Friends of Haiti,

It would be hard to believe that anyone on this side of the world and in fact, several other areas of the world, would not know about the storm named “Sandy”. Its also hard to believe it began as a tropical low, then depression just off the south coast of Haiti bringing us hard rains at night and cloudy days.

It was the first time Terry has been able to spend any time with me there since the earthquake and only because I wouldn’t let her come down. When the storm intensified and made its turn north, to cross Haiti, we flew back to the U.S. I don’t like doing things like that but since Terry was there, and we were in a low lying area, it turns out it was a good thing we did. To date there are 60 known dead and several missing.

It was not so much the wind, although one of our schools lost part of its roof and suffered water damage, but most damage was caused by the days of pouring rain that caused rivers to fill and overflow.  The mud slides and rock slides killed people and animals, and destroyed what was left of the remaining crops after Isaac crossed the country several weeks ago.

You have to wonder how much a country or a people have to endure. Some there and here say it is because of the voodoo in the country. In the beginning, in 1994, we might have agreed, but not now. We are sure of this: No one gets over continual pain or death or hunger. Haiti needs help financially, to be sure. But it also needs our continual prayer. Not just one when something like this happens, but fervent prayer every day. All of you know what the Bible says about that and we need to do just that.

Other than the storm, the schools are running smoothly as are the feeding programs . We have posted a few pictures of the feeding programs along with a couple of pictures of Terry with some of the kids.

We appreciate what you do each month to help us there. As we enter the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons, please continue to pray for the people of Haiti.

Steve and Terry

Friends of Haiti,

If you check our web site regularly, you will already know the storm killed at least 25, with several still missing. Like the numbers from the earthquake, the true figures will never be known. What is known is that we had teachers whose homes were destroyed or had possessions lost. We do know that the damage to Haiti’s banana crop is estimated to be 242 million dollars. And we know that now people are protesting against the president because of broken promises and high prices.

One of those promises was that all school age children would be able to attend school free of charge, including uniforms and books. The schools in Haiti have always been “free,” but the cost that few can pay is for uniforms, books and supplies. Fortunately, for ministries the size of ours we have never had to pay for uniforms or books and few supplies. Thank God there have been those of you who have provided the means for us to purchase cloth for the uniforms to be made and those of you who have donated school supplies that have been taken and distributed to each school.

And because of your giving and prayers, we have been able to help those whose homes were lost or damaged by Isaac. Some are having to live in or under a tent for the time being, but that is better than no place at all.

There are still an estimated 350,000 living in the so-called tent cities.These areas have taken on their own culture and developed their own businesses. People who have money pay women living there a few cents a day to sell items or cook beans and rice to sell. Businesses have popped up, selling whatever they can and whatever people can afford to buy. In case you have ever wondered, the minimum wage there is $5 US a day. A “day” is usually from sun up to sun down, 6 days a week. For those who have one of these jobs, they feel they are one of the luckier ones.

Terry and I feel very fortunate and blessed to have those of you who help as you do. What all of us do together may not affect the entire country, but it certainly makes an impact in the villages where we work, and all of us are very grateful for the sacrifice you make for our friends there.

Steve and Terry