Rev Martinez and Immacula Jovin
Martinez and Immacula serve in Haiti with the Bethesda Fellowship of churches.
Earthquake update
We praise God that Martinez and Immacula Jovin were both unharmed, and that their house was one of the few remaining standing (because it had been built with reinforced concrete), even though the roof has suffered damage from the second quake.
The Bethesda Mission is currently at the demolition process of rebuilding damaged churches and schools. Thus far, the Marbial secondary school has been completely demolished and plans are underway to demolish the primary buildings as well. The Cabaret school and church demolition has begun.
The mission, under the leader of Pastor and Emma has simultaneously constructed a temporary facility using wood and tarpaulins for the Cabaret church. Although the community of people ministered to have much to be depressed about, we have observed a God given eagerness and fortitude of spirit in many people to rebuild their lives. For this reason, Pastor and Emma and the various OEBB workers help as many people as possible who have been affected by the earthquake. OEBB has focused on stabilizing local church members and their community livelihood.
Caleb recently visited Haiti for a brief period in May to assess various needs and propose ways to help the work in Haiti. Daniel, Shantell and the four kids will be involve in ministry and medical care during the month of July as they prayerfully consider long term commitments to ministry reconstruction in conjunction with Pastor, Emma and the OEBB mission. This summer Daniel will be able to continue to assist the mission as field director. He will continue to assist with the various ministries such as preaching, distribution of bibles and other Christian literature and the continued reconstruction efforts of the OEBB. Shantell, will be involved with medical ministry alongside Emma. Click here to see their report.
We need to continue to pray for Pastor and Emma’s health – that God will continue to give them strength that they may be able to continue to lead the work God has entrusted to them, especially during this difficult post-earthquake epoch.
Their website: http://oebb-bethesdamissions.org/
The cost of rescuing people and providing shelter, food and medical help will, we think, have to be left to the major aid organisations, which seem to be in danger of tripping over themselves through the lack of infrastructure or any Local Government organisation. However, it is not just immediate aid that is required, but also the provision of aid in the medium and longer term to help people get their lives back together again. It is here, we think, that our help may be the most effective.
We are delighted to learn that the school at Delmas re-opened on 5 April, under Daniel’s direction. You can read his report and see his pictures HERE.
CLICK HERE for the OEBB relief plan and map
A number of Churches have contacted us regarding the means of sending aid. What we are suggesting is that monies could be sent to our Missionary Treasurer, Mr Norman Thomas, who will hold on to the funds until the present chaos subsides and a clear route is established for getting these funds to those we wish to receive them.
Norman has regularly been sending support to Martinez and Immacula, usually through a bank in Miami; he has sent a substantial amount to coincide with Martinez’s visit there in March. He has also been able to send a substantial amount of money to Daniel to coincide with Daniel’s visit back home to Toronto; he returns to Haiti on 14 March. We continue to watch the situation carefully for the best opportunity to send help.
For further information you may like to contact:
Mr Norman Thomas
PO Box 4170
Cardiff North
CF14 4WX
Tel: 029 2062 6021
We advise you not to use the PO box in Port-au-Prince, as the post office there has been reduced to rubble. There is no possibility at the moment of contacting the Jovins in Haiti by post; you will have to email them.
What else can we do? In the meantime, read Psalm 46 and Nahum 1: 2-7, and pray! And watch television news and see the city and the country where they serve, and the plight of the people they would like to reach, and the roads they have to travel on – and pray!
Heath Church Missionary Committee, 31 May 2010
