GUTS

The Celebrate Jesus of Haiti clinic, operated by Pastor Bill Scheer’s mother and stepfather, as well as a team of 12 doctors from Iowa and Nebraska have treated over 1,000 patients in five days since the earthquake.  There has been an increasing influx of refugees from Port Au Prince seeking food, shelter and medical attention.  Supplies at the C.J.o.H. Clinic, and Wesleyan hospital have continued to dwindle.  Basic supplies such as gloves, suture kits have begun to run out.  

Hundreds of families camped on the compound for several days waiting for aftershocks to diminish, and the feeling of fear to subside.  As of 1:30am Saturday morning aftershocks were still toppling buildings in the town of Anse Galets on La Gonave.  Larger structures throughout the town has collapsed though the earthquakes and aftershocks however the majority of buildings are small one-story and have fared well.  

Food, fuel, and medical supplies have dwindles or have run out in less than a week. Feeding stations which Guts Church supports have had to cut their rations in half as supply of rice and beans has been suspended from La Gonave.  “We are not sure how long we can continue feeding the children,” said Gerry Dickherber in a phone interview Saturday night.  “We have given away everything on the compound and are rationing the remainder of the food for feeding stations while we look for other resources.”  

The U.S. Embassy has asked people to leave in an orderly evacuation.  Gerry and Sonja Dickherber are leaving La Gonave Sunday morning to make the long two-day journey back to the United States by boat, truck and air.  Pastor Jouquim will continue to manage relief efforts at the compound in Anse Galets, which Guts Church supports.  

In a phone interview with Pastor Jouquim Saturday night, he spoke with emotion, convocation and purpose.  “I lost a brother, sister and nephew in the earthquake.  Their bodies were delivered in bags to La Gonave from Port Au Prince.  I had to identify the bodies today, and we buried my brother.  We will bury my sister and her son tomorrow.  This is a very difficult time for our family.”  Cries and anguish could be heard throughout La Gonave as people received grave news.  “Every time you are with people someone will come in with more news of a loved one who died, and the crying starts all over.”

Guts Church is spearheading efforts to send immediate aid directly to La Gonave within the next few weeks as they partner with the Tulsa community and churches throughout the country.  Pastor Bill Scheer gave an overview of the relief efforts moving forward.  “We are preparing to send nonperishable foods, including rice, cooking oils, meal replacement foods, ramen and other associated goods, as well as hygiene products, medical supplies including antibiotics, fuel and building materials.  We are appealing to businesses, churches, and individuals to bring items to Guts Church, give cash online through our Help Haiti program at www.gutschurch.com, or contact the office to coordinate contribution of goods if you are out of state.”  

Guts Church is coordinating shipping goods through a private water transport company directly to Anse Galets to bring goods and supplies to the Celebrate Jesus of Haiti compound for distribution.  Goods will be distributed through the feeding stations which service over 1,000 children under six per day, as well as restock medical supplies at the C.J.o.H. Clinic, and other organizations.  Contact has been made with other non-government organizations on La Gonave such as Concern, Compassion International and the Wesleyan Hospital.  Guts Church has received information from these organizations on their immediate needs and is partnering to aid in procurement and delivery of medical supplies and building materials for them.

Go to www.gutschurch.com for latest news updates.