Update and Continue to declare the Word

We are sending funds in as we get them so beans, rice, water and sugar can be distributed to people in Port Au Prince by Pastor Robert and his team. Additionally, funds have been sent to Gonaives and Archange is distributing the same as well as to the hospital which is overflowing with the sick and injured from Port Au Prince. The people have flocked into Gonaives and surrounding areas. They are homeless, hungry and in dire need. Let's continue to give to support them. Thanks to all of you who have donated. Don't stop. Our team is still scheduled to go March 31-April 10, 2010. We're working on a partnership to get some doctors to go as well.

Please see the previous blog to continue to declare the Word over Haiti. Here is what my young Haitian God Son, Joseph had to say in response to the previous Word of declaraion. He wrote it in Creole so he could be clear and I had it translated as follows:
Here it is.

The translator says: I broke it down into paragraph..

I leave the Creole on top and I put the English (under each paragraph).

The letter follows. Thanks for the opportunity to translate it for you.

Mwen kwe Bondye li se yon Bondye ki gran, ou konn sa tou, mwen tou
pwofite tan sa pou'm di.w an verite delivrans Ayiti sa deja fet si ou
vle kwe'm ou met kwe'm. Mwen vle di'w ke men'm jan yon manman kale
timoun li renmen, enbyen se konsa tou Bondye kale nasyon ke li renmen,
map di'w ak tout fwa mwen gen nan Bondye mwen vle fe'w konnen Ayiti
gen pou'l devni yon nan peyi tankou tout lot peyi yo. Mwen vle di'w pa
meprize tout sa jen tifi a te pataje avek ou a, paske sa se yon bagay
spesyal, li pa ta'p ka deklare tout bagay sa yo jan ou di'm manman,
depi yon manman gen yon pitit ou we l'ap fe dezod manman an pa aksepte
kale'l konnen pitit sa fini nan lavi, paske manman an pa renmen pitit
sa, se konsa pou tout bagay sa'l pep ayisyen ap fe devan je Bondye, si
pa Bondye pat gen pasyans nou ta fini deja, men'm jan bib la di'l
Bondye nou an lan nan kole, men li rich nan bonte se vre manman. Men
pa bliye pa gen moun ki ka delivre Ayiti sinon Letenel de zame,
Ameriken, chinwa, japone, kanadyen, venezelyen, kiben, bolivyen,
risyen, youn pa ka delivre Ayiti, se Jezi sel ki ka fe yon bagay
konsa, men yon sel bagay fok tout ayisyen sispann adore satan, sispann
fe sakrifis, sispann touye moun, men le yo va di beniswa moun ki te
vini nan non senye le sa nou va we lagwa Bondye, e nou va we nouvel
Ayiti Bondye deja ban nou, men toutan nou poko konnen se Bondye sel ki
vre Bondye se we na we, e se tande na tande nouvel Ayiti sa.

I believe that God is a great God, you know that as well. Let me also tell you truthfully that Haiti is already delivered, believe me if you want. I want to share with you that just as a mother corrects the child that she likes, the same way, God punishes the nations He loves. I must tell you that with all the faith that I have in God that He is about to make Haiti be as good as any of the other countries. I am asking that you not overlook any of what the young lady shared with you; that is something special. She would not have said all that she shared with you as you told me. A mother does not just look at a child she likes with indifference if she really likes her. That is the same thing for all the abominable things the Haitian people are doing in God’s presence, had God not had patience, the nation would have been obliterated already. Just as the Bible says it, “Our God is slow to anger, but rich in goodness.” That is so true. But, do not forget this: There is nobody who can deliver Haiti other than the Lord of host. Americans, Chinese, Japanese, Canadians, Venezuelans, Cubans, Bolivians, Russians, not one of them can deliver Haiti. Only Jesus-Christ can do it. However, it is imperative that all Haitians stop worshipping the devil; stop sacrificing, stop killing people. But, when they say: “Bless the One that has come in the name of the Lord”, then we will see the glory of God and the new Haiti God has already given us. But, as long as we still do not know that God is the true God, we can forget about that new Haiti.

Di'm kisa ou panse pou yon prezidan, pa we ni de ni twa bagay se mache nan
tout peristil boko epi fe rekonswti yo, ki sa ou panse, Bondye tap
dako bagay sa di'm non fe gran sakrifis, antere moun tou vivan pou yo
genyen eleksyon, se sant yo ki monte nan nen Bondye twop, Bondye pa ka
respire yo anko, epi li ase, li di li bouke, li di li pa ka sipote
anko, men yon sel bagay jou yo di se Bondye ki se vre Dye a nan we
glwa Bondye, na we nouvel ayiti.

How can you explain a president who goes from witch doctor to witch doctor to rebuild their temples? Do you think God would be pleased with him giving onto sacrifice, burry people who are still alive so he can win elections? It is the stinks that have gone up to God. God cannot inhale them. It is enough. HE said HE is tired; HE says he cannot take it anymore. But, one thing is sure, the day they confess that God is the true God, we will see the glory of God and then the new Haiti will be born.


Panke mwen ap domi dimanch swa mwen pase tout sware a sou jenou mwen m'ap di Bondye montre plan'w pou peyi mwen, lendi swa, madi swa pou ouve mekredi mwen pase tout swit lan ap priye, ve deze dimanten mwen, we de plat men ki sispandi nan syel la, epi de plat men sa yo make men pwisant de Dye, se konsa mwen pe nan
domi an mwen Bondye fe'm konprann sa'k ka fet la non, mwen redomi
anko, mwen se yon bann Ameriken ki pran Ayiti epi yap pran moun mete
yo nan tout peyi, epi yo komanse ap bati Ayiti, apre yo fin bati
Ayiti, tout Ayisyen pa vle rete nan lot peyi yo se konsa tout Ayisyen
retounen nan peyi a, mwen patage sa avek anpil paste, anpil lot moun,
yo di delivrans Ayiti deja fet vre manman. Salye jen tifi ki nan
legliz ou dil kenbe fe, paske Bondye ki gwo plan pou li. Mwen renmen'w
pa bliye priye pou Ayiti.

While I was sleeping Sunday night, I spent the whole night on my knees asking God to show me His plan for my country. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings I spent the nights praying. At about two a.m. I saw two hands dangling in the sky. The two hands had written in them “The Powerful Hands of God.” I became really scared in my sleep, but God made me understand what may happen. Then I saw the Americans taking people to different countries and then they started rebuilding Haiti. After the rebuilding no Haitians wanted to stay abroad, they all returned to the country. I have shared this with a lot of ministers and a lot of people. They agreed that Haiti’s deliverance is really at hand. Greet the young lady in your church. Tell her to stand firm because God has great plans for her. I love you and don’t forget to pray for Haiti.

Ban'm di'w gen bagay ki fet se otorite ki koz, poukisa, pa bliye labib fe nou konnen pep izrayel la gen poul telman anpil, yap tankou grenn sab bo lanme, pa gen moun ki ka konte yo, se konnen labib di nou rwa David pran yon inisyativ pou konte pep izrayel, se konsa Bondye te fache, pa bliye se David ki te pran inisyativ pou fe sa, men Bondye te touye 70 000 izrayelit, men se David ki te fe sa wi, men pep izrayel la te peye sa, si'm diw sa ou ka konprann kisa mwen vle di manman, mwen pa bezwen di anyen de plis.

Let me tell you that there are things that happen that are caused by the leaders. Why, don’t forget that the Bible told us that the Jewish people would be so numerous that they would be like grains of sand. Nobody can count them. You know the Bible told us that David took on himself an initiative to count the Israelites. God became angry; don’t forget that it was David who took it upon himself to do that,but God killed 70,000 Jews. Although, it was David who did that; the people paid for it. I am sure, mother, you understand what I am saying and I need not say anymore.

Cooperative Declaration Over Haiti

Although the initial alarm at the catastrophe in Haiti is dwindling, there is a very serious need there. Many have fled to outlying cities from Port Au Prince. Gonaives is full of people. The homeless, sick, injured and the criminal. Food prices have sky rocketed up and is scarce due to the fact that most staples are normally imported from Port Au Prince. Keep praying for the people and the country as well as asking God how you can find a way to give to help us reach the people with what they need. Our team is still scheduled to leave March 31st and return April 10th of this year, however we are assessing the situation on a daily basis.

Ollie Dixon

Please join us in making a daily declaration over Haiti for the next 40 days. This declaration was given to one of our young aspiring missionaries by God as she prayed and waited for Him to speak to her concerning the situation there:

Haiti will become an example of God's loving mercy, His power and deliverance. Their sick will be healed. Their dead will rise. Those impoverished will be made rich, and the economy will flourish. They will have electricity and running water in abundance. The streets will be paved and clean. The orphans will have families; everyone will be educated. Everyone will know God's love. Voodo will forever loose it's hold, and the Holy Spirit, and Jesus' unfailing love and annointing will rest on the whole Island. Many peoples from all nations of the Earth will either be envious or thankful to God for His miraculous reformation. I believe God and His vision. His word does not go out and come back void. It accomplishes it's mission skillfully and quickly. Praise be to God, the God of redemption, the God of cleansing, the God of miracles. In Jesus mighty name, Amen.

HAITI UPDATE

RIGHT NOW PRAY FOR ORDER RATHER THAN CHAOS AS NEED INTENSIFIES AND NIGHT TIME APPROACHES. THE SAFETY OF THE FIRST RESPONDERS IS IMPORTANT SO THAT THEY CAN HELP THE PEOPLE.

PASTOR ROBERT IS IN THE USA BUT REPORTED OUR COMPOUND IN GONAIVES IS OK AND THE PEOPLE ARE FINE. THE CHILDREN THAT HAD BEEN RELOCATED TO A TEMPORARY FACILITY IN PORT AU PRINCE FROM THE NEWLY BUILT ORPHANAGE WHEN THE FLOOD HIT IN '08 HAD RECENTLY BEEN RELOCATED BACK TO THE RESTORED ORPHANAGE WERE ONCE AGAIN EVACUATED DUE TO DAMAGE TO THAT ORPHANAGE RESULTING FROM THE EARTHQUAKE. THANK GOD THEY WERE NOT IN PORT AU PRINCE. NO UPDATE AVAILABLE AS TO WHERE THEY WILL BE HOUSED NOW.

WE DID GET AN EMAIL FROM ARCHANGE. HE SAID HIS FAMILY IN GONAIVES IS WELL BUT HE DOESN'T KNOW THE STATUS OF HIS FAMILY IN PORT AU PRINCE. HE SAID HE KNOWS GOD HAS A PLAN TO REBUILD HAITI AND THAT SOMETIMES IN ORDER TO REBUILD A HOUSE YOU HAVE TO TAKE DOWN SOME PARTS OF IT BUT HIS HOPE IS IN GOD.

WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET ANY NEWS OF OUR CONTACTS IN PORT AU PRINCE. ONE OF OUR YOUNG MEN, JEAN ELIE, WORKS AS A TEACHER IN PORT AU PRINCE. PASTOR ANTHONY HICKMAN FROM FLORIDA AND PASTOR RAY COTTRELL FROM ALABAMA HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH A CHURCH IN PORT AU PRINCE AND REPORT NOT HAVING BEEN ABLE TO GET ANY NEWS FROM THERE AS TO THE WELFARE OF THE PEOPLE.

WE NEED FUNDS RIGHT AWAY SO PLEASE REFER PEOPLE TO OUR HUMANITARIAN WEBSITE TO DONATE AS WE MONITOR AND DETERMINE OUR BEST RESPONSE. www.weihumanitarian.org

2009 Year End Reflections

Wow!! We're in the middle of December already. It seems this year has gone by like a whirlwind. As a whirlwind does, it has moved things out of their comfortable places thus requiring a repositioning. That's where we're headed in 2010.

MISSIONS:
In 2009 Missions had a successful trip to Haiti where we expanded a lot of our programs as mentioned in our September blog. We are repositioning ourselves for 2010 to do a minimum of two trips to Haiti. Trip #1 is April 1-10, 2010. Our focus will be on women's ministry as well as doing a musician, praise and worship workshop. Our minister of music, Georgia and several women from our choir will conduct this although we may have one dynamic brother from the choir since there are young male singing groups at the church in Haiti. The head of our Women's Dept. is one of those women but will also head up the women's ministry outreach on this trip. A few other women including myself will also participate. Our Senior Pastor Brown and Assoc. Pastor Anderson will also be going.

Trip #2 is July 21-31, 2010. Our expanded sports camps will take place along with youth forums. First time missionary teens and adults will be encouraged to go on this trip.

EVANGELISM:
Evangelism outreach in 2009 consisted of door to door Tribe outreach throughout Vallejo. While there was some measure of successful witnessing and soul winning, we are repositioning our evangelistic efforts for 2010. Stay tuned because the final details are being worked out before we announce it but I will say many will be blessed and have an opportunity to be a blessing.

Let us end this year celebrating the faithfulness of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Let us rededicate ourselves afresh by totalling committing to do the will of God. I know He will expand us far beyond what we even thought or imagined until we are in the position that He can use us in. That position is found outside of our comfort zone but it's a good place.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,

Ollie Dixon
Associate Pastor
Missions/Evangelism
visit our humanitarian site at: www.weihumanitarian.org

UPDATES

On July 30, 2009 I returned to Gonaives, Haiti along with twelve other Bay area residents for a humanitarian trip with Water and Education Int’l. Our team included teens, two of whom gave up their summer vacation for the second year in a row to serve in Haiti, a nurse, school teachers, an artist, a professional basketball consultant, retired Sheriff, a social worker and a couple of business owners.

In the center of the city of Gonaives, Haiti is a sculpture of a globe with hands stretched upwards to it. That is the best way to express the impact of the donations received from each donor as well as their extended circle of family and friends. While those of us that physically went to Haiti can be viewed as the hands reaching out to touch the people, you were the arms attached to those hands for we could not have done it without you. Whether you gave finances, financed a team member, donated items, prayed, transported the team to and from the airport or prepared lunch for the team to take (thanks AJ) you reached out across the globe to make a difference in the lives of youth and families in a developing country. Thank you for being part of the team.

The generosity of you and other donors, allowed us to carry 700 pounds of medical supplies, toiletries, sports equipment, school supplies, toys and clothing. We also carried donated funds, which were used to purchase 500 pounds of beans and rice for distribution to four communities, pay for the restoration of the basketball court and the creation of a volleyball court as well. The people of Haiti send their sincere thanks for all you’ve done.

In the city of Gonaives over 300 youth participated in a day camp where they did arts and crafts and played soccer. Fifty teen and young adult females participated in the volleyball clinic and 50 teen and young adult males participated in the basketball clinic. A minor injury medical clinic (see above photo) was held for two days where the nurse and another team member treated over 125 children and adults for a variety of medical problems using donated over-the-counter medicines. My 18-year-old son, Contrail, did triage. Beans, rice and toiletries were given to the mission and school there.

In the mountain community of Dechaos, over 100 youth participated in day camp doing arts, crafts and playing games. Due to limited space, donated tennis balls really came in handy allowing the children to win prizes by bouncing the balls into a plastic cup. They also received toys. About 75 adults received beans, rice and toiletries.

In the small hilly community of Bienac, the team distributed beans, rice and toiletries to over 160 youth and adults.

The small community of Chatelain also received 100 pounds of beans, rice and a variety of packs of vegetable seeds to start a community garden courtesy of a former mission team member.

PROGRESS REPORT: The city of Gonaives now has beautiful shuttle public bus transportation; the Heberson hotel has built a new addition which most of us stayed in and actually had a small new refrigerator in two of the rooms; Love and Light has begun a micro enterprise project with micro loans; The Pastor's wife from Rosemond's Ennery church/school who lost her business and livestock in the '08 flood resulting in a large debt owed to the bank reported her debt is paid in full; The Dechaos school/church has beautiful new benches courtesy of UNICEF and also has electric lights installed by Archange; electricity now stays on 16 hours daily; Pastor Robert reports that Haiti is now 55% Christian. We celebrate progress in Haiti "from poverty to paradise."

Ollie Dixon

Hello Everyone!

It's update time>

21 more days and we're off to Beautiful Haiti!!! The anticipation is mounting and preparations are moving full speed ahead.

1. We just completed our final missions class for the Spring semester. For our last class we had an International potluck. The food was so good. The class researched various countries and bought dishes representing those countries. We had:
Israeli salad from the Middle East; Cous Cous w/chicken from Morocco; Peas & rice and Escobich from Jamaica; Curry chicken also Caribbean seafood from Trinidad; Samosa from India; Honey walnut prawns from China; and good old American lemon cake. What a tremendous class finale!! Congratulations to our new missionaries.

2. In our last post we talked about sorting the donated items to pack to take. So many volunteers have stepped up to do the sorting this week. Donations are still coming in. Many of my co-workers have contributed items and today sent the most beautiful email to me testifying how this has stirred them to get involved in their own communities to help the less fortunate. Many thanks to the donors and the volunteers.

3. I recently met with the Chaplain at Solano County Jail and went on a tour of the facility. It really stirred up the desire to minister to the imprisoned which is part of our mission as Jesus' disciples (Luke 4;18-19) and the vision of Apostle Nutt. We have around a dozen interested individuals that want to be trained and go into jails. Soon we will have a training with the Chaplain. Also Bro. Anthony has been doing training sessions for those interested in Juvenile Hall ministry.

4. Pastor George reports the rebuilding of the walls around the mission complex has been completed. Please continue to pray for resources, skilled laborers and favor to fulfill the following identified priorities from our leaders:

a. Our number one priority he said is to complete the renovation of the school in Gonaives by putting in the floors, windows, dry walling the classroom walls and painting them as well as fixing up the outside of the school building and replacing the office equipment; redigging the wells on the property and redigging the outdoor toilets.
b. Next we want to build a church in the small mountaineous area of Benoit
c. and then build classrooms for the school in the high mountain of Dechaos.
d. Finally, we want to purchase land and building the mission house although the price has gone up considerably since the land we wanted to buy originally was destroyed by the flood.

OK got to go. Blessings and honor and glory to each of you.

Pastor Ollie Dixon
Revival Center Ministries Missions Evangelism

Greetings

Hello Everyone,

Can you believe it is the end of May and we have not blogged since March. Personally, it has been busy. It seems the ministry has intensified. It's as if there is this push to get into position within a certain time frame. Well, here are some updates although they are summarized (it would take too much writing and reading to really go into detail).

1. The '09 Haiti team is poised to go in July. There are thirteen of us (a fourteenth person may join us from southern California). Three of the team members are 18. We will leave the end of July and return the end of the first week of August. Please pray for us and if you would like to donate, it isn't too late. There are many things we need to purchase when we get there. I won't go into more detail of the activities because I covered most of it in an earlier blog.

2. We have recruited a number of women interested in going into local jails, prisons and juvenile detention facilities to minister to the women and girls. Please pray with us as the ministry is being assembled.

3. Currently, we are teaching the Missions I class at the Revival Center Training Institute. The students are so excited. Pretty soon, they will be off to the mission field. One of the students will go on the upcoming July trip.

4. Our door to door monthly ministry will resume in June with one of the "tribes" going out the second Sunday morning to knock on doors and share Jesus and a prayer with families.

5. Pastor George and two of the brothers just returned from Haiti in April doing a survey of the land and the needs as well as the progress from the flood damage. He reported they have began rebuilding the walls around the mission complex. They also looked at land for future buildings in areas that aren't as flood prone. He reported the following priorities for us and our partners:

a. Our number one priority he said is to complete the renovation of the school in Gonaives by putting in the floors, windows, dry walling the classroom walls and painting them as well as fixing up the outside of the school building and replacing the office equipment; redigging the wells on the property and redigging the outdoor toilets.
b. Next we want to build a church in the small mountaineous area of Benoit
c. and then build classrooms for the school in the high mountain of Dechaos.
d. Finally, we want to purchase land and building the mission house although the price has gone up considerably since the land we wanted to buy originally was destroyed by the flood.

It's awesome to have a part in what God is doing in the earth!! Until next time, God bless each of you.

Pastor Ollie Dixon

Rebuilding the Walls of Hope

Whew!! Hello Everyone,

March is not only here but it is almost over! The March winds have been blowing and we've been busy preparing for the July trip to Haiti. In addition, we have three people going to Haiti next month. Pastor George and two of the brethren will head to Haiti to see how the walls that were destroyed by the flood can be rebuilt around the mission in Gonaives at Love and Light Mission.

I could go on talking about the walls but I want to talk about hope. The psalmist said, "Hope thou in God." We must hope in God, praying fervently in faith for deliverance for Haiti while encouraging our brothers and sisters there to do the same. Then we must "put our money where our mouth is" and put our hands to the plow to help make a difference there. Action speaks louder than words and talk is cheap are two old quotes that still ring clear.

ARE YOU READY?? Let's get busy!! How you ask? First, you can go on a mission trip with us to Haiti and use your skills to touch lives. If that won't work, you can donate. There is so much we could with more finances.

In this economy, there are still ways to help. A dear Korean sister in our missions training class shared how it was a missionary that visited her home some years ago that caused her to accept Christ. She suggested individual or group garage sales with the proceeds going to missions.

Cutting back on some or all of your daily coffee, snack, etc. and putting that money in a jar of whatever and donating it each month to missions. Make missions a family effort by putting a jar with a missions label on it where everyone can see. You will be surprised how this teaches your children to become givers. Cut out a picture of another child from Haiti and put it on the jar so they can have a visual of the lives their money will touch.

I cut back on the hair salon visits, saving around $150 per month which helps touch lives. Pray and see where you can cut back. Send checks payable to Revival Center Ministries, ATTN; Missions/Pastor Ollie Dixon, P.O. Box 1088, Vallejo, CA 94590

We can do it.

Pastor Ollie

2009 Haiti Missions

Hello All,

It's time for the summer mission's trip which is in late July. There will be daily discipleship and ministers training, young men basketball camp, young women volleyball camp, teen group discussions, children's day camp in Gonaives and a one day activity camp in the mountain church at Dechaos. There will also be food distribution and if we can find a doctor, there will be a clinic. We will also distribute basic items consisting of toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, soap, wash towels, shampoo, conditioner, etc. Several teens from the US will be a part of the team. They will take leadership roles in the various activities. Each team member, including the teens, must raise all of their expenses for the trip which has increased from $1500 to around $2,000 due to higher airfares. In addition, all of the supplies including the in country beans and rice must be purchased as well. Your prayers are appreciated as well as your monetary support.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE A PART OF THE TEAM BY SUPPORTING THE MISSIONARIES? ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS MAKE A CHECK PAYABLE TO REVIVAL CENTER MINISTRIES AND IN THE NOTE SECTION OF THE CHECK INDICATE YOUR PREFERENCE THAT IT BE USED FOR THE SUMMER MISSION TRIP. MAIL IT TO:
REVIVAL CENTER MINISTRIES
ATTN: MISSIONS/EVANGELISM
P.O. BOX 1088
VALLEJO, CA 94990-0108

God is moving in Haiti

"God wants to repair Haiti" said a dear brother in a recent email to Ollie Dixon. God is indeed mindful of the country and people of Haiti. Keep praying and believing to see the goodness of God in that country. We've received information that they now have electricity 12 hours a day! While this is only for those facilities equipped for electricity, this is still a good sign of progress. Pastor Robert Compere has been hospitalized twice recently to receive treatment for worms, allergic reactions and other symptoms yet we thank God that he is able to get the necessary medical attention in Port Au Prince. Assistant Pastors Jacky Dumond and Robert Charles are handling the ministry while he is in Port Au Prince. Keep him in your prayers.

Our dear missionary brother, George Hurd, recently made an emergency trip from Columbia to the US with his family so that he could be treated for an urgent medical condition. Let us keep him and the other missionaries in Columbia in prayer.

These missionaries that spend extended time in foreign countries where there is little or no appropriate medical attention are exposed to health threatening climates in addition to other dangers BUT GOD who neither sleeps nor slumbers is watching over them. Let's make it our business to be in a position to not only maintain a prayer covering for them but to be in a financial position to help them get the medical attention they need when necessary.

Remember our missionary friends in Cuba as well.

Congratulations are in order for Water and Education Int'l who received their non profit ruling from IRS recently.

Introduction to Missions I classes for the winter semester at Revival Center Training Institute have began. Many are responding to the call to the harvest field.

Sponsors are needed for school tuition for students in Grades Pre-1 through 6th. The cost is only $20/month or $240/year. Interested persons should contact Water and Education Int'l (WEI) 707-649-4162. For more information visit www.weihumanitarian.org.

Would you like to sponsor a team member going to Haiti July 29-Aug. 8, 2009? The cost is $1500 which covers airfare, hotel, and ground transportation for one. To contact and/or donate:
Make check payable to Revival Center Ministries (important to put in note section: Preference Haiti team member sponsorship).
Mail to Revival CenterMinistries at P. O. Box 5037 in Vallejo, CA 94590

2009 HAPPY NEW YEAR

It is 2009 and we've left 2008 behind. New expectations, goals and challenges to embrace brings reflective smiles (or smirks) to our face.

Let us take a moment to inhale from way down deep as we shake our selves from a spiritual sleep.

Exhaling long and slow, we prepare to deal the enemy a blow.

Arise thou that sleepest, put on your armor for we must take souls, territories and dominions by force; yes, this means you of course!

(c)copyright 2009 Ollie Dixon

Hello Readers,

We are preparing for our outreach locally and globally in 2009. Locally, we will go door to door sharing the love of Christ every 2nd Sunday morning one tribe per month until 12 tribes have gone into the highways and bi-ways here in Vallejo, California.

Globally, our main trip to Haiti will take place July 29-August 8, 2009. This will be a joint mission effort between Revival Center Ministries (RCM) and Water and Education Int'l (WEI). See website: www.weihumanitarian.org. RCM will do faith based trainings, Vacation Bible School and help with mission team selection and support in addition to participating with WEI's basketball and volleyball sports camp. Both organizations will assist with feeding the poor and distribution of toiletries and medicines. For the second year in a row, teens from the USA will participate in the trip and interact with teens from Haiti.

YOUR PRAYERS AND SUPPORT ARE NOT ONLY WELCOME BUT ENCOURAGED. FINANCES ARE NEEDED ON A MONTHLY BASIS TO HELP FEED YOUTH AND FAMILIES AND HELP WITH OPERATIONS AT LOVE AND LIGHT MISSION IN GONAIVES, HAITI.

GIVING IS THE ONLY WAY TO GET!!

PLEASE CONTACT US AT:

REVIVAL CENTER MINISTRIES
ATTN: MISSIONS/EVANGELISM
P.O. BOX 5037
VALLEJO, CA 94590

PRAYER REQUEST: PASTOR ROBERT WHO IS STILL BATTLING SYMPTOMS IN HIS BODY FROM THE EXPOSURE TO THE FLOOD WATERS A FEW MONTHS AGO. DOCTORS SAY HE HAS WORMS AND HE HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING SWELLING IN HIS FACE AND BODY. GOD IS A HEALER.

Missions Updates

Well here we are in December already. Several food packets were sent to Cuba to assist with flood relief. The recipients expressed their gratitude to those here in the US.

Pastor Robert Compere sent photos (I haven't been successful at uploading or is it downloading) of people receiving donated shoes and clothing at Love and Light Mission. These didn't come from RCM but we thank God for opening avenues of support.

Finances are very much needed to keep our operations up and running in Haiti. Donations may be mailed to:
Revival Center Ministries
ATTN: Missions
P.O. Box 5037
Vallejo, CA 94591
YOU MUST WRITE ON YOUR CHECK THAT THE FUNDS ARE FOR MISSIONS!

You may also visit the web site of the humanitarian branch at www.weihumanitarian.org where you can view updates on the students and other humanitarian efforts. In addition, you can donate directly via the internet from this site. You can also donate and have monthly donations automatically deducted. Visit the site today.

RCM Missions/Evangelism Ministries will begin door to door outreach once again beginning in January 2009. There will be a meeting in the annex the first Saturday in January from 10:30-11:30 AM. Come find out how you can play a part in the outreach for 2009.

From all of us here to you. MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!

UPDATES

Although there are still people living on rooftops, on the streets and in tents the people of Haiti are rebuilding their lives. Pastor Robert Compere recently sent photos of Love and Light distributing donated new shoes and clothing. They are still feeding people on regular basis.

The school is now open ahead of the Governments extended deadline of November 17th. Pastor Robert also sent photos of the new benches that were built to replace the ones destroyed in the flood. Water and Education Int'l (weihumanitarian.org) donated the funds to have the benches made and in appreciation, they engraved WEI on the benches. The students have received new school supplies and books as well.

On October 25, 2008, Revival Center Ministries and Water and Education Int'l hosted a flood relief benefit concert entitled "Hope for Haiti" to raise funds for flood victims in Haiti. The concert was well attended and music from Georgia Kennion and the Spirit of Revival Choir along with other local talents was enjoyed by all. In addition, the attendees watched a video of the footage shot recently on the humanitarian trip to Haiti. Many people gave and wanted to know what more could be done. Beautiful souvenirs were created by Missionary Rakeisha to sell and local entrepreneurs donated items to raffle.

Plans are being made to take a medical team into Haiti in the early Spring and the Summer trip in late July is being planned.

The Revival Center Training Institute's Missions class is in process with potential new missionaries participating. The class recently presented their oral reports expressing how the class has changed concept of missions and even their lives.
Missionary Ann Brown of Spirit and Truth Church in Sacramento has also been teaching a missions class at her church. It sounds like we will have new missionaries in 2008!

Update

Hello All,

We've been back from Haiti for a 1 1/2 weeks. It has taken this long to update the blog with the details of the trip because to be honest, the conditions there are surreal. The devastation witnessed by our team cannot be described in even the most articulate journalistic words. A one minute news video clip cannot do it justice. It is understandable that our host, Pastor Robert Compere, said "you must come see for  yourself." Nevertheless, I shall attempt to give you some details of the trip and include some additional photos. It is almost a book due to so much information. But first, if you are in the California area, we will host a benefit concert for flood survivors on Saturday, October 25, 2008 from 6-8pm at Revival Center Ministries located at 910 Tennessee St. in Vallejo, CA. Featured will the awesome voice of Georgia Kennion accompanied by the Spirit of Revival Choir. A short feature video will also be shown from Haiti and there will be novelties available for sale in the lobby following the concert. All proceeds after expenses will go toward flood relief efforts in Haiti. The concert is in partnership with Water and Education Int'l (weihumanitarian.org) and Revival Center Ministries (revivalcenter.org). Now for the update:

The good news is that none of our Haitian contacts lost their lives or family members, however the majority of them lost all possessions and many lost their homes. In addition, the latest death toll from the storms was right around 800 when I last saw it, therefore much prayer is needed for the survivors. 

There was a team of five of us which departed California on Sunday, September 28th on a red eye flight out of San Francisco. After a delay due to plane problems in Miami on Monday we were finally on our way to Port Au Prince. Let me insert here that for believers, there is no such thing as a coincidental delay; there are only divine delays. At the layover in Miami, a gentleman struck up a conversation with Pastor Brown. It turned out he is the president of a boarding school in Port Au Prince. The team was invited to visit the school which we did on our way back. The unique thing about the school that made this a divine connection is that the school is over 90% solar powered which is something we have been very interested in since one of our 2006 mission team members from Florida bought solar energy to  our attention as a means of electricity for Haiti. For the fortunate few that have access to electricity in Haiti, it  comes on at 6 pm and runs until 5:30 or 6:00 am. You must pay for getting a light pole and hookup for this government run power. I was personally extremely impressed with the school and may blog about the visit to the school which is called Louverture Cleary School later but due to content, I will focus on the results of the overall purpose of the trip which was to assess the damages.

Arriving in the evening to Port Au Prince on Monday, we were advised to stay overnight there due to the roads being too dangerous. There was no argument from our weary group. Fortunately a caterer from our church who prepared a lunch for the team to take in June felt God has given him to do so for future teams. Even more so than in June when we were delayed at the airport for 7 hours, this food really came in handy. Once settled in, we met up in one room and enjoyed this meal of corn on the cob, fried chicken, pound cake, tea cakes and "to live for" peanut brittle! 

Refreshed the next morning, Tuesday, September 30th, we headed for Gonaives. Each member of our team had been to Haiti earlier this year with the exception of the camera man so we knew what the area looked like prior to the flooding bought on by four storms within a few week period (Tropical Storm Fay in August and Hurricanes Gustave, Hannah and Ike in September). Nevertheless we were speechless as we travelled through the areas. Entire villages were either washed away leaving ruins or still completely under water. One city named Cabaret which is located about 6-7 miles from Port Au Prince was still flooded. When the river overflowed it's banks around 11pm, most people were asleep. 75 people died, most of them children. In dry areas, there families now living in dome tents with USAid written on them. Said our host, "the river flowing now where houses were. The river makes it's own way." Literally we saw scenes like this repeatedly. The obvious ferocity of the waters wiped out everything in it's path creating rivers at will.

Continuing on, we had to detour as we approached the port city of St. Marc (55 km from Gonaives) where the bridge (recently built) is now gone. We stopped in St. Marc to purchase bottled water which our host said would be hard to find from this point on. The journey became interesting as we travelled on an old road that had been reopened. Winding and treacherous with virtually nowhere to pull over, we had a few hairy moments as our SUV seemed to play chicken with oncoming vehicles on this unpaved path. 

Approaching the next town of L'Estere, all the rice fields were underwater. The marketplace there was full of mud, water and people still attempting to sell and buy. Continuing on toward Gonaives, we were saddened that the progressive roads that had been recently build and paved to connect to Gonaives was destroyed along with the nice new bridge. Once again we were on the back roads driving through  areas that used to be populated with homes but now rivers with an occasional rooftop sticking out of the waters. Travelling over an old bridge we see a few people doing laundry by the water with still rapid currents flowing. Our host pointed out a dam area which he said was opened when the waters became strong but the officials erroneously thought the waters would go one way and instead they flooded Gonaives and everything in it's path.

Another disturbing picture was the newly built orphanage we saw when we were here in June that opened in July with 12 little children. Barely visible now is the top of the wall in a sea of water. Thank God, the children were rescued and are now housed in a temporary orphanage in Port Au Prince which we also visited on our way back.

The most difficult thing was the entrance into the city of Gonaives. Much of the city was unrecognizable. Quicksand type mud and water is everywhere. Many streets are impassable by vehicle. Many homes and businesses are either destroyed or heavily damaged. Mounds of mud are piled along the streets where those fortunate enough to still have a home or business are shoveling mud out. Piles of furniture are being washed in the muddy waters along the street. Furniture and people are on rooftops where many now make their home. Sheets are makeshift shields from the sun and the public. The second floor of schools that survived are now full of families with nowhere to live.

Arriving at our regular hotel we were informed that our rooms had been given away when we did not arrive the previous night as scheduled. The alternative hotel we found was clearly a safety hazard but thank God before the evening was over our regular hotel had done a rush job on a couple of the flood damaged rooms on the 1st floor and we were able to stay there. For you savvy travelers, our regular hotel, Heberson Paradis, is equivalent to a minus 5 star hotel but the alternative hotels make it look like a 10 star hotel. Enough said.

Heading over to the Love and Light mission compound, we found the road impassable except by foot with long boots. No problem however because the area adjacent is now a wide open field where buildings and walls were ripped away by the flood. Maneuvering the SUV across this vast area to the compound we see trucks that were swept there by the waters. Our compound is now wide open as the flood washed away all the walls leaving only the gates standing. A large railroad boxcar lies wedged against one wall, swept there from who knows where by the waters. Over a foot of mud is caked on the grounds and in the lower classrooms. The desks which were not in good condition to begin with are now a pile of rubble. Men are shoveling out mud and clearing out the debris. The medical clinic lost everything, the computer equipment is destroyed. The bakery is heavily damaged but the equipment is there and once dried out will be examined to see if it works. The sewing school is damaged and the 12 new sewing machines are salvaged and once dried out will also be examined to see if they work. The last food pedal sewing machine which survived the '04 flood from Hurricane Jean is now destroyed. The basketball court has been shoveled off although the lines are barely visible. Nevertheless the poles and new nets we put in for the sports camp in June survived and a few youth are there playing ball. The church members had already cleared all mud out of the church, cleaned up the benches and even hung new curtains. The water well is damaged and inoperable. The generator is destroyed. It's still Tuesday. The kitchen has been cleaned and the  beans and rice which was distributed by a relief organization are being cooked to be distributed in one of the small areas only they haven't found a truck to get the food there. So the team clears our luggage out of the SUV, load up pots and off we go to a little area called Deseus. Once there, Pastor Robert sounds a loud speaker siren and people began streaming over to the porch of a little house where we have set up the pots. They had waited all day for the food and finally headed back home thinking there would be no meal. Approximately 110 adults and children were fed before the food ran out. On little boy stands out in my mind as we were driving away, he is walking down the road with his plastic bucket on his arm licking the last of the beans and rice from his hands. He gives us a big smile and waves as we pass him by.

Next we toured the area where Pastor Joseph Garcon lived. He is the director of the school in the mountain of Dechaos. His house is totally destroyed with just ruins left. He tells us that the waters pushed in the door then lifted the house up off the foundation and dashed it to pieces. He and his family, however, had fled to higher grounds just   in time. 

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

We toured more areas of Gonaives, some of it on foot, beginning with the area where the land we originally planned on purchasing to build a mission house complex is. Once lush and green, we did not realize we were standing on the land until our host told us. The grounds are covered with mud. I could not find where the water well was. Many of the houses that were around the land are gone or badly damaged. Still standing however is the tree I call the tree of life. It's not large like some of the ones we saw ripped up from the root by the waters yet it sits in the midst unscathed. The small family that sit under the tree in '06 where members of our '06 team shared food with them still lives nearby. The mother shows us her ailing mom is suffering from severe diarrhea while informing us that she lost all her possessions. "I found the skirt I have on now in the mud, she says. We have no food and no medicine for my mother." After praying for her mother, the team begins to leave followed by a group of little boys. 

At our hosts request, one boy rapidly climbs a tall coconut tree and throws down coconuts. Another young man uses a machete to open the coconut. Missionary Ann and myself bravely drink the juice which actually tasted good.

Next we walk through the mud over to Archange Derival's community. Archange often interprets for us. We survey the damage to his home which sustained mud and water but is still standing. Some of his furniture was salvaged but most of he, his wife and four children's possessions are gone. The team is delighted with his new baby, Ardens Ramsley, who was born in July. When the family was stranded on their roof for several days in the rain during the flood, they feared the baby would die. His wife told the team, the baby begin to turn pale from the rain waters and they prayed God would spare his life. Fat and smiling broadly, Ardens grins with the team as we take photos. Archange shows us his motorcycle some of the previous team members helped pay for which now is damaged from the waters. He and his wife are interviewed on camera and express their gratitude for surviving but express safety and security concern that the walls are torn down around their home. Behind is a cemetery where the waters have flowed over to his area from the above ground graves. The storm destroyed his garden he so proudly showed us in June but he indicates he will replant. The water pump in the front yard is being used by the community but he tells us the water is not safe. A previous team member from '06 sent funds which we give him to put in new pipes for the pump. Out of work as a teacher, he expresses concern about putting them through school and feeding his family. Although he is also a certified plumber and electrician, there is no work. Many people in his community also lost all and have no food.

Leaving the area, the team heads to the market area to purchase beans, rice and cooking oil. It isn't easy to find the way through the mud, people and vehicles sloshing in the mud and water. Finally finding a street vendor, hundreds of pounds of beans and rice are purchased along with plastic bags and oil. Back to the mission compound we quickly form an assembly line and begin bagging. A plastic bowl and a half of beans in a bag and the same process for rice. Once done, we load up and return to the the area. Word quickly spreads, and the crowd grows rapidly as we distribute the food. The crowd becomes unruly to the point we are forced to leave as soon as we've given out the food without being able to give them the oil. A fight even breaks out at one point. We were able to give some medication to the one lady to give her mother for the diarrhea who was obviously suffering dehydration. Getting to the end of the road away from the crowd, we stop again and open the back of the truck. Another crown gathers quickly with pans, bowls and even dirty bottles to get the cooking oil we're pouring. Again the crowd gets out of hand and we finally leave even though we've distributed all but a half gallon. Limited availability and price gouging has driven prices up so high that people cannot afford these basic foods.

There are food distributions by the police and other groups where UN soldiers are posted with riot gear and automatic weapons to keep the crowd in line. The lines stretch down the roads as people receive their 50 pound sacks of rice and carry it on their heads. Yet there are many that are still cut off from any form of aid.

Thursday, October 2, 2008

Starting early, the team packs up medical supplies and head for three locations: Ennery, Dechaos and Bienac. The once mostly paved road is either completely washed away or we have to drive on one half that is still in tact while looking over at the newly formed valley type water bed that the flood cut out. Areas where modest mud type houses once stood among mango trees are wiped clean. Mango crops are destroyed thus the little roadside market we usually patronize to purchase the deliciously sweet fruit no longer exists. Arriving at the site of the bridge leading to Ennery and Cap Haitien, we're see the bridge broken down at an angle with the flood waters flowing pass. Our host, Pastor Robert, informs us that when the waters were at their height the people were cut off for days from any form of assistance because this is the only way to get to them. He then begin to drive through the swift flowing water much to the alarm of the missionaries. Making it safely across, we sighed with relief as we continued to Ennery where we visited the Good Shepherd school and church. Although the facilities suffered no damage, the families lost crops and those that had businesses in Gonaives lost all. The pastor's wife tells how she now owes the bank for her business loan and doesn't know what she will do because she lost her animals in Ennery and her business in Gonaives where she used to sell beans, rice and oil. In addition, her husband is suffering from a medical condition which limits his walking and they have four children.

Leaving Ennery, we head to Dechaos mountain. While we used to drive part of the way up and walk for 45 minutes to an hour the rest of the way up the mountain, we now had to park near the water and walk all the way. The rain waters formed in the mountains and flowed with a mounting force down cutting the wide swaths we passed taking everything, roads, bridges, homes, trees, crops and people with it as it swept into Gonaives. The path we normally travelled up the mountain is now steeper and full of hazardous rocks. Looking out over the beautiful mountains that were lush and green we now see white spiderous veins running down the mountains where the waters stripped away the trees and greenery on it's way down the mountains. Finally arriving to the school and church we find no storm damage. The school consisting of banana leaf walls, dirt floor and a chalk board is standing, but the people are hungry and many are sick. We find ourselves conducting a minor medical clinic inside the church. A 14 year old young man comes in with a nasty looking obviously infected wound on his leg. "I hurt it in the flood when a tree hit it," he says. Using peroxide and iodine we clean the wound and wrap it. He is given care instructions and some medical supplies to take care of it. Others come suffering rashes from the waters, infected sores resulting from mosquito bites, stomach pains and headaches. We treat as many as possible using the supplies we have although some complaints of eye problems, anemia and worms among other things we are not qualified or equipped to treat.

Heading back down the mountain trail we prepare to go to Bienac but must stop at Love and Light to get more medical supplies. Arriving at Bienac, we enter the little tin church building and interview the pastor who tells us how he crammed 20 people in his one room house to shelter them from the flood. The people began to file in with medical complaints. The pastor's baby girl has a fever. A little boy has sores throughout his head. Another little boy has pussy sores on his ear formed by him scratching insect bites thus infecting them. Others have rashes, stomach pains, diarrhea, headaches. Once man has a leg wound similar to the boy in Dechaos which he says he got in the '04 Hurricane Jean flood yet it is still painful. The team once again sets up a makeshift medical clinic inside the church. Finally the weary team returns to the hotel. That night a storms comes with heavy rain and lightning. My heart goes out to the many people sleeping on the roof tops. 

Friday, October 3, 2008

Today we will leave and return to Port Au Prince to stay overnight before leaving for home. Rising up at sunrise, I watch the people on the roofs getting up preparing for their day. Reflecting over the past few days and rehearsing the various stories of survival and loss, it strikes me that although many of the stories are similar in nature, they have one thing in common which is they are all thankful to have escaped with their lives. Especially since many were asleep and barely escaped only what they were sleeping in.  

What really strikes me is the resolve of the Haitian people. I've witnessed them shovelling out mud and carrying on their duties in the face of this adversity. I look out from the hotel this morning and watch as throngs of people are coming into the town carrying wares on their heads while a privileged few use sticks to prod ladden down donkeys to keep moving. They are heading to any area they can to either set up shop to sell their wares, or to find merchants selling what's needed. Sloshing through the mud, many remove their shoes. Large puddles of water have become truck and motorcycle car washes as well places  to wash the thick mud off of shoes, legs and feet. This is their country and life goes on. They will overcome once again.

We finally say our goodbyes and head for Port Au Prince.

Upon arrival there, we check into our hotel near the airport and head out to visit the school with the solar powered campus that the man in the Miami airport told Pastor Brown about. We are given a grand tour and invited to join him and the principal in the mission house for lunch which we accept. Most impressive was the young people at the school who live there Monday-Friday and go home over the weekend. They are from poor families and attend tuition free. The self confidence and sense of ownership the students possess is evident. The school instills a sense of civic and community responsibility in the youth who have to do 30 hours of community service in the surrounding area. The older students are required to mentor the younger ones. On one wall is a quote from President John F. Kennedy which sums up the schools focus: "Ask not what your country can do for you but rather what you can do for your country."

Next we leave the school and head to the location of the temporary orphanage. Walking in the door these darlings immediately swarm around us hugging our legs and showing us their toys and verbal abilities. "Mama, mama," they cry out to Ann and I. They are the most adorable children. Pastor Robert told of the conditions some of the children were in when first bought into the orphanage in July. One little boy full of personality had recently received a clean bill of health after having tuberculosis. Another little girl came with  a swollen stomach from sickness but is now doing well. A little baby girl about 10 months old cuddled in my arms has a large sore in her head that they tell us the doctor is treating. Looking at them, they are happy in this loving environment.

Finally we head back to the hotel where we enjoy dinner outside near the pool. Still not a hotel with any stars but better than a rooftop.

Saturday, October 4, 2008

After a  minor delay at the airport we depart Port Au Prince for Miami and then onto San Francisco. Home at last. Praise God.

Pastor Ollie Dixon

Haiti Relief Trip Photos

H

Haiti Update

One more day and off to Haiti we go! Thank you to all those that are constantly in prayer for the people of Haiti and for our mission team. Not only are our ministry families praying in California, but also Chicago, Kentucky and points beyond. A special thank you to Apostle Charlene Crossley and the Church on the Way family and prayer team for your encouragement and prayers. In addition, our Haiti family is constantly praying for us and have asked that we convey their appreciation to everyone for your support and prayers.

Here is an update to previous blogs:
Funds were sent to Haiti to help Pastor Joseph Garcon and his son, Sadrac Garcon to temporarily pay rent, buy medication and food for their families.

We were informed that the two doctors that used to be at Love and Light are no longer there. One went to Port Au Prince and the other went back to Cuba to be with his family. Nevertheless, we are taking over the counter medications that we can dispense to those that are suffering with their feet and infections.

The well at Love and Light school cannot be repaired at this time because the roads are not good enough for a truck to get there. The water pump at Archange's home has to have the pipes replaced before clean water can be gotten for his family and community. Nurse Khamisi is sending the funds to fix the pump with the team.

It was thought that the schools might open the first week of October but that is postponed, no doubt due to many homeless people still living in the schools as well as damage to some. Love and Light School suffered damage and lots of mud. We are prepared to help clean the school out upon our arrival.

In addition, the team will purchase, bag and distribute hundreds of pounds of beans and rice to the people.

Our relief team departs Sunday, Sept. 28th and return Saturday, Oct. 4th. Keep the prayer covering going and God bless you.

Pastor Ollie Dixon

Delegation Ready to Travel to Haiti

Hello Everyone,

The hotel in Gonaive is now open and the flood waters are gone done significantly.
On Sunday, September 28th, 4-5 of us including a camera man from the media department will depart for Haiti and return on Saturday, October 4th . We won't have room to take too many items so we are focusing on medications to help the people who have sustained cuts and infections from walking in the flood waters. Primarily we need iodine which is good for cleaning the skin, Bacitracin and Neosporin are the over the counter antibioctic creams (Walmart's brand is cheaper) and Tylenol and Motrin/Ibuprofen are for pain relief. In addition, we need bandages and tape as well as small face towels.

Please join together to pray for us and each stage of our itinerary below:

9/28 - Depart San Francisco Airport
9/29 - Arrive in Port Au Prince and Drive to Gonaives
9/30-10/2 - Visit Love and Light School, Friendship Church; current homes or sites of previous homes destroyed by the floods; if able to locate a doctor there will be a 1-2 day clinic also; dispense over the counter medications; purchase and distribute beans and rice.
10/3 - Travel back to Port Au Prince and stay overnight
10/4 - Return to California

Pastor Ollie Dixon, Director
Missions Evangelism Ministries

Rebuilding lives

Homes need to be built and furnished. Income opportunities created to sustain daily lives. Who is up to the task? Is it you? How about you?

Doug Satre, director of outreach at Floresta was recently quoted as saying “When storms strike the United States, we can turn to government aid. But Haitians get virtually no help, relying on the kindness of stranger.”

News reports say that the western city of Gonaives was all but destroyed and every house had been damaged or swamped by mud. Prime Minister Michele Pierre-Louis has said that up to one million persons may be homeless.

“This is a humanitarian catastrophe of a scale that is beyond the capacity of the government, (or) of the UN stabilization mission” in Haiti said Hedi Annabi of the UN. Mr Annabi said, “It is just an horrendous sight. This is a city which is basically destroyed. There is not a single house that has not been destroyed or damaged, that is not full of two or three feet of mud”

An aid team member in Haiti said, “Schools are due to reopen in early October, yet thousands of people are still living inside school buildings because their homes have either been washed away or are uninhabitable. This is not just short term emergency relief that people need. Without seeds to replant or livestock to replace those that were killed, hundreds of thousands of people in Haiti will have no way to feed themselves for months to come.”

This is a call for business persons, churches, companies, tradesmen and regular ordinary citizens to come together to help rebuild homes and lives in Haiti. It is up to us!!

Contact Ollie Dixon at (707) 649-4124. WE NEED YOU!!

Life in Gonaive

Hello All,

Below are a few photos of life in Gonaive now. Photo #1 shows Pastor Robert Compere (standing to left of man in stripe shirt). He and the others in the photo are trying to get aid that is being distributed by a humanitarian group. Pastor Robert is the director of Love and Light Mission. Photo's #2 and 3 depict daily life as people travel in and around Gonaive. Recent news reports tell of water related sickness running rampant as people walk, bathe in and even cook with the murky brown waters which still contain dead animals, people, etc. That is the big challenge right now. CLEAN WATER!! Next is MEDICAL SUPPLIES and of course FOOD!!

 

Latest Mission News

Wonderful news! The Heberson Paridis Hotel in Gonaives is open so we should be getting to ready to head there very soon. The water is gone down in most places leaving lots of mud and much worst stuff nevertheless we praise God as we prepare to travel there .

Here's family updates:
Pastor Robert left for Port Au Prince to seek medical treatment for bumps in his mouth, on his legs and feet. This is no doubt connected to exposure to the flood water bacteria.

Sadrac Garcon (school principal for Decharos school) called to say he, his wife and baby girl only had 3 more days to stay in the rental room and then they would be homeless. He also said his wife and his father, Pastor Joseph Garcon, are suffering badly with their feet from exposure to the waters and they have no means to obtain medication or medical treatment.

Derival Archange reported he has gone to his home and cleaned it up but there is a bad smell so he will wait a while longer before bringing his family home because it isn't good for his infant son. He said he is thankful that he still has a house because so many people homes were destroyed. He shared a testimony about one of the hurricanes hurling a car within feet of his house and rejoiced that God caused it to miss his house and spared his family.

Joseph Markenson decided to go to St. Marc because his food and funds ran out. He said he has 2 brothers there who should be able to help him with food and shelter so he went there today. He reported that he arrived and was able to find his brothers. He said his stomach is full.

Prayer Requests:

> For the team as we travel to Haiti: for safety, health and protection, resources to aid the people with restoration.
>For those in Haiti: for health, provision of shelter and other necessities, healing, restoration of more than they lost.
>For the country of Haiti: healing in the land, sincere governmental leadership that will help all the people.
>For skilled laborers that will assist with the restoration and building.
>For finances to enable restoration and building.

God bless,

Pastor Ollie Dixon