One month ago today the earth shook in Haiti. Since that time our work and mission has grown tremendously as we come to the aid of the Haitian people. The past 10 days since our last update have been busy. The work in Haiti continues: Jean Claubert is still locating family members of friends of NHHM and continuing to distribute to our neighborhood, churches, and other orphanages. Our work in the US continues: fundraising, speaking with groups/churches, keeping track of donations, and facilitating future trips.

Please continue to pray for us as we want to do all that God has prepared for us to do, no more- no less. Pray for our children/staff who are still living outside under tarps. The fear that grips their hearts every time an aftershock occurs, is real and traumatic. We are praying for God’s perfect peace to encompass their minds and hearts. The picture to the right shows our kids in the flatbed truck which has become a makeshift “dining hall”.

There are so many opportunities presenting themselves as we enter into the next phase of rebuilding. We face a huge financial challenge. The first goal would be $150,000 to purchase land and build our own facility. This would allow us to expand our ministry to meet the existing and growing needs that are in Haiti. We humbly ask for you to share about our work with those you meet, your churches, and your families. We cannot face these challenges alone.

I can’t believe it has been 6 days since we last updated. The days seem to run into each other. I have not slept much here, and I know that sleep is hard to get for the team in Haiti. We downloaded Skype the other night- it has really helped in communication. As I sat there listening to Scott I heard the following things: crickets/frogs, a loud scream (which he told me is a cat in heat), dogs barking (because a cat is in heat), a rooster crowing (because the dogs barking a cat in heat woke it up), a jet plane, and the faint scratching of rats in the trash. I was amazed that our kids were able to sleep at all outside with all the noise! He said the most difficult part of being outside is the mosquitos. But perhaps, all these things are nothing in comparison of the things the team sees as they go each day to help.

Scott has continued to take supplies to other orphanages that do not have the ability to get it for themselves. Many have not received the aid that has come in. He noted in one of his tweets on Day 10 that things were shifting from shock and horror to hunger and infection. The people are displaced in the streets or tent cities, and unable to get food. Scott says they are beginning to show signs of hostility. Now gunfire, even rapid gunfire, is going on in our neighborhood at night. As you know, our back property wall fell in the quake. This is a big security risk for us. People who are hungry will soon turn to stealing and orphanages have always been targets because people know that we have larger amounts of food/supplies and a lifeline to the United States. Please continue to pray for the children/staff’s protection.

The guys have also continued to help with Heartline Ministries This group has been doing great things in Haiti for 20 years. Their clinic is helping so many people that are seriously injured. Scott has been driving the “ambulance” for them- ok, so it is a truck. One trip he was in the back with a woman with a broken pelvis. She was screaming in agony as they had to go off road to reach the flight evacuation place for the US Comfort. He said he couldn’t shake that scream that night.

On the way back, they drove through downtown Port-au-Prince and were once again in shock. Scott described it as hell on earth, devastation everywhere. It really is beyond our comprehension. The future of Haiti looks so bleak when you consider the loss. But we continue to put our hope in God. We pray that His kingdom will be established there.

Special thanks to Mat Fisher and his nephew, Dan, who came this past weekend and brought supplies and for also serving the people of Haiti and our NHHM kids. We also welcomed Dr. Jim Hamilton tonight. He has come to serve at the clinic. We know his skills are greatly needed here.

t is really hard to know where God will lead us next. We have been working so hard here in Richmond to get the children here in temporary host homes. Scott has custody of the children and we hope to bring them here so that we can regroup, raise money, and rebuild a great facility for the kids/staff. Most of our staff have lost their houses so we want to help them to rebuild. The problem for us is that there has been no statements issued by the State Dept. to give us legal passage. Because we are not adopting these children out (only one child was in process), we are trying to find out which visa we should apply for but there is not a lot of information for our situation. Today we attempted to get Haitian passports but they were not printing them. We have already gotten all of our host families- most of them here in Virginia and a few in Kentucky and Missouri. We ask that you continue to pray for this situation. There is a lot of red tape, as you know, and we want to present our case with integrity and in a timely fashion. Only God can open this door.

Thank you to everyone for giving. Financially we would not be able to do what we are doing without such generous supporters. Without your prayers we would surely fail. I feel “thank you” is not enough as I look at each thoughtful note and gift you have given.

Hopefully the next update won’t take so long!

In His Grip,

April

Greetings from Haiti.
Got to visit 4 orphanages, and bring food and med supplies. The destruction around them is hard to comprehend, but most got away with little or no injuries. They are all pretty desperate for help, we were glad that we provide some things for them. One orphanage had med supplies and a nurse, so she and an electrician opened clinic right after and started doing trauma care and amputations. They were on fold out tables in the front yard, with IV bags hanging from mango trees.

We loved to get by to help out a small orphanage taking care of handicapped and AIDS children, they were all so precious. There were so many things that I had thrown in my pack that ended up being critical. One of them was a padlock I had thrown in, actually felt led to bring. I then brought it with me up the mountain, and asked this orphanage if they happen to need a padlock. Their eyes widen and got so excited, they said that the earthquake messed up their door, they couldn’t close it and it was a security nightmare, anyone could walk right in, they had no way of locking it either. It was a side door they did not need to use. We pried it shut and through the lock on, it was an answer to their prayers. This type of thing has happened 6-8 times. We will be going there to deliver some diapers and formula today.

The orphanages on the mountain, despite lacking supplies and being isolated, have opened themselves so generously to the people. They are taking care of the sick and injured the best way possible. So many devastating injuries and they are still coming in. I don’t know what is worse, the injuries themselves, or the fact that it has been a week and they are still waiting to be seen. Gangrene is setting in now, even small injuries will prove to be deadly.

We helped an 11 year old boy names Willowson yesterday morning, a wall had fallen on his leg. His knee was very swollen, ankle and foot broken, 3 toes smashed bad and one that was held on with a string he tied around it. He was limping around barefoot in the dirt and trash, flies covering his injuries. I cleaned and bandaged his foot, and gave him the sock off my foot to hold on the bandaging, and gave him some Cefelexin, but he needed more help. We came back later in the day when we finished our other work and took him to Heartline Ministry. Dr Jen did such a great job, they cleaned him up, but had to amputate his toe. Willowson was so brave during the procedure. The doctors said that he only had about 2 more days before deadly infection would start setting in if he had not been treated. I will check on him today, and for a follow up appt on Friday. Thank God for the people at Heartline!

Today, we will do our best to get to Balan, a young girl there is very sick, and may not make it another day or two. She needs surgery ASAP, so we are going to try to get her to the Israeli camp of doctors set up at the main soccer field. We also plan to get by at least 3 orphanages, is completely out of food, water, gas, and needs first aid.

We try not to get overwhelmed by it all, everyone is utterly exhausted, days are long and hard, but we are so encouraged to see the hand of God so clearly working miracles throughout the day. The devastation and desperation is unbearable, but there is hope in God in all things. We truly believe this will be a new day for Haiti, a new rebuilding that will begin to heal the scourge of poverty, violence and injustice that have plagued this country since its founding. Please pray for the future of the people of Haiti.

In His Grip,

Scott Salvant
New Hope Haiti Mission

We give God thanks that Scott and Mickey Salvant arrived safely to the orphanage late last night. The journey was a long one. They left the D.R. in the morning with the U.N. convoy. After a short while, the team decided that the convoy was traveling too slowly and they made the decision to go ahead without them. They had mountains to pass over so it is a very dangerous road. The 1/2 ton truck blew a tire about 45 minutes away from the final destination. They attempted to fix the tire but broke 2 jacks under the weight of the loaded truck. The tire had issues as well, and 3 bolts were useless. They decided to send the second truck into the closest town of Croix de Bouquet to get the parts. Scott and Mickey stayed and waited on the truck. During this time, I did not have any communication so it was very difficult to know what was going on.

It was around 8:30pm (Haiti time) that we received word they made it. The kids and staff were so happy to see them. This morning the team headed out to deliver much needed supplies to people that we have learned about through phone calls, emails, and facebook. Facebook and Twitter have proven to be excellent for our communication. Since all phones are down, we have to use the internet (which is still working in Haiti via satellite) to relay messages between different ministries.

It is nearly 5pm here and we still have not heard from the guys. Please continue to pray for them. Everyone is still sleeping outside but we hope to go back inside real soon. The mosquitos are bad and it puts everyone at risk for malaria.

Eric Lotz continues to do logistics for Operational Blessing and is offsite. Please pray that Jennifer and the five Lotz children will have peace in his absence. We hope to get them out of Haiti in the near future.

Thank you for everything you are doing to share our stories as we try our best to help the people of Haiti.

God is Able,

April Salvant
New Hope Haiti Mission

We have seen the hand of God the past 2 days. Scott Salvant and Mickey Salvant arrived to Dominican Republic without any idea how they would make their way to Haiti. Scott had contacted Chris Zinchuck, director of the Youth With A Mission (YWAM) base in Richmond, the day before leaving because he knew Chris had spent a year in the D.R. He asked Chris for a contact in the D.R. Scott spoke to the YWAM director of the D.R. briefly. He could not promise Scott anything. So Scott and Mickey left in faith knowing that God would provide a way. When they arrived in the D.R. there was a group waiting for them from YWAM. They took them to their base and gave them food and shelter.

A young man who had been planning to leave the D.R. decided that he would like to stay and help Scott and Mickey as a translator which was much needed since neither know Spanish. Yesterday morning they set out to a border town called Elias Piña. The team had a contact there named Pedro and they reached out to him for help. Apparently Pedro, a local gas station owner, is a very well connected man and respected in Elias Piña, because he welcomed them and took them all over town to buy much need food and supplies.

Meanwhile, Jean-Claubert, NHHM’s orphanage director, was on his way to the border with our big flatbed truck. The road was dangerous but he made it to the border safely. The border crossing is a foot path crossing only. They would not let him pass with the truck. Jean-Claubert, Scott, and Mickey connected at the border very quickly despite their lack of communication between one another. The group pleaded with the mayor to allow the truck across the border. The mayor said no. Pedro then called the Governor of this area, Governor Medina. A few moments later the truck was in the D.R.!

They quickly went to fill the truck with all the supplies they had. Rice, beans, medical supplies, tools, etc. The law is that no gas can pass over the border but yet they filled 4 containers of diesel and 2 large propane tanks. They finally finished and it was time to cross over into Haiti. It was 4:30pm. The border had already closed at 4:00pm. The officals said that they would get them through! So they went through the border as night began to fall.

Reaching an UN outpost on the Haitian side, our guys were told that they should not travel the road to Port-au-Prince; that it was too dangerous. They said bandits would overtake them and steal their supplies. After a brief discussion and prayer, wisdom told them to stay put for the night. They prepared to sleep on top of the truck and supplies. Then Governor Medina invited them back to the D.R. to stay in his office. They went back over and were given food, coffee, and mattresses. During the talks with the Governor, Scott found out that he was the man in charge of all the medical relief to Haiti! Scott began to tell him things they need based on reports I saw on CNN.

This morning they went by the hospital and the pharmacy opened just for them to take whatever they needed. They then made their way out of the D.R. to Haiti, not just 2 men with backpacks, but 12 men (2 doctors, 2 engineers), and 2 trucks.

I will let you know as soon as they arrive in Santo at the orphanage. I just got a text message that the UN convoy they were with was too slow so they went on without them. The kids at the house are still doing fine. Many of their families have come and are reporting that they have lost their homes. Some staff still have not made contact including our teacher, Miss Pharah. Please continue to pray.

God bless each one of you.

April Salvant
New Hope Haiti Mission

Now, we are in the office of the Governor of Elías Piña, a more northern, remote border town. Starting with nothing , we now have a Spanish translator, a flatbed piled with food, diesel, and supplies, a safe place to sleep, and will have a UN security convoy traveling with us, and 30 trucks of supply in tow.

100 other stories to tell from today alone, but it is always amazing to see the hand of God guide you and give you peace in these stressful times.

We sometimes seem to forget that what God takes He takes in fire; and that the only way to the resurrection life and the ascension mount is the way of the garden, the cross, and the grave.

“Think not, O soul of man, that Abraham’s was a unique and solitary experience. It is simply a specimen and pattern of God’s dealings with all souls who are prepared to obey Him at whetever cost. After thou hast patiently endured, thou shalt receive the promise. The moment of supreme sacrifice shall be the moment of supreme and rapturous blessing. God’s river, which is full of water, shall burst its banks, and pour upon thee a tide of wealth and grace. There is nothing, indeed, which God will not do for a man who dares to step out upon what seems to be the mist; though as he puts down his foot he finds a rock beneath him. — F. B. Meyer.

Board members, Scott Salvant and Mickey Salvant are en route to Dominican Republic with hopes of getting to the orphanage in Haiti by tomorrow. Please pray for their journey. **they just texted, they landed safely in DR**

We have not heard from several staff members since the earthquake (that were not present at the orphanage) including Jean Valomy who has a wife and young son. Jean Claubert reports that all the employees houses were destroyed in the earthquake.

We praise God that Jean Claubert bought the food for the orphanage 2 days before the earthquake so the supply is still good.

Missionaries Eric and Jennifer Lotz with their 5 children have moved to the orphanage because their house is unstable. Jennifer reports that she felt that she needed to teach the Bible to the children outside and was outside of the house when the earthquake hit. This is a MIRACLE! Praise God! Thank you for all your prayers and financial donations. We are so blessed by the outpouring we have seen. We need all the support we can get and ask you to continue to get the word out about our mission.

Blessings,

April Salvant
www.newhopehaitimission.org

The church in Balan is continuing to grow.  We are in desperate need of more chairs at church.  This is a good thing and we praise God for all the people who are coming to worship.  Pastor Leonel continues to reach those in this desolate area with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The Lotz family is continuing to help Pastor Leonel.  Eric recently took a full time job with Operation Blessing and through this ministry the people of Balan will soon be receiving water filters called Jerrycans.  (http://www.lifesaversystems.com/)  Lack of clean water is the main issue in Balan, and without it the people continue to suffer.  We are still hoping to provide a new well in the future.

Thank you for all your prayers!!