Kids Crusade: "Bigger Than A Giant"

Kids' Crusade! Kids' Crusade!

Saturday, March 6
10:00 a.m. ----- 3:00 p.m

games, food, fun, and an afternoon Word!

Special Guest: Sister Donna Howard

Looking forward to Kids Crusade at Alexander City this Saturday. Several churches involved. Puppet Ministry, Blow up- Moon Walk, Obstacle Course, etc. Winner roast, Kick Ball game, Worship and the Word. All Welcome.

Chile Is Shaken

Earthquake Shakes Chile

Our country is trying to recover from a devastating 8.8 magnitude earthquake that hit during the early morning hours on February 23 in the central area of Chile, leaving hundreds dead, two million injured and a million homes destroyed.

This is a catastrophe of enormous proportions, which impacted 80% of the population. I recall the last official report submitted by the National Office of Emergencies and Information (ONEMI) announced the number of victims to be above 708, a number that unfortunately is expected to continue to rise.

Due to these conditions, there are many areas that have encountered serious difficulties in reestablishing communication. For this same reason, locating our ministers, brothers and churches has been difficult.

We have been able to gather some information, concerning the situation and the status of our brothers throughout the country, progressively and mostly through social networks.

Thank God, at the moment, no one from our church is among the dead. Even so, we crave your prayers for the region of Maule, epicenter of the earthquake, which was later hit by a tsunami.

It is this region in particular which accommodated the delegates attending the South American leadership conference just a few months ago. We are currently unable to establish any form of communication with the 3 churches and 2 missions in the area.

Though it may be too soon to measure the damage our church buildings have suffered because this catastrophe, we have been informed that 60% of the roof of the national tabernacle has suffered significant damage; there is also structural damage to support beams and the pillars of the adjacent dormitories and the national office. Without a doubt, the material damages will require tremendous efforts and hard work ahead.

We thank our brothers at the International Offices for their prayers and the love shown through emails and messages.

We want you to know that we appreciate your support and we feel the effects of your prayers.

Though it is true that the great earthquake has passed, we have experience at least 90 aftershocks, 13 of these have reached magnitudes between 5.2 and 6.9 degrees. We ask that you keep our nation in your prayers, so that we may send reports with no great losses, and most importantly, without any loss of life. Your prayers are vital at this time.

We know nothing is impossible for God, and our nation remains united despite this great trial.

We will be relaying any new development as the information becomes available.

Above all, we thank God for His mercy and protection.

Donations can be made through International Office website, http://www.cogop.org/ and also through our standard procedures. Contact your local church for more details. All gifts are tax deductible and 100% goes to the need you specify.

Surveying the Damage in Haiti..... by David Bryan

Ben Feliz, Kirk Rising, Dr. Michael Plumley, and myself went to Haiti on February 13th to see firsthand the devastation and connect with Bishop Dorlean, National Overseer, and the people of Haiti. We were able to visit with Brother Dorlean and share with him the love and concern of the global church for Haiti in this time of crisis. The needs truly are overwhelming. The children and staff from our orphanage were to be moved to the temporary building constructed by the team from the Dominican Republic on February 15th. There are number of short term needs we are working on:

1. Erecting a fence/wall around this property
2. Beds/cots/mattresses for 42 females
3. Larger and sturdier tent for the older boys
4. Electricity source (either a generator or solar)

We met with a group of about 30 pastors and district leaders who gave detailed reports about the extent of damage and loss of life. District overseer of the Miragoane and Goave area, Pastor Jean Robert Joseph, noted that five (5) church buildings were destroyed, along with 52 homes of members. Pastor Diejuste Sainvems of the Cote de Fer district, reported that 12 members had perished in the quake, which also collapsed eight (8) churches, and 800 members' homes. Pierre Richard Mirand, overseer of the Leogane district, shared that the earthquake claimed the lives of another 12 members, and brought down five(5) church buildings, and thousands of homes. Pastor Cineus Orimane died, leaving a widow and four children. The Plaine Cul de Sac district also suffered the destruction of nine (9) churches and 58 members' homes. The Port-au-Prince district was hard hit with 176 casualties among our members,including 100 from the headquarters church, eight churches flattened and more than 1,000 homes destroyed. The final report from district overseer Lionel Chery of Jacmel, noted that members lost 30 homes and five church buildings were severely damaged. Obviously, the impact of this earthquake on our people has been overwhelming. All of Haiti has been profoundly impacted. Recovery and rebuilding will be costly in time, energy, skill, and money. We need your help to restore Haitit.

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.