The “Special” Family
Years ago, we became very good friends with a particular commander of the Sri Lankan troops serving in the UN. He was a very honorable man, a strong Christian and a caring soul. He asked us to help a particular orphanage, which is how we ended up caring for 32 orphans ourselves. Aside from these 32 children, there were another 50 that were released to the mayor of Camp Perin. We followed up on these children the day after their release, traveling about 4 hours to bring them food, clothing, personnel care items, vitamins and medicines.
There was a little boy and his sister missing from the group meeting we had with the kids and their family members. We searched and searched for them as we headed out of the city. Finally, as we approached the city limit, we found someone who thought she might know who we were talking about. Sure enough, we finally located them. They actually had a father, mother and a little brother. They were living in a rented room of an unfinished home. They had one bed and a bundle of pots, dishes and clothing in the corner. That was it. There was no indication that they had eaten nor that they would be eating any time soon. The little brother looked as malnourished as the two who had been at the orphanage. It was a heartbreaking situation. We left them with lots and lots of supplies, not knowing when we would see them again.
At the urging of our friends at Kids Against Hunger in Tulsa, OK, we invited the parents to come see us in Grand-Goave. We had a long conversation with them about their hopes and dreams and where they were at at the moment. We were very concerned about the three children, as these people obviously were in a very bad financial position. The father had been injured and could not work. Before they left to go home we had made a commitment to bring them to Grand-Goave to live and work. Kids Against Hunger rented a home for them to live in and they both were employed at the mission.
They lived and worked here, but it was becoming more and more difficult to include them in what we were doing at MOHI. I don’t want to embarrass anyone, so I won’t get into the details. Suffice it to say that they did not keep their end of the bargain on several points. But, for the sake of the children, our whole staff supported them. Last year the father went back to Camp Perrin for a good while and was no longer working for us. The mother was ill for months (AND had another baby!) and not working either. Eventually she recovered and came back to work. Somehow the father found favor with Boss Fanes and he was hired to work on the school construction.
In the meantime, the house they had lived in was badly damaged in the earthquake, so they’ve been living under a tarp. Our friends at Kids Against Hunger asked to rent another home for them, but there is a major housing shortage in Grand-Goave. It’s very difficult to find a house and the ones we saw were outrageously priced. We suggested building a house for them and they agreed. We are working on building it, while KAH works on raising funds for the materials.
I’ve had more frustrations with this family on so many levels, but over the past month or so I’ve had a love growing in my heart for them. I’ve been more patient with them and have had more hope for their lives. Last week I told the mother how proud I am of the father for working so hard and how he is earning the respect of others. This morning the entire family came to church. It was the first time I remember seeing the father come. Even the mother hasn’t been in a couple of years. I’m hopeful that this is a first step to making some decisions that will be good for the entire family.
MOHI Clinic
Dorian and his mom during his hearing test
Angela has been working Monday through Friday in the school clinic. She reported to me that last month she consulted 350 individuals, some of them more than once. What a blessing it is to have her here with us full time, ever ready to help someone in need. This week she came in on Saturday to see three year old Dorian. I had the opportunity to assist her, as we gathered his history from his mom, evaluated his general health and administered hearing tests. It appears that he is totally deaf. Angela has compiled all the information and will consult with medical personnel who have American and Haitian experience to guide us into the next step. We’re praying for Dorian and asking God for wisdom.
Shipping
Boxes of food arrive in Haiti
We received a shipment this week from Boston this week. No peanut butter yet, but our friend Bruno from Nashua sent us boxes of canned foods. Each year he collects food for Haiti at his college. Maybe some of you would be interested in doing something similar at your school or place of business. Contact Gloria Harvell at (603) 801-0530 for information on shipping.
Food Distribution
Partnering with the World Food Program, we were able to do a major food distribution this week. 1540 people came to receive rice, beans and oil at the MOHI campus in Thozin. Our staff did a great job of organizing the distribution, ensuring each person had a ticket to enter the gate and sit in the chapel to wait their turn. It was a very orderly distribution, but the UN and Haiti National Police were on hand, just in case.
Food distribution for victims of Hurricane Sandy
Church Today
Pastor Lex preaching at MOHI in Thozin
I enjoyed this morning’s service, SOOO much, that I decided to share some video of it with you. I hope you enjoy it, too!
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Construction
There’s a lot of detail work being done on the school right now. Here’s an example:
Bathroom detail on the new school