Roody's Blog

Abundant Gratitude and Joyful Anticipation

2010-08-08T16:20:00.006-04:00

Today is a quiet and thoughtful Sunday. Although I am thankful to the Lord all of the time for the many blessings he bestows on me every minute of every day, I am especially thankful today.

All around me I see people suffering every day - from ignorance, from lack, from spiritual emptiness - and I can only look to heaven and lift up a prayer of Thanksgiving for all of the provision I have in my life.

I have a family who loves me, friends who are supportive of the Lord's calling on my life and in supplying for my earthly needs as I serve Him. I have close working relationships with people who love the Lord as I do and desire only to do their parts to manifest His Will here on earth. And above all, I have a Savior who goes before me in everything I do, preparing my path and then walking it with me. I want for nothing and my spirit is the most at peace it has ever been in my life.

It has been over two years since I have seen my wife and I am anticipating her upcoming visit with so much anticipation, delight and joy. She is my partner in this walk even though the path has led me to be distant from her for this long. I am so blessed to have a spouse who understands and appreciates that God does, indeed, work in mysterious ways and encourages me as I step into some of uncertain places He leads me.

Please pray for my wife's safe travel to, within and from Haiti. Please pray that our reunion is one of joy and of peace for our spirits. Words cannot even express how grateful I am for the time we will be able to spend together. I love you, Sherry, and can't wait to hold you in my arms again.

Rejoicing,
Roody

A Community for Lafferronnay

2010-08-07T21:05:00.006-04:00

Still running - found a parcel of land in the town of Lafferronnay (situated between Leogane and Port-au-Prince) that will accommodate 140 more families. It has nice trees and a little stream that runs through it (above). What a delightful location. We are so blessed that the landowner is agreeable to having so many people on this land for a full year.

While we are waiting for financing approval for this project, I am staying busy by coordinating distribution of some of the shelters for folks who own their own properties.

Meeting with community leaders to impress upon them the importance of individual involvement in this process has been encouraging. In requiring them to strategize for deliveries and setups, I can see some of them standing a littler straighter because they feel they have some control over their own destinies.

Since one of our goals at PPM is providing opportunities that allow people the dignity of self-sufficiency, I have been really pleased to sit back and listen to them contemplate a situation, weigh their options, and make decisions based on peoples' needs. I believe that allowing them to actively participate in the individual shelter projects is soul-enriching beyond what we will probably ever truly know.

That's what this is all about - showing God's love to people in a very tangible way.

His Gratified Servant,
Roody

Trying to Keep Up With God

2010-08-03T23:24:00.010-04:00

I always thought missionaries carefully planned each step they took so as to ensure they were in step with God. That's the way I've always conducted my personal life - trying to remain at Jesus' side each day. Being in Haiti for the last few years has forced me to take a somewhat different approach - I find myself running just trying to keep up with what God is doing!!

Work on Community Four just began less than a week ago and it will be complete and ready for final inspection in no time. God has been really busy!

When I dropped in the other day to check on progress, there were already residents milling around looking at their units with pride and exclaiming how they just can't wait to move in (at right).

The frames are up and it should only take a few more days for the men to attach the tarp walls and metal roofs.

Steve, president of our newest ministry partner, CoAid, is planning to come to Haiti in about two weeks to look at the completed communities and help plan for the possibility of more land leases to accomodate more communities.

I can't wait to see what God has in store...I'd better keep my running shoes on!!!

Breathless With Excitement,

Roody

Celebrating Opening Day for PPM Community 3

2010-07-30T13:12:00.020-04:00

Wow! It's hard to believe that this project is already completed and people are moving in.
God is truly to be praised!!

We just finished the dedication ceremony for this, our third transitional community. All of the beneficiaries were so grateful in prayer for their new shelters and start-up kits.

Each new resident received a set of cookware, a large plastic container for water, basic hygiene kit, and mosquito nets so they can start off on the right foot to keep themselves healthy and the community a clean and sanitary place to live. It's so cool - some folks have already started personalizing their homes (see little flower beds one mom and her children put in near their door).

I'm in a hurry to get things done today, so I'll let these photos speak for themselves. I'm off to Darbonne to check on progress at Community 4, then on to the city of Dufort to look into the possibility of land for a fifth community.

Seeking His Strength,
Roody

Joyous News: Marie Yolene

2010-07-29T22:48:00.007-04:00

I have great news to share!

I received an update about little Marie Yolene, the two year old we helped after the earthquake. If you recall, her arm was severely burned in the quake and all that had been done for it was to wrap it in a towel. When I first saw her, her aunt was so distressed because little Marie was suffering (left). The doctor I took her to told her aunt that, without proper treatment, she would have probably died within a week or so of the horrible infection that had set into her arm.

After she saw the doctor and I helped Danita's people relocate her to their orphanage, I lost track of her. Brittany, one of the workers at Danita's, contacted me yesterday and provided an update on little Marie:

Marie Yolene, who we now call Marie Joy, is doing great! Actually, her aunt came to live and work with us a few months ago. She is also doing really great, living and working with all our children from Port-Au-Prince. The aunt is going to start going to school in the fall and continue working with us. Marie's arm has completely healed, as you can see, with only a couple scars left which will most likely heal soon. She has gained weight, is starting to talk, and has a HUGE personality. She's joyful and spunky :)

Thank you so much, Brittany, for letting us know how well Marie is doing! You made my day!

Joyful,

Roody

Transitional Shelters to Be Converted Into Permanent Homes

2010-07-29T10:17:00.008-04:00

I am so happy today! Building the transitional communities is incredible and, thanks to our partners, is going smoothly. I finally had some time to turn my attention to the needs of some of the people who own their own property but lost their homes.

While we, sadly, lack the funds to distribute all 500 of the shelters we have been allotted for this purpose, with the 'go-ahead' to distribute four of them, I made arrangements to have three of them delivered to their intended sites today. The other one will be delivered by the middle of next week.

The first one was delivered to 64-year-old Andre Mathurin (left). He was so overjoyed - all he kept saying was "I pray for you, I pray for you!". Rebecca, he was so happy to talk with you on the phone. He says you are an angel from God and he prays for you every day. (Note: He also wanted me to remind you that he needs more of the protein supplement we send to him).

The second shelter will be dropped off to a group of elderly widows who live way off of the main road. If you recall, one of them came to me about three weeks after the quake and said they had received no aid at all. She took me to where their little hut had been and showed me where the five of them were living under sheets hung from a little tree. It was so pitiful and I have shared Rebecca's heart for sheltering them as we found we were able to do so.

The third shelter will be delivered to an elderly couple who lost their home. They can't even find the words to express how they feel.

The plan is to apply the technology I learned from Charly as we constructed Pastor Danley's house and convert these temporary shelters into permanent homes (right). The cost per home is only $495.00 (for plywood walls, protectant oil, and the materials to screen the windows). An added bonus is that I will be having our boys help with these conversions. This will add to their growing knowledge of construction skills.

These enhanced shelters should provide nice, little homes for these elderly folks for the remainder of their lives. I call that a really good investment!

Serving Him,

Roody

Darbonne Community Becomes a Reality

2010-07-26T23:06:00.001-04:00

I visited the landowner today to have her sign the necessary land lease documents and to pay her. The project managers will beginning the layout process tonight - determining where the houses will go, where amenities such as the rest rooms and play areas will be located given the property boundaries and terrain.

My prayer is that actual construction can begin very quickly. We have had torrential rain for several nights and the people in Darbonne are suffering the effects of not being able to shelter themselves and their limited belongings from the rain. They are so excited and can't wait for the shelters to be ready to occupy.

I can readily locate other parcels of land, there are supplies available to construct literally thousands of these shelters -- we just lack the funds to continue building these communities. We must continue to pray for God's continued provision of the funds to lease the properties.

Expectantly,
Roody

The Waiting is Over for Darbonne

2010-07-25T07:59:00.004-04:00

The waiting is over! God 's answer to our prayers for partners in this most worthy endeavor was to link us with our friends at CoAid, based in Colorado. Who but God could intricately link people from so many different places to work together for His purposes? Truly awe-inspiring!!

Thank you so much, Steve, for taking this need to your board and for impressing upon them the importance and urgency of this project. The construction of a transitional shelter community in Darbonne is happening none too soon for these poor people who have been almost completely without aid since the earthquake and living totally exposed to the elements for so long.

This parcel of land is going to create a wonderful home for so many people - plenty of shade trees and nice level terrain. I had already negotiated the contract with the landowner, so I will visit with her tomorrow to finalize things. The plan is for the planners to draw up the layout tomorrow as to where the homes, latrines, play area, etc. will be placed on the property and for the workers to begin construction shortly thereafter.

Relishing this miracle,
Roody

Praises for A New Partnership

2010-07-24T13:23:00.007-04:00

We have been praying for some time now for God to bring the partners we need in order to do the work He has set before us. Those prayers have been answered -- CoAid, based in Colorado, has offered to come along side us and provide the funds needed to begin construction of the community we had planned for Darbonne.

THANK YOU SO MUCH, CoAID, for joining forces with us to provide safe, protective homes for so many people.

Praising Him Above All,
Roody

Being Still

2010-07-21T22:27:00.013-04:00

"Be Still and Know That I Am God".

One of the toughest commands given to us tells us to sit and virtually do nothing. How ironic is that?

Since we negotiated for the use of land for the construction of PPM 4 in Darbonne, a city otherwise devoid of relief efforts (photos of current living conditions here), we have reached out to a network partner for funding to proceed with this much-needed community of transitional shelters. As is a requirement of good stewardship, their board of directors is having to meet to discuss the viability and urgency of the community and pray for guidance. I honor that.

Still -- the waiting is difficult. I have filled the past few days with searching out a few friends in Port-au-Prince and other areas surrounding Leogane in an attempt to offer encouragement and to catch up on each others' lives since the earthquake. It has been good to find that most of our partners, although wearied and significantly worse for the wear, are still alive and still pressing on in their work for the Lord. Rebecca always says that missionary work is not for sissies and she is so right! But even after all they have been through, with few exceptions, our friends are still looking at the half-full parts of their glasses and looking to the future of Haiti with hope.

I am praying for an affirmative reply from God and from our network friends concerning the funds to begin construction on PPM 4 very soon.

Prayerfully Still,

Roody

DIRE Need in Darbonne

2010-07-18T21:26:00.000-04:00

We’ve got the opportunity to secure a great parcel of land for the construction of another community of 175 more transitional shelters (at left). It has trees for shade and has already been assessed as meeting the criteria for this construction. All that remains is to pay the landowner the agreed price.

Our other communities are such successes! The majority of the beneficiaries of these homes are single mothers, elderly and handicapped people. Each community has water and sanitation facilities on site, security and designated play areas for the children. Many of the beneficiaries have said that, in addition to having a sound roof over their heads and being protected from the elements, they are also thrilled to be away from the filth and rampant crime of the tent cities.

While we were able to come up with the contracted amounts for the three previous properties in Leogane, those expenditures have pretty much wiped out our financial resources.

Darbonne is is DIRE need. I am pretty accustomed to seeing horrifying living conditions, and poverty-driven illness and even death, but I surveyed this area last week and what I witnessed there brought me to tears. Children are sick - fevers, pink eye, sores, etc. People are unable to find a dry place to escape the torrential rain, standing water makes it impossible for some people to even sit down or sleep under their tarps because their tarps are disintegrating under months of direct sunlight and heat.

As far as I can tell, virtually NO ONE is providing any sort of aid in Darbonne. Unfortunately, this seems to be the case in areas where there is no media coverage. As one cameraman told us, “No one goes where there is not a camera to record what they are doing”. We, at Promised Provision, understand the value of media coverage but we value the fact that God is watching much more.

I am praying we can find someone to help us secure the lease on this land so we can help these people out of the inhumane conditions in which they are currently struggling to survive.

With a Heavy Heart,

Roody

Water Plant Forges Ahead

2010-07-15T23:02:00.003-04:00

Well, it was too good to be true. Our water plant has been in operation for a little over two weeks now without a hitch. The government visited us today to inform us that we require a business license to operate it. We were unaware that this was necessary since we are a non-profit organization, but nonetheless...it cost us $250.00 for the permit for one year. Thanks, Rebecca, for sending the money so quickly. Michelle and Miss Fernande didn't even miss a beat in their water production.

Three of our girls: Fabi, Sophonie and MeriCiane are required to take the government's official end-of-year exam in order to see if they pass to the next level in school. Again, thanks for the funds, Rebecca. I am making sure they and their parents sign their annual statements agreeing to do their very best in school to uphold their parts in good stewardship of PPM funds. I keep them ever mindful that hardworking people care about them enough to share their blessings with them. Each of them sends their love to those who so lovingly support their education. I'll send you photos of them in their new uniforms once the seamstress completes them.

Tomorrow I will swing by PPM 3 to see how near completion the workers are. They just began putting on the tarps today (pictured here). It is always exciting to see residents' relief when they realize that they really have a place to live that is safe and out of the rain. I'm looking for available land to hold another community in the nearby city of Darbonne. Please join me in prayer for this - no one seems to be doing much of anything in Darbonne.

Speaking of rain, I am still sitting here in soggy clothes, so I'll close now.

Looking Forward to Tomorrow's Blessings,

Roody

Residents Occupy New Homes in PPM 2

2010-07-14T20:34:00.000-04:00

I traveled back to Leogane today for the dedication ceremony at PPM 2, our second transitional housing community. It houses 101 families (PPM 1 housed 172 families who gratefully moved in about a week ago).

Samaritan's Purse personnel and camera crew were there and we joined with the residents in praying Psalm 23 and dedicating the property to the Lord. I spoke single moms as they were inspecting their new homes. They are thrilled to finally be out of the rain and away from the filth and violence of the tent city she and her children have been living in since the earthquake.

Even the latrines are classy and even have real American toilet seats - they are a real treat here in Haiti.

I will take a look at the progress taking place at PPM 3 tomorrow. We just acquired the use of the land for it last Thursday and it is almost complete. Wow! The guys putting up the houses are really getting fast at it.

Bursting with Praise,

Roody

Francilia's Surprise

2010-07-13T22:46:00.012-04:00

The dream team from Morrison Heights Baptist Church, Mississippi, (left to right, Charly Martin, me, Tim Rowan, Luke Rowan, and Harper Ferrell) was up and hard at it at 5:00am. We worked through the morning and just made our deadline for the arrival of Pastor Danley's fiancee, Francilia.

Francilia was so surprised and just kept saying the having this house is the answer to their prayers. They had placed their trust in the Lord as to where they were going to live. She blushed as she posed for photos and just kept grinning the whole time we were celebrating (at right with Pastor Danley).

The last few days have been truly awesome. Meeting Miriam here at the orphanage and working with these guys is something I will never forget. My sincere thanks to Miriam for her hospitality. Having decent meals, a great place to sleep, and a real shower for the time I've been here has been a bigger blessing than you know.

Learning how to take nice transitional shelters and turn them into permanent homes is something I will be able to share with our boys and reproduce in Leogane. It costs $495.00 to modify the standard transitional shelter kit into a permanent structure. I pray for partners to help us do this for some of our people, particularly the elderly ones. Doing this for them would give them a home where they could live out the rest of their days without fear of having to relocate or be homeless again.

Ever Grateful,
Roody

Pastor Danley's Home In Progress

2010-07-12T23:06:00.009-04:00

Hi Everyone!

I have had the most terrific day!! But I have been helping to construct Pastor Danley's new house since 5:00am -- I am exhausted. We have to be up at 5:00am again tomorrow so we can have the house complete by 8:00am when his soon-to-be-bride will show up for church and we will surprise her with her new home.

Charly from Mississippi (pictured above in the truck) is 68 years old and will tell you that you have to get up a day ahead of him just to keep up. He's not joking. This man is a dynamo and genius of construction and design who has taken one of our transitional shelters and kicked it up a notch by modifying it into a permanent home with windows, a real door, termite protection for the wood and a rock-hard floor. The interior features shelving, a place to hang clothes, and even a queen-sized bed (fashioned from what ws originally designed as bunk beds for families with children - how ingenious is that?) I am learning at the feet of a master. The Danleys will be able to call this place home for a long time.

Our whole team worked on this place all day and into the night. I'm really tired so I'll let the pictures speak for themselves tonight. I can't wait to see Pastor Danley's and his fiancee's faces tomorrow when we unveil God's wedding gift!

Falling Into Blissful Sleep,

Roody

Building Pastor Danley's House

2010-07-11T23:57:00.008-04:00

Working for the Lord is so hard at times, but sometimes He rewards us with great times of fellowship, learning and growth. Today was one of those great days for me.

I am still in Cazeau at the orphanage where Pastor Danley works. He does not get paid - only his meals and the ability to live on the orphanage property. If you read yesterday's entry you know that we had one of our transitional shelters delivered here to construct as a surprise for Pastor Danley and his soon-to-be-wife.

The orphanage staff invited me to join their discussion yesterday about modifying the construction techniques used in erecting these little temporary shelters so as to provide a permanent home for the Danleys. Their thoughts were to add a real window, a real door, and make plywood walls which will then be covered to make them waterproof.

I was really curious to see how they planned to do this because, if they are successful, we could copy their design for some of our folks who own their own property so they wouldn't have to come up with something else to live in a year from now. This would be especially great for our elderly folks such as Brother Mathurin -- if we build him a sturdy little house now, he will be able to live in it for the remainder of his life.

Today some of the orphanage staff, volunteers and I worked on erecting the frame. I'll keep you posted as to our progress.

Seeing Miracles,

Roody

Seeing Many Prayers Answered

2010-07-10T18:05:00.017-04:00

Thought you'd like to see Carlos (at left) and Ronald (at right). They are both gainfully employed here in Leogane constructing the temporary houses in Promised Provision Community Two.

PPM Community One is complete and the inspectors gave it their final approval on Thursday. Residents began moving in today. I'll be sure to send you some photos.

MORE GOOD NEWS!! Yesterday we secured a year's lease on another parcel of land! Since this newest piece of land is already level and cleared, we should be able to begin construction there very soon. This five-acre plot will accomodate 54 temporary houses. Fifty-four additional families will have safer, more protective shelter once it is complete. A HUGE THANK YOU to all of you who responded to my radio interview with Dick Gordon on American Public Radio (http://www.thestory.com/). Your donations helped to push us over the top to being able to secure the lease on this property.

On a personal note, I have to share how happy I am that we were instrumental in providing one of our little temp houses to Pastor Danley of New Life Orphanage. He has been working very hard since the earthquake and, as a result, has paid little attention to his own needs. He will be getting married in August and has no place to house his new wife. Working together with our missions partners, we were able to secure delivery of one of our little temp houses to Pastor Danley's location in Cazeau, Haiti. We are working today to construct it as a surprise for him and his bride.

Rejoicing in Answered Prayer,

Roody

Light at the End of the Tunnel

2010-07-08T23:06:00.009-04:00

Busy day today!! Picked up Sandra's motorcycle AND put finishing touches on negotiations to secure another land lease for the construction of another small temporary shelter community. This five-acre parcel of land lies directly adjacent to our first village and will house 54 additional families. We are so blessed to have been given this opportunity!

To add to my joy today, I found out that my wife is planning to come here for a visit. I miss her so much and my spirits are soaring at the thought of seeing her in the next few weeks!! Those of you who know my story know that I came here in February 2008 planning to stay for about two weeks and have ended up being stuck here all of this time. I know God has used me to accomplish a lot for Him during this time, and I have been happy to serve Him, but I still miss my family and my life in the states. A visit from my wife will be a breath of fresh air to me -- there is light at the end of this tunnel.

Rejoicing in His Mercies,

Roody

Sandra's Officially in Business

2010-07-08T22:45:00.006-04:00

The motorcycle we purchased for Sandra FINALLY arrived in-country! I met her and her driver, Junior Marcelus, at the dealership to pick it up today. She is so happy! I told her she is quite possibly the youngest business owner in Leogane.

This incredible gift will generate income for her while also serving as her transportation to and from school each day. We no longer have to pay for her transportation - she will actually be earning money while she is in school each day. How great is that?

Her driver, Junior, (pictured here with Sandra and the motorcycle) is eager to start working. He will rent the cycle from Sandra each day, take her to and from school and then use it to earn a living in the city during the hours she is in school. I've taught her how to allocate the proceeds so that she can tithe, save, and use her profits to save toward a replacement (the average life-span of a motorcycle in Haiti is roughly three years). The remainder of her funds will help her family, including two of our other girls, her cousins Louna and Emmanuella.

If she sticks to the guidelines I provided for managing her little business, and nothing disasterous happens to the bike, she may be able to own several motorcycles within the next five-to-six years and have a thriving, on-going business.

I have been privileged over the past few years to see Sandra grow into the fine young woman she is today. I know she will do her very best to ensure the success of her new business.

Praying for Sandra's Happiness and Success,

Roody

A Visit With Fabi

2010-07-01T23:35:00.012-04:00

I had a pleasant surprise today -- Fabi came around for dinner and to go to church this evening. I have not seen much of her since the Christian Girls' Home was destroyed.

Even wearing a men's baseball cap (photo above), she looks pretty good. But by the way she shoveled in huge portions of food at dinner this evening, I can tell she is not eating well. As you can see, despite her dismal circumstances, her ever-present smile has not waned. We don't call her "Fabi Fabulous" for nothing!!

When I asked her about her present situation, she said she had not had any food to eat for two days. She also said she "has many problem". Other than a shortage of food, she is really fearful that she will not be able to take her official school exam that permits her to pass to the next grade because she doesn't have any money to pay the required costs. Since school is really all the kids here have in their lives, the possibility of not being able to progress and attend next year is devastating to them.

Education here is more than just learning - being able to attend school is an indication of status. Without it, one is relegated to the lowest status within society and has no real hope for the future aside from carrying water, cleaning, and acting as servant to someone else.

Thanks, Rebecca, for speaking with her on the phone this evening. Your humor and calming, motherly influence worked its magic because she was much happier when she got off of the phone. She loves and misses you very much. As you requested, she and I will pray for Promised Provision's ability to pay for her and our other girls to take their official exams.

Feeling Fatherly,

Roody

Building Hope

2010-06-30T23:58:00.009-04:00

Hope. Such a simple word for something that causes the human heart to soar above the harshness of reality.

We couldn't live a day without it. God gives us hope for our eternity and his selfless missionaries offer hope for tomorrow.

The Arkansas team got down and dirty today repairing a bridge pad in Darbonne. Every step taken toward rebuilding lives and replacing lost property offers hope. I thank God for these dedicated workers who left the comfort of their everyday lives to be God's hands and feet amid this heat, filth, and despair.

Ever Hopeful,
Roody

Reflecting on God's Love

2010-06-29T23:22:00.000-04:00

Children all over the world are precious but there is just something about the children here that captures the heart. Missionaries from all over the world melt when they look into the expectant eyes of Haiti's children - so sad yet hopeful at the same time. It's difficult to explain but I never tire of watching the open, reciprocated love that shines through whenever missionaries and the children come together.

The kids at the orphanage have no toys or play equipment so they were thrilled to have the chance to just be kids as they shared laughter and games of soccer and Frisbee with the huffing and puffing adults from America. Several of the children opted out of playing and chose, instead, to quietly snuggle into loving laps.

All of these activities were enjoyed by both the missionaries and the kids. Although balls and toys are fun, time is the best thing we can give our kids and this was truly obvious today. You can see that the children feel valued - I know scenes like this make Jesus smile.

Tomorrow we will move onto more pragmatic things - repairing a bridge - but today we just enjoyed being loving, connected humans reaching out to "the least of these".

Reflecting On His Lavish Love,

Roody

Goodbye Living Waters Team, Hello Arkansas Team

2010-06-28T22:11:00.004-04:00

Another really busy day! The team from Living Waters will be leaving tomorrow so I was busy closing out our business with them while also beginning to work with a missions team from Arkansas.

It will be sad to see the guys from LW leave - we have had a great time working together and I have really enjoyed spending time with them learning all about the system they installed for us.

At the same time, I am happy to have the chance to spend time with the folks from Arkansas. They have a translator with them, so I can relax and just speak English with them - it is a refreshing change from always having to translate.

Tomorrow I will drop the LW team off at the airport and then backtrack through Leogane and travel on into Darbonne where the Arkansas team will be visiting and orphanage and doing some construction work.

Signing off now to go to bed. I've had a long day today and have another one ahead of me tomorrow.

Thankful for Productivity and Rest,

Roody

Water Purification Station Inauguration Today

2010-06-27T21:11:00.013-04:00

What a glorious day we had in Leogane today!!
After church the community came together with the dedicated team from Living Waters for the World to celebrate the completion of our partnership project - the most modern water purification system that has yet to be installed in Haiti.

I am so honored to be part of this amazing blessing for the people of this area. Having clean water will make such a vital difference in so many peoples' lives.

A special honor was to be able to meet and spend time with our funding partner, William "Bill" Mendenhall and project director, Chris McRae (in photo at right). Their dedication to bringing hope through health is truly inspiring. On behalf of Promised Provision Ministries, I thank all of the members of the team who gave up the comfort of their lives in the U.S. to toil in the filth and heat of Leogane to provide this awesome gift.

Grateful for Partners in the Lord's Work,
Roody

Thanks to Ruth McRea and Her Crew for Health Class

2010-06-26T22:33:00.006-04:00

It never ceases to amaze me how God weaves peoples ' lives together for His glory!

We were blessed by God's linking us with the wonderful folks from Living Waters for the World who found their way to us from the U.S. They not only installed for us their first-ever state-of-the-art, solar-powered water purification system that will serve the clean water needs of about 5000+ families, but Ruth McRea, LPN, and her team also taught a health class that emphasized the use of soap and water for improved health and well-being.

The filth of the camps has increased the need for personal cleanliness about a thousand-fold. If disease gets a foothold on people living so close together in such rainy, wet conditions, something of epidemic proportions could be set in motion. Hopefully, the students who attended Ruth's class will pass on the knowledge they gained today to others in the name of Jesus.

Forever In Awe of Him,

Roody

PPM's Second Transitional Community In Progress

2010-06-26T15:38:00.007-04:00

I write to you today with so much joy!!! There are already 28 families moved into our first transitional housing community and our second one is under way. The rest will be moving in as soon as the water and sanitation facilities are complete.

As of this coming Monday, two more of our boys (Carlos and Ted) will be employed constructing the little houses. What a blessing to have meaningful, paying work for our young men!

We are all working from sun up to sun down trying to get these places ready for the new residents. The majority of the people moving into our commnities will be single mothers, elderly folks and handicapped people. There will even be a designated play area for the children. Even though the houses are temporary in nature, for many people, the facilities here will be a big improvement over what they had before the earthquake.

Tired But Full of Praise,

Roody

Water Purification Plant Almost Complete

2010-06-26T15:13:00.028-04:00

The group of 14 folks who came here from Living Waters for the World have been busy, busy, busy finishing the installation of this 100% solar -powered water plant. The leading-edge technology developed by Living Waters for the World specifically for Haiti is called "Solar Under the Sun". Promised Provision is truly honored to be the first recipient of this technology.

The water plant will be dedicated tomorrow. Marie Michelle (who was so instrumental in helping me deliver baby formula following the earthquake) and one elderly woman will be employed to man the plant during its hours of operation from 8:00am to 5:00pm each day. They have received training so they can troubleshoot and maintain it as needed.

Having clean water readily accessible will have untold advantageous long-term health effects in this community. Please join me in praying for the people here to take this wonderful opportunity seriously and for them to work hard to keep it operational for years to come. I am so grateful to the folks from Living Waters for bringing this dream to life and for choosing us to install their first revolutionary solar-powered system.

Thankful for His Abundant Provision,
Roody

God Always Has a Plan B

2010-06-12T11:56:00.003-04:00

One of our boys, Edy, has been experiencing pain while working to construct the transitional houses. I had a doctor look at him and he was told that he has a pre-mature hernia. This means that he will develop a full-blown hernia if he continues to do heavy work.

As always, God has His hand on Edy. Instead of letting him go because of his inability to do the work they hired him to do, the supervisors of the project reassigned him so he can continue to earn money. He is now working with site security personnel checking ID's, ensuring that only authorized people get into and out of the work site and supplies areas, and guarding construction supplies and equipment.

God is so good ALL of the time!

Witnessing Miracles,
Roody

Busy, Busy, Busy...

2010-06-01T21:11:00.003-04:00

It has been a while since I have provided a decent update, but things here are still really difficult(and will be for a VERY long time). I have been really busy negotiating land acquisitions for the transitional shelter communities.

Some of the large aid organizations made life harder than it should be for many smaller ministires and relief organizations such as us because they came in here with lots of money and paid ridiculously high rates for everything they purchased or rented from the local people. The result is that the local economy in many areas is so skewed that many Haitians now place such unrealistically high values on things such as their land, trucks, wheelbarrows, etc. that little guys like us can't compete.

But God is God and has His own unique ways of going about His work. He is using the facts that we are small and local to enable us to do many things the large international organizations find difficult. One such area in which we have an advantage is when it comes to securing year-long leases from property owners to use their land as transitional housing communities for the next year.

While some property owners were approached by and readily accepted the big dollar offers of the "deep-pocket guys", many folks around here aren't so ready to trust people they do not personally know. We still have the advantage of having established relationships with many people in Leogane. They trust us and know we were working alongside of their people to enhance their community long before the earthquake hit. These people are more willing to work with us and to let us have the use of their properties for far more reasonable prices than the big-money guys paid.

So far, PPM has secured two carels of land (approximately 15+ acres each) for this purpose and those properties will house 550+ families once the temp shelters have been erected and the sanitation/water facilities are operational.

At the same time that I have been meeting with my United Nations cluster groups, other aid organizations and land owners, I have still been making deliveries of Bibles and Proclaimers and witnessing to anyone who will sit and talk with me. It is so wonderful that people are willing to listen and to see lives being changed by Christ's abiding love and relentless pursuit of His people.

Well, I'm off to another meeting to discuss acquisition of another parcel of land. Pray that we are successful in obtaining leases for at least three more such properties (my personal goal, but I'll be thrilled if we can obtain more!). This is all to His Glory because there is NO WAY we could be doing any of this alone.

Thanks again for all of your prayers and for supporting me so generously. I am truly blessed to be part of the PPM family of missionaries and supporters. None of what I do would be possible without your love and steadfast support.

His Servant,
Roody

Update on Woodley Succes' Hernia Surgery

2010-05-15T22:27:00.006-04:00

Just a note to update everyone on little Woodley Succes, the little boy who had the football-sized stomach hernia.

I am told that his surgery was a success and I saw him briefly yesterday (unable to get a new photo - sorry - this one was taken the day he originally came to the clinic). He seems to be on the road to recovery.

All Praises to Our Father,
Roody

Temporary Shelters Becoming a Reality

2010-05-11T13:58:00.004-04:00

Great opportunities are on the horizon for our youth and the Leogane community as a whole via our new partnership with Samaritan's Purse!

Several months ago we teamed up to provide transitional shelters in and around Leogane. All of our planning, searching for acceptable properties, and negotiations to secure the use of suitable properties is now bearing fruit. The stage is finally set with a state-of-the-art facility now ready to serve as a hub to store and distribute supplies to build the transitional homes (photo of a sample shelter at left).

The pay for work program is now set to provide paid employment opportunities to approximately 100 people chosen to participate based on their willingness to invest themselves in rebuilding their own communities.

I am truly excited about our joint commitment to erecting sturdy, waterproof shelters in Leogane and other affected communities around Haiti. Everyone deserves the dignity of food and shelter and I am also honored to be intimately involved in this worthy endeavor.

Building His Kingdom Through Service,
Roody

A Reminder That God Never Forsakes His People

2010-05-05T16:29:00.001-04:00

Samaritan's Purse continues to partner with us in their efforts to help Leogane. Nick Ledoux and Betsy Hall stopped in to drop off 7500 hygiene kits to be distributed out to our churches and the community.
I continue to be reminded how God never forsakes His people.

In Awe of Him,
Roody

Brother Ma and PPM Tents on the Mountain

2010-04-29T17:26:00.002-04:00

I delivered Brother Mathurin's supplies from Promised Provision today. He is so grateful for the meal replacement supplement powder. As you can see, he has finally put on a little weight as the doctor told us he need to. Even in the wake of the earthquake, he is looking much better than the emaciated old man he was just a few short months ago. He was so tickled to have a new, clean pillow to sleep on, too. He says 'Sister Rebecca thinks of everything' and appreciates the special touches you add when you send things for him. He wants us to know that he prays fervently and in gratitude for God's provision through us every day.

The tents on the mountain have been erected in a sort of community and the families who received them are so grateful to have shelter from the elements. They are also relieved to be less vulnerable to harm than they were when they were sleeping out in the open.

We are so blessed to be able to see the results of God's blessings he is bestowing upon our brothers and sisters through our obedience. All for His Glory!!!

In His Service,
Roody

Arkansas Med Team Clinics - Darbonne and Leogane

2010-04-27T22:03:00.004-04:00

I have been working all day yesterday and today with an Arkansas Medical group providing free clinics and medications to 170 people each day in Darbonne and Leogane. The team had a two-fold mission: to provide medical care and to witness to their patients.

Monday, a miracle took place for the Succes family. Father Lafontan came to the clinic with little Woodley Succes (photo at left) and his sister Jas. Woodley has a stomach hernia the size of a football and needs immediate surgery. The Arkansas group has taken up an offering of $105.00 to start Woodley on his way to this life-saving operation. Please pray for this family and about how we may be able to possibly help if more funds are needed.

While the doctors minister to people’s bodies, the clinics give me an opportunity to talk to people about Jesus and refer them to a local church. In the past two days, we have had twenty-three (23!) decisions to follow Christ!!

Praises to the Almighty!!
Roody

Visiting Jacmel

2010-04-22T20:43:00.000-04:00

Today I travelled to Jacmel to meet with a young reporter who works for a Canadian newspaper, "The Globe and Mail". Her name is Jessica Leeder Jessica is in Haiti covering Jacmel and Pastor Marcelin’s ministry for the religion section of her report. Jessica and I discussed the many opportunities that coverage in Canada could hold for PPM – especially possibilities for our girls to gain acceptance in Canadian schools to complete their educations. To view her articles, visit www.globeandmail.com and look for the “Haiti” link.

I also visited with Pastor Marcelin who is the pastor of the large Tabernacle Baptist Church consisting of more than 800 members. He is the principal of one of the largest Christian schools in Jacmel (more than 750 children). The school’s classes are now meeting under tarps because the buildings were destroyed by the earthquake. I showed Pastor Marcelin the Proclaimer and he is amazed at the possibilities it holds for many of his older members who attend Bible study but cannot read or write. Please pray for Pastor Marcelin’s school and ministry in Jacmel.

Serving Christ,
Roody

Delivering Bibles and Proclaimers (Talking Bibles)

2010-04-22T15:32:00.001-04:00

Had a SUPER busy two days! I traveled with Pastor Wayne and Jeff to meet Pastor Guilbert in Carrefour Dent. He is a young Pastor with a congregation of over 400 people and also has 4 remote preaching stations. Pastor Guilbert is really grateful to have the Creole Bibles and will use them as an evangelization tool. He also expressed the need for the Proclaimer to reach out to the believers who cannot read the Bible.

We also journeyed about 45 minutes farther up on the mountain, and met with young Pastor Gabriel. He has been the pastor of the Paillant Baptist Church since 2004. Paillant is just like Leogane in that it’s people are very heavily involved in voodoo and rara practices. Pastor Gabriel recalled that when he first arrived in Paillant the welcome sign at the entry of the village read “Paillant - The city of Rara”, but today the sign reads “Paillant for Christ, and Christ for Paillant”. Pastor Gabriel has a church, a school and 3 remote preaching stations. He will use the Proclaimer for teaching those who cannot read and the Creole Bibles for evangelization. He is still facing many challenges with voodoo in the area and is praying for major awakening and revival. Please keep Paillant and Pastor Gabriel, his wife and two small sons in your prayers.

Returning to sea level, we moved on to meet with Pastor Garnel in Petit Goave. He is the Pastor of First Baptist Church in that city. I explained to him how to use the Procleimer (talking Creole Bible) and gave him a box of the Creole Bibles for evangelization. He is so happy to have these gifts and asked me to thank everyone who made it possible for him to have them for him – so THANK YOU from Pastor Garnel. He has many people who attend his services who cannot read, so he plans to use the Proclaimer to allow them to hear the word of God. He is a very young energetic pastor reaching the lost for Christ.

We went on to our final stop in the city of Grand Goave to join the SP crew in devotions. Pastor Jeff from South Carolina led devotion and prayer. I had the opportunity to speak and challenged everyone to be champions for Jesus wherever their work might lead them in Haiti. I urged all of the workers to take every opportunity they had to tell someone about Jesus, give them a copy of the little Creole Bibles we received through the generosity of Victory Baptist Church in Valrico, Florida, and to urge them to continue to seek and learn at a local church.

Praying for revival,
Roody

Visiting Mussotte

2010-04-21T21:47:00.004-04:00

I traveled to the city of Mussotte today. It is a beautiful town on the mountain side of Leogane. This little town reminds me of Georgia because it has beautiful pine trees and lush green pastures and is very clean.

Pastor Luckner (at right) has a beautiful church and school and has devoted his life to serve Christ. Although he is a young man, he made a vow not to marry so his ministry would not be hindered by the responsibilities and cares of life with a family. His congregation has grown to 500 members. His primary and secondary schools serve the whole town.

He is excited to be able to have the Proclaimer (talking Bible) we gave him to use at his church and preaching stations because so many people in his congregation are illiterate. The Creole Bibles we provided are now his tools to go out into the community and evangelize.

Serving Him,
Roody

Helping Mississippi Church Distribute Aid on The Mountain

2010-04-19T20:14:00.002-04:00

Because we are local and know the people and the terrain, God is continuing to use us in amazing ways to help humanitarian aid groups when they arrive in Haiti with supplies and loving intentions but no real knowledge of the area.

The week of April 11th on thru the 18th, I had the privilege to work alongside church members from a Baptist church in Mississippi deliver food to various churches in and around the city of Petit Goave and the mountain churches nearby.

It is only possible to reach the mountain churches on foot, so we had to load the food on horses and mules to get it up to the people. When we finally arrived on the mountain, we found out that we were the first relief they had received since the earthquake.

Also, we got to visit the highest mountain peak village in Leogane, (third highest in Haiti) called Seguin. It is about one and one-quarter miles high and the only assistance they had received arrived in the form of the amazing Dr. Mc Fadden, a seventy-one year old retired physician from Clinton, MS, who has been working in the village with only villagers as volunteer assistants from sun up to sun down providing vital care to the mountain people.

It was an awesome experience for all of us this week, and I was moved to see how God intricately connects people from various parts of the world to form effective teams to do His work.

All Praises to Jesus!
Roody

Helicopter to Mountain Clinic

2010-04-19T08:14:00.003-04:00

I was finally able to rent a truck to use to pick up the boxes of Bibles from the airport. What a gift they will be to so many people!
While up on the mountain visiting some of our people, I met Dr. McFadden, a truly amazing 72 year old American doctor who, after the earthquake, purchased a one-way ticket to Haiti and has been selflessly working a relentless schedule to meet the medical needs of people way up on the mountain above Leogane. He recently fell off the back of a motorcycle and suffered minor injuries. He now says he is afraid to get back on one, so he just figures he will have to stay in shape so he can walk everywhere. I contacted Samaritan’s Purse on his behalf and they are arranging to supply him with some much-needed medical supplies. God is so good all of the time!!

Also, Dr. Kara from SP and I have been making plans to hold a medical clinic in the remote mountain area near Pastor Anetole’s preaching stations – another place up on the mountain near Leogane where Pastor Anatole’s church and other preaching stations are located. Last Wednesday I gave up my seat on the helicopter to Pastor Jeff from South Carolina so he could ride up there to evaluate the possible sites for a clinic.

Keep Praying,
Roody

Reaching the Lost Through Provision

2010-04-17T11:30:00.003-04:00

I made deliveries of hygiene kits to two churches in Port-au-Prince today. The pastors of both Salem and Siloe Baptist churches died during the earthquake leaving their congregations struggling to recover their equilibrium while also focusing on the urgent need to use this time of turmoil and stife to reach out to the lost in their communities.

Please pray for transportation to get more of these important kits to more churches and preaching stations. We are encouraging local pastors and other church leaders to use tools such as these hygiene kits as a way to break the ice with people - to create an open door in the community to reach the lost for Christ.

Praises to our God!
Roody

2100 BIBLES ON THEIR WAY TO LEOGANE

2010-04-03T18:52:00.003-04:00

Some days I can hardly contain my excitement at the tremendous things I see God doing as He moves through His people to accomplish His works. Rebecca told me yesterday that Bearing Precious Seed ministry and our friends at Victory Baptist Church are sending us 2100 of their little Bibles containing the books of John and Romans in Creole. What a blessing they will be to so many people!

I was so grateful to be able to distribute over 200 of these Bibles with U.S. Army Chaplain Capt Bilberry and his friends when they were here a few weeks ago. We were all so happy to have those copies to give to the people with whom we shared Jesus and what His sacrifice made possible for all of us.

This new shipment of Bibles will let me reach countless more people with God's Word. I have the opportunity to share the Lord with many people each and every day. To be able to spend time with them telling them of Jesus' love for them and then being able to leave them a copy of the gospel in their own language is such a gift to them and to me. I have told many of the people I previously left the Bibles with that they should read it and then if they have questions, we can discuss them the next time I come through their camp.

I have told all of the local pastors about these visits to the camps and suggested to them that they and members of their congregations conduct some follow-up with these people, too. It would be nice to invite them to church for further learning and fellowship with believers.

I feel there is going to be a true revival of the Holy Spirit here and the more people we can prepare for that time, the better.

Serving Him in Humility and Awe,
Roody

HAPPY GOOD FRIDAY & HAPPY EASTER

2010-04-03T18:42:00.006-04:00

This day is very special to me, made even more special when I can sacrifice my personal time to help others in need while giving all the glory to Jesus Christ. He, on a day like this, was offering Himself as a sacrifice for all of us on Calvary's cross for our sins.

Thank you, Betsy, for calling this morning and for making more tarps available for distribution today to those that are truly in need. We had rain the past two days – and LOTS of it last night. As we continue to make preparation to build the largest transition shelter facility in Leogane, I hope we can all seize the opportunity to proclaim Jesus' love to this community. Leogane is still a stronghold for voodoo practice, and the capital of voodoo for Haiti. It was also was the epicenter of the earthquake. I believe, strategically, God allowed us to be here in this day and time as a tool to make His name known to His children in this dark city.

My sincere appreciation to my team PPM and Samaritan's Purse for their prayers and support. Also to Patty, Ron and Caleb for working so hard this morning distributing a thousand (1000) tarps to our site.

As we celebrate our Risen Savior let this be a special day to serve Him.

Expect miracles,
Roody

WARRIORS FOR CHRIST TO THE RESCUE

2010-04-03T18:12:00.006-04:00

Rebecca tells me that the Warriors for Christ are coming through for us once again! These guys and girls have been faithful, generous supporters of our efforts to help the children of Haiti. They are now intensifying their efforts to help raise funds for earthquake relief.

While media attention on Haiti has been waning, I am here on the ground and can tell you that the tremendous need still exists and will for a long time. We must continue to pray for Haiti and its people and to continue to make it clear to them as we provide their basic life needs that it is, indeed, Jesus' sacrifice that makes it possible for God to bless them as they try to put their shattered lives back together.

Baby Watson
Participating in this game or passing this information along to others who would like to join in the fun will help Promised Provision continue our work of ministering to and serving the littlest earthquake survivors.

SO GET OUT THERE AND PLAY! Come to meet new friends or bring some with you. If you can't or don't choose to play, Warriors for Christ will gladly accept donations of funds for Haiti or to be used as scholarship funds to enable someone else to play who may not be able to afford to otherwise.

See detailed event and Warriors for Christ contact information on their website at http://www.wfcpaintball.org/

EXPECT MIRACLES!

2010-04-03T17:53:00.005-04:00

I can hardly contain my excitement today!! Our partnership with Samaritan's Purse and our ability and willingness to come up with a piece of property quickly has led to our being selected to be THE FIRST of their temporary shelter communities in Haiti. Having asked numerous government and non-government entities to partner with them to construct communities of temporary shelters (including water and sanitation), Vice President Ken Isaacs told me that we were the first to respond with a piece of property and offer to provide workers. He said even the city officials had not yet responded to their offer.

Miraculously, I was able to visit the area of Titanyen today to see the model temporary shelter. I have not been feeling well for the past two days, but Jesus is seeing me through the task at hand. Here is a photo of what will be built on the land we secured for this purpose.

Today, despite all the logistics problems, Jeff
and his crew delivered 845 more tarps to us in Leogane for distribution. The rainy season is here and people are scared. Tarps are very high end items for Haitians right now and we at Promised Provision are blessed to be able to help provide them.

While en route to Titanyen, I received a phone call from Samaritan’s Purse wanting Promised Provision to be the pilot host of the Cash for Work Program for the local churches. It will allow the workers to earn wages while helping to build a community for themselves.

We have a scheduled appointment to work out the details that will put 440 of our local people to work for a period of two weeks -- 250 of them will be women who will participate as part of a womens' empowerment program. This Cash for Work program calls for a two week rotations to allow more people to benefit from the program.

I am truly excited! This is the first real manifestation of the strategy we at Promised Provision have been yearning to implement – a program that empowers people to earn their own money, promotes a pride of ownership in what they have created, and offers them a sense of accomplishment and self-respect. This is what missions is all about -- not simply giving people handouts that keep them dependent on someone for the next handout but giving them the tools and encouragement to help themselves build better, independent lives.

I'll keep you posted...

To His glory,
Roody

TARPS & TENTS DELIVERED TO LEOGANE

2010-04-03T17:25:00.011-04:00

Our friends at Samaritan's Purse promised to send tarps and they came through in a big way! A huge truck carrying nearly 2000 tarps arrived at our Bethesda Ministry distribution site today. The local police were on hand to provide crowd control and everything went smoothly. I am so happy that so many more people will be sheltered from the elements tonight.

After the tarp distribution, I traveled up the mountain to see the tents generously donated to us by our friends at Mountain View church and Crossing Cultures International. They are really nice tents! With the donated funds we received, I was able to buy a total of 22 tents (3 eight-person tents, 10 five-person tents, 5 three-person tents, and 4 two-person tents) so a total of 97 people on the mountain now have new homes!!! It was so good to see them being erected. The people there are so grateful to have a place to call their own after two months of not knowing where they belonged.

I also got word today from our friend, Jay, that we can expect a container of donations to arrive from California. He was told of a container full of donations that a generous group of folks had collected but were unable to afford to ship so he got on the phone and performed one of his networking wonders, arranging for another group to ship it to us. God never ceases to surprise and amaze me in how He uses His people to accomplish the most remarkable things!

Serving Him with Joy,
Roody

APPLYING FOR A TRUCK - PLEASE PRAY

2010-04-03T17:09:00.003-04:00

March 20, 2010 - APPLYING FOR A TRUCK

I received word today from one of our partners that we could apply for a truck through the Clinton Foundation. Rebecca submitted our application, now we all have to pray for it to be accepted.

Praying Expectantly,
Roody

A New Partnership for Promised Provision

2010-03-18T12:25:00.004-04:00

FROM REBECCA: Roody called this evening to say that, once again, he cannot get an internet signal, so he asked me to relate the following to everyone for him:

The past week has been full of challenges made somewhat easier by having my new cell phone. Thanks so much for this great tool! The other MAJOR improvement in life for me was being able to buy the motorcycle last week!!! I bought a huge heavy chain and a sturdy lock to protect it. As I said, I have been trying to send photos and will keep trying so you can see my new wheels. I feel very blessed and even stylish riding around on our little red beauty – can’t wait for you to be able to see it.

So many things have happened since I was last able to update you. I guess the biggest news is that I went to visit our friends, Marc and Lisa, last week to pick up some food they graciously shared with us. While I was there, Marc introduced me to Jeff (with me at right), a field director with Samaritan’s Purse. He and his people are based at Marc’s place and he took time out of his busy day to meet and pray with me.

Jeff was so excited to hear about our programs and our goals to mentor and empower people rather than just give them handouts that he suggested a possible partnership in Leogane.

This partnership would involve his organization building a village of temporary shelters for over 100 families if we could come up with a piece of land for them to build on. They will build the village complete with water and sanitation. What a surprise to go for a few boxes of food and leave with such potential!!!!

The land we helped Bethesda Ministry buy last year has already been planted for food, so we didn’t look to it for the answer to our search for land. My dad and I know some folks here in Leogane who have a nice piece of land that fits the requirements for this village, so we went to visit them. We were able to secure the right to use the land for one year if we can pay the owners $1600.00 for the year. WHAT A FABULOUS VALUE – WE CAN PROVIDE SHELTER FOR 100 FAMILIES FOR A FULL YEAR FOR ONLY $1600.00 COST TO US. Please do whatever you can to tell everyone about this need because it will give such a tremendous value for our dollars. PLEASE PRAYERFULLY CONSIDER HELPING US PAY FOR THE USE OF THIS LAND SO WE CAN PARTNER WITH SAMARITAN’S PURSE IN THIS GREAT VENTURE.

In prayer for miracles…

Roody, PPM Team Haiti

PRAYER REQUESTS

2010-03-18T12:25:00.003-04:00

FROM REBECCA: Poor Roody is bursting at the seams with news and still cannot get a signal to send messages or photos, so I’m passing along his news:

I have not been able to get an internet signal – AGAIN . It is now 10:30pm and I am giving up for another day. But so much happened today that I want to share with everyone.

I went to the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince early this morning hoping for an appointment with the immigration people. The director had promised to see me about my return to the U.S. and several issues concerning our girls. When I got there, I was disappointed to learn that he was out of the office today. His people told me to try again in a few days. You just have to love it here – you travel for an hour to get somewhere only to be told to try again – it happens all of the time – you just have to get used to it..

The good news is that the people there took pity on me and gave me an appointment to see him on Friday morning at 9:00am. I humbly ask everyone to pray for this meeting – that the director will be moved to use his authority to bring about a waiver for me to come home and to bring resolution to the immigration issues pending for our girls, Darline and Sandra.

As you know, Darline traveled to the U.S. on 01/18/10 to be with her adoptive parents, Jerry and Rebecca, of our ministry. However, the U.S. government is now telling them that she does not have citizenship like they were told by Homeland Security when they delivered her home in January. PLEASE PRAY FOR DARLINE’S U.S. CITIZENSHIP TO BE CONFIRMED. She is already attending school in Florida, is a registered volunteer in the nursery at her church, is a member of a church youth group and a county sports league – in short, she is already on course to be a productive American citizen and neither she nor Jerry and Rebecca should have to have this type of bureaucratic confusion hanging over their heads.

We are currently fighting for Sandra to be brought to the U.S. to receive the medical care she needs as well as education and hope for a future. Sandra was almost fatally injured in a hit-and-run accident in 2008 and the earthquake has worsened her injuries. She needs medical care that is not available here in Haiti, so Robin with the support of Promised Provision is doing all that she can to have her moved to Florida for care. I have been told it seems Robin’s efforts are paying off because the Shriners Hospital in Tampa, Florida, is considering Sandra for their humanitarian program of medical care. PLEASE PRAY THAT A VISA WILL BE ISSUED FOR SANDRA TO TRAVEL TO THE U.S. FOR CARE.

As for me, I am hanging in there. Although I tire easily now, each day is filled with an abundance of blessings and I know the Lord will allow me to travel home to see a doctor in His perfect timing. PLEASE PRAY FOR GOD TO CLEAR THE WAY FOR ME TO COME HOME SOON.

The good news is that I have met so many great networking partners since the earthquake. I am honored to be developing relationships with representatives from churches around the U.S. who have invited us to present Promised Provision Ministries to their churches. There are representatives from various governmental organizations and other non-profits that have learned of our programs and goals and have offered difference types of assistance so that we may attain those goals and better serve our people in Leogane. Each day is bringing an abundance of new friends and people who share our heart and vision for God’s children here in Haiti. It is very exciting!

I have high hopes of Promised Provision developing long-lasting, meaningful relationships with these folks for the sake of God’s Kingdom! I know God will work all of my time here to His perfect purposes and knowing that makes all of this worthwhile.

Fatigued and yearning for sleep, I leave you for tonight.

Expect Miracles,
Roody, PPM Team Haiti

UNEXPECTED BLESSINGS TODAY

2010-03-18T12:25:00.002-04:00

FROM REBECCA: Sounding like a broken record, aren’t I? No internet for Roody so, on his behalf, I pass on to you this evening's news...

I have been sitting here at the internet café for over two hours hoping for a connection. I’m finally giving up. But so much happened today that I want to share with everyone.

First, I went to the embassy again today because they had told me before that the man I need to see would be back today. He wasn’t – BUT - I now have a scheduled appointment to meet with him at the embassy on Friday and am hoping he will actually be there and be able to do something to help with Darline and Sandra’s needs as well as help to clear my bureaucratic entanglements.

I met with a representative of a relief organization today who is going to help us provide for the needs of our elderly people. PRAISE GOD! Our poor older folks are not able to stand in long lines or fight for the provisions from the aid distribution trucks. This group says it is already conducting a head-count of the elderly in our area. They asked us to provide them with a listing of our people (names, ages, needs and exact location where they are staying) so they can deliver aid directly to them. This is truly the answer to our prayers. Thanks to our missionary Susan for hooking us up with this organization. What a blessing this will be to our older people!

I was also given contact information for a group that specifically provides relief for handicapped people. I will be contacting them tomorrow. I know we will all rest easier knowing our old people and handicapped people will be cared for now. I will be following up to make sure the aid they receive is adequate for their needs. If it isn’t, I’ll be letting you know.

The BEST THING about today was my failed visit (only “failed” to my purposes – not God’s!) to the embassy was that while I was there, I met U.S. Army chaplain, Captain Bilberry. We talked about why he was in Haiti and about my work with Promised Provision. When he heard about Sandra, he perked up and asked if it was possible for him to go see her. I told him, “Sure”, so we hopped in a truck together and took off for the trip to Leogane and up the mountain.

When he saw Sandra’s surgical scars and talked with her about the pain she is suffering now, saw her disgusting living conditions, met her 80 years old father who is unable to work to provide for his very large family, he was deeply moved. He will be presenting an official recommendation to the U.S. government and to the Shriners Hospital in Tampa, Florida, that Sandra be approved for medical care and education in the U.S. His willingness to make such an arduous trip and to personally place Sandra’s case before those who can help her was a HUGE blessing to my day!

God reminds me every day that He has plan for that day and that the plans I make are sometimes not of any consequence at that time. It truly takes the pressure off to be reminded that He is in control – I don’t have to be.

Yours in Christ,
Roody, PPM Team Haiti

Clean Water for Churches on the Mountain

2010-03-02T11:29:00.003-05:00

While we are thrilled and relieved to be blessed by having the Living Waters water purification system here in town, we began to wonder how we could ensure that the people above us on the mountain could also enjoy this blessing.

I am never surprised by God’s wondrous provision, but am always amazed by it! Rebecca told me today that we were able to purchase four water filters for distribution to some of the pastor’s we network with up on the mountain near Leogane. What a blessing to know that each of these filters will provide hundreds of gallons of filtered water each day to provide for several hundred families.

All that is needed is a five-gallon bucket and the filter hose unit. The idea is to run water through this unit into other containers. It came with detailed instructions about installation, use and cleaning that had spaces in each section for me to write the translation in Creole. It is so easy to use and to clean and will make such a BIG DIFFERENCE in the health of the people in our neighboring areas who are too far away to carry water from our water station in town.

God’s provision continues…

In His Service,
Roody

Answered Prayers!

2010-02-28T11:27:00.000-05:00

Hallelujah!!! Rebecca just phoned to tell me that God has answered our prayers for personal transportation for me and the youth who work with me. I know I speak for all of us at Promised Provision when I send a giant THANK YOU out to our generous friends who donated funds for us to purchase a motorcycle for me to use here. I add to that my extra personal gratitude for enabling me to accomplish so much more each day by not having to secure a ride everywhere I need to go.

While we still desperately need a truck to transport supplies, this remarkable gift will make it possible for us to do so much more of the work God has us doing here!! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

Rebecca told me that God also provided a cell phone!! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU to those who responded to my need for a smartphone. I will now be able to make and take calls, send text messages, monitor and send e-mails, and blog to our website without having to seek out an operable internet store.

I am so honored to be part of our PPM family. I could not ask for a better support system. Knowing that you are all unwaveringly behind me, I am truly lifted on wings like eagles.

In His Service and Thankful for Faithful Supporters,
Roody

What God is Up to Today

2010-02-27T11:24:00.000-05:00

A week or so ago, God supplied us with a “talking Bible” (looks like a little radio and can be recharged manually with a crank or by solar power). This is a great tool to provide the gospel to those who cannot read or see. In addition, the talking bibles can also be used to reach young children who are not accomplished readers but are good listeners.

Just a few weeks ago I met a Pastor named Ronel Mesidor. He invited me to come and visit his church. As I spoke of our hearts at PPM and our approaches to reaching young children and teens in Haiti for Christ, he told me that he has an outreach program at his church meeting the needs of 435 children daily.

After my prayer time this morning, God placed on my heart to visit Pastor Mesidor’s child development center. It is amazing what Jesus is doing in the midst of this church! In fact, I would like to see PPM present this facility with a few more of the talking Bibles. I know they will put them to very good use to reach the children they serve.

The center is a very well organized operation. I had the pleasure to learn about their programs from Willy C. Vertus, linguistics teacher, Evans Gabriel, Program & Recreation Director, Jean Yves Valcourt, Social Worker, and Ford Deralien the Director in charge. They minister to the spiritual, social, physical and psychological need of the children it serves each day.

My greatest impression of the program is the Jesus-focused approach for the whole development of a functional human being. I would like to bring our kids here to this program to learn and volunteer their time and, hopefully, take their experiences back to the camps or communities where they are living.

Please pray that we soon get either a vehicle or the use of a vehicle when we need it -- I need a vehicle, Jesus, soon. This is exciting!!

In His Service,
Roody

Water, Glorious Water!

2010-02-26T11:20:00.001-05:00

This morning marked another milestone for PPM in Leogane. Through our partnerships with Bethesda Ministry and the Living Waters for the World organization, we prayed and broke ground on a water treatment plant in the Chatuley section of Leogane.

The water plant will be the only source of clean water within a 3-mile radius of seven tent camps housing thousands of people in temporary shelters. We will be able to satisfy the safe water needs of more than 600 families per day.

This new partnership helps further our mission in Haiti. Not only will the community benefit from clean purified water, but also from our delivery of the Living Word and prayer. Living Waters is training our young people to operate and maintain the system. Our young Christian operators will be praying and passing out gospel tracks in Creole to each individual they serve.

Supplies & Equipment to Construct New Water Purification Station
The plant, located on Pastor Joseph’s property directly across from one of the largest camps, will be used as a means to provide jobs for at least three (3) of our young people. We are praying the God will raise at least one of them to a position of service where, in the future, they may be considered for Living Water’s technician training program scholarships. From my vantage point here on the ground, I clearly see the value in our emphasis in networking with people and organizations who are doing things well here in Haiti and helping them do it better…either through providing sweat equity or other resources. We are helping to make already good programs and resources better and more accessible to the Haitian people rather than wasting time, money and energy reinventing the wheels.

We prayed today that the water from our purification system will be used for God glory in furthering His Kingdom in Leogane and that it the members of the community will be healthier because He is providing safer, cleaner water to them through us. May they also drink freely of the Living Word of God because of our presence here!!

We want to thank Chris Mc Rae and the Living Water Team for working so hard in making this dream a reality for us at PPM and the Chatuley community in Leogane.

In His Service,
Roody

Delivering Baby Formula to Les Cayes

2010-02-23T11:17:00.000-05:00

Our trip to Les Cayes to deliver baby formula to an orphanage in need was exciting and educative. Eddy, Marie Michelle and Edwichge came along to learn and help. None of them had ever been to Les Cayes before, so you can imagine how excited they were. We stopped several times to get treats and we sat down for a full meal. This is comparative to taking your kids to a fancy restaurant in America – it was a very special treat.

Our trip took us to several towns. We passed through many towns on our way -- Dufort, La Cul, Focher, Grand Goave, Petit Goave, Miragoane, Saint Louis Du Sud, Aquin, then finally, into Les Cayes.

Due to poor weather conditions, we were not able to take the small boat to the island of Ile la Vache where the orphanage is, but visiting Father Oblah’s residence on the mainland where we left our precious cargo of formula was an eye opener for our kids. Everything there was neat and orderly. The landscape was beautiful and the warehouse nicely kept.

They rarely see such well-kept places in their country. Their ideas of orphanages are places that are not so nice and where kids are warehoused more than cared for. Fortunately, their experience with our girls’ home, places such as this and a few of the others that we are networking with are providing proof for our teens that such nice, clean places for children do exist here. We at PPM all share the hope that these types of experiences and exposure to quality endeavors will encourage them to want to reproduce quality like this in whatever they choose to do in their lives.

Our kids asked questions along the way, and it was worth noticing that the highway going to Les Cayes was freshly built or renovated except for two areas that was still under construction. The countryside of Haiti is beautiful along the highway. I just wonder if that is because not too many people occupy the areas. I also noticed the effect of cutting trees for cooking and not replacing them. Beyond Miragoane, the earthquake did not really do any damage. In Les Cayes, there was just one house in the whole city that buckled. No injuries or deaths were recorded there.

This trip had a lifetime impact on our teens. They had the opportunity to be part of a corporate decision and to understand the value of team work. In addition, now any of them could potentially take charge of delivering baby formula or other life-saving necessities to Les Cayes or any other area in the country should the need arise. Their voluntary involvement in the process from start to finish is so gratifying – I think they are finally “getting it” -- getting the idea that as they participate and offer their services unto God, their country and their fellow man, they will share in the special blessings God bestows on those who serve Him. We are counting our successes in baby steps…

In His Service,
Roody

Vital Area of Concern– Elderly & Handicapped

2010-02-21T11:10:00.000-05:00

We have now distributed formula to more than 1000 babies in the immediate area of Leogane and an orphanage in Les Cayes. In addition to providing formula, we also provided each mother with instructions about using purified water to mix the formula and using clean bottles along with encouragement to start or continue to breast feed. We gave each literate mother an educational handout written in Creole giving viable instructions on how to restart the flow of their breast milk and dispelling the myths and lies of corporate campaigns against breastfeeding that were perpetuated upon Haitian women in the 1980’s by a leading formula manufacturer.

Since we do not possess the resources to undertake a permanent solution to the need for baby formula, we were holding our fingers in the dike with regard to providing for the infants until the large aid organizations became established in our local area. The large aid organizations are now established in Leogane and will determine how they will or will not care for the babies.

Having been relieved of the responsibility of providing food for the infants, we are now focusing on a newly identified need – this serious need is care for our handicapped and elderly people. Our team is ready to head out into all the camps in Leogane to identify the elderly, handicapped and bedridden – all of those who cannot travel to distribution sites or stand in line to then have to fight for food.

To date, the large aid organizations have not determined the whereabouts or needs of these disadvantaged people. Although we are operating without a vehicle on the ground and with very limited resources, I and our team of young people consisting of girls from our girls’ home and boys from our Gideon’s Boys Club are developing our own Task Force that will survey the camps and surrounding areas of Leogane to prepare a spreadsheet documenting the location and needs of the elderly and handicapped living there We will compile a detailed spreadsheet listing these people by name, gender, age and special need(s). Then we will present our spreadsheet to one of the USAID agencies so that they can then know where these people are and can make arrangements to provide life-saving food and shelter to those who are unable to help themselves.

Haiti has a long history of not caring for children, handicapped and the elderly. If indeed, we are in the process of helping Haiti to rebuild, then areas of concern such as these need to be brought forth from the back burner. We have made it our mission to place the needs of these disadvantaged people before the large organizations with the hope that they will elevate them to positions of priority.

We need every voice and available resource out there to reach this milestone, to help bring life-saving food and supplies to those who cannot get it right where they are.

In His Service,
Roody

Note from Rebecca Williams

2010-02-11T13:34:00.000-05:00

As if he weren’t already busier than a one-armed paper hanger (as my grandfather used to say!), Roody managed to help another agency transport an injured woman into the Dominican Republic today. They had a vehicle and an injured person but no driver with credentials to cross into the DR to take her to the hospital. So Roody volunteered to drive all the way to the DR to deliver her to the hospital and then drive all the way back to Leogane.

If you ask him how he manages to remain so dedicated and open to unconditional service through all of the challenges he faces each day, he very simply responds that everything is possible with God. He has truly succeeded in tapping into God’s mighty provision of power and strength – that’s the only way to explain what he continues to do. Wouldn’t you like to be like Roody when you grow up? I would.

Note from Rebecca Williams

2010-02-10T13:33:00.000-05:00

So much is happening that it is difficult to know where to begin…

Roody just phoned and said he has had a GREAT couple of days. Although we still have been unable to provide a truck for him, he managed to find an SUV to rent for the day on Wednesday so he was able to deliver baby formula and fortified childrens’ powder to the tent cities in Leogane.

Here are a few photos showing two of our girls, Michelle and Edwichge, helping Roody make his deliveries to over 100 infants and children in those three camps in Leogane - Camp Caseus, Camp Monpelier, and Camp Ti Bassin'.

Roody asks that everyone PLEASE continue to pray for a truck so that he can deliver more formula to more babies. Thanks to a generous donation of formula from Meade-Johnson, the makers of Enfamil, AND shipping funds donated by our supporters, we were able to ship two pallets of baby formula to Roody for distribution. He should receive it by the end of next week.

As Roody always says…expect miracles!

2010-02-08T13:32:00.000-05:00

Good Afternoon,

I am really tired but blessed by my trip to the city of Croix du Bouquets. Another ministry graciously shared some of their precious food supply with us so we could provide food for some of our girls. Louna, Emmanuella, and Sandra are especially in need because they live up on the mountain and no aid has reached their area.

It is also dangerous for them to travel down the mountain into the city. And it is especially dangerous for them to try to carry food back up. People carrying food are really likely to be mugged, shot or worse. Even though it causes a lot of extra work to get the food to them, it is safer and worth the extra effort. I have asked Ronald to e-mail some photos to you tomorrow.

The baby formula has not arrived in Haiti yet. Susan told me that it IS in Florida, but does not know when it will actually ship out. I still have to figure out how I am going to pick it up. I still REALLY NEED A TRUCK. I hired someone to drive me today because I absolutely HAD to pick up the food for our girls, but it is expensive to do that and even if you are willing to pay, there is not always someone who is willing to let you hire them to accomplish your work.

One good thing about being in need is that it brings out the best in people who are willing to help you. Some wonderful people have contacted me – from California, from North Carolina, from Ohio…offering prayers and several different types of assistance. I am being blessed by each of them. Some of them said they heard my interview with Dick Gordon on National Public Radio and were led to help us reach out in love. God is most definitely moving in mighty ways!

Even with everything that is going on, I am hopeful. I know that many times God waits until the last minute to see if we will hold to our faith. I am holding!

Be Blessed,Roody

Note from Rebecca Williams

2010-02-07T13:28:00.000-05:00

I am overwhelmed by the number of e-mails we have received expressing support for Roody and our work in supplying baby formula, bottles, and other infant care items in and around the Leogane area. Thank you so very much for your generous prayers and gifts toward our relief efforts in Haiti.

If your interest in our ministry is in response to our missionary Roody Joseph's radio interview, I know Roody will be humbled by the fact that his witness in how God is working in and through him touched your heart.

Above are some photos of several of the MANY little survivors Roody is serving. One is a photo is of the little girl he singled out during his interview. He was able to have two-year-old Marie Yolene Paulin seen by a doctor and the doctor said that, had it been left untreated, she most likely would have died within a week from the horrendous infection in her poor little burned arm.

She was pulled from the rubble the day of the quake and initial treatment consisted of wrapping it in a towel. The pain and infection remained untreated from Jan 12th until Roody found her on Feb 1st. She even got a new outfit out of the deal from orphanage that assumed guardianship of her from Roody.

We shipped a palette of baby formula and baby bottles to Roody this weekend. Since we do not have a truck in Haiti, he is struggling to find a way to pick it up from the airport. Please join us in praying for provision in the form of a donated truck , a “loaner” truck or someone with a truck to provide transportation so that Roody will be able to to pick up and distribute this and subsequent shipments of vital, life-saving supplies.

You are now a vital part of our team - supporting God's work in Haiti. Thank you again.
May you be abundantly blessed and may God continue to bless others through you.

P.S. 10:03pm Just spoke with Roody. He is spending the night at the orphanage near the DR border. You would think he was in a five-star hotel to hear him tell about it. He said the place is beautiful and we-equipped. They just received new mattresses so he is spending the night under the stars on a new mattress after having relished a warm shower (with real running water!) He’s in heaven.

Note from Rebecca Williams

2010-02-05T13:27:00.000-05:00

Great News! Roody’s story is now on American Public Radio so you may listen to the interview and hear directly from him the amazing story of what he is doing since the earthquake. There is a link near the top of our Home Page or you can go to http://thestory.org/archive/the_story_965_Roody_Joseph.mp3/view from here.

2010-02-03T13:27:00.000-05:00

Good morning,
I will be sending a few pictures of PPM joint rescue mission of orphans last week. Danita's Children orphanage is willing to provide temporary shelter to orphans 1 day old to 10 years old. In addition, we will consider the need and evaluate half orphans (having one parent but the parent can’t provide for or take care of them) of the same age for this mission.

My father made the trip with the children and Danita to Ouanaminte and commented highly on the facility and the care givers. With the help of Susan and PPM, fifteen at-risk children are now in a safe temporary shelter.

All praises be to God! Roody

2010-02-02T13:25:00.000-05:00

Hello,

Yesterday morning a little girl two years old was rescued by Promised Provision Ministries and Danita's Children orphanage with Hope for Haiti's Children. The child was signed away by her aunt. She said her and the grand mother could not properly care for her. According to the aunt, the mother is alive but suffers a mental disease or retardation. The father of the little girl is dead or where about is unknown.

This little one was pulled away from rubble after the quake with a burnt arm. She was seen by a doctor once at one of the camp clinics, but was sent away with just a wrap for the burnt arm. When we made contact with her, she was in bad shape. But thanks to God and our efforts here on the ground with our partners, little Marie Yolene Paulin is getting the medical care and a safe temporary home until her aunt or grandmother are able to care for her.

Expect Miracles!!!
Roody