Invitation to Grand Goave
Steve and I recently returned from a four-day trip to Grand Goave, a large, dusty town near the epicenter of the January 12th earthquake. It was a long and tiring journey but one worth the effort. We, along with newly appointed CBF nurse, Jenny Jenkins, and our 16 year old son Micah, attended meetings with those involved in the rebuilding of a local school and church.Shortly after the earthquake the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and the American Baptist Church were invited by the Haitian Baptist Convention to begin the overwhelming task of clearing and rebuilding in Grand Goave. Several retired missionaries with both Creole language and building skills, volunteered to help organize and begin the recovery process.
Today, people by the thousands are still living in tents and, with the intense summer heat, it is almost unimaginable, but there is progress. Water systems have been built and the school is almost ready to receive students.
Introducing The" Rubble House"
In partnership with Conscience International, the first “rubble house” has been built. Ten more rubble house foundations are in place and work on these houses will begin shortly.The design for the house is ingenious and purportedly “earthquake proof” and because of the thickness of the walls will be much cooler than most other houses in Haiti at present. The house is constructed with 12-inch wide walls made of chicken wire filled with the broken rubble of former homes and buildings destroyed in the earthquake and then cemented over on both sides. The design also includes an outdoor compost toilet and covered cooking area.
Seeking To Be "The Presene Of Christ"
Among those helping in the last seven months are CBF’s Scott Hunter, Tori Wenz, RN, Tim Brendle and ABC missionaries Herb Rogers, Tim Moore and Gene Gentry. With the help and guidance of the Disaster Relief Teams, groups from churches in the US have been coming since February to help rebuild. Those who have come have sought to be “the presence of Christ” to those in need. They have worked shoulder to shoulder with their Haitian brothers and sisters, not sharing a common language except the love of Jesus and the willingness to help. Living in tents under difficult circumstances, these teams have shared a little of the suffering of their Haitian brothers and sistersTori Wenz with her nursing skills has helped with medical teams as well as respond to medical needs in both the community and outlying mountainous areas where the medical needs are great. Tori will depart in a few weeks but Jenny Jenkins is stepping in to replace her. Also Mike and Brenda Harwood from England will replace Tim Brendle.
In The Spirit Of The "Loaves And Fishes"
Our ABC friends can help this fall by giving generously to your church’s World Mission Offering. These gifts not only help Haiti but also reach out to the entire world. Your offering will be used in seven crucial areas of outreach: Health, Evangelism, Human Trafficking, Theological Education, Economic Development, Education, and Peace and Refuge. Please give from your heart in the spirit of the “ loaves and fishes” and watch God’s miracle of giving unfold!