June-July Newsletter from Mila

Hey everybody!

It's been a while and boy has a lot happened! For one, I was able to pay off the $5k for last semester! I cannot thank you guys enough or express how much your support means to me. These past months has been so full and I can't wait to tell you guys all about it!

April was full of learning hard skills. We did FUNSAR (Fundamentals of Search And Rescue) which was a blast. We also had an introduction to rope work where we had to learn how to tie different knots. Our instructor wanted us to “Tie every knot 50 times in a row, behind your back, with gloves on.” Which was actually very challenging and time consuming, but also extremely rewarding. On top of all that we did some navigation training where we learned to read maps, plot courses, and navigate to any given location, day or night, using a map, protractor, and compass. That was a lot of fun.

Also in April we had a week where we (as a team) read through the entire Bible in six days. It was a LOT of reading and got pretty tedious at times, but it was really amazing the perspective you get when you read the Bible cover to cover. I believe it is something everyone should do at least once in their life. After that we did a week in a different location where we did a course o Bible studies in the morning, and MOAB (Management Of Aggressive Behavior) in the afternoon. The strategies for biblical studies was very informative and we got to really delve into different resources, opinions, and perspectives when studying the Bible. MOAB was informative in an entirely different way. We learned how to recognize, deescalate, or manage altered mental status and aggressive behaviors. There were several levels to the process ranging from very subtle and gentle techniques, to taking a person to the ground and restraining them to ensure they do not harm themselves or others. It was really interesting, and actually really fun too!

This month was really heavy on homework. In May we wrapped up all of our academic courses in preparation for the next section of training which will be almost entirely hard skills. As cadets we are not allowed to know much about what is coming up. Being surprised is part of the resilience and flexibility training, but we do know that it will be the most challenging training segment yet. We are entering wilderness isolation. In addition to survival and first response, we’ll be starting swift water and ropes rescue. I am both nervous and excited about the surprises in store!

In case you were wondering, some of the courses I finished since last writing you include: Perspectives on the Christian World Movement, FEMA's ICS Certificates Course, Handling Finances on a Personal and Organizational Level, Building Christian Character, Foundations for Christian Living, International Driving Requirements, SALT Triage System, and International Urban Security. I am feeling increasingly equipped for my next season of life. I learned so much about being a professional first responder, practical life skills, long term missions and strategies, and Bible study skills.

It's crazy to think that we are already in June! This past week I spent in urban security training in New York City. My team learned about different aspects of city life and general urban safety. We were also given a bunch of different assignments, some of which to be completed as a team, some in pairs, and some solo. It was a lot of fun! The training was very informative and at times quite challenging. Whereas we didn’t complete every challenge perfectly, my team still performed well even when compared to previous larger teams who had more human resources at their disposal. It was a testament to how much my team and I have learned this year with Chazak. We even set some new records!

I have been looking forward to this next wilderness isolation section of training all year. During 1.5 we will delve deep into first responder practical skills and international rescue work. I am very kinesthetic and practical and I am ecstatic to finally enter this part of training. Before then we have to do our yearly PFT (Physical Fitness Test), which I am really excited about because l am on course to set at least two records for the Chazak women's league. We’ll be driving to wilderness isolation training which is in Idaho. As part of the training, I will not have access to electronics until August. That said, you can send me a snail mail letter to the below address. Please mail it by July 20 to make sure I receive it by the time we leave Idaho.

PO Box 1107

Cascade,ID,83611

This part of the training was designed to challenge you body, soul, and spirit. For this reason l am nervous, but also excited. Since I’m largely in the dark with what to expect, I am excited to tell you all about it once I complete it!

My prayer requests for this next bit pretty much are as follows:

1. Strength to keep up with the guys on this next training section.

2. Energy not just keep on, but to excel in my training.

3. Continued provision with finances to pay off the sum of my balance for the year ($4,000).

Thank you all so much, I really appreciate the prayer and support you have all provided this past year and I look forwards to the next update when I can tell you guys all about this next section.

If you would like to send me a one time gift or partner with me financially on a monthly basis you can do so by sending your gift to me directly via Paypal at this link:
https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/ermyandmila

Or you can make a tax deductible donation at borderlandsinternational.org. Just be sure to note “Mila Sanchez” when given the option to add a note. To go that route just follow this link:
https://give.cornerstone.cc/lovestrainingground

April Newsletter from Mila

Hey guys,

I pray you have all been doing well this month! March was a busy month for me, but it was a great opportunity for me to work on learning how to balance my studies with social responsibilities and relationships. I am by nature a very driven person, so it can be all too easy for me to hyper-focus and become completely obsessed with my end goal. I found it really tempting to hide at a café and spend 10 hours per day 7 days a week just doing school and getting ahead with homework. I still put in a lot of time and got plenty far ahead, but I also spent valuable time with my family, friends and doing ministry with my home church.

I did complete a couple of courses but I also started a whole bunch of new ones. One of the courses that I started at the beginning of March was all about money management and learning life-long financial responsibility. I had taken courses on money and resource management before, but this one was especially statistics-based and logistical. At first the course felt a little stiff, but it didn't take long for me to realize just how practical the lessons were, and interesting! I learned a lot about being a good steward of what God entrusts to us, using resources wisely, and being frugal.

I also really enjoyed Easter this March. I love Easter because it is all about Jesus dying for us, then raising up from the grave, conquering death and sin and making a way for us to spend eternity with Him. Along with the hope it brings, it is also incredibly encouraging to me, reminding me that challenges may get in my way, but with God nothing is impossible.

You may remember that I mentioned previously that one of my teammates took a break from Chazak to get married. This April I got to go to his wedding with the rest of my team. Our former teammate, the groom, was very considerate, planning the date of his wedding around our insane Chazak schedule so that we could all make it and providing us with a place to stay And then it was back to training the next day! For the next bit, our training focuses heavily on survival and rescue. We've been sleeping outside a lot lately and earned our FUNSAR and NASAR II certifications. Other upcoming subjects include: navigation, Bible, finances and leadership in a business setting. Now that home-study is officially over I will miss seeing my family but I am also excited to be back with my team.

I do have one large current need to discuss I have not yet fully paid for this semester of Chazak and there is still another semester left this year. I have been praying diligently, and I believe with all of my heart that this is where God wants me to be, but I lack the finances to continue the program. The Chazak leadership has been extremely helpful and patient with me, and they have given me an extension so that I can continue my training for now, but I need to pay for my current semester by the end of April. Every time I pray I feel God telling me that He called me here for a reason and that I need to trust Him. I am doing my very best to trust Him through all of this, but I also know that I cannot do this alone. Honestly, I hate asking for financial help, but I would really appreciate you praying about supporting me. If I am unable to come up with the funds, I will have to postpone my training until I have worked and earned enough to continue, which would also mean having to start over with a different team. I am so bonded with this team which looks out for me and challenges me to grow; I can't imagine continuing without them!

My specific needs are $3,000 by the end of April and $5,000 by the end of May to pay for the final semester of this year.

That is my biggest practical need right now, but I also need prayer that God will give me wisdom on how to proceed and strength to do what He has called me to.

Thank you all so much, I have really appreciated all of the support, prayer, and encouragement you all have given me, it means the world to me. I look forward to telling you all about the training in April.

If anyone has any questions, comments, or concerns feel free to contact me at this email and I will do my best to give a timely answer. I look forward to hearing from you, have a blessed week!

If you would like to send me a one-time gift or partner with me financially on a monthly basis you can do so by sending your gift to me directly via Paypal at this link:
https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/ermyandmila

Or you can make a tax deductible donation at borderlandsinternational.org. Just be sure to note “Mila Sanchez” when given the option to add a note. To go that route just follow this link:
https://give.cornerstone.cc/lovestrainingground

March Newsletter from Mila

Hello Everyone!

I just got back from Colorado a few days ago and boy was it an amazing trip! Half of the class ended up carpooling to Colorado while the rest of us who were too out-of-the-way booked flights to the Denver airport. It was so nice to see everyone again though it felt a little strange with only six of us. We found ourselves “rebuilding" our team, redefining our roles within the team, adapting how we operate and embracing a changed dynamic which was much more intimate and required increased responsibility as we distributed the work previously done by the members who had left. As one team member put it, “it's harder to hide in six than nine.” So, whereas it is a different dynamic, I feel like it is a good shift.

The first week of the trip was devoted to WFR (Wilderness First Response) training. We learned all about what to do in medical emergencies in hard-to-reach areas. We also learned resource management and how to assess, treat, and plan an evacuation, even with limited resources. We learned different types of evacuations, different critical system problems, and way more! To help solidify all we learned and teach us to work under pressure we did a bunch of drills. Some people on our team would be “patients" and the others would be “rescuers". The patients would have a story about what happened and then a list of problems. Then the rescuer would have to find the patient, assess them, treat them, and then arrange to get them out by extracting them or organizing an evacuation. In a simulation where I was a panicked patient who had been stung by a bee, I convinced the rescuer to give me an Epi-pen (even though it was unnecessary), and then the other patient went into anaphylaxis and died because there had been only one Epi-pen. It was really educational, but also very fun and now I am officially WFR certified!

The second part of the trip was for AIARE 1, and Avalanche Rescue. This year Chazak made a few changes to their training, so our experience was a little different than previous classes. Instead of snowshoeing up the mountain to the hut, we skied. We also had an extra day of training in avalanche rescue and were the first class to earn Avalanche Rescue 1 certification. Because of that we also got to delve into our AIARE 1 course even deeper and are halfway to being AIARE 2 certified as well. Also, because we were skiing instead of snowshoeing, we were able to tour much further than previous classes and examine all sorts of avalanche terrain and traps in more detail. We also learned the fundamentals of using skis in rescue situations which will help us be better prepared if we go to an area where skiing is the most logical method of transportation. Class Three's (my class) experience was such a success that they have decided that they will be doing it like that every year from here forward.

In this training we learned winter survival, navigation skills, and all about avalanches: how to predict them, how to prevent them, and (my personal favorite) avalanche rescue. The stats for rescuing a completely buried victim are really insane. If you recover someone 10 minutes after they were buried, they have only a 46% chance of survival. With avalanche rescue TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE. So, we drilled and drilled until we were able to perform rescues efficiently as a team and also solo. By the end of training, we all passed the test with flying colors beating the clock on every event. One teammate even pulled off a double victim recovery on his own in less than 5 minutes. It was a difficult, intense and very cold course, but it was incredibly fun.

In addition to the hands-on practical learning, there was a big emphasis on spiritual growth. One thing our instructor for WFR encouraged us to do is to pray when we encounter a wilderness crisis. We were strongly encouraged and challenged to become more proficient in the art of praying without ceasing and asking for God's wisdom, guidance and provision in every area of our lives. It was so refreshing. Our team came together several times just to worship God. Being part of such a solid Christian group has been good for my soul and the whole team said they felt His presence which was an amazing experience. It reassures me that I am in fact in the right place doing what God wants me to do.

I received so many encouraging letters from you guys and I just wanted to thank you all for the kind things you had to say. I apologize for the long time between your messages and my responses. Throughout my training my response time will likely be inconsistent. While in Colorado I was without any cell service for a full month and I will have more circumstances like that during my training. However, I will always try to respond and do so as quickly as possible.

I have another big announcement, as many of you know I was really nervous about the end of year PFT (Physical Fitness Test). Well, this week I took the mock physical fitness test, and I passed! The annual PFT is something every cadet has to pass to be able to continue on to the next year. I was so nervous about it, but with a lot of work and God's grace, I have passed the mock test and feel confident about the actual PFT which is scheduled in a few months. My goal is no longer just to pass it, but to do so with excellence. It will be hard, but I know with continued work and prayer God will help me to accomplish this.

Thank you so much for your time and prayers, my prayer requests remain the same:
Prayer for physical strength to continue in the program and not hold my team back in any way.
Mental strength to tackle the mountains of homework I have set before me.
And finally continued financial partnership to help me continue in this path He has set me on.

Thanks again for the prayers you are all covering me in, I can't thank you enough, or express how much it means to me to know you guys have my back. I look forward to updating you guys next month on all that God is doing and will do in my life. Feel free to reach out to me with any questions, comments, or concerns you have, I always appreciate your feedback.

Thank you so much, I pray you all have a blessed day,
Mila



If you would like to send me a one time gift or partner with me financially on a monthly basis you can do so by sending your gift to me directly via Paypal at this link:
https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/ermyandmila

Or you can make a tax deductible donation at borderlandsinternational.org. Just be sure to note “Mila Sanchez” when given the option to add a note. To go that route just follow this link:
https://give.cornerstone.cc/lovestrainingground

February Newsletter from Mila

Hey friends,

So, you would think that after one month of being swamped with homework I would have very little of interest to update you on. Not so! This month there was actually some pretty substantial developments. My team, originally 9 people, is now down to 6. Two of the cadets felt like God was calling them to something different: one will be going to Israel and the other to Liberia. The third is still committed Chazak, but he will be rejoining next year because this year he’s getting married! Having members leave our team was a sad experience for me but it also taught me some valuable lessons. By watching how the Chazak leadership handled the transition, I saw demonstrated how to disagree respectfully with other's points of view, remain humble and gracious and be supportive of others following God's call on their lives even when it takes them away from what you were hoping they would do. Seeing those things played out within a Christian organization had very practical lessons attached to it. So, as I am still very sad and will miss them, I am also happy for them as they seek God's will for their lives and at peace with their decisions.

However, their leaving did create a dilemma. Their departure left me as the only female on Chazak’s Team 3. I was concerned that the organization may require me to take a pause and rejoin with Class 4 next year. They were concerned that I'd feel out of place, unsafe or uncomfortable being the only girl on the team. We had several meetings to discuss various options and I was touched by their sincere concern for my safety and comfort. The solution we came up with is for me to continue with Class 3, but to be allowed to bring my dog to sections of our training where I would be isolated or at risk otherwise. For example, during our wilderness training in Idaho, girls and guys sleep in different areas of the camp, and whereas I am quite comfortable in the great outdoors and would be reasonably close to help if I needed it, without my dog I would still be alone at night in an place far from cell reception and known for its wolf population. I was really encouraged by Chazak's willingness to find creative solutions to unconventional dilemmas like the one I found myself in.

Personally, I am ecstatic about this arrangement. I love being a part of Team 3. Growing up as a TCK (third culture kid) I have gotten very used to making new friends and then saying goodbye within a relatively short timeframe. I have loved my upbringing, but I have found that as a young adult I find it challenging to open up to new people. It's not that I want all of my relationships to only be surface level, but I struggle to develop deep and meaningful bonds because I guess subconsciously I don't expect them to last long and really getting into it with someone requires a lot of emotional energy and makes it harder to say goodbye. But Chazak has pushed me to grow in this area since serving in crisis situations with a team requires a deep level of trust amongst its members. I now share a deeper bond of friendship and trust with the remaining Team 3 members than I have with others in a long time. I have been impressed with their exceptional moral character and I fully trust them. I would have hated to have had to say goodbye to them so soon and start over again.



In additional to this, I'm very comfortable in male dominated environments. Our family served in male dominated areas often in the mission field and being the only girl has never intimidated me. In Ukraine, my mom and I were often the only females when we taught tactical medicine to groups of soldiers, and to be honest, it was a blast! And not least of all, I get to bring my dog, Ermy! Prior to Chazak, I had entertained the idea of joining a Search and Rescue (SAR) canine team with my dog and I'd trained her from puppyhood for this purpose. I was sad to have to leave her behind when I joined Chazak and having her with me for at least parts of the training is like fulfilling that dream at least in some small way. God is so good; the longer I live the more I see His blessings in everything.

Other than that I have mostly been doing a lot (and I mean A LOT) of homework. One course, called “Perspectives," is particularly interesting and is on building a consistent biblical worldview and understanding of the global Christian movement. On top of that, there is a lot of wilderness first response stuff, which is a lot of information to process, but still is a ton of fun. Admittedly, I’m a bit overwhelmed with the sheer volume of assignments we need to complete, but it is really good knowing that I have the rest of Team 3 to back me up and help me when I need it. Did I mention that, in addition to being the only female, I am also the youngest cadet? My teammates are teaching me a lot about adulting, a skill in which they are all more experienced. I'll be spending this February in the Colorado Rockies for Wilderness Survival/Avalanche Rescue training. It's sure to be tough, rugged, wet, and cold…. and whereas that probably sounds miserable to most people, I get the sneaking suspicion that I am going to love it.

Thank you for your continued support and prayers. To those of you who chose to partner with me financially I just wanted to say thank you again, you have no idea how much of an encouragement you have been to me. Thank you also for the kind replies to my newsletter. There has been such an overall positive response and it really means the world to me. And, last but not least, thank you to the prayer warriors who have been covering me in prayer; I really appreciate it. I know prayer helps in ways I may not always see and will never fully understand, so I am all the more grateful for it.

I look forward to telling you all about my excursions in Colorado. For now, please continue to pray for people to be willing to partner with me financially as I've still got to raise a significant amount to complete the program. Please also pray that I will continue to do well in my studies and that during our hiking segments I'll be able to show these guys how it's done.

Thanks again! With love,

Mila

Newsletter from Mila Sanchez

A new adventure!

Hello everyone! This is Mila, your favorite missionary kid. For those who haven't heard, I started college last Fall. This is my first newsletter, so l apologize in advance if it comes off a little unconventional. I'm still getting into the rhythm of doing these kinds of things on my own as an adult.

I'll start off with an introduction. My name is actually Milagros, but everyone calls me Mila. I'm 18 years old, I have two younger siblings, and my favorite color is purple. My family has been doing missionary work ever since I can remember. Growing up constantly on the move had it's rough moments, but all-in-all it was an amazing experience. It really instilled in me a desire to do God's will even when it is difficult, and a love of adventure. When I was younger I wasn't sure what I wanted to do, but I was thoroughly convinced that I would never do anything boring (like go to college…) God has a sense of humor though, doesn't He? In September I started a brand new and extremely exciting chapter of my life, college.

Now, to be fair, this isn't a normal college, so younger me wouldn't be completely appalled by my choice. I joined Chazak Rescue, a Christian international first responder training and deployment organization. They train specialized teams and send them into disaster zones and warzones to bring humanitarian aid, leadership, hope, and the love of Christ into areas of darkness. They specialize in working on the front lines where other missionaries and aid workers are unqualified to reach. Their specialized and intense training opens unique opportunities to their cadets and graduates to reach people in extreme crisis situations and be the presence of Jesus.

I started in September with eight other cadets, and now we are known as “class/team three.” Chazak values becoming a good team player, so unlike traditional college where you typically don't get to know the majority of your classmates, Chazak puts its cadets in small teams who become your “band of brothers." They are with you through thick and thin and we study, train and deploy together. From day one, my team hit it off really well. Even though it has only been three months, my teammates are already some of my best friends.

So, what have I been doing for the past four months in Chazak? I'm glad you asked!

Starting September 1, 2023, I began the first section of my training: 1.1 (Wilderness survival). It was filled with early mornings, wilderness survival skills, team building, and intense physical exertion.

October brought me to section 1.2 (Cadet deployment). My team was split into two groups (Five guys in one group, two girls/two guys in the other). The first group went to Greece and worked at a refugee camp. My group deployed to Sierra Leone with the intention of helping to build a school in a village. While there, not only did we help to build the school, we also taught school, showed the Jesus film in the local language, and taught adults who had never gone to school basic reading and math skills. It was amazing! Unfortunately, partway through deployment I developed an infection in my leg and was sent back to the States early.

After deployment came 1.3 (Alpha training) which consisted of learning the fundamentals of Chazak as an organization as well as those related to being in this line of work. It was brutal, at least for me, because it was almost exclusively classroom time and the days were LONG! We learned how to be healthy Christ-like first-responders through physical stress, emotional exhaustion and the spiritual darkness associated with disaster zones. It was very intense but really good. Then it was Christmas time and I got a couple of weeks off to enjoy the holiday season with my family. Unfortunately, the break flew by way too fast and I'm back with my nose to the grindstone.

January 1st I started 1.4 (Core training). During 1.4 I will be spending considerable time at home because a majority of the classes are online. This section is all about learning and practicing skills you will need as an international first responder and preparing for 1.5 (Alpha Challenge).

1.5 is all about putting everything we’ve learned to the test. It is designed to push you to your limits physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually, forcing growth in each area. Whether or not you graduate your first year and proceed to second year training depends on you passing section 1.5 testing. I am nervous about this part, but that just means I am motivated to work harder.

And now you are mostly caught up! I will be trying to send out newsletter updates on a monthly basis. I will end this one with a few prayer requests as we start the new year.

1) Please pray that l will not get overwhelmed by the homework load and fall behind academically.

2) Pray that God sends me people who will partner with me financially. The complete four-year program cost a total of $55 thousand. It covers all travel, room, board, certifications, textbooks, etc. and I will graduate with many rescue related certifications and a Masters Degree in Organizational Leadership and a minor in International Relations. In addition, Chazak requires cadets to raise $1,000 of monthly support. Upon completion of the program, I will be able to join one of Chazak's professional deployment teams which is a paid position, which is nice because then I won't have to depend on fundraising like most missionaries do. In the meantime, however, my ability to pay for the training is dependent on financial partners, because the sheer volume of subjects covered in a very short timeframe makes it impossible for me to work enough hours to cover the costs. If you are interested in helping me pay for Chazak, or becoming a monthly financial partner, please check the end of this newsletter for instructions on how to do so.

3) And lastly, please pray that I will stay motivated and persevere physically. The program is very demanding and past cadets have failed to pass the fitness section of 1.5 testing. I am pushing through an intense workout routine, but it is tough!


That's all I've got for now. Thank you all so much and I am truly honored to be sharing this adventure with you. I appreciate all of the prayer, love and support you have given my family and I throughout the years. I pray you are doing well and am excited to see what this new year holds for us all. Goodbye for now and God bless!

See attachments for a few of my pictures.

If you are interested in making a one time donation towards my training expenses, or becoming a financial partner through monthly giving, I would greatly appreciate it. You can send funds directly to me via PayPal by following this link: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/ermyandmila (in case you were wondering, Ermy is my dog :-)

Or you can make a tax-deductible donation at Borderlands International by following this link: https://give.cornerstone.cc/lovestrainingground Be sure to note “Mila Sanchez" when given the option to add a note.

Also, if you are interested in checking out Chazak Rescue, here is the link to their website: https://www.chazakrescue.org/

Haiti Earthquake Update

Pastor Jean is back in Haiti! He is in one of the areas most affected by last August's earthquake. He and his church organized a 3-day special training seminar on post traumatic syndrome and counseling to educate and equip pastors and leaders in the affected areas. They planned to host, feed and pay travel expenses for about 500 participants. The ministry is also helping with the physical relief efforts on a daily basis. Pastor Jean sent a letter describing the work they have been doing in greater detail:

September 1st, 2021

TO ALL KINGDOM DIPLOMATS AND STAKEHOLDERS.

OUR HAITIAN IMPERATIVE

Warmest Kingdom greetings to you.

The problem of Haiti is immense and complex, but also highly spiritual, as those who understand the spiritual dimension in our material existence will agree. As we all know, the tragedy of January 12, 2010 was destructive and we counted more than 300,000 dead in our ranks. This last August 14th earthquake has deepened the knife in the wound as more than two thousand people are already counted dead, to date. Interestingly, according to experts in the Haitian geological landscape, there is the impending threat of even more devastating earthquakes.

We are very grateful to any organization or person of goodwill who has already provided support to the victims of the earthquake which affected three sections of the island. However, while the material support is very important to help victims survive, their psychosocial recovery is equally important. As we did in 2010 here at the Diplomat Center/Haiti, we are again organizing a three (3) day special training seminar on post-traumatic syndrome and counseling, from September 14 to 16, 2021, (8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.). Also, on those three days we will have a Crusade in the evenings where the unshakable message of the Kingdom in time of crisis will be presented in the township of Cavaillon.

Dr. Georges Rhodes, a world-renowned expert on Trauma counseling will be the main speaker for the seminars. This trip will mark his tenth visit to Haiti, as part of his various post-disaster psychosocial support missions. Pastors and leaders will come from various churches in the affected areas. We will host them and feed them three meals a day for three days, and also pay their transportation to and from the venue. At present, we are expecting about 500 participants. We cannot forget that mental health is an area that should not be underestimated under any circumstances.

…

Besides this special mission, we continue to help with relief efforts on a daily basis. Below is a list of ways one can help:

• Purified water - each kit (bucket and filter) costs $65.00 US.

• Food - 1 meal/day = $2.00 USD per person, so a family of 5 costs $70.00 USD/week to feed.

• Emergency shelter per family = $100.00 USD

• Hygiene kits = $30.00 USD

• Solar lighting for security in the different communities = $95.00 USD (for a 150W solar lamp).

• Money to rent dump trucks to help remove the rubble, as people start to rebuild.

We also have a great need for medicine and supplies for medical missions, and for transportation costs to send trauma counselors to the field. These are some of the most urgent needs we have at the moment.

I encourage you to become God's outstretched hand to support those in situations of great vulnerability. May God richly reward your prayers and generosity on behalf of these hurting ones.

Committed to His call,

Jean Heder Petit Frere

If you would like to support these relief efforts with a financial gift, you may do so through CLG. Simple write a check to Church of the Living God and write “Haiti earthquake relief” on the memo line.

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Crisis in Haiti

We recently received this update from Shabach Ministries. It describes an urgent need in Haiti, how the ministry is responding, and what we can do to help.

Hi All,

Just wanted to bring to your attention a situation in Haiti. Recently there has been a large increase in gang violence in Port-au-Prince. There are about 5600 IDP (Internally Displaced People). Over 1000 of those people have ended up at the sports center in Carrefour. We recently mobilized about $10,000 to feed the people there (and at other locations) but that won't last long (see pictures of some of the meals being prepared). The living conditions are also not good (see pictures). Until something happens to stop the gang violence these people cannot safely return home. Some people do not have homes to return to (having had their homes vandalized or destroyed). Lord willing, those people that are able can return home soon. Until then something needs to be done to provide proper sanitation and sleeping conditions at the sports arena (not to mention more food). The Haitian government is not likely to be able to do anything. At this point Shabach Ministries and one other church (and a handful of Haitian individuals) are all that are supporting these people. I've attached a report from UNOCHA from yesterday which gives some facts and figures about the situation. You'll notice in the report that Shabach's primary church in Carrefour, Family Tabernacle of Praise, is named as one of the organizations that is providing aid.

Our hope is to be Christ's hands and feet in this time of crisis for these people. We are particularly positioned to be of immediate assistance due to our physical location in Carrefour. The report also indicates that the UN is mobilizing relief for this crisis. How long it will take for the aid to arrive is unclear.

Of immediate need are funds for more food, water and hygiene. Mario, from FTL (Family Tabernacle of Praise), and Pastor Jean (who needs no introduction) will reassess the situation tomorrow with the particular goal of providing a strategic plan (and dollar amount) for how we can best be of help to these people and partner with organizations currently still mobilizing.

I will send further information as I receive it…

Here is a link to the donation page of Shabach Ministries International (please specify food programs on the donation):

Shabach Ministries Donations

Thanks for taking the time to read this email and thanks in advance for your prayers

In addition to providing food and supplies to those displaced at the sports center, Shabach Ministries is also providing food for displaced young men in a boys’ home. The home is run by the Haitian government, but it’s a very poorly run facility and staff there have not been paid in over a year. Pastor Jean is concerned that these boys will be tempted to join the gangs out of necessity, if their basic needs are not met by others in the community.

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Please join us in prayer for those suffering and for a quick resolution to the crisis.

If you would like to contribute to the relief fund and help provide food, water and toiletries for those displaced, you can donate online through Shabach Ministry’s webpage or send checks to Shabach Ministries International P.O. Box 688, Traverse City, MI 49685. Just be sure to specify that donations are for the “Feeding Programs” on the webpage or the memo line of your check.