Detailed Report From Haiti

2.2.10

Brothers Guy Berthiaume and René Dupuis, VGR representatives now on the ground in Haiti, have sent in a detailed report of the first few days of their work. Today, they are working on acquiring shelter for the believers, as the rainy season is about to begin. This is a summary of their report.

Nothing can explain what we saw when we arrived. Piles of concrete everywhere, hundreds of buildings down with many people still inside. Driving on the roads of Port-au-Prince, we face a reality that even the most realistic photos cannot show. You must be there to feel the sorrows and agony of the situation. In the ruins, there are still hundreds of human beings dead and decomposing. The air is contaminated, putrid, mixed with dust, smells, and carbon monoxide, but however, even with all the other things we are witnesses of, we are grateful for the Amazing Grace of our Lord for His people. In fact, in a city where almost 10% of the population passed away, only a few Christians of this Message went home. For example, in our Bro. Guy Lamothe’s church, with more than 2,000 believers located in one of the most destroyed areas, only 16 official deaths were counted, however, there are still a few missing.

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We drove by the National palace, the Mars Field, a wonderful park where fountains throw water in the air. It has now been transformed into a pile of hanging canvas and tents sheltering homeless people. What was yesterday the pride of Port-au-Prince is now most likely a refugee camp. The lack of sanitary facilities makes breathing almost unbearable.

Every survivor of the earthquake has their own testimony of these terrible tremors, which actually only lasted for 35 seconds. They all speak with so much emotion that the hardest heart would be touched.

We spent the afternoon on Saturday at the UN base by the airport. It is a long process, but we made it to the right place and ordered tents and other supplies through the UN, but we are also trying to purchase tents right now. We are trying to get generators as well.

Here are a few specifics for the relief effort:

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The approach must be discreet. The idea of establishing a distribution center, either by zone or central location, is dangerous and puts the brothers at risk.

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When people see that you have food in storage, they will conclude that you got it from international support and won't consider it your own. Trouble, stealing, and violence will emerge.

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They also can, on their own, get some supplies from the international support. However, even with such support, richer people get the advantage.

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Medical assistance is free and easily available at the moment. Some first-aid kits might be useful, but this is not a priority for them right now.

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The west part of Haiti is greatly damaged. They are not allowed by law to stay under their roof for risk it may fall down.

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The brothers have already started to establish some "Message Lodging Centers," grouping the believers without homes in shelters. For example, Bro. Guy Lamothe's church is used as one of them. However, this is open space and some unbelievers are around as well. This is another reason why we need to be discreet with our distribution, as we will put the people at risk with storing too much food. We thought of using Bro. Conserve's place as a central storage but that put him at risk as well.

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URGENT NEEDS ARE TENTS as the rainy season is coming any time now. We're trying to find some right now. Bro. Tannis has some tarps that can be used as covers as well.

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Big tanks of water of 3,000 gallons are needed. Those are expensive, $600-$700 US. The brothers will look into smaller tanks, easier and safer to move around.

Brother Guy Berthiaume

Of special note, the brothers brought with them copies of the new Conduct Order and Doctrine book in French. The Haitian believers are the first to receive this newly translated book.

For those who would like to follow the updates for Haiti, we have built a page that will be updated regularly, as we receive information. The link is located at the bottom of the main webpage and is titled, “Haiti.” The larger reports will still be posted on the main webpage. We have also received numerous questions on how to donate to the relief effort, so we will include a simple link for donations on the updated page.

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›	The approach must be discreet. The idea of establishing a distribution center, either by zone or central location, is dangerous and puts the brothers at risk.
›	When people see that you have food in storage, they will conclude that you got it from international support and won't consider it your own. Trouble, stealing, and violence will emerge.
›	They also can, on their own, get some supplies from the international support. However, even with such support, richer people get the advantage.
›	Medical assistance is free and easily available at the moment. Some first-aid kits might be useful, but this is not a priority for them right now.
›	The west part of Haiti is greatly damaged. They are not allowed by law to stay under their roof for risk it may fall down.
›	The brothers have already started to establish some "Message Lodging Centers," grouping the believers without homes in shelters. For example, Bro. Guy Lamothe's church is used as one of them. However, this is open space and some unbelievers are around as well. This is another reason why we need to be discreet with our distribution, as we will put the people at risk with storing too much food. We thought of using Bro. Conserve's place as a central storage but that put him at risk as well.
›	URGENT NEEDS ARE TENTS as the rainy season is coming any time now. We're trying to find some right now. Bro. Tannis has some tarps that can be used as covers as well.
›	Big tanks of water of 3,000 gallons are needed. Those are expensive, $600-$700 US. The brothers will look into smaller tanks, easier and safer to move around.