a few updates

1. Benefit concert is Tuscaloosa was a success. Thanks to all those involved!

2. Working closely with Meds and Food for Kids (www.mfkhaiti.org)to discuss nutrition program expansion plans. Very excited about this. We can't tell you how much we love this organization.

3. Medical needs - specifically the stuff that Canaan has been involved - have continued to grow. Canaan is currently hosting many people in "post-op" in the boys dorms. Canaan kids are helping to care for them. Medical teams still hard at work.

4. Very excited about our partnership with EMEALZ (www.e-mealz.com).

5. Lots of pieces of the puzzle coming together. It's amazing to see.

6. Canaan is channeling their aid resources to contacts they have throughout the country. It's amazing to see their hearts for their people.

7. Your support - financial and otherwise - is helping make all of this happen.

8. Shout out to Drew Roberts for his wise advice this morning.

Event to benefit the Haiti Nutrition Project in Tuscaloosa, AL

Who: The event is a collaboration of many different students led by Elizabeth Price and Katie Kallam who have a heart for earthquake relief in Haiti.

What: The event will feature performances by local Tuscaloosa artists including: Adam Naylor, Caitlyn Smith, Diana Bondurant, Sparrow + the Ghost, and Callooh! Callay!. In between artists, there will be videos and speakers giving more information about what the Haiti Nutrition Project is and how they are contributing to earthquake relief. Coffee and pastries from Heritage House coffee will be for sale at the concert. Tickets are $5 at the door but additional donations are welcomed. All proceeds will benefit the Haiti Nutrition Project and Canaan Orphanage.

Where: The concert will be at Pour Café located inside Capstone Church, 1907 University Boulevard, Tuscaloosa, AL. The church is generously allowing the use of their facility free of charge.

When: Thursday, February 18, 2010. 7-10 PM. People are welcome to come and go.

Thank you Katie and Elizabeth!

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a thank you for the truck and thinking long term...

A quick note from Elsie on the truck:

In two weeks, I have put more than 1,100 km on it (the Truck). I do not know what I would have done without it. Thanks again to all who gave for it. I am not about to forget it!

You've probably heard about all of the tent cities/refugee camps set up around Haiti. Obviously, this is not a viable solution. Elsie's take on just come of the challenges it creates...

Please continue to pray for this country. As the initial emergencies have been dealt with, the country is trying to find a way to survive. It is not easy. The refugee camps are overflowing, 10-12 people in a 4-6 person tent sometimes. There are so many things happening that we do not think about at a glance. For example, what about prostitution? As hunger and needs increase, that too increases. Not having their own house/tents, in some places it becomes public, even around children. Or girls put in tents with strangers, including men.

Or cleanliness issues there are not enough toilets (sometimes people go close to where they sleep), or hygiene products and cleanliness, especially for women, etc.

These are issues that are being dealt with, and hopefully a resolution can be found soon.


What about the coming of the rainy season? Flooding, mudslides, the hurricanes later in the summer? Malaria?

Lots to be done.

update...wow

When we've written that Canaan has really been turned into a hub for relief and aid. We weren't kidding. This is crazy, from Elsie's blog:

This day turned out nothing like I originally thought it would. I must admit, I cannot say my life is boring.

This morning, after checking in at the clinic, I decided it was time to organize my medicines again. Yes, I think I did that on one of my last blogs too, but a medical team left and I probably got at least 7 or 8 tubs of stuff. When I hear someone saying they need like 9 tables and 20 chairs at the clinic. WHY?

The Jamaican military showed up with 4 big UN trucks loaded with food and bottled water and medicine and doctors and soldiers (no idea how many); 5 doctors, plus some nurses. They were scrounging around, finding the best place to work out of and a method. I let them take over our patients, especially since I only had 1 nurse working today and almost 50 patients.

Then of course here it does not take long for news to travel and people to arrive. Within a very short time, I am sure we had close to a 1000 people there. The noise was tremendous, all the chattering and talking and bustling and everything. I just decided to tune it out and let the military control it. That was what they were there for. On a whole, it went very well, especially after hearing how in Port, at one distribution, the people actually turned over one of those big UN trucks.

Of course, they brought for Canaan too, so I went up and got my truck (what would we have done without it? All other vehicles were out) and I made two loaded trips with boxes of Mackerel in Tomato Sauce cans and one loaded with bottled water.

Oh, and another thing the Jamaican army did was build 2 latrines, I do not know if they are done. That will not be enough for the amount of patients we expect, so hopefully they will be back on Monday to make more. A security fence, and we are set to get started with our field convalescence center. Oops and I still need a nurse. Any takers?

The Jamaicans, together with the Canadian military have been great in helping us. Pray they will continue.

This is so crazy, and awesome.

samford students at convo

Today at Samford's convocation, three students spoke who were at Canaan during January. They all are nutrition students and were assisting with the nutrition program. One of them, Katie Snider, spent all of last summer serving in the program alongside Bobi. Katie's become a legend around Canaan for her heart and passion for the Haitian people. When Mandy and I first met her at a Starbucks, we could tell she was going to be awesome.

The ladies did a wonderful job sharing their heart for Haiti.

I was so encouraged by a few things:

1) So many more folks were exposed to Canaan and the nutrition program. Who knows what God may bring from that?
2) It reminded me that this whole effort is such a team thing. It doesn't evolve around one person, or an organizational hierarchy. There are so many dedicated people getting after it, spreading the word in their own circles. Two Beeson friends (Patrick and Kennerly King) recently got to do the same and share with their youth group about Haiti. We want you to be empowered to do that too! Please share the story with your friends. Own it like its your thing too.

Amazing things are happening on the ground. I hope to update thoroughly soon.

report from canaan

The following is a report that the leadership of Canaan has written to help all of us get a glimpse into all of things that have been happening since the quake:

Canaan Community

The earthquake has caused Canaan to be released into a more comprehensive ministry (more than just for kids) to people in Haiti. We have become a network center that is serving other ministries with materials and personnel such as translators and medical staff. Support staff here at Canaan have been able to take charge of Canaan basic ministry so that the senior staff are released to go out and help others. The youth of Canaan have been serving as translators and aides at local hospitals.

Money sent to Canaan is being used to give food and money to churches devastated by the earthquake and to other ministries. Our medical service has increased to include service to nearby hospitals as well as to tent cities and street people in Port-au-Prince. We have cleared out opened the older boys dorm to people who have had surgeries and need a place to stay while they heal. So far, three of the people staying here have come to know the Lord.

Thanks so much for being a part of this. Our heart is to come alongside Canaan and help them meet the overwhelming needs, as they see fit. Thanks...