Northwest Haiti Christian Mission Canada

Disatster Alert!
On January 12, 2010 a major earthquake struck the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince. It is the worst disaster to hit the country in 200 years with an expected death toll in the tens of thousands. We thank God that all of our missionaries are safe and doing the best they can in extreme circumstances.

Our organization is making every effort to assess the situation and determine appropriate responses. The best way to stay informed of our progress is to join the mailing list news @nwhcm.ca. We will send out updates by email as information becomes available.

During this time of tragedy there is an urgent need for financial support. Our ministry - which is largely focused on supply and medical aid - will be actively working to help meet the needs of the Haitian people. Considering the extent of the destruction we will be treating the aftermath of this disaster for months and even years to come.

If you want to make a donation to help fund the relief efforts please visit our Giving Section.

If you want to volunteer to serve in Haiti visit our Mission Section. There will be an urgent need for qualified medical personnel!

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01/14/2010 REV. TINA LESLIE, Executive Director, NHCM Canada
We, after prayer, are doing some immediate things. Firstly, we have Melissa, our assistant medical director, working on an assessment of where the damage is the worst, what kind of medical services are needed and accessible for teams from Canada to target. We have a small assessment team working out of some friend’s places near Port au Prince, to assess the damage. As soon as we know anything about whether we can get planes in or out into Haiti or what kind of teams we need, I will publish it on our website.

Immediately, we are putting together three containers of food, medicine, and immediate relief needs. It will cost almost $20,000 US for all three containers together, in shipping costs, and around $5,000 each container to get it released from the Haitian Customs. So, aside from the financial need to pay for antibiotics and first aid medicine, food, and milk supplies, is a need for about $35,000 in shipping costs.

In addition, we will need to raise money for missionaries going in. so, yes! We would be very happy to facilitate donations. Our charity number is BN 86060 0345 RR0001.

I am ready to go any time… but at this time, going in is not as effective as waiting for the assessment of those on the ground. God is so very good, though. During December, four other missions as well as our own, were blessed with donations of food from across the United States and Canada. I shipped them all in December. That food arrived in 7 containers on Sunday. As soon as they can get it out of Customs in Port au Prince, it will be available on the ground, at the epicentre for use in the work. God knows what He is doing even when we do not.

Please let me know what you can do to help. We will keep in touch, and let you know as we target even more areas of need.

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01/13/2010 MAUREEN MOORE
[Maureen Moore is our full time missionary at the Northwest Haiti Christian Mission in Saint-Louis-Du-Nord]

Hi. Just wanted to let you know that we are all well. It was a strong earthquake but all our buildings are still standing and we haven't had a lot of people coming for medical. I think just one little boy who fell and grazed his knee. In His love. Maureen

01/13/2010 JODY CASTILLO
[Jody Castillo the travel manager for Northwast Haiti Christian Mission, USA. She is located at the mission in Saint-Louis-Du-Nord]

I heard from a crying Jose on the phone. He is fine. He’s at the Visa Lodge and called from their landline. He said the coke factory in front has severe damage. It was like there was a hedge of protection around the Visa Lodge.We both sobbed. The rooms were sold out and at the last minute - they had an opening. It's one of the only places without damage. He thought that our home had crumbled just like the ones in PAP. They still feel strong aftershocks. He begged me to take the family outside to sleep. He doesn’t realize that what he saw isn’t the same that we feel.

People are wondering the streets aimlessly – with no where to go. All the houses have crumbled – there’s no power and no cell phone service. People have no way of knowing whether their family is okay. St. Louis is grieving as they have family in PAP and can’t reach them. He saw countless bodies buried under debris. He said he just can’t process this – it’s the worst thing he’s ever seen. I praise God he is okay. I pray that God will use this somehow to His glory….like maybe there’s a reason Jose is on the front-lines of the battlefield.