Rebuilding SW Haiti - The Long Road Ahead Tuesday, August 31, 2021
Tuesday, August 31, 2021
"I lift my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, who made the heaven and earth." ~Psalms 121:1-2 (ESV)
Dear Friends,
We are now in week three of the relief effort. Many have worked tirelessly to provide the immediate needs of food, water, and medical care to the thousands affected by this quake. Then there are other pressing needs such as shelter. Thousands of homes were destroyed. Thousands of families left homeless. Hundreds of schools destroyed. Hundreds of students left without a school to return to in September. So what's next? What's next for so many families and their children? There is no FEMA. No agency for government assistance. So what's next?
 This is the pressing question on Pastor Clotaire's mind. So what's next for not only himself and his family, but for the many under his care?
(Photo to left shows Pastor Clotaire standing with his "children")
ESMI met Pastor Clotaire and his wife more than 25 years ago. Pastor Clotaire was one of ESMI's very first church planting pastor. With the assistance of Spanish River Church, a church was built on the property where he had his home in Casa Major. Later that church became too small and a bigger church was built. I remember vividly Pastor Clotaire's comment after one of the churches was built. He said, "You have raised my head in the community," meaning that by providing a building for him, we enhanced his leadership in the community. Pastor Clotaire went on to become the mayor of Casa Major. From the church, he and his wife became Papa and Mama to now 188 orphaned children. Over the years, homes were built for the children, then the school and clinic on the same property as his home and the church. The children always had full access to their "parents" and were loved dearly by them. Many are now grown and moved on, yet Pastor and Madame continue to welcome new children to be a part of their family.
 But on Saturday, August 14 at 8:29am, everything changed for that small community, as it did for so many. The school was damaged beyond repair. What's next for the 476 students as school is to begin in September?
 The clinic was also damaged. This not only served the orphans if they had any medical need but also the Casa Major community. What's next in meeting the community's health need? Not shown is the church which will also have to be demolished. What's next for the congregation?
 His home that represented family and belonging to the orphaned children was also damaged beyond repair.
 And now, with the demolition of the church, the school, the clinic, his family home, this is how the property looks....empty! Everything that was once familiar to that community is now gone. And so what's next? Will you pray with us to see what next God has for Pastor Clotaire, his wife and the community they served so well for more than 25 years?
I took this video as I drove by Marceline- every home I passed was destroyed and the people were on the streets. Please keep these families in your prayers. Trust God with us to provide a way for so many who may be wondering "What's next?"
 Praise & Prayer Requests
*Thankful that the Chicago Friends of Haiti medical team, led by its president and ESMI board member, Ted Powers, arrived safely in Les Cayes today. Pray for God to bless their ministry this week.
*Thankful for the two medical doctors from New Hope Hospital in Cap-Haitienne who served along side the medical staff in Jeremie to care for the people in Latiboliere yesterday, and in Leon today. Photo to the left shows mobile clinic in Leon.
*Pray that ESMI can obtain 2000 tents and 2000 tarps (15x20) for the following communities in the Grand'Anse (Jeremie) department: Pestel, Paline Matin, Latibolier and Corail. The tent should be for about 5-7 people. A sample of this is on Amazon. Here's the link. Once purchased, these can be sent to El Shaddai Community Church, 2551 Havendale Blvd NW, Winter Haven, FL 33823. There is a shipping company ESMI will use to get these to Haiti.
*Pray that ESMI can find/purchase an international, 40ft diesel box truck in the US to send to Haiti. This truck is needed to continue distribution of food and material. The rental of such a truck each day in Haiti is $2000US. A lot could be saved if ESMI had its own!
TOP 10 EARTHQUAKE RELIEF NEEDS
Shelter & Home
*Tents *Tarps *Ropes for securing tarp *Blankets *Baby diapers *Feminine Pads *Toothpaste *Tooth Brushes * Soap *Gently worn clothes and shoes
DROP-OFF LOCATIONS
City Rev Church
21113 Johnson St #120
Pembroke Pines, FL 33029
El Shaddai Community Church
2551 Havendale Blvd NW
Winter Haven, FL 33881
Old Cutler Presbyterian Church
14401 Old Cutler Rd,
Palmetto Bay, FL 33158
Spanish River Church
2400 Yamato Rd
Boca Raton, FL 33431
University Presbyterian Church
2562 Rouse Rd
Orlando, FL 32817
Contact Persons: Pastor Tresil at esccwh@gmail.com
WAYS TO GIVE
To donate online, go to the DONATE NOW button and select DISASTER RELIEF
OR
Send a check to:
El Shaddai Ministries Int'l, Inc.
c/o The Keyes Company
2121 SW 3rd Avenue, Suite 101
Miami, FL 33129
Memo: Disaster Relief
|
|
|
|
|
Subscribe To Our Blog
|
Blog Categories
General
04/03/2019 - ESMI Education in Haiti: Where
10/24/2018 - Haiti Construction Trip Recap
10/15/2018 - Travel to Haiti
News
06/17/2026 - ESMI 5-Month Impact Report
12/18/2025 - The LORD Has Done Great Things
01/08/2025 - Together, Transforming Lives i
09/10/2024 - Haiti Update: Transforming Liv
08/12/2024 - From Haiti to Florida: El Shad
05/31/2024 - ESMI e-newsletter: Haiti's Cri
02/25/2024 - Haiti...A Time to Grieve
11/20/2023 - Thank You for Your Sacrifice
10/13/2023 - Special Update from Pastor Don
06/12/2023 - Earthquake Relief Update
06/12/2023 - Haiti: Bad News Amidst Good Ne
02/07/2023 - Food Crisis: Matching Fund Foo
01/01/2023 - A Look Back at 2022
09/14/2022 - Summer Update
04/21/2022 - Spring Update
12/30/2021 - Year In Review
10/18/2021 - Looking-Beyond-Haitis-Turmoil
09/27/2021 - Phase III - $500,000 Matching
09/06/2021 - Bless the Lord, O My Soul Mon
08/31/2021 - Rebuilding SW Haiti - The Long
08/27/2021 - Because You Gave Generously...
08/25/2021 - Serving the Nippes Communities
08/22/2021 - Worshiping God in the Midst of
08/20/2021 - Marveling at God's Faithful Pr
08/19/2021 - Earthquake Update: Thursday, A
08/17/2021 - Earthquake Update: Tuesday, Au
08/16/2021 - Earthquake Update: Monday, Aug
08/14/2021 - Today's 7.2 Magnitude Earthqua
03/03/2021 - $50,000 Matching Fund Food Dri
11/16/2020 - Giving Thanks in the Midst of
08/11/2020 - Ministry Amidst Pain, Loss, an
04/15/2020 - Ministry Amidst COVID-19
01/11/2020 - Happy New Year 2020!
12/19/2019 - God's Intervention - Answered
12/02/2019 - Thanksgiving Update - Food Rel
11/26/2019 - $50k Matching Fund
11/26/2019 - Update-Food Relief Effort
11/02/2019 - Haiti-ESMI Prayer Request
10/24/2019 - Haiti - A Country in Turmoil,
10/08/2019 - Keep Praying With Me for Haiti
10/04/2019 - Help Me Pray for Haiti
09/27/2019 - Update from Dony and Sharon St
05/21/2019 - Haiti News Spring 2019
04/23/2019 - CLT March 2019 Board Meeting
03/06/2019 - March Update: Continued Constr
02/20/2019 - Feb Update: New Church Buildin
02/07/2019 - Another Gonaives Church Plant
02/07/2019 - Gonaives Church Plant-Pastor E
01/23/2019 - University of Jeremie Celebrat
10/28/2018 - April 2018 Newsletter
10/28/2018 - October 2018 Newsletter
01/03/2018 - 2017 Year End Update
|
|