Last Tuesday, I got a call from Samaritan’s Purse (the relief organization headed up by my friend Franklin Graham). They wanted to know if I could leave the next day for Haiti!  By Wednesday afternoon, I was on my way to spend the night in the Dominican Republic, along with my wife Debbie, Jay Clarke (from Samaritan’s Purse), and Lacey Mosley and Josh Sturm (married; she’s the lead singer of Flyleaf and incredible people; we loved hanging with them).  EARLY Thursday morning – we tried not to think about the fact it was 3 am back home) we got on our way to Port au Prince, Haiti.  Flying into Haiti from the DR was a bit surreal, going from lush green to bare ground with a few trees here and there, and then as we got closer, seeing the destruction.

Even though we knew what to expect, we didn’t know the emotions we would feel, actually being with the people. Our first stop was at a feeding station at a tent camp where thousands of people from Haiti’s worst slum live. (We saw these “tents” all over the place in Port au Prince, and they are made of whatever people could find, but most are made of bed sheets.)  At the feeding station, people waited in lines for hours for their share of massive bags of rice…and there isn’t enough even though 45 tons are given out a day at that one place, and there are 16 feeding stations around the city!  The need is that great.  I don’t think I’ll ever forget the faces of hunger and desperation I saw that morning. A sea of people standing in the hot sun just hoping to eat a little rice that day.   A few times I lost it and let the tears flow.
 
We drove around the city in a van with a few others, including a Haitian pastor, who lost his wife, baby, mother and mother-in-law and showed us his home where they died, crushed underneath a 5-story school where many children lost their lives. It was an extremely difficult stop, and we gathered around the pastor and prayed next to the rubble of his home.  A wonderful US Caption soldier went everywhere with us (hey Jill, if you read this, you’re awesome!) We were continually blown away by the hard work and compassion of our military as they worked alongside Samaritan’s Purse (and everywhere else we went!)  Pray for them when you pray for the people of Haiti…they are dealing with a crisis beyond what anyone is ever prepared for.
 
At one “tent city” in a park right across the collapsed Presidential Palace, which you’ve probably seen in the news, we walked around and talked to people.  Many of them were worried about the rainy season coming up (where would they live? Even the homes that survived are unstable and everyone fears aftershocks) One mom said she had no baby food for her baby.  The kids I saw were beautiful, and my heart went out to them.  Their future is so uncertain…I couldn’t help but compare the little ones to my grandkids who have everything they need. I felt helpless to meet those specific needs, but SO thankful to be giving to those who are doing everything they can to help.
 
We stopped at a makeshift medical clinic, staffed by US doctors and nurses.  Samaritan’s Purse has been able to find churches that are still standing (at least in part) that have allowed them to set up clinics all over the city. There were long lines of people waiting, and it was a relief to know that, at least for these, there were capable doctors and supplies at the end of their wait.  Just another way your dollars are going to directly serve these people!
 
After a packed day, we started back home and started processing what we had just experienced.  My hope is that I can convey to you and lots of others how great the need is in Haiti.  It will be great for several years to come, and Franklin Graham told me they (Samaritan’s Purse) will be there for the long term.  I think our military will be too, and I plan to return for a weekend so I can lead Sunday morning worship (I got a lot of requests!)  
 
Finally, remember we are the hands and feet of Jesus.  People are praying for and receiving miracles in Haiti. People are caring for the hungry, sick and grieving.  And those people are there because someone gave generously to get them there, with the supplies they need to help. The people of Haiti are survivors;  they’ve never had it easy.  But our greatest hope is that this devastating tragedy could bring about a spiritual awakening that will bring true freedom to these people.  God is on the move in Haiti, among his children who truly shine in the darkness, in spite of their own suffering.

Here are some ways you can help:  You can buy “Come Together Now” (Music City Unites For Haiti) on iTunes and Amazon; all net proceeds go to Samaritan’s Purse and the American Red Cross.  If you’ve already bought a copy - - gift another copy to a friend.  At $1.29 per download – gift it to MANY friends!

Next Tuesday (Feb. 23rd) you can go to iTunes and other digital outlets to purchase the Samaritan’s Purse album HEALING 4 HAITI – which features the track Come Together Now.  

And, of course, you can donate directly to Samaritan’s Purse and to the American Red Cross at their respective sites or visit www.cometogethernowhaiti.com. 

The Haitians’ lives literally depend on the generosity of average people like you and me. You are the army of volunteers that can spread this message to countless others.  Use your email lists, your Facebook accounts, your Twitter account and any other method you have to spread this message.  

Let’s give the people of Haiti our support, love and prayers.  
 
MWS