600+ Transitional Shelters

MOHI was involved in a lot of disaster relief activities after the January 2010 earthquake rocked Haiti and specifically our city, Grand-Goâve.  God and our partners enabled us to distribute over 500 tons of food to our communities, as well as other important items for sanitation, personal care, food preparations, clothing and tarps.  We also erected over 600 transitional shelters in partnership with Samaritan’s Purse.  This week, Jordan Alexander and Jackie Scarello began visiting the recipients of those shelters to see what impact the shelters had on their lives and where they are going from here.

Without exception, each family was grateful for their home.  They didn’t know where they would have gone to survive without these shelters.  Some people added onto the pressure-treated, wood framed homes, walled with heavy duty tarps and covered with sheet metal roofs.  Some took immaculate care of them and others did not.  These buildings were intended to provide shelter for up to three years, for families without a place to live.  I would say they lived up to their expected life span, very well.

Two difficulties that were repeated at every stop:  The shelters are extremely hot and the families do not feel secure in them.

I remember when we were building the shelters, thinking about how hot they would be.  I figured most people live outdoors during the day and at the time, it wasn’t hot at night.  The need was so great, that I decided a hot house was better than no house at all.  When a Haitian tells you it’s hot, believe you me, it’s HOT!  So, the fact that every family said the same thing shows that it is a very difficult situation for these folks to be living in.

 

I never really considered security to be an issue.  It definitely is, though.  Many of the families have been robbed.  People would just slice the tarp open and help themselves to the family’s possessions when they were away.  Virtually every one of these families are living with a real sense of insecurity right now.

Transitional shelters are not intended to be permanent homes.  These shelters were a tremendous blessing to all of these families, who had no place to get out of the weather even, but now what?  As I looked over the reports from Jordan and Jackie, I saw no indication that even one person had built a new home.  Everyone they asked about future plans had nothing concrete to say.  Most have no idea what they will do and some are trusting that God will provide.

Syliane’s House

It’s been over three years since the earthquake.  There are still hundreds of thousands of people without a real home to live in.  Sometimes we can think, “Well, they live in Haiti.  They’re used to not having all the conveniences and nice things we have in America.  They’ll survive.”  Could I survive, though?  If I hear an unusual sound in the street, I’m up in a flash, peering out my window.  I can’t imagine the stress a parent feels, knowing that only a tarp separates their children from whoever may be wandering around outside at night.  In every society there are people with good intentions and there are people with bad intentions.  There’s a reason there are walls, locks and security systems all over the world.  We all need to have a sense of security in order to enjoy our lives.

Building transitional shelters was a blessing to thousands of people.  Now it’s time to take the next step and build real homes for our neighbors, starting with the most vulnerable people.  This week Will Coley is leading a team from Sovereign Grace Community Church (Peabody, MA) in constructing a home for a family here in Grand-Goave.  Marie Syliane and her three children Silène (12), Fedner (10) and Islande (7) will be the recipients.  Syliane came to us when Islande was just a baby.  Her husband had died and she was desperate for help with her children.  We have reached out to her many times over the years.   Our in country operational directors all felt this was the person they wanted to see have a real home to live in.  I am so excited to see this home built this week!  And so grateful to our friends at Sovereign Grace, for raising $5,000 and coming to put their own sweat into this building.  Thank you!

Visitors

We have been communicating with Clifford at the Covenant Day School (Matthews, NC) for a bit now.  It was a joy to finally meet him face to face yesterday, along with four others from the school.  They are with us for a very short time, but are making good use of that time.  Last night they took part in the revival meetings the youth are hosting at the Thozin church.  Clifford shared an encouraging message with the church this morning, while other team members worked in the children’s church.  They shared a Bible lesson, sang songs and and had lots of fun with the children.

This afternoon the CDS team went into a village near the missionary compound to visit with folks, play soccer, pray with those in need, check on any who are ill, distribute some footwear and just love on our neighbors.  Tomorrow they will have a quick opportunity to see the school in Thozin operating before they are whisked away to Port-au-Prince.  It’s been a great first encounter and we hope to work together to bring the children in our school the best education possible.

Janina has returned to Haiti, along with another friend from Germany, Peter Wefer to work on the restaurant project in St. Etienne.  I am very excited about the impact that this “business” may have on this rather remote area that happens to be on a very major road for this country.  This road leads to one of the more touristic cities, Jacmel.  I look forward to sharing more with you as things progress.

Jordan, Janina, Peter and Jackie are all here for extended stays.  The first three for three months each (to start anyway) and Jackie for one month (again, to start).  MOHI “long-termers” have to be self starters and able to work independently.  It’s a much different experience than our short termers who are usually here for one week and kept busy.  We figure that anyone coming for one week, really doesn’t “NEED” to watch tv, spend hours on the computer and get lost in a great novel to pass the time.  Our long-termers, on the other hand, do need some distractions.  After church today, there was opportunity for a swim and – what’s that?  XBox?!!!!  I loved walking in on that soccer match!

She’s Ba-ack!

Yes, Angela Parayson has returned to us, after taking a little over a month back in the States.  She hit the road running, working in the clinic the day after her arrival with Carolanne Knetchel, her friend and fellow nurse from back home.  Together they have been seeing as many as 30 people in a day.  From those little old ladies I love with their high blood pressure issues, to the young man with a machete wound and the little boy who needed stitches, these women have been doing it all.  I love how God gives a vision that is seemingly impossible to fulfill and then sends people (like Angela, Carolanne and so many others!) to make it happen.

More help is on the way, as Bob and Sally Heier will be arriving to spend the end of the week with us.  Sally is an amazing, “teachy” RN – okay, I’m not sure that there is any other kind, quite honestly, but I LOVE how she works with Angela in the clinic and trains her beyond what she was able to glean working in America.

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Youth Choir One Year Anniversary

The MOHI Youth Choir celebrated their first anniversary this week, with special services and a free concert for the Grand-Goave community.  These young people worked hard to make decorations and hang curtains in the church to add a festive touch to everything.

I Love My Church!

 

Sunday morning is a highlight in my week.  I love hearing a good word in season, seeing all my friends and worshiping the Lord together.  Here are some pictures from this morning.

Children’s Church

What a wonderful time the children had this morning!  I thought you’d enjoy some pictures…

School Construction

The school construction continues, with our focus turning to railings, doors, window grills and shipping the remaining electrical supplies.  Railing sections are being fabricated right now.  We are in need of funding for the doors and window grates.  Your help is greatly appreciated!

Laptops

We’re so grateful to Child in Hand for sending Junior and Elisabeth to help our computer club for two days every week!

Tomorrow

When I look into a child’s eyes, I often wonder to myself, “What will you become tomorrow?”

 

Psalm 34:10