Friends of Haiti,

We have been sending this since the summer of 1995, each month without fail and you might think during all that time, things would begin to change in the country of Haiti. There have been times of peace, politically and otherwise, but for the people and their living conditions, it seems either nothing changes or they get worse.

First, the earthquake, then the tropical storms that followed it in August and September. Then the cholera epidemic that began in the fall, that to date has killed over 5,000 people and sickened over 250,000. Then, as was feared with all those still living in the tent cities, the first week and days of June saw torrential rains fall on Port Au Prince, washing away homes, tents and everything in its path. There are at least 25 known dead to date from that.

If that isn’t enough, a report is about to be released that questions the number of people killed in the earthquake. It is a report filled with discrepancies and doesn’t take in to account the massive loss of life and buildings in the heavily hit outlying areas. This report says as “few” as 85,000 lost their lives, far fewer than the government in Haiti says. To say the least, this report has upset many, including the organization that sponsored the report. Why this makes any difference is not known to us. People — many of them — died, and the city of Port Au Prince along with neighboring towns were destroyed. The simple fact is that it did happen and very little has been done to start cleaning up and rebuilding.

Ministrywise, thanks to you, everything is running smoothly. All the feeding programs are operating at full capacity, the schools are as well and will have been released for the summer by the time you receive this, closing on the 17th.  More designated funds were received for our water project in Canaan during May, so we are good on that until August.

One thing the people in Canaan have asked us for is soap. Soap! We have been asked for about everything you can think of over the years, but never soap. They want it for bathing naturally, but also for hand washing because of the increase of cholera cases this month. So, if anyone would like to help with that, feel free to. We can’t buy what we need and take it there because of shipping costs, but we can buy it there and help their economy at the same time.

And as always, thank you for all you do to help. Without your giving and your prayers, it wouldn’t happen.

Serving HIM together,

Steve and Terry