Haiti Relief Update
January 18th, 2010 by
Pam Parish

First we want to thank our wonderful congregation and the many friends of VWC in Atlanta and around the world for your interest in helping the people trying to survive the earthquake and its aftereffects in Haiti. Your prayers and giving are making it possible for us to respond to the situation in Haiti and help restore and rebuild this country. Below is the latest update regarding our fight(s) and teams leaving to assist:
As you know, the situation on the ground in Port au Prince is dire. Airport activity is restricted and the port is destroyed; so a continual flow of incoming aid is hindered. To make matters worse, the disorder and disorganization on the ground is negatively effecting distribution. You have seen the pictures and video in the media so you know how the situation has been deteriorating over the last few days. There have, however, been signs of improvement today (as far as distribution and security are concerned), so we are praying that the situation on the ground continues to head in the right direction.
Our top priorities for our trip are 1) physical relief and medical care to the people of Haiti, and 2) safety and security for our team. We feel pretty good about the relief and medical part, and are very close to insuring the safety and security part, which has been a portion of the delay all along. The other part of the delay has been getting clearance to land an airplane. The US Military has taken control of the airport and has highly tightened their criteria for issuing clearances to land. Our inside sources tell us that this is a temporary development that will change soon.
For four days, we have been working the phones non-stop; and every time we would get a break through, the rules would change and we would have to start over. The rules are still changing and so we are trying to adapt. It makes it very difficult to organize in such a fluid and unstable environment. But for the sake of the Haitian people, we are continuing to push on. Please continue to pray.
When we have security and clearance secured at the same time, then we will know its time to leave. Because we were close this weekend, we decided to put out the word and start seeing who is available so we can be ready when it is time. Yesterday, it looked like we were good for a Tuesday departure on a US Military Transport plane, but it turned out that the US government pulled the plug. We now have a 30-seat private jet ready to depart from Atlanta later this week, all depending on clearance and security. It looks like both components are moving in the right direction, we just don’t know how fast.
Here is some information regarding the mission itself. We will be partnering with three organizations: Medishare of Haiti, Hospitals for Humanity of Gwinnett County, and International Crisis Aid of Missouri. Our relief efforts will help to support Grace International’s operations in Haiti.
Medishare is the most respected medical relief organization in Haiti, as considered by the government of Haiti itself. Because of this, we are close to securing a 25-man UN armed security detail at the Medishare base where we most likely will set up base operations. It is a walled community just outside Port au Prince.
Hospitals for Humanity is a highly experienced organization in medical field hospital operations. They just returned from a trip to Nigeria where they treated over 10,000 patients in one week. They have a highly effective and proven medical missions model.
International Crisis Aid is a relief organization that has brought relief to the Sudan, the tsunami effected areas, Ethiopia, Afghanistan and elsewhere. Pat Bradley, the founder, will be directing the part of our mission which will address the non-medical concerns (food, water, shelter, etc).
All organizations involved will also be assessing the situation on the ground for the purpose of developing a long term plan for helping the people of Haiti, which will provide valuable information for subsequent trips.
How many will go on the first team will depend on seat availability on the plane. Preference will be given to those in the medical profession, translators, and those with cross-cultural relief experience. Those not able to participate in this first trip can more than likely find a place on a subsequent trip that will not be so heavily focused on medical relief, and not have strict space limitations.
We will do everything within our power to give at least a 2 or 3 day notice before departure. But please know that we may find ourselves in a situation where we have a small window of opportunity or a situation where we are on standby for a few days. Some things are just out of our hands, but we believe at the right time, God will open the door for us. As of now, we are shooting for Wednesday – but it could be later.
We are committed to sending the first team as soon as security and clearance can be secured; if it takes 3 days or if it takes three weeks. We appreciate your prayers and your patience as we seek to navigate these very difficult waters.
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The band started to play, and the electrifying worship, that has become so characteristic to 212˚, began. Students rushed to the front with the sort of passion that it seems only young people can bring to their pursuit of God.
After the service was over, I saw one of these young men…and in his eyes, I saw a light…I sensed in him the freedom of a man who has just heard the truth. (See John 8.32) It was the look of a man (and I think it was this way for many) who still had a disease, but had just found the cure.

he internet is full of online predators, and parents must ensure that they regularly check any social media accounts that their children maintain in order to keep them safe from harm.
Nearly 700 men came out on a sunny Saturday morning to enjoy a pancake breakfast and talk about a subject that could actually take away your appetite: Pornography.
As breakfast got underway, comedian David Dean lightened the mood with some good humor explaining the secret to a happy life and marriage…you have to giggle…a lot…at yourself. In the midst of the humor, he brought a good message: Your giggle, the joy in your heart, could be your greatest testimony.
said, “is that there are people that are hurt by this stuff – the consumers, their wives and families and the models and producers as well.”
Pastor Dennis concluded the morning saying, “This has been one of the major issues that I’ve seen men have to deal with over the years that I’ve been a pastor – sexual bondage was a huge issue in my life when I came to the Lord. We need to have accountability in our lives. Accountability is being regularly answerable about the issues in your life to someone who is qualified to help you. Every guy needs to have at least one or two guys that they’re accountable to – guys who will ask the hard questions. Porn is no respecter of persons – it doesn’t matter who you are – it is taking people down from every walk of life. I want to challenge every one of you guys to get an accountability partner if you don’t already have one. We’ll only be accountable to the degree we want to be accountable. If you want to be free you’ve got to be truly accountable. No one can go it alone. God wants to set captives free and deliver us from demonic strongholds. He wants to set our lives on a course of purity!”
Seven years ago, Pastor Craig Gross founded
crowd and opened the evening in prayer. Although the prospect of hearing frank talk about pornography made some a little uneasy, there was an overwhelming sense that the discussion was needed. “I invited several people,” said Betsy Wolf as she settled into her seat, “Some declined because they are not married. But this is not just for married women. This will give us the opportunity to guard against it and get knowledge to help others.”
While Craig’s message was powerful and disturbing, Michele Truax’s personal story of the devastating impact her husband’s pornography addiction had on their marriage struck a nerve. Michele shared that she, like many women, was aware of her husband’s issues with pornography prior to their marriage, but thought they would go away after marriage. “It’s important as women to know who we are in Christ. Not the superficial image.” She explained to the crowd. While her husband’s addiction to porn left Michele feeling like she was nothing and filled with hurt, bitterness and anger, Michele stressed the importance of forgiveness. “Stay close to the Godly people in your life,” Michele advised, “and serve. Serving gets you out of yourself.”
Just when the crowd thought they had heard all they needed to know about pornography, author Shelly R. Warren took the stage and completely mesmerized the crowd with her personal story of being addicted to pornography and sex. Unabashedly and unflinchingly she discussed the allure of porn and the impact her sexual promiscuity had on her mind, body and soul. Shelly explained that porn was a gateway and illustrated the dangers of allowing gateways into our souls by reading 1 Timothy 4. Shelly’s story was not warm and fuzzy, and definitely not something you would expect to hear in church; and while Shelly’s disarming charm and wit brought a lightness and sense of humor that allowed the audience to laugh, it was clear – porn, no matter how harmless it may seem, is dangerous and destructive. “Low self-esteem,” Shelly explained, “is the biggest problem. We need to see our value.” Shelly punctuated this by reading Matthew 7:6.
Something that came as a shock to some was that 3000-5000 bibles are handed out (for free) at each pornography convention that XXXchurch attends. Craig understands the fundamental truth of the word of God: It has the power to CHANGE PEOPLE! As a result of the positive reception that Craig has received at pornography conventions (yes, I said positive), he was invited to a pornography convention geared specifically towards homosexual pornography – and invited back! XXXchurch will also have a booth at the Atlanta Gay Pride festival in October – handing out free bibles.






