Blogs from Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Central America Caribbean - page 10

Just came from church. Team voted to attend an English speaking church here. I actually was grateful, because the original job description had indicated I would be responsible for 4 worship services, which struck fear into my heart. Reprieved by God’s mercy! The church was within a compound about 20 minutes drive, named Port-au-Prince Fellowship. It is a small building with fans strategically placed around the room, mostly wooden benches and folding chairs set up in the very back. It was packed by the time the service started at 9:40 (a little late). Most of congregation was Haitian with a smattering of whites and our team of course. I had been filled in about the pastor last night by my roommate. She indicated he had come in the 80’s, a hippy from Boston, who intended to ... read more

additonal thoughts: I should probably tell everyone I am actually staying in a hotel called Coconut Villa. There are other international aid workers here in addition to the SA team. I have the room designated "Palace" as it is a little larger than the others and contains 2 beds. (tonight I will have a roommate as a lady arrives who is working with a children's home somewhere in Haiti. She will be traveling a lot. There is a very small refrigerator in the room to store bottled water. It actually freezes them, which isn't all bad, since by the time you want a drink, it's beginning to thaw and is ice cold. The dining room is open air...there are trees and palm trees and a small pool. Lest you think I am in the lap of ... read more

Now the Lord said to Abram, Go forth from your country, And from your relatives, And from your father's house, To the land which I will show you. Genesis 12:1 He did so, in obedience to his God. I feel as he must have then. God has issued this call to go to Haiti. I have been blessed by a dedication service at my church last Sunday, as well as a multitude of prayers from family and friends. I have spent this last week, gradually stripping away the external parts of 'Myrtle' to get to the core of who I am and to be able to say - God, this is what you have to work with, may it serve you well. I have fasted and prayed. I have a sense of peace and calm ... read more

With Murrays busy travel schedule, study schedule, work, church, home and family life, he is a busy man. So instead of hassling him to write a blog I have decided to write it for him :) Bear with me. Since we last gave you a work update in August 2009 Murray has done the following trips: Afghanistan - 2 weeks, North Sudan - 1 week, DRC - 1 week, Haiti - 2 weeks, UK - 1 week, South Sudan - 1 week. He missed his trip to Myanmar, due to the emergency response to Haiti, this is rescheduled for this month. Murray has had to apply for a second passport in addition to the passport replacement he had to get last year, due to filling it up. Haiti has been the trip most etched into Murrays ... read more

I am surprised and delighted at the numbers of you who have already expressed an interest in making a donation towards whatever it is I can do for the victims of the January 12th Haitian earthquake. I have set up an Pay Pal account in my name, Suzi Lee, and in two days it should be ready for activation. Some of you have mentioned making a donation and having your work place match that amount. What a fantastic idea! Since I never really went the conventional 9-5 big corporation route, I haven't had to deal much with that way of giving. Corporate charitable gift matching sounds like a perfect way to get the ball rolling...... If you would like to make a donation to Hands On and have your company or business price-match, you can ... read more