In response to the devastating earthquake in Haiti, First Baptist Church Georgetown encourages you to donate to either or both of the causes listed below.

Denny and Susie Day, family members of FBCgT church members, have been missionaries in Haiti for 12 years. FBCgT asks that you pray for this family and their needs and the ways they can still assist Hatians. FBCgT has set up a disaster relief fund for the Days. Any donations given can be tax deducted through the church. This money will be wired straight to his account.

To contribute, write a check to:
First Baptist Church Georgetown
Memo: Disaster Relief Haiti

Additionally, you may donate to the Texas Baptist Men’s Relief Fund as they seek to provide 5,000 water purification systems to Haiti. Learn more here.

Update from Denny Day

Dear Ones and those who I do not know but have assisted my family during these days. I don’t know where to begin nor how to express my gratefulness to so many who have demonstrated compassion and care beyond my imagination. From people willing to drive to a border to take my kids and wife to a safer place; a good friend arranging a flight out of the Dominican Republic to West Palm Beach to find comfort in family in Orlando; resources necessary to reestablish and transition back into the States; a family willing to give shelter and so much more to Susie and the kids; a vehicle, registration, insurance, school for the kids, clothes in a cold Dallas just to mention a few. So many Facebook messages of encouragement, concern and prayer. People willing to do “whatever” we needed. It is beyond my means to express with any depth my appreciation for your generocity and heart felt love. I feel it from across the world, thanks!

What have I been doing after Susie and kids departed for the States.
The first 10 days were spent trying to gather resources for the short and long haul not only to help me but those I am responsible for like our Haitian help and their families. Here in Haiti, people help people so it is with our house help. They have cared for others that they know and have brought some to stay at our house. We are providing shelter, food, water and medical as I can. For the most part, they need a safe place, provisions and hope. It has blessed me to be able to provide for them in very practical ways. When they raise their hands rejoicing and thanking Jesus for His care it is a wonderful moment.

Continually monitoring supplies of diesel, gaoline, propane, water and food, etc has its own stories but for now I must move on. I began with the aid of my Haitian helper to remove personal items from the Weaver’s house but being very aware of the after shocks. We have remained completely focused on that effort before anything was looted or taken advantage of. Up until a few days ago that is what consumed my days. I provided for my workers and their families while transporting everything inside and outside their house to my house. If you don’t know, the Weaver’s house was destroyed the day of the quake and Susie was in her father’s office surviving the ceiling and side walls falling in on her. God is gracious indeed!

Getting money to buy needed items was difficult at the beginning because everything was frozen as people tried to assess their situation and find family members. Many panicked at the gas stations and the markets. Many stores and gasoline stations are operating at least in a partial capacity. Banks are open and money is being seen from abroad through Western Union Transfers.
Organizations bringing needed help and daily provisions have moved into places through the areas I travel. From water trucks, food handed out by USAID, medical teams giving aid to porta potties in strategic areas of populated areas.

Having friends and contacts is essential. I am able to get checks cashed by a friend who owes a grocery store and I can then buy the items from him or others who I know who sell it whole sale. This week I was able to withdrawal large amounts of money, buy food and distribute it to people we know personally and have contact with weekly. Some members of the Fellowship House(our house church at Susie’s parents home) have needs and with your help I have been able to distribute the aid directly. From a refrigerator, stove, invertor and batteries and finding jobs for them.

Last Monday, Quisqueya Christian School (the school that I teach at and our children attend) had a parents meeting to see what the needs of the parents were regarding opening school for those that remained. The room was full of inquiring parents, some needing information in order to decide to stay or go to North America. QCS opened on Wednesday with about 60 kids from Pre-K to High School. We are now at 70 kids and unable to meet the needs of anymore because of space. The US Army is stationed on two-thirds of our campus and is working hand in hand with the school. It is a very good relationship! The other third of the campus is used for our relief effort and crisis center. We are housing, feeding and networking with foreign organizations and groups to place them in strategic and needed locations from day to day. We provide them with translators and try to make their efforts more successful by our coordinated efforts.

From the day I completed “the move” at the Fellowship House, I have been teaching Bible to middle and high school students (really it is more like practical theology) and counseling. I have found it very necessary to be here for these kids so that parents can be assured of their kids education and well being. In the afternoon I assist with the Crisis Center with whatever they have for me. Yesterday, I exchanged money and bought a vehicle full of food and distributed it to Jehu’s Kids who had lost their building and home. The other day I help construct 20 showers in the schools parking lot.

I have done some networking with people who want to come to Haiti directing them through QCS (www.quisqueya.org). The communication here is getting better but is still inconsistent. I find it very difficult at the end of the day to keep up with all the emails and Facebook contacts. Please don’t stop writing but know that I read them but can’t respond to all. Sorry.

I could write for days and I should, it would be good therapy for me but I did want to get this off at this time so you would have some idea of what I am doing. I am healthy and in good spirits and have good support at home and at the school. I try checking with our other CrossWorld ministries here but find only the time to focus where I am located.

Much appreciation to you who don’t know me or my family personally but have particiapted in these efforts in the way you have. I can only pray God’s blessing on you in a deeper way than the material for this is what I see God bringing about here through the lives of so many. Although it is not the blessing many might think (money, health, the stuff) it is the blessing of mourning together and the words that flow for Jesus’ beatitudes and sermon on the mount. We are rich in mercy and blessed in character and are experiencing a dependency on God that we would never of known otherwise. Thank you for your help and may God bless you deeply.

Denny

Update from Tracey Day, Denny’s Brother

Greetings to our precious church family,

I must begin with saying that Denny and Susie pray that one day they will be able to come and thank you in person for all you have done for their family and so many that are like their family in Haiti.

On behalf of the Day Family we will never accurately be able to express the gratitude we have for you, our brothers and sisters in Christ. Some of you do not even know who we are and yet you still give based on the love of Christ you have in your heart. Thank you for giving to His cause, to further His kingdom. We wanted to give you a bit of testimony on where God is using your provisions.

Denny has remained in Haiti indefinitely to provide for the physical and spiritual needs of the people. They lead a church called the Fellowship House that ministers to many areas of Haiti; families, street kids, and the orphans, and these are the ones that they are still ministering to now. Denny has explained to us that in the Haitian culture they have a family/community mentality, as you have probably noticed from the news coverage. By that I mean they will share what they have on that given day with whomever is “under their tent”. Right now Denny is providing a place of refuge for many people. Tali, is like the children’s second mother, who now has 4 of her children living on the property. (I say property because no one is staying in the house any longer, they are all living outside). Your provisions are also providing for a 7 year old boy who lost his mom in the quake and & 17 year old girl who was injured. There is also another family of 6 that is able to eat “under God’s tent” because of your generosity. There are several families that are living among the ruins of Susie’s parents home, instead of living on the streets. Again, this is happening over and over!

Yesterday, Denny made contact with Martine, a Fellowship House member. She has a group at her house she is trying to feed, but did not have enough supplies, with your financial help he was able to assist them. There is also a group of street kids that were outside during the earthquake, that are in need of tents, and supplies. They lived in a home with a Haitian Seminary student named Jehu, his home has since collapsed. Denny, is in the process of getting the needed provisions to them.

There are also stories of random strangers Denny has met going up and down the mountain that he could share a compassionate heart to listen to their stories and pray with them, grieve with them and supply finances to help them provide for the ones that were left.

Susie and the four children have made it safely to the states with the one suitcase for the five of them…everything else they left to be distributed to those that do not have clothing, toys, etc. God has provided a place of renewal in Sunnyvale, Tx. for the next five months. They will be moving there on Wednesday to begin there “new life in the states”. Please be in prayer for them as they are bilingual and have not been schooled in a “public school” setting. It is so different and they are going through a mourning process; everything they have ever known; country, home, school, friends, and family dynamics, has been abruptly changed.

I could go on & on with the testimony from Denny and Susie, but to make it quite simply, these things could only be happening with all your generous giving. They have been able to withdraw money from their account in Haiti to be able to help those that are in desperate need there, as well as, here stateside.

God is truly at work among His people and they are resting in Psalm 91:
“I will say of the Lord, ”He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in Him I trust.”

Through this great tragedy we have seen you make Jesus’ words come into action:
“love one another as I have loved you…Do to others as you would have them do unto you…love your neighbor as yourself”.

Thank you is not enough, so we are asking God that the blessings you have given be given back to you for His eternal Glory!
Tracey & Angie Day

The need is great. Continue to give as you feel led. For donations to FBCgT, be sure to mark HAITI DISASTER RELIEF on your check’s memo line.