Some of you may have known that I visited PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti in August of last year. I was shocked last night to read the reports of the earth quake devastation in specifics that I am now personally acquainted with. I cannot begin to describe how devastating this natural disaster must be to a people already in so much need. The attached image shows the completely collapsed capital building, what must be a fitting metaphor for the now completely disheveled infrastructure of the already struggling 5th world country.

Attention, aid, and relief will surely be directed to Haiti in this moment. Please pray for the salvation of these people from this calamity and the chaos that is sure to follow. Thousands have died, years of work and investment has evaporated… it is a moment of hope disintegrating. Pray for all those committed to their work in Haiti to be sustained through this flash of suffering and the years of recovery that are sure to follow.

The following link is a news story and interview from Mallery Thurlow, I met her on my visit in August. She is a woman of incredible hope, faith, and dedicated charity… in her voice you can hear the full test of this moment for her and everyone like her who has weaved their hearts into the Haitian people, their history, and their land.

http://www.wnem.com/video/22223731/index.html

Fox News
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,582877,00.html

Haiti Updates

I pass onto you an e-mail this morning from one of my pastors (he was my youth pastor, and he’s led two service trips to Haiti that I’ve been on within the last 6 years). I, too, felt the ache when I heard the news last night. It is very surreal… these people who hardly know a single day without suffering, are suffering much more at this very moment. And, strangely enough, they are getting more exposure to the masses about their history and their poverty over the last 12 hours than they’ve ever gotten prior. Certainly there are sadnesses and joys throughout the world each and every day, in places and of people groups that we know, and those that we’ve probably never heard of. I will always carry a respect and love for the Haitian people, especially those I know by name (as I’m sure many of you who have been involved on such trips do with the people you’ve met… in Croatia, Bosnia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Mexico, Costa Rica, Togo, Honduras, Romania, Ireland…). May the Lord use this time to suppress the corruption and influence that satan has had over Haiti throughout its history, and may it be a clean slate for the Holy Spirit to wash through the rubble and breathe new vigor into His people as a testimony to the world.

peace
-water

Dear Friends,
It is impossible for me to write much at this time. I have forwarded news from our daughter about our grandchildren who are SAFE! We are so thankful and relieved.
Now, a word to those of you who feel you should go. I have been on several national disasters for the American Red Cross. I know you want to help, I know you are willing to help but I must caution you - you are not trained in disaster readiness, you are not prepared for the emotional or psychological stresses of a disaster of this proportion, and they will have NO HOUSING for you in Haiti. You may only add to their problems by trying to go. Please, please support missionary organizations who are mobilizing, contact the Red Cross to donate, and most of all pray for the hundreds of thousands of people who are suffering at this moment.
I spent hours last night revising our mission statement to begin converting it to an organization designed to support relief for the country. When I have that completed I will forward it to you. I am especially thankful that the shipper in Grand Rapids went ahead and shipped the food donations to Haiti. Hopefully they will reach their any day. Unfortunately, the address they were to be shipped to, our guest house, no longer exists. The guest house is rubble.

Thank you, in advance, for your prayers and concern at this time.
Jon Obermeyer

Categories: Haiti, Prayer