Summary of the events in Haiti following the earthquake.

On Tuesday, January 12th at 4:50pm Haiti experienced a 7.0 earthquake. The days that have followed have been filled with chaos. The following is an account of some of the emails and stories that we've received from people we know in Haiti. These emails best reflect what is happening in Haiti----

January 13, from Cullie-a missionary and mechanic in Haiti located in Petionville:
Im ok the lower wall at my house is gone I thought your truck was going to flip off the mountain ,I was in the yard when it hit still having tremors lots of buildings down worked in the Caribbean market collapse until 2 this morn devastaing

January 13, from Steve Mossburg regarding New Life Children's Home In PAP:
Thankfully God was with us as the plane landed 30 minutes ahead of schedule and our people were in the first group out. If not for that they would have been getting their luggage around the time the quake hit at 4:55. We had arrived at the guest house and just unpacked our things into our rooms (at New Life Children's Home guest House) when the quake it. At first as I was standing on the second floor balcony and a plane had just departed, I thought the slight vibration was from the plane. That was quickly not the case as the whole upper floor started undulating like waves on the ocean. We all ran as fast as possible to get down and out of the building. Everyone got safely out even the handicapped orphans, almost all the walls fell down around World Harvest compound (exterior security walls...not building walls) and 1/4 the church roof collapased. There were after shocks most all night and everyone slept outside with mattresses on the ground. There is much devastation across the town and as far out as Cabaret many buildings collapsed. We saw 3 bodies as we drove out of port this morning and the toll may go into the thousands. As of now you may know more than me but it seems no incoming or outgoing flights of commercial airplanes; there is little phone or cell services though I can get some haitian calls here at Borel suppose it may be routed through Cap Haitien. Little traffic in Port but crowds of people walking everywhere in the streets; long lines at gas stations... it took us almost an hour to get fuel. The quake was hardly noticable here at Borel they tell us. If you can get the word out that is much appreciated; you can tell people that I will try and post a more detailed story tonight on the Project Help Haiti blog. Thank everyone as we know many were praying for our safety. steve

January 16, 2010 from Starfish Ministries:
It was so good to hear Pastor Diogene’s voice – we were able to talk for about 20 minutes at 10:00 AM January 16, 2010.
Pastor Diogene, Lionette and 40 members of his evangelistic crusade ministry team were meeting at the church in Port-au-Price and planning their next crusade when the earthquake hit. They immediately began to pray, and with the building coming down around them God kept them safe! When the earth quit shaking they went outside and on the street began singing and worshipping. As many people from the nearby area came around, Diogene began to share. 16 people responded to the gospel invitation and the team continued to praise God! Diogene told me, “If only one is eternally saved, it is worth everything." He added, “God saved our lives because He desires for us to share the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ to the desperate people in Port-au-Prince.”
Diogene visited Bethel on Thursday. Bethel is outside of the area hit hardest by the earthquake, but close enough to have felt the shaking. Praise the Lord, there not much damage. He talked to two witchdoctors in the village. Both said they would be coming to church! “We need to become Christians,” they told Diogene. They are seeing that their voodoo is powerless to save them. “Haiti is ripe for harvest today," Diogene says. "We will not let this opportunity pass. We will share the love of Jesus with everyone.”
Tomorrow morning the Port-au-Prince church will have their worship service on the street in front of the leveled church building. Many unsaved people will be there, will hear the gospel tomorrow. We need to pray that the Spirit of God will move in their midst, that He will draw many to Himself.
Three believers from the Port-au-Prince Church are either confirmed dead or unaccounted for. This includes Daniel Thalisimo’s fiance.
Miraculously, our older orphans are all accounted for and okay. Diogene said, “Our kids have been protected by God.” All doing well including Daniel Fontil who had some minor injuries. Housing is going to be an issue. Diogene is sending some of them back to Tricotte to the orphanage. Others are at Mephibosheth for now. We are looking into other options to get them out of a very unhealthy, unsafe Port-au-Prince environment. They have already seen and experienced more than anyone should ever have to.
Port-au-Prince is in ruins. Streets blocked everywhere and most places can't be reached by car. There are still many bodies, and the smell of death is terrible and getting worse. "There are no words to explain what we see,” Diogene said.
STEP Seminary in Port-au-Prince is part of Diogene’s responsibility in his role with the Union of Evangelical Baptist Churches of Haiti (UEBC). Buildings collapsed on their campus killing two students. Diogene has not had direct contact with any of the UEBC pastors, but he has not heard of any deaths. Most of their churches, however, are completely destroyed.
Food and water is the major concern right now. Diogene has begun using the food that arrived by container a week ago. In the area that they live, Mephibosheth, there are more that 2000 people camping in the streets or in any open spot. These people are homeless and have nothing. The situation is throughout Port-au-Prince. There is also no gasoline, and of course there is no electricity.
Many of Diogene’s church members have lost their homes. Helping them will be priority of our ministry – to reach out with support to start rebuilding the homes of our brothers and sisters in Haiti. Diogene is confident that building materials will be available – but the price will likely be high.
Diogene said that by Monday some banks in outlying areas will be opening up and he will be able to withdraw funds. So I have transferred some money to him for quick access.
Diogene sends his greeting to all of his friends – thank you so much for your prayers and support! Serving our Lord together, Bernie, Sheryl, and Philip Bovenkamp