PCCR News and Updates

Haiti 🇭🇹 One big problem this week was that we were running out of diesel to be able to do distributions. It has been weeks since we were able to buy diesel, but we set out with faith that we would find the diesel we needed. It was a miracle, we found a fuel station that just started selling diesel, and there was no line yet! We quickly pulled in and filled the truck and also asked to them to fill the extra tank on the back. The only way they would do it was to hide the tank under a tarp and fill it that way. The attendant was still very scared someone would see and the guards wanted us out of there fast before it attracts attention. Tensions are high! But we found the diesel we needed and that is just another way to prove how God continues to provide. We continued our way up into the mountains. The road is barely wide enough for the truck, and parts of the road were crumbling and falling down to the deep valley below. On arrival, we were met by a very grateful crowd of people. We held a small church service in the local church and then handed out food. They were incredibly grateful for the food they received. Some of them shared stories to of children starving to death in the area, many of them are saying that it has never been this bad before. �Pray for Haiti. #Haiti #CrisisResponse #InternationalCrisisResponse #HumanitarianAid #hope #PCCR

Ukraine 🇺🇦 Several months ago, we had delivered firewood and wood stoves to villages on the front line. This week we returned to do several distributions and were met with a warm welcome and hugs. The people were delighted to see us again. These people that we get to serve and the relationships formed with them are part of my highlight for being here. Their hearts are open and it allows us to pour love, hope, and joy into their lives. I believe we oftentimes underestimate what it does for them, to know that someone cares and that they are not forgotten. #Ukraine #UkraineWar #InternationalCrisisResponse #HumanitarianAid #HumanitarianCrisis #Hope #PCCR

In case you missed it… Our newsletter hit the mailboxes already, but if you aren’t on the mailing list, you can still read it online. To sign up for the newsletter, click on this link: https://plaincompassion.org/signup-page/ To read this newsletter, click here: https://plaincompassion.org/newsletter/ 2022 has been full of God’s provision and protection. We’ve had incredible growth and want to express our gratitude to everyone who has contributed to this, whether by prayer, donations or volunteering time. In the midst of challenging times, your support and trust means so much to us and we’re honored to partner with you to bring hope to the nations. #Haiti #Ukraine #CrisisResponse #InternationalCrisisResponse #USDisasterResponse #HumanitarianAid #hope #PCCR

Ukraine 🇺🇦 A lot of testimonies come from the front lines. The place where you get so used to the sound of mortars blasting, it becomes a normality. The place where that adrenaline rush is felt that can only come from the knowledge of the fragility of your earthly being, contrasted against the powerful protection of God. I love those testimonies. Where the love and power of God shines through so clear and pure. But today my story is not from the frontlines. Today my story takes place in a small church in Dnipro. A small body of believers who gather to worship God every Sunday, and bless anyone who walks through the doors into that holy sanctuary of peace. She was probably about five or six years old, and it was her birthday. She was at church that morning with her family. After the service the pastor called her up, and laying his hand on her shoulder, he asked, “How can we pray for you on your birthday?” Her voice was timid, but her brave smile peeked through her sadness as she spoke these words. “My birthday wish is that this war would be over. I wish we could live upstairs all the time like we used to, instead of in the basement. I want prayer that this war would be over.” My heart broke as I listened to the cry of this innocent child’s heart. I felt the pain and confusion. The longing for peace. From a distance, we see the horror of the conflict. Up close we see the loss. We see hopelessness, and brokenness. But in this small gathering of believers, I felt my faith being renewed. In the birthday wish of a child, I felt hope. She directed us back to one of our greatest weapons; prayer. In the horror and destruction of war, we know where to go. We know Who to turn to. We know where to find peace. This world is broken, but we will rise victorious, because of the One who lives within us. And He has given us authority to fight against this oppressive darkness. This evil hatred. I choose to fight for these people. Not with mortars, missiles and guns. I choose love. I choose hope. I choose prayer. Pray for Ukraine 🇺🇦 #Ukraine #UkraineWar #InternationalCrisisResponse #HumanitarianAid #HumanitarianCrisis #Hope #PCCR

Haiti 🇭🇹 Today during our prison service, we had a time of prayer where many of the prisoners were on their knees crying and praying. Many times, the prayer of the Haitians is “O Senyè di yon mo pou Ayiti”: “Oh Lord, speak a word for Haiti”, which is their way of asking God to intervene. As I thought about this, I remembered a song written by Kurt Bestor. How this describes the people of Haiti! I sat in the truck and listen to the song with tears rolling down my face, picturing the people of Haiti and their reality at this moment. And so many children that are crying out for peace and hope of a better day to come. Prayer of the Children Can you hear the prayer of the children On bended knee, in the shadow of an unknown room? Empty eyes, with no more tears to cry Turning heavenward, toward the light Crying, "Jesus, help me To see the morning light of one more day; But if I should die before I wake I pray my soul to take." Can you feel the heart of the children Aching for home, for something of their very own? Reaching hands, with nothing to hold on to But hope for a better day, a better day Crying, "Jesus, help me To feel the love again in my own land; But if unknown roads lead away from home Give me loving arms, away from harm." Can you hear the voice of the children Softly pleading for silence in a shattered world? Angry guns preach a gospel full of hate Blood of the innocent on their hands Crying, "Jesus, help me To feel the sun again upon my face; For when darkness clears I know you're near Bringing peace again." #Haiti #CrisisResponse #InternationalCrisisResponse #HumanitarianAid #hope #PCCR

Haiti 🇭🇹 This story happened last Tuesday at the church service in prison. One of the inmates was asked to pray with the group and in her prayer, she thanked God that there are people who are willing to come and spend time with them, even though nobody else wants to. She thanked God for the weekly church service in the prison and for the Bibles that they have received. After the service, another inmate thanked us for the Bibles we brought in. They were able to start a daily Bible study because of these Bibles. From one of the guys: “The days are long and I have nothing else to do, so I read the Bible to pass time.” We’ve had more demand for Bibles than we can fill at this point, even some of the police officers have asked if they could have a copy. We are currently out of bibles, pray that we would be able to get more bibles soon. To me, it’s wonderful to think of how this prison is changing and being filled with God’s word. Isaiah 55:11 “so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.” #Haiti #CrisisResponse #InternationalCrisisResponse #HumanitarianAid #hope #PCCR

Ukraine 🇺🇦 " Good evening. I am crying.. May God bless you and your family. My thanks is to God who doesn't forsake me, and who sent me such caring and kind people like you." -From a food recipient. #Ukraine #UkraineWar #InternationalCrisisResponse #HumanitarianAid #HumanitarianCrisis #Hope #PCCR

Haiti 🇭🇹 We had gotten reports from a community in the mountains that was in great need and today, we were able to bring food in. I was pleasantly surprised how the local community pitched in to help unload the food and distribute it. One lady shared how the situation in Port au Prince is dangerous to the point where you get shot or kidnapped. But here in the mountains, you starve to death. Either way, life is hard.” The danger continues to increase and price of food keeps climbing. There were many malnourished children, and one of them asked: “Will I find food today? Yesterday I had some salt crackers and water.“ Every day, more areas are being controlled by the gangs and people live in fear of being kidnapped or of starvation. Keep praying for the people of Haiti. #Haiti #CrisisResponse #InternationalCrisisResponse #HumanitarianAid #hope #PCCR

Ukraine 🇺🇦 Over the last two weeks, we have shifted directions from the WARM project to bringing food to churches and organizations. One of the latest developments that we’re developing is setting up an evacuation network with several partner organizations. It calls for many meetings, both one-on-one and with multiple organizations, with a goal of networking to accomplish coordinated and efficient evacuations. This will allow all of us to be more effective in the line of work that we do. With a project of this size, there are many moving parts and details to work on. Keep praying for team, for wisdom and direction, and for the people we get to work with and serve. Your prayers are felt and deeply appreciated. #Ukraine #UkraineWar #InternationalCrisisResponse #HumanitarianAid #HumanitarianCrisis #Hope #PCCR

Turkey 🇹🇷/ Syria 🇸🇾 On Friday and Saturday, we spent time in Islahiya, Turkey. This is a town that was hit very hard from the earthquakes. Almost every house is either destroyed or damaged beyond repair and the entire city is sleeping outside in tents. We were able to partner with an organization who is on the ground and has limited permission from the government to work there. They have a soup kitchen set up and are serving hot food to the people of the town. We were able to work with them and hand out blankets and food to older people and children in the tent camps. We saw many broken hearts and seen a little life and hope come back as they received a warm blanket. We are grateful to the organization who allowed us to work with them for a few days. So far, our organization has not been able to receive permission from the Turkish government to work in the areas that were hit by the earthquake. After pursuing every option we could and coming up with dead ends in all directions, we decided to pull the team back out of the country for the time being. There is still a tremendous need, but the Turkish government has a desire to handle almost everything on their own. Currently, there is no access to the areas in Syria that were hit by the earthquake. Other organizations are running into the same difficulties, wanting to help but being stalled by the governments of Turkey and Syria. We will keep monitoring the situation and work to find an opening to bring help and hope to the people affected by the earthquake, both in Syria and Turkey. Keep praying for us to find a way to help and for the people who have lost their homes and loved ones in the earthquake. #Syria #Turkey #earthquake #CrisisResponse #InternationalCrisisResponse #HumanitarianAid #hope #PCCR

We just finished the First Response Training, with all the trainees graduating on Thursday. It was amazing to see this group pull together, develop leadership skills, teamwork and practical hands-on skills for crisis response work. Congratulations to all the graduates!👏🏼 #CrisisResponse #InternationalCrisisResponse #StatesideCrisisResponse #HumanitarianAid #hope #PCCR