Please pray for Haiti!!!!!

Many of you know that Harvest has a connection with 2 different missionaries in Haiti. Yesterday the island was hit by a 7.0 earthquake just outside of Port-au-Prince and many strong aftershocks have followed since. We have 3 families at Harvest in the process of adopting children from Haiti from the His Home orphanage. They, thankfully, are safe, however the building did sustain damage to one of the main walls. Basically there are thousands that are trapped, no power (there is usually very little anyhow), and the medical system in Haiti is pretty much non-existant, so there is no real place to take the injured once they are rescued. A hospital in Port-au-Prince collapsed completely, as well as many government buildings. We've heard that Esperandieu and his oldest son Nathan are currently in Miami, but can't get a connecting flight into Haiti due to the airport being closed. They have yet to hear word from his wife and other children. We also have yet to hear from Larry Ralph, the other missionary we know and support. He, I believe, is in Haiti, but on the opposite side of the island so hopefully he and his staff are safe. (For more updates I've linked Esperandieu's blog in our blog list-Nehemiah Vision Ministries)

Here is the latest update (besides hearing that Esperandieu and his son are now in Miami) from Esperandieu Pierre:

I am currently in Trinidad with my son Nathan doing some training with Campus Crusade. I am planning to leave my trip early and head home, prayerfully it will be tomorrow. I have still to hear from Dianne but I am trusting God that she, Charissa and Lemuel are fine. I’ve been trying to reach her cell phone but the network in Haiti is overwhelmed right now. Please pray that we can make contact with each other soon. Aaron will keep you updated on the status of our family and Haiti through the NVM Blog (http://blog.nehemiahvisionministries.org)

Nehemiah Vision Ministries (NVM) was established in 2006 for several reasons: 1) to educate those who have a desire to learn 2) to feed the starving 3) provide healthcare to the sick 4) most importantly to share the Gospel to those who have not heard the truth about Jesus.

NVM is also the social arm that gives leverage to the spiritual hand that comes through Campus Crusade. Would you join me first in prayer that Satan be bound from this country? He has done enough to ruin the lives of my people. Secondly, if you would like to help us provide aid to the people that have been affected by the earthquake you can send your support to:

Nehemiah Vision Ministries
c/o Earthquake Assistance
P.O. Box 48
Westfield, IN 46074

You can also give through the secure site: Network for Good

Ke Bondye Beni-w (May God Bless you)


Aaron Sherrick Onbehalf of Pastor Pierre, NVM Founder

PLEASE PRAY!

Here is another, more discriptive, update from a different missionary in Haiti (one we don't know, but still fighting for the same team):

The sun is about to come up. The aftershocks continue. Some more noticeable than others. There is no way to even begin to share the things we’ve heard and seen since 5pm yesterday. To do so would take hours that we don’t have to give right now. Some of them feel wrong to tell. Like only God should know these personal horrible tragedies. The few things we can confirm – yes the four story Caribbean Market building is completely demolished. Yes it was open. Yes the National Palace collapsed. Yes Gov’t buildings nearby the Palace collapsed. Yes St Josephs Boys home is completely collapsed. Yes countless countless - countless other houses, churches, hospitals, schools, and businesses have collapsed. There are buildings that suffered almost no damage. Right next door will be a pile of rubble. Thousands of people are currently trapped. To guess at a number would be like guessing at raindrops in the ocean. Precious lives hang in the balance. When pulled from the rubble there is no place to take them for care Haiti has an almost non existent medical care system for her people.I cannot imagine what the next few weeks and months will be like. I am afraid for everyone. Never in my life have I seen people stronger than Haitian people. But I am afraid for them. For us.When the quake hit it took many seconds to even process what was happening. The house was rocking back and forth in a way that I cannot even begin to describe. It felt fake. It felt like a movie. Things were crashing all over the house. It felt like the world was ending. I do not know why my house stands and my children all lie sleeping in their beds right now. It defies logic and my babies were spared while thousands of others were not. There are friends and co-workers that are missing. People whom no-one can account for. People we work with and love. There are more than I can name, but in particular we wait on one single friend who lived near the Hotel Montana – which has reportedly collapsed.The horror has only just begun and I beg you to get on your knees – I truly mean ON YOUR KNEES and pray for the people of this country. The news might forget in a few days - but people will still be trapped alive and suffering. Pray. Pray. Pray. After that - PLEASE PRAY.
Tara (Livesay)Heartline Ministries

Christmas

So, this is the second time I've tried to post this due to frankly running out of time. We've had a very busy month with lots of family time and Christmas/New Year's fun. So, here are LOTS of pictures from the past month. They are out of order of occurence but oh well.

We went to Iowa for Christmas this year where Morganne got her first and second chances at sledding. She only lasted about 20-30 minutes but it was bitterly cold the first day. She wasn't too sure about the snow and getting started but once the sled started moving she really enjoyed it with Daddy. Being 8 months pregnant, I chose to not try out the sledding and instead stand safely back and take photos!

Bundling up to head outside!! I think getting ready took longer than the time we were actually out there, but it was still a lot of fun.

Grandpa Fred showing how it's done!

On the second day, Derek, Lynsey, and Annabel joined us in Iowa and it was much warmer and less windy outside. It was however, a much faster hill and required Grandpa to catch them at the bottom before heading either into the pond or into the ravine!

Lynsey taking her turn.

Grandma Sue couldn't resist the fun, though she demonstrated exactly why I didn't want to try it being as pregnant as I am.

There is no stering a saucer sled!

Derek and Annabel enjoying it. What's up with the tongue action Derek???

Thanks for the new sled Grandma and Grandpa!

Daddy kissing his snow bunny!

It's present time!

The two Daddy's reading bed time stories to their girls.

With vaulted ceilings, Daddy was able to get some real air at Grandma and Grandpa's! This is one of Morganne's favorite past times and one of Daddy's greatest workouts!

All dressed up after Christmas Eve service, I couldn't resist a good family picture in front of the fire place. At the service, Morganne made everyone laugh when she shouted "Amen!" at the end of a song, while lights were off and there was a quiet moment. She is always quite entertaining.

Christmas at Nana and Grandad's!!!

Those of you who know my Dad, know that no one but a cute, little, blond haired, blue eyed girl could get Grandad to wear reindeer antlers in a photo. Oh she's brought out the best in him and has not stopped smiling since she arrived. I can't wait to see when he has 2 little granddaughters wraped around his finger. Nana is quite excited too.

One of the best gifts Morganne got was a hand made poncho jacket, hat, and mittens from Nana.

SOOOO excited about her very own music player that she can opperate. I think we've heard "Clap your Hands" about a 100 times already.

Before Christmas we were able to take a trip to see Christmas and the Zoo. This was the first time Morganne was REALLY excited about the dolphin show and it was so much fun to watch (her- more so than the dolphins! :cP). She was even making the people around us laugh.

And lastly, can't leave out the dog's Christmas. Ripken thoroughly enjoys opening the gifts and Roz just waits until he's done to choose which one she wants to claim. It was a very good year.

For New Years we had a GREAT time once again with friends at Brittany and Bryant's house. There were the 3 toddlers, Morganne, Curtis, and Dylan and 4 pregnan women, Me, LeighAnn, Cassie, and Brittany. Oh how life is changing for all of us. We are so blessed with such close, wonderful friends.

Sorry, for such a long post. We hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and New Year's. We wish the best for all of you in 2010!!!