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.