Humanitarian Efforts are always a huge part of our work in Haiti and 2023 was no exception. While the list below is not all-inclusive, it provides a snapshot into some of this year's Humanitarian efforts.
Thanks to our faithful supporters (you), we were able to send financial aid to; help build walls for a women who lost her home in a region called Canaan (where we have built numerous homes since the devastating earthquake), provide some much needed employment making necessary repairs to the Block House building (caused by earthquake ground tremors), provide eye treatment and medicine to prevent blindness from glaucoma in a young man, provide critically needed water thru the community wells we have drilled, provided medical procedure assistance to a young man in training as a newly ordained Pastor, subsidize 48 teachers at the two schools we support, provide 290 students access to a basic education, pay for medicine for an eye injury, pay for a medical treatment to remove a large cyst, send very basic financial assistance to some Haitian CFM Team members who help keep our operation going day to day (even when we can't be there). They historically earned a meager living by working for us during Missions Trips that have been suspended due to political instability and safety concerns. In our absence, there are ongoing requirements to maintain our facilities, vehicles, and operations.
For the past couple years we have also had a program in place where we have established our local Humanitarian Assistance church committee (made of 5 local church members) that meets quarterly to review requests for assistance and decide which needs are the most urgent and will receive some assistance from the available funds. This program passes some responsibility to the locals to govern their own, and gives us increased accountability for who is receiving the charitable gifts. This year much of the humanitarian funds were shared uniformly through "pantry projects" where we bought desperately needed food in quantity and distributed through the churches. It doesn't get much more basic than food. With the feud between the Dominican Republic and Haiti, Food and supply prices have soared while limited jobs and money have virtually evaporated, leaving everyone hungry, many malnourished and some virtually starving. The food was welcomed by all with heartfelt thanks. Insufficient quantities at best, but still deeply appreciated by all recipients.
We offered some specific relief thru the church committee assistance approvals; Johnny - whose home was burned by gangs leaving him with nothing, Chrislene - who's husband was killed by gang violence, needing some basic clothes, Jovanah - needing medicine, Caline - 9 months pregnant needed medical check up, Christian - elderly lady needing glaucoma medicine, Amelia - prescription meds, St. Josette - prescription meds, Francis - prescription meds, Andrea - treatment and meds for severe edema (severely swollen legs and feet), Osil - medical assistance, Misaelle - husband recently passed away, Yvonne - elderly lady who is immobile and needed medicine, Osaka - paralyzed on one side needed medicine.
We provided small stipends to pastors working in our sponsored churches in Delmas 31, Butte Boyer, Cap Haitian, and Pine Forest. The stipends are more of a gratuity than a paycheck, never-the-less appreciated by those serving who also struggle to survive with virtually non existent employment. Pastor Occius Charles is our Lead Pastor, overseer, and Haitian Liaison who has been working with CFM his entire life, was forced to relocate his family twice this year due to gang violence. Please keep Pastor Occius and his family in your prayers. Thank you for sharing your charitable gifts to help alleviate the suffering of these desperately poor brothers and sisters now living under the brutal violence of gangs, and a non functional government (less than 2 hours from the US, one of the richest most desired countries in the world). We pray God richly blesses you for your generosity.
An exciting Praise report is that we were also able to fund our annual outreach event in Cap Haitian. Pastor Occius led a team that visited more than 200 houses to share the Gospel. Nine people accepted Christ and ten made rededications. PTL !! They also held a baptism ! Our local annual revival meetings in Delmas and Butte Boyer provided spiritual and physical nourishment, (sharing the Gospel and desperately needed meals provided at the events). The most important outcome was while we were able to demonstrate Christ's compassion and provision, the revival meetings resulted in ?? conversions. Despite all the despair resulting from extreme poverty, hunger, violence, rampant crime and corruption in Haiti... the Lord still reigns, bringing HIS Hope to the otherwise hopeless.
