The Ohio County News

Home

Top Stories

Refugees get ray of hope from Sonlight

Written by Register Staff

Thursday, 04 February 2010

Norma Alexander, founder of Sonlight Academy along with her husband
Roger, sent word this past week that there have been hundreds of
refugees from the devastated Port au Prince, Haiti, area who have
migrated northward to Sonlight in Port de Paix.
One morning she guesstimated there were 175 people in the upstairs of
the school which houses high school classes and church services.
They were there as part of an interview process which consists of asking
if they were in PAP (Port au Prince) at the time of the earthquake, some
details to verify that fact, and their family status, who they are
staying with at this time, and their needs. The answers vary, as does
the response.
The line formed downstairs at the stairway, went out the main gate of
the school where another estimated 600 were waiting. A lot of those were
holding cards (already having been interviewed and waiting for their
food) while the rest were waiting to be interviewed.
Interviews started at 11 a.m. but people were there waiting PATIENTLY at
8 a.m.
We are helping as many people as fast as is possible, she writes.
Bible College people, our staff, seniors, our Haitian staff ...everyone
is busy.
God has blessed us again and again, with workers who care, with funds
that so many of you have made available and with a great place for
distribution. It seems that the crowds have been very orderly. They have
been instructed as to what will happen, and for the most part, they will
receive help.
This program is planned for four weeks and already they are running out
of clothes, but they have rice, beans, soap, and for some milk and some
canned meat. They are able to purchase the rice, beans, soap and milk.
The canned meat was donated by a Haitian boat captain.
It has been estimated that there are perhaps 50,000 refugees who have or
will make their way to Port de Paix, 160 miles from the earthquake hit
area.
It doesnt seem like there has been that kind of an influx, but then
when we hear our help saying, oh yes, I have seven living with me, . .
. I have three who are at my house, . . . . . I did have one, but two
more came last night. . . . then it seems more feasible. In this
culture, family takes care of family. You are not guests, you are
family. I love that, adds Norma. Thank you seems so very inadequate.
You cannot know what your $$$ mean to this hurting nation.
Update on adoption
No new update on Aurora native John Niehaus and his wife Carmens
attempt to get a VISA to bring their daughter Bella (adoption not
finalized). They are at the US Consulate in Port au Prince waiting word.
They had to take the long 10-hour plus bus ride which was scheduled to
leave at 1 a.m. and left at 3 a.m., not unusual in Haiti time.
The consulate misplaced Carmen and Johns fingerprints which had to
emailed along with the receipt.
They traveled with Keith Lashbrook of Lashbrook Family Ministries and
the In the Fathers Hand Orphanage. He was taking forty one children and
a considerable number of parents. Others are to meet the children in Miami.
Five of the children boarded an Air Force plane headed to the U.S. with
no word yet on the other 36 left.
The Lashbrooks received word that their buildings in Port de Paix have
been inspected and the church and school will need to be torn down and
rebuilt.
Financial contributions should be made payable to:
Lashbrook Family Ministries and mailed to: Globe International, PO Box
3040, Pensacola, FL 32516-3040
To help Sonlight Ministries assistance with the refugees, send donations
to Sonlight Ministries, PO Box 8031, Evansville, IN 47716 or checks can
be made to the Rising Sun Church of Christ with Haiti relief in the memo.

Views: 487

Be first to comment this article

Write Comment

Please keep the topic of messages relevant to the subject of the article. Personal verbal attacks will be deleted. Please don't use comments to plug your web site. Such material will be removed. Just ensure to Refresh your browser for a new security code to be displayed prior to clicking on the 'Send' button. Keep in mind that the above process only applies if you simply entered the wrong security code.
Name:
E-mail
Homepage
Title:
BBCode:
Comment:
Code:*
	I wish to be contacted by email regarding additional comments