Coram Deo International Aid
CDIA Earthquake Disaster Relief Fund

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we shall not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea...the LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress." (Ps. 46)

CDIA is a registered Canadian Charity, registration number: 86286 5607 RR0001

Last Tuesday, a devastating earthquake tore through Port-au-Prince, causing large-scale death and destruction. CDIA's Adoration Christian Centre was also affected, the building having collapsed. We thank the Lord that the Lodders, Kim Gringhuis, and board members, Jim Kamstra and John Kottelenberg (who were visiting at this time) were not harmed. Mercifully, the school was not in session at the time, although there was a basketball tournament going on the playground. No staff or students were in the building at the time. At this time Karen, Maia, Kim, Jim and John are on standby to fly home with the Canadian Armed Forces plane. Randy will remain in Haiti at this time to locate Haitian staff, and try to protect our property.

As shocked as CDIA and its directors are at the devastation all around them, we would like to begin to offer aid to those who have been affected. In order to facilitate the relief efforts, CDIA has set up a disaster relief fund. If you would like to contribute to helping victims, please send your cheque to CDIA directly, 27 Legend Crt., PO Box 10033, Ancaster, ON, L9K 1P2, or click on the Donate Now button, and earmark your donation for CDIA Earthquake Relief Fund (either in the memo line of your cheque or the comments of your paypal donation). Ongoing support is also desired as there is so much damage.

Please continue to remember especially Adoration staff, teachers and students in your prayers. As well as losing their school, Adoration was providing two meals/day and medical care for the students. Many will have lost homes or family members. At least one teacher has been confirmed dead.

As much as our school building meant to us, as much time, energy and love that went into it by so many volunteers, we acknowledge that it was but bricks and mortar and our true refuge is a tower that can never be toppled. God is faithful, He will care for His sheep in Haiti.
 
Disaster Relief Action Committee

The CDIA Board in its meeting of Jan 19, 2010 has decided to set up a Disaster Relief Action Committee (DRAC) to handle the planning, day to day operations, communication and decision making for the disaster relief efforts for the people of Haiti. There will be specific emphasis on, but not limited to, helping those in the Delmas area of Port au Prince where we have been involved in the community up to date.

For the immediate term, disaster relief funds will be used for food, water, medical and housing needs of the CDIA team on the ground in Haiti and for the people in the area of Port au Prince that the organization serves. Funds will also be used to support the staff of the families of Adoration Christian Center and members of the First Presbyterian Church. In the longer term, disaster relief funds will be used, the Lord willing, for the long term restoration and rebuilding of the Adoration Christian Center.

    This action committee will consist of:
  • John Kottelenberg (Chair) - CDIA Managing Director
  • Bernie Pennings - Executive Director of Word and Deed
  • Randy Lodder – Adoration Christian Center Project Director
  • Steve Langendoen - CDIA Board Vicechairman

To see updates from our committee please choose the Disaster Relief Updates from the menu on the Left hand side
 
Haiti Update - February 3rd
Wednesday, 03 February 2010 17:33

There continues to be good communication with Randy and the team (Adoration). They are in good health and spirit and have all that they need for everyday living.

Late last week Randy was at the UN again. It is reported that the city has been divided into 16 different sections and that one global organization has been assigned to each section to take responsibility for day to day Disaster Relief supplies. Once again, an application was made for Adoration to be included in the general supply lines for local distribution. However, more patience is reguired and it is expected that a good flow of food and water will most likely take another week or two.

The supply of food to our target zones is minimal. Therefore, our plan is to continue to push food and water out for another 2 weeks, until the local residents in our target zones can be diverted to another source. Last Saturday, Adoration was successful in getting a truck load of food and some tarps from the Dominican Republic. This food was packaged into boxes and then distributed to all of our students and families. The plan is to make another run this week. Adoration continues to supply truck loads of water which are dumped into a cistern in the Cite aux Cayes area. This is working well in this area as leaders in the community are taking charge of water purification and distribution. Unfortunately, a good clean cistern and leadership cannot be found as yet in Cite Jeremie.

Randy continues to keep in touch with the families of students. Most are living in some make shift dwelling. Some of the tarps and tents handed out earlier are already being used. Some of the homes are still standing. However, the people are afraid to move back in, but when the rains come they will have no choice. Sourcing tents for families continues to be a priority. Tents with floors in them is important so that when the rains come not everything will get wet. In that regard, CDIA is sourcing a limited number of tents and other supplies to be shipped to Haiti in the coming weeks.

Our Adoration Haitian team members have been asked to be translators for volunteer medical staff. At times this too is very unorganized. Nevertheless, Adoration continues to provide help to the general community via other relief organizations where it can.

Prayer and service meetings continue to be held outside the gate and this will remain a priority. This week these neighbourhood meetings will start at 7pm so that more people can come. It is our prayer that this will continue to be a blessing for the Adoration team and the community, and that through it our neighbours would be drawn into fellowship, and drawn into hearing God's Word being shared. “Oh, Holy Spirit, work powerfully and open up hearts to hear your calling”

Your continued prayers for the people of Haiti, all relief and government agencies including the Adoration team and CDIA are coveted.

May God receive the Glory!