Answered Prayer

Thanks so much for your prayers. 

• The streets are more open so people can get out and around to purchase supplies though some barricades are still in place. 
• Praise the Lord the Mears were able to fly out on Missionary Flights yesterday to Fort Pierce Florida so will be able to attend Grace's college graduation in California. MFI usually comes to Port on Thursdays but due to the problems they waited until Friday and had room so Mears were able to get out.  They live on the other side of town closer to the airport and were able to take back roads to get there. 
• The Lord's answer concerning us thus far is that we will not fly out on Monday but have seats on the American Airlines flight on Wednesday the 15th. The airlines called Amy last night and gave her this information.

We are seeing these additional days in Haiti as an opportunity to get work done especially for David who was so far behind in administrative responsibilities.  He will give his exam on Tuesday afternoon if the seminary opens.  He can also start writing his materials for his January La Coma seminar and I can begin typing it all here.  He will still have to work on it in Lancaster probably but at least can get a good start on it here. 

Please pray that Wednesday goes well and we can get our flight out.  David has a dentist appt on Friday the 17th and our eye appointments are on Monday the 20th.

Thanks again for being such faithful partners in prayer with us.

Phyllis

Thursday Update

Not sure what news you all are hearing but first let me say we are fine and not even hearing a lot of shooting or anything in our area as of 8 am Thursday morning. It is VERY quiet which is not normal. We do know that the airport is closed today as it was yesterday. The road we use to leave our area is barricaded. Obviously we won't try to pass through the barricades. They aren't there for us but to close down travel in our area.

We are the secondary route from south of Port-au-Prince into the city so this successfully blocks traffic coming and going south.

We just received word that MFI is NOT flying into Haiti today because of the situation.

I'm sure there will be no seminary classes tonight and maybe not tomorrow.  Next week is exams so not sure what will happen. David was to give his exam on Saturday so we could leave on Monday.

Please pray for several things:

1. The Haitian people pretty much live day to day with provisions and everything being blocked this way for very long will make it hard for people to buy what they need.

2. Rich and Carol Mears and their son Ricky are scheduled to fly to the states tomorrow for their daughter's graduation from college. God can open the way but the "not knowing what will happen" is difficult. Imagine yourself in their shoes and pray accordingly.

3. Our flight to PA on Monday isn't nearly as "vital" as the Mears but it will still be a big disappointment if that is not possible. 

The Lord knows HIS plans for each one of us. He is actually sending a gentle rain right now - we woke up to it and that is extremely unusual during our dry season but rain usually keeps people out of the streets. 

I'm working on the notes for one of David's classes next semester as well as baking some "goodies" for some of our Haitian friends before I leave. Going ahead and taking one step at a time. Thanks for praying.

Love,
Phyllis

Brief update from Phyllis Schmid

We are praying that the airport will be functioning for our flight out on Monday.

I know if things are too bad it will be hard for David to leave the other missionaries here. He says he'll sent me out but not wanting to do that - we've been down this path before. :(

The road we use to leave our area is barricaded. Obviously we don't try to pass through the barricades.  They aren't there for us but to close down travel in our area.

We are the secondary route from south of Port-au-Prince into the city so this successfully blocks traffic coming and going south. I'm sure there will be no seminary classes tonight and maybe not tomorrow.  Next week is exams so not sure what will happen.

David was to give his exam on Saturday so we could leave on Monday. The Lord knows HIS plans for us. He is actually sending a gentle rain right now - we woke up to it and that is extremely unusual during our dry season but rain usually keeps people out of the streets. I'm doing typing for one of David's classes next semester as well as baking some "goodies" for some of our Haitian friends before I leave.

Going ahead and taking one step at a time. Thanks for praying..

Love,
Phyllis

Update from Phyllis Schmid

Hi,

Well, Elections took place last Sunday and it seemed to go pretty quietly this time.  We heard from friends in the northwest and La Pointe that there didn't seem to be any trouble.  It was a quiet day here too.  We have not been given the results - they are to be announced on Tuesday December 7th but the rumors are flying of fraud, etc.  We appreciate your prayers for the outcome of these elections.

I've mentioned that there has been shooting in the area west of us and this past Wednesday we were awakened at 5 am to the sounds of a "war" taking place.  It kept this up steady until around 6:30 when it quieted down.  Gang members have died and been injured as well as innocent bystanders who got in the line of fire.  This is happening in our area between two local gangs so I'm sure it isn't making the news there.  Please pray for peace to come to this area and for the protection of people in the area. 

We've heard in one of the updates on the cholera situation that the number of cases continue to rise but the number who are dying of the disease has decreased which means people are getting treatment more quickly.

David is preparing to preach tomorrow.  Next week is the last day of classes and he gives his Revelation exam on Saturday the 11th.  We fly out late in the afternoon on the 13th arriving in Philadelphia after midnight on the 14th - won't be too productive that day for sure.  :)

Love to all,
Phyllis

Unrest in Haiti

Please pray for the innocent people around Haiti who are caught in the protests and gang fighting.  Many people are still struggling from the earthquake and now the cholera epidemic.  When this level of frustration boils over, innocent people are hurt or killed. 

Early this morning, the gangs near the Bolosse campus (Ti Bwa and Grand Ravine) started an all out war.  It suddenly stopped around 6:30 and has been very quiet except for the people yelling because innocents were injured and one man killed.  There has been fighting over the last few weeks and apparently some gang members one both sides killed.

Mom and Dad and McMartins are safe on campus.  The concern is for the people who live near this gangs and the protests happening all over the country.

God has His hand on Haiti.  Many are reaching out to Him as a result of this tragic year.  Please pray with us that their questioning will result in genuine searching for Christ.  We know He wants to be found and will not hide from them.