Haiti One Year Update -- How Your Sacrifice is Helping

When a devastating earthquake struck Haiti on January 12, 2010, the lives of those living in Port-au-Prince changed in an instant. There were 230,000 deaths, 300,000 injured, and 1.5 million people across the area were displaced. Piles of concrete rubble littered the city were buildings and homes once stood. Tent shelters made of tarps and rope were set up everywhere. Large tent cities can still be seen across Haiti, each one of them filled with men, women, and children that lost loved ones and all they owned.

With the help of disciples and HOPE worldwide, volunteers came to Haiti's aid within 4 days of the quake. The disciples in Port-au-Prince had gathered together on the land where their church building once stood and by this time were quickly running out of food and water. Immediate basic needs were met and healthcare provided as much as possible, but the need was still great. Through a partnership with Rotary International, the disciples received 50 shelter box tents during HOPE worldwide's second visit to Haiti. These are tents large enough to house 8 to 10 people and were donated along with household supplies, pots and pans, stoves, educational materials, and gifts for the children.

The church assembly hall was completely destroyed but with some help and hard work the offices were able to be refurbished and are now used to store medicine and supplies. The 300 disciples living in Port-Au-Prince never gave up hope and prayed together regularly. They continued to meet on the church property and held their services under a large tarp in order to protect themselves from the harsh weather in region. After a few months, HOPE worldwide was able to put together enough money to build an aluminum shelter structure for the church. The lives of those in the Port-au-Prince Church are truly a testament to the power of God and since the earthquake they have had 157 baptisms and restorations and 8 marriages within the church.

We are excited to report that we have been able to purchase 2.3 acres of land that will be used to build a Village of HOPE worldwide in Croix des Bouquets, about 45 minutes outside of Port-au-Prince. The groundbreaking began exactly one day after the one year anniversary of the earthquake. Together with "Food for the Poor", 40 homes will be constructed for the 120 displaced disciples and their families, who have been living in tents for a year now. The project is to be completed in Spring 2011 and will also include a medical clinic, a new church building, basketball courts, and soccer fields.

Thank you to everyone for your continued prayers
and support for the work in Haiti.

To view the full version of this inspiring presentation, please click below to
download the powerpoint with audio commentary by by Dr. Ottenweller.

Click below to see the presentation as a video.

Haiti: Healing The Brokenhearted from Marcia Scaggs on Vimeo.