of help.   We will stay in touch as to how to help.