Front Line Leadership Conference

The Front Line Leadership Conference held February 5 and 6 was attended by people from all over the state of Alabama and teachers from other states. There were 97 in attendance. The presence of the Lord permeated the weekend. The teachers were so anointed and prepared for their classes. Teachers from out of state were, Cathy and John Payne; TN, Larry Biggers ; GA Sandy and Kurt (and Jeremy) Knowles; NC. Alabama teachers were, Frances and Krameon Martin, Johnathon Pope, and Garry Lovett and the worship team. Friday evening was a great time of worship with Brother Garry Lovett leading us to the throne of God. Then Brother Terry Gann brought the rich Word to us. Oh! What a powerful worship time! When He comes...everything changes. Everyone was hungry for God and excited. There was wonderful fellowship with door prizes and the cooks cooked up yummy meals and oooooooh those cookies.....

A Shepherd Dies Serving in Haiti

District Overseer, Quinteria Rosario, eulogized Juan Sanchez as a man who died as he lived; serving others. Pastor Sanchez died on Saturday, January 30, apparently from a bacterial infection, shortly after returning from a humanitarian mission to help build a temporary home for the 68 orphans from the Church of God of Prophecy's orphanage in the quake-ravaged Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince. Sanchez, 63, a faithful Church of God of Prophecy pastor in the Dominican Republic was a member of a team of 13 people who went into Haiti on a mission of mercy and love. The entire Church of God of Prophecy family around the world mourns the passing of Brother Sanchez and wraps its arms of condolence and care around his wife (who also accompanied him on the mission to Haiti), children, congregation, and friends. This stalwart man of God will be remembered as a one whose compassion and faithfulness led him to an plot of land in a devastated country where he worked to provide shelter to destitute children in a neighboring country. Surely, God's ways are mysterious. May His Name be praised.

The health authorities in the Dominican Republic has examined the other team members, who seem to be unaffected, and they are increasing their vigilance in screening individuals at the border for meningococcemia, an infection of the blood that can be transmitted by air.

Churches and Minister (currently)

So far we have lost 37 churches. Added to the 25 churches mentioned in earlier reports we have lost 8 local churches in the Cote-de Fer area )southwest of Por-au-Prince), 3 churches in Grand-Goave (includes the central church for the area), and 1 in Duvivier (Route neuve) just on the outskirts of Port-au-Prince. All together, churches in four districts have been significantly affected. Two ministers have died, Deacon Marc Beauger (Mariani) perished along with his son and Pastor Orimane Cineus of the Duval church (newly constructed building) was also killed when his home collapsed.

Help received

The assistance provided by the leadership of the Dominican Republic in providing the building to house the children from the orphanage, relief supplies and medical attention has been wonderful. The two children from the orphanage who were hospitalized at the Albert Schweitzer Hospital are doing fine. Loveline's broken arm was set and is in a cast. She will have to undergo another surgery to remove the steel bars the doctors inserted. Carole has to undergo physical therapy for her back. She has to use crutches.

Beside the help that has been channeled through the Dominican Republic to Haiti, Brother Dorlean said he has received help from the Red Cross. They provided drinking water for the children. We are grateful that they set up a water purifier system for them at the temporary building where the children have been relocated.

The total impact of the quake on the Church of God of Prophecy is difficult to measure with more than 100 members perishing in the rubble, more than 250 homes of church members destroyed, 10 Church-operated school buildings ruined, hundreds of children orphaned and thousands of church members and their families affected.

Trip Planned

A team from the Church's International Office will be traveling to Haiti on February 12th to meet with Bishop Dorlean, Haiti national overseer, and assess the current needs.

Devastation in Haiti

Temporary Building for Orphans Delivered
The team of brothers from the Dominican Republic delivered the pre-fab building to the site where the children from the orphanage have been relocated. Things got a bit tricky since the tractor trailer with the container could not be taken directly to the plot of land because the streets are so narrow. They had to unload the building and transport it to the construction sites. Leveling the ground also took more time and work than they expected but the building frame is up. When the structure is complete it will have 6 rooms, 2 bathrooms and a kitchen. The work should be done so the children can move into the house by the end of this week. This house will be children's temporary home for about a year, while plans are made for rebuilding.

Children Receive Nourishing Supplies
The shipment from the Dominican Republic also included water, food, and other basic supplies for the children. Pastor Pierre Richard, Orphanage Administrator, reportedly indicated that these supplies will last them about two months. The physical condition of the children is better and they seem to be recuperating well. A church service was organized at the camp for the children, which I am sure provided emotional and spiritual comfort to them. The plot of land will need to be secured with some type of wall and another temporary building put up to house the adult workers. The land has a well but a water filtration system will be needed along with either a generator or solar panels to provide electricity.

Medical Team Arriving
The National Overseer of the Dominican Republic, Bishop Jorge Marreno, traveled into Haiti today, accompanied by two doctors and a nurse. They are also transporting medical supplies. They plan to examine the children and provide medical care.

The Church of God of Prophecy is Responding
One small church in Texas had a hamburger lunch after their Sunday morning service, with people paying $50 for a hamburger for Haiti. They raised $2,000 for Haiti. A member wrote from Jamaica with the news that they were contributing personally and the nation had sent a medical team and other volunteers. The phones are ringing at International Offices constantly as people call volunteering to join a work team, send a donation, inquire about how to help further. This will be a long term effort and we appreciate everything that is being done for the precious people of Haiti.