Today we left the house about 5:45 am, this time headed directly to work. We went directly to a canal to fill up the tank on the truck with 300 gallons of water for drilling, then back to the first well site, which was ready for the pump to be installed and dropped off supplies for Snaider to do the work there. We had hoped to do it yesterday, but Snaider got back too late and we were at the embassy too late. Then Kevin and I went to the rig at the second tent city, where we had started the well, but were stopped by broken bearings. I was actually excited to put the bearings in that Snaider had brought back… woops, hold on, the bearing sleeve was about ½ inch too long, so we could not use one of them. We tried every arrangement we could think of with new bearings, but in the end we had to use one badly worn bearing and one new one, but at least it works for now, and that’s a good thing.

The drilling is really tough for this little old rig, hard gravel, which makes this little machine bounce all over. But finally at 105′ we got water, lots of it. Everyone was really happy. We took out the 4¾ inch bit and replaced it with a 6 inch bit, to ream the hole out so we can install casing. We made it to 30′ when the compressor unit abruptly stopped. A rust hole about the size of a pencil had opened up in the bottom of the 32 year old radiator, and the compressor severely overheated. So we loaded up, took the compressor unit back to the CSI yard and tore into it. It wasn’t quite dark when we manhandled the large 100 pound radiator out and into the back of the pickup. On the way back we passed a welding place, so we got it fixed and took it back to CSI. It was too late, so we drove back in the dark, and called it quits for the day.

The bright spot this day was when we drove back we passed the pump Snaider had put in earlier in the day (with a lot of problems), and it was being pumped almost constantly. Not a huge crowd, but steady use from the tent camp. Just think, now they won’t have to pay for water, or walk long distances looking for it, water is right there, readily available and clean! Thank you so very much, all of you who have given and prayed for this work. Progress is very slow with this old equipment, and I am really sorry for that, but we keep going as long as we can keep things working.

My hope is that the compressor engine didn’t overheat so badly that the engine is unusable. We will see tomorrow. I asked the people in the tent camp to pray about it, and I am sure they are tonight as they try to sleep in their new homes. If you have time tonight, pray for them…

Curt King – Port au Prince, Haiti

The good news is that drillers Curt King and Kevin Kate are on the ground in Haiti now, working to supply water to the tent cities around Port au Prince, and still operating schools. The 3 wells the Clear Blue team (led by Aaron Swenson) drilled before the earthquake are supplying much needed water in those locations, and we are committed to remain as there are finances to support our work.

Your gifts and prayers, and your willingness to contact others with this urgent and immediate need is vital. Clear Blue is a very lean operation, all volunteer. The gifts going directly to the needs, Please help us keep a steady stream of money going so there is no delay in the life-giving resource. When you give through Clear Blue, you make certain that the recipients get not only water, but the support and presence of godly people who will help them find the Living Water , too. Clear Blue works hand in hand with Free Methodist World Missions.

The need is urgent–at least 30 wells right away, averaging $4000 each. The drill rig is 30+ years old. It has not only seen years of work, but has been through two floods and the earthquake. We have the opportunity to purchase a drill that would keep us going for a long time, and drill countless wells for $200,000,. That requires several large gifts and many smaller ones. It is likely the US military will take care of handling the transportation (a costly issue) if we can purchase it.

Give Now

More information can be found at www.clearblueproject.com

Pray for individuals currently ministering in Haiti:

• Drs. Dan Snyder, Joel Miller and Tim Drew have joined the medical team led by Dr. Jerry Rusher, based out of Dessalines Hospital.
• Continuing to minister are: missionary Rick Ireland; a team from Spring Arbor FMC (Spring Arbor MI) through Feb. 12; a medical team from Yakima, WA, through Feb. 14; and well-drillers Vahan Sipantizi, Curt King and Kevin Kate.

We encourage you to view frequent updates about Free Methodist responses and mobilization for recovery at www.helphaitiheal.org and follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/intlchildcare.

• Tomorrow, Wed., Feb. 3, Canadian Bishop Keith Elford, Dominican Republic Bishop Cecilio Osoria, U.S. Bishop David Roller, Dr. Art Brown and Grant Sigsworth (Canada) will meet with leaders in Haiti to coordinate leadership and relief between the four countries.
• Rick Ireland, newly-approved missionary, is serving with Haitian pastor Jean Marc Zamor as the on-ground coordinator in Haiti. Larry and Alice Judy, Russ Cole and Jim Donnelson are providing support services. Sherry Cole will join the group next week.
• A team of 14 from the Spring Arbor FMC (Spring Arbor MI) is working on construction of a road and retaining wall at the FOHO (Friends of Haiti Organization) site.
• A medical team, led by Dr. Jerry Rusher, is based out of Dessalines Hospital. A second medical team from Yakima, WA, will leave for Haiti on Thurs., Feb. 4, to work at Terra Blanche with Pastor Dellamy. A third team of medical personnel is making plans to minister in Haiti over the course of the next month.
• Vahan Sipantzi, Curt King and Kevin Kate are drilling wells.

Praise God for this report from Dr. Delia Nuesch-Olver:

FM pastors are distributing food and water to their members. Jean Marc Zamor and Rick Ireland are encouraging the pastors to share a portion of that aid with non-FM neighbors.

Free Methodist Haitian Earthquake Response Team #2 concluded its mission on Monday and returned to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, on Tuesday to brief Team #3. Team #3 makes the seven-hour drive to Port-au-Prince on Wednesday, January 27, with more relief supplies, a well-drilling team, logistics experts and International Child Care Ministries (ICCM) leaders.

The Tuesday evening briefing between the two teams yielded a sobering assessment of conditions in Port-au-Prince. “What you see on TV is not true; it is much worse,” one team member said. Another reflected: “It is so overwhelming, you cannot put words to it.” The team described people living in tent villages on every available open space, calling out for water and food, and afraid to go inside buildings and homes that are still standing.

They also described heroic efforts of rescue and people sharing with each other the food and water they are able to access. An informal economy is beginning to supply essential needs even as the formal economy of the city struggles to come back online. “The people of Port-au-Prince are still in shock,” one team member declared.

Structural engineer Ken LaBelle inspected ten ICCM schools, along with churches and homes, with the assistance of Haitian ICCM and church leaders. Many schools and FM church facilities will need to be rebuilt in the months and years ahead. The task ahead is immense, but the faith of many in the Haitian Free Methodist Church is strong.

Response Team #2 was also able to restore electricity to the ICCM office so it can serve as a center for helping schools across the country resume classes as soon as feasible.

Team #3 will begin its service on Wednesday, January 27. The team includes well-drillers Curt King and Kevin Kate. They will attempt to find water that will be a life-giving resource for many. Two team members will focus on logistics for relief and recovery teams going to Haiti over the next several months. ICCM Director Linda Adams and ICCM I will work with the Haitian ICCM staff, visiting schools, finding ICCM-sponsored children, and distributing supplies.

A consultant team of professionals will be going into Port-au-Prince on Wed., Jan. 27. Departure dates from Haiti will vary depending on their tasks. Team members include Rev. Rick Ireland, newly-appointed missionary to Haiti; Dr. Linda Adams and Dr. John Hay, Jr. of International Child Care Ministries; Vahan Sipantzi, retired Army Special Forces; and Curt King and Kevin Kate who will be drilling wells under the auspices of the U.S. military.

Spring Arbor FMC, MI, is sending a team of 13 to assist with the relief efforts in Haiti, Jan. 31 to Feb. 14. Team leaders are Todd Holton and Marv DeVisser.

Additional information about VISA teams including how you can participate can be found at http://go.fmwm.org/go/haiti/haiti.php