There’s so much I want to say about what
we’re doing during our month in Haiti but I’m afraid that my organization (or
lack there of) will not do it justice, but I’ll try my best.
we’re doing during our month in Haiti but I’m afraid that my organization (or
lack there of) will not do it justice, but I’ll try my best.
We’re in a city about 60 kms south of
Port au Prince called Petit Goave. It’s closer to the epicentre of the January
earthquake then “Port”, so the damage here is pretty severe. Due to the earthquake, our
power comes on from 6pm until sometime in the morning, and there is no running
water.
Port au Prince called Petit Goave. It’s closer to the epicentre of the January
earthquake then “Port”, so the damage here is pretty severe. Due to the earthquake, our
power comes on from 6pm until sometime in the morning, and there is no running
water.
The group that we’re with is officially a
branch of the Canaan Orphanage run by Sister Gladys. Her dad oversaw over 300
churches and the ministry here is hoping to build up and encourage the local
pastors. This allows those in the communities to build relationships that are
more permanent than they would be with Western missionaries. Nate, his wife,
and their 5 children, and a family friend (who are all from Michigan) are
heading up this ministry.
branch of the Canaan Orphanage run by Sister Gladys. Her dad oversaw over 300
churches and the ministry here is hoping to build up and encourage the local
pastors. This allows those in the communities to build relationships that are
more permanent than they would be with Western missionaries. Nate, his wife,
and their 5 children, and a family friend (who are all from Michigan) are
heading up this ministry.
Unfortunately due to the earthquake in
January the ministry here has taken a drastic change, though the discipleship
program is still being worked on there is a much more pressing need. There are
countless numbers of people living in tents, this is either because:
January the ministry here has taken a drastic change, though the discipleship
program is still being worked on there is a much more pressing need. There are
countless numbers of people living in tents, this is either because:
a) their house was destroyed in the earthquake
b) they don’t feel safe sleeping in their cement houses
c) they want hand-outs, so they choose to live in tents rather than their
houses
b) they don’t feel safe sleeping in their cement houses
c) they want hand-outs, so they choose to live in tents rather than their
houses
Nate is working with Pastor Marc and they
are building houses for people in the area. The best thing about their ministry
is that Nate is trying to stay behind the scenes so the people receiving
everything are associating it with a local pastor rather than “the white-man”.
are building houses for people in the area. The best thing about their ministry
is that Nate is trying to stay behind the scenes so the people receiving
everything are associating it with a local pastor rather than “the white-man”.
It’s an amazing ministry that unfortunately
doesn’t get nearly enough aid. They’re also doing things in such a way to
empower the local economy (hiring Haitians to build the houses), and empower
the local churches (recipients are connected to a local church).
doesn’t get nearly enough aid. They’re also doing things in such a way to
empower the local economy (hiring Haitians to build the houses), and empower
the local churches (recipients are connected to a local church).
Though Cinthia and I are still in need of
our own financial support, we cannot urge you enough to consider partnering
with this ministry. They’re here in Haiti making a change directly with the
people. We’ve met the people, we’ve seen the houses, we’ve used the water
purifiers, tomorrow we’re even going to carry a house (in pieces) up a
mountain!
our own financial support, we cannot urge you enough to consider partnering
with this ministry. They’re here in Haiti making a change directly with the
people. We’ve met the people, we’ve seen the houses, we’ve used the water
purifiers, tomorrow we’re even going to carry a house (in pieces) up a
mountain!
You can learn more at their website: http://www.ebenezerdtc.org/
100% of the money they raise goes directly to the people here in Haiti. There
are no overhead fees, since the Yonker family pays for all their necessities
out of their own pocket.
100% of the money they raise goes directly to the people here in Haiti. There
are no overhead fees, since the Yonker family pays for all their necessities
out of their own pocket.
