I would venture to say that all of you have seen the devastation in Haiti from the January 12th earthquake that struck Haiti. If you have been following us on www.haitihope.org or www.csiministries.org you have seen how the earthquake has affected HOPE and the CSI mission in Haiti.
Pictures on TV don’t do the situation justice nor do they paint an accurate picture of what is happening in Haiti. Though there are desperate people in desperate situations, we have seen miracles and hope. We see neighbors helping one another, sharing food, sharing stories, sharing what is left of their lives and belongings. And while these bits of help are recognized, there is still so much to do, so much need. Rebuilding lives takes more than a few weeks of good intentions. Rebuilding Haiti will take years of hard work, cooperation and the power of our Almighty God.
It can be overwhelming to look at everything that was lost and all that needs rebuilt, but little by little, working in a targeted area, we can make a difference.
CSI Haiti is moving forward with our plans to make a difference in Croix des Bouquets and in the hearts of the people there. If we can empower them they will take ownership of the rebuilding, and meeting their needs can help them see Christ at work.
At this time, we are blessed to be moving toward repairing our own facilities, building a new orphanage and creating ways for our Haitian neighbors to be a part of rebuilding the community. CSI has purchased additional land in Croix des Bouquets and will begin building prosthesis and physical therapy center, a nutrition education center and a widow’s home. These were all projects under consideration before the quake but are even more crucial to begin soon. We have also created a long term community relief program where neighbors will be encouraged to work side by side with one another and with teams to clear rubble and begin to repair and rebuild homes that were destroyed. They will be compensated for their work and will thus be able to purchase food and other supplies for their families from local vendors which in turn will help the local economy.
As for HOPE, we have been truly blessed by Kokosing Construction out of Fredericktown, Ohio who has elected to come alongside us and assist in building a new orphanage that will meet the evolving needs of the girls. Not only are they offering engineering expertise, construction supervision, construction workers who will work with Haitian laborers training them in construction techniques, but they are assisting with fund raising and materials procurement and delivery, they are offering a dollar for dollar matching grant for funds raised, up to $250,000!!!
Follow the progress with Kokosing at www.kokosing.biz
Thank you for walking alongside us during this difficult time. Your prayers sustain us!