After Three Years

In what way can the message of the Gospel come in contact with people every day? In Haiti, the answer is through the airwaves. Due to the introduction of low cost cell phones with internal FM radios (just like your i-pod), the medium of radio provides an excellent avenue for the Gospel message. For the past three years Back to God Ministries International has established a follow-up center in Port-au-Prince to leverage the very popular evangelical radio show produced by Pastor Paul Mpindi, entitled Perspectives Reformees (PR). The follow-up center has been an important part of our work as well, because it is a shared project between Back to God Ministries and our own sending agency, Christian Reformed World Missions. This week we are participating in a three-year evaluation of PR which is intended to celebrate the successes of the program and suggest opportunities to overcome some obstacles that are hinding it. One of the greatest successes has been the pastoral counseling program for those affected by the 2010 earthquake. PR's point person for the program, Pastor Gregory Brutus, has been entering displaced person camps (there are almost 500,000 persons living in such camps) to encourage and counsel struggling people. In one instance, Gregory met a young woman who had lost both her arm and her fiancee to the earthquake. She was ready to end her life before the encouraging Gospel message that she received from PR's radio program and Gregory's counseling helped her to see the possibilities that God was providing for her future. Thankfully, this young woman is trying to turn her life around despite her handicap. PR's radio program for earthquake survivors has been so popular that people have flocked to participating radio stations to listen to speakers erected outside the station because they had no radio to listen themselves. Please pray for PR as it must overcome some unexpected staff turnover and adapt to budget cuts and other challenges.

Back in Haiti

Dear Friends and Family:
Greetings from Haiti! After six months of life in Michigan (expect for a few trips here and there), we have returned to our Haiti home. Though we didn’t publicize it very much, some of you might have known that our children were seriously ill last week and for a good part of this week too. Because of a certain kind of bacterial infection, our children suffered from pneumonia, ear infections and sinus infections. Last week saw two trips to the hospital, three or four visits to the after-hour clinics and other appointments beyond number (at least from our perspective). We were strongly considering delaying our return, but by the grace of God, the last two days before our flight brought a tremendous recovery (your prayers and plenty of antibiotics helped a lot). So, we were able to make our flights, which we thought were going to be quite difficult for our children with ear infections. Actually, the flights went surprisingly well for our children. We, however, finally succumbed to our kids’ bug and are feeling a little sick. We were happy to find our house in good condition and many of our friends waiting to receive us. Please pray for the next few weeks as our children will be starting school at Quisqueya Christian School (their school in Haiti) in the middle of a year. Pray for patience as we endure the chaos of moving in and the challenge of adjustment to life in Haiti again. We pray that God is with you also in your present walk of life—whether it is a time of great joy or sorrow. Blessings!
Thanks for your prayers.
Zachary, Sharon, Hannah, Vivian, Isaiah and Esther Segaar-King
Missionaries to Haiti
Christian Reformed World Missions

Urgent Prayer Request

Dear Family and Friends:

Many of you know that we are scheduled in return to Haiti on Friday, February 10. Beginning last week, our family was hit with probably the worst bug that we have ever encountered. Last week Monday, we took Vivian and Isaiah to the doctor. Vivian was diagnosed with illness-induced asthma because of a terrible cough and Isaiah had an ear-infection and a bad cold. On Tuesday night of last week, Vivian had such a terrible coughing fit that we took her to the emergency room late at night. She was diagnosed with "walking pneumonia" and put on an anti-biotic. On Thursday of last week, we took Esther in to the doctor where she was diagnosed with illness-induced asthma and a double ear infection. On Saturday night, we took Hannah to the after-hours clinic with a cough, a temperature, and a lot of discomfort. She was diagnosed with pretty severe case of pneumonia and a sinus infection. She was started on anti-biotic. Yesterday night, Zach spent the evening in the after-hours clinic with Esther after a terrible coughing fit. She was diagnosed with "walking pneumonia" and put on a second antibiotic. Isaiah and Vivian are not really improving much, and we are taking them back to the doctor today. Hannah has hardly moved off the couch and is extremely miserable. This sudden affliction of illness would be pretty comical if it wasn't so miserable.

The real problem is that we are scheduled to fly to Haiti on Friday! Please pray for quick healing and wisdom to know if this is really possible. Pray for Sharon and Zach too as they are not sleeping and trying to back up to go back to Haiti. Thanks!