Hurricane Matthew Relief efforts

Thank you to many of you who have already stepped up and supported relief efforts!

The Good Samaritan homes, children and families are all doing well and have no immediate needs.  We are so thankful that this area was not hit hard by the hurricane.

We have been in communication with Ron and Linda Sheppard who are living in Haiti and working in Belot and one other mountain community.  They have set up a program for the rebuilding of many homes in both communities.  Ron has come up with estimates for material and local labor, which not only provides for the family in need of shelter, but provides income for other families as well.  The Sheppards posted this information on their blog in reference to the immedicate needs for homes in Belot.  They have since updated the needs list here:  Belot   
Ron and Linda are overseeing this project and will be reporting updates and pictures as they continue their work.  Please read Ron and Linda's most recent blog post:  UPDATE

The above is a plan is for immediate needs only.  Many people living and serving full time in Haiti are saying this disaster is far worse than the earthquake of 2010 because so much livelihood has been lost.  Not just homes.  Farmland that produces much of the country's crops, livestock, and many water systems have been heavily affected.  There is fear of famine, the death toll is rising as cholera is beginning to increase by large percentages,  and other disease is likely to spread.  This affects Haiti as a whole for months to come.  The Sheppards have planned to take care of the immediate needs first, then address the longer term issues.

AWAKENHAITI is an organization that is about walking alongside people, equipping and empowering them.  AWAKENHAITI has been going to Belot for about a year and a half, hearing the vision of the community and pastor, meeting with Ron and Linda and others involved, and serving in a medical/dental capacity.  AWAKENHAITI would like to assist in the immediate rebuilding of homes and nutrition needs in Belot as well as assisting with the next phase of relief in the development of crops, livestock, medical and other needs.  AWAKENHAITI will also continue to focus on the needs of the Good Samaritan homes.  One of our board members will be traveling to Haiti in the coming weeks to assist in meeting needs and to see your contributions in action.

AWAKENHAITI would like to challenge our community to step up with $10,000 toward Hurricane Relief!
Thanks to the generosity in our community, we have already had $3,900 of that come in!
100% of your hurricane relief donations will go toward this project and are tax deductible.
donations can be mailed to:
AWAKENHAITI (hurricane relief)
P.O. Box 951
Carlisle, PA 17013

or can be made here: DONATE
(please note hurricane relief)

thank you so much for joining the journey!

Rosemarie's (one of the church leaders) home is now being rebuilt!

Hurricane Matthew Emergency Response

Thank you so much, those who came to the prayer meeting last night and to those of you who have been praying, asking, and encouraging!

We continue to get more updates as lines of communication open and as people on the ground in Haiti are able to get places.  Cell towers, power lines, and trees are down in many places so communication and transportation has been difficult.

We have heard many reports about the devastation in the south western tip of Haiti.  Many communities there have been wiped out.  We haven't heard any reliable reports of loss of lives.  Loss of homes, business, food, etc is overwhelming.  There are organizations working there already and others are teaming up with them to begin to work toward initial relief efforts.

The affects of this hurricane could be catastrophic.  The crisis is now in the aftermath with the threat of starvation, cholera, and other diseases.

AWAKENHAITI's efforts will be focused on our ministry areas first.  Second, we will look to assist other organizations and areas in their efforts.


The children living in the Good Samaritan homes are all great.  The homes are fine.
Needs may arise for them as some time goes on as it is likely that cost of food and supplies in Haiti could rise for a period of time.

Max and Margarette are also fine.  Although, they have family in the town of Les Cayes, one of the areas in the southwest that got hit hard and have not had any communication with them.

The transition students living with their families are all fine.  Their conditions weren't great before the hurricane so this has caused more problems for their families.  We will continue to work alongside Max and Margarette if there are specific needs that we can assist these families with.

Junior and his family are all safe.  Junior has been very helpful in assisting us in communication with those in Haiti.  These efforts are invaluable!

Many are wondering about Canaan.  We are very happy to report that Canaan did not get hit very hard.  A few lost the roof from their home but the people there are in pretty good shape.  All of the community buildings that were built through our teams and the haitian crews are fine!  These buildings are vital to God's kingdom advancing in Canaan, may it continue to advance!

Belot is a different story.  They sustained a lot of wind and rain.  Thankfully, we have not received any reports of loss of lives there.  We continue to receive updates from Pastor Reginald and Ron & Linda Sheppard as they work through assessing damages today and the next few days.  Ron and Linda have been in Haiti for several years and we have worked alongside them as we have spent time in Belot for the last year and a half.
So far, we know people in Belot lost either part of or complete homes, crops, and livestock.  This is detrimental to a farming community.
Their immediate needs are food and shelter.  Ron and Linda are already working to get some rice, beans, and other food items to begin to distribute in Belot.
The longer term needs of reestablishing secure homes, crops and livestock will follow.  We know that many in Belot are part of the church already, but we trust that God will use this relief and rebuilding to bring more people into the church and ultimately further God's kingdom.

We will be very diligent in this relief and rebuilding effort to not only assist those in need but also to support the local haitian economy by purchasing food, medications & supplies in Haiti and providing employment opportunities as much as possible.

**Please continue to pray for the people that are in very vulnerable situations.
**Please also consider giving to the relief and rebuilding efforts
    100% of relief effort funds will go directly to the haitian communities we minister to and are tax deductible.
     Donations (please note hurricane relief when you give) can be made on our website giving page or by check to:
          AWAKENHAITI
          P.O. Box 951
          Carlisle, PA 17013

We will continue to keep you informed as we work through this emergency response.
Thank you for joining the journey!

Rosemarie and her boys, she also has a daughter

this is the home of Lorina Charles, she has 3 boys and 1 girl

this is the home of Luisa Telimond, she has 1 daughter and 1 son

Hurricane Matthew update

Haiti is getting hit very hard right now.  Our prayers are being lifted for all of those dealing with the storm but especially those most vulnerable.   There are areas that are getting completely washed out especially in the southern part of Haiti.  Matthew is moving up through Haiti today and we continue to pray that it weakens in strength.

The Good Samaritan kids, Max & Margarette, Junior and family are all ok and are in safe locations. We will continue to get updates as long as they have phone or internet service.

Belot needs your prayers.  The wind is taking the roofs from their homes.  So much water is washing down the mountain into and through their homes.  Some are in the church now which sits on high ground.  Thank you to those who gave financially toward the church building and roof, it is a safe haven for this community.  They are drinking the rain water and have a little food.  They may lose much of their crops that grow all over the mountain side.  We don't know much more yet, but Pastor Reginald will keep us posted as he can get there or hears from families.

PLEASE PRAY!

A view from the top of the mountain where the church sits, many people live in that village below

crops growing up and down the mountain

The church/school building where many will find refuge

Thy Will

As you all know, Gerritt and Julie VanWagenen have been part of our team for a year now.  They have worked diligently to research, learn, hear AWAKENHAITI’s vision and further develop our transition program.  They have prayed and listened have spent time vision planning for the next few years.  They have walked alongside our students and have loved them, encouraged them, and challenged them to seek the dream God has for them.  We are amazed at the way God has meshed them into AWAKENHAITI over the past year. 

In July, Gerritt went to see an orthopedic surgeon following three months of hip pain.  It was discovered that he had a significant mass in his hip and it was recommended that he return to the US for further evaluation and treatment.  In August, a biopsy and CT scan confirmed that the mass was malignant and also showed there was cancer in his liver and lungs.  By the beginning of September, doctors determined the cancer originated in his colon.  They immediately began attacking the cancer with a very intensive chemotherapy treatment plan every other week.

Gerritt went through his second round of treatment last week.

The following is a note from Gerritt and Julie we received yesterday:

There is a song – Thy Will that has been shared a few times since the middle of July.  Gerritt and I listened to it together yesterday.  This prayer in song is for all of us.  Take a listen.  Really listen from your heart.   click here: THY WILL

Last Saturday night, we went to the hospital where Gerritt has been receiving chemotherapy.  After a series of tests/scans, he was diagnosed with a bowel obstruction and was transferred by ambulance to Froedert in Milwaukee.  Tests, scans, more tests, more scans.  He has been diagnosed with a perforated bowel.  Due to the cancer, the G.I. and Oncology Doctors have been working closely together to evaluate all options.  Surgery would be a very high risk for someone in Gerritt’s condition.  To add to this diagnosis, the CT scans have confirmed the cancer is growing, not shrinking with the chemotherapy.  Gerritt has decided not to pursue surgery option.  There was a lot of dialogue and questions, the biggest in my mind is what Gerritt asked:  “What about hospice?”

That is what will happen next.  He is at peace.  I am amazingly too, though not one of us are shy with tears.  He is being kept very comfortable, just so you know.  God is here.  God is a good God – he is strong and mighty and promises so much grace and mercy.  Trusting and believing

In HIS love,

Julie and Gerritt

This is certainly not what any of us were hoping for.  We trust God even though we don’t understand.  We ask you to join us in praying for Gerritt and Julie and their family.  We know God is walking this journey with them and will surround them with HIS perfect love and peace.