Friends of Haiti,
Finally, we are seeing some evidence things are slowly changing and clean-up has started in several areas. Some businesses have rebuilt but in different areas, east of Port Au Prince where some say the city center will eventually be.
During October, we had planned to pour the foundation for our rooms but it rained and rained hard every single night, and we thought it best to wait until the “rainy” season is completely over before starting that. It ends with the end of hurricane season. Although the rain is good for those who are trying to grow crops, it made you wonder each night, what was going on in the tent cities, where thousands continue to live. Because of the business that has started in those areas, you have to wonder if these places will just turn into more slums.
Partners in Health, an organization that has been working there for years, says the cholera epidemic is one that will be around for years to come. It is hard to believe that in the one year that has passed since it started, Haiti has gone from a country that didn’t have this problem to one that will always be there now. Of course, the problems associated with the earthquake aren’t helping either.
We have made contact with an organization that installs portable water purifying systems that are solar or generator powered. We are hoping to either have one donated or the cost of one reduced. We would be able to move it to different areas, and purify water in each area or enough for drinking and cooking. It will even purify salt water. Please pray the talks with this organization will bear fruit. It goes without saying how beneficial something like this would be.
We are very near to closing out our 17th year in Haiti and its amazing how fast the time has gone by. It is also amazing the changes we see now, compared to what we once saw in “our” villages:
- The lack of skin problems, that were at one time common
- The lack of malnutrition (still common throughout the country and in fact getting worse in some areas)
- Children who can now read and write
- People who can now attend church in their own villages
The list of changes goes on much farther than those four examples, but the fact is, we could never have done or accomplished any of it without the help you provide and without God’s blessing on our “labor” of love. And love it is; the people we now see each time we are there are much more than just people or patients, they are friends and some, very good friends. Life long friends.
It is our Thanksgiving season and as we do each day, Terry and I and all those who work with us providing the service we do in Haiti, give thanks for all of you who have made all we do there possible.
Some of you have been with us from the very start and most from shortly after that and to say we are grateful for the years for service you have provided to our friends in Haiti is very much an understatement. What we can say is that the sacrifices you have made has not been in vain; they have and are making a very big difference in the lives of thousands of people each year. If for those four reasons only, we hope the knowledge of that will be the blessing to you this Thanksgiving that you are to others.
Serving HIM together,
Steve and Terry
