Slide Show* -Over 90 Pictures

*Children, please, allow your parents to view the slide show FIRST.

Friends, the slide show is current...which will bring you tears of joy and love of brotherhood.
As you know, we cannot be there...donations is a grand way to show your appreciation...see your Congregation Secretary for information.

Click on this link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/46785033@N08/sets/72157623121065163/show/


Stay blogged in...

Day 14

Haiti Quake - Day 14

Wed, 2010-01-27 06:51 — jgoode

It has now been two weeks since the disaster. We heard on the news that they succeeded in pulling out another survivor from the rubble. This is four days after the authorities declared an official end to search and rescue operations on January 22, 2010. Haiti is no longer a hot item in newspapers and televised news. Reporters are pulling out and moving on to other stories elsewhere. The constant roar of C-130 and C-5 military cargo planes flying over our heads we have been hearing is no longer there.

However, as for the relief effort being accomplished by Jehovah and his organization, it is moving forward and continuing to care for the needs of our brothers and sisters.

Today, two more trucks of relief supplies arrived via the Dominican Republic. Two members of the Dominican Republic Branch Committee were on the trucks to offer their assistance. They accompanied us as we went into the city of Port-au-Prince to visit two of our regional relief centers at our Kingdom Halls. Despite the sorrow and challenges that our brothers and sisters are dealing with, we sensed their feelings of joy and security. Families are peacefully sitting together, some are preparing food, some are reading their Bibles together. They are so grateful for a safe place to sleep, as the majority of the homes of our brothers and sisters we visited were either destroyed or are unsafe to inhabit.


Reported by http://a.thomazeau.org/node/53

Day 13

...busy in the relief work...see Day 14...


Stay blogged in...

Day 12

...busy in the relief work...see Day 14...


Stay blogged in...

Day 11

Haiti Quake - Day 11

Sat, 2010-01-23 23:31 — jgoode

There were some really beautiful developments that happened today in the relief efforts here at the Branch. Many of you have been expressing in your e-mail messages to us that you appreciate the regular updates, so here is the latest from Day 11.

Six vehicles arrived in a convoy from Santo Domingo today. Another group of brothers from Jimani also came over to help us. Over 20 tons of relief supplies were delivered to us today, including food and medical supplies. A satellite dish and components for an additional Internet connection was lent to us for the relief effort, and a group of five brothers traveled in with the equipment from Santo Domingo to assist with the installation and configuration of the system. This will help us to improve communications with World Headquarters and other branch offices that have been involved with the relief work.

Now that our Internet service is working better, I have started to post some photos on our site. You have no doubt seen many images of the damage that has resulted due to the earthquake, as presented by the media. Even though I will show a bit of what we see near the Branch, I will try to accentuate the relief efforts that are being accomplished to help our brothers affected by the devastation.

Reported by http://a.thomazeau.org/node/52

Day 10

...busy...no information, yet...


Stay blogged in...

Haiti Quake - Day 9

Thu, 2010-01-21 21:13 — jgoode A convoy of five vehicles left Santo Domingo early this morning to bring in more relief supplies, including mattresses, rice, salted fish and other food products. Two of the vehicles carried a group of 12 nurses that flew in from Guadeloupe to assist with the medical relief team. They also brought with them tents, as they learned that rooming arrangements were extremely limited. It will actually be their first time to sleep in a tent tonight, as camping is not common here in the Caribbean, yet they are willing to do it to offer their assistance and not place a burden on the support services here.

One of the largest food distributors in the country has been able to supply the Branch with some items for the relief effort. Yesterday we were able to purchase from them bottled drinking water, salt, pasta and other basic food items to be included in the kits. The supplier is selling for cash only right now, however has made an exception for Jehovah's Witnesses and allows us to take the supplies on credit. "I can trust the Witnesses, I know they will pay," said the owner. "Everyone else says they will pay, but never do." While the Branch was picking up the supplies, there were and additional 10 cases of bottled water sitting near the door. When asked if they were available too, the owner informed our purchasers that they were reserved for another customer. After a few of minutes however, he changed his mind and gave them to the Witnesses. "I know you are doing good work and will make sure this water helps ones in need," he said.

An accumulated total of 70,076 daily food rations have been delivered to our regional relief centers to date.



Reported by http://a.thomazeau.org/node/51

Day 8

Haiti Quake - Day 8

Wed, 2010-01-20 18:55 — jgoode

We wish to thank each and everyone of you that has sent us words of comfort and encouragement, knowing that you are keeping our brothers and sisters here in Haiti in your prayers. We are still unable to answer personally your e-mails due to the immense work load involved with the relief effort. We offer you again a brief update on the situation here.

Eight days after the original earthquake, at 6:03 AM this morning the strongest aftershock measuring magnitude 5.9 struck Haiti. It was felt by all in the Port-au-Prince area, which made many run out of their homes and rooms into the open areas for safety.

At the Branch, the survival kits are continuing to be prepared. Today, there were 9,972 daily food rations that were either delivered to or picked up by congregations needing help. This brings the total to 62,424 rations delivered to date.

The medical volunteers from Europe (AidAfrique) arrived today. Another brother and myself traveled to the border to meet them, and guide their convoy of four vehicles to the Branch. Upon arrival, they met with our relief committee, then the medical volunteers from the Dominican Republic who made the transfer of files and patients, after which our brothers and sisters from the Dominican Republic started their trek back home. Tomorrow, 14 nurses are expected to arrive from Guadeloupe as support to the Aide Afrique team. A mobile operating block will also be arriving via the Dominican Republic tomorrow. Our brothers who are surgeons and anesthesiologists are standing by.

On Tuesday, two of our trucks made trips to deliver aid in the areas outside of Port-au-Prince near the epicenter: Merger, Gressier, Léogane, Grand Goave, Petit Goave, Jacmel and Cayes-Jacmel. On the way back they were able to pickup two injured in Léoagne and bring them back to our medical relief center working around the clock here. The drivers report that the brothers and sisters receiving such aid have expressed much gratitude for the help and relief that Jehovah's organization is providing.

The efforts made by Jehovah's people to get aid to fellow worshipers and their neighbors has touched many non-Witnesses. In the regional relief center of Gressier, one man said "It seems there really is a true religion." Another man remarked as he observed the food and survival supplies being unloaded at a local Kingdom Hall, "Now that's what you call a religion! People helping each other."

Despite the difficult conditions, reports from the regional relief centers indicate that the brothers are keeping a positive attitude. In most centers the daily text from Examining the Scriptures Daily is considered together. Local elders arrange for meetings and tirelessly work to encourage the congregation members gathered there. Many of our brothers have commented that they now know what Jesus meant when he said there would be earthquakes in one place after another during the last days. Others have said: "Now we know we really are part of an international brotherhood."

Back in 2004 and again in 2008, the city of Gonaives was victim to multiple hurricanes and tropical storms which left much devastation and death. On both occasions the brothers and sisters there received rapid relief from the Branch and nearby congregations. They now felt moved to give back. Unannounced, the brothers from Gonaives arrived at the Branch on Monday with a gift shipment of flour, rice, gasoline, vegetables and cooking oil. This arrival lifted the spirits of many working at the Branch, especially since the kitchen had just run out of flour that day!

We feel empowered by the strength of Jehovah's spirit guiding us in the aftermath of this disaster. Please continue to keep your brothers and sisters here in Haiti in your prayers.

Your friends,

John & Marie

Reported by http://a.thomazeau.org/node/50

Day 7

...no information...see Day 8


Stay blogged in...

Day 6

...no new information...


Stay blogged in...

Day 5

Haiti Quake - Day 5

Mon, 2010-01-18 00:57 — jgoode

It is now late Sunday night, and after reading some of the many e-mail messages you have sent us (over 700 showed up in my Inbox after we started to get an Internet connection yesterday), I thought that it be best that I post a brief report on some of the relief operations that have been going on.

The large open air Assembly Hall located on the Branch property in Santo is serving as a base for our relief operations since the earthquake on Tuesday. A relief committee was immediately established after the event, and provides the coordination and direction for all relief operations. The disruption of communication services (telephone, mobile phone & Internet) for the first four days complicated the challenge of determining the needs and offering assistance for our brothers and sisters. Due to that, It was necessary to drive 1 ½ hours to the border town of Jimani twice a day to be able to establish contact to the outside during the critical hours after the earthquake.

Our worldwide brotherhood responded immediately, and aid to the victims was extended. To date, we have received 22 tons of relief supplies. Intense effort by 20 members of the Bethel family, Ministerial Training School students, and other volunteers was combined to prepare care packages for the needy. Today, food provisions for 620 persons were sent out to selected Kingdom Halls. This makes a total of 8,580 people fed to-date under the relief operations.

Dozens of volunteers are helping also to care for the injured victims in a section that serves as a clinic. Today, the clinic treated 48 patients, bringing the total to 170. We presently have 9 medical doctors and 12 nurses that are Jehovah's Witnesses that have traveled into Haiti to offer medical care. Several Branch Offices have offered additional assistance to care for the injured.

Seven more patients were evacuated today to the town of Jimani in the Dominican Republic, where hospital centers are treating the injured, making a total of 32 patients that we have sent there since Day 1. A group of brothers and sisters from different parts of that land have volunteered to come to this town to identify and assist any Jehovah's Witness patients that arrive from across the border, and ensure that they receive needed care.

On a sad note, the loss of life among our brothers has now risen to 117, with another 21 reported missing.

We thank you for your expressions of love and interest you show towards our dear brothers and sisters here in Haiti, and mostly we thank you for the prayers you offer to Jehovah on our behalf!

As time permits, we will give you more updates and share some interesting experiences and stories.

Love, John & Marie

Reported by http://a.thomazeau.org/node/49

Day 4

Haiti Quake - Day 4

Sat, 2010-01-16 18:55

Now 96 hours after the earthquake. Marie and I are well and safe. I am on my 8th trip to the Dominican Republic border town of Jimani, transporting injured brothers and sisters, and maintaining communications with our brothers in the Dominican Republic Branch who are helping enormously in our relief support.

I am bringing back into Haiti our 9th medical doctor, a brother who flew in from the USA to offer his assistance. We also have 11 nurses that have traveled in to work with the doctors. Over 120 persons have been treated at our first aid center, set up in our Assembly Hall.

A relief committee has taken charge of the situation and is involved in sending out food packages to our brothers and sisters in yards of Kingdom Halls in the Port-au-Prince area.

All of our missionaries are reported well, and actively offering their assistance to injured friends in their territory.

This is my first occasion to contact many of you who have written over the last few days, as our Internet connection is now available. We thank you so much for your love and interest in our brothers and sisters, and your prayers.

Love, John & Marie

Report by http://a.thomazeau.org/node/48