My wife and I were gone this weekend on a retreat with the CRWRC. We recieved a call on Saturday afternoon asking about the school. We hadn't heard any news, and so we were astonished to hear about a school which had collapsed in Petionville.
Our hearts and prayers go out to the families and people who have lost loved ones, and especially those who are waiting and have not located their loved ones yet.
The school, College La Promesse Evangelique in Petionville, a 3 storried building, was in session on Friday morning when it collapsed around 10am. It was a special day so students were allowed to invite family members and friends and as the school usually has 700 students, its hard for them to tell how many people were in the building at the time. Numbers vary, but it seems that around 200 people are still unaccounted for. Close to 100 people have already been found dead. It is a devastating tragedy. We feel for those who are suffering, and we pray that the LORD would be near them, and surround them with His loving care.
The accident happened on Friday, but they were not able to get any large equipment in until today, Monday. They were afraid of concrete shifting and crushing rescue workers, as well as those trapped under. Since there is so much rubble, there is a lot of work to do. A couple different countries are helping out with the rescue, as well as the U.N. (MINUSTAH) and the police.
The school is located in Petionville, which is on top of Port-au-Prince. And our school, Adoration, is about 3-4 km away, lower down in Port-au-Prince. It is very close,and so this hits home hard.
The news networks can provide us with the fuller story, and keep us upto date, so that we know what to pray for. And we need to pray.
Here are two links to find out more about what has happened and is happening.
France24.com
http://www.france24.com/en/20081110-rescue-workers-end-search-survivors-school-debris-haiti&navi=AMERIQUES?ppcseid=4004&ppcsekeyword=collapsed+school&mmtctg=1189607972&mmtcmp=33791342&mmtmt=5&mmtgglcnt=0&gclid=CLax_ZaR65YCFQplHgodOWXYOA
and CNN.com
http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/americas/11/08/haiti.school.collapse/index.html
May the LORD be near the broken-hearted.
May the LORD bless the work of the rescue workers and give them wisdom, safety, and strength, as they work admist this tragedy.
Randy
November 10, 2008
November 01, 2008
Work Team
Well our work team left us on Friday. It was very enjoyable to have them visit us, and we are so thankful for the work they did and the things they got accomplished.
Thankyou very much Andrew, Peter, Leanne,Tanya,and Nicole. We really appreciated each of you, and the talents and gifts the LORD has given each of you, and how you used these for His honour and glory, and for the benefit of others. Thank-you also John K for coming and visiting, and doing all the work that you were able to accomplish while you were here. It really was a joy.
The Hopps stayed with us for a few days this week, and Heather helped out with the ladies as they did dossiers on the children. Thank-you Heather for all the translating help, and helping put together dossiers on the students.
I don't know if the pictures will be able to be downloaded as I am running out of power. But here are some of the things the team got accompomplished this week.
*Medical dossiers on all the students.
*All pictures taken of students for sponsorship program
*Wall raised.
*Drainage Pipe installed, concreted over.
*Stage for Church.
*Installation of a few Door handles, clips for cupboards,locks,shelf supports.
*Fixing plumbing issues.
*Kindergarten tables redesigned and built.
*Filter for water collection system.
*Helped in Medical clinic.
There is probably more, but this is all I can think of at this late hour. Anyway, it was a great week, we were so glad they could visit us, and help out in so many different capacities.
Visiting Fort Jacques, which overlooks the city of Port-au-Prince.
Installing a drainage pipe, and concreting over it.
Peter surrounded by some of the students of Adoration.
The team members and some students of Adoration.
Picture of the wall which the team raised by two blocks. They also built up the columns to strengthen the wall, as it is really weak.
Andrew fixing and installing some plumbing in the outside bathroom.
Leanne building some benches for the kindergarten classes.
Peter and Leanne building desks and benches.
Peter getting lots of help during recreation from students.
Tanya trading candy for kisses.
Nicole and Tanya helping out in the medical clinic stiching up a patient.
Nicole and Tanya helping with a surgery.
Nicole and Heather doing medical dossiers on the students.
Karen, Tanya, Nicole and Heather doing medical dossiers on the children.
Well, thats all for now, it has started raining and i am losing my connection. I will try to post more tomorrow. God bless. Randy.
Thankyou very much Andrew, Peter, Leanne,Tanya,and Nicole. We really appreciated each of you, and the talents and gifts the LORD has given each of you, and how you used these for His honour and glory, and for the benefit of others. Thank-you also John K for coming and visiting, and doing all the work that you were able to accomplish while you were here. It really was a joy.
The Hopps stayed with us for a few days this week, and Heather helped out with the ladies as they did dossiers on the children. Thank-you Heather for all the translating help, and helping put together dossiers on the students.
I don't know if the pictures will be able to be downloaded as I am running out of power. But here are some of the things the team got accompomplished this week.
*Medical dossiers on all the students.
*All pictures taken of students for sponsorship program
*Wall raised.
*Drainage Pipe installed, concreted over.
*Stage for Church.
*Installation of a few Door handles, clips for cupboards,locks,shelf supports.
*Fixing plumbing issues.
*Kindergarten tables redesigned and built.
*Filter for water collection system.
*Helped in Medical clinic.
There is probably more, but this is all I can think of at this late hour. Anyway, it was a great week, we were so glad they could visit us, and help out in so many different capacities.
Visiting Fort Jacques, which overlooks the city of Port-au-Prince.
Installing a drainage pipe, and concreting over it.
Peter surrounded by some of the students of Adoration.
The team members and some students of Adoration.
Picture of the wall which the team raised by two blocks. They also built up the columns to strengthen the wall, as it is really weak.
Andrew fixing and installing some plumbing in the outside bathroom.
Leanne building some benches for the kindergarten classes.
Peter and Leanne building desks and benches.
Peter getting lots of help during recreation from students.
Tanya trading candy for kisses.
Nicole and Tanya helping out in the medical clinic stiching up a patient.
Nicole and Tanya helping with a surgery.
Nicole and Heather doing medical dossiers on the students.
Karen, Tanya, Nicole and Heather doing medical dossiers on the children.
Well, thats all for now, it has started raining and i am losing my connection. I will try to post more tomorrow. God bless. Randy.
Church Plant - First Week
Last Sunday we had our first service of the First Presbyterian Church of Port-au-Prince. It was a very beautiful service. All 4 pastors participated and lead the service, doing different parts. There were about 120 people in attendance. Pastor Charles preached on Luke 23:39-43, which tells of the robbers who were crucified beside Jesus, when Jesus was crucified. He focused in on 3 points titled, "Salvation Today!" - 1. Knowing Jesus 2.Knowing ourselves 3.Finding our salvation in Jesus.
It was nice that John Kottelenberg could be here to share it with us, and he gave an address at the end of the service. It was also nice that we had a work team here from Canada who could join us as well, and help us prepare to get some things ready for it. And it was nice that all the families of the pastors could be there (a few were missing) as I had not yet met their families.
On Wednesday we had our first prayer service. Pastor Leon led us in it, and gave a devotion on Acts 12, Peter being freed from prison. He talked about how when we pray the LORD breaks the chains that bind us and opens the doors, in answer to our prayers, even when things look hopeless. It was a beautiful evening of prayer, song, and worship.
And on Friday we began our Bible study evening. We are studying the Larger Westminster Confession of Faith. Pastor Leon led the singing, and Pastor Delfis led the study. He explained the neccesity of confessions, and the need to study doctrine, and be alert against heresy's that creep into the church. It looks to be an exciting time as we work through it.
Here are some pictures of the first worship service. I didn't get any pictures of the prayer service or Bible study, as i forgot my camera.
Before the Service - people coming in.
John K giving an address at the end of the service.
Pastor Leon and Pianist leading Singing.
During Singing.
Pastor Charles preaching.
3 Haitian pastors.
The pastors and their wives, and us. (Pastor Octavius Delfis's wife was absent because she was sick.)
It was nice that John Kottelenberg could be here to share it with us, and he gave an address at the end of the service. It was also nice that we had a work team here from Canada who could join us as well, and help us prepare to get some things ready for it. And it was nice that all the families of the pastors could be there (a few were missing) as I had not yet met their families.
On Wednesday we had our first prayer service. Pastor Leon led us in it, and gave a devotion on Acts 12, Peter being freed from prison. He talked about how when we pray the LORD breaks the chains that bind us and opens the doors, in answer to our prayers, even when things look hopeless. It was a beautiful evening of prayer, song, and worship.
And on Friday we began our Bible study evening. We are studying the Larger Westminster Confession of Faith. Pastor Leon led the singing, and Pastor Delfis led the study. He explained the neccesity of confessions, and the need to study doctrine, and be alert against heresy's that creep into the church. It looks to be an exciting time as we work through it.
Here are some pictures of the first worship service. I didn't get any pictures of the prayer service or Bible study, as i forgot my camera.
Before the Service - people coming in.
John K giving an address at the end of the service.
Pastor Leon and Pianist leading Singing.
During Singing.
Pastor Charles preaching.
3 Haitian pastors.
The pastors and their wives, and us. (Pastor Octavius Delfis's wife was absent because she was sick.)
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