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.

Hello all,

It was so good to hear that Randy Lodder and Deanna Oosterhoff are safe and sound! Deanna is in Haiti with a group of paramedics, and has been able to make some contact with Randy and the guys. We are so thankful to God for His care and faithfulness. Randy described the scene this morning in an email: "We are doing well. We had a national wake-up call at 6:00 this morning. A couple more buildings were compromised or fell down. A few of us were up already, and inside, so they had to run out. I was outside at the time, and we all made for the road. It was pretty scary. Anyway, we are all safe and it looks like the house was not compromised too much."

We are glad to hear as well that Randy has found opportunities to help with disaster relief. Much of this work comes his way through involvement with the Quisqueya church and school. He writes, "Yesterday and today I found myself spending the day driving doctors around from one hospital to the next. I don't know how I fell into this job, but we are getting a whole influx of doctors so now it is a matter of coordinating where they need to go. I have been trying to coordinate different medical teams and get them to specific hospitals where they need help. I don't know how long I need to do this, but right now I have transportation and there seems to be a missing link in the communication, and I am trying to fill this gap. Anyway, it is good to see a lot of doctors and medical teams coming in. They just want to get to work, but it is not that easy. Its finding the spot where they are needed most and where there is security."

Some of other relief projects at Quisqueya include distribution of water that has been treated with purification tablets, as well as food distribution and efforts to match available doctors to hospitals. The Haitian young men who are staying with Randy have been able to help out with these projects. It is so good to be able to do something to help those who have lost so much.

We pray this work will be blessed by God, both to the recipients of the care, and also to those who are carrying out the tasks.

Freda Jagt

Dear Friends of CDIA,

This morning, a 6.1 magnitude aftershock, shook through Haiti, 60 km southwest of Port-au-Prince. We are praying that Randy Lodder and paramedic, Deanna Oosterhoff (working with Global Medic) are safe and sound, but we have not heard any news yet.

To all those who are concerned about their Haitian sponsor child: we have not been able to gather information about the students yet. As many Haitian families have lost their homes, there has been a steady flow of Haitians, leaving the nation's capital. People are going to stay with relatives in the countryside. The most likely way to find out about the students of Adoration is through word of mouth and this takes time, and is not always reliable. So at this point, please be patient and realize that the primary concerns for Randy are security, water, and food for those with whom he is living and working. When we get more news about the situation, we will keep you informed.

"Wait with hope for the LORD. Be strong and let your heart be courageous. Yes, wait with hope for the LORD." Ps.27:14

Freda Jagt

Randy is still safe and God is providing for his daily needs. He has been able to meet with the teachers and pray with them and help them out with some money. Aside from Samuel Marcelin, our grade 2 teacher, and Guerdson the gatekeeper, all others survived. A few of them were injured, mostly cuts and bruises. Most of the teachers have relatives living in the countryside, and they are moving in with them for this time. One teacher is living in a shelter in the park. A few of them are living with Randy and helping out there. Our cooks as well, survived and have found shelter.

Randy’s needs at this time include security, water, food, diesel for the generator, and money for staff and teachers. He and his neighbours have taken security measures, such as putting up lights outside their houses to light up the streets, and developing a simple warning system with whistles. Right now they have access to food for themselves. They are also working on getting water delivered.

What an experience to live through! At the same time, what an opportunity for Christ! I will leave you with Randy’s words: "We are mourning here, as we go about our work, and we are sharing what we are going through. We are spending a lot of time singing and praying and sharing scripture. I hope that you are finding your strength and peace in our LORD and Saviour, and I pray he stills your soul as you trust in Him. He is our refuge and strength, and ever present help in times of trouble."

Freda Jagt