It's no secret that we entered Haiti in January knowing the compound generator was kaput! This meant the agonizing fact of no electricity or no water … no refrigeration for supplies, no fans for cooling, no power for charging electronics, no water for showering. Like we've said before, all of these things are trè enpòtan (very important) and we still endeavour to learn the secret of being content in all! Now, here's the rest of the story. We asked and people responded. Before very long our dear friend in ministry, Russ Cole, was doing leg work in Port au Prince for a new machine, and using his expertise to band aid the old generator. At the same time friends back in North America were raising funds to help with the purchase of a new generator. Within 10 days a truck arrived at the compound with a new generator on board, a generator house was in process, and many beautiful people were working together to make that thing sing. Never had we been so grateful to hear the loud drone of a shiny blue machine! A special thank you to Arlington & Oroville Free Methodist churches, along with MSC Canada for their generous provision to make this a reality!!
The construction team equates to a consistent 12-14 guys who have been able to put food on the table for their families. Lives affected? Upwards to 75! Kudos to Hope Lives for seeing the value in creating sustainability in the lives of others, including staff, construction crew and hospital.
Today we're back in Ontario, and although we're not having meetings on the rooftop of the hospital, we continue to meet regularly with the leadership. Technology is a wonderful tool, from conference calls to synced computers. It's certainly not comparable to hands on ministry, but a necessary and vital alternative in the meantime. What does the meantime look like? It all comes down to trust, and we are hopeful that very soon we'll be able to return to God's active work in Dessalines! Keep praying for Haiti!