December 1, 2022
Hello from Haiti!
Thanks to you...
In the United States, it's a season for thanksgiving. Of course, we just celebrated the holiday by that name. In that spirit, we're writing this month to thank all of you. We have hit you with a couple of requests in quick succession, and you came through to help the people we love and support in Haiti. We know you pray for the mission and the work our devoted staff and churches do every day under incredibly difficult circumstances. We would like to take this opportunity to especially thank you for a couple of things you're making possible.
There's the solar project...
Back in June we let you know about the need for a solar system for the clinic in Haiti. The need is great, because the power grid is unstable, and the clinic hasn't had power from the utility in years. The cost of gasoline to run our generator is insane and difficult to find. It's mostly on the black market, often at prices exceeding $30 USD per gallon. That motivated us to engineer a solar system to provide for the clinic, and we put out the appeal to you so that we could purchase it. You came through for us! In September, we announced that the system was staged and shipped. Then, there was trouble!
Starting in September, Haiti went through an unprecedented time of civil unrest and gang warfare that paralyzed the country. The solar equipment was in Haiti, but the shipping company held the container at the port during the worst of the unrest. Thankfully, the issues have abated somewhat (which is a topic for another day) and the shipping company was able to deliver the equipment to the clinic a few days ago. The photos in this newsletter aren't of the best technical quality, but it was a joy to see them! The photo on the left shows the panels and electronics being unloaded from the truck, and the one on the right shows boxes containing four very large lithium batteries that are a part of the system. The only request we have for you now is that you pray that the civil situation will abate sufficiently for a small crew from the U.S. to travel to Haiti in the near future to install the system. We're really encouraged by this progress!
Then there's the little village of Lafige...
Last month, the situation with fuel, transportation, the lockdown of the ports, and more trouble than we can imagine, prompted us to put out an appeal to help out the little village of Lafige. They are suffering because they are so remote that food is incredibly difficult to find. They are hours away from the nearest town of any size by motorcycle or mule. We asked if you would like to help buy food to bridge them through this time of trouble in Haiti. You came through again, and you came through generously! We have sent the funds you gave to Pastor Francky in Haiti, and he is in the process of purchasing an abundance of food for the people in the little village which they will receive before Christmas. If you have any friends there, don't tell them. It's a surprise! Now the only request for this project is that you pray that the food is safely and securely delivered into the village.
As always, we are ever so grateful for you. You read these updates, and then you respond by praying for us and with your financial resources. We are blessed by you.
