Sunday News

Marcel says he cannot grasp what is before him, from what he sees about 75% of Port-au-Prince is destroyed, private homes, government buildings, ministries and churches. There is no telling how many are buried under these piles of rubble. The Social Affairs Government Building is the only one he sees still standing. Bodies are everywhere and the smell is now overwhelming. At least three of the senators are dead, numbers of others missing. As of last night no rain has fallen which is good for the recovery efforts.

Watching the International Organizations there is little to no organization to what they are doing and of course there is no help from the Haitian Government. Their (Marcel and his team) main focus has been on trying to keep as many alive as possible in and around Port-au-Prince and this week they will focus more on St Marc as people have been encouraged to leave Port-au-Prince and many are coming to St Marc.

Marcel took Saturday and visited a local radio station in St Marc where he was able to send out his last e-mail but more importantly he was given time on the air to share some hope and encouragement for the people of Haiti. The scripture he used is from Isaiah 1:1-5 - He told them it is time to come back to God! Marcel asked for prayer coming from thoughts out of Leviticus 26 which shows the contrast between Obedience and Disobedience.

Wednesday through Friday Marcel and a team made 1 trip each day to Port-au-Prince taking water and what they could to distribute. He says they have funds enough to purchase water for one more day. He plans to work with the Mayor in St Marc as so many will be seeking food and shelter. Tuesday night right after the earthquake many people came to the church at Bois Neuf and slept outside of the building on the ground. One large Hotel that is being built in St Marc did sustain damage but did not fall as of yet. There is talk of building small homes to help house people and also setting up camps in St Marc.

All of the churches he oversees are fine. In Fond Baptist there were homes destroyed.

Fuel is still available but is being rationed in St Marc, distribution is the problem at the moment. The bank at St Marc has been closed since the quake. From what Marcel understands it is because of security and they hope to have enough security back in place Monday or Tuesday and the bank will be open again. (With that in mind we are looking at sending a wire transfer Tuesday as soon as we get the word.)

Another dear friend sent a note this morning, Illioney St Fleur, he and his family had just moved to Port-au-Prince. It took three days of digging but he has confirmed that his wife Evodie was buried in the rubble and is with Jesus now...His daughter is fine.