Brother Kenson and all his family, as well as neighbors who lost their homes and almost everything in them, were offered the temporary use of a large pavilion, at no charge. It has a concrete floor and is open at the sides, and room for many people to sleep under cover. The owner was not using it and could not see the families living outside in tents as the rainy season was about to begin. Those of us, who have camped in tents for more than a day in the rain, know what that can be like – not pleasant under the best of circumstances. Kenson and his family also have the use of the ground floor of the building next door. The C.B.M. Canada through the assistance of a number of brothers and sisters in the U.K. (including the Christadelphian Office) had two shipments of supplies flown to Port-au-Prince on January 24th & 31st - this was due to a kind offer from a man who is not a Christadelphian and became aware of the need. He has his own private jet and often visits Haiti on business. These supplies included tents, household and first aid items, clothing, French Bibles and sufficient U.S. dollars for necessary purchases. The packages were picked up by Kenson at a secure location about 10 minutes from his house and took care of their immediate needs. The Hand of God was evident every day during January and February as the brotherhood responded and worked together to attend to our brother and his family’s needs! The concern, cooperation and care by many around the world was indeed a symbol of our bonds of fellowship. We received inquiries, encouragement and help from Australia, Tasmania, the UK, from all over North America, plus from the Caribbean and Latin America. We are a worldwide brotherhood and at the same time, we have shown our concern for an individual brother and his family – whom almost all of us have never met!

We took Bro. Kenson replacement copies of the recent Bible Missionary and Bible Magazine, along with copies of The Christadelphian and Wrested Scripture. We also left another stack of French literature supplied by the C.I.L., sent over especially for this trip. Bro. Kenson was very interested to see the A.L.S. Diary again. It meant so much more to him this time, than in the past. So many different brothers and sisters and organizations listed in the Diary had corresponded with him and sent him things. He truly feels part of a community even though he is in isolation. A number of these members from the U.K. sent me emails and personal or family photos to take with me. Kenson took them from me, as if he was receiving treasure and he was - tokens of fellowship!

You may be thinking – “Why hasn’t the CBMC (and the CBMA in the past) done more preaching on this Island, in these 2 countries – the Dominican Republic and Haiti?” Basically due to the fact that we do not have the funding or the fieldworkers to start and support a long-term preaching program on this Island. Both Bible Missions have all they can do to maintain existing work in the Caribbean (CBMC) and in Latin America (CBMA), without starting new initiatives. At the same time, we do now feel a need to do something. In Kenson’s case, the brotherhood has responded to his immediate needs. Other than what I have already described as practical daily assistance, we will be using the monetary donations to help him re-build or re-locate in Port-au-Prince or elsewhere. He does have employment (when there is a place to go to), which is an important consideration, since many do not. We also plan a follow-up trip to assist in the next stage of helping the family with their new home.

Finally, both the CBMA and CBMC would like to thank the brotherhood for the very generous contributions to-date towards this relief matter. We should have no problem in assisting Brother Kenson rebuild an adequate home for his family. As we have mentioned in our appeals – any excess donations will be used for future CBMA and CBMC relief work. For example the recent earthquake damage to the meeting room (plus literature and Bibles) in Santiago, Chile; or damage from the annual hurricanes in the Caribbean; or flooding that occasional takes place in Guyana. We assure the brotherhood though that we will do our best to honor requests for donations sent specifying that they be used directly to help Brother Kenson and his family.

In the Hope of the Kingdom and the Restoration of Israel,
Brother Donald Luff,
On behalf of the CBMA and CBMC

Please visit the Haiti/Dominica Republic activities page for the complete story of the earthquake and details on Bro. Don’s trip to Haiti.

There was a massive earthquake in Chile. Fortunately it was centered 200 miles from the capital, Santiago, where the two brethren and one sister live but there is some damage there.

Bro. Bernardo Soto in Santiago informs us by email that he has checked out his office and the meeting room on the 10th floor of an old building. Not something which we would have recommended he do, but anyway...

Bernardo reports that in the meeting room, the water pipes in the bathroom burst and flooded the place. All the pamphlets and Bibles were thrown onto the floor and soaked. In Bernado's office there were also some broken pipes; all his computers and other equipment and books were thrown to the floor and suffered some water damage.

We have also received the following message from Bro. Andrew and Shaye Yearsley who are in Santiago.

We will continue to keep you informed as more information becomes available and what might be needed in assistance. Information about our preaching efforts in Chile may be found here.