Steadfast, Unmovable

Posted by Chris Brennemann for Dee Dorce' and Blessing Hearts Intl:

Dee was able to e-mail some pictures. They are taken both from their mission compound-turned-tent-city-refugee-camp and from Port-au-Prince. Wilckly and several of their staff have made numerous trips to the capital city to check on friends and churches and orphanages and to urge people to leave the city and seek refuge with them in Carries. So many are hesitant to leave because they are still grieving their loss and they are confused and scared. Pray more people will abandon the city and make their way to the Dorce’s.
We are still rejoicing in the successful return to Haiti of our two young ladies and short-term Dorce' missionaries, Shaina and Chris ("Crash"). Your overwhelmingly generous, quick financial response helped bring much-needed relief to the Dorce’s, and your earnest prayer support carried them through uncertain travel arrangements.

I asked Shaina if I could share excerpts from her latest e-mail update:

"I am still astounded at the events of Thursday and Friday...God definitely wanted us to get here because there were plenty of obstacles to keep us from it. But every time it seemed a door was closed, He opened another, until almost before we knew it, we were on our way across the border into Haiti. We did not see much of the devastation because the roads are all re-routed around Port-au-Prince to keep people away, but we were able to view several smashed buildings on our way to Carries.
At first, except for some leveled buildings and piles of debris, not much seemed different. But as we drove back to Carries, we noticed a silence, a solemness, that is abnormal for this country. There was less traffic on the roads, not the usual honking. blinking lights and loud music playing through each town. Everyone was going about their business as quietly as possible, as if they were fearfully anticipating something...and rightly so. We heard there was another aftershock just the evening before our arrival, so by now the Haitian people think it is never going to stop.
As you may have read in previous e-mails, we are all now camped out at the property in the village because all the people are terrified of sleeping indoors, and they feel much safer when they are near Pastor Kiki and Mdme. Kiki. These people are dazed, confused, scared, and wanting life to go on as normal, but it can't, because everyone has been affected in some way by this tragedy.
It is a lot different to be living in the village...though there are walls and gates, just as at the beach property, there is much less privacy, especially since we aren't allowed to go indoors unless necessary. But I have noticed already that it makes a difference in the way the people treat us. They seem to be more accepting of us since we are sleeping out in the yard with all of them, and living with them. Also, the fact that we came back during the disaster while everyone else is fleeing has had quite an effect on them...the Dorces' driver, Elves, even told Crash: 'Crash came back twice, Shaina came back once...everyone else is leaving. Haiti is bad...why do you want to come back?'" (from Shaina)

So, yes, Dorce' Ministries and Berea Christian Schools are being redefined daily in the wake of this earthquake. The concept of day-to-day survival has taken on even deeper meaning. Life right now is about meeting the most basic of human needs. One thing you can be assured of is that Dorce' Ministries will adapt and find ways to minister to the people and bring them help and hope.
I have spoken with Dee, albeit usually very briefly, and I can attest to the fact that they are weary, but not discouraged ... burdened, but not deterred, heart-heavy, but not disheartened. In so many ways even now, we can see how God has been preparing them and so many around them "for such a time as this." Your responses have been overwhelming, incredibly generous, and no doubt, sacrificial. We ask for your continued support and prayer and patience. Communication is difficult under normal circumstances in Carries and the neighboring villages, which calls for patience and faith and perseverance on our part as well.
Through tears of amazement and praise, Dee asked that I send along their thanks and deep appreciation for all you've done to help the people of Haiti. Dee and Wilckly have been ministering together in Haiti for over 16 years. They've seen embargos and hurricanes, and a sometimes daily parade of desperation, but these are even darker days for the country and the people they love so much. With great devastation and bewilderment comes great opportunity to share Christ. We ask that you pray for revival in this country, that the centuries-old stronghold of Satan might be bound and defeated and that many would come to know the Savior.
Many of you have expressed an interest in adopting orphans, in taking a team to Haiti to help the Dorce's, in shipping materials, and in other creative and generous methods of support. I ask that you remain patient as we assess the situation to see what avenues of ministry and support are possible and the most beneficial.

So what can you do?
PRAY ... for revival in Haiti, for Haitians to be receptive to the Gospel, and that Dee and Wilckly and their staff would remain healthy and focused.
CONTINUE TO TELL THEIR STORY and encourage others to support the Dorce's.
CONTINUE TO GIVE. Now, more than ever, we need consistent support.
STAY TUNED ... for more opportunities to donate, to support, to pray and perhaps even to visit.

Specific prayer needs:
** Continued, consistent support.
** The ability to safely transfer funds to the ministry.
** Safe transportation of relief containers* ... from the states to Haiti, and from the port at St. Marc to the mission.
**Good health and wisdom and perseverance for the Dorce' family and staff.

* We are assessing the situation to determine what materials are most needed. I will update you about donating items to fill the next container as soon as possible.

" ... be steadfast, unmovable always abounding in the work of the Lord, for as much as you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." (I Cor. 15:58)

Blessing Hearts International
5923 CR 324
Palmyra, MO 63461
memo: Dorce' disaster relief

Chris Brennemann
573-822-0611