12/17/2025
A friend of ours, who works in Haiti for many years, and who we helped distribute food during the Haiti earthquake just posted this. Relationships are so important as we believe Jesus wants to eradicate starvation in Jesus name. From DeVoes Book of Memoirs: One year after the devastating earthquake that hit Haiti in January 2010, we received this email from the then "Captain Sam Howard" who was the captain of the USS BATAAN naval ship that was sent to Haiti by our government to help...they were anchored right out in the bay directly across from Grand Goave, Haiti where our main Lifeline campus was and where over 2000 refugees from the quake rushed to our campus/grounds, for safety (we later learned that many Haitians told the American volunteers that they came to Lifeline because they "...knew God was there working...." and where we built hoop tents for each family utilizing Military labor, tarps from Samaritan's Purse, and other materials we purchased with relief donation; a(nd many Americans came to help on our campus too; some staying for a month or more):
"A Year of Prayer by Captain Sam Howard
Dear Bob and Gretchen,
I will not be surprised if you don't remember me but pray that my Sailor and Marine shipmates from USS BATAAN (LHD 5) left you with a pleasant memory and evidence of useful labor. Its been a year since last year's earthquake, the event that brought your ministry to my awareness and to my prayer list. I have since turned command of USS BATAAN over to an outstanding officer, CAPT Steve Koehler, another of the many who, while aboard BATAAN, visited your compound and witnessed the extraordinary work Lifeline does for the community in Grand Goave and Haiti at large.
I have been remiss in contacting you but have kept both of you in mind and prayer. Today I was again wearing the cap you gave me, humbled that God could use my service to Him as a Naval officer and leader on a maritime operational mission that was equally as much a trip to the mission field that you two have served in so faithfully.
I pray you are well and that things in your lives and ministry continue to prosper. I understand you still have many in tent shelters on and adjacent to your grounds. I never shy from the opportunity to tell those who've not been to Haiti or studied the history of the last decade that it was not just the quake that caused such a circumstance. God will move in His time to change the overall environment on the island but in the interim, I will continue to pray that what you two are leading delivers on His expectations and that many hands and proper resources continue to arrive at the right time to meet the endless challenges your face.
Since leaving USS BATAAN in Feb last year, I have been ashore in a challenging job at our Fleet Headquarters here in Norfolk, VA. My wife, Lari, and son, Mercer, and I were blessed in not having to relocate for this assignment. The month I spent off the coast of Haiti and the chance to welcome you aboard the ship was the single most significant highlight of my seagoing career and I will forever be grateful to Him for the opportunity to openly blend my service to and love of Christ and this nation in such a wonderful way because of your willingness to welcome us into your compound. I am privileged to know you both and pray for God's most wonderful blessings on you, your family, and your ministry.
In His grip and service, Sam
CAPT Sam Howard, USN
Executive Assistant to the
Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff
U.S. Fleet Forces"
(Recently we reconnected with him and he later was made an Admiral and is now retired from military service but continues teaching and training military personnel.) sure
