Our newsletter...

Most of what is in the newsletter has already been posted, but a few minor ones may be new. But, here it is!! P.S. The photos mentioned have already been posted here on the blog previously.

Davis in Haiti ~ Jan., Feb., and March 2010

I realize it's been a long time since we have gotten a newsletter out. Our lives have been really, really hectic these last three months. I will try to give you an idea of what has been happening, although most of you have seen some of the situation on TV and in the news. Being here in the midst of it all has been a bit different than what you have heard. I will include some photos with this, which are more personal than what you have seen before. But let's back up and start way back at the beginning of the year.

We have been blessed with 8 teams since the first of the year. And I mean BLESSED. They have all accomplished so much. I can't tell you how much has been done for so many. The variety of teams has been awesome, too. We have had pastors conferences, medical, dental, construction and even evangelism work done. And then we were doubly blessed when first one couple from Camano Island stayed for three weeks to help out (and believe me, they really were put to work). And then another friend from Camano stayed to help out while I went stateside for some tests. (But I did get to enjoy her, too, when I returned).

We have also gotten containers in the last 3 months. We are SO thankful for these especially since the needs have increased so drastically. In between the teams, and even while the teams were here, Don has been making some very needed deliveries of food. Most of the people we help, who have little or no means of support, have had families come up from Port to live with them. These families have nothing, since they lost it all in the earthquake. And now these destitute people have even more on their plates. The only positive thing is that they now have a safe place to lay their heads, even if it's in the yard. And that is not uncommon here. There can be 15 to 20 people sleeping in a yard, on the ground, even in the rain. I don't think Americans realize the desperate situations that now exist because of the quake. Many of the people are happy to sleep outside on the ground, because they fear sleeping inside a building that may collapse.

That is one of the reasons we had been trying to get tents. They were happy to sleep inside a tent, since even if it collapsed, it would not maim or kill them.

Cap Haitian has seen an increase of somewhere between 200,000 and 300,000 people. It is hard to count, since many simply wandered up here without the assistance of the UN, or other organizations. So a consensus of the numbers is almost impossible. And alot of the people who came up here, have no relatives or friends to stay with, and are simply living on the streets.

If you have been able to follow our blog, you would have seen some of the situations. There are just so many, and it's been so difficult to help all those who come for help. But we are praising God for the assistance that has come our way. So many have responded in so many ways. One gal has found a way to send us many tents, all on her own. What a blessing she has been. And others have sent food, which was sent mostly to Port, and some given out here. And then those who send funds have been a tremendous help. We have been able to help so many, many people thanks to those of you who have cared so much. Our bucket ministry is also helping those who are in such difficult situations. With the relief money that has come in, we are working through 6 Haitian pastors. Two of these already have over 1,000 people they and their congregation are helping through their church.

Just a bit of where some of this has gone...we have been able to send truck loads of food and supplies, plus tents to Port au Prince, to help those we know there who have unending needs now. Many people are sleeping on top of rubble where their homes were, just to make sure they don't lose their property. They have hopes that eventually they can rebuild. But this may take a LONG time. So they are living in tents on top of the rubble.

As I stated in our blog, the Lord can use this disaster to help bring this country around to Him. Haiti need to be rebuilt, in many ways. But considering the government buildings were all destroyed, it's an indication that we need to rebuild not only the buildings, but the government itself, to put this country on the road to recovery, both physically and spiritually.

So many positive things have occurred since the quake. Churches are overflowing with people turning their lives over to the Lord. Yes, some may walk away from it after a while, but the commitment of so many is overwhelming. These are people who have lost everything...and in many cases, even limbs. But they are now focusing on serving the Lord who they claim saved them from death. Just a couple of incidents...one young gal had turned her back on her Christian upbringing here in Cap, and was in Port in school. Her mother has had the church praying for her for a long time. On the day of the quake, she was on the third floor of the school. She needed to use the rest room, and was trying to hold off until class was over, but couldn't. She ran down three flights, got outside to find a place to relieve herself when the quake hit. The school totally collapsed, with all her friends in it. She grabbed her cell phone and called her mother and said, "I'm coming home. God saved me and I want to serve Him." Another man lost everything...his home, his wife, his children, part of a leg,and part of an arm. he stood in church and said he wanted to accept the Lord and serve Him for saving him. These types of stories have abounded all over Haiti. It could very well have been bitterness, but it wasn't. There have been scores of witch doctors who have turned to the Lord. Towns, like Limbe, near us, have turned in mass toward the living Lord.

Yes, thousands of lives have been lost. But hundreds of thousands of lives have been turned toward the Lord. For the small part God has allowed us to play in this, we are thankful. We have been blessed in so many ways by the way the Lord is pouring out His Spirit on this country. Please continue to pray for us and for all of those who are trying to help here in Haiti. God is using even the unsaved to help here.

I keep coming back to the verse in 2 Chronicles 7: 14... "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and see my face, and turn from their wicked way, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."

As I see Haiti, slowly turning around (VERY slowly it seems, but here is movement in that direction), I also think of America. Our country also needs to cling to this verse. The Christians of the US need to heed this verse and start praying and seeking the Lord for the healing of their land. Oh that the Lord would open the eyes of Americans as He has been able to do through this earthquake here in Haiti. I don't for even on second believe that the Lord caused this earthquake. But I do firmly belive that He can use it for His glory and for the salvation of many, many people.

The turmoil, the hungry people, the hurting, will not be gone over night. This is going to be a long hard road for most of the people here. Pray with us that the Lord will continue to use us to help those we can. Pray that He will continue to bring the resources to help the ones He puts in our path. Pray that the Lord will continue to build and strengthen the Christians in this country to serve Him and to bring many others to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Again, we want to thank all of those who have stepped in and helped us in so many ways. Without you, we would not be able to serve as the Lord has asked us to. Keep us and this country in your prayers.

Pray for us as we make plans to take a trip to the US in the next couple of months. We are trying again to get visas for Vero and Abbie to go with us. It is so vital that Vero be able to share the ministry of the IDADEE orphanage. Please pray with us on this. We are seeking His wisdom in what to do and where to go.

And what would a newsletter be without mentioning Abbie and her efforts to keep us in line. When the dental team was here, Don was having his teeth checked. She came up beside him, leaned in and said, "Grandpa, just take a deep breath and relax." These types of things go on and on with her. She is a challenge and a joy, all at the same time.

Although we do need a break, please pray that the Lord will keep us focused on what to do and how to do it here in Haiti. He has blessed us beyond measure by putting so many national pastors to work with us. And these all have been so very responsible with the help. Pray for them, and for all those who are working to help bring this country around to a God fearing, God living, God serving country.

May the Lord richly bless you and yours. We pray the message of Easter was one that drew you and your family closer to the realization that Jesus did it all for YOU...and for me and for all people.

Don & Karen Davis
"With God nothing is impossible"
Luke 1:37

I wanted to add a note here from our mission. It may be of interest to some of you. Also let me add that World Outreach Ministries has been a faithful prayer warrior through all the difficult times here in Haiti. We know they pray for us constantly, and we are so thankful for that.

Don & Karen Davis
Unit 1019 ~ WOMI
3170 Airmans Drive
Ft. Pierce, FL 34946

For tax deductible gifts:
1. Online donations for our account ~ www.WorldOutreach.org (click on 'Donate' and follow the simple directions)
2. Or mail checks to:
World Outreach Ministries
P.O. Box B
Marietta, GA 30061
(designate for Don & Karen Davis #10 account)