How You Can Help: Supply Drive

I know since the earthquake many of you have felt like I have: helpless! Well, I'm excited to let you know of a practical way you can now help. A supply drive has been organized in the Pella area to get supplies to Pignon to Many Hands for Haiti and Promise for Haiti (the hospital). Thank you to the churches and groups who have taken special offerings to help in this time of chaos and crisis. Your support is greatly needed and appreciated. Donations given to Many Hands for Haiti and Promise for Haiti are being allocated for food, water, medical care, hospital operating costs, and fuel for generators(which has skyrocketed in price) and basic needs as they arise. The supply list and drop-off instructions are at the end of this post. Deadline for donations is Saturday, February 6, so we can get supplies there quickly.

But first a brief update on the past week in Pignon...

This past week over 1,000 patients were seen at Hospital Bienfaisance, and they expect the number to increase with time as more leave Port and discover that Pignon has resources to help. A doctor sent an email with some pretty graphic photos of injuries, and it was very difficult to see how terribly some are injured. I'm sure these weren't even the worst cases. The good news is that there are doctors in Pignon to offer excellent medical care. Jared & Stacey also got a feeding program started this week for patients and up to two family members per patient. They started feeding over 200 meals a day and providing clean water. Stacey noted that the cooks they've hired and the men they've hired to distribute the food and water are doing an excellent job. It's a win-win-win because they are giving business to store owners since they need all the food supplies, they are empowering Haitians to operate the program, and they are filling a great need--hunger.

A vision team from Meredith Drive in Des Moines will be heading down next Thursday, and surgical teams from the States will continue to assist the Haitian doctors for the next 4-6 weeks. Please continue to pray for the recovery efforts, for Jared and Stacey as they serve and are away from their kids, for the medical team at the hospital and for healing to begin in Haiti. Pray that God is doing a mighty revival in the hearts of his people. Many are turning to Him as their only hope.

Supplies for Haiti for Earthquake Relief
(Drop-off deadline is Saturday, February 6, at 4:00 pm)

Tylenol
Advil
Ibuprofen
Cots
Light-weight blankets
Twin sheets
Candles (stand on own) & Matches

Bandages/Gauze/Ace wraps
Tape
Triple antibiotic ointment
Exam gloves

Flashlights & Batteries
Hand Sanitizer
Epsom salt
Toothbrushes
Toothpaste
Soap
Shampoo
Towels/washcloths
Breakfast Bars

Cash donations are also welcome to cover the shipping costs ($1.50/lb.) of these items by Missionary Flight International (MFI) from Ft. Pierce, FL, to Pignon, Haiti. Make checks payable to Many Hands for Haiti, indicating "earthquake relief" in the memo line. Mail to MH4H, PO Box 204, Pella, IA 50219.

Drop-off Location: 913 W 8th St, Pella (Pella Rental Building)

Directions: Go W. on Washington St to the stop light by Walmart. Turn left. It's the 2nd steel building (white) on the right.

There will be signage at the site. Please leave items inside the building. The entrance door will be left unlocked during Pella Rental's business hours, continuing until 4pm on Saturday February 6. Call John Grandia at 780-2801 or 628-2429 with questions or if you are unable to drop off items within business hours.

Thanks so much for your support!