Dear Friends-
Today marks the 6 month anniversary of the earthquake that devastated Haiti. Ive spent much of today reflecting on the past few years of my involvement in Haiti, and the drastic turn that it took on January 12th, 2010. I continue to be amazed by your generosity and support of what was once a little project a group of friends had taken on to help bring change to one community in Jacmel. It is an odd feeling because along with that amazement, I feel so burdened to do more, and with all of us working together, I know we can. We have had a unique opportunity; in the midst of tragedy the eyes of the world were turned to a country that already had my heart, and God has blessed all of us at Restore Haiti by bringing each of you along side of us to bring relief and great assistance to our Haitian family. I wanted to remind you that Haiti still needs our help, and let you know that although the recovery process is slow, you are making a difference. Many more children are in school, are eating a hot meal each day, and are getting the assistance they need not only to survive, but to thrive and dream of a great future for themselves, their community, and their country. Many of you have been able to travel to Haiti and see first hand the hope and joy that is so evident in the people of Jacmel. With the strategic partnership of Conduit Mission, the rebuilding and relief efforts continue to move forward. In the short term- tents, tarps, food, water, and critical medical supplies provided by you were the first to make it in to the community of Jacmel after the earthquake. For the long term impact a water filtration system has been installed and we’ve just about completed a home to house the on the ground staff, long term volunteers, and several women and children who are currently living in tents. There is now a permanent medical clinic which will be the first one to serve the 7000+ members of the community where we function, and we are taking steps to be able to open a school and larger feeding center so even more children in the community can be the recipients of education and a daily hot meal.
Six months later, as many of you who have traveled there with us can attest to, the rubble can still be seen, tent cities are still visible wherever there was once any open field, and people are still hurting. Your continued investment in to this project is showing the Haitian people that we are in this for the long haul. In closing, I wanted to bring you some words from our Haitian friends Pastor Jean Lafleur of Restoration Ministries, Fedony Charles who runs the day to day operations of the programs in place in Jacmel, as well as some words from our great friend and partner Darren Tyler of Conduit Mission (www.conduitmission.org). I have included their thoughts below and I encourage you to take a moment to read what they have been thinking and feeling today as we revisit the tragedy that happened six months ago. Thanks again for all you’ve done- keep Haiti in the forefront of your hearts and prayers! ~Theresa and the Restore Haiti team
Hello everyone! My mother died on October 2, 1991 but I can tell you her death did not bring so much sadness over me as January 12, 2010 has done, I can safely say that was the darkest moment of my life, I wept in such a way that I have never done before. That earthquake in my beloved Haiti has left a special mark on me personally. In spite of all that, I am so glad by the way the Lord has used Restoration Ministries and its many partners to bring a sense of HOPE to many people in Jacmel. We are totally committed to help in the rebuilding effort of Haiti also we will keep pushing to make a difference by changing Haiti one child at a time….Thanks for your great support. Shalom, Pastor LaFleur
Hi people! So much has changed six months after, I did not remember that today is the 12th. I thank God because you all worked and you still are working to change life and things in Haiti. It is not totally done. Remember before the quake, how bad was life in this little country. But, I am sure God will continue to provide by using yourself and other people to make the transformation. God bless you!!! Fedony Charles
I first met Pastor Lafleur about 5 years ago. There is no way I could’ve known that seemingly passing introduction would’ve turned into a life long partnership. I count it an honor to stand alongside Pastor Lafleur and the team at Restore Haiti as we serve the people of Haiti. We were there before the quake, we were there during the quake and we will be there long after the quake. There are times when God taps us on the shoulder and asks us to reassess our walk. Those times are usually a time when He asks us to dream bigger, to aim higher, to move with more boldness. This quake in Haiti has caused all of us to ask ourselves the hard questions. It’s caused all of us to dream bigger. What Satan has meant for harm, there is no doubt that God will use for His good. Personally I’ve been changed from the inside out. At times I’ve felt helpless, at times I’ve felt frustration and even anger at the systems that were meant to help the people being used to dehumanize and humiliate them. For me it’s a reminder that we serve a savior in Jesus who knows what it’s like to be marginalized, dehumanized and humiliated. It’s times like these that I simply have to go back to the cross. A God that would do that for all of humanity is a God that has Haiti’s best interests in mind. Conduit Mission is in this for the long haul. We believe that God has a plan for Haiti, and are blessed to play a small part in the big picture that He is painting there. Darren Tyler
Want to learn more? Email info@restorehaiti.com or visit www.restorehaiti.com