Dear Sponsors and Friends,

Many of you have written and asked about your sponsored children, the condition of the schools, and how I am doing. Thank you for asking and thank you for your prayers. Continue praying.

Currently we are in a crisis mode. We are trying to assess schools, learning the status about children, families and teachers.

Communication and transportation are extremely difficult, making it next to impossible for me to get information about specific schools or children. I will keep you posted as more news becomes available. It may be a while until I hear about your sponsored children, school and their families.

The situation is overwhelming. I am in my office which thankfully sustained only minor damage. My office staff is redirected to translation work with doctors, chaplains, and other emergency staff personnel until further notice. Please pray for the staff as they have deaths in their extended families, yet keep serving.   

Please continue to remember your children in prayer and sponsorship support through this crisis. Currently all schools in our region are closed and will reopen as conditions warrant. We do not have a clear time frame as of yet.

I wish I had time to share with you countless stories of God's amazing grace. Even though great tragedy occurred, God has proven faithful again and again. I just spoke with a mother a few minutes ago about how God spared her and her son's life.

Others shared with me how their deep faith in the Lord Jesus has helped them cope. The Christians are shaken, yet are holding fast to Him who loves them. There are insurmountable needs, but I see God's people ministering to others: People praying for one another, singing and giving thanks for life. One Haitian man I just talked with shared his last bowl of rice two days ago.

In my own spiritual walk this morning I am reminded about Job and his suffering. In the midst of his tragedy, he made this comment: "The Lord gave me everything I had, and the Lord has taken it away. Praise the name of the Lord! In all of this Job did not sin by blaming God." He knew God was in control. In the midst of all the tragedy I see and hear about in Haiti,  I believe the Lord is in control here.

Please visit our web-site at www.bhm.org to keep abreast on the crisis situation. Again I covet your prayers for wisdom and direction on how to move forward at such a time as this.

Standing together with Him,

Elsa  Peterson
4C Sponsorship Coordinator
Baptist Haiti Mission