Our recent assessment trip to Haiti involved a focus on the areas closest to the epicenter of the earthquake. Arriving in the village of Sous Savanne, we found that most of the village’s inhabitants were living in an open field. Hundreds of people were surviving under crude dwellings closely compacted together for protection. Blankets were held up by sticks while sheets were strung together for shelter. There was virtually no protection from the rain. Villages like this are where we will commit our efforts in the coming months.

 

The global community is taking similar steps to shelter the unprecedented number of displaced persons in the region. On his second visit to Haiti after the earthquake, UN Chief Ban Ki-moon said that the need of the hour for the nation is shelter."The most urgent challenge right now is shelter, shelter, shelter — coupled with sanitation," Ban said.

 

Our experience in Sous Savanne highlighted this pressing issue. Over and over again we received the same response when we asked people what their greatest need was: “Tents!” Even with a small amount of rain, people have to stand up instead of lay down because of the wet conditions. Mud is everywhere. The night after our visit, I could hear the rain on the roof of our building. As it came harder my mind went to the families of Sous Savanne. Sheets, blankets and sticks – these are woefully inadequate to protect them. And it appears that the rainy season has arrived early.

 

As Easter approaches, we are reminded that it is because of the death and resurrection of Jesus that we are restored to our Heavenly Father. Out of misery and loss, God has provided life and eternal hope. Hardship and suffering are God’s fertile ground for transforming life if we will but yield ourselves through abandonment and trust, especially when resurrection and restoration are but a future dream.

 

As a demonstration of the life-giving hope available to us through Christ, we have set a goal of procuring, shipping and distributing 300 high-quality tents for the people of Sous Savanne. These are durable tents, designed for post-disaster situations and capable of lasting two years. Our Emergency Disaster Relief Tents are made of a strong, tear-resistant fabric and are manufactured exclusively for relief agencies. They have excellent qualities to provide shelter in post-disaster situations due to:

 

This project will allow the 2,100 inhabitants of this village to return to their own properties, as well as foster favorable health conditions. Please take the time to view a current piece done by FOX-TV in Nashville about our Haiti Shelter Project.

 

Our hope is that you will join us in a tangible response to the plight of these precious people. This is a clear and desperate need that, once met, will aid in the transition to a sense of normalcy for this community. These tents will provide interim dwellings as rebuilding gets underway and will help them get back on their own land, in a dry and sanitary environment. 

 

The average family in Haiti comprises seven people, including parents, children and extended family. The cost of purchasing, shipping and distributing one tent is $475 – an average cost of less than $70 per person. I can think of no better investment than enabling the 300 families in Sous Savanne to return home to a dry dwelling, allowing them to rebuild their lives. Click here to read more about the project.

 

Nearly three months after the tragic events of January 2010, let us not forget that the beauty of walking with God is that tragedy does not have to be a dead-end street. Rather, let us continue to beseech heaven and earth until restoration and redemption overtake the pain, suffering and loss of the Haitian people. 

 

It is our hope and prayer that your Easter will be filled with the freshness of new life afforded through Jesus Christ our Lord. Thank you for standing with us as we reach out, in the name of Jesus, to greatly impact the lives of Haiti’s people.

 

In Christ,

 

 

Jack P. Minton

CEO/President

P.S. Join us in showing support for Haiti and her people by wearing one of the new Hope Force in Haiti wristbands. This is our gift to you for a donation of any amount toward the project. Please note “wristband” when contributing online or by check.
Thank you!