From the Field: Haiti Recovery

Haiti Update 3/12/10

Per our Phase 2 Action Plan, we are our launching our GO Fund to start businesses in markets where we’d be a major customer. Create economy; create good jobs; use profits to pay for orphan care.

One example is a bed business we’re piloting right now in Haiti. Child care is our core ministry. We need beds. Right now, iron bunk beds in Haiti go for about $100 plus a pop. That’s the market. Most companies making them do not pay fare wages or look to create jobs. They certainly don’t use their profits to pay for the most vulnerable children in their communities. We can do all of the above.

So we started a bed business. We are the anchor customer. You buy a bed for $100, the going rate. We order the bed from the bed biz. A modest share of the profit goes to the Haitian principles (believers dedicated to our same vision); the rest goes to help pay for orphan care. The target country’s own economy helps support its children.

One key to these businesses is simplicity. And this bed biz is really simple. And productive.

Check out the pictures. Here’s one of the welders going to town!

By the way, this bed biz made the beds for Juli and her 47 children. They delivered right on time. 🙂

Haiti Update 3/12/10

From Trace Thurlby live in Haiti:

76 years ago, a six-year old boy living in the hills near the border became another rural, Haitian orphan. A neighbor took him in, and he worked everyday of his life as a farmer. He grew cabbage and sweet potatoes, and he did it well enough to amass ten acres of land and faithfully provide for a family of eleven children. All of whom were raised to know the Lord.

One of his youngest, Montes, sat next to me on the plane into Port Au Prince today. This semester he finishes his Masters in Divinity at Andrews College in Michigan; only made possible by a series of events Montes describes as miraculous. After hearing his story of “one lucky break after the next,” I agreed.

“So, Montes,” I asked, “why do you think God has blessed you with this opportunity and education? What does it mean for you now as you come back to your country? As you come back to see your Dad?”

“I think,” Montes explained, “that God blessed me so that I could be a blessing.”

I think Montes is right. He gets it. So do you! Thank you for being a blessing to your brothers and sisters here and at home. We love you! Press on!

Haiti Update 3/10/10

Pastor Calix is praying for you.

Earlier this week, we celebrated as Juli and her 47 children moved into their new home, which was built on the same piece of property where they were living before the quake. Today, we’re watching another new beginning. Local Haitians are hard at work to give Pastor Calix and his 33 children a permanent place to call home. Remember, we met Calix living in the rubble of his pancaked orphanage. Over the last month he has become a good friend and trusted partner. Several times, we’ve heard Pastor Calix pray blessings over The GO Project. He’s praying for God’s blessings over you and your family! Most of you haven’t met Pastor Calix, but he loves you. In a time of uncertainty and despair, God used your generosity to provide answers full of hope to this gentle pastor with a big heart for kids! He’s part of our GO Family now. Soon, we hope to show you pictures of Calix’s kids moving into their new home!

Construction at Pastor Calix’s new home:

Haiti Update 3/9/10

The GO Project continues to see hope abound in Haiti, like the new beginning for Juli and her kids.

After the earthquake destroyed their home, Juli led her children on foot to the Dominican Republic, 50 plus miles away. For weeks, Juli’s kids lived in makeshift refugee camps. Then, in early February, Juli and her 47 orphans came to The GO Project’s Orphan Transition Village. There, Juli told us that, Home is where people love you.

From Adrien Lewis live in Haiti:

They won’t forget the day they were all huddled under the mango tree watching everything around them crumble. In fact there was a bit of commotion and one of the little girls began to cry…she was afraid the earth was shaking again. They won’t forget walking to the DR and then being shipped back to Haiti to find themselves in a new orphanage with 200 other children.

They also won t forget all the people that loved on them the last 30 days…all of you! Some of you came to Haiti to love on them with your time, others continue to love on them through prayer and support. Now, less than 2 months after losing everything, they are home again. So in some ways they are better off than they were before this mess, because they have felt your love from across the ocean. They know, that in the name of Jesus, the one they call on as Lord and savior, they have been protected and provided for.

Thank you for being His hands and feet.

Thanks to you, Juli and her kids found home in our GO Project family, but today, with the help of Burns & McDonnell, Juli and her kids are back in their new, permanent home. Juli can now sit on her porch and watch her kids play beneath her beloved tree. Home. Hope. Haiti.

Haiti Update 3/8/10

From Joe Knittig live in Haiti:

We got back from Cayes last night. Overall, this was a busy and positive leg of the trip.

We were able to go to St. Louis, Cayes, and Cambry – and see Cavaillon. All are in pretty rough shape. Many of you have gone to visit these places. To us, they’re not much to look at. But, the villages mean much more than buildings to the kids. The kids settle into their home environments more than we can imagine. Such a dramatic disruption like this devastates them.

By God’s grace, they are all OK. And they will get through this. We do have a lot of work ahead.

This flash flood was a freak of nature. The area where Cavaillon sits, for example, has never flooded in Dony’s life time. The people in that community and surrounding communities are seriously confused and rattled.

The pipeline of help to the kids is flowing. As soon as we get that truck from DR, it’ll really flow. Please pray for that.

It was a blessing to worship at Cayes and Cambry. No matter what’s going on around them, these folks will not be moved from Jesus. They sang louder than ever. They praised harder than ever. They smiled more certain than ever. Experiencing God like that – in the midst of crisis – is like mainlining Truth.

So we left Cayes full up. And we got back to the OTV to see soccer games and welcoming children.

Today is move day for Juli and the kids. They were buzzing this morning. It’s good.

Today is my exit day. Moise is back. He’s doing great – healing and eager to serve. So our fearless leader is back. Adrien’s here on his wing. I’m taking off in 15 mins in peace, excited to see my Julie and my kids at home.

Thanks for your prayers, and for making this part of your walk.

See you soon.

Faithfully yours,

Joe

Haiti Update 3/6/10

From Joe Knittig live in Haiti:

Today’s been a humbler.

For some reason, the govt is making it tough to get supplies across the border from the DR. We had a much needed shipment destined for Cayes turned back. Why? A paperwork issue.

We’re bringing in food, tents, and meds by the truckload, and the Haitian govt didn’t like some paperwork. Like we had a truckload of guns and ammo.

Speaking of Cayes, I’m here. This freak flood has wreaked havoc on the ESMI system, and they are busting their humps. Dony and I spent time starting to plan next steps. We’ll hit it again in the morning.

Right now, I’m about to crash for the night… In a seat in a tap tap… Next to the driver… Who has serious toe jam issues…

There’s no room in the inn tonight.

Humbling day.

On the great side, I spent an hour at Cambry snuggling Erinese and Clar (Clarence), Erinese’s little bro. Man that was something. I have a special bond with those 2, and that made my day.

God’s in control. Same as yesterday. Same as tomorrow.

Goodnight.

Joe

Haiti Update 3/6/10

From Joe Knittig live in Haiti:

I’m on my way now to Leogane and then Cayes.

Adrien and Kender are at the border getting another container of supplies in, all of which will be sent to Cayes.

This morning, I have a heavy heart. I leave Monday to come home. I miss my family a great deal. I’m relieved and excited to get home to Julie and the kids. Here’s the hard part now. The children at the OTV know. We’ve all been thru so much together. It hurts deeply to leave them.

This is only temporary, though.

I am so thankful for what you’ve enabled us to do. I’m looking at these faces, and while my heart aches, I marvel at what God has done and will do in their lives. This is all so much bigger than us.

I find peace in that.

We’ll keep you posted, GO Family.

Joe

Haiti Update 3/4/10

From Joe Knittig live in Haiti:

“In the future, everyone will be world-famous for 15 minutes.” Andy Warhol

You know I got a shine for Pierre. Today he had his 15 minutes (15 seconds really). We did a little Skype interview with CNN international – with an emphasis on use of social media and our blog. (It hasn’t aired – we’ll let you know when it will.) Pierre jockeyed into position to see what was happening. Right on time. We got to hold him up to say “Bonjou” to the world. He thought that was really, really cool.

That boy is amazing. You recall we found him by himself, wearing only a tattered T-shirt, laying in a hospital yard with an untreated broken femur. He’s gone through a lot here. He’s had happy times. He uplifts with his mischievous laugh and winning smile. And he’s also kept us in check, showing that this is not a tea party. These are broken, battered little ones. Hearing a child scream for his dead mother in the pitch black of night – knowing the reality – empties the spoken word. Pierre’s life since Jan. 12 has covered the gamut.

Pierre’s had a broken leg set and casted. His bone is mending. The cast is off. He’s beginning to walk without a walker. I believe Pierre’s heart progress is tracking his leg.

Today he stole the social media show, and got his 15 minutes. Bravo, Pierre Petiel Joseph!

Thanks to you all, GO Family, for given this fella a shot.

Faithfully yours,

Joe

Haiti Update 3/4/10

Video clip of flooding in Casa Major and southern Haiti that Pastor Louis St. Germain describes as unprecedented. See Louis’ commentary below:

Flooding in Casa Major from The Global Orphan Project on Vimeo.

Haiti Update 3/4/10

Alleluia! Water for our children!

Great news! The relief for our kids who were affected by the flooding in the south has started to arrive. Today 6,000 bottles of water were delivered to Cayes.

Haiti Update 3/3/10

From Joe Knittig live in Haiti:

A most gracious 60 Mins crew has been with us nearly 3 weeks. They’re telling a story of Haiti’s hurting children, a story far bigger than GO Project. Today, our part of that story concluded with some final interviews.

No matter how the story unfolds, I’m grateful for 2 special producers and their staff. They loved on these kids well beyond a story. They loved on Moise and Francoise, well beyond a story.

Join us in praying that God will use all involved to advance His global movement to care for orphaned and abandoned children.

We’ll let you know when the story will air.

Three highlights from yesterday…

1. El Shaddai

Louis, Dony, Doudou and the entire ESMI crew has shown life saving leadership. They made snap decisions to rescue hundreds of orphans. And they are tirelessly working day and night in communities in the south in chaos. We need to continue equipping the ESMI church networks. So many of you know these men. They are amazing. We are humbled to serve with our brothers.

2. Vaval Family

Moise and family left for a family respite in the Dominican Republic. Moise Jr was busting at the seems when they left. Apparently, he never stopped. Moise said last night at bed time that Jr was still eating and jumping around.

Pray for some deep family unity and healing.

3. Renise

It’s definitely a girl! Mommy Fox took Renise for a sonogram. Renise has confirmed she wants her baby to be adopted into a family here in Haiti. And it seems the Lord may have brought to us the parents. We shall see soon! I’m awestruck at Renise’s transformation.

Today’s a full day! Here’s what’s going down:

1. Doing Rounds

Deliver to some of our circuit of orphanages that collapsed.

2. Start Calix Rebuild

Finalize the land details. The contractors are ready to rock.

3. Explore Fond Parisien New Village Site

We’re giving thought to a Fond Parisien village plant. Land’s there. Great location. Strong ag possibilities (Kevin and Janet – your new home??? Hmmmm?)

Exploring deeper today.

4. Cayes Support Planning

We’re lining up resources we can quickly access to take the ESMI work in the south to an even higher level.

5. Clothing Biz

We’re about to launch a school uniform business to (a) creat jobs, and (b) generate funds from biz to help pay for orphan care. More tomorrow on why the biz component is so critical in the relief and redevelopment effort.

6. Juli’s Home

Make final completion and move plans. Looks like Juli and her 47 will return home Saturday.

That covers about 60% of it. As Trace says, God’s doing with you there and us here what he did with the little boy’s lunch.

That’s all for now GO Family. It’s a great day to be alive in God’s grace.

Joe

Haiti Update 3/3/10

Morning Activites at the Orphan Transition Village from The Global Orphan Project on Vimeo.

Haiti Update 3/2/10

From Joe Knittig live in Haiti:

A signature moment here at the OTV came late last night, when the Fox crew arrived. Renise had her hair all done up, and a cute sundress on – waiting for Momma Fox. When we pulled in, Renise knew what was happening. Giddy, she started jumping up and down. She stumbled in her flip-flops and fell on her bum, laughing hysterically the entire time. What a blessed re-union. Things are well here, and this allows us to focus hard on Cayes now and in the coming weeks.

Cayes is a mess. Louis and Dony and the entire ESMI crew are, as you’d imagine, leading with courage. It’s a true privilege to serve them.

Here is the good news… All of our children are safe.

Here is the bad news… Take a look at these pics of the flooding. This is a highly unusual flood, as it’s neither rainy season nor hurricane season. We have more than 400 displaced children from 3 villages: Cavaillon, Cherette, and Casa Major.

The Cavaillon children have been re-located to the clinic in Cayes. Pastor Nerva took the Cherette children to higher ground, where they have “settled” for now. Pastor Cloitaire has done the same with the Casa Major children. There will be large scale losses of food, clothing, and stuff. Stuff can be replaced. Kids cannot. So we’re thankful.

We have formed and launched (immediately upon the news of the flash flooding) a GO Project / ESMI relief effort. Obviously, priority one is getting the displaced children food, water, clothing, and shelter where they are – and resettling them elsewhere if and as necessary. That process is underway. Long Hollow, your container couldn’t be more perfect in its timing and content. About 3/4 of that container – shelter, clothing, emergency food rations – will immediately go to Cayes on Thursday or Friday (depending on when it hits here at the OTV).

We will keep you posted with more detail on Cayes as we receive it.

We continue to seek your prayers for our kids, for Louis, for Dony, for ESMI, for Cayes, and for all of Haiti.

Thanks for going deep with us!

Faithfully yours,

Joe

Haiti Update 3/2/10

From Joe Knittig live in Haiti:

Right now, if you’re like me, at least a part of you is thinking: “What’s the point?”

Hurricanes in ’08. An earthquake hits in ’10. Poor! Poor! No, extremely poor! Devastating. We rally with all that we have. The whole world does. Progress. The news fades a bit. Then Chile. And now, an “also ran” – an unusually brutal torrent and flood before Rainy Season in the south of Haiti. A flood that otherwise would have rightly garnered global headlines is a but a blip on the radar screen. We’re all a bit weary.

It’s just Haiti. Pathetic.

Do you speak or think these thoughts, as I sometimes do in the deep recesses of my mind?

Emotion has worn thin, and logic and self-interest invades.

But GO Family, here’s where God really shows-up: when we’re feeling a bit beaten down.

So what, exactly, is the point?

Here is the point. People matter to Jesus. We’re all that matter to Him. No matter what your bent. The people here – orphans here – concern Him a great deal. Ergo, they concern us. They concern us enough to give them what we can out of love. A home. Some food. Some water. Some clothes. Even if these things could get buried beneath rubble or swept away by water, they matter. They represent more than things. They represent our hearts.

And what’s at stake in taking these risks with our hearts? Money. Time. Some thoughts when staring at the back of our eyelids at night. Maybe some embarassment.

It’s so worth it. When love makes no earthly sense – when it brings about a crisis of belief – there we find the real Jesus who ignites a passion that spills over into every area of life.

So, if you’re still tracking this (or just starting), think of it this way: this is just as much about you as about them. Maybe Haiti, Malawi, Uganda, Cambodia have something for you.

Let’s see the river cards. We’re holding pocket aces in Christ.

Faitfully yours,

Joe

P.S. Cayes update coming tomorrow. Mixed bag. But the kids are OK!