Month: June 2017

As I approach the end of this trip, I can reflect on how Gods hands were truly on us and the village. As we left Les Cayes and headed east we stopped in St. Louise de Sud a small coastal village were we helped re build a house last October on our first trip post hurricane Mathew. We saw some fishermen pulling in a net and wanted to see the catch. We ended up buying some fresh shrimp and fish. The shrimp was cooked immediately and devoured but the fish went home with Harry for later use.

We hung out for a short while and talked to the people then blasted off east and then north over the mountains to Port au Prince and then on to Harry’s home in Croix des Bouqette. I stayed with Harry’s family for the night and half the next day until time to head to the airport. Once I did get to the airport to head back to my family and home I realized how much our Father had allowed us to do. This could not have happened without your help. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

Today was the last day in the village and what a day it was. All roofs were completed by 11:00 AM. We did a total of 17 roofs, one more than planned. We did have to pick up a few more sheets of metal this morning and get them up the mountain. We returned around 3:00 PM for a really nice gathering of the people in the village. They had some very nice encouraging words for us and we prayed and sang. It was very humbling. I spoke to them and thanked them for all their cooperation and shared with them. We asked them to pray for Gods provision and to keep their faith. Awesome day other than the heat. Today was one of the hottest days I think I’ve ever experienced. I look forward to getting back home to share with anyone who will give me the time. We will return soon I hope, with enough funds to do 20 more roofs. Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

We picked up the last of the material for the roofs today. It was also the largest amount so far of sheet metal, 201 pieces. We were able to do 17 roofs, one more than our 16 that we had planned to do. PTL.

Although I am not directly involved in the physical task of applying the metal on the roofs, it has been a daunting task to gather and deliver the supplies. Most people are so excited with the project. I say most, because the ones who have to wait are bummed out because they too want and need a roof. That’s why I called for a meeting today with the elders. We discussed the project, respect, patience, accountability and most of all faith and prayer. We are a small drop of water in a large ocean of need and our resources are limited. We need their leadership to help us to make this a success.

In this meeting we learned that after the hurricane some NGO’s did come up to the village and promised them they would be back to help but they never came. I understand their apprehension. Oh my, they are so grateful. I told them that I cannot take one ounce of credit, all glory goes to God. We are also finding out that there are actually 3 villages in the same area. We scouted out some new areas toward Port Salut just to get a feel for future possibilities.

My task will be to come home and share our project with as many people who will listen and pray that their ears and minds will be opened. We need financial help to keep this project going. Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

I awoke this morning excited because today is dress day. This is the day we will give out the dresses that the church ladies made. We will gather the young girls together around 4:00 this afternoon. We only have 40 dresses so we asked Maxi to get the forty girls together at one of the houses that we put a roof on. The only bummer will be that there will not be enough for all. That’s the hard part. My prayers is that the church ladies will make more for my next trip down. My prayers will also be that between Conscience International and Give Me Shelter Ministries we will also be able to raise funds to continue to “Raise The Roofs” on many more homes. This redevelopment project is one of the best organized projects that we have been involved in. All glory to God first and much thanks to Conscience International and all who contributed to this project. As for the rest of the day, it was like the ground hog day movie. The day started like the others. We picked up materials to do four more houses, dropped them off at ground zero and watched as the locals hauled them up the mountain. Incredible how people are helping others get their material to the houses. We also took a look at the last four homes to get a count on metal and nails for each home. The mountain and village never seems to end. We have moved further and upward on the mountain and I’m beginning to see just how large this area is. Tomorrow we hope to have a meeting with the elders of the village to reemphasize the need for cooperation and patience. It’s just amazing to watch all this come together. Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

We started the day by picking up materials for 4 more houses. We entered the village again to greet and meet and also to take an assessment on the progress. So far so good. This village is logistically a nightmare for delivering supplies. That’s why no one else is providing help. They tell us daily what a blessing we are to them. We quickly tell them not to thank us but Him who created this world.

The people continue to work with us but that is partly because Harry holds them to the fire on what our vision is. Some try to pull us in other directions but Harry will not allow it. I think tomorrow we will deliver the dresses made by the women from FBCFWB. That will be nice. We had a very long hard day today. We left around 8:00 AM and did not get back to our room till 9:00 PM. I’m good with it though. I just wish we could do more. I am grateful for all the people who support us to minister to others. Praise God from whom all blessings flow. things flow.

We arose early and headed off to the village. We met Maxi our main connection to Cayette. Harry and I hiked up the mountain to inspect the homes that are ready for us. There are 16 homes ready and it will be a daunting task to complete our planned project for the week.

Once we greeted the people and took a look around we scrambled back down to start gathering the materials. We spent the day picking up material for 4 roofs and dropping them off at the road. So far everyone has done their part getting the homes ready for the “tops”.

Each house sent a representative down to retrieve their allotted sheet metal and nails. On special situations we will supply some lumber or concrete. The drop off went without a hitch. The bosses are in place to work once the material reaches the village. We got word that almost two homes were completed in the short time left in the day. Praise God from whom all blessing flow.