This is a post sent from the current team in Haiti.

The “Chambrun Express” is much cooler to ride on now with one less door! We arrived at Chambrun at 8:00 a.m. and the weather was already stifling. The team loaded up the bus and half of us were off to the camp while the rest stayed back to finish tasks on campus.

Donkeys are often seen hauling things - check out the Kids Against Hunger box!

On arrival to the IDP camp we learned of a second camp that had a new mom and baby that were in need of help. There was also an elderly woman with many health issues that were potentially life threatening in the same camp. This proved to be true as the woman had already passed away.

Pastor Pierre took Susan, Peggy and Bunnie to see the new mother and baby. We found them in a 100 degree plus tent wrapped with many layers of blankets. Mom had delivered the night prior and still had not fed baby. We assisted the mom with breastfeeding and then examined both mom and baby. We found both to be in great health and needing just teaching and encouragement.

On leaving the camp our car was stopped by a panicked woman whose friend was weak and in need of assistance. After an exam she was found to be on her way to healing from what was a long stay in the hospital and in need of hydration. We gave her water and will see her in the morning. We will be setting up a clinic at this camp in the morning.

Peggy with a new friend

Back at the Chambrun campus there was much activity. The list of tasks is never ending. Today team members were cooking in the kitchen, hanging doors, working the clinic, and arranging the warehouse. Everyone is encouraged to be FAT in our daily approach to this trip. FAT (flexible, adaptable, and teachable) is an expectation of Pastor Pierre for all who serve NVM. This team has been very FAT!

A busy day at an IDP camp

On a funny note, the Chambrun express is now part of the local “tap-tap” brigade (“tap-tap” stands for taxi). Steve was shocked when three local men “jumped” on the bus right behind him as we were stopped in traffic. This might be a good outreach.

by Linda Kirchhoff

This is a post sent from the current team in Haiti. Due to e-mail problems we just received the following three posts which are from earlier in the week.

We were up early and off to Chambrun via the “Express” with fearless Gary at the wheel. The “to-do” lists were growing even as we rode along. Once we were on campus we went to work, some doing construction, some in the kitchen, some in the clinic, and others in the pharmacy.

The team with the famous "Chambrun Express"

Midmorning, the entire kindergarten class from the Nehemiah Academy (over 100 kids) came over to the clinic for well-child check-ups. We set up chairs and saw each child individually and then rewarded them with a sucker, a silly band, and the required hand sanitizer. We are spending loads of time stressing good hygiene in response to the ongoing cholera threat.

Brooke & Ken helping a little one

We cleared out part of the warehouse in preparation for a huge food donation due to arrive tonight. Several of the guys worked long and hard to finish outdoor projects.  It was super hot and humid today.

In the clinic, Peggy and Susan had an amazing experience with a pregnant lady. Someone had donated a very nice portable ultrasound and we were able to show this young woman her baby! The look on her face as we described each feature was almost indescribable. We were able to send her on her way with the assurance that all was well with her unborn child.

Not sure who is happier. Susan or the woman?

Later in the afternoon, several children from the village came to the clinic and were hanging out with us. They seemed eager to help so we sat with them and let them count the medicine with us. They were counting in English and teaching us Creole words. It was really fun and a nice end to our day.

New friends!

Written by Bryan Pratt

My Weekend of Service started early. I met twenty others at Grace Community Church at 3 am on Saturday. We sleepily stood around in a circle waiting for someone who had already had a cup of coffee to give us some direction.  We were finally told to load about 60 totes and suitcases into Grace’s cargo van (which later that day would be filled with food for the food pantries of Hamilton County).

60 totes and suitcases being packed into a van at 3am.

By 3:28 am we were on our way to the first pit stop of our journey.  At 4:15 am we shuffled out of our vans and with our luggage in hand, headed into the Indianapolis International Airport. Three plane rides, thirteen hours, and 1682.17 miles later, we landed in Port Au Prince, Haiti.

Last July I visited Haiti for the first time, and less than 48 hours after being home I signed up to go back. I felt God’s call on my life to serve the amazing people of this country. In the three months leading up to this latest trip I struggled with patience and longing. God called me to back to Haiti the moment I left, so waiting three months wasn’t part of my plan. God’s plan was much different than my own. God brought us to Haiti at this time for a reason: to help the victims of Hurricane Tomas, which hit the day before we arrived.

In the previous months our team met together four times to prepare for this trip. We learned about our spiritual gifts, our strengths and weaknesses, and got to know each other a little better. Even so, I was a little out of my comfort zone with people I hardly even knew.  But then again, isn’t that the point?

Dave Rodriguez, the senior pastor of our church, once did a sermon on being brave and not safe. Going to Haiti, I realize, is all about being brave.

The people working at the desk at 4:30 am weren't very happy with us.

Jumping on a plane with 19 team members I barely knew (with the chance of flying into a hurricane!) is brave. In fact, serving God is brave. All 3,500 people that served this weekend in the name of Christ are brave.

God’s presence here in Haiti is completely obvious. He’s working through the villagers of Chambrun and through Pastor Pierre and his people. God is moving here in unbelievable ways. The church at Nehemiah Vision Ministries’ campus was packed today with Haitians ready to praise the God of the Universe. Some of them even walked five miles to get there. The people of Chambrun are filled with joy, because in spite of everything they’ve been through, they’ve still kept their eyes on God.

The faces of people in downtown Port Au Prince, however, were different. Most of us thought the plane rides and exhaustion would be the hardest part of our weekend. Well, we were wrong. As we drove through Port Au Prince we saw so many things that broke our hearts time after time. I will never forget some of the faces I saw today. The heartache and hopelessness in their eyes was haunting. Where was God in this mess?

An aerial view of Haiti.

The answer?  In Chambrun. In the work and vision of Pastor Pierre, his staff and his volunteers.

In the end, my Weekend of Service wasn’t as different as the rest of Grace Community Church’s. Sure, I raised $1,500 and traveled to a different country, but when it all comes down to it we were all doing the same thing: spreading the message of God through love and service.

God is moving in Haiti. He is raising up a generation of Haitians to continue his work and make Haiti a beautiful place. I pray that you too will follow the call to be brave and not safe. There are those out there that need you. So rise and serve the people of this world. They are waiting.

by Linda Kirchhoff

This is a post sent from the current team in Haiti.

Our day today began with another hilarious trip on the “Chambrun Express”. We saw a huge line outside the U.S. Embassy and wondered what was going on. Perhaps they are looking for jobs or waiting for visas. Everywhere we look we see signs of renewal and hope and expectation in a country that has every reason to give up hope. What an inspiration to us!

Those who had been to Haiti before have been surprised to see children walking to school in their crisp uniforms, businesses open and thriving, and people by the hundreds walking through the streets of Port-Au-Prince.

Two precious girls

We arrived in Chambrun and prepared for another day. Terri and Adam have found a special place serving in the kitchen. The day of our arrival the cook had to leave rather unexpectedly and NVM was left without a cook for the team living at Chambrun. They stepped right in and took over cooking two meals a day for 40-50 people! Adam was able to make a trip to a very modern supermarket today and returned to our team meeting tonight with a full report.

Chefs Adam & Terri

The medical team went to a second tent camp today. We set up the clinic in the camp “church”, a crude structure of sticks covered with canvas and cinder blocks for an altar. The people waiting in line began to sing a song in Creole for us and then the camp leaders prayed for all of us and committed our day and our work to God. That was so humbling!

Gary and his new pal

 We saw many, many babies who were sick and dehydrated. We saw many elderly people with high blood pressure. What a joy to be able to recommend a follow-up visit to the Chambrun clinic. We also saw a few moms with breastfeeding issues and were able to spend extra time with them to help them care for their babies.

Mark sure has a father's touch

Our ride back on the “Chambrun Express” was wild to say the least. Steve was able to finish the job Aaron Elliott started on the bus door, bending it completely in a bus vs. gate event (the gate won!). We enjoyed a great dinner of pancakes, sausage, bacon, and eggs.

Diane and Susan

Our team member Mark, delayed due to family circumstances, finally arrived tonight and was treated to a ride home in the dark because there were no lights on the vehicle!

This is a post sent from the team currently in Haiti.

Today was our first full day working here in Haiti. We arrived at Chambrun after another hair-raising ride on the “Chambrun Express” through the streets of Port-Au-Prince (including dodging pack donkeys and potholes that would swallow a Smart Car).

Steve and a new friend.

We began by helping set up the clinic. Patients were already lining up as we arrived. Part of the medical team began seeing patients while others organized the supplies to take to the first IDP camp. Other team members began working on the list of special projects Pastor Pierre had waiting for them, including doing an inventory of the warehouse and organizing donated supplies.

Treating a little one. Notice the line in the back.

The medical team arrived at the IDP camp to find a line forming outside the designated area. We set up the “pharmacy” and triage areas and, after a time of prayer asking God’s blessing on our day, we began to see patients. As expected, we saw a large variety of people, from the elderly to the beautiful, little newborns. We treated patients for everything from stomachaches and headaches to a severe burn on a little girl’s leg. The crowds were orderly and waited patiently in the heat to be seen, many having walked miles from another camp as they heard we would be there today.

Bunnie listening to a man's symptoms.

We had a great time of worship together at our team meeting tonight. We are really enjoying the time getting to know each other and the amazing opportunity we have to serve here together. Thank you to all who are praying for us and for the Haitian people. We see signs of hope everywhere, despite all they have suffered.

Krista loving another little baby!

Tomorrow is another early morning as we head off to Chambrun and possibly, another camp. Please also take a look at Bryan Pratt’s blog at http://graceinhaiti.wordpress.com .

This is a post sent from Bunnie Eads, one of the members of our current team in Haiti.

We got to Haiti without a hitch after a 3 a.m. departure from Grace, the only eventful moment being a dicey landing in Chicago. The view from the plane as we landed in Haiti was much greener than it was right after the earthquake. There was also less visible damage from the hurricane than we anticipated.  We were greeted by stifling heat and a crowded baggage claim. After a long drive to Pastor Pierre’s home, we were warmly welcomed by his family.  We were thankful for a cool shower and a restful evening.

Early this morning, Gary drove the “Chambrun Express Bus” through the rough terrain to church. Within seconds of stepping on campus we were surrounded by beautiful children who never left our side.

Lucy Rodriguez with a new friend.

We joined in a 4-hour church service, which included Sunday school, lively worship, lots of smiles and a musical presentation by our team. God’s presence comes to the congregation so evidently through Pastor Pierre’s teaching. Church was followed by a leisurely meal in the new cafeteria.

Worshiping with our Haitian brothers and sisters.

In the afternoon, two of Pierre’s assistants drove us into Port-au-Prince to see the damage from the earthquake. Those who had previously been to Haiti were amazed at how much rubble has been cleared away. However, everyone was disappointed in the amount of devastation that still remains.

A view from the bus.

Our trip home was interrupted by a “bus vs. tap-tap” incident. The drivers pulled over to “talk” it over while we waited. Everyone was relieved to arrive back “home” safely.

The Lord has been so good, Hurricane Tomas is now history, and praise the Lord there was not much damage.  Flooding in some areas, however tomorrow after church we will be visiting some camps that called for help.   This week is going to be quite something.  We also had to put down our tents for church etc, so today Pierre was busy with some of our local guys putting it up again.

Nevertheless,  we have much to be thankful for.

Also, the Grace team made it in today and we look forward to a good week with them. - Dianne

Today, I had the opportunity to witness first-hand, the members of Grace Community Church come together, 3800 strong, to provide service outreach to 100 different organizations. Nehemiah Vision Ministries was one of the ministries chosen for this outreach. With about 3 months of prep work for this weekend's event, Theresa McClure put together an effort to turn what could only be called "a pile of donations" into an organized shipment bound for Nehemiah Christian Academy in Chambrun, Haiti. Volunteers from Grace put together hygiene kits for women in Haiti consisting of soap, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, feminine napkins, and a bible verse from Jeremiah 29. They also assembled kid packs consisting of paper, crayons, pencils, scissors, glue sticks, rulers, and stickers for school students in Haiti. Each kid pack also included a piece of candy and a granola bar. Amy Manley led the group on Saturday while Jack will lead the group on Sunday.

Sponsorship packets were made available to the volunteers who responded by sponsoring 36 Nehemiah Christian Academy children!

Many people also brought in children's vitamins to send down to Kacie Davis and Aubree Dell, the NVM nurses who are on a one-year medical service mission in Chambrun, Haiti. Aubree and Kacie are from Grace Community Church and were the topic of many discussions as workers pieced together the packets. Another topic of discussion was the effects of Hurricane Tomas and also prayers for the Grace team which was left for Haiti this morning. All which made today a wonderful day of fellowship and service to the Lord.

[-pym  llllBoy have things really been happening on the chambrau campus.  It is amazing to see the blessigs God has bestowoed on this ministry.  Standing room only at Church yesterday, so for those of you that have visited here you know what that experiences is like,.  For those of you who have not I hope to download images for you to witness the crowd, their commitment to worship, and the heartfelt conversations with God through prayer and song.

We a few of the team are watching the colts game and it is nice for them to be able to enjoy some time alot like being home.  Casey and Aubrey, (nurses living and working here for a year) are from IN so we are  experiencing some lively energy.  ;'[ppppppppppppppppp][can't keep the kitten off of the key pad! So sorryn forthe badfp typingll Anyway the Girs have made such a wondeful ,positive difference here for al concerned. 

We are lookng to see many of the students in need of dental work tomorrow.  It is always great to see the students as well as the famlies.

The Cholora scare we have all heard about is nothing we seem to be dealing with in this area.  Alot of the same kind of things we always dea with burns, infections, malnurishiment, toothdecay  along with some real strong cases of joy, happiness and gratitude.  These are some truely amazing and lovely people.

As I wright this we are keeping an eye on Tropica storm Thomas.  If it takes the predicted path and stay on track with the anticipated timeing we will probably nit be getting home on time.  We are supposed to fly home on Sat.  But that could very easiy be Sun That is just not what this county needs 

Ok if you have not noticed the cat has now destroyed the LLLLL key on this notebook.  We thank you al for the prayers and support we receive from you.

Take care see you al soon

OnHis "Grip