Calvary Chapel of Jonesboro

Haiti Update:  How God has Used the Earthquake for His Own Glory

Picture
Dear Calvary Chapel pastor brothers,

Last night I attended an Open house/reception at Calvary Chapel Appleton for Bastia and Betty Huguener ( Bastia is the pastor of Calvary Chapel Caneille, Haiti ).  Bastia and Betty gave a long update and told us all about how the church had formed there in Caneille, as well as how God had worked since the big earthquake in nearby Port au Prince.   I will try to tell you some of the highlights I recall from their presentation.

First of all, I thought it was interesting when they discussed how that after they had begun the church plant three years ago that they saw all of the needs there but had no means really to meet many of them.  They had no building, no funds, and few resources to minister to the people.  Then, they began to pray to God to do something powerful to allow them to be able to truly meet the demands and needs.  Bastia also said he had been praying for God to really show him how powerful He was.  Little did they know they way in which God would answer both of those prayers with such a powerful earthquake.  Bostia and Betty were in Port au Prince to celebrate their anniversary when the quake hit.  He was in a barber shop getting a hair cut and she was in a market buying some food.  All of a sudden all of the buildings in the city were brought down by the powerful shaking, and they both were miraculously spared in the buildings they were in.  Bastia said that the ceiling fell where he was at but stopped and rested just above his head, and then an opening appeared and he was able to climb out.  God had spared them and yet so many multitudes lost their lives.  He has a very hard time talking about the carnage he saw on that day.

Then, Bostia and Betty began talking about how suddenly they became famous because of how people all over the world found out about them and sent emails, letters, money for relief or came in mission’s groups.  They had been able to set up the tent camp to house the families that came to them for help, and they were able to setup a radio station which broadcasts God’s word and worship music 10 hours a day.  And, they were able to setup a school and found teachers, and, 125 or so are being schooled there today.  They were eventually able to put a security fence around the tent camp to keep thieves, criminals and animals out.  Initially, 87 people lived in the tent camp but now it is 62 men, women and children.  The church has been steadily growing also and they are now building a church building that will hold 500.  They now have about 250 attending church.

It was amazing to hear how that God has been working in their lives much like it shows us in the book of Acts.  People have been having dreams and visions, people have been getting saved on a regular basis, and God has now produced a great hunger for Him in the people’s lives around them.

They still have lots of needs, and here is what I remember from their talk:

1.      They need toilets because they have a toilet at the tent camp and one at the church building, but now both of them are full.  Someone has told them that they have a design idea that is high-tech and uses composting so that you can dig out the solid waste, the water soaks in, and the smell is gone.  Nothing has been implemented.  They desperately need this help.
2.      They need a better well for water as their’s is woefully inadequate and they now have to travel long distances to get a large amount of water, and then they bring it back and put it through a water purification system that someone has donated.  But, a well would help them tremendously.
3.      They would like to build quarters for the teams that want to come for short or long term missions projects.
4.      They need prayer for wisdom and guidance as to what to do for the people who are in the tent camp.  Where should these people who have nothing go, and how can they rebuild their lives?  Some have talked about providing some more permanent type of shelters for the people, but right now all they have is the tents.
5.      They would like to make the radio station broadcast 24/7 because many are listening on crank up/solar powered radios and people have requested 24/7 broadcasting.  But, they need help to accomplish this.  They are working very long hours daily as it is.
6.      They still need helpers for vacation Bible school type ministries, etc.

The city of Port au Prince is in rubbles and the entire infrastructure of that city is destroyed.  There still is really very little work being done there to rebuild it either.   The relief and rebuilding effort is only just beginning in that area.  I believe a CC is now being planted in Port Au Prince by CC Fort Lauderdale.  If you and/or your church feel led to help out in any way in these ministries, this will be a very fruitful and effective ministry that you will be involved in.

Well, that is as much as I remember that I thought was very pertinent.  If you would like to contact Bostia and Betty directly, they would love to talk with you.   Here is their email address:  cccgetsaved@yahoo.com

Haiti Relief Efforts

Picture
For the next couple of months, we will have stories of the Haiti earthquake, but from the perspective of what God did to protect His people, and what He is doing to help those who are struggling to recover from it.  If you would like to give toward Haiti relief - we will receive it in the offering box over the next several weeks.  Just mark your check "Haiti relief" and we will make sure that every penny given will be used to help existing Calvary Chapel churches in Haiti recover, and also use this opportunity to show the love of Christ through their efforts to help others around them as well.  The needs are tremendous - but then again so is our God. 

We've already heard from several missionaries in that region of God's powerful deliverance for many of His people.  We will share those stories as they become available.  We will also share stories of the need and how God is moving to meet it through the generosity of His people.  There will also be stories of how God has used this to give His people greater boldness in sharing Christ with the survivors. 

What you can do now is pray for the missionaries and for the saints in Haiti.  Take some time each day and pick one of these missionaries and pray for them.  Do this as a family - and maybe even consider how to do something that would allow you as a family to give to this effort to relieve the suffering and share the gospel in this devastated country!

Update from pastor Bastia and Betty

Picture
“As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me and every tongue shall confess to God.”  Romans 14:11

 Hi Everyone,

As all of you know already, it is a sad time for Haiti right now. Haiti is the poorest country in the Western hemisphere. Many have lost their homes, belongings, and worst of all, family and loved ones. Loved ones have no idea where their loved ones are – if they are alive or dead, or trapped under a structure where they may never be able to be retrieved. In Caneille where we live, and Hinche the next biggest city, there are many who have lost loved ones in the earthquake. One of our teachers got word from his brother that one of his brothers died along with a number of cousins.  Another teacher is crying continuously as her daughter lives in PAP and there is no way of having communication to know if she is dead or alive.  There are many also who have found out that their parent, brother; sister, or other friend or relative was killed in the quake. Many also are injured.

We were in PAP during the time of the earthquake to celebrate our wedding anniversary. The story of how God miraculously protected and delivered us can be found on our website:  www.cccaneille.org  We continue to thank and praise God for His sovereignty and divine intervention.  

Many dead bodies remain on the streets in Port au Prince and the stench is increased by the hot sun. The few hospitals that remain functional in PAP are full.  Injured are being sent out to hospitals in the various provinces which include Hinche, Cange, and Thomassique. It will take a long time before Haiti can come back to its feet again. PAP is the capital and most of the important buildings collapsed. Schools, churches, hospitals, insurance buildings, United Nations, government offices, police headquarters, and even Parliament itself have crumbled. Those who are usually the organizers and helpers in a crisis such as this are themselves maimed, immobilized, or dead. The buildings which have been destroyed housed many records and important documents which are now forever lost. Inability to have communication is an ongoing frustration which can’t be described as many frantically plea to hear word of their loved ones.

As we write this, people in PAP are trying to return to their provinces. This morning, we rented a large bus which went from Hinche to PAP to pick up people that are originally from the Hinche area and would like to return but have no way of getting there. There is a public station for Hinche in PAP where many are waiting to come to the Hinche area but have no money or means to get back to Hinche. We are also checking on how we can send a truckload of water from Hinche to PAP for the surviving victims.

How to Help
Continued prayer for all those affected is first and foremost. All of Haiti is impacted in some way. Food staple prices have already begun to escalate and it is anticipated that the cost of food, gas, and other supplies will skyrocket as well as being scarce. As Christians, we praise the Lord that we are saved through the blood of Jesus Christ and have an eternal hope.  We need not be afraid of death for He has overcome its sting. Statistics indicate that about 90% of Haitians are involved in voodoo in some way. Voodoo was legalized as the official national religion by ex-president Aristide. We pray that the Lord will use this present disaster as a way for people to see God’s power so they may know that He alone is worthy of praise. We pray that many will come to know Jesus Christ and accept Him as their personal Lord and Savior. Sunday afternoon, we will be giving an update to the local community of Caneille where we reside along with a strong Gospel message. The theme that will be shared by Bastia is: “Jesus Christ, the Savior of the World” with an emphasis on now being the time to make a decision for Jesus Christ. Caneille felt some gentle tremors, but no damage or injuries.  Many are not aware of the severity or severe consequences of the earthquake. 

Many have asked how you can help, how to send funds, etc. Thank you for thinking about all those impacted by the earthquake. We usually have money sent via MoneyGram or Fonkoze which is a financial institution a bit similar to a credit union in the United States. We are going to check in the next couple days where and how funds can be sent and will be passing this information on to you as soon as it is available. We need to check as everything originates form PAP and banks have literally tumbled and communication is cut. 

Funds received will be utilized to help the injured, the displaced, and families of loved ones affected by the earthquake. As of today, we are assisting by providing transportation to those displaced by the earthquake who are attempting to return to the Hinche and Caneille area. These people will need ongoing assistance for some time for needs of food, clothing, housing, etc.  We will be sharing more specifics in future updates.  

Thank you for the tremendous outpouring of prayers, love, and concern for us personally as well as for Haiti. We have read each and every one of the e-mails we have received.  Our desire is to help those affected and to keep you updated. Due to phone towers being down, our phone is non operational at this time. The best way to communicate is through e-mail as our Internet service is via satellite.  

By His Grace,         Pastor Bastia and Betty

Calvary Chapel Port-au-Prince

Picture
We have a story from Calvary Chapel Port-au-Prince where they have a church, school, and orphanage.  All three buildings were destroyed in the earthquake - but God was so gracious in that none of the children or staff were killed.  Please pray for them as they have cleared an area for the children to sleep.  They are currently sleeping on mats and blankets outside.  Also pray that they will be able to get water and food for themselves and for the children at the orphanage. 

Betty and Bastia - Calvary Chapel Hinche, Haiti

Picture
Bastia and I were both in Port au Prince when the earthquake took place. Bastia dropped me off at a grocery store to do some shopping while he and our friend TiJean went across the street to get their hair cut. Within 10 minutes of being in the grocery store, I felt the floor start to tremble. I remember thinking, “This feels like an earthquake, but Haiti doesn’t have earthquakes”. As I looked up, the ceiling tiles were trembling. Underneath me, the trembling increased where I could not stand, so I knelt down on the floor, covered my head, and prayed. The trembling increased and the lights went out.  It was pitch black everywhere.  I heard people screaming and the sound of people trying to run to get out of the building as ceiling tiles fell and things fell off the shelves.  All around me, I was aware that things were falling, but nothing touched me.   The tremors stopped, and the first thing I tried to do was try to call Bastia from my cell phone.  No answer, just a recorded message in Creole. Same thing the second attempt.  I was aware that there was a woman behind me.  “Are you OK?” I asked. “Yes”.  I said, “Don’t be afraid, Jesus is with us.”  I told her to follow me, and with the light of my cell phone, we carefully and slowly began crossing the debris to exit the building. As I exited, I looked everywhere for Bastia. And then, right there in front of me, there he was along with TiJean.  I cannot explain the relief and joy to see his face.

Bastia had a more harrowing experience.  It was a huge cement building and he and TiJean were sitting in the barber chairs when the tremors began.  TiJean fell on the way out, but got out before the building collapsed.  Bastia was not able to get out and a huge slab of cement fell down right above him and stopped right above his head.  I personally believe Gods’ angels were holding up the cement to not crush him.  He saw no way to get out, but then found a hole to crawl through and escaped.  This morning, when we drove by the same barber shop, it had totally collapsed, and Bastia would have died if that had happened while he was in the building. Once out, he and TiJean came immediately to find me. 

We are praising God continuously for His protection and deliverance. Thank you for all who pray for us. God has a plan and nothing will stop it. 

The situation in PAP is severe.  Many people are trapped in buildings of which almost all are made of cement.  This morning there were wounded, bleeding people everywhere, and dead people on the streets who were covered with a shirt or sheet. There was little vehicle traffic and literally thousands of people walked the streets looking at the damage and searching for their loved ones. 

One hospital was completely destroyed. We took a truckload of injured people to the hospital.  There was hardly a place left on the hospital grounds to even put them.  The hospital was full and there were no medical personnel seen outside. One beautiful young girl was dying before my very eyes as the young man with her looked at me and said, “She’s dying.”  There were cries and wails of pain everywhere. 

Schools throughout the entire country are closed till further notice.  The presidents’ house has been destroyed as well as the police station, hospital, schools, many businesses, homes,etc. 

No one here ever recalls Haiti having had a severe earthquake like this.  In Caneille and Hinche, light tremors were felt, but no damage. The light tremors hit Caneille and Hinche before PAP, and the people of Caneille said they were praying for us fervently and relentlessly.  

We arrived back in Hinche this afternoon and are trying to stock up on food, gas, and culligan water.  Everything originates from PAP and we expect prices to skyrocket and things to be unavailable.

Please continue to pray for us and Haiti, especially those impacted by the earthquake. God is sovereign, God is good, and He has a plan for each one.  We pray for many to be saved through this present affliction.  Thank you for your love and prayers.  We are living proof that they make a difference. To God be the glory! Sorry we are not able to respond to each one of you individually due to the overwhelming number of  e-mails we have received.  We are so blessed to be loved like that!

With grateful hearts,                     Betty and Bastia

Pastor Jay in Port-au-Prince

Picture
Beloved,
 
Yesterday was extremely stressed as we began to uncover debree and get reports of those who died. We have incurred great loss and my heart is heavy with grief. The father of my God child has died. Pastor Estins youngest son has died. Pastor Kenold's wife has died. Long time teacher Mr. Mark died...on and on.  Staff and friends are all burying their dead.
 
 I have a way to send out American staff today and will do so. I will stay until..... I could use 2-4 men to come in and labor in support. I must know them, they must be submitted and they must be able to tough it out with little to nothing..... Let me know....Please keep us in prayer.
 
At present we are coordinating with organizations to get relief on the ground. Very busy. Very overwhelming.  . The busy ness is intense but It does keep you from thinking on the negative and pushing to what God wants to do. We're now coming into the time where we will have no fuel, no water, no food, no electricity. People are starting to get restless. Pray we can find these essentials.  If any one has a handle on fuel from government recourses let me know.
 
I'm receiving many of your emails, be patient and will try to respond. 187 emails yesterday. For immediate help from the average person... Send a love offering to the office. We have massive rebuilding to do.This will all take time. I'm thank ful for the response we're getting but remember when the story goes cold on Fox and CNN, we'll still be here rebuilding.
 
Love you all,
Pastor Jay