Ministry Update from Jeff & Deanne Clem ~ Urbancrest Haiti Mission Team

On August 7th our team left the Columbus airport, a little anxious, but excited to see all that God had in store. When we returned on August 14th, each of us knew that we would be forever changed. God had far exceeded “all that we ask or imagine” (Eph. 3:20).

The people of Haiti are hopeless and full of fear. They are hungry and sick and many are still living in the rubble that remains after the devastating earthquake. They are desperate. As believers, we know that Jesus is the answer to each of their problems and that He alone can bring hope and healing to their lives. As the body of Christ, we can supply them with food and medicine to meet their desperate physical needs and we can reveal to them the Creator who loves them and wants to restore them to Himself.

At the beginning of our week, we had the privilege of worshiping with Haitian believers who know that Christ is their firm foundation. We held a two day VBS for their mountain village of Kenscoff. Two hundred children participated in Bible stories, crafts, and games. Sixty of those children found new hope in Jesus and placed their faith in Him. The pastor of the church was ready and excited to begin follow up with those children and their families. Each of those 200 children went home with enough rice to feed their families for a week and with the knowledge that there is a Savior who loves them and can meet their every need.

Of the many buildings destroyed by the earthquake, one was an orphanage housing children from birth to 6 years. In Creole, the name for this baby orphanage is “crèche”. After the earthquake, these babies were moved to a part of the guest house where we were staying. We had the privilege of holding, caring for, and playing with these precious children every day as we finished up other ministries. We definitely found new meaning in James 1:27.

One of the most life-changing experiences of our trip was our day of prayer walking, evangelism, and medical clinics in the tiny desert village of Kaness. These people walk 1 ½ hours each day to collect water and their homes are nothing more that sticks and mud. They have no well, no school for their children, and no formal church in which to worship. In spite of all this, they have a deep faith in our Savior. Our team was humbled as we watched our brothers and sisters in Christ literally kneel down in the dirt as we prayed over their homes and families.

Our 4 amazing nurses went from hut to hut assessing medical needs and caring for the sick. During one visit, a team was able to see one man change his life forever as he placed his life in the hands of Jesus. After our prayer walking, we set up a medical clinic under the only tree in the village and patients were given vitamins and treatments for worms and other ailments. After their treatment, other team members would take them aside for a time of prayer. Thanks to your generous donations, we were also able to assemble “family bags” that were given as a gift at each home that we visited. The bags contained Kids Against Hunger rice packets and other food, clothes, shoes, and baby items. Each family also left that day with a 55# bag of rice that would feed them for more than two weeks.

It was our privilege to partner with Brent Gambrell Ministries during our week in Haiti. Brent and our entire team could daily feel the power of prayer. We cannot thank our church family enough for all of your encouragement and for the prayers that were lifted up on our behalf. Please continue to pray for Brent Gambrell and the ministry that he has with the people of Haiti. Pray for God’s continued guidance as he builds relationships with pastors, believers, and those waiting to hear about our amazing Savior.