Clear Epic

My goodness- almost two weeks has passed since I last wrote? Wow. Time goes by so fast - we have had so many changes since that day, I’ve almost processed them in order to be able to write about them. Life is crazy - there are only a few consistent things: the love of God, and CHANGE.

For today, however I want to introduce you to a very special friend Debbie Lucien. I met Debbie’s husband almost 25 years ago I believe through my neighbor. It was love at first sight for a four almost five year old He was kind, he was exciting, he loved Jesus, he was from a different country, he flew in airplanes, he spoke a different language than me! I’m sure I probably thought I’d marry him at some point - but alas when I was in sixth grade he married Debbie instead. He brought her to Nebraska to meet us after a wedding in Arkansas. I liked her immediately (apparently I thought my opinion mattered - ha! The thoughts of children, one more way they make us laugh I suppose).

Caleb is the Director of Hosean International Ministries in Pignon, Haiti. Because of Caleb and Debbie lives are changed every day. The stories they could tell you - if after an evening with them you still can’t see the love of God and his miracles, well then I’m not sure, but it means you’re a tough nut to crack

The day after the quake HIM sprung into action. Caleb and his family are incredibly respected in Haiti and because of them and their inroads they have been able to set up Distribution Centers and get food, supplies to Port au Prince almost immediately. You hear so many stories of supplies sitting on airplane strips, of food not getting to the people - I know this is happening. Funny thing I’ve learned is that not only do the people of PaP need hope but SO DO WE! We need hope, we need to see that our dollars, our prayers are WORKING. God is still God in the midst of this and while the media portrays so many stories about inefficiencies - this is not always the case my friends.

God has set people like Debbie and Caleb in Haiti who are making a difference. They are bringing people back to their community. Who knows? Did God work through this ministry for the past 20+ years for this moment? Has God used the relationships, the experiences in order to set the stage for fast relief, fast effort, consistency and relationships within the Haitian government to be able to get 15 (yes, FIFTEEN) planes of supplies to Haiti through one ministry set up and distributed in one week? I believe so.

I will continue to post Debbie’s updates through my Facebook account (search for clearepic@gmail.com) if you want to follow - but I encourage you to visit Debbie at Life of a Blan in Haiti. She is an amazing individual who is giving people hope, not just by her actions, her love for the people of Haiti - but by her updates and you know what? Even if this disaster hadn’t happened - you should probably get to know her, she’s that awesome of an individual, wife, mom, and fellow sister in Christ. You won’t meet anyone better
Below is her update from yesterday: “Haiti Earthquake Relief Update

Whew, it’s getting harder to catch our breath here, but we wanted to give you a quick view of what is happening on the ground. My packing crew spent the morning going through a second truck load of supplies sent from Rotary International. We went through about 300 more boxes and inventoried linens, medications, shelter boxes, etc. Wow, the people of the Caribbean are very generous as all these supplies have come from the Bahamas thus far!

Then we set about packing up Hosean International’s school bus to take a load of supplies to Port au Prince (3 hours away). Coordinating with our distribution contacts, Caleb’s determined the greatest need right now was for sheets, towels, and medications and medical supplies. So we packed the bus to the ceiling with all those we had on hand.

As we headed for lunch, Caleb called and told me a flight of supplies was on its way to the airport. By the time I got to the airport a few minutes later, the airport staff already had the supplies unloaded and were visiting with the volunteer Rotarians who had flown in from the Bahamas. One reason it was so exciting to us, it was the first official international flight for our grass strip airport. We understand the US Forces are providing air control support now and are allowing flight to check in with radio contact. This allows flights to come in directly to us without stopping on the coast. Our location is 90 miles north of Port au Prince so we can be a staging ground of smaller planes and air drops. I want all the folks sending us supplies to know that the materials are safely stored awaiting transport and/or already on their way to those in need. The immediate supplies are all going to Port au Prince; later on we will need more supplies here as we accommodate refugees.

I believe our community has already doubled in size to 60,000 plus in the past week. Every house in my neighborhood now has between 12-25 people sleeping in them. We are setting up ways to work with local churches to distribute to the families in need and those accommodating so many.

Now I need to head to the cyber-café to send out some messages and download all the e-mail. If you are writing to us, please be patient. We will get back to you!

One other small note, yesterday as Caleb was leaving town yesterday to head to Cap Haitian to meet the incoming flights, he passed on of the electrical co-op’s staff who was sitting with his hands to his face in the street. He felt he needed to stop and did. Here he found 65-year-old Innocent who runs the co-op’s generator each night weeping. Caleb found that the gentleman had sent $75 USD with a friend to his children in Port au Prince so they could relocate back home. The person he had sent the funds with took the money and disappeared. Because of gifts sent in, Caleb was able on the spot, to give him the funds he needed to make arrangements for his children.

Thanks again for your prayers. We’re grateful to be able to be here to help.

Debbie for all”