CDIA is sad to report that a teacher and facility staff worker have lost their life during the earthquake but are comforted to know that they are now in glory. CDIA is thankful that all other teachers and facility staff have been located although some of the teachers have been injured. As expected the families of teachers and students are dispersing out to the country side. Therefore it will take some time to locate all students and then to maintain ongoing contact.

CDIA has established a Disaster Relief Action Committee (DRAC) that will handle the day to day planning, communication and decision making for the interim till longer range plans can be established. This committee will report to the board. Contact has been made with other organizations with more Disaster Relief experience both here in Canada and in Haiti to determine how we can better work together in these difficult circumstances. The plan is to post regular communications to the CDIA website.

Conditions in Haiti continue to be very difficult with the infrastructure impeding relief efforts. There are three phases in Disaster Relief – First Response, Disaster Relief, Restoration and Rebuilding. The current situation still demands First Response as supply lines for food, water and medical help are still not fully in place. In the past week communication has been established with Randy however at times this too is challenging. The few supplies that were available have been distributed. We are thankful to report that Randy was able to obtain a few more basic supplies. Randy was able to get access to a portable water purifying system. The team was able to set this system up near their house on a church property which has a well. Their focus as part of a larger community team is to provide water to people in the area. The team is also getting food and basic supplies out to some families of teachers and students. CDIA was able to make arrangements to get access to medical supplies most of which have been donated here in Canada for Randy. We trust the supplies will arrive shortly. We are pleased to report that contact has been made with some medical personnel and arrangements are being worked on to have them in Haiti as soon as possible.

Initial progress was made toward obtaining a portable structure to assist in putting infrastructure in place to help in the ongoing relief. This will be especially helpful in the next stages of relief. Contact has been made with other organizations to determine how we can better work together in the difficult circumstances.

The committee seeks your continuous prayers for the situation in Haiti, especially for Randy and the team as well as all other Disaster Relief workers. The committee also covets your prayers for wisdom in the daily operation of activities and planning in the very difficult and complex situation in Haiti.

In conclusion Randy says “we are still doing services every night outside our gate, and we have more and more neighbors coming to join us. We sing, pray, share scripture, talk, and sing some more. A lot of people are dealing with a lot and are scared, so it is a good time for us to share and turn our eyes toward heaven. We pray that through this, people would turn to God in their sorrows, and find their peace in knowing He is near, and He is the King of kings, and Lord of lords. May all our efforts bring Him glory and honour, and may He bless our efforts, open doors, and direct our steps. Our hope is in Him alone. To you alone O LORD, belongs all glory and honour, both now and forever more.”

In His Service,

John Kottelenberg,

on behalf of the Board