This is from Jody Castillo's blog posted May 15. Please pray for the mission and this frightening situation!
Stressful Day - Problems with Government
May 15, 2008 at 1:40 am ·
I had just finished a long day of booking tickets and such. So I decided to come upstairs to take a break. My eyes were hurting from staring at the computer screen. Just as soon as I had lifted my feet off the ground - Elveus came in with some disturbing news.
Several years ago the mission was given the government building which sits right in the middle of our property. It housed the Miriam Center and the Nutritional Program for years. Right now it houses the baby orphanage on the roof top and the lower level is soon to be our brand new Birthing Center where we will deliver babies and do surgeries on a daily basis.
We had renovated the building and just begun making final preparations for the birthing center to open by this fall. Today I had a visit from the judge, mayor, and medical director for the Northwest. Even though that building had been given to us years and years ago - they say that the building is theirs and they want it back. They had an architect and an engineer looking at it today - as if they're just going to take it tomorrow.
Obviously my mind went racing as I thought about all the money we had invested into the building - but more importantly the children in the baby orphanage who live on top. I spent hours talking to the men and explaining to them that we had a paper that said that building was ours. Well they said the man who gave us the paper didn't have the authority to do it. I don't know what all this means but I found myself in tears.
I called Janeil who was busy in the states loading up a container that we're shipping to Haiti. We were both pretty frustrated and upset. The group of men said we could either give the building back or build them a new building somewhere else. A new building somewhere else - meaning we buy them property and we spend thousands and thousands of dollars for the building. It's basically all about money - as it always is here in Haiti.
The government can do whatever they want to do - decide that papers aren't legal or even make-up new papers to suit their needs. Everyone I talked to here says it's a very serious problem. This group of men had plans drawn up for the building and aren't wasting any time. There were many other things shared at this meeting - but I just don't have the heart to depress you any further…… as it has certainly depressed me. The corruption of the government has never been more clear to me than now.
I have set up a meeting for June 3rd at 4:00 p.m. While I normally wouldn't share this kind of news…I feel like it's important for God's people to start praying. The meeting will be with some of our directors and staff and the mayor, judge, senator, health administrator, and other Haitian medical directors.
Please join us in prayer as we fight to keep our building and the programs it houses.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Friday, May 16, 2008
Everyone got out safely!
Tim and I received an update and the 80 folks who were in Haiti all got home safe and sound! Hurray!
Monday, April 14, 2008
What a ride
Dear all,
Below is a copy of an email I sent a couple days ago regarding Tim's aborted Haiti trip - if you're wondering what happened, this should explain things.
++++++
Dear friends,
Thanks so much for your prayers for Tim. What a roller coaster ride!
And just like a real roller coaster, the ride was over faster than expected. Turned out, the mission cancelled the trip in the middle of the night last night due to all the turmoil and the high price of diesel (reportedly going for $100/gallon USD). The operating room is run of course by generators, and at that price, the hospital couldn't afford to buy the diesel to run them -- so no mission trip. American Airlines has graciously given vouchers to all concerned, so folks won't lose their tickets, but can return anytime in the next year.
Meanwhile, about 80 people from the team were already in Haiti. Unfortunately, these are support staff, anaesthesia doctors and nurses, but no surgeons. Most are staying in the mountains for the next week and finishing the trip, as it is much safer to do this than try to go through the capital (where a lot of the rioting is taking place) in order to get to the airport. The regional airline that took them to the mountains from the capital has already shut down operations indefinitely. If they tried to leave now, they would have to drive many miles along very poor roads and risk getting mixed up in the riots. Hopefully, in a week's time, the situation will have calmed down and they can get out safely.
A few people will be trying to leave today, as American has stated that they too will soon stop flying into and out of Haiti for at least a few days, and these people feel they need/want to get out before that happens.
I am overwhelmingly grateful that, once again, God so graciously and lovingly protected a member of our family from physical harm. Yet my heart goes out to the people in Haiti who were lined up for surgery and now will not be able to get the medical care they need. It is hard for us Americans to grasp that there isn't another surgeon down the street to give care -- you know, if you don't like this one, or if she/he isn't available, just go to another one! Of course, that isn't the case in Haiti, which is why the medical group was going down there in the first place!
As the political situation there deteriorates, more and more babies, children and even adults will suffer and some will die due to sickness & lack of medical care, violence or starvation. It isn't a good time to be a Haitian.
Meanwhile, I can't wait to give Tim a big hug when he comes home tomorrow!
Thanks again for your prayers,
Linda Berg
Below is a copy of an email I sent a couple days ago regarding Tim's aborted Haiti trip - if you're wondering what happened, this should explain things.
++++++
Dear friends,
Thanks so much for your prayers for Tim. What a roller coaster ride!
And just like a real roller coaster, the ride was over faster than expected. Turned out, the mission cancelled the trip in the middle of the night last night due to all the turmoil and the high price of diesel (reportedly going for $100/gallon USD). The operating room is run of course by generators, and at that price, the hospital couldn't afford to buy the diesel to run them -- so no mission trip. American Airlines has graciously given vouchers to all concerned, so folks won't lose their tickets, but can return anytime in the next year.
Meanwhile, about 80 people from the team were already in Haiti. Unfortunately, these are support staff, anaesthesia doctors and nurses, but no surgeons. Most are staying in the mountains for the next week and finishing the trip, as it is much safer to do this than try to go through the capital (where a lot of the rioting is taking place) in order to get to the airport. The regional airline that took them to the mountains from the capital has already shut down operations indefinitely. If they tried to leave now, they would have to drive many miles along very poor roads and risk getting mixed up in the riots. Hopefully, in a week's time, the situation will have calmed down and they can get out safely.
A few people will be trying to leave today, as American has stated that they too will soon stop flying into and out of Haiti for at least a few days, and these people feel they need/want to get out before that happens.
I am overwhelmingly grateful that, once again, God so graciously and lovingly protected a member of our family from physical harm. Yet my heart goes out to the people in Haiti who were lined up for surgery and now will not be able to get the medical care they need. It is hard for us Americans to grasp that there isn't another surgeon down the street to give care -- you know, if you don't like this one, or if she/he isn't available, just go to another one! Of course, that isn't the case in Haiti, which is why the medical group was going down there in the first place!
As the political situation there deteriorates, more and more babies, children and even adults will suffer and some will die due to sickness & lack of medical care, violence or starvation. It isn't a good time to be a Haitian.
Meanwhile, I can't wait to give Tim a big hug when he comes home tomorrow!
Thanks again for your prayers,
Linda Berg
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Cancelled
Tims trip was cancelled last night. Seems the price of diesel went up to $100 US Dollars per gallon. Yes, $100. That's not a typo. Food is also scarce and the costs are sky high, leading to much rioting and violence in Port Au Prince and elsewhere. With diesel so high, the hospital where Tim was going to work can't afford to run their generators, so there is no electricity for the operating room and therefore of course, no surgeries can be performed. He got a call sometime during the night last night, and he will be returning to San Antonio from Miami this Sunday.
News from MSNBC on the Haiti riots
US State Department bars officials from traveling to Haiti in wake of riots
updated 2 hours, 49 minutes ago
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti - The U.S. State Department banned government officials from traveling to Haiti in a statement issued Friday after recent violent demonstrations.
It also advised American citizens to consider leaving the impoverished Caribbean country where protests over high costs of living left five dead in the countryside. The warning comes despite a general sense of calm settling over Port-au-Prince.
"If you don't need to stay, you might consider departing," said James Ellickson-Brown, spokesman for the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince.
updated 2 hours, 49 minutes ago
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti - The U.S. State Department banned government officials from traveling to Haiti in a statement issued Friday after recent violent demonstrations.
It also advised American citizens to consider leaving the impoverished Caribbean country where protests over high costs of living left five dead in the countryside. The warning comes despite a general sense of calm settling over Port-au-Prince.
"If you don't need to stay, you might consider departing," said James Ellickson-Brown, spokesman for the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince.
He's off!
We took Tim to the airport this morning, and enjoyed some time as a family before leaving him there. We arrived early due to concern over the American Airlines situation, and Tim obtained his boarding pass in record time, leaving us with 2 1/2 hours to burn before his flight. So, we jumped back in the car and enjoyed a leisurely breakfast together at Mama's cafe. We haven't eaten there since the day after we married, before we boarded a plane for Mexico for our honeymoon! Of course, this trip to Mama's wasn't just the 2 of us, but included 4 more people -- HG, Stephen, Ruthie and Samuel! (Naturally, the girls thought this story romantic; the boys thought it was gross.) After breakfast and hugs all around, we left Tim again at the airport and headed home. It hit me sort of hard when we drove into the neighborhood - I wouldn't see Tim for at least 10 days. Wow. Then, a minute later, we were driving into our driveway and we saw his truck. I forgot he was gone for a moment and thought, "Oh good, Tim's home from work." Then, .... "No, he's not - we just left him at the airport!"
Well, we'll miss him.
The news in Haiti doesn't seem to be much better. In fact, the state department is asking all Americans there to leave if they can, and is prohibiting any government officials from going there. Hmmmm. I read that the price of a cup of rice has tripled in the past 3 days. It must be awful to be so hungry and not be able to get food anywhere. Gas was $8 a gallon, US dollars, yesterday. The average Haitian who works only makes $1-2 per day, and 80% or more are unemployed. Can you imagine?
I'll be keeping y'all posted as soon as I hear news about his arrival. Please be praying for Tim and his team, as well as for the hungry, angry people in Haiti.
Goodnight!
Well, we'll miss him.
The news in Haiti doesn't seem to be much better. In fact, the state department is asking all Americans there to leave if they can, and is prohibiting any government officials from going there. Hmmmm. I read that the price of a cup of rice has tripled in the past 3 days. It must be awful to be so hungry and not be able to get food anywhere. Gas was $8 a gallon, US dollars, yesterday. The average Haitian who works only makes $1-2 per day, and 80% or more are unemployed. Can you imagine?
I'll be keeping y'all posted as soon as I hear news about his arrival. Please be praying for Tim and his team, as well as for the hungry, angry people in Haiti.
Goodnight!
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
THIS IS A TEST, THIS IS ONLY A TEST......
Remember when you were a kid watching your favorite cartoon, and out of nowhere, the screen went gray (or was it black?), and a radar like arrow started moving round and round a little dial on the screen? A generic announcer's voice would very officially say: "This a test of the Emergency Broadcasting System. This is only a test. If this were a real emergency, you would be directed to......"
Well, these days, I am feeling like my life screen is saying those very words! My sweet husband will be returning to Haiti for a 10 day medical mission in just 4 days.....it's really no big deal. We've been before, I've been down with my 13 year old daughter.....yet I find myself sort of undone with the prospect of his leaving. "What if's" keep swirling through my mind and my heart. I am becoming increasingly needy of having time with him as his departure grows nearer.
Last night, I noticed some safety warnings on a Haiti ministry blog, reminding travellers that the political situation there has deteriorated a little since our last trip. Seems the economy is worse (is it possible to get worse when you're already at the bottom?), people are hungrier, and so the unrest has increased. After reading a while, and noticing my heartbeat increasing, I made myself click the the little red X at the top right of the page, turn off the computer and go to bed.
A few friends have mentioned that perhaps Tim shouldn't be going - but should stay here where it is safer. This kind of stayed with me, and worked its way into my heart, letting fear grow. Then my super sister in law, Susan, reminded me: "Linda, don't forget, we're in His hands. Stuff can happen anywhere, and in His hands, we can be safe anywhere. Our future is up to Him, no matter where we are."
Boy, I needed that reminder! Are we ever safer living outside of God's leading than living right in the center of where He calls us to be? Because I am a wimp at heart, I am quite tempted to believe that he would be safer here and therefore should cancel his plans. Yet after following my Father's call for 21 years, I KNOW this is not true. He has NEVER, NEVER let me down. Why would he start now? Stuff can happen to us anywhere.
When Tim and I went to Haiti in October, I fretted that if something should happen to us, our children back home would be left as orphans. I prayed and prayed that God would keep us safe, never thinking about asking Him to keep our children safe in our absence. After all, they were in the US, where we are always "safe". Well, on our flight home, our oldest two children were in a major car accident with my Mom. My mom is a great driver. She has never had a wreck, never even had a ticket! The accident wasn't her fault, but her car was totalled, just the same. Miraculously, all three of them escaped major injury. (Hannah's knee is STILL bruised, 5 months later, but that only serves as a reminder to us of God's ever watchful care.) Here in the "safe" US, back in 2004, Tim was hit by a car while riding his bicycle to work. He could so easily have been killed. He broke his back, tore his ACL and was basically beaten to a pulp. But he lived and is fine now! On February 22, while we were "safe and sound" at home, Samuel fell while trying to leap over a chair (?!), and broke both bones in his forearm completely through. (He gets his cast off Thursday! Yippee!) Here in the "safe" US, a friend of mine's precious and BRAVE child was recently run over by a truck. He has lived and will completely recover (thanks to God!). He will have some exciting stories to tell his grandchildren someday, but it has surely been no picnic! Talking about his accident one day, this sweet, trusting and courageous little boy said, "God would not be mean to you."
Lord, teach me again what this little boy knows so well. You would never, ever, be "mean" to us. You are always working out everything for our good. You never slumber nor sleep. If you are anything, you are a GOOD GOD, the King of the Universe. If we travel to the highest heavens or to the depths of the sea, (or to Haiti), You are there. You never leave us nor forsake us. Thank you, God.
Does this mean I somehow know that my husband, my rock, the guy I adore, will come home to me safe and sound on April 20? No, it does not. Tim is my rock - not to mention my best friend and so much more. But God, my ETERNAL ROCK, has it all under control. He has His plans. God will do what He wants to do with Tim's, and with all of our lives. I do know that whatever He does, IT WILL BE FOR OUR ETERNAL GOOD AND FOR HIS GLORY. So....., THIS IS A TEST OF GOD'S BROADCASTING SYSTEM.
"Testing, testing, 123! Linda, do you really believe all those things you say about Me? Do you trust me? Do you believe I am good and that I can not do wrong? That I can do all things? Do you know I love you? THIS IS A TEST, THIS IS ONLY A TEST.....
Well, these days, I am feeling like my life screen is saying those very words! My sweet husband will be returning to Haiti for a 10 day medical mission in just 4 days.....it's really no big deal. We've been before, I've been down with my 13 year old daughter.....yet I find myself sort of undone with the prospect of his leaving. "What if's" keep swirling through my mind and my heart. I am becoming increasingly needy of having time with him as his departure grows nearer.
Last night, I noticed some safety warnings on a Haiti ministry blog, reminding travellers that the political situation there has deteriorated a little since our last trip. Seems the economy is worse (is it possible to get worse when you're already at the bottom?), people are hungrier, and so the unrest has increased. After reading a while, and noticing my heartbeat increasing, I made myself click the the little red X at the top right of the page, turn off the computer and go to bed.
A few friends have mentioned that perhaps Tim shouldn't be going - but should stay here where it is safer. This kind of stayed with me, and worked its way into my heart, letting fear grow. Then my super sister in law, Susan, reminded me: "Linda, don't forget, we're in His hands. Stuff can happen anywhere, and in His hands, we can be safe anywhere. Our future is up to Him, no matter where we are."
Boy, I needed that reminder! Are we ever safer living outside of God's leading than living right in the center of where He calls us to be? Because I am a wimp at heart, I am quite tempted to believe that he would be safer here and therefore should cancel his plans. Yet after following my Father's call for 21 years, I KNOW this is not true. He has NEVER, NEVER let me down. Why would he start now? Stuff can happen to us anywhere.
When Tim and I went to Haiti in October, I fretted that if something should happen to us, our children back home would be left as orphans. I prayed and prayed that God would keep us safe, never thinking about asking Him to keep our children safe in our absence. After all, they were in the US, where we are always "safe". Well, on our flight home, our oldest two children were in a major car accident with my Mom. My mom is a great driver. She has never had a wreck, never even had a ticket! The accident wasn't her fault, but her car was totalled, just the same. Miraculously, all three of them escaped major injury. (Hannah's knee is STILL bruised, 5 months later, but that only serves as a reminder to us of God's ever watchful care.) Here in the "safe" US, back in 2004, Tim was hit by a car while riding his bicycle to work. He could so easily have been killed. He broke his back, tore his ACL and was basically beaten to a pulp. But he lived and is fine now! On February 22, while we were "safe and sound" at home, Samuel fell while trying to leap over a chair (?!), and broke both bones in his forearm completely through. (He gets his cast off Thursday! Yippee!) Here in the "safe" US, a friend of mine's precious and BRAVE child was recently run over by a truck. He has lived and will completely recover (thanks to God!). He will have some exciting stories to tell his grandchildren someday, but it has surely been no picnic! Talking about his accident one day, this sweet, trusting and courageous little boy said, "God would not be mean to you."
Lord, teach me again what this little boy knows so well. You would never, ever, be "mean" to us. You are always working out everything for our good. You never slumber nor sleep. If you are anything, you are a GOOD GOD, the King of the Universe. If we travel to the highest heavens or to the depths of the sea, (or to Haiti), You are there. You never leave us nor forsake us. Thank you, God.
Does this mean I somehow know that my husband, my rock, the guy I adore, will come home to me safe and sound on April 20? No, it does not. Tim is my rock - not to mention my best friend and so much more. But God, my ETERNAL ROCK, has it all under control. He has His plans. God will do what He wants to do with Tim's, and with all of our lives. I do know that whatever He does, IT WILL BE FOR OUR ETERNAL GOOD AND FOR HIS GLORY. So....., THIS IS A TEST OF GOD'S BROADCASTING SYSTEM.
"Testing, testing, 123! Linda, do you really believe all those things you say about Me? Do you trust me? Do you believe I am good and that I can not do wrong? That I can do all things? Do you know I love you? THIS IS A TEST, THIS IS ONLY A TEST.....
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Northwest Haiti Christian Mission
Tim will be going back to Haiti by himself on April 11-19. He's going on a surgery trip with Northwest Haiti Christian Mission. Here's Wikipedia's description of this group:
"The Northwest Haiti Christian Mission was established in 1978 after a group of missionaries traveled there and witnessed the physical and psychological suffering of under-privileged Haitians. The mission’s headquarters is located in Frankfort, Kentucky.
The mission is located in the city of Saint-Louis du Nord in Nord-Ouest, Haiti there are six churches on the mission property, the "Tender Lambs Birthing Center", a surgical unit, a burns unit, a Physical therapy/Occupational therapy (PT/OT) center, a center for premature babies, six schools, an elderly feeding program, feeding the thousand program, and a nutritional program that provides food for malnourished children and nutritional training for their mothers.
The campus also serves as a home to American work groups, which make many trips each year to Haiti. From there, they travel to various mission projects along the coast or in the mountains. The mission employs preachers and school teachers who live in Haiti.
The mission also has an orphanage in Port-de-Paix, 8 miles (12.8km) away from Saint-Louis du Nord. It was founded in 1979 because of a recent, and severe, drought, which killed many people and left many children without guardians."
****
We found out about Northwest Haiti because a group of folks going down on a short term trip were on the plane with us on our first trip back in October. We'd been hoping the whole family would be able to go, but due to Little League conflicts and also the high cost of travel for six of us, we decided to just send Tim this time. He is, after all, the one who would be doing surgery! Hopefully, we'll all go as a family next October.
Don't know if anyone ever goes to this blog anymore, as I haven't posted in 3 months, but if anyone is reading, please pray for my sweet husband's safety while he's gone! We'd be lost without him!
"The Northwest Haiti Christian Mission was established in 1978 after a group of missionaries traveled there and witnessed the physical and psychological suffering of under-privileged Haitians. The mission’s headquarters is located in Frankfort, Kentucky.
The mission is located in the city of Saint-Louis du Nord in Nord-Ouest, Haiti there are six churches on the mission property, the "Tender Lambs Birthing Center", a surgical unit, a burns unit, a Physical therapy/Occupational therapy (PT/OT) center, a center for premature babies, six schools, an elderly feeding program, feeding the thousand program, and a nutritional program that provides food for malnourished children and nutritional training for their mothers.
The campus also serves as a home to American work groups, which make many trips each year to Haiti. From there, they travel to various mission projects along the coast or in the mountains. The mission employs preachers and school teachers who live in Haiti.
The mission also has an orphanage in Port-de-Paix, 8 miles (12.8km) away from Saint-Louis du Nord. It was founded in 1979 because of a recent, and severe, drought, which killed many people and left many children without guardians."
****
We found out about Northwest Haiti because a group of folks going down on a short term trip were on the plane with us on our first trip back in October. We'd been hoping the whole family would be able to go, but due to Little League conflicts and also the high cost of travel for six of us, we decided to just send Tim this time. He is, after all, the one who would be doing surgery! Hopefully, we'll all go as a family next October.
Don't know if anyone ever goes to this blog anymore, as I haven't posted in 3 months, but if anyone is reading, please pray for my sweet husband's safety while he's gone! We'd be lost without him!
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