Hi from Haiti,

This morning I received a phone call from a visiting pastor friend who is helping a medical team and has been utilizing my boys to translate. He said he had a connection with an American Colonel and we could get all the food we needed. We had an hour to get there. This short notice made it impossible for me to contact some police friends who I use for security.

Off I went with 9 of my boys, in 3 trucks. We met pastor Murph, and soon were inside the giant warehouse. Sure enough, we backed all three trucks up and loaded 50 tarps and over 5000 meals into the truck. These are MRE's ready to eat meals.

We took 3 of the tarps and tried to hide the food for the trip home. Half way, several boxes fell from the back of my truck, the first one. We pulled over and quickly saw people starting to converge on the food. Just as we were about to be swarmed, 4 Angels walked up with sub machine guns, wearing police uniforms after exiting their police truck. They stood guard while we reloaded and left. Never knew angels needed guns.

Yesterday we got our bridge on the road to our house fixed and were not supposed to drive on it for 2 days. We had no choice but to roll the 3 trucks over it, and then home. We messed it up and I had to pay the guys a little more to "cover our tracks".

I was so proud of Claudy and Manel driving the other trucks, and the rest of the boys as we had a successful mission getting food.

Two of my staff, Fondi and Jony took a truck to pick up food from marines who brought it to us by helicopter. They then rolled in and boy do we have the food. We already took 30 cases of food to 3 pastors in our ministry area, including our former pastor, Pastor Jackie.

I am bummed I can't use the bridge tomorrow to deliver more food but Saturday we will hit it hard. My boys did deliver 30 meals tonight to the small, 28 child orphanage by our house that we have been helping.

We are going to move this food quickly to people who need it, mostly women with children and the kids at the Good Samaritan orphanage. Speaking of them, as of this week, they are now all sleeping in tents.

Did you pick up on it when I said, "We took all 3 trucks". A visitor this week said, "You need another truck? Let's go get one." And we did just that. A big people mover, which will help so much.

We also had a motorcycle club donate money for us to buy a motorcycle, which we did. This will come in so handy to make short runs and runs through the terrible bottleneck traffic. God has blessed us as we roll on.

I didn't really get the rest I had hoped for but do feel somewhat rested. Since I can't go anywhere tomorrow because of the cement on the bridge, I may get some rest tomorrow. Don't hold your breath.

I do understand there is a Superbowl on Sunday, and of course, I will be cheering for my home-state COLTS TO win it all. The Saint's ain't got a chance against the Colts.

Jony has youth group tomorrow (had 700 last week) and we have our first baptism at our property Sunday at 9am. Whew, so much going on including re-starting school this upcoming Monday. So much more to share but will stop. I love you guys, thanks for your support.

Tominhaiti

ps- Oops, forgot to tell you we are re-building our first house this week. My staff member Jony lost his house, so for $475 dollars it is being rebuilt. I will send pictures.

Hi from Haiti,

Today was a long day but a very productive day.

Auddy: It began with me taking "my" 10 year old girl, Auddy, to an orphanage, as we expect her to go to the states, maybe this week to be with her adoptive parents, in Minnesota. It was a sad good bye for all of us but knowing what lies ahead, we are excited for Auddy. Please pray this is finalized this week.

Another good-bye: Then it was on to the airport to drop off our 4 visiting guests, Mr. and Mrs. Nuest and their daughter Ashley. Also board member, Linda Neal, who arrived the day of the earthquake, finally was able to go home.

Dr Matthew: Then we went to Pettionville to pick up my son Matthew who was helping a team of doctors who were working in a very terrible situation, Matthew said the saddest thing he saw was a 4 year old who lost both of her feet. He was grateful to be able to help. Now another of my sons, Tito is there for the next couple days.

While coming back home, we received a phone call saying the Marines were on their way to our property with supplies. We rushed there with two trucks for the drop, when we got a call saying the helicopter was too big for our property and had to land at a cement factory a mile away. We then rushed to the cement factory only to find out the security guards would not let us enter.
Finally, after much debate, they let just me go inside accompanied by a security guard.

I reached the marines and what a great bunch. The leader asked if I could bring truck inside the facility to the helicopter but security said no. Finally, we talked him into contacting his boss, which took another half hour, and we got clearance. We then loaded 60 boxes of MRE's, (meals ready to eat) and that was fun. I know I don't have to tell you this but to see these young men, and one woman, in action, filled me with pride. They were taking pictures of our truck load and with us and were so pleased when we thanked them.

Trip home: Then on the way home we passed out these meals to folks we knew on the road by the dump. They were so hungry and grateful. To help them was a joy for us.

Home alone: Here I sit, for the first time, by myself since the quake-no American friends. I am tired, sad my friends are gone, but with a huge to-do list.

Tomorrow morning we have a teachers meeting as the government says we can start school. This will happen Monday and we have so much to do to prepare. Then my staff will be taking relief supplies to over 100 families, all tomorrow.

Another good-bye: Our dear friend Stephanie who has been the kids' nanny for 2 years, and was Mommy Tia's caretaker, has left us. She takes with us her two little girls: Kayley and Beverly. This was a very sad goodbye for all of us. In one day, I lost 4 of my 5 girls. We have 8-year-old Kimberly still. I am going to hire an older woman to come help with Kimberly and the other little ones.

Rest: Tomorrow at 6pm, I plan to start a 36 hour rest period. I think things are in place for this to happen but, I am not holding my breath. We hired someone to fix our bridge coming down our road so I can't leave Thursday even if I want to.

Relief funds: God has blessed us greatly through your sacrificial giving and we are putting it to good work. Daily relief is going to the Good Samaritan orphanage, our 95 school children, the folks in the garbage dump, and our church family, as well as many others. Tomorrow my boys are taking some MRE's to their classmates who have been struggling to survive.

THE UN: I know you will hear all kind of bad things said about the UN and the relief effort but let me tell you this, from someone who is here. The men and women of the UN and other relief agencies have come to Haiti to help and care very much about these people. I know many UN troops and I see them in action near our ministry area and near our home.

This is a massive relief effort, with many logistical nightmares and, of course, they can do better but...........they are here, they are working hard, things are getting done AND things will get better.

I am so sad that we lost probably 200,000 of these precious people but I know God is going to use this event, to not only get the attention of the Haitian people, but the attention of the world. This will lead to great things, and a new start for Haiti. Besides your giving, please pray daily for the spiritual relief that Haiti so badly needs.

Emails: My emails are going down, down, down, day by day. I love hearing from you even if I can't respond often.

closing: I got nothing, goodnight,

tominhaiti

Hi,

I am sorry for lack of communication from me. I know you all care so much and many of you wait for the updates. I have been so busy, I just could not email. Please forgive me.

This weekend was a lot of running, a visit from two different groups, doctors and builders and church. Today for lunch, I had my 35, and another 18 Americans with us for a total of 53 people.

We are continuing to help people get food and water. We were able to help two different orphanages in the past two days. Then tonight we visited a little Haitian run orphanage near our home and put all the kids...............in sleeping bags, what a thrill that was. I forgot my flashlight so we did this in pitch dark, using my cell phone for light.

Church today was another SRO, (standing room only) with nearly 800 people. We had Mark Murphy, a visiting pastor from Fort Wayne, preach and just an incredible service.

Some of you may question why we have been giving money as opposed to distributing food. Today, in our village, some military helicopters made a food drop and, when people rushed the 'copter, a little boy was trampled to death. It is a dangerous situation.

Tomorrow we are delivering 74 food boxes to the homes of our school families, taking them rice, oil, beans and such. This is an ongoing, daily process of helping these folks.

Today at church an out-of-work carpenter came to me and said he had no money and needed food for his family. I asked him to give me a quote to build 2 new tables and 12 chairs for my home. He gave me a good price, and I paid him to build the tables, killing two birds with one stone and allowing him to earn his money.

Also, today I ordered 10 new church pews for church. We do not have this in our budget and would not qualify for relief so, can you help me pray in $700 for this much needed expense .................by Saturday. I will let you know when you prayers are answered.

By the way, I forgot Jovens, our little 7 year old blind boy, in my list of family members last week. Can't believe none of you caught that one. So is that 34 then? I have not added to my family in 3 days....I must be slipping.

Tonight my visiting board member's wife, Connie Nuest, and board member Linda Neal made pancakes for the boys, a welcome treat for all, including poppa who had 2 or 3 or 7.

Did I tell you this, our well just drilled before the quake, was damaged by the quake and we had to re-drill this weekend. Well, they found water, good drinking water at 25 feet. We bought a water pump so in the next day or so, we will have clean water at our mission, which fits our nickname, the Oasis.

I could ramble on but, will stop. You have a lot to digest and pray about but know this, we are being Jesus in Haiti every single day, and we know many of you are being Jesus in ............wherever you are. Keep it up; you don't need the earth to open up to be Jesus.

tominhaiti

Hi from Haiti;

As busy as I was the first two weeks, seems I am getting busier every day....can't wait for November 3rd and that day off.

This morning we took a load of food, blankets and water to a small orphanage near us and they were so excited as they needed the help so badly.

We are having discussions with an organization that wants to partner with us to help rebuild the homes in our area. We are very excited about this. Pray that if this is God's will, it will happen.

Today was youth group, I stayed home to rest and I got a call that one of the boys coming to youth group was hit by a car. My son Claudy loaded him up, looked for medical help but could not find it. Claudy finally connected with a US army team and their doctor fixed him up and sent Claudy and the boy to a US hospital by the US Embassy. As I write this, they are enroute. Pray for the young boy, Bobby, who was hit by the car.

We continue to give aid daily to anywhere between 25-30 families who are so appreciative.

One shortcoming for me is that, because I am so busy, I have not connected with the 10 new ones and have not been a dad to the 22 old ones. I am starting to correct this as we speak, as I know I must be a dad to my own before I can do anything else.

They are still all sleeping outside, all but us crazy Americans who are inside. That includes me, 3 board members and the daughter of one husband-wife team.

Pre-quake, I told you we struck water with our well drillers on our mission land. However, the well we were drilling is now ruined so we are re-drilling at another spot on our property.

Much, much more is to be done in Haiti. As I have said, this is not a short fix but, instead, will be years. 90% of Haitian schools were destroyed so no one knows when school can resume. We can't legally have school unless the government says so. However, we can have "kids club" at our mission for our school kids AND we can teach them whatever we want.... so stay tuned, kids club is coming to a tent near you.

In case you lost count of names, here is the entourage God has me in the middle of:
The younger ones: Jony, 4, Peterson 5, Kaylye 5, Adrianno 6, Beverly 8, Robenson 8, Marckendy 10, Kimberly 8, Ricardo 12, Bony 10, Steven 13, Jay 1.

The 16-20 year olds: Shadrach, Matthew, Sonson, Claudy, Tito, Derson, Sonal, Maxim, Reggie, Berthony, Georgie, Louis, Edward, Jimy 1, Jimy 2, Toby, Kenel.

And staff: Roger, Altimay and Stephanie, and me. Seems like more but I think that is all the permanent ones, do ya get 33?

Great bunch, I am blessed, keep the prayers coming and, please don't forget we have a monthly budget we must meet--the quake relief is just for that. We still need 10 grand per month to run mission and do ministry in our 5 points of light.

Not sure if I told you this, yesterday my girls from the ministry team came to my house and made 100 rice and bean dinners. We then took them to the garbage dump where there were about 50 people. We gave them the meal and drinks, then drove up and down the road giving meals to stragglers. What a joy. Thanks for making this possible.
tominhaiti

Hi from Haiti,

Today as we were visiting and providing relief for our 100 school children and their families, we could not find two little brothers. We had heard they were okay but just couldn't find them. When going to their house, a man told my staff that their mom had been killed in a building in Port Au Prince and they have been living in the woods for 2 weeks.

My staff member Pierre quickly called me, found them and I went to meet them. I brought 8-year-old Robenson, and 10-year-old Marckendy home. I took them aside and asked what happened. With tears falling, they said how their mom had died and that they had not eaten for 2 weeks. I asked them if they would come live with me, and if I could be their poppy. They both said yes. They got a shower, new, clean clothes, and a meal. They are now playing and laughing with the kids.

Folks, it don't get any better than this. Keep your Pulitzer Prize, your World Series rings, your medals of honor, your academy awards.......I have two prizes to top them sitting 4 feet from me, and I will keep them.

Your prayers, your help, your support, are making it possible for us to continue to be Jesus to these little ones. I have no idea what lies ahead, but am pretty good friends with the one who does know the future, so it is in His hands. At this moment, I feel like the most blessed man in the world. Out of all of you, and anyone else, God chose me, to safe guard and care for these two little guys, Robenson and Marckendy.

I must stop before the tears ruin my keyboard. More later, promise.

Tom

Hi,



I apologize for the lack of communication but I think all of you know that writing emails is number 3,456 on my priority list. Someone emailed me and said "you gotta keep them coming if you want to raise money". Folks, that is not why I send emails. If that is a result, praise God.

Saturday was a day spent in traffic, Gas had just become available for the first time and the Western Unions opened up, meaning thousands of Haitians would have cash for the first time. The country was a bottle neck and we were stuck in it as we picked up 3 friends from the airport.

Our friends volunteered for an aid organization, which hitched them a ride here free. They are spending a couple days with us away from the airport.

Sunday was incredible. Recall, our church attendance before the tent was about 200. Then the tent happened and, in the past few months, our attendance has been creeping up toward 500. Well yesterday, and you better sit down, we had 914 people at church. Can you believe that one?
You probably just swallowed your teeth but............it gets better, much better because we had 50 people accept Christ as their personal Savior, becoming followers of Christ. Here is the kicker, 11 came early to church asking to become Christians.

This quake has rocked this nation and shaken people and made them think about life, and about death. Praise God we are here able to meet their needs, physically, emotionally, financially, and most important, spiritually.

We have seating for about 650 so it was standing room. What a praise service it was, at least that is what they tell me. You see, we had a shipment coming in on a missionary flight that I had to pick up at the airport. My staff did a great job.

I was at the airport from 8 a.m. until noon, then rushed to our mission as everyone was leaving to meet a 2pm helicopter full of food, rice, bread, beans, jelly, peanut butter, etc,,,,

We loaded the truck and went straight to the Good Samaritan orphanage with the food, much to the delight of the kids and staff there. It was our FIRST food from outside Haiti and we were so blessed.

This morning, a few minutes, before daybreak I am headed to Pettionvile to a Christian school. There is a team of doctors there and one of them was sent with some cash from my treasurer which I am going to pick up. We still can't find a way to cash a check or get cash.

Then it is to the airport to pick up a board member who will be helping me plan and strategize the upcoming months. Please know that anyone that comes always comes on their own dime. We don't use any our ministry money or relief funds ever to bring people here.

This and a million other things are on the agenda. Keep praying, keep sending emails, I know I am busy but it takes seconds to read an email, and they encourage me so much. Today's goal, 50 emails from YOU.

tominhaiti

Hi,

We picked a pastor up at the airport, a man who was involved in the Tsunami relief and been in many disaster areas. He said he was amazed at these people and how they are bouncing back, their attitude and what is going on, so quickly. He is amazed at these folks largely because he has never seen this spirit in the other places.

I knew that, but am biased and hadn't been anywhere to compare. These people are fighters and they won't quit. You are helping build a new Jaiti, give new direction and I am convinced that Haiti will become a place where God will be glorified.

Today I'll make an airport run for our water filters while my staff runs church. Then a helicopter drop of 600 pounds of rice at 2pm, then,,,,,,wait a minute, isn't today a day of rest, or is that tomorrow? Keep praying.

Love you guys,

tominhaiti