It is hot and yesterday was very hot also. Surface temperature was 123 degrees, and the shade temperature was 97 degrees. Despite the heat things are going well. Sunday during church the 2nd container showed up and 5 of us had to leave early and change so we could unload it. A lot of good things showed up (thanks to all of you) but not enough formula so we had to buy some to meet the need on Monday. (School yard was full on Monday with all the young mothers getting milk for their babies.) The group from Kentucky are doing well and have one house with 3 walls up on one and the cap on the footer done on the other. They also had a crew that has been working at the family life center on the second floor. It is so amazing what God can do through brothers in Christ if we allow him to. Mission: All of the children are fine with a couple having colds. Tina has had several more people ask for her to take in children and she works with them so they can care for them, if not they are on the list to take in once we get some more help. The tent camp is not any better and we have made two trips in and taken several items and plan a third trip today. (clothes, food, baby food) It is hard every time we go in because we see that even with all of our efforts we do not put a dent in what is needed. I would like to close with that thought, in that Damou cannot do it all nor can one or two other organizations. It will take Christians all over the world to come together to help these people. Jesus told us the second greatest commandment was to Love your neighbor as yourself. How can we allow people in Haiti or any other place in this world to starve to death? This idea is just not for Haiti but for all over this world (including our own community) that need those that have to help those that do not live a better life. As this is being typed the odds are a baby is going without food because mom and dad do not have the money to buy milk or food and mom is so under nourished that she cannot produce enough milk herself. An elderly man or woman are lying in their week because of lack of food and in a couple hours they could very well die because of the heat. Young ladies being sold into slavery so their family can have money to buy food for the rest of the family. These are the conditions in the tent camp in Jacmel but are they any different than the conditions in our own community? Please join Damou in saying you want to be part of the body of Christ and help those that are in need. Go to your brothers and sisters in Christ in your neighborhood and join with them to make a difference in Haiti and in your community. Send me a note on ways you think this can work and how we can do this. Let me know what you see needs to be done, let us work together for God and make this world a better place for all, especially those that are in need. Thank you for all of your support! Please share this with someone and let’s start today on working together. For the Love of the Haitian People Chuck Heinold charles.heinold@sbcglobal.net damouhaiti.org

Want to get an update in this morning before we started working. Some of you have heard that Sunday was an eventful day and it was. I wanted to make sure that the right story was going around, so here it is. After a good church service and a perfect day at the beach we were traveling back to the mission and turning the corner to the mission house and a young man on a scooter decided to pass the bus on the left side as we were turning. He hit the bus twice, hit the ground three times and landed on the side of the road. I sent the bus and the kids to the mission house and a hand full stayed behind. After medical supplies showed up he was bandaged up and then taken to the hospital by a group of us. (The hospital was a real experience and a note for some other time) The young man is fine and all his medical was taken care of and we gave him some money to cover him so he could take time off to get better. Everyone that was involved did a great job of taking care of what needed to be taken care of and for what happened it turned out very well.

The group from Lebanon is doing great! We started house number 6 and Boss asked if we could all stay another week. (6 house in two weeks is unheard of down here and with the help of the 2 groups that is what is going to happen)

Containers: We have been in contact with the Port and our containers area cleared we hope to have them on Thursday so we can use the some of the group to help unload. Please pray that this happens!

The children are all doing so very well. Abby is almost walking! Daniella is playing and singing! All the others are doing very well and some of them should be moving to a new home at the Children’s home soon.

Was supposed to meet with the Mayor of Jacmel put the weather the last couple of days has been very rainy in the evening. Tina and I will try to meet up with him again today. We have plans for the new clinic and school and want to work more on the Tent Camp with him. This is very important that this relationship stays very close, so please pray that it will.

Pray for Tina! She is very tired and needs God’s energy to keep going. We all sat down last night and talked about the mission and the kids and adults got a chance to hear Tina’s story and ask questions. Not only did the kids ask question but had some great comments and discussion about what was going on in Haiti.

Well it is 5:30 am and need to get ready to go to the job site. We have 2 houses to finish and we should rap that up today. God Bless everyone that has made all of this possible.

For the Love of Haiti

Chuck Heinold

We have been on the go since day one. We landed and as usual had a crowd around us at the airport, but this is the first time that I think our group was bigger than the crowd around us. With 28 people in the group and several of them football players we looked like we had 50 or so. We got loaded up and headed toward Jacmel. With a bus, 2 vans and a utility truck. On the way we had a few mechanical problems but it went relatively smooth.

Friday morning we get up, eat and then the majority of the group headed down to the orphanage to pour the roof. Boss was not sure that was a good idea with as young as the group was but after a couple of hours he was very pleased with the work. The roof got poured in one day. It was very hard work and it was extremely hot but well worth it. The football players did a great job and you can see the respect they have for coach.

Saturday the boys thought they were going to get a rest but we started on 2 of the three house. One of the houses had a long distance to carry the sand, lime, gravel, block so we divided the group up accordingly and went to work. Again it is so very hot! We are working hard on keeping them hydrated and with some food to keep up the energy. We had a couple of boys that worked themselves a little to hard and had to rest but another great day of getting foundations put in two houses.

Sunday we all got to church and it again was very hot and the church was full. It was a great service Lee and Coach got to speak and introduce the group. After church we loaded the group (28 people), 11 of the orphans, 2 interns, and Rachel, Lallene and Suz all went to the beach. Everyone had a blast!!!!! The kids big and small played and played. The adults had as much fun watching all of them as the little kids. We stayed for two plus hours and everyone was very tired when we got back.

Monday was an early morning. We got up at 5:30 to try and beat the heat. (ha, ha, it was 86 when we got up and by the time we got to the work site it was 90. We checked the temp at 9:30 and I will let you guess what it was. It was another great day filled with working hard and sometimes playing harder with the kids. Each day at one of the sites we have had 10 to 20 kids helping. Most of them worked very hard and as with the big kids played even harder. It was as mentioned very hot and by 1:00 we were all getting very tired. To finish off the day we took part of the group to the tent camp. I hope to get some of them to comment on the trip but I can tell you nothing has changed since last month. I heard one person say that it was one of the saddest things they have seen.

Please keep watching for updates. I hope to post them sooner. Having a little trouble with Yahoo.

For the Love of Haiti

Chuck Heinold

God has continued working in many lives here in Haiti. The group from Arcadia worked at the village of hope Wednesday and Thursday. Many of the rooms needed to be cleaned because of dirt and mud from the hurricanes. The courtyard had trash and rocks piled everywhere. We spent time cleaning windows, mopping, shoveling rocks/leaves, and washing walls. The kitchen area at the Village of Hope needed a lot of work. There was mud caked onto the walls. We used brushes, water and bleach to scrub the walls clean. It is amazing what a little bleach and water can do. Thursday, April and Melissa went back to the Village of Hope to paint the kitchen and the pantry. Andy continued tiling in Miss Tina’s home and Billy finished the wiring. Corey, Megan, Billy, Linda, Rachel, Miss Tina and I traveled to Jacmel to one of the tent cities. I cannot describe to you what I saw. Each tent is split into approximately 8 different sections for different families to live in. Each section could not have been more than a 9 X 6 area. I am not for sure the measurement of the each section but all I know is that it was very small. I stuck my head inside one of the rooms where an elderly couple was living. I honestly cannot wrap my mind around these living conditions. My heart broke for these people. Sometimes I wonder what exactly I or we as the church body can do in these situations. God keeps reminding me that we can pray, pray for BIG things to happen during this time of desperation. God is using people like Miss Tina to bring hope.

Thursday night the team from Lebanon arrived. It is exciting to see God work in the lives of these young men. Most of the team consists of football players from Lebanon high school. Friday both teams (Arcadia and Lebanon) worked on the children’s home. We mixed rock, water and cement to form a base on the second floor of the building. Everyone worked very hard, sweated a ton but all in all finished just before lunch.

Friday afternoon the group from Arcadia, Chuck, Miss Tina, and Linda walked down to the ocean to celebrate two awesome decisions made by April Bryant and Melissa Starrett. April came to me several months ago when we were meeting monthly for team meetings to discuss getting baptized. She told me that she was ready to make the commitment but wanted to wait until we got to Haiti. Melissa made the decision to rededicate her life. I had the honor to baptize both April and Melissa yesterday! I am so proud of the growth, faith, and trust they each display in our Savior. We celebrated last night, the gift of new life! Praise God for His constant, unchanging and unbounded love for us and that He extends His grace and mercy to us.

The team from Arcadia left this morning at 4am. Pray for safety as they travel home. I will miss them greatly but am so thankful for their willingness and hard work. As the Lebanon team departed for their building project this morning, Chuck asked Corey and I to go into Jacmel to get water, ice, and diesel fuel. Ronald came with us to help exchange money and translate. I am now sitting on the porch at Miss Tina’s writing you this update, surrounded by loving little children coloring and playing with smiles on their face. I am thankful they are here and that I have the opportunity to show them love. Please continue to lift up Miss Tina, Rachel, Chuck, and the team from Lebanon. May the Spirit empower and guide us in our steps. Continue praying for Haiti and that healing will take place.

In His Love,

Mackenzie Grinstead.

The group from Arcadia made it into Haiti on Saturday June 5th. Sunday we went to church and experienced the love of the Haitian people. Seeing the joy on thier face and the satisfaction in their heart is truly encouraging. I ask that you continue praying for the church in Haiti to be strenghthened. After lunch we decided to go for a swim in the ocean and that we would take some of the kids with us….this was an experience! They had fun jumping around in the water, playing in the sand, and hanging all over us when a wave came in to shore.

Monday our group split up into three different groups. Melissa, April, and Megan went with Miss Tina and Linda to the school to pass out formula to mothers. The girls shared in devotions last night that this was an overwhelming experience. One woman walked over 4 hours to stand in line for a can of formula. Megan told me lastnight that she felt these women had a sense of relief for a short moment when they were handed a can of formula. Relief that in this moment they do not need to think about how they will feed their baby. Relief in that there is hope and that everything will be fine. Billy and Andy went into Jacmel to get supplies to start the electrical work in a few rooms here at Tina’s house. They will be working on that project today. Corey and I stayed behind. Corey worked on the computer for Miss T and I worked with the little kids (Jonathan, Jo Jo, Daphane, Abby, Daniella, Rosie) The kids love interaction and attention. I am happy that I am here and able to spend time loving on them.

Each night our team meets for devotions. Sunday night we discussed intercessory prayer. God really began speaking to my heart on this night. I believe there is great power in prayer. Questions of how to pray for Haiti began flooding my mind. Revival, healing, love, and strength all start with prayer. Even in the times when I do not know what to pray, God knows my heart. I ask that you continue to praying for the people of Haiti. Pray for miracles, pray for God to heal, strengthen, and encourage. Pray that our actions would be rooted in love.

In His Love,

Mackenzie Grinstead

: Update from Scott and Monica Clemons (Potter’s Hope Church in Leitchfield, KY). Yesterday Scott helped at the temporary clinic in Paredo, Haiti. A team of about 10 medical professionals assisted over 200 patients with problems ranging from vehicular accidents to malaria. Monica, together with Jenny and Jataun, assisted in the dispensing of formula for nursing mothers. Over 170 mothers showed up to get their weekly portion of formula. The rest of the Potter’s Hope team helped with the construction of Family life/Children’s home. Everyone worked really hard, interacted with the locals, and had a lot of fun. Yesterday we were witnesses to a miracle. For the past few months our Church has been praying for Max’s brother to be found alive after the earthquake. The Lord delivered Max’s brother to our doorstep yesterday evening. All Praise and Glory be to the Lord! Can’t wait for what God has in store for us today! Scott and Monica Clemons

 April 23rd update:

 We got up early Friday to head to the airport. Donna and I were ready in good time, most of the kids were up and Andaline came down to say good-bye also. The only problem was our ride was late and none of the phones were working. About 20 minutes after we were to leave our drive showed up and we got on our way. On the far side of Jacmel we came across a road block made of burning cars, rocks, trees and other metal materials. We learned that we a young lady got killed on a motorcycle the night before by a large delivery truck. The road block was an attempt by the people to slow down the trucks. It was working because even the UN would not move it. The drive said there was another way around and we headed out. We traveled several miles and we almost got back to the main road before we ran into another road block. Our last hope was to drive down the river and so we did. Donna was not real crazy about it but by this time we were running way behind time. We took off down a step incline and into the river. We crossed the river and ran along it, in it and through it for about 3 miles before we found a place to get back on the main road. The only way to the main road was to cross the river one more time and it deep. We made it with no problem (Tina’s new truck is great!) and found were another road block had been but was removed by the Tap-Taps so they could make their run to Port-au-Prince. Well we were on our way and things went really smooth until we got to Port-au-Prince and ran into slow to stopped traffic. It seemed like we sat for hours at a time and we were starting to wonder if we were going to make it. But God was watching over us and the traffic went away and we made it to the airport. For those that have never been to the airport in Port-au-Prince just because we were there didn’t mean that the experience was over. The first thing that happened was we were approached by an employee of the airport and he said he could get us through the line fast and checked in through first class. I told him we had time and would wait like everyone else. He did not like my answer and again told me he could help me. I told him “for the last time, that I would wait in line like everyone else thank you” (well I didn’t really say thank you but had to get my point across or he would of hounded me for ever.) While waited in line several people did take advantage of the help (by giving the employees money) and caused us to be later and later. We made it through the check in line in about an hour and then to the second security check point. It is a normal check point but they pat down everyone, so the line moves a little slow. We made it through the second check point walked up a flight of stairs and was greeted by American Airlines security check point. (I have learned not to put my shoes on and leave all my stuff out that needs to go into tubs.) I made it through but Donna had to have her luggage checked. They found nothing and we got to sit down for 20 minutes before they started boarding the plane. The flight was very smooth but it was cold (even I was cold, and I never get cold) and by the time we got to Miami we were childed to the bone. Usually the Miami airport is a challenge because you have to get your luggage and recheck it. But this time everything went really good and we were able to get a fast bite to eat and sit down and make a couple of phone calls. I checked the time to see how we were doing and noticed that the plane should have been loading already but were a plane should be sitting there was nothing. The problem was we only had an hour lay over in Dallas. The plane showed up 15 minutes late and we still had to load the plane. After another 20 minutes we were loaded and on our way. The pilot did a good job of making up 20 minutes and with the new skyrail in Dallas we made it to the gate while they were loading the last zone. We took advantage of the 2 hour flight and got some needed rest. The flight went smoothly for the most part but when we got to Indy the gate walk did not work and we had to be moved to another gate. (Only took 15 minutes) Once off the plane it was good to get in the airport and see two familiar faces, Mark and Janice Gable had come down to pick us up. The rest of the evening went fine and the ride home was good. That was our 20 hour day and we are glad to be home.

 I want to close by saying that this was one trip I will never forget. The visit to the tent camp, all the experiences with the kids and the daily experience of just trying figure out what to do when problems come up. It made me really appreciate what Tina goes through 12 months a year. (I was wore out after just one week.) It made me realize that I have a long way to go in my training and ability to help Tina out on a more regular basis. I also want to ask all of you to keep praying for the situation in Haiti. Pray for Tina that she has the endurance to keep up with the demand of all that is going on. Pray for me that I will be able to get myself up to speed faster so I can be more help to Tina. I also want to thank all of you for your support and prayers.

 For the Love of Haiti

 Chuck Heinold