Haiti Update

We are back! What a great experience. Our team installed two (800 gallon) mini water treatment systems in two government run schools in Port au Prince in just 5 days. These systems have the capability of purifying up to 10,000 gallons per day (each) if they want to push their capabilities. Each of these schools serve over 700 students each, grades K-12.

We had the pleasure of working with Bob Browning from Edge Outreach, who acted as our "logistics guru" on the ground. Thanks also go to Pastor Brisenault, also employed by Edge, who acted as our driver, translator and spiritual guide :)

Along with us every day was Jean Desrosiers and Racine Louissaindy (RaRa) who acted as translators for us and general entertainment! These guys were able to train the Haitians (in Creole) on the operation of the chlorine generators with ease. They have obviously had lots of practice! Jean, who is 23, is planning to come to Louisville to attend JCTC in hopes of studying Construction Management and obtaining his degree. He has been accepted and has scholarship money and is looking for a host family for his 3 years in the states. I promised to help him any way I could. Please pray for him. What a great guy.

I have done several of these trips, where I save the money, or raise the money for projects and materials. Going to Haiti, where 7th graders raised 100% of the funds for materials and travel expenses for their teachers was humbling. I wish we could have had the whole 7th grade class from EOMS there with us to see how their hard work paid off. Way to go Patriots! During our debriefing, this year’s team had some great ideas to make the project even bigger next year. Maybe include Oldham, South and North in the project? Rival schools working together to help save lives in the Third World. That's what it's all about!

On a sadder note...we were able to visit the orphanage that we hoped to visit. I had planned for conditions to be deplorable, but to my surprise, they had block walls and a floor (I was expecting tin and dirt). The kids were so excited to see us. We came with toys, rice and beans, vitamins and best of all, hand made cards from the people in my church. The sad part? A few weeks ago, there were 17 kids in the orphanage. This week there were 8. Where did the other 9 go? We could not get an answer. My greatest fear is that they were sold into slavery. My gut feels kicked. Pastor Bidsenault told me that he and his wife (who have only 1 daughter) plan to find a larger property to rent to be able to house 25 kids who are currently living at high risk. Not an orphanage, but a home. I know that I can't do anything to help the 9 missing, but I can help him and his wife see their dream to reality. I will start on this right away.

Thanks to all who have prayed for us over the last year. Your prayers were answered. God Bless.

PS, watch the Courier Journal Oldham Edition over the next few weeks for a follow up article on the project and our team.

T-minus 3 days and counting. Our team of 6 leaves in three days. We are super prepared and cannot wait to get to Haiti. I will update when we return. 2 water systems in 2 schools and some relationship building and hanging out with 17 kids who would love for some folks to just come and hang out in an orphanage in P au P. Prayers appreciated. Pray for safety and opportunity and for Godz will to be done. Micki, Abbey, Dennis, Danny, Josh & Jim.

Update...A few days prior to our scheduled departure for Haiti, the folks at Edge Outreach pulled the plug on our trip. I totally trust their judgement, as they have people living and working in country. The political climate was too volatile. Many Haitians were taking their grievances to the streets over the Presidential election results. Since we plan to work in Port au Prince, we would have been right in the middle of it. It was determined that we would go in early July. We are still on target and cannot wait to see all that will transpire during this trip. Sometimes delays are random and sometimes God's hand is all over it. Thank you, if you are a blog reader for your cintinued prayers for this outreach.

Things are moving forward for our April trip. Abbey and I have been updated on our Health & Hygiene training with Edge Outreach. It has been 2 years since I have attended water school and it was great to review the information. Now we need to get together and practice some different “teachings” and break them down into the 10 minute presentation, 20 minute presentation etc, so that if a school says we can have 10 minutes, we can hit the ground running. Our goal is to visit as many tent cities, orphanages and schools as we can and bring them information on how to prevent Cholera and the ever present intestinal parasites simply by only using clean water (which our team will be providing) and practicing good hygiene. If the world outside your front door is your toilet, animal’s watering trough and playground, this is a monumental task. I read on the WHO website the other day that soap is in short supply in Haiti. Imagine if the difference between life and death for you was as simple as a bar of soap…

The Middle School Girls Sunday School class at RVCC has committed to raise $500 to pay for one of the 500 gallon tanks we will be purchasing in Haiti. (we need 4) Way to go girls!!! Not even my class, but they wanted to get involved in something bigger than themselves and committed to a great project. They are selling “Hearts for Haiti” in the lobby at church (and hopefully at North Middle) for $1 or $5. The hearts have room to write a note of encouragement or prayer or scripture verse. I will be taking these with me to give to kids and families to let them know they are not forgotten.

Great news on the fundraising front:

Plumbers Supply of Louisville KY donated all of the PVC and fittings to our project. Thank you so much Bruce Madison for your support. We Love you! Also, (without mentioning any names) thanks so much for the private donations that are still coming in. We are probably only about $1600 short with two months to go. Any money we raise over and above what is needed will go into the account for the next water project. If you read this blog and are interested in donating, you can PayPal a donation here

http://www.classjump.com/mangumd/ Go half way down the page and hit the “donate” button.

I have still not met two of the men on our 6 person team. I am praying for them every day. If you want to partner with us in prayer, please pray for Danny Adams, Jim Ross, Dennis Mangum, Josh McCurdy, Abbey Buckman and me for health, physical, emotional and spiritual strength over the next two months. Please pray for the political situation in Haiti. If it gets any worse, we may be landing in Santo Domingo! Please pray for us to have a good interpreter, sober driver and safe travel to and from our work site each day. Pray for our families that we leave behind to wonder what we are doing when they don’t hear from us for days at a time. Thanks and God Bless.