Local Ohio Missionaries to Haiti Hit hard by Earthquake

Patti Cunningham, of Portsmouth, and her adopted son, Jude, watch the devastation in Jude’s home country of Haiti unfold Friday on CNN. Jude was in Portsmouth for his adoptive father’s funeral when the massive earthquake hit.

posted January 17, 2010

Jude Isaac watched on CNN, along with the rest of the world, as his home in Haiti fell apart following a 7.0 magnitude earthquake in Port-au-Prince Tuesday. If he hadn’t been in Portsmouth for his adoptive father’s funeral, he too may have been buried by the quake that has already killed an estimated 50,000 people.
Jude, 21, was born in Haiti. His mother died when he was very young and his father couldn’t care for him. He was living on the streets, alone, when he was 8 years old, eating whatever he could catch or find.
“When I was on the streets, I started praying that I would find new parents,” Jude said.
He said God answered his prayers when Patti and Randy Cunningham, of Portsmouth, found him in 1997.
“My church group at the time, Christ Community Church — we were going on a short-term mission trip to build a church and I was asked to go on it. I talked my whole family into going,” Patti Cunningham said.
With her was her husband, and their children, Jared and Lindsey, along with a foreign exchange student living with them from Germany. The family was in Haiti from Dec. 26, 1997, until Jan. 3, 1998. They were so taken by the country, the family raised money and in July 1998, they went back and established duel residency between the U.S. and Haiti. While there, they helped start a medical clinic, feeding programs, and have created six churches — each with a primary school.
“Starvation is the second highest killer in Haiti right now; right behind waterborne diseases,” Patti said.
Since their first visit, Randy has spent more and more time in Haiti, with Jude, while Patti stayed in Portsmouth, visiting occasionally.
“(Randy) was afraid, because of the dangers. He had been shot at three times, and had been robbed at gunpoint once. So he was afraid for me to be there,” she said. “The crime rate has gone up. When we first went over there, there was never robberies or anything like that against Americans. Now there’s kidnapping and stuff like that, and it’s desperation.”
The Cunninghams didn’t know Jude was homeless, and he didn’t come to live with the family until he was 10 years old. The adoption process in Haiti is long and tedious. Patti said their paperwork had been destroyed or lost three times, and corruption slows the process even further. There are always people standing outside offices waiting to be bribed to go inside and push paperwork through the system — and sometimes they’ll just take the money and disappear, Jude said.
“Everybody there does what they need to do, because when other people are having different problems than you, you’re really not going to find anyone there to help you with your problems when they got their own problems to care about. Nothing ever changes, and if there is a change it probably gets worse,” he said.
The adoption took so long, in fact, that they still had not completed it by the time Jude was 16, and at that age, he was removed from the program.
Randy passed away in Haiti on Dec. 29, hours after returning from Portsmouth where he and Jude spent Christmas with their family. Jude was issued a six-month visa to visit the U.S. for his father’s funeral in Portsmouth, and he was with Patti when they heard news of the earthquake Tuesday evening.
“Someone called me and told me there was an earthquake, and I turned on CNN and ...,” Patti paused to fight back her tears. “It was just devastating. A lot of people had nothing before, but now they don’t even have hope because businesses are gone and that means jobs are gone. There’s already a shortage of food and water and it’s only going to get worse because the big water companies were in Port-au-Prince, so the water is going to be contaminated.”
Though he lived with Randy in Montrouis, about 90 minutes from Port-au-Prince where the quake hit, Jude said he and Randy probably would have been in town that day for their feeding programs. He said he’s glad he avoided the disaster, but still worries about friends left behind.
“They live more out on the coast, but sometimes they go into town to get stuff done, and I couldn’t get a hold of them to see if they’re OK. I haven’t been able to get through because all the phone companies are down and no electric,” he said. “I have a feeling that they’re fine because they live out on the coast, but the thought of not being able to get a hold of them and hear what is going on, or know that people are OK (scares me).”
Patti said the best thing anyone can do now is to donate to one of the many relief programs available. The American Red Cross has programs available, and more information about donations and private offers of assistance can also be found on the U.S. State Department’s Web site, at http://www.state.gov/p/wha/ci/ha/earthquake/index.htm.
“Today, our thoughts and prayers remain with everyone in Haiti, as well as the family and friends of Haitians here in the United States who may be in search of loved ones or grieving a loss,” Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland said Friday. “We know that many Ohioans are looking for ways they can financially assist with the relief efforts in Haiti. We are encouraging Ohioans to donate what they can afford to help the families who are struggling and without essential needs as a result of this catastrophe. The compassion and charity of Ohioans can go a long way toward helping Haitians who may be left with next to nothing.”
Indeed, that compassion can go a long way; and every penny counts.
The average family income in Haiti is 3,200 Haitian dollars a year. That’s equal to only about 400 U.S. dollars, Patti said. Sending only $20 to Haitian relief programs is like sending 5 percent of the average income in Haiti. Sometimes we think $20 isn’t enough to make a difference, but imagine how much it might help you if, during a crisis, someone handed you 5-percent of your annual income.
Patti said she was happy to see such a global response to the disaster, but her biggest concern is that the hype will settle in a few months and assistance will dry up while Haiti still needs it. She remembers the way Haiti was quickly forgotten after one of the major hurricanes that have struck the area almost yearly.
“The (President Bill) Clinton Administration, they helped more than anybody I’ve ever seen. Haiti got a lot of help from the U.S., but it seems like the country doesn’t change,” Patti said.
Thursday, President Barack Obama committed $100 million toward Haitian relief efforts. The World Bank also issued $100 million, and Britain sent $10 million. Patti said she hopes the money can be used to help rebuild infrastructure for safer buildings, electricity and clean water.
“This is a turning point. That’s what we’re all praying for,” she said.

Click to read original article from the
Portsmouth Daily Times

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JMC Ministries Response

written by Miranda Caverley

This article was posted on January 17, 2010 and we just today were given a copy of the that days paper with this article in it by Martha Berell.  She is a  good friend and fellow ministry partner of Patti Cunningham . Martha gave us one of the few copies of the paper she had left and told us that the article was also posted online. 

If you follow JMC Ministries you will know that we are close friends to the Cunningham family and Randy’s death really hit us hard.  We are always sharing about Patti and Randy’s ministry that they not only do in Haiti but also Jamaica and Uganda. The devastation in Haiti really hit us hard because just 7 days before the earthquake hit their soon Jude was able to come to the U.S for Randy’s funeral and like the article said Jude may have been injured or even killed in the quake had he not been able to the emergency VISA to come to the U.S.

To learn more about Patti and Randy’s ministry visit Kingdom Builders International Myspace pager at

http://www.myspace.com/kingdom_builders_intl

To the entire Cunningham Family you are in our thoughts and prayers.  We thank you for the work you do to reach out to those in need in Haiti, Jamaica and Uganda

 

How The U.S. Coast Guard is helping in Haiti

JMC Ministries Response

written by Miranda Caverley

As the wife of a veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard not many people know all the Coast Guard does to not only keep America Safe, but also how they give relief and help during disasters. During Hurricane Katrina the Coast Guard played a huge role in rescuing people who were trapped on the roofs of homes and also delivering Aid.

Please remember our military personnel  as they continue to help the people of Haiti.

Harrison Ford Talks About the Decline of Good Hollywood Roles

The Hollywood mega-star says if you want a quality role these days, you have to go out and make the movie yourself.

Veteran actor Harrison Ford has only made a handful of movies over the last few years, and it's not because he no longer loves acting – it’s just that according to him – Hollywood isn't producing any quality material.

“I grew up in a system where the studios spent a lot of money on the development of stories and ideas and bought books and they really developed the scripts. That doesn’t happen anymore,” Ford told Tarts. “Now, if you want good material you have to develop it for yourself or have a hand in the process. I have been determined to do that over the past few years.”

Ford took matters into his own hands by signing on as executive producer for the new fact-based drama “Extraordinary Measures,”  where he plays an unconventional scientist that sets out to develop a cure for Pompe disease alongside John and Aileen Crowley (Brendan Fraser and Keri Russell), whose young children are inflicted with the rare degenerative disorder.

“I was looking to develop material for myself,” Ford added. “I saw an opportunity to tell a very positive human story and the opportunity to craft for myself a part different to what I’ve normally done and a different genre.”

However the 67-year-old “Indiana Jones” star certainly isn’t the first to be dismayed by the caliber of Hollywood roles these days. In fact, it seems to be quite a hot topic, among both male and female actors.

“Where are the roles for the female experience from that (strong, admirable) point of view for the young college girls, mothers and grandmothers? A lot of actresses I speak to find the same thing,” actress Jessica Biel recently told us. “We're all scrambling for it when something good comes out that actually has a good female character.”

Click to read original article at Fox News

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JMC Ministries Response

written by Miranda Caverley

For years now and even decades we have seen the decline in good wholesome family films.  Many movies even some PG rated ones have started to have risqué’ subjects and material in their films.  What was rated R  back in the 80’s and even 90’s is now considered PG-13 today which means teenagers are seeing more and more sex, violence, drugs and practically anything that is immoral. 

The fact that actors are now complaining that there are no good roles anymore is quite over do.  Harrison Ford is right that if you want a good movie/role you have to make it yourself.  That is why so many independent films, directors, producers etc. are popping up all over the place. Take the movie Fireproof for example That was made by a Church. A church people! Because they wanted to make films that were good family films with a message.  Hollywood use to make movies like that back in the 30’s 40’s and 50’s. 

But now there are hardly any.  I will say there are still some but like Jessica Beil said in the article.  There are so little good roles out there that when one comes available everyone is jumping on it.  When is directors, producers, and the movie companies going to realize people are getting tired and want change! 

We need more people like the Church that produced Fireproof to rise up and say no more! That they want to see good wholesome family films again that bring families back together not tear them apart.

Churches in UK to watch 3 minute warning video about the Equality Bill this Sunday

MEDIA ADVISORY, Jan. 20 /Christian Newswire/ -- Churches across the UK will interrupt their worship this Sunday to watch a three- minute warning video about the Equality Bill, which is due to be voted on in the House of Commons the following day.
Christian Concern for our Nation believes the Bill is the biggest state intervention into people's private expression of their faith since the Reformation.
Director Andrea Minichiello-Williams will tell Christians that if the Bill goes through, their church could not advertise for a "Christian youth worker", but just a "youth worker". The role of worship leader, often pivotal in any church, could no longer be restricted to Christians.
Andrea Minichiello Williams commented, "Christians and Churches across this nation need to be aware that this Bill has enormous implications for their day- to-day functioning. If it is passed in its present form, the Equality Bill will result in churches and Christian organisations having to recruit people to key positions who are unsympathetic to the need to reflect Christ and to worship Him through their work. That will in turn affect the way in which Jesus Christ is perceived by those served by the Church and its ministries."
The video can be watched on YouTube and the Christian Concern for our Nation website. Christians will also be urged to sign David Skinner's anti-Equality Bill petition on the No 10 Downing St website, which again can be accessed via www.ccfon.org.

Click to read original article at Christian News Wire

6.1 After Shock Hits Haiti

Port-au-Prince, Haiti (CNN) -- A strong aftershock rocked Haiti on Wednesday morning just as much-needed medical aid was set to reach the earthquake-ravaged nation.

The 6.1-magnitude aftershock was about 6.2 miles deep, with an epicenter about 35 miles (60 kilometers) west-southwest of the capital of Port-au-Prince, the U.S. Geological Survey said.

It rattled people struggling to recover from the devastating 7.0-magnitude earthquake that walloped the impoverished country January 12, killing at least 72,000 people.

Such a strong tremor can pose significant danger in a nation where damaged buildings are teetering precariously. The aftershock was the strongest to hit Haiti since last week's original quake, the USGS said.

The largest aftershock before Wednesday was magnitude 5.9, the agency said.

Click to read Full Article at CNN.com

Rifqa Bary To Stay in Foster Care until her 18th Birthday

JMC Ministries Response

Written by Miranda Caverley

This has been a story we here at JMC Ministries has been following since day 1.  We have even included it into our JMC LIVE Show.  Because this hits home to us. Rifqa lives just 1 hour away from us.  She has been in our prayers since this ordeal has begun. We are so happy to see that she will stay in Foster Care until she is an adult. 

We know what she claims that she will be killed is true.  Because we have heard many testimonies of Muslims who after converting to Christianity or any other religion for that matter. Were forced to flee from their family and sometimes even go into hiding to keep from being murdered.

Solar Powered Audio Bibles Head to Haiti to give Hope to those suffering from the Devastation

Posted January 18, 2010

Faith Comes By Hearing, the world's foremost Audio Bible ministry, is responding to this crisis by providing faith, hope and love through God's Word in audio.

"We already have 600 Proclaimers on their way through our ministry partner, Convoy of Hope," said Jon Wilke, the ministry's spokesperson. "These portable, solar-powered Audio Bibles will be given to local pastors so people can hear God's Word in their own language--Haitian Creole."

"There is an immediate need for 3,000 Proclaimers. We want to equip those short-term groups, disaster relief teams, church teams and ministries with the Word of God in a format people can use," he said.

Right now, Haitians are afraid to go inside whatever is left of their homes. They are fearful of aftershocks or further collapse. Masses of people are sitting outside, on the curbs and under homemade shelters. Peoples' houses are crumbled, their families are shattered and they are living in ruins.

"Haitians will need that long-term hope and comfort that comes from knowing God has not forgotten them through this tragedy," said Wilke.

Churches can get involved by providing funding for more Proclaimers or by incorporating these Audio Bibles into their short-term trips. Learn more at www.FaithComesByHearing.com or by calling 800-545-6552.

"Please continue to pray for the people of Haiti and for those who are mobilizing to meet the tremendous needs that are impacting thousands of people," Wilke said.

Click To Read Full Article from

Christian News Wire

Abortion Clinic in Ohio Closes It’s Doors For Good

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio, Jan. 19 /Christian Newswire/ -- After 34 years in the abortion business, the Mahoning Women's Center in Youngstown, Ohio, permanently closed its doors on January 12, 2010. The owner has retired and the building will be sold. The closure leaves the community of Youngstown abortion-free.

"This is such great news for the people of Ohio and all Americans. It means that lives will be saved," said Operation Rescue President Troy Newman. "We know from experience that when abortion clinics close, many women who would otherwise have opted for abortion will instead happily keep their babies or release them for adoption."
The closure follows a well-documented national trend. In 1991, there were nearly 2,200 abortion clinics, but today there are 712. Since 1991 over two-thirds of all abortion clinics have permanently closed. That trend reflects the shifting attitude of Americans toward the pro-life position.
Operation Rescue documented this trend in Project Daniel 5:25, which lists the remaining abortion clinics and encourages pro-life supporters to maintain a presence outside each one.
"This week, we mark the 37th memorial of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision that decriminalized abortion and we mourn for the 50 million babies that were the cruel victims of that decision. Yet, at the same time, we rejoice that abortion clinics are closing at an unprecedented rate and that an increasing number of Americans are rejecting abortion in favor of embracing and cherishing life. The foundations of Roe have crumbled, and the abortion industry is not far behind," said Newman.
To further speed the closure of abortion clinics, Operation Rescue is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of abortionists who are breaking the law.

Click to Read original Article at

Christian News Wire

Why Pornography Is Bad

Article Originally posted on December 2, 2009

Washington, D.C.-based Family Research Council released on Wednesday a new study detailing the effects of pornography on marriages, children and individuals.

"This is a ground-breaking review of what pornography costs families trying to create a life together," said Dr. Pat Fagan, who authored the study and serves as FRC's senior fellow and director of the Center for Research on Marriage and Religion. "Men, women and sometimes even children are saturated by sexual content, and more significantly, are told that it has no real effect. It's just a little amusement."
But through the study, Fagan affirmed that "pornography corrodes the conscience, promotes distrust between husbands and wives and debases untold thousands of young women."
"It is not harmless escapism but relational and emotional poison," he commented.
Pornography was defined in the study as "a visual representation of sexuality which distorts an individual’s concept of the nature of conjugal relations."
The report showed that in families, pornography use leads to marital dissatisfaction, infidelity, separation and divorce.
Citing the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, the report pointed out that 68 percent of divorce cases involved one party meeting a new paramour over the Internet, 56 percent involved "one party having an obsessive interest in pornographic websites," 47 percent involved "spending excessive time on the computer," and 33 percent involved spending excessive time in chat rooms.
Fagan commented, "The fact that marriage rates are dropping steadily is well known. But the impact of pornography use and its correlation to fractured families has been little discussed. The data show that as pornography sales increase, the marriage rate drops."
The FRC study revealed that among couples affected by one spouse's addiction, two-thirds experience a loss of interest in sexual intercourse; both spouses perceive pornography viewing as tantamount to infidelity; and pornography viewing leads to a loss of interest in good family relations.
Pornography use, Fagan says, is "a quiet family killer."
Men are more than six times as likely to view pornography as females and more likely to spend more time viewing it.
Men who habitually look at pornography have a higher tolerance for abnormal sexual behaviors, sexual aggression, promiscuity, and even rape. Moreover, men begin to view women and even children as "sex objects."
Additionally, addictive pornography use leads to lower self-esteem and a weakened ability to carry out a meaningful social and work life.
Among teens, those who watch pornography more frequently tend to be high sensation seekers, less satisfied with their lives, have a fast Internet connection, and have friends who are younger. Viewing such material at their age hinders the development of a healthy sexuality.
The study points out that with the growth of digital media and the Internet, social sanctions from parents, mentors and the community are operating in fewer and fewer quarters.
Fagan warns, "Habitual consumption of pornography can break down the relational substrates of human life and interaction – family, friends and society.
"As such, reinforcing these relationships is the surest guard against such destructive sexual tendencies."
The key to protecting against the effects of pornography, he says, is to foster relationships of affection and attachment, especially between the father and the mother and between parents and children. Deliberate parental monitoring of Internet use is an additional key defense. Fagan also calls on the government to "reassess its laissez-faire attitude towards the proliferation of pornography, especially on the Internet."
Family Research Council is a Christian organization dedicated to the promotion of marriage and family and the sanctity of human life in national policy.

Click to Read Full Article at The Christian Post

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JMC Ministries Response

Written by: Miranda and Jeremy Caverley

If people think there is nothing wrong with porn they are diluted.  Porn is as addictive as heroin at times.  If the person doesn't get their daily "fix" they can become aggressive and event violent.  This isn't just something I think or feel, but have actually witnessed personally.  Now this of course does not apply to all people and more than likely only represents a small percentage.  But, Porn is a problem for many people in the world.  Our society uses Sex in everything to try to get you to buy their "Stuff" Stuff they claim will make you have a better life and give you the thoughts that you can "get some" or "hook up" with someone if  you buy their product.  When did we lose our morale values America? How have we fallen so far to even support TV shows that promote Porn and Sexually promiscuity? We are in Porn Overdrive in America and much of the world today. Even many Christians have issues with Porn.  And many of them hide their addiction and try and cope with it on their own because as Christians we are suppose to be the image of Christ and purity.  But, Christians are also human and I think people today have forgotten that.  Many times when a professing Christian is caught doing something immoral or that involves porn we outcast them and shun them from the Christian Community.  However, that is NOT what Jesus said we are to do.  He said when a brother has fallen lift him up, love him and help him get back on his feet (paraphrasing of course).  If we as Christians practice what we preach and show the love of Christ to all I feel many more people would turn from the evils of immorality, Porn and all that this world tries to throw at us, and  come to know Christ as their personal Savior.  There are groups for people struggling with Alcohol, Nicotine, drugs.  But, I have not found alot churches that have groups to help their congregation with porn addiction.  It's like this dirty little secret we have to keep hidden under the rug.  When day after day, year after year.  Marriages and families are falling apart because of porn addiction.  This is a cry to you my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ to rise up and help those struggling with Porn and other addictions.  Be a helping hand to them and help lift them up with the love of Christ out of the darkness and into the light!

--Written by Miranda Caverley 

Being a male that has fallen into the temptation of porn, I understand the feeling of not be able to share this problem with many people. The church as a whole is not well equipped to assist with this and when you do the only solution was to remove the internet all together. That was 15 yrs ago. Things have changed! Their are now software packages that you can use to block websites and send reports to an accountability partner and of course learning how to walk away. 


Walking away from the internet, porn shops, strip clubs, peep shows, etc seems to be the hardest for anyone that is tempted to lust and sin. I personally don't like calling it a "porn addiction" because sin is "common to man" and this isn't something new for humans. Nor is it something that can just be stopped by taking a class. The world has fooled people into thinking that we don't "sin" anymore and has started calling things an addiction! I will have to also admit that any sin could look like an addiction. For example "in medicine, an addiction is a chronic neurobiological disorder that has genetic, psychosocial, and environmental dimensions and is characterized by one of the following: the continued use of a substance despite its detrimental effects" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Addiction


This causes a person to believe that they will always be this way. No true hope but just treatment. Well Jesus didn't come to just treat us! Jesus came to give us life to help us live more abundantly! Jesus came so He could pay the full price of sin! Even porn can't stand the power of Jesus Christ! No one should ever think they are so trapped that Jesus can't help them! Jesus knows all the sins of the world past, present, and future, and none of these will stop Him from loving everyone and wanting a relationship with them! 


Yes, we as humans must do our part to confess to God our transgressions and ask for forgiveness and allow Jesus to be the Lord of our lives and come live in our hearts! That will never change! But for porn to continue to be a "struggle" I think not! It is we humans that place God in a box, or even at times we place ourselves in a box. Stating that we can't do this or that. Well that is partly true! We need Jesus to be in the center of our daily lives! Even when we are tempted! Yes to call on Jesus is a literal statement! 


--Written by Jeremy Caverley

Haiti hit by 4.5 aftershocks Today

Aid and assistance slowly made its way to Haitians left without basic necessities by this week's earthquake, though relief efforts were further complicated by aftershocks and the threat of looting.

A magnitude-4.5 aftershock shook the capital of Port-au-Prince shortly before noon Saturday, raising new fears of damage. Rescue crews continued to work to free people believed trapped under rubble, while others carried out the grim task of disposing of the countless dead.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton landed Saturday in Haiti to meet with President Rene Preval, and the U.S. is sending more food, water and relief supplies. But it wasn't clear when that and other aid will reach all those in need.

About 600,000 humanitarian daily rations — basic nutrition packages that provide 2,300 calories — were expected to be at Haiti's airport by Saturday evening, said Tim Callaghan, the White House adviser helping to oversee relief efforts in Haiti. The World Food Program plans to distribute the rations.

Callaghan told reporters on a conference call Saturday that water purification units arrived Friday night, and officials hope they will produce up to 300,000 liters of water. More water is coming from the neighboring Dominican Republic.

Denis McDonough of the National Security Council said 180 tons of relief supplies had arrived in Haiti, but he didn't know how much had been distributed or where it has gone. "We don't have a good breakdown," he said.

The aftershock Saturday morning, though strong, did not appear strong enough to cause much damage, U.S. geophysicist Paul Caruso said, though even a small quake could bring down buildings hurt by Tuesday's magnitude-7.0 quake.

The latest tremors come amid a report from the U.S. embassy in Port-au-Prince of increased lootings, carjackings and armed attacks, while police seem absent in the area.

 

Click to read full article at Fox News