I praise the Lord for each of you. It's believers like you that
makes it possible for us to do the Lord's work. As I write this
letter, I'm planning to leave this Friday for Haiti. Just to inform
those that may not know, I've made over 70 trips to Haiti over
the past 25 years. We have helped build 7 churches there and we
have led thousands to the Lord. Debbie and I adopted a little
boy that was living on the streets and his nickname as Bazoo.
He was blind in one eye and had very poor vision out of his other
eye. We also adopted another young man, whose name is James Benoit.
This Ministry, with the help of all of our supporters, has helped
keep James's family alive over the past 20 years. We helped him
build a very small four room cinderblock home, which was destroyed
in the earthquake recently. James has been my interpreter for
many years and has always been my right hand in Haiti. Well, now
he needs our help more than ever. At this time, he and his family
are having to sleep on the ground outside of his home. James and
Yevonne have three children. I’m taking a small three room
tent with me, which will give them some protection from the elements.
James has had to get what food he could on credit since the earthquake.
When I get to Haiti I will need to help him pay all his food bills
and I’ll need to help him get enough food to support them
for a few weeks. We see all the food shipped into the country
and stacked at the airport, but let me tell you from a very honest
source, the people are not getting the food.
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James has gone to the airport several times and each time
he says the people that are able to get through the red
tape and the crowds and are fortunate enough to get food
and water are robbed and beaten by the gangs on their way
home. James has told me twice, that he had rather buy his
food on credit than to take a chance on getting help at
the airport. I’ve personally spent over a year of
my life in this country and I know firsthand how the corrupt
government operates there. The wealthy will get richer from
the tragedy and the poor will continue to suffer. We will
need to help James rebuild his home and I need for each
of you to help anyway you can. It will cost thousands of
dollars even for this small block home. Some that are reading
this letter could build the house and never miss the money.
Others could buy ten blocks at two dollars each, some could
buy a hundred, some five hundred. I only ask you to do what
ever you can. God’s Word says, “He that hath
pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that which
he hath given will he pay him again.” Proverbs 19:17
God’s Word also says, “He that giveth unto
the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall
have many a curse.” Proverbs 28:27
James and Bazoo are poorer than most. Let’s have pity
on them and give unto them that which they need. God will
bless us and we shall prevent and avoid a curse. †
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Haiti Update
I just returned from Haiti last night (Sunday) and it was
a trip never to be forgotten. I took a three room tent to
Brother James and his family. I also carried him food and
an air mattress with a battery powered pump. We raised enough
money to pay off the creditors that helped James with food.
We also were able to give him enough money to begin the clean
up process, buy steal beams for bracing the roof and keep
him supplied with food for a month or so. Below we have a
list of materials needed to rebuild the walls of his house.
We will need 2100 cinder blocks, 30 bags of cement, 1- truck
load of sand and of course we have the labor.
2100 blocks @ 2.00 = 4200.00
30 bags cement @ 12.00 = 360.00
1- load of sand @ 200.00 = 200.00
Labor to clean up = 800.00
Labor to re-build = 1,050.00
Estimated total $6,610.00
I’m sure there will be other expenses we haven’t
covered, but I know we need this amount to get started. I’m
asking everyone to help a little. We’re going to try
to get this work done within the next 60 days. Prices are
going to climb higher and higher because of the demand. We
need to move as quickly as possible. Because of your help,
James and his family are now in the dry. Thank you for helping.
†
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