“In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
~ Acts 20:35
The magnitude 7.2 earthquake that occurred in the Southern part of Haiti on August 14 devastated many communities. Some of these areas were still struggling to recover from the effects of the 2010 earthquake. Many cities were severely damaged and people were buried in the collapsed buildings. The earthquake struck with a 10-kilometer deep hypocenter near Petit-Trou-de-Nippes, approximately 150 kilometers west of Port-au-Prince.
More than 2,200 people were killed in the quake when homes, hospitals, and churches collapsed. More than 12,200 people were injured and more than 130,000 houses were damaged or destroyed. Haiti’s Office of Civil Protection stated that about 800,000 people have been affected and an estimated 650,000 citizens are in need of emergency humanitarian assistance.
One of the hardest-hit areas was Les Cayes, a city of 100,000 Haitians in the country’s Southernmost peninsula. The city is built on sand and shale and was deeply affected by the earthquake. A Catholic Church was destroyed along with many homes. We are working in that area delivering clothing, bottled water, sheets, and towels, etc.
This past weekend, we had a large boat deliver 6,000 bags of rice, along with cooking oil and condensed milk for the children in the city of Jeremie. For this area, we have spent $139,680.00.
There are many people who live in remote, rural areas that have yet to be helped. It is our main goal to reach them to deliver food and shelter.
In the section of Nippes, Haiti, there are people so far back in the mountains that it is difficult to reach them. When we sent a team in to rescue these people, a few allowed themselves to be saved, but the rest would not go with them. We are told that some are afraid to leave, and others are waiting for the leaf doctor to come. We can see that doctors are still needed in these areas and we are thankful for those who have already arrived.
We are grateful for those of you who have sent in blankets, sheets, children’s handmade clothes, etc. because there is a great need now.
We also have medications that we saved for Disaster Relief from MAP International, which is a huge blessing!
If you feel led by the Lord to help, there are many ways to do so! The people are desperate for food and shelter. We need t-shirts of all sizes, blankets, and sheets, in addition to toiletries, soap, toothpaste, deodorant, washcloths, and towels.
Praise report: Our tent goal has been met, exceeded, and matched! One thousand tents will be distributed to needy families.
In addition, we have an Amazon wishlist stating more specific needs. You can click here to donate diapers, food, and formula through Amazon.
Attention: If you are a missionary living in the rural areas that have been badly hit by the earthquake, and you know of Haitian families who have lost their homes, please contact us. We will help as many as possible!
We want to again thank our friends and partners for all of the support you have provided. For continued updates on earthquake relief and ways you can help provide hope to the Haitian people during this time of crisis, please visit our Facebook page.
Love is something you do! Bobby and Sherry