PRESENT -- FUTURE

My visit to Haiti after 20+ years of absence has been an eye opener. I know now that what we hear can't often match the reality. Nothing can replace personal experience.

Now I can agree with the media, that can only show the surface of things, that Haiti is really on the verge of nihilation if nothing is done. The few tent cities that I visited show that many hundredths resigned themselves to living in tents made of bedsheets, flimpsy tarps, etc that are now becoming a permanent solution for a temporary situation. Let's pray that these rainy and hurricane season don't cause more harm to these desperate and hopeless people.

I can see that the people are desperate although holding on to their self worth with dignity and respect. Blank looks will follow us as we past by these camps where children, who are at times naked, and playing in the dirt would yell a few words in creole or broken English and/or would smile at us. What was also evident is that after it rains, the downpour would turn the streets into mud pool and flood tents as I and many others have experienced.

I also noticed many youths just wandering the streets and begging anyone looking as foreigners. Other youths prepped in their uniforms were going or coming from school. This sight gave a sense of hope and moving forward in the middle of the chaos in the streets. The schools that are open run six days a week to allow the students to make up for lost time. Some young adults told me that they didn't know where to turn to because of the almost non-existent jobs and don't have much hope. They also don't foresee things getting back in order soon. The presence of the UN patrol was evident in many parts of the cities.

As one of my friends say, 'Only Jesus is the solution and can do something for Haiti'. But let's not forget that Jesus is also using available and loving people like us to assist him in his work.

On a more positive note, I arrived to Haiti on time to participate at the graduation of about 10 preschoolers, and the completion of the summer program for 48 children at the school we support in Haiti.

The children dressed in their best Sunday clothes were very joyful as parents watched them perform their play, sing, pray and receive their diplomas of completion. We were able to serve lunch to about 100 people. The children were sent home with a packed gift.

Click here for some pictures of our summer 2010 venture.

Father God was glorified and praised!

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It was the worst of times...

Tuesday, 12 January 2010 at 4:53 p.m. a earthquake of magnitude 7.0 hits Haiti. The epicenter located (25 km)15 miles of Port-au-Prince devastated the capital of Haiti and other major provinces causing extensive damages, destroying lives and bringing our people to their knees.

It is the best of times...

There is no other way to look, but up, when you are down on your back. So for the people of Haiti, there is no other way for us to go now, but moving forward. It is a time for change. It is time to adjust, adapt and rebuild. It is a time of hope.

Your help is needed more now than ever. People are without jobs, without homes, without food, without running water, without electricity and without the bare necessities of life. They will be living at the mercy of others for some time. We cann't dare imagine how they will make it the next few weeks, months or years ahead.

Our effort for the moment is focused on collecting funds for emergency and future rebuilding assistance. When some infrastructure, communication and banks are in place to allow for money withdrawal, our pastor in Haiti will use the money to assist first our church people, and then others with the basics of life, as he is able.

We know that many of you are already helping Haiti by donating to other great organizations. However, we are serving a local group of people, that we have a special relationship with, and who need our help greatly. We hope you can help us...

Remember that 100 percent of the donations will go to Haiti. There is no overhead cost.

It is a time to rebuild lives and to bring hope to people in need. It is time to rebuild, and rebuild, we will, with your help and the grace of God.

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Sharing the beautiful words of a song I know: Why should we feel discouraged? When hope within us die... His eye is on the sparrow, and we know he cares for us; His eye is on the sparrow, so we know God watches over us."

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What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows (Matthew 10:29-31).

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Created in His image

God spoke: "Let us make human beings in our image, make them
       reflecting our nature
    So they can be responsible for the fish in the sea,
       the birds in the air, the cattle,
    And, yes, Earth itself,
       and every animal that moves on the face of Earth."
    God created human beings;
       he created them godlike,
    Reflecting God's nature.
       He created them male and female.
    God blessed them:
       "Prosper! Reproduce! Fill Earth! Take charge!
    Be responsible for fish in the sea and birds in the air,
       for every living thing that moves on the face of Earth." (Genesis 1:26-28).

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PAST
BQ = (Before quake)

Mr. Joseph B. Franklin, Pastor, Evangelist

Mr. Joseph B. Franklin unselfishly dedicated at least twenty five years of his life in the development and organization of the small church in Haiti. His efforts culminated in the purchase of an old building that has been renovated to serve as a place of worship. Later on God puts the desire in his heart to use the same building as an elementary school to serve low income children and a quarter to house missionary people visiting Haiti. Due to the extreme difficulty caused by unforseen challenges and lack of security in Haiti, the building is still in construction.

Recently he embarks himself in purchasing equipments and other materials to teach all interested people that the school is able to accommodate, in some of the most needy rural areas of Haiti, the art of baking. He is also hoping at building an edifice that can serve as a place of worship and development of the bakery.

Our hope is for the people to start producing enough good to sell in order to earn an income that will help them become independent and take care of their family effectively. May God bless our efforts abundantly!

He is assisted by a few members of the church in Haiti who worked hard to serve God with sincerity of hearts.

Our organization is proud to assist Mr. Franklin to the best of our abilities in his efforts to serve the Haitian population. We consider Mr. Franklin to be a hard-working, honest, spirit-led and great man of God.

Click here for picture of Nette, Joseph, Marie, and Joe

You are also invited to help in the completion of the construction of an elementary school in Haiti and a building that will serve as a place for the study of the Word, worship and a trade school to teach all interested persons the school is able to accommodate about bakery. That will help the participants take care of self, family and assist others less fortunate.

Below are the pictures of the school and the land purchased for the construction of the bakery.

We still have a long way to go, but what seems impossible to man is possible with God no matter how long it takes.

 

 

Click here to find out what the Word of God says about the basic truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Click you to find out that God knows you and the types of spiritual gifts you possess.