We want to share with you our vision for a small rural village in southwestern Haiti. This remote area north of Torbeck, about ten miles away from Les Cayes, has a church that has been taking care of twenty-six orphans. The orphans attend the services and are growing spiritually. The church has a strong desire to be able to assist these orphans, an many others physically as well as educationally. Their desire to help the other orphans in the area is limited by their finances.
In the aftermath of the earthquake that hit Haiti, there was a great need for immediate assistance for the local people to purchase food and minor medical supplies. With your help, we successfully sent funds at least twice to the local pastors for food supplies to help in the time of need for them and their congregation. James 1:27 What God the Father considers to be pure and genuine religion is this: to take care of orphans and widows in their suffering and to keep oneself from being corrupted by the world.
The overall vision we have at Youth Quests International is to provide enough help, assistance, support and education to help this community help themselves in the following ways:
- assist the church and pastors
- help provide self-sustaining agricultural projects
- provide a safe and clean drinking water source
- start building the first phase of the orphanage project
- then move on to an educational center for school classes
- vocational training
- an educational center for the local villagers
In the information that follows, we will share with you the achievements and successes we have had this year in cooperation with your help, assistance and support. After our initial preliminary trip, there were two teams that went to the village near Torbeck this year.
In preparation for the teams that would arrive, I and four other men flew to Haiti and spent between 3 to 5 days with the people. It was our desire to assess the immediate needs of the local people and the minimal requirements and safety issues for the teams. Due to this visit, needed changes were made to the original plans that would better meet the immediate needs as well as fulfill requirements for the overall vision of the orphanage.
Prior to the first team’s arrival many building materials and tools were purchased in Haiti by a pastor with funds that were forwarded ahead for this purpose. A generator was bought to use in the home where the teams will be staying, needs in the church, showing films for outreaches and the building projects. A laptop was provided for better communication and a camera to record progress on the project and with the orphans. Team One
Project # 1: Major work on a home for future teams included cleaning tons of cement and debris from upstairs. Wiring lights in the house and cooking area provided longer hours for ministry. A well was dug by hand near this home and lined with cement for washing, bathing and laundry. Because the home didn’t have a safe way for individuals to get to the second floor where larger teams would need the extra sleeping quarters, we built some cement stairs to the upper level of the home.
Project #2: Tin was bought for roofing the half of one of our host pastor’s home that did not have a roof. David and Sheila were living with and helping orphans in this home.Project #3: Ministry and evangelism opportunities took place through Vacation Bible school, children’s ministry and evening services.
Team Two
Project #1: The Jesus Film in Creole was shown in the evenings during special services. Tracts in Creole were distributed in churches and given to people as we walked around the village and local areas. Ministry was continued to the children.
Project # 2: The agriculture project was started and funds were provided to continue working on this poultry business project. We are very excited that this is nearly completed because it will help support the orphanage, pastors and provide some food for them as well. We will share with you the things that you may participate in for the success of this project later in this letter.
Both teams were given the opportunity to minister in other churches and in open air meetings in a couple of villages. Many Haitian people were touched and ministered to through us with your help.
OpportunitiesNow with the holiday season fast approaching, we wanted to share with you the opportunity to share in the success and vision of these projects in Haiti by prayer, physically going yourself or supporting these projects or someone who is able to go. We will list the areas you may feel led to participate in and share the success of these projects.
- Because of the tremendous rise in the cost of items and building materials in the aftermath of the earthquake and the desire to have the business start operations, you may help get the poultry business started by helping with the following items:
- Between buying the 500 chicks, feed, antibiotics, feeders and the wire needed to complete the building there is a balance of about $2,400.00 left to purchase these items and have this valuable resource completed and in operation.
- Drilling a deep water well and equipment for a potable water supply for the church and future orphanage (total $2200.00) *this would help prevent cholera outbreaks.
- Repairs and enhancing the church facilities
- The first phase of building an orphanage:
- Raising funds to start building the initial phase of the orphanage, (Enough rooms for 40 children, a kitchen, laundry and bathing facilities and house-parent’s quarters. ($50,000.00)
To make a contribution to this project or others during this holiday season, giving thanks for what we have and sharing a gift to those less fortunate please go to Haitian Contributions or contact Youth Quests for more information, prayer and opportunities. To mail us: 2138 N 650 W Lehi, Utah 84043
Mat 25:34-40 Then the King will say to the people on his right, 'Come, you that are blessed by my Father! Come and possess the kingdom which has been prepared for you ever since the creation of the world. I was hungry and you fed me, thirsty and you gave me a drink; I was a stranger and you received me in your homes, naked and you clothed me; I was sick and you took care of me, in prison and you visited me.' The righteous will then answer him, 'When, Lord, did we ever see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you a drink? When did we ever see you a stranger and welcome you in our homes, or naked and clothe you? When did we ever see you sick or in prison, and visit you?' The King will reply, 'I tell you, whenever you did this for one of the least important of these followers of mine, you did it for me!'
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