We starting distributing the training materials yesterday (lap tops, projectors, generators, motorcycles, and USB memory drives with power point presentations in Creole).  There were some very happy young Veterinarians who will put these materials to use to train others.  One of the young vets gave a very touching speech about what this meant to him and his colleagues. 

Greetings from a devastated but resilient Haiti.

It is rare for me to get home before 6 pm, however on the 12th of January, I got home before 4 pm to prepare some materials for a seminar a few days later. Two Haitian co-workers and I were under a large cement roof when the quake hit. I knew immediately what was happening and I took off running, yelling for my two friends to follow. I didn’t have to yell twice. They were right with me. Running however was not so easy as we were being swayed to and fro by the quake. Jan was upstairs in our house and as soon as things started to quiet some, she came running down safe and relatively calm. Our house was still standing, but the back wall around the yard was gone. Frederic and Brian were in Les Cayes in the South of Haiti and Magda was on the Island of La Gonaive just off the coast of Haiti helping a friend of ours. They felt the quake, but thank God, they didn’t get the full impact. It was the next day that we finally got word that they were okay. From the vantage point of our elevated yard, we could see puffs of dust where structures had fallen. It started to sink in just how bad this might be. I immediately tried to call Brian, but phone communication in our area was gone. Even before the shaking had subsided, I was able to get on line and call my Mom to let her know what had happened and that we were okay. She then called Jan’s sister and the CVM headquarters in Seattle to get word out that we were okay.

We have so many friends in Port au Prince and many of them live in houses that were already a disaster waiting to happen. I have to admit that I was scared to go check on some of them. After dark on the 12th, I visited an area where houses were built on the side of a ravine where Berlinda, one of our God daughters lives. Miraculously their house was still standing, but a young man that took her to school everyday was missing. Later that night we visited the two-story house that he was in when the quake occurred. It was flat. His body was recovered the next day. Also the next day, I went to check on the home where Nicky (the albino boy who lived with us a few months last year) was now living. As I entered the yard, I was relieved to see the house was still standing. Then I was stunned to find out that a large wall had fallen on Nicky and he died immediately. They had his burial in the yard just a short time before I got there. We also found out that Anzavour, Frederic’s nephew who spent many days at our house helping Frederic repair vehicles was also killed when a neighbor’s house fell on him. We have some friends who have never been found by their families.

 In Memory of Nicky and Anzavour

In the next two days we received word on all the IICA employees and knew that they were alive. Many of them had lost close family members and more than half of them had nowhere to go. We got word that Nancy Pierre, the lady who cleans the office and makes coffee every morning had a broken leg and that her father was killed. I followed several leads, but couldn’t find her. The evening I came back from Anzavour’s funeral in Deschapelles, Dr. Paul Rudenberg who lives in Les Cayes, was staying at our house. He had been visiting a tent hospital set up by the University of Miami, when someone called his name. It was Nancy! I went to see her the next morning. I have never seen anyone so happy….even though on her leg was written the words “amputate below the knee”. I quickly found one of the surgeons and ask if we had a way to get her to the states or the Dominican Republic, could her leg be saved? He responded, “From what I saw yesterday, even if she was in the best hospital in the US, we would have to remove her leg just to save her life. We will be taking her into surgery in about 30 minutes if she agrees to amputation.” I talked to Nancy and prayed with her. With a stiff upper lip, she said, let’s do it. About four hours later, I came back down with a large delegation of people from the office that was anxious to see her. I was quite surprised to find that the bandage on her leg was changed and she still had her foot! I found the Doctor and he said he couldn’t believe how much better her foot looked when they removed the first wrap, but to save her foot, she needed deep debridement…..and they just didn’t have the time to do so, as they had so many in line for life saving amputations. God continued to open doors. Later that evening the Israeli military hospital agreed to do the debridement! To completely tell Nancy’s story would take several pages, but praise God, she just had all the hardware removed from her leg this week and is starting some therapy! There were so many other miracles that I personally know about, but will save them for another edition.

Nancy and her sister who also had a broken leg both stayed at our house while waiting to get the proper medical care. In fact we have had quite a line of people staying at our house the past two months. Luckily many of them didn’t want to stay indoors and were very happy with tents.

Some time in the first week, Kelly and I took Dr. Millien to a meeting at the Ministry of Agriculture and ended up being the translator between the Minister and a CPT from the 82nd Airborne. They were looking for a place to set up shop for a short time. During that meeting, they also mentioned that they would need some one to do laundry for them. Even before this crisis, I have advocated creating jobs in the rural area much like the CCC in the mid late 30’s in the US. Now this is a must!!! Stop most of the free food and give jobs!! Anyway we helped Magda and several of our acquaintances start a laundry. It worked out very well for the gals while it lasted, but it just about killed this old man. Before this came to an end, most of the women had made enough $$ to help them get started in a small business. I think that we had 27 ladies working at one time.

One other big activity that we have been involved in has been the distribution of tents and/or tarps. Early on I called my brother Steve to see if he could put in an order for tents. Both he and my sister Koleta kept busy for a couple of weeks trying to work out the details of getting these to Haiti. A big thanks to them and the many others who helped participate in this. You helped make lots of people happy. Most of the time all I could see was the row of teeth from the smile of our friends when I delivered the tents as I usually did that at night. You just don’t pull up to a camp of a thousand families during the day with a few tents in the back of the pickup. You have to be a bit discrete about this both for their protection and for yours! We did however get into the tarp distribution in a bigger way. Our good friend Dr. Paul Rudenberg was very involved early on in making good contacts to help the displaced people. Through these contacts, CVM has delivered more than 2,500 tarps to help keep families dry. On most of those distributions, we had the help of the 82nd Airborne, so security wasn’t a real problem for us.

CVM was also instrumental in coordinating a huge multi-organizational vaccination campaign against rabies. When the quake hit, the Ministry of Agriculture was about half way through with the annual campaign. This of course came to a screeching halt! Again with contacts with the Veterinarians with the 43rd Medical detachment and lots of work on Dr. Kelly Crowdis’ part, we helped cover three of the departments of Haiti. This brought back lots of memories for me from working with Daniel Holland while he was on active duty doing a master’s thesis study here in Haiti. In fact I was able to take the group up a road that Daniel helped build 15 years ago this month. It was also an emotional moment for many of them who had met/and or served with LTC Daniel Holland before he was killed in Iraq four years ago. In fact, LTC Cheryl Sofaly took over Daniel’s command when he volunteered to go to Iraq. I found out that I had other close connections with the military veterinarians who were here. CPT Ryan McCollom who headed up the vaccinations in the field is an Oklahoma State grad and CPT Jason Crawford’s dad (Earnie) graduated from Texhoma High School. Small world, huh?

We have had many inquiries about groups wanting to come down and help. I think we are about through the “treading water” phase where we can now catch our second wind and move ahead. One of many things we will be involved in is helping with transitional housing. If you would like to help with this on a break, let us know and we will see what we can line up! Thanks again so much for your prayers and support.

Keith and Jan

Dear friends,

            As days go by and other challenges come in our world, the needs of Haiti can grow dim. I know many of you are faithful to pray and encourage Keith, Jan, and Kelly. We are grateful for the support which continues to come in and for those wanting to serve in a variety of ways. Keep praying with us. Here is an update for the week from the team in Haiti.

“Hi Everyone,

We are coming up on the second month date of the quake.  Reports coming out of Haiti are beginning to be less and less and I have also been neglectful of writing and I apologize for this.  Everyone is busy, but it seems to be more “normal” things.

Our friends that were injured are all doing well.  Nancy is at a compound, Christian Aid Ministries, and everyone has fallen in love with her.  She has such a positive attitude and has been a great encouragement to all the people around her.  The missionaries make sure that she has her dressings changed and get her back to the hospital when she needs to see a doctor.  This is a total different outreach for Christian Aid Ministries, but they saw the need and were willing to help in this way to provide after care to people that have nowhere to go. They have around 30 people they are taking care of now. They also do food distribution and ship in emergency relief supplies.  They are looking to help with the rebuilding of homes, schools and churches.  Nancy’s sister is doing very well with her family.  She is usually the one to call and check on us!  The young man at Kelly’s house, Ticant, is also doing well.  He just has to go once a week for the dressing changes. His wife and two children are also at Kelly’s house so the family can be together.  The girl in the hospital is still having some problems.  She had some type of infection so they have her on IV antibiotics.  We just pray that they will keep her in the hospital and can get her healing better before they release her.

Dr. Paul Rudenberg told me this morning that the official count for the CVM tarp distribution is 2,600 tarps.  We really want to thank Paul for making this happen.  He spent many hours talking and putting in requests for tarps and turning in the reports.  Everyone helped with the cutting of the rolls of plastic and getting them packed up again for distribution.  The US Military ( Red and Green Falcons from the 82^nd Airborne) were a big help with transport and distribution.  Both units have now headed back to the states.  Most of the units that were here for first response are being sent back to the states.  There will still be a US Military presence here, but will be units with more expertise in helping to rebuild.  We were thankful to be able to get the plastic sheeting from Samaritans Purse and USAID, but also for the tarps and tents that others have sent in to us.  We have been able to help some people that we know would have never been at the right place or at the right time to receive help.  It has been a blessing to us to be your feet and hands in this way.  Paul placed another order so that we could finish the Pax Villa area.  A group went in and had some trouble so they did not finish.  This was the area that Kelly was helping with the clinic.  Think there was also one other place that had a few more people than we had tarps.  Since we don’t have the truck and people power to do a lot more, think this will kind of close out our big distributions.  Keith still carries around tents and tarps in his back seat and gives out when he sees someone in need.  More talk is going into more permanent homes of wood and tin.  Keith, Teri and I had to take some back roads Sunday getting home from church because of a traffic jam.  It is still unreal the number of homes that are damaged everywhere.  People are starting to clear, but just the magnitude of getting the rubble away from the land to rebuild on. 

The last two weeks have been filled with helping the Ministry of Agriculture rabies vaccination campaign.  They had already covered Port-au-Prince and other areas before the quake, but needed to get it up and going again for the North and Central parts of Haiti.  There was also about a 3 to 4 week window before the vaccine will expire.  Keith and Kelly were able to make contacts with the US Military Veterinary Unit that is here and get their help with logistics of getting the vaccine and supplies to the areas that are harder for the vaccinators to go.  Kelly has been out with the teams the whole time and has kept everyone on track and moving.  Keith was able to go to Cap Haitian for a day and a half and then went out to the Artibonite and St. Marc yesterday and today.  They should pretty well finish up the big push tomorrow.  This was a lot of work but a big encouragement to the young Haitian Veterinarians and vaccinators for the Ministry.

We have enjoyed and been blessed by the Veterinarians and others that have come to help out. The last group was Dr. Irving McConnell, Dr. Lloyd Jarmon and  Dr. Teri Harty that is with us now.  She came in to help with the rabies vaccination and to obtain information about helping us get some new breeding goats into Haiti.  Dr. Teri has helped in the past ship goats to Haiti and is willing to do what she can now.  One year she personally flew along with the goats in the Missionary Flights plane to make sure they made it okay.

We do appreciate your prayers and support.  We know that you all have not turned away from us and Haiti and that you are here with us for the long haul!  We will never be able to express our thanks to each of you, but know that you are loved and appreciated.

Blessings,

Keith, Jan & Kelly”

Please let us know how the Lord is leading you to continue to help.

Please keep praying!

Kit

“Pray without ceasing” I Thes 5:17

We are called to keep on in prayer. At times we feel we should do more, but for sure the foundation of all we do has to be prayer.

An update from Keith and Jan

“Hi everyone, 

We had a busy weekend and everyone is going different directions this week.  Keith and I went to the other side of Port-au-Prince to see Dr. Mike Jones before he headed back to the states.  He has been here for 3 weeks helping a group install some water purifying systems.  On the way we saw a line of women probably a thousand or more standing in line to receive a large sack of rice.  Not sure how they do the distribution, but is said that 2 families are to get a sack of rice together.   Women are the only ones in the line.  It was very orderly, but a very long wait for them.  When we came back by in about 2 hours there were still ladies in line.

Brian and Martin were both here Saturday night.  Brian needed to come in to get some supplies and then headed back Sunday.  Said they have 15 projects going, so it keeps them busy making sure the teams have what they need and all the paperwork that goes along with doing these work projects.  He said a lot of them are working on irrigations canals.  He also said that he is seeing a lot of people heading back to Port-au-Prince again.  Keith is also concerned that this is going to happen.  Port is where all the action is and the possibility of work and food is drawing people back.    Martin was a big help and got to do a little of everything.  He helped with our water system here at the house, then helped Kelly finish moving things out of a friend’s house and then helped cut some 400 tarps for a distribution.  He is heading back to the states today.  Their contract with the UN was completed.  We are glad that he was able to come and get a little glimpse of the work we have been involved in over the years and why we have wanted to stay and help here in Haiti.

Kelly, Jamie, Acky and Frederic headed to Cape Haitian Monday.  The Veterinary Unit with the US Military is going to help with some of the logistics doing the country wide rabies vaccination campaign that the Ministry of Agriculture has going on.  The vaccine will expire the end of the month and then they have a two week grace period, so need to get a lot done in a short time.  It has been an experience for Kelly to work getting all this put together.  Kelly and Keith have been in several meetings.  She is about to get all this military talk down.  The military was using a boat to get all their supplies and vehicles to Cape Haitian and they have run into a few problems, so hopefully they will arrive sometime this afternoon.  The Haitian Ministry of Agriculture Veterinarians and Vaccinators are all in place and they have already begun.  We just pray that with the two other teams the Military will provide the areas can be covered quickly.  Keith hopes to be able to go up that way this weekend with Dr. Irving McConnell and Dr. Lloyd Jarmin that will be coming to Haiti this week to help out for about 10 days.

Our contract for Magda’s Laundry Service will come to a close today or tomorrow.  The unit that we have been washing for is going back to the states and the Army is going to use a larger contractor.  We are just thankful that the ladies were able to bring a little income in for their families.  Really think the ladies at Merger really enjoyed just getting away from the village and helping out the US Military that had come to help their country.  They were really a witness to some of the military personal that came around.

We have had some tremors the last two days and these are still unsettling. The radio is still announcing for people to not go into their homes.  We have mixed feelings about this, but know the fear that can take hold and is hard to overcome.  Dr. Paul is working very hard to help get tarps out to these small tent sites that have been overlooked.  We have had some great support from the military and they do see this as a way that they can help.  They do not have to give away, but can help with the logistics.  Dr. Paul went in to a village yesterday to distribute vouchers so the tarps could be given away today.  He was going from tent to tent and giving the vouchers.  Very soon he had several guys that he was pretty sure did not live in the area that were wanting a voucher to get a tarp.  Paul kind of changed directions and headed out of the tent village.  It is really disheartening that the people that really need the tarps will not receive because of a few that ruin it for everyone.  The military were going to go back with him this morning and see if it would go better and they will be able to distribute the 400 plus tarps that the people need.  Just keep praying for all these distributions of food and tarps and the people trying to get the needed things to the people in need.

Blessings,

Keith, Jan & Kelly”

Keep praying and checking in as we see Him at work in the midst of all of these challenges.

Kit

I find great encouragement in my own faith to see the people of Haiti turn to God in worship and prayer in the time of this great trial. We pray that all of our lives will be built on the foundation of Jesus Christ.

Jan writes:

“Had a pretty special weekend here in Haiti!  President Preval called for a National Day of Mourning on Friday the 12^th a month after the quake and 3 days of fasting and prayer.  Singing started before 6 a.m. each morning and all the stores were closed on Friday and then the other days they opened at noon.  It was pretty powerful hearing the songs and praises going up all around us.  Most of the tent cities we have near us had big tarps up and people were standing under them and lifting their voices to the Lord.  The chapel was open all day for people to come in and pray and then we had a special service at 4:00 p.m.   The Lord is at work in the hearts of the people and we pray the “new” Haiti will be built on the foundation of Jesus Christ.

The tarp distribution at Merger went very well and then the Military had a place they wanted to distribute tarps so Kelly helped get that all set up and we shared tarps with them.  She had Keith and Paul come for the distribution so that CVM would be represented and it went well also.  Just wish you had thousands to hand out to everyone that needs one.  The tents that were ordered by our family finally arrived and they have been a blessing to be able to give out to our special friends.  The other night Keith was on his way to deliver 2 or 3 and called some people to come out to the road to get their tent.  They said that they had gotten one that day, so did not need it.  He saw a man and women walking up with two small children.  It was around 9:00 p.m. so he stopped them and asked where they were going.  He asked where they were from originally and they said the Artibonite Valley.  He asked some more questions and found out that we knew their close neighbors and the man remember people talking about Dr. Kiff.  Keith gave them the tent!  The Lord knows where the needs are.

Pastor Johny had special services at Merger planned over the weekend.  Kelly had gotten them a larger tarp to use for the church.  After the service Friday morning, some people came to him and told them there was a lady in labor and wondered if he could take her to the hospital.  They loaded her up and got her to the hospital.  As they were coming back, he was in an accident.  Someone hit the pickup and it turned over on its side.  Pastor Johny has a fractured shoulder and no one else was hurt badly so we are praising the Lord for this.  The back of the pickup was loaded with people.  The doctor on ER call at the Miami Tent Hospital was an orthopedic surgeon from Florida that specializes in shoulder surgeries!  They just put his shoulder in a sling and he is restricted to movement.  Pastor Johny went back out to Merger to stay so that he would be there for the prayer services on Saturday and Sunday.  Frederic is working on the pickup to see what all damage was done.  It doesn’t look too bad.  The roads are congested more and with all the rubble on and beside the roads, it makes it hard to get around at times.

Continue to remember those that are mourning loved ones and keep up lifting those that have come to help and give encouragement to the Haitian people so they can build a new Haiti on “ solid ground”.

Blessings,

Keith, Jan & Kelly”

Keep praying with us!

Kit  

Proverbs 27:10b “Better is a neighbor who is near that a brother far away.”

We all strive to be a good neighbor. This is a very real principle in our report from Haiti today. Pray for good neighborhood relationships and for protection and wisdom in all of the tensions that are a part of each day in Haiti.

From Jan:

“Hi everyone,

Well, we got Magda’s Laundry Service up and running!  We have a group of 18 women washing at one unit for 740  and then 10 women from the church at  Merger are washing for another unit for around 300 or more.   We have done pretty well considering this is a “first” for all of us.  The washing clothes is no problem, just making sure the right clothes go back to the right owner.  Trying to make them understand how to get this accomplished was a little stressful with both groups, but think they have the system down.  We just misplaced 3 pairs of socks and a small hand towel yesterday and had three shorts left with no owner!  I took a day off today, so hope everything goes okay.  May go out later when the clothes are dry and they are ready to be put back in the individual sacks.  The ladies are being taken good care of and the military are very happy to have this service.  We have had several come and ask questions about the women and their situations.  They told us yesterday that we will have a 3 week contract and then they are not sure what will happen.  They have a big company that wants to contract the laundry and trash pickup for the military.  We are just thankful that we had the opportunity to get a little income for these families, even for just 3 weeks.

Our house load has increased with the washing project.  We have 5 young women staying with us so they can participate in the washing.  We have two visiting Veterinarians, Dr. Marc Daniel and Dr. Bo Curles.  They had come on a team last year and were already on the scheduled to come.  Kelly has them doing a little of everything and it is good to have them as a sounding block and encouragement to all of us.  It helps to have insight from others and listen to their observations.  Jamie and Sara are also jumping in and doing whatever is need and we are enjoying them.

The delivery of the tarps to Merger is to happen this afternoon.  Kelly has a military escort to help her get this accomplished.  We are praying that this does not cause extra awareness from people outside Merger.  There is a tent city just down the road from where we live and they had a demonstration yesterday and blocked our road going to our house on both ends.  They are unhappy because they are not getting any tarps or food deliveries from the UN.  Guess they thought the “blanc” in the neighborhood might have some pull somewhere.  Keith talked to them and said that causing problems was not the way to go about getting help.  We will work through the local mayor and hope to be able to find them some tarps that are already in country now.  There are so many of these small tent cities going up and it is just very difficult to get help to all of them. 

 Most of our medical patients are doing well.  It takes a little extra time taking them back in for checkups but thankful that we can do this.  You just wonder how many thousands there are that don’t have this opportunity.  We have seen so many cases and as you talk to some that are doing smaller clinics,  the infections they are seeing now and problems from the first weeks of medical assistance just being done to save lives and x-rays not being available are affecting the healing process for many.

We will let you know how the tarp distribution went and pray that we can find a little help for our neighborhood.

Blessings,

Keith, Jan and Kelly”

Keep Praying!

Kit

God is always present, it is hard to see sometimes, but he is unfailing. During the earthquake – those short 45 seconds I saw every emotion possible – people running to schools they had seen fall to look for their children screaming and crying "Amway" (what people say when someone dies), people falling to their knees and thanking God for their lives, people lifting their hands and proclaiming Jesus is here for us, people in stunned stupor. There are no words to describe the fear, pain, sadness, uncertainty and relief we felt in that minute. The phone lines were immediately jammed and there was no way to communicate and people took to the streets walking miles to search for loved ones. 

Without fail every person I have treated or talked to has said, “Gras a Dye” – thanks to God I am here, or I only lost 3 people in my family, or I only lost a foot. Sometimes however the God they are referring to is not Jesus, but the God that the people who practice voodoo follow. In the 2 hours following the earthquake when I was trying to get home to see if my family and house were standing I saw people praying and thanking God and others walking proclaiming this is the last chance you will have to accept Jesus, now is the time. After the first day I have not seen this but it was a heartwarming sight to see Haitians walking in the streets proclaiming Jesus to the masses

In the days following the quake I worked in a makeshift clinic suturing wounds and splinting broken limbs as there were no aid agencies here yet. I worked from sun up to sun down with a wonderful group of Haitian doctors and nurses who volunteered their services when they saw I had supplies.  Each person treated was an opportunity to share a kind word. We didn’t rush and tried to meet the needs of the person – finding clothes for them to wear, giving them a bottle of water or a meal while treating their wounds.  You think you will never see them again, but time and again now I have had people come up to me and say thank you for sewing up my child she is ok now, God bless you for that. I am so humbled by the privilege to be the hands of God to these few people, that my training, past experiences and obedience to God have put me here today to serve.

One day I was taking people home from the Israeli hospital (where we were taking the surgical cases – the price for admission was that I had to take a truck load of people home) and met 2 children who were reunited with their father after being trapped 8 days under the rubble without food or water. The father was speechless with joy and during the ride we started talking and he shared that this time he was “converted totally”. I asked him further questions and he said that he had accepted Jesus 3 times previously but that “it never took”. God’s perfect timing made it so that another person got us lost going to their house and we had an hour together in the truck so that I could fully explain that it is not about being converted it is about accepting Jesus in your heart and believing that he died for our sins.  He said that yes he could believe that Jesus is God because it was only God that allowed his children to survive and he is going to make sure that his children understand that being converted is not just about going to church it is about loving Jesus in your heart and striving to love him.

God was at work when I heard a pastor walk into the tent hospital (about 200 patients) and start singing quietly with one of his parishioners and suddenly the whole tent is singing praises to God and listening to the Pastor’s prayer.

The miracles and the chances to see God at work are infinite and indescribable, not only here in the aftermath of destruction but everywhere everyday we just need to seek his face and he will reveal himself unfailingly.

I think of this verse often as we have CVM workers around the world pouring themselves out in service to others. For sure each one can grow tired and needs to insure rest and health. However, I always pray that they will not grow weary. This is a different place, one of more of a spiritual, emotional, and physical defeat. We are blessed to hear in the reports that Keith, Jan, Kelly and their teams are not growing weary. They are working hard doing good. Yet we must pray for them and for all of those who are serving and for the people of Haiti. 

We are grateful as they find time in their busy days to share an update. Here is a note from Dr. Kelly.

“Today I am writing because Jan is out supervising the second group of ladies washing - now we are washing for about 1000 troops. It is a lot of headache but it is such a blessing for these ladies to find work and the soldiers are VERY happy to have clean clothes.  We still have Nancy in the hospital and I have taken one neighbor in and another girl because they had casts placed over open fractures and no follow up care. I was asked to "change the bandage" - they both have had surgery and have external fixators and are healing. Now every time I see someone with a plaster cast I ask how long it has been on and if they have had a check up. There are so many who had casts placed with no x-rays. With the medical support that is here now we have the capability for re-assessments.  Keith is running around as usual, delivering tarps and food plus his usual meetings. Drs. Bo Curles and Marc Daniel arrived safely in from the Dominican Republic yesterday and have hit the ground running.  Sara (nurse) and Jamie (senior veterinary student) continue to work at the hospital and help out where needed.  Jamie has been under the weather a bit, but it seems to just be a mild dose of malaria that is clearing up nicely with medicine and prayer. Last night we met up with the 54th Veterinary Unit from Ft. Carson. We are meeting again today with Dr. Millien so that we can have them help with transport of vaccine and logistics for various vaccine campaigns. Monday or Tuesday we are set to deliver the tarps to 400 families and Merger. God is faithful in providing just what we need when we need it. I have not been able to get some medical supplies for the clinic at the tent city and when I was picking up the tarps I met the head of Medical Ambassadors and they filled my pickup this morning with just what we need to get through the first part of the week. There is never a need to doubt - He is hearing your prayers for Haiti. Please don't stop praying there is much to be done!

Kelly for Jan”

Thank you for being a part, each day we continue to receive notes, gifts, and stories of how people are praying. Let us all not grow weary!

In Him,

Kit

We know that the physical presence of Keith, Jan, Kelly, Paul, CVM short-term volunteers Jamie and Sara, and so many others who are serving in Haiti is a special gift of encouragement to the people of Haiti. Their service is a special place where the Lord encourages their faith as well. I pray that as you read these updates that your faith is encouraged for I know that we all are encouraged by your care, prayers, and support.

An update from Jan:

“The days seem to all run together.  There was a discussion last night what day it was. One of the girls had lost a whole day somewhere!  We hadn’t even turned our calendars over to February yet.  Everyone is going in all directions and good that each one can take up where the other leaves off.

On Monday I helped get the MFI mail room back in a little order and our first flight of mail will come to Port sometime today.  We will be working out of a camper, but think it will be just fine.  Just hope that we can get in touch with the people that have mail coming in.  Pattie Golden that is in charge of the mail is in the states so a Haitian lady and I are trying to fill in the gap.

Kelly and Keith are still wearing several hats.  Not sure how they keep all of it straight.  All the injured people that we have been more involved in are all doing better.  Kelly’s guy Ticant was released from the hospital, but Kelly just took him to her house, because he has to go in for dressing changes.  She was taking him this morning.  Nancy’s sister was released yesterday and she is back at our house.  She goes in for a dressing change Friday again.  They worked on Nancy’s leg again yesterday, so not sure what she has going on.  Sure hope that they will be able to save her leg.  Keith has a cousin, Dr. A.J. Applewhite, that arrived Tuesday night to help out and Keith connected with him yesterday.   Was also good to connect with our foster son Martin and as he has days off from the helicopter, he is willing to help out.  Kelly is going to check on getting medicines for the field hospital she had been helping with and then to go pickup supplies that we have been waiting for from the DR.  Hope all of that comes today, so we can check that supply run off our list..  Jamie and Sara have been running around with Kelly and then helping at the ICU unit at the Miami Tent Hospital at night.  They came and crashed at our house yesterday afternoon while Kelly went to a meeting with some of the Animal Humane Society people.

Keith headed out early this morning with 9 ladies that we know to get them started washing clothes for some of the US Military.  Magda is the lady in charge to get this all organized and we hope this will be away to help some families that we know personally with an income for awhile.  We plan on rotating the ladies to give more an opportunity.  The supply of water was a concern, but think Frederic and John Claude got a pump working in an old well and they should be set.  I gave Magda and Rosimene a hard time this morning.  They were dressed pretty nice and I told them,” I thought you were going to wash clothes.”  Keith said “I think they are going to find them a guy.”  They just laughed.  It may take them a few days to get caught up on the amount of wash that these men will have.  They have been on the ground a little over two weeks.

Keith then has a meeting with Mr. Mena from IICA and some people with USAID at the embassy and then off to other meetings with Dr. Millien.  Proposals are being written up for the structure of the future programs here in Haiti.  Sure want the money that is coming in to be used the best possible way and to help the most people.  This is not an easy task.

Dr. Paul Rudenburg went to the sites yesterday for the tent distribution.  We decided for our first time we would help with the people at Merger and another friend of Paul’s and Keith’s.  Jean Claude Beauvais is an animal husbandry specialist and has worked with an organization Veteremed for the last 20 years.  He works in several communities and always helping other.  There were 33 or more extended family and friends at his home the day of the earthquake and 13 were lost under the building.  With all he had going on personally, he is still thinking about the others around him and who he works with that need help.  Paul, Frederic, & Acky went to help pick up the rolls of plastic and will make a distribution of 400 tarps for shelters to help him.  Pray for the logistics to make this happen today without a lot of trouble. They will be using a dump truck!   Kelly got some help (big truck and men)from the US military unit to help make the delivery to Merger.  This will happen on Friday and Saturday.  They will take enough for 400 families at Merger.

Brian and Robin came in on Tuesday to pick up supplies.  Robin had some needed medicine for their clinic that was coming in from the DR and was dropped off at our house and Brian needed to do some things for IOM.  He went into the US Embassy with two card board boxes and came out with those cardboard boxes ready to make payroll for his staff and projects.  He was just a little nervous and sure didn’t make any stops on their way back to LesCayes.  Interesting way to do business in Haiti right now!

Again we thank you for your continued prayers and support.  Sure the news gives you all the trouble that is taking place and it is a nightmare trying to get food to the people, but be assured that the Lord is here with us and there are people here making a difference and helping and reaching out to each other.

Blessings,

Keith, Kelly and Jan”

Be encouraged and know that you are an encouragement!

Kit

“Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace, comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word.” 2 Thessalonians 2: 16-17

As the days pass and we near a month from the date of the first earthquake, these words from Paul should be a good place to give us encouragement and knowledge that it is He who loves us, gives us eternal comfort, gives us good hope by grace, comforts us and strengthens us for every good work and word. 

We especially pray this for those who are faithfully serving in Haiti but also for each of us here serving in the many roles that it requires to respond to such news.

We did have a short e-mail from Dr. Crowdis with a few pictures of food distribution.

“Photos of the rice we bought from the Dominican Republic with the CVM Haiti Earhtquake funds. These photos show us giving it to people in our neighborhoods and people we know who are homeless and injured. We were able to give some of the medical supplies which we received from the Dominican Republic to a Haitian doctor and nurse to use in the small clinic in the tent city, Pax Villa.”

We continue to hear reports of meetings with other agencies who are responding to the animal health and veterinary development needs in Haiti. Some notes I wrote in talking with Drs. Keith and Kelly last week include:

“Initially many fled the city after the quake to return to their countryside homes. Now we are seeing them come back, they realized some of the reason they had left the countryside was that there was not enough food there and no work.”

“We have observed that local food products are not selling as there is a growing amount of imported food. This is now hurting the local farmers who depend on these sales for their income.”

“This is a disaster that has impacted both the rich and the poor in Haiti. They are now living side by side in these tent villages. There is a Haitian proverb that goes something like, “The stone in the river does not know how the stone in the desert feels.”  This is no longer the case in Haiti.”

As Drs. Flanagan and Crowdis network with other agencies they are hoping to see a coordinated effort in responding to the rehabilitation and development needs in Haiti to include:

Do keep praying with us for the demands they face each day and for His strength to renew them.

Kit

Here is the update from Jan:

“I’m not sure where this week went.  Can’t believe that it is Friday.  Everyone has been busy with meetings and checking on people in the hospitals.  Nancy and her sister both had their legs rechecked and realigned.  Think they will be released this afternoon, if they are doing okay.  Keith did not get back to see them yesterday afternoon or last night.  IICA had a vehicle hijacked yesterday afternoon around 4:30 p.m.  The driver is okay.  Keith was sure they were headed to the DR because the border is open with not much checking of vehicles and with International tags they would let them right through.  We are just thankful no one was hurt.

The five guys from Assist International left this morning.  They felt like they got a lot accomplished and made some contacts to be able to ship needed supplies in.  They blessed us double time.  Our generator went down and they said that we could use one of the small generators that they brought in until we could get ours up and running again.  They also gave us the opportunity to make the decision where these 3 generators will be best used with ministries we know.  They were able to visit some of the hospitals where their supplies had been delivered and being put to use.  Frederic drove his pickup with them today as they left to help take some medical supplies to a hospital close to the border.  There are so many smaller organizations that are doing what they can and making a difference even for a few.  John Chew was able to connect with lots of old friends and he felt good about his trip and was glad he could help out.  He met with a lady here in Port that had a small kindergarten school.  She still has 11 children that their parents never came to pick them up on January 12.

Kelly went to get some supplies that we had ordered from the DR.  She gave the doctors at the little field hospital some of the medical supplies yesterday afternoon and they were very appreciative.  It is hard for some of these smaller places to get the medical supplies they need.

Keith and John Claude went to the border early this morning to meet 7 large trucks that were bringing in vegetable seeds, Yams, cassava root, and plantain plants  to be able to start some planting  projects in the rural areas.  They also had a meeting with the animal coalition that now has people here and are working on proposals and how to rebuild the programs with the Ministry of Agriculture.  It is great having these groups that are here for the long haul and are looking to the future of Haiti.

Our foster son, Martin Fluegge, is coming to Haiti with his helicopter company.  They will help with supply drops from the DR to Port-au-Prince.  They will be staying in the DR, but we hope to be able to make contact with him when they make supply drops.  Keith is starting to make contacts with some of the U.S. Military and the Veterinarians that they are sending down.  All of these contacts are sure a big help.

Still haven’t gotten anyone to sleep in the house at night with us. Magda went for a job interview at the hospital just down the road from us.  They need someone to help with the records in their pharmacy.  We pray that she can get this job.  She wants to be out and helping.  She spent two nights with the ladies in the hospital and know she was an encouragement to so many that she came in contact with.  Frederic has been helping a man from the states getting supplies to the churches that he helps support, and also has some leads on some long term employment with the UN.  We pray that these young people can get employment and help be a positive Christian influence on the work being done here.

We did not get any more word from the group in the DR that we thought would take the special needs children for Marie Blaise.  Keith has not been able to make contact with her and we just pray they made it to the TiRivere and the church family is loving and taking care of them.

Again thanks for all your continued prayers and support. 

Blessings,

Jan, Keith and Kelly”

We know these glimpses only tell as small part of the story of how His love is showing through these three special people and their team and through so many others who are serving the people of Haiti. Please be faithful to pray and share these stories with others that they might join us.

Trusting Him,

Kit

We were encouraged to hear that they were able to connect with agencies wanting to serve as well as to help connect them with Haiti leadership from the Ministry of Agriculture. They are now working on plans for the rehabilitation response and connecting once again with the development work with the Haitian veterinarians and technicians. 

We were blessed to also have the following update from Jan:

Sorry I didn’t get anything sent over the weekend.  I’m not sure where the weekend went.  All the days are just beginning to run together.  Seems like we should be coming to some norm, but that hasn’t happened yet.   Kelly came to our house on Friday with a mother and baby that is about a month and a half old.  Babies sure change your routine fast! They are doing okay, but the mother is really not with it.  We are sure part of it is the trauma, but she may just not be able to care for a little one.  We have not been able to get any information from her that we can really find out where she was living or where she was from originally.  She was picked up in a tent city by a hospital and then they discharged her from the hospital and asked Kelly to take her back.  Kelly said, “I just couldn’t leave her there.”  We have a missionary friend that runs a rescue home for children and she said that she would take her and work with her.  She is set up better to take care of babies.

Groups are beginning to come in now to help with the animal welfare, so Kelly and Keith have been busy meeting with them and trying to get them to work within the structure that is already in place.  We have a young man staying with us now that is working through this animal relief coalition.  His group is willing to help with vaccination campaigns, obtaining medicine and supplies.  He is helping at one of the refugee camps today while Keith and Kelly are attending a meeting with FAO.  

We had a group of five men come in from California and asked if they could use our yard as their camping spot.  One of the men on the team, John Chew, we worked with at Hospital Albert Schweitzer.  Keith helped them yesterday afternoon check on some supplies that they had shipped down.  They hope to be able to help some of the smaller hospitals and groups with medical supplies and water filters.  They were headed out to the valley today and check on some places that John knew.  John’s sister has also been in Haiti trying to get adoptions finished on two small girls.   They are going to bring her in and see if she can get her children out.  Saw an email that said there might be a new law that the Haitian Govt. just put into effect that the Prime Minister must sign off on all the orphans leaving the country.   This will sure cause a bottle neck and delay for the children needing to get out but maybe it would also help finishing up the adoptions when they get to the states.  Sure hope that all governments were in the making of this decision and not just Haiti.  Guess we will find out more when Mary starts the process.  Please be in prayer for her.  Keith has also run into some other HAS friends.  Scott Dowell was getting out of a van at the UN yesterday and Keith spotted him. Believe he works with CDC.  Also Dr. Exe (Haitian Surgeon from HAS) had come in to check on family.  Everyone was okay in his family.

We finally made contact with Marie Blaise and the kids at the orphanage.  The kids were fine, but sleeping in the back quarters.  The Haitian Social Services said that she needed to find another place for the children.  We had made a connection about maybe getting them to the Dominican Republic to a home until something different could be worked out. But the Social Services man said they needed to go Sunday morning.  Keith asked him if he knew the place that Marie was going and were they going to give her support and of course he did not know and sure there would be no help going to them.  Marie knew a pastor that said she could bring them out  somewhere out by TiRivere and the church would help take care of them.  We are still praying that they could be sent to the D.R. but the chances look slim now.  Please pray for these children and Marie.

We have been so thankful to have received a few of the Samaritan’s Purse Family Kits.  Keith has been delivering them at night to people that we know.  He said the people are so grateful and he said it is like you have given them a pot of gold with just a plastic sheet and few hygiene supplies.

The radio was giving reports yesterday about how long the tremors might last and of course everyone was thinking we were going to have another big one last night.  We did have a shake about 1:30 a.m. just enough to make me sit up in bed, but then it was over.  These sure play on your nerves, but guess we will just have to live with them for awhile.

Again thanks for all your prayers and support.  You have truly gone way beyond the limits to reach out to our Haitian friends and co-workers.

Blessings,

Jan, Keith and Kelly

Do keep our friends in prayer. Keep networking for the effort. God is at work. I hope you are encouraged by these reports.

Kit

“I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now. For I am confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus” Phil 1:3-6

The aftermath of the earthquake in Haiti stirs each of us to be faithful in prayer for Keith, Jan, Kelly and for the many other aid workers and Haiti brothers and sisters as they walk through this time. Such times also stir us to remember the faithfulness of God in the past trials as well as the joys of service in Haiti. God is at work, we trust that, we always do not understand the context and the trial, yet we know that this also is part of our participation in the gospel. May we all be faithful to what He is asking and understand His good work in each of us.

We have been blessed to stay in touch with the Flanagan family here in the states during this time and to see how faithful they are to support, encourage, pray for, and act in helping this work in Haiti. The following is a link to a great interview from a station in Amarillo KAMR 4 featuring Keith’s sister Koleta and his brother Joe.

http://myhighplains.com/content/fulltext/?cid=106761&shr=addthis

The following are some updates from over the weekend from the family.

Koleta shared:

“II Corinthians 9:12-15  The service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.  Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confessions of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else.  And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you.  Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!”

Verse 12 of the above scripture was on their prayer card a few years ago….  I have been claiming this for them and all the other Christians, Haitian and foreigners, who are ministering so diligently…that the evidence of God’s love will be magnified, and that the people of Haiti (and all people everywhere) can understand His love for them, even in the midst of the horrific  things they have witnessed and experienced. 

Updates from Keith and Jan in Haiti:

“We are doing fine. Yesterday was busy with some meetings and keeping things going here in the yard.  I connected some groups coming in for animal health with the ministry people yesterday. Took a lot of time, but extremely important.   I am insisting that these groups work with the ministry of Agriculture to strengthen the whole country.”

“ We do keep finding what we need each day….one of the biggest now is to get 20 handicapped children accepted at an orphanage in the Santiago area of the Dominican Republic.  One of the orphanages that we worked with was heavily damaged and the children are staying in a very small crowded area.  There is a group who might take them… Please be praying for Marie Blaise (the founder of the orphanage) and the twenty children.”

“Also be praying for Nancy’s leg for it to continue to heal. She is a coworker of mine that God helped me find. She and her sister are both at our house with broken legs. Their father was killed.  I have never seen anyone so happy to have (just) a broken leg!  She had been scheduled for amputation, but when they went to take her in, it looks so much better, they decided it could be saved.  Yesterday there was starting to have a odor from the cast. The cast had soaked up a little blood and I am sure it is that, however, this morning when we have light, I will cut a window in the cast to see how things look.  I should have had a window anyway, but this will ease Nancy’s mind….and mine. The young lady and they little baby are doing fine and she is starting to come around.  She even laughs at some of my jokes!”

“Magda is doing fine, I think I found a job for her helping in a pharmacy at a hospital close by. That will start about the 1^st of Feb. I was on my way down to where some of her family lives to take them a tarp and money, but the plan changed. Instead, I sent her with Jean Claude (one of the drivers at IICA) and I went a different direction. Her family is doing okay, but living in tough conditions.  We had just gotten Magda to sleep in the house again when the second quake occurred….she was one of the first out of the house….on one leg without her crutches….and she was on the second floor. We might not get her to sleep inside again.   Every night my pickup is full of people. Yesterday morning I needed to leave early so I just stood on the bumper and gave a little jump…..The pickup emptied right out!!”

 “My Brother Steve, with the help of long time friend,  Pastor Gary Garmon in West Palm Beach,  was able to order a lot of tents, I think 30,  at a very reduced price.  CVM (Christian Veteromary Mission will pay for this out of the funds sent by you and others for Haiti Earthquake.)   Get them to FL and pay Missionary Flights International to get them to Keith.  Should arrive Friday.)”

We continue to pray and trust Him for His strength, wisdom and discernment in this sea of needs and demands.

Kit

We are blessed to be hearing from so many who want to help. Without exception, each person I have called for help with a particular issue has responded with very willing, “yes”.

Keep praying, we will keep watching and updating you. Some specific prayer requests

1. Pray for good weather and protection from the elements with so many sleeping outside
2. Pray for the distribution of food, water, and medical help
3. Pray for logistical support systems to continue to open up
4. Pray for planning meetings with other NGO agencies on Saturday as Keith and Kelly network them with Haitian officials.
5. Pray for rest and renewal for Keith, Jan, Kelly, and their national staff
6. Pray for emotional healing for those who have suffered such loss

Praying With You,

Kit

I was thinking this morning that the apostle Paul knew the experience of an earthquake. He was freed from prison by such an event. I am praying that we might see in all the tragedy how God our Redeemer is now and will continue to be at work. Pray with us.

It has been a couple of great days as we have been able to talk by Skype with both Drs. Keith and Kelly. We feel their pain in new ways as we hear the stories of friends who have been killed or badly injured, but at the same time we are renewed by their passion to serve and minister to the people of Haiti.  They share the stories of the miracles that God is doing. They have found great encouragement in the outpouring of love, support, and friendship from so many.

The following is a report this morning from Jan Flanagan.

“We had a quiet night.  Could not convince anyone to sleep in the house with Keith and I.   Kelly got Nancy’s sister seen and they cleaned her leg and set it.  She also has a full leg cast on.  She and Nancy didn’t want to come in the house, so they have a makeshift tent and are sleeping on mats out in the yard.  They are so thankful for everything and praising the Lord they are alive.

Kelly and Guerriot were off this morning to hopefully get some supplies for the people that are staying in the church yard close to her house.  Was a possibility of getting some tents and hygiene supplies.  Keith was picking up a family and getting them to the bus station area to head out to the valley.  He was also going to check in with some other people to see if they want to move to our yard or stay where they are in one of the tent villages.  It is pretty crowded, but he was not sure how many extended family they have with them.  Frederic is helping drive and translate for another group that is distributing supplies.

Keith was also attending another meeting that was called by the Minister of Agriculture and also needed to check in with the Military that are here.   Lots going on.   Kelly just came by and she got blankets, hygiene supplies, and some plastic sheets to help make temporary shelters for 100 families. These supplies were brought in by Samaritan’s Purse. Praise the Lord.

There is an orphanage near Quisqueya Chapel where we attend church and is run by an American Couple.  Some of the children come to church with them.  Just got word that 56 of these children were going to the embassy to get their papers to be able to head to the US to their new families.  Sure there was lots of excitement in the church yard last night where they have been staying since the 12^th.

We have had 3 small tremors this past hour.  Would really like for these to stop!  Jan”

We have been working in the network of the animal health community to help understand the animal health needs as well as the role that veterinary development work will serve in the recovery plan.   To date, Keith and Kelly have not heard of the loss of any of the Haitian veterinarians with whom they worked and trained. Many of them live in the outlying areas that were less impacted. Pray for wisdom as these plans continue to come together.

We have also had great encouragement as members of the CVM family have shared their encouragement and joined in the networking to find resources and partners to continue this response.

Dr. Mack Boyd shared the following message from Dr. Keith

Thanks for the email and your prayers. We are doing fine. Yesterday, I accepted the fact that I needed to slow down just a bit and get a breath.  Kelly Crowdis and I participated in a conference call with a group (made up of many groups) that are coming down to help take care of animals. I participated mainly so that they have some accurate information and that they know there is a functional animal health department within the Ministry of Agriculture and they need to be working with them and helping them. We now have many young veterinarians in the country that are trying to get their lives together and are also willing and capable of helping.  Our efforts need to include these young people!

We have been extremely busy helping close friends. Frederic lost a nephew who was more like his son. This was a super young man who was at our house almost every day. That was a very tough funeral. We have so many without homes and have been trying to get them tarps and/or tents. God has been good in the fact we haven’t had rain yet!  We have two ladies at our home who are sisters (one works with me in the office). They lost their dad and they both have broken legs. Nancy my co-worker, was scheduled for amputation, but God intervened, and it looks like the leg can be saved!  Their house is destroyed and the rest of the family is sleeping in the street. I am trying to see what I can do with our yard to move a few more people in. My brother checked with Coleman and they will sell tent for this type of a thing for about half price. He has some on the way, but we can sure use more.  We can get free shipping on Missionary flights International for a while. They are out of Fort Pierce FL. I will try to call them today and see if they can purchase tarps locally and get them this week. Last night we had a very cool wind and I know it was a very uncomfortable night for many. I am using money to help get food for people and for transportation to get them back to family out of Port au Prince.  Before very long, we will need some people to help and would love to have you come to help out. In the meantime, if you have people wanting to donate, have them go through CVM and we can access that for what we need.”

Thank you for checking in with us and do keep praying and networking

To His Glory!

Dr. Kit Flowers

“Just started the generator to be able to pump water up from the cistern.  We have not had our regular water supply for two days now and Keith feels like there is just not enough water pressure to push it up the hill.  We have plenty in the cistern and just need to make everyone be aware of how to conserve.  Kelly is very low on water at her house.  We will get a drum from here to take to her house.

Kelly and I went yesterday and closed up a house of a missionary friend that decided she needed to leave.  She had been struggling for several months and not sure that she will return to Haiti.  We laughed at each other over little things we found that have become very important to us.  Opened a drawer and found matches that we both the night before said that we were going to need!  You would have thought we found some money with our excitement.

Keith came home last night with some needed vegetables.  He had bought two pineapples.  Now pineapples were not high on my shopping list.  He said, “the ladies were out trying to sell and no one is buying, so I just needed to help them out.”  I didn’t even ask how much he paid.  These are little ways that we can encourage and pass our blessings on to those around us.

We are so thankful for all of you and you are blessing us with your gifts of love and prayers. As we were out yesterday I saw first hand the tent camps that are opening up.   There are hundreds of people in them. Paul was in a meeting and they said that there were 280 of these sites had been identified that have 300 or more people in them.  These areas will be where they drop the food and water and so is important for people to be close to these areas to get some help.  Guess there are plans to set up huge camps out away from  Port-au-Prince. There is no way the aid can go to every little area. There are also small groups trying to help in each of their neighborhoods and people sharing what little they have with each other.

Nancy is at our house now.  They just had to debride her leg.  She said they were hurrying her so fast to get out of the hospital that she put some weight on it and there is some blood on her cast.  Keith will take her back for them to look at it later today.  Wish people could get that extra time to make sure everything is okay, but there are so many people that need to be seen and are waiting.  The doctors just have to keep moving and working.  Please keep all these aid workers and the Haitian doctors and nurses that are working beside them in special prayer.  This pace may need to go on for several weeks.

The government officials are having meetings and making decisions working with all the agencies.  Plans are coming into place and people are getting help.  It is pretty overwhelming but we know the Lord is here with us.

I’m not sure if the IICA email address is working at this time.  We appreciate all the emails and sorry that we are not getting them all answered.  We are very thankful for the CVM staff and how they are helping to keep everyone informed even from the little that we are getting sent to them.

In His Care,

Keith, Kelly and Jan”

We again continue to be blessed by the encouragement of all who are calling and writing to check in on these special servants.

Keep Praying,

Kit

This is my prayer this morning for Keith, Jan, and Kelly and their team as they continue to serve in these challenging days in Haiti. We also pray this for others who are daily joining this response and helping those impacted by the earthquake.

We were blessed to be able to talk with Kelly by Skype for about 30 minutes yesterday before we lost connection. She reported that the three of them are doing well and finding strength each day. Kelly did not work in the medical response on Monday because of the growing number of medical professionals who are now set up and working. She served with her team in follow up with people they know and in helping them in recovery. They continue to monitor the recovery of friends and others they have met in the last week as they continue to find medical attention. Kelly shared of a mass exodus from the city as there is nothing for people and many of them are returning to family in the countryside. The prices of food are high with growing concerns about shortages. Fuel continues to be a challenge to find with rumors that there will be not fuel in 5 days.

Keith was able to meet with the Minister of Agriculture and others involved in the recovery. The following are some excerpts from an e-mail as he begins to coordinate with the US Army veterinary corp and others who are beginning to respond.

“Both Kelly and I are covered up taking care of medical emergencies. I have several staff injured or have lost family members. Many of them are without homes now and we are trying to get them out of Port au Prince back to family in the country. We have one staff member who lost her dad and she has a septic compound fracture. She was scheduled for amputation, but now looks that they can save the leg. She slept at our house last night and I have to get her back to the hospital this morning.”

“I met with the Minister of Agriculture yesterday morning and will meet with Dr. Max Millien, the head veterinarian today. Medicines are a priority. The other priority that I see is animal control, especially the stray dogs. There will be an increase in stray dogs as many owners were killed and most walls that contained the dogs in yards are down. Thankfully we just completed a rabies vaccination campaign in the country with maybe 70% plus of the dogs in Port Au Prince being vaccinated.  Also a national anthrax vaccination was carried out this past year. Those are two of the biggest zoonotic disease that we have.  Newcastle’s vaccination for poultry is a priority as this time of year is the peak time for this. The Ministry of Agriculture has vaccinators trained to do this, but lacks funds for the vaccine and to pay the vaccinators.  Classical swine fever and Teschovirus in pigs are two more diseases that are affecting the food chain. We still do not have a vaccine for teschovirus, but have people looking at production of an autogenous vaccine."

“In summary, I see the biggest animal/public health issue being stray animal (especially dogs) control. After that continued vaccination for Newcastles, rabies, anthrax, and classical swine fever. Public health wise, potable water and latrines are greatly needed."

"There are make shift shanty towns everywhere with many streets being blocked off and people sleeping in the middle of the roads for fear of walls still falling on them. Tents and tarps are also badly needed. Transport of wounded is needed as well as transport of people wanting to get back to the area where they came from.  One priority of the ministry is to establish development and work programs to keep people out of Port Au Prince and some of the other damaged cities such as Jacmel. Small animal production (chickens, fish, rabbits) will also be a priority here."

As you can imagine the days are full and His strength, wisdom and discernment are needed. Please keep praying and sharing the story of their dedicated service so that we will have adequate funding to continue to be able to help. We are very grateful for all who have given so generously.

Dr. Kit Flowers

“Tonight Kelly was at her home, sleeping outside with 9 folks who were up visiting from Les Ceyes.  The strong aftershock around 4am this morning set a lot of people on edge again, so most folks (even if they still have homes) are still sleeping outside until that settles down. She’s stayed busy these past few days treating people with various injuries – many of them very badly injured.  She says a few gas stations have now opened up, so she isable to get fuel for the car to get around, although they have to battle to get it.  There are many still trapped alive in collapsed buildings who aren’t able to be recovered because there’s no equipment to move the concrete.  Treatments are going to start becoming more infections vs “clean” wounds now, which is going to add challenge with the limited supplies they have.

Dr. Crowdis was driving her car in downtown Port Au Prince when the earthquake hit on Tuesday.  Thirty minutes prior she’d been in a 3-story church building doing a training.  She has no idea what happened to the building, but she’s thanking God she wasn’t’ inside when it hit.  The training was supposed to last until 5pm, but they had finished early.”

Keep in prayer with us for Dr. Kelly and her dedicated service.

Kit
Dr. Kit Flowers
Executive Director
Christian Veterinary Mission

“Pray without ceasing.” 1 Thes 5:16

This word from the apostle Paul is a great charge for each of us as we continue to respond to the developments in Haiti. We have a unique window in our modern world to see so much of what has happened and is happening and yet we only have a glimpse into the reality of those who are living in this challenge in real time. We continue to be amazed at the response of those who are giving, networking, and offering to go. We continue to “hurry up and wait” but know we can for sure, pray without ceasing.

We were blessed again to hear from Keith, Jan and Kelly:

“Kelly and Guerriot are out trying to make funeral arrangements for his family.  He took the kids to Les Cayes and got back last night.  Keith has taken a family out to the valley (not sure how many were in the pickup)and then will attend the funeral for Frederic’s nephew.  Pastor Johny was by this morning.  We had news that someone has set up an orthopedic unit at a hospital nearby.  All the kids from Merger that attend High School in Port are accounted for.  One girl had a block fall on her and has a pretty bad broken leg.  Pastor Johny was going to go get her and check at this hospital.

We are hearing from others that they have seen places set up where people can get food and medical help.  The aid that is coming in is beginning to be organized and help.  We hear planes all night and lots of helicopters out this morning. Didn’t have any tremors last night but a small one about an hour ago.  Will be glad when these stop!-Jan”

We appreciate your care and partnership,

Kit
Dr. Kit Flowers
Executive Director
Christian Veterinary Mission

Here is an early morning update from Keith, Jan, and Kelly:

Kelly was by last night and used the internet and got a few more supplies.  She is still helping at the field hospital they have set up in a park.  They are running low on supplies and hopefully will be able to connect with the right people to get what they need.  Keith is still out and trying to find people that have not been accounted for.  We have been able to make contact with most of the kids we know that are here in School.  Most have headed back out to their homes in the countryside.

Keith helped yesterday trying to get a missionary couple out.  Both Missionary Flights, and Agape Flights said that they would take them out.  Neither plane could land in Port yesterday because of all the air traffic and planes on the ground.  While the couple were waiting at the airport two military doctors came up and started treating them.  They got much need IV fluids and the doctors got them on a Canadian Military Flight that was going back to Homestead, FL.  They are this morning being treated at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami.  Keith was really worried about her foot and his arm.  He was in the rubble of their home for 18 hours.  We praise the Lord and know with even all our planning and wanting to do the LORD in the one in Control.

Frederic and Guerriot have gone to the countryside to take family.  Please keep both of these young men in your prayers as they try to be strong for their families. There are still a lot of requests coming for us to help connect with people.  Many people are safe, but have just lost everything.  We just pray that with all the aid coming in that it can get to the people that are in most need. 

Again thank you for your love, prayers and support.  You all have been the encouragement that we need and trusting in the Lord.

Blessings,

Keith, Jan and Kelly

Kelly was also able to give a quick update on her Facebook page.

Please keep praying, sharing the story, encouraging folks to pray and give and then wait patiently as we see how the story unfolds in the other ways we can help.

Trusting Him,

Kit
Dr. Kit Flowers
Executive Director
Christian Veterinary Mission

We have just received an update for your prayers from Jan Flanagan, CVM fieldworker in Haiti:

Hi,

The internet went out yesterday and just got it back.  We are still okay.  Kelly worked all day at a hospital helping with the injured.  She was planning on going back today.  She was really impressed with how a team of Haitian doctors and nurses came in and were really in control of the situation.  People are doing whatever is necessary.  Keith is out and checking on people not accounted for.  Much sadness and people not knowing even where to begin.  We are encouraging people that have family in the countryside to head out of Port of Prince.  Our main concern right now is fuel to be able to get out to help and to run the generator.  We have been so blessed by the out pour of Love and Support.  Both Frederic and Gerriot have lost loved ones, so please especially hold them up in prayer as they help their families.

Pastor Johnny and Rosidite are fine and there was very little damage at Merger.  Their church is still standing and they are reaching out to help.  Two other churches in the area collapsed so the people are saying that the Lord loves their church!  Magda is back here with us and she has had contact with her family and they are doing okay.

Again thank you for your prayers and support.

Blessings,

Jan for Keith and Kelly

Please keep praying,

Kit
Dr. Kit Flowers
Executive Director
Christian Veterinary Mission

I watched my e-mail and cell phone late into the night last night and then awoke this morning with great anticipation for more news.  Nothing has come.  I know so many are praying and want to know more about how they can pray and serve.

I did have one note from Keith and Jan’s son, Brian.  He works in development work in Les Cayes in the south.  He also has not heard from his folks and is working to get their staff member, Frederick, back to Port Au Prince as well as getting water and purification tablets to his folks.

We have been amazed at the love expressed by so many since this tragic news broke.  Here is what we know we can do currently:

1. Pray

We can only imagine the pain that they are ministering to with those injured and those who have lost family and friends.  Each day they will need His strength.

2. Give

We know resources will be needed and so we are trying to do our part to “stockpile” so that we have a way to help with costs as Keith and Kelly define the response.   I ask that you consider how you can consider getting others to give as you know well the stewardship that they will give to the funds given.  Donate to the Haiti Earthquake Response Fund.

3. Wait

At this point we continue to wait for definition of the help we can offer through volunteers.  We are keeping a list of people willing to respond and so if you have a heart to serve, let us know so we can inform you of those opportunities as more is known. 

The media coverage which we all are watching captures only a glimpse of the tragedy and the reality that Keith, Jan and Kelly are walking through.  It is hard to watch, and yet so much more hard to experience.  Pray for His mercy and grace.

Praying with you!

Kit
Dr. Kit Flowers
Executive Director
Christian Veterinary Mission

We first heard of the earthquake in Haiti on Tuesday afternoon as Dr. Keith Flanagan wrote:

“We just had a strong earth quake here in Haiti. All the phone service is out.  I don’t know about Kelly, but are praying that all is okay.  Will keep you posted.  The house is still shaking every now and then. All the back wall and some of one of the side walls went down. Better run and get wire up for tonight.” 

With you, our hearts have been broken once again for Haiti and the people we have served since the early 1980’s.   Currently we have Dr. Keith and Jan Flanagan and Dr. Kelly Crowdis serving as long-term workers and have had hundreds of short-term volunteers serve in Haiti over the years. We have trained over 1000 village level animal health workers and have been blessed to serve the people of Haiti in many other development and ministry inputs. 

Communication has been a challenge, but I did want to share with you this string of communication we have had over the last 24 hours.

Keith and Jan’s son Brian also serves in southern Haiti Les Cayes and wrote:  “We are fine in Les Cayes, small quake.” 

We were relieved yesterday to hear this report from Jan: “Kelly is fine.  She just came by the house.  She had been doing a training and was on her way back in.  She is headed to her house to see how everyone is doing.  She saw lots of destruction coming in." 

We praise the Lord for the safety of these CVM fieldworkers and yet keep them in prayer as they begin to work with the Haitian people to assess the damage, respond to the immediate needs and understand how to help once again. Today Keith, Jan and Kelly are out looking for their Haitian friends and co-workers. Keith wrote early this morning, “We are still without any telephone communication so I am not sure how many of our friends are. I went to check on Berlinda and her family who live in a ravine and they were all fine.  We went to another area to check on a friend of theirs and we are sure that he didn’t make it. The house totally collapsed.  There is lots of damage, but I am surprised at some of the big buildings that are still standing. Will keep you posted.” 

We also heard from Jan today: “It is still hard to get thoughts going, but wanted to let you know that we did make it through the night.  Keith has left this morning to see what all he can find out.  John Claude came this morning (co-worker with Keith).  They lost everything, but praise the Lord all his family are okay.  Just where to start now?  He said everyone in his area are just out in the streets.  No one wanted to come in last night and I must say there were two or three times I was ready to go back out side. Keith went by Kelly’s house last night, but didn’t go in but looked like everything was okay.  We were thankful that she made it in okay.”

We were able to connect by phone with Kelly and found that her house has some damage with everything a mess as things fell off of shelves.   She found out that one of her staff members has lost a family member and so was off early this morning to go and help in the response.

Pray for strength and wisdom as they grieve the loss with their friends and co-workers and begin to discern how to best respond. We have established a Special Projects fund to help generate funds for them to use in this response. If the Lord is leading you to give, please click here to donate to this fund.

We will keep you posted with regular updates on this time and how God is at work to empower His people in serving the people of Haiti.

Keep Praying,

Kit

Dr. Kit Flowers
Executive Director
Christian Veterinary Mission