01-29-2010 (Friday) 9:00 am:  Wilson reports: "I spoke to Pastor Joel today.  Still, all the children are well.  There are still tremors and not much progress is able to be started.  We did find out that the woman where we buy rice has been knocked out of business but she is no quitter.  Her house was also destroyed.  It sits on top of a large hill.  We are working with Food for the Poor in another attempt to gain food and supplies.  Joel says the red tape of trying to gain access to the public funds for relief is long and slow.  So many people etc.  He would like for me to try to get there in a few weeks and I am working on an idea for doing that.  Pray that, if it is the Lord's will, I can go for a few days.  We have not heard from our money contact in Port au Prince whether he is even alive.  Please pray for him.  I will not give his name for security reasons, but Jesus knows who he is.  Thanks for your continuing prayers."

01-25-2010 (Monday) 8:00 am: From Wilson Cohoon: "Good morning.  I talked to Pastor Joel today.  He tells me that the two largest homes on the property have suffered some pretty major damage.  They are still up, but some of the walls will have to be taken down and rebuilt once the aftershocks stop.  Thanks to your contributions and the donation from one relief organization,  42 families from the church received food for their families yesterday.  For them, it was a matter of some food or no food so thank you for helping to make this possible.  There is so much to do and we have to wait until the shaking stops and those who know say it may be the middle of February before any rebuilding can start.  There is the news that Subner's house was destroyed  but his family is alright.  Mary Jo is getting along much better.  Phone contact was a little shaky as Joel's battery was weak.  He is planning on sending me an email tomorrow probably later in the day so when I hear anything I'll update you again.  Keep praying!"

01-21-2010 (Thursday) 8:30 am:  Wilson wrote: "Thank all of you for your prayers.  We heard again this morning from Pastor Joel.  He went to Les Cayes and was able to cash our check and is back safely in Leogane.  Today, he says he can purchase some food.  Pray for his safety and that the food will get back to the compound.  He was able to tell me that yesterday's quake did more damage to Leogane and the surrounding area but Praise God, no more damage to COPI's buildings or children and staff.  He asks for continuous prayers.  Pray without ceasing knowing the Lord knows our requests and their needs even before we ask."

01-19-2010 (Tuesday) 1:30 pm: We received the following pictures from Jimmy at the compounds this morning.  The first picture shows the condition of the old boy's home at Jabez Field (now the school) after the quake. Praise God, the building is still standing but the full extent of damage is not known yet.  The second picture shows the children sleeping in make-shift lean-tos.  Please remember them in your prayers - that the Lord will watch over them and allow them to move inside sound buildings as soon as possible.

LClick on image to enlarge

01-18-2010 (Monday) 10:30 pm: Wilson Cohoon writes: "God answers prayer.  I was going to check my email before retiring and there was one new email, a copy of which you see below.  It is incomplete, but I was going to forward that much to you when the phone rang and Joel was on the other end.  He is in Les Cayes.  He and all the children  and staff  are alive and well.  One girl got an injured arm when a concrete block fell on her, but it's healing.   Mary Jo, who is a helper, was in a school in Leogane and the school collapsed but they pulled her out with a broken arm and a bruised leg, but she is OK. 

The walls of the compound are all down; the buildings have cracks in them and they are trying make tents from what ever to sleep in.  Joel's personal house is completely destroyed and what contents were not destroyed have been stolen.  He has asked us to pray for two things: 

1. That the American and French Governments can stop quarreling over who is in charge and get to rebuilding and,

2. That medical help can get to Leogane because people are dying due to lack of medical care. 

Rice prices have doubled but some food is available.  Our well is working!!!  I am going to call Joel tomorrow morning and I have a speaking engagement at noon but I will update you before I leave the office tomorrow afternoon (Tuesday).  Peace be with you and Praise the Lord for his watchcare over our children."

-- On Mon, 1/18/10, Joel Beaucejour wrote:
From: Joel Beaucejour
Subject: Re : message
To: "Wilson COHOON"
Date: Monday, January 18, 2010, 9:21 PM

Wilson,
    I'm right now in Aux Cayes till tomorrow, because communication in Leogane is quasi-impossible. Thanks for all you're doing doing to help us during this tragic time. And I promise to keep to record of all emergency funds for further purpuses.

    Here's an up date of the situation:

    All the children are fine, all staff members are fine, but the buildings are not. The main white main building is out of order; for having too many cracked walls, specialy toward the front and inside, it becomes not safe for children nor Jimmy and Esther to continue  using that building, It the same situation for the back building where the girls home and Nideaud and his family are. They shake too much and has too many cracked walls. The only sort of safe building we have is the one Sulfise and the other girls are using. We are not suggested to enter in any building for now. So we are spending our nights in open air either in the sugar cane field across the street or under the mango tree in our back yard and since we have no  tent we have transform every piece of plastic and sheets that we can find into means of temporary shelter. As I'm writing this, Jimmy is also sending you an other email with some pictures showing our actual living  conditions. [Editor's note: we have not received Jimmy's e-mail as yet]. My house is as I have told you is at 90% destroyed, we are all under the "tents" in place l'or. One big meal is twice a day for every one. We have on top of every thing else a serious security problem since our fence walls are @ 80% down we feel very vulnerable but we know that God and the angels are watching over us.

    Please call me tomorrow by 8:30 AM while I'm in Aux Cayes for some further discussions. Do not respond to this email for I may not get it in a while.

    Looking forward to hearing from you tomorrow>

Blessings:
Joel

01-14-2010 (Thursday) 07:00 pm: Wilson Cohoon, Director of Caribbean Operations said: "About 7:00 p.m.  I received a call from a man in Toledo who has just been to COPI Haiti and one of his team members had the phone number of the brother of Jimmy Joseph, our boys' home director.  The call was made today and verified what I had heard.  The kids and their homes are OK.  The kids are sleeping outside but there is no food, electricity, or water.  Apparently, the pipe on the well broke or the earthquake closed the well.   Here is an opportunity to pray for answers to seemingly very difficult situations.  With God all things are possible.  The reason I have not been able to get through is what I thought: dead cell phone batteries and no electricity.  Praise the Lord that was the reason.  Will update every chance I get."

01-12-2010 (Tuesday) 05:45 pm: Wilson Cohoon, Director of Caribbean Operations, was able to reach Joel Beaucejour by telephone shortly after the first earthquake hit.  Although the connection was poor and they did not have much time to talk, Joel did tell us the Lord had spared the children and workers and that the homes had not suffered any severe damage.  However, Joel's house did suffer major damage and the new church extension being built in the compound had collapsed.  As of noon on Wednesday (1-13-2010), we have not received any further information from Haiti.  If you are not aware, Rose (Pastor Joel's wife) is currently in Canada undergoing treatment for cancer.

The Google Earth® image above shows the homes in Leogane and the approximate positions of the earthquake and major aftershocks.  As you can see, the homes lie extremely close to the earthquake activity (within 12 miles on any side).

We will update this site with the latest information we receive from Pastor Joel and any pictures we might get of the area. 

Immediate Needs: PRAYER!!!  Please pray:

• For the children and workers at our homes in Leogane

• For the people in and around the homes that need help in this difficult time

• For the rescue and relief workers as they attempt to find trapped victims and travel to the stricken area

• For the people of Haiti - that order and compassion will speed the relief to all

• For speedy restoration of electricity and communications

• For availability of good water, food and fuel for the victims and relief crews

• That many will take this opportunity to turn to the Lord and place their trust in Him to meet their needs

Future Needs: PRAYER!!!  Please don't stop praying for those in Haiti.  This earthquake will focus the world on their plight but as quickly as the media responds to tragedy and disasters, they just as quickly forget that this will take a long time to rebuild the country and improve the quality of life in Haiti.

As you might expect, costs for everything in Haiti will go up - most likely astronomically!!  If you would like to help the children, workers and local community residents rebuild their lives, please send your contributions to COPI marked for Haiti Disaster Relief.   As always, 100% of your contribution will go directly to Pastor Joel and the children in our homes for their rebuilding and living expenses.

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