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Haiti Happenings Shaina Ascone October 2016 D D D e e e a a a r r r F F F a a a m m m i i i l l l y y y , , , Thank you to all who prayed so fervently for our mission, and for Haiti as a whole, while Hurricane Matthew moved across the Caribbean. Many towns and villages on Haiti’s south-western peninsula were almost completely wiped out when the storm surge caused ocean waves to rise higher than ever before. The death toll in the south almost reached 900 because not only did most people have no way of knowing of the approach of the storm, let alone its power, they also had nowhere to go. My heart aches for those who have lost loved ones, and for the thousands who are homeless, jobless (many crops were also lost), and hungry. Countries have been sending aid since the hour the storm was past Haiti: please pray that the organizations and programs that are distributing the funds and supplies will be wise and work with the missionaries and workers who are already there on the field; those who know the people. Please pray that this will not be a repeat of the disastrous outcome of the aid after the earthquake. Pray also for the Haitian people, that the relief efforts will not just feed the “hand-out entitlement” mentality they have developed, but that they would see beyond the “stuff” to the One Who is really behind the giving. Pray that God would be glorified in all, and that many would turn their lives over to Him as a result. Thank you, again, for your specific prayers for our people. We asked especially for prayers that there would be no mudslides (usually the greatest danger after storms in Haiti), and God answered that prayer! Our people did not even have much flooding in their houses, which is a true miracle with the amount of rainfall the area received. The danger with this hurricane was the storm surge: the ocean waves. Wilckly even had to evacuate everyone from our beach property the first night because he didn’t know if the water would rise into the living quarters. Praise the Lord, it did not, but it did wash away 2/3 of the wall surrounding out yard, uprooted multiple almond trees, and washed out much of the dirt and sand of our yard. No lives were lost from the storm in our area, another answer to prayer!, but because of the ocean also damaging many of the beach hotels in our area, about 90% of our people will be without jobs for a while (they are employed by these hotels, which now have to close until repairs are done). Please pray for wisdom for Wilckly and Dee as they seek to know how best to help the people, and pray for the provision of funds so that they will have the means necessary to help. Thank you to those who have already sent special gifts in light of the storm!
