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Haiti and Church of the Cross
Be sure to check back here for any updates from the Desarmes as we receive them.
You can also check here for some related pictures and images.
We have been supporting Pastor and Blonde Desarmes since 1987, and have sent a number
of work teams down over the years to work on various projects. Their Mission,
Mission Evangelique Chretienne d' Haiti, is centered in Gressier (about 12 miles
west of Port-au-Prince), where they have a church, medical clinic and school, all
of which we have helped to build and equip over the last 20 years. This year
they have over 400 students at the school, which includes pre-school through 8th
grade. Additionally, the Mission oversees ten or eleven satellite churches,
some of which also have schools and medical clinics, and even a bakery. Their
goal is to build a Christian generation through evangelism and education.
Update 2/3/10
Thanks to everyone who had a part in the spaghetti dinner last Friday, whether cooking, serving, and/or eating. We made over $2200, all of which will go toward the relief and rebuilding efforts in Haiti. Some money has already been used to purchase tents and other items needed as well as to help ship a much needed van down to Pastor Desarmes later this month. Most of the rest of the money from the dinner, along with other donations that have been received, is being held for now, to see how things settle out and to have available as seed money once they are ready to begin construction.
As far as we know, they are still working at clearing the rubble in Gressier and planning to resume school around March 1st, per the government's request. A van has been purchased by Hatcher's Memorial Baptist Church (HMBC) in Bristow, Virginia. It is being filled with tents, tools, and other supplies before being driven to Florida on/around Feb.12. Pastor Desarmes is planning to fly up to FL around the 24th to get some more items to put in the van before it is shipped to Saint-Marc, Haiti (on the coast, north of Port-au-Prince). Pastor will then be back in Haiti in time to receive the van, clear it and its contents through customs and then get it to Gressier. For a picture of the van that has been purchased and a list of all the items being collected to be sent down with it, you can go to: http://sites.google.com/site/missionevangelic/home/Need-to-Get---Can-You-Help
Update 1/27/10
In a recent conversation, Pastor Desarmes said they are continuing to clear the rubble in Gressier and have nearly completed a storage building where they will store the concrete blocks and anything else they can salvage from the buildings. They are also clearing and preparing an area where they can worship -- outside, under a tent of some sort.
A web site has been established by Dennis McGinnis in Virginia, to provide ongoing updates and especially to foster the cooperation and coordination of many different churches and individuals to work together more effectively in helping the Desarmes' mission, Mission Evangelique Chretienne d' Haiti (or Mission Evangelic for short), to rebuild and continue on. The web site address is: http://sites.google.com/site/missionevangelic/home.
You will see there that plans are already being made to purchase a van, fill it with tools and tents and ship it to Haiti in February. We, Church of the Cross, will be sending money soon (within a week) to Dennis' church to help with the purchase of tents and tools as well as help with the shipping costs, which are estimated at $2000-$2500. If you would like to contribute to this initial effort, you can do so through Church of the Cross (checks to COTC, with memo note about Haiti) and we will forward it on, or you can send it directly to Dennis' church who is coordinating the van project: Hatcher's Memorial Baptist Church, 12225 Barbee Road, Bristow, VA 20136. Again, include a note on the memo line that it is for Mission Evangelic in Haiti.
Update 1/19/10
Through a number of very brief conversations, we have learned that all of the Mission
buildings in Gressier were destroyed (church, 2-story school and 2-story medical
clinic) and that the buildings in the mountain village of Trouin where we have worked
extensively as well were also destroyed (church, school, bakery, pastor's house).
There was also some damage to the roof of the Desarmes' home in Gressier, but it
is still inhabitable. Fortunately, no one was injured or killed when the buildings
collapsed and, as far as we know, none of those with whom we have personally worked
and gotten to know were killed or seriously injured, though Blonde Desarmes did
incur some injury to her arm and back, but is okay as far as we know.
If you would like to receive occasional email updates about the Desarmes' situation
in Haiti and our response to it, please notify Pastor Jim Moelk at cotcjim@verizon.net.
If you would like to make a financial contribution, a few options are provided below.
These, of course, are only a very few of the many organizations that are doing very
good work in Haiti. Please be very cautious of donating to any cause or organization
unless you are certain that the funds will be used as intended.
PASTOR AND BLONDE DESARMES – If you would like your donation to go directly to helping
the Desarmes and their mission to rebuild, please make a check out to COTC and indicate
that it is for the “Desarmes.” We will hold this money until we are able to
talk further with them and better learn what is needed and we can most help.
PRESBYTERIAN AGENCIES – Presbyterian Disaster Assistance is rushing an initial
$100,000 from the One Great Hour of Sharing and other funds to help with immediate
emergency relief. Donations may be made to this Haiti disaster relief fund
(#DR000064) via their website (www.pcusa.org/pda) or by writing
a check to COTC and indicating it is for “Fund DR000064.”
On the website, www.presbyterianglobalfellowship.org,
a couple of other very worthwhile Presbyterian-related works in Haiti are highlighted
that are also involved in the earthquake recovery efforts.
OTHER of the many reputable agencies that are providing on site emergency assistance:
World Vision, UNICEF, Red Cross, Samaritan’s Purse.
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