Jessica trying to walk down our street after hurricane Hanna.
The road in front of our house after hurricane Ike. About 1 foot 6 in. + deep.
Dear Friends and Family in Ministry,
I arrived in the states late Wednesday night. It was no easy feat just getting out of Haiti. Let me tell you how my trip out began. My wife, Cindy, and Pastor Andy came as far as Port au Prince with me so that they could work on some adoptions. They will return to Port de Paix and Cindy will come to the states with Willy on Sept. 30th. So, our first step was to get from Port de Paix to Port au Prince. You must realize that our entire north coast area is completely cut off from the rest of Haiti. The bridges and roads are washed out. The only mode of transport is through the little airport which had been closed since the last hurricane hit the island last week.
We got up very early and sent someone to see if the road to the airport was even passable. Then we had to find some gasoline . Just a couple of gallons would be enough but only one station, of the 3 in our area, still had any gasoline. At 5:30 in the morning 500 people were already in line , pushing and shoving for position. We started looking for some gas on the streets and finally found 2 gallons we could purchase. For 2 gallons of gasoline we had to pay $240 Haitian, $30.76 U.S.
When we got to the airport already over 100 people were there at the gates. The airport stayed closed till 6:30 a.m., giving out little information, only that they were waiting to see if a plane would be sent over from the capital. We have had reservations for some weeks and were given boarding passes for the first flight. With only 19 seats available and over 100 people waiting, some since the storms ended, the crowd quickly got very angry. As we were moving through the gate to board the plane, a riot broke out. Several airport employees and I had to do some pushing and shoving of our own to protect Cindy and Pastor and the other passengers. They finally got us through and got the gate closed and we hurried to the plane and the pilot took off as quickly as he could. Cindy received a cut on her arm when she was shoved against the gate but we were otherwise unhurt.
This is the only transportation out of the north west half to get to anywhere in Haiti. We had only minor flooding in our area (compared to other places in Haiti), even the other side of our town was hit harder than our side. (Obviously we were in the Father's Hand) When I talked to Cindy by phone this morning she said there were no fresh vegetables to be had at the markets and no bananas. Much of what was in the stores downtown was destroyed by the flooding. Everything that wasn't destroyed by the storm is sold.
In Port au Prince there is a Navy ship and 2 Marine helicopters . We understand they are distributing food and aid to the hardest hit areas of Haiti first. Our area was not the worst hit, it's just that we are totally cut off. Even when the food does arrive it will still have to be purchased. That's the way aid is "handed out" in Haiti.
Buying diesel for the security lights is costing us about $80 a night and we don't know how long that will even be available. We had nothing in storage so we are forced to buy it as it is available on the streets.
Globe International has given us an advance of $5500 in order to purchase food and provision for the mission (while it is available), help some of our families who needed immediate help, and pay for the funeral of our employee that died during the hurricane. This money will last only until about the end of next week, at current prices. We must still pay payroll for our staff at the end of the month. They have to take care of their families too. We need your help.
I will be very upfront here. I am in the states, leaving my wife , children, staff and everyone behind for the first time in 11 years, for one reason, I need to raise support. Below is a list of places I'm already scheduled to speak but we will be in the states until the end of October. If you can help us get more places to tell our story while we are here, please call me. We want to talk to as many people as we can. Please print and post this list and pray for these events.
Although the times are very hard, Cindy and I have a peace about this situation. God will meet this need through those who are obedient to His voice. We understand God provides in many ways, some miraculous and unexplainable, and sometimes through those He calls to give. Cindy and I have been obedient to His call to be missionaries, to be on the front line. We believe He has, and is, calling others to support and maintain our efforts. You cannot personally see the starvation and devastation. We cannot convey it. Pictures do not do justice to the misery we see every single day. Haiti was already struggling with starvation issues, the storms only made conditions worse. But Cindy and I, and others in our prayer team, believe in our hearts this is a cry for the church to take it's place, that this is an opportunity to truly be Jesus to those who need to know our Father. We need your help, your obedience to His call.
With the money from Globe we have been able to help 3 of our mission staff get their homes repaired or rent rooms for them to provide shelter for their families . Several more families come on a daily basis asking for help. Cindy said another man came this morning with his 4 children who needed $1000 to get his family into shelter and off the streets. You can't know how it hurts to not be able to help these people we have come to know and love.
School was supposed to start on Sept. 8th but the government decided to postpone opening the schools till Oct. 6th. Our school will not open till Oct. 6th but if we can raise enough support and get food to the mission, we will begin our feeding program as soon as possible.
We need your help. Please give today. Give online at www.gme.org or call Globe at 850-453-3453. You can call me direct anytime at 765-318-0917. If you can, and feel called, we really really need regular monthly supporters. Even small amounts ever month add up to help a great deal. If you aren't already sponsoring the mission monthly, please consider this option.
We leave it, as always,....
In the Father's Hand,
Keith Lashbrook
Upcoming Events for Lashbrook Mission
Since we have friends in all parts of the country we know that not all of you will be able to participate in these but if you know someone in these areas, please pass the word and remember to pray for the success of these events. If you would like to add an event, contact the office at 765-325-2467 or office@lfmintl.com
* Keith will be meeting with cell groups and other small group ministries as well as with some Pastors of other churches while in these areas. Please pray for favor during these meetings and open doors and hearts.
* Food Drive -For the next 2 weeks Frontline Church of God, Amanda, OH will be collecting canned meats, peanut butter, stick deodorant, shampoo, soap and other supplies for the mission and hurricane recovery efforts. Call the church for best time to drop off donations. (740) 969-2822
* Also collecting food for the next 2-3 weeks - St Luke Church, Decatur, IN - drop off at the church on Sundays 8:30-11 a.m., or at 1731 Brook Ct, Ossian, IN - contact Joan Furey - 260-622-4903
*Sunday, September 14th - First Baptist Church of Silver Lake (in Silver Lake, KS) Keith Lashbrook will be speaking at both services -8:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. -
* Tuesday, September 16th - Community Christian Church in Council Grove, KS - 6:00 for dinner and then Keith will be speaking afterward
* Wednesday, September 17th - Grace Community Church in Overbrook, KS - Keith will speak to "Friends" program at 6:30
* Sunday, September 21st - Enterprise Baptist Church, Norman, OK - Keith will be speaking at the morning service. (Sorry, I do not have the time... please check with the church if you are in the area.)
* Sunday, September 21st - Twelve Corners Baptist Church, Norman, OK - Keith speaking at 6 p.m. evening service
* Wednesday, September 24th - Saved By Grace Fellowship International, 401 Pine St. Raymore Mo. 64083 (corner of Pine and 58HWY) Keith speaking at 6:30 p.m. service.
* Friday, September 25th - Golf for Globe - Globe International First Annual Golf Tourament, Lost Key Golf Club, Pensacola, FL
For more information: (850) 453-3453 OR visit www.gme.org/golf
* Sunday, September 28th - Christian Life Center, 1000 Roosevelt Blvd., Kenner, LA, www.clckenner.org, 504-467-5433 - Keith will be speaking at the 10 a.m. service.
* Friday & Saturday, October 3-4 - 4th Annual Mission Rummage Sale - This is a HUGE sale that has raised up to $2000 for shipping for the mission in past years. The host church is First Community Church, 701 N Lebanon St., Lebanon, IN 46052. Donations can be brought to the church on Wednesday and Thursday the Oct. 1st or 2nd. Volunteers are needed to help with set up (10/2) and take down (3 p.m. on Saturday) If you can help call: 765-325-2467
October 21- Nov. 1 - Mission Trip still has room for more people. Leaders are Lori McKenzie and Cindy Lu Holmes. Team will build bunk beds and repair school desks and do children's outreach. Contact mission office for more details.
Nov. 4-13 - Fathers & Sons/ Mens and Boys Mission Trip - Will finish bunk beds and cabinets and work on new dorm rooms for older boys among other construction projects. Contact mission office for more details.
Thank you for your prayers and support.
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