Haiti relief

We have a better idea now about specific items that are needed by those at Northwest Haiti Christian Mission who are helping victims of the earthquake. While donations of money are by far the most needed, other items they are seeking include:

• Baby formula
• Peanut butter or any other high-protein food: Protein bars, beans, canned meat
• Any foods that do not have to be cooked
• Medical supplies: Bandages, sutures, splinting supplies, IV fluids, antibiotics, any over-the-counter medicines -- must be dated at least six months out
  

There is no need for clothing at this time.

Items from the list will be accepted this weekend and during the week through Wednesday only so that we can ship the items ASAP. Please put your donations in the large container that is expected to be in the Tomoka Christian parking lot by this evening. You are encouraged to ask your neighbors and co-workers to participate. Please note that money will continue to be accepted beyond Wednesday. Checks may be made out to TCC with "Haiti relief" written in the memo line. Online financial donations are welcome here.

This weekend, Tomoka Christian will offer Haiti T-shirts for sale, with all of the money going toward rescue efforts.

Meanwhile, below are two heartrending blog excerpts by Jody Castillo and Melonnie Kelly, two of our missionaries to Haiti dealing with the devastation.

From Jody - her blog is here

Two orphan boys came back with a tragic story. The quake started and they ran out of the house as it fell and killed everyone in it. They ran to another house that had their friends and only one person came out. A school full of little children fell and everyone died inside. We could barely understand their story through the sobbing. I had to ask three different times to really understand and I honestly may still be missing something. Everyone is mourning as news continues to filter in. Why tell you that? Because I'm trying to make this real - not just something you see on the news. This isn't some distant land - this is my home. The terror in their eyes is something I will never forget and I want you to picture what that looks like. They have had nightmares all day long. They told me they will never be the same. They were shaken and scared and in shock. How many others are that way, those that did survive and will never forget what they saw? How could it not change the life of every single person there? Lord Have Mercy On Haiti.

From Melonnie - her blog is here

We have a truck leaving at 4 a.m. (today) filled with tons of medical supplies. Melissa and Maureen are going with five of our Haitian staff. Please pray for them. I pray God's protection around them all.

We invited all of the Haitian staff to join us in a time of worship and prayer tonight. It was very emotional. Ivenor (my friend and assistant) has not heard anything about his parents yet and is fearing them dead. Watching him cry for them brought Susan and RJ to their knees weeping. Please pray that we can all be strong. There is so much sadness around us. It is hard to stay on top of it.

Please keep praying for Haiti.

"I tell you the truth, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to Christ will certainly not lose his reward." Mark 9:41