This week begins our last week of full-scale relief work for the displaced earthquake victims from Port-au-Prince.  Truthfully, we wish we could keep things going full force, but it is very complicated with everyone teaching full-time, and some of us teaching in the evenings when the distribution takes place.  Our plan from the beginning was to do enough to get people off their feet and to help pour some money back into the local economy in the process to help keep things stimulated.  This we have overwhelmingly done, and so here are the statistics:

Below is a copy of our most recent newsletter.  It has some great information within it as well as it has some pictures that you cannot find anywhere else on the blog.  Please check it out!

Feb 2010 Newsletter

By the way, two of the pictures on the first page of our newsletter were taken by some missionaries we know from Port-au-Prince.  We have mentioned their blog before, but check it out at www.blexi.blogspot.com.

Check out the paintings below.  They were both done by one of my Bible College students, who is one of the few actual artists in our city.  The first one you see is called “Life is Good,” and reflects a more traditional Haitian painting with the fruit and the smiling lady.  The other painting is particular meaningful to us, because it is a reflection on the earthquake by a Haitian.  Please enjoy!

Oftentimes Haiti and Haitians give portrayed and stereotyped in a malicious way by the American media.  Certainly there is chaos sometimes and desperation, but this is only a small portion of what is actually going on in Haiti with Haitians.  Here are a few articles that we have found through a friend which tells a truer story of Haiti and Haitians, and so we strongly encourage you to check them out:

An article called “Haiti Haters”by Amy Wilentz   http://www.thenation.com/doc/20100208/wilentz

I want to say THANK YOU to everyone that donated to ministries that we suggested, and say THANK YOU for all of you who took time to read our blog and facebook updates and make comments.  We apologize for not being able to get back individually with everyone; there were so many people that showed love to us in this way that it was a little bit overwhelming and yet a beautiful blessing.

We are just over two weeks from the most traumatic event in Haiti’s history, and things still haven’t quite settled down; in fact, I am pretty sure that it will take a while before things settle down.  I feel, though, that this is something to be expected.  Let’s consider this:

THE TOLL

150,000: Latest estimate of the death toll, from the Haitian Health Ministry. The European Union and the Pan American Health Organization, which are coordinating the health-sector response, have estimated the quake killed 200,000 people.
194,000: Number of injured
134: Estimated number of people rescued by international search teams since the quake …