My Haiti parents, George and Carol Ann Truelove, took me into their house summer after summer as I grew up to let me live and serve with them in their medical clinic, schools, and church. It is because of them that I have a heart for Haiti. They have an idea for helping the Haitians and I wanted to pass it along...
Dear Family, Friends, Churches and Fellow Americans;
The eyes of the Americas are centered on the plight of the small country of Haiti the poorest country in the western hemisphere. Our hearts are bonded together in prayer for the multitude of people who were near the epicenter of the catastrophic earthquake and numerous after shocks.
Many countries, most especially our USA, have responded heroically to the unbelievable disaster of lost lives, incredible physical pain and damage to the living and even worse, the emotional suffering caused by seeing family members broken to pieces, killed or buried before their eyes with little or no hope of rescue before they die.
To all this horrific suffering and grief, add days of being hungry, thirsty, hot, dirty, homeless-with no water to drink much less bathe a little baby, wash clothes or even care for scrapes, burns, bruises, etc.
Even if we choose to go 24 to 48 hours without a drink of water or anything else, go without eating or baths we should be able to tolerate it better because we are safe in our homes with our family about us!
Anyone of these poor suffering Haitians who know Jesus as Saviour, have hope of eternal life if they die! They have the Holy Spirit to comfort them. What about the others that are dying daily because the food and medical care are not there soon enough.
After 32 years in Haiti (Carol Ann) and 24 years (George) we thank the Lord for the stories of miraculous rescues – the 2 children buried 7 days – brought out alive, the 70 year old woman whose God given courage sang her way to freedom, 2 young ladies, from the Northwest where we live were believed to be dead since day one, found under the rubble of a 4 story building and so many others! We are in the states because our son, Austin, got married. We had 6 children living in Port-au-Prince at the time of the quake. After 24 hours we got the message that “two guys were ok” no names or anything. 48 hours later we heard that all the kids were safe. The house they were living in was still standing but inhabitable. They made their way out to the province as many thousands have. Thank you Jesus!
While we are still in the states we want to do something now!
How can you help?
1) Donate backpacks! They do not need to be new but must be in good condition and hold 25 to 50 lbs. of family rescue items. Thousands walk the streets without shoes or sandals. They have no food, (some places get MRE’s) no water, no extra clothing just what is on their backs. Remember, many have lost everything but their lives, which of course, is the most important. Churches can pack them together and UPS them directly to :
AGAPE FLIGHTS INC.
100 Airport Ave. PaP 2272
Venice, FL 34285-3901
Mark boxes : “Backpacks for Relief”
2) If you live far from Venice, FL. Where AGAPE Flights is located, monetary gifts can be sent to AGAPE Flights at the same address above or to:
George and Carol Ann Truelove
c/o Mrs. Edith Crain
P.O. box 204
Hollister, FL. 32147
You may specify how you want your financial gift to be spent to fill these backpacks or as needed
or used to buy meds and supplies.
a) Food ready to eat: tuna fish, chicken, fish, beef in pouches, spam, ham, and Vienna sausages in pull top cans, peanut butter in plastic jars, granola bars, raisins and other dried fruits (we will buy cases and divide them among the backpacks).
Hygiene articles
disposable gloves 50 pair per box, blue underpads, bottles of hand sanitizers, safety pins, sewing kits, colored towels, bars of soap, shampoo medium size, tooth paste with brushes, deodorant, baby powder, feminine hygiene pads, underwear (masculine and feminine), zip lock bags, wet ones or diaper wipes.
linens – colored if possible – DO NOT need to be new but in good condition, pillow cases (these can be used as well for food storage or other belongings and then as a pillow) must be clean and durable, fleece blankets (darker colors) – to put on ground to sleep on over cement, dirt, etc.
Clothes – wash and wear as much as possible, cotton is cooler.
babies – baby wipes, baby formula for orphans, cloth diapers, baby clothes, plastic
pants, diaper pins
Children clothing – shorts, T shirts small boys and girls, dresses etc. for older girls
Men’s clothing – 3 button shirts sm-med-lg some x lg, T shirts, knee length shorts or pants
of any kind.
Women’s clothing – T-shirts, blouses, skirts, practical dresses – cotton (remember no
restrooms – women are adept at being modest with skirts and dresses).
Meds and medical supplies – send donations to George Truelove – specifically as they have
access to prepared cases, some are needed for Faith Medical Clinic also.
Shipping – gifts to AGAPE Flights for buying supplies etc. or helping pay the cost of a flight
can receive a receipt from AGAPE FLIGHTS INC.
Specify gifts to AGAPE given for supplies for the “Backpack Relief” project so it will be used
for that.
Gifts for helping pay for a flight to Haiti should also be specified for a receipt.
Gifts to George and Carol Ann specify accordingly.
We can be reached in the states at 386-336-6636 or 386-328-0724 for any questions or clarification.
Thank you for caring and sharing, George and Carol Ann Truelove – Missionaries to Haiti
