More News Comes Home

Today was another encouraging day for some of us, yet still frustrating for many. The parents of Mt. Sentinel students on the Nelson, BC team in Haiti grow more anxious daily as their kids are still in Haiti. The Haiti ARISE staff, Kootenay Christian Fellowship staff and Mt. Sentinel staff have all gone to great lengths to contact anyone we can in Parliament, Foreign Affairs, DART and airlines to mobilize their evacuation.

We have been given confirmation from more than one of these sources that help is on the way. In the meantime, we all hold our breath. We received more communication from Haiti today that indicated they are still experiencing aftershocks and everyone is on edge as tension mounts, prices rise and food and supplies become more scarce. Looting has begun as desperation begins to take over. Pastor Jim Reimer reported that $10,000 was stolen from our compound, as someone broke into our finance office while the building was unsecured. This was money that was withdrawn for the team's expenses just before their arrival- it may seem odd to have that much cash on hand, but in a place like Haiti when the country is functioning, getting to the bank is difficult. I know it is hard to imagine there being any good news during a time like this, but there is... in light of such terrible destruction and depravity, the generosity of the Canadian and American people has been astounding.
The whole world is being moved by Haiti's overwhelming, traumatizing plight. It has been too long, taken too long for North America to wake up to the condition of our dear neighbor Haiti. Finally, though at such a horrible cost, the world is rallying behind a nation that has been hopeless and helpless that we pray will result in a true rebuilding. The loss of life, a severly precious price... but we cannot lose hope. We must help to restore, rebuild, renew! There are fundraising efforts happening all over the nations on behalf of this 10,700 sq mile island. Just for Haiti ARISE alone, today Urban Thrift of Calgary held a fundraiser bringing in $5,800 CDN for Haiti Relief. Next Saturday, Jan 23 a Benefit Concert will be held in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan expecting to bring in $30,000 CDN. In Aberdeen, Washington, churches are rallying together to hold a Banquet Fundraiser in the coming week. As well, donations have come in online from as far as France and Hawaii totalling so far to more than $15,000 US. And the government of Canada will be matching all of these donations $1 for $1. We are working now on strategic plans for relief and rebuilding in partnership with Hungry for Life, in Chiliwack, BC as well as on the ground in Haiti with the neighboring missions of Grand-Goave: Lifeline Christian Mission, Mission of Hope and Heart to Heart.
Again, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT, PRAYERS AND SACRIFICE OF DONATIONS. Please continue to give. We may very well be able to rebuild a NATION!