Author: bryan@bmeyers.net (Page 84 of 101)

Friends of Haiti,

If we can all agree that what Haiti needs to solve its problems is earthquake- and hurricane-resistant hotels, then we are in business…because that is what’s in progress, some already started, some in the planning stages. The government believes this will attract more business travel as well as tourism. We can’t say this is “all wrong” because it is needed, but it would be hard to explain this need to the estimated 390,000 people still living in tents.

There is a program in place that is paying families $500 in U.S. money to move out of the tent city areas, but the families rightly worry, “What do we do next year?” According to a study completed by the Institute for Justice and Democracy in Haiti, the program isn’t succeeding in moving families into adequate housing. It found that 40% of families are living in worse conditions than they were before the earthquake.

Having a job is the one thing that can change this. If you have the $500 to find rooms to rent for a year (and you can), and if you have a job then you don’t have the worry about housing for the coming year; or the ability to put your kids in school; or the ability to feed your family. What we would like to do is change the job situation wherever and however we can. But, as with anything we do there, we need your help and we need your ideas.

There are many ways for a person to earn a living in Haiti: sewing, carpentry, tire repair, shoe repair, even shining shoes is a way some make a living. Internet shops where people can email or make copies could be a big business, but all of it takes money to start and buy the things you need.

School is out for the summer; we appreciate all who give to help our schools and provide an education for the kids. The Bible program was a big success. Let’s put our heads together and see if there are any ideas out there to put some people to work.

As always thank you for everything you do to help. It all matters, it all helps and it all brings Glory to God.

Serving HIM together,

Steve and Terry

Friends of Haiti:

The Bible program was a great success! The goal was $3,000, but you gave a total of $4,334. Because of the amount you gave and the amount we were buying, we received a discount and had enough for 1,200 Bibles — well more than we had envisioned! Thanks to all of you for helping.

School’s out for the summer!

Because of new government regulations we are having to make several improvements to two of the schools, or they won’t be allowed to reopen next year. They are needed, but in at least once case it will cost several hundred dollars to complete. Its almost like they are trying to prevent kids from going to mission schools. Plus, the permits, once good for years, are no longer good and we have to reapply each year. We can say this about the new president: he has created a lot of new rules and taxes that no one can see where they are being used.

Tropical storm Debbie, the one that hit Florida, came through Haiti before it got there and left several days of flooding behind. The weekend of the 16th and 17th was especially bad with several inches of rain each night. We hope those of you who live in Florida who receive or read this online are all okay.

Reports are that there are fewer than 400,000 people still living in tents. But it’s still very hard to believe, this far away from January 2010, that people are still having to live in those conditions.

Thank you for all the help you provided to purchase Bibles and for what you always do to help our friends there. We don’t know what they would do without your help and prayers.

Serving HIM together,

Steve and Terry