Dear friends,
August 24th was a terrible day for the Haitian people. We experienced the devastation of category one Hurricane Isaac. A lot of damage has been registered all over the country.
A first report in Fonds-Parisien counts approximately twenty families that have not only lost their roofs, but all of their belongings. Now they are soaked by the rain. Some streets are flooded as water from the mountains gushed down the channel to the neighborhoods below. Palm trees were toppled and others uprooted or split at the trunk. Flea markets were deserted as everyone spent time cleaning out their homes or helping their neighbors.
During visits out into the community to make an assessment, we were saddened with the results of the storm. Mattresses, piled high with wet clothing, were ruined. Walls that once held a roof were crumbling. Tin sheets, ripped from their frame, were strewn about the yards. Still, in the midst of the rubble, I was moved by how these mothers and fathers maintained their dignity and poise as their children clung to them seeking reassurance.
I was joined by Kristina Sachs, who is married to Pastor Dennis Tarr. They are traveling here in Haiti as missionaries with Empower International Ministries. Empower just conducted a seminar hosted by HCM for pastoral couples this week. Embedded within with these Bible-based studies is the emphasis on glorifying God through marriage and family, and communicating with him through prayer. In that spirit, we joined hands together to lift up the hearts and lives of these hurricane survivors. They may have lost their belongings, but none of these families sustained the loss of a loved one. Praise God for his mercy!
In the following days, the needs of these families will be great. In one household we visited, the mother is due to deliver within two weeks. Can you imagine the impact this horrific storm has had and will continue to have upon her in this critical time as she prepares for this new addition to her family? Your prayers and support are badly needed in this time. Would you consider doing the following:
- Praying for the hurricane survivors and their families.
- Supporting the community around Fonds-Parisien by donating to our Hurricane Isaac fund.
Thank you for coming alongside HCM to help us bring light into a dark world. May the Lord bless you abundantly as you bless others!
In Christ's love,
Betty Prophete
"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear though the earth should change..." Psalm 46: 1-2a
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You can make a donation to the Hurricane Isaac fund by either:
Sending a check to:
Haitian Christian Mission
4550 Hwy 20 SE
Conyers, GA 30013
Please write "Hurricane Isaac Fund" on the memo line.
OR
Giving on-line using PayPal
Visit our website and click on the "Please Give Now" button.
After either logging in to your PayPal account or entering your credit card information, on the "Review your donation" page, please enter, in the special instructions area, "Hurricane Isaac Fund".
Thank you for helping us help those most in need right now.
The two photos below show the HCM kindergarten building in Fonds-Parisien
