Crisis Relief

Haiti is a Caribbean nation that is located not only on top of one of the most seismically unstable areas in the world, but also in the center of what is known as “Hurricane Alley.” Not only do the Haiti people have to deal with the potential of another devastating earthquake, each year they are inevitably struck by multiple tropical storms and hurricanes. (78% of tropical storms occur in Haiti between the months of August and October) These natural disasters often lead to entire villages being decimated, thousands of destroyed homes, food shortages, and the spread of disease. 

Through relief efforts, homes are rebuilt, food is distributed, and assistance is provided.   Compassionate people from across the United States, and beyond, donate to help with relief efforts.

HFHC Crisis Relief Response to 2010 Earthquake Disaster

End of 2011 Update: A Special Note from Ken Bever, HFHC President

 Their smiles always captivate me. Each time I visit the Cazeau Christian Orphanage, which stands on a hill overlooking the Port-au-Prince International airport, the children run to me with their hands raised – pleading to be held, radiating ear-to-ear smiles. As I work my way kissing and hugging all 72 children, there are two precious 5-year-old twin girls – Faneika (“Fuh-nee-ka”) and Djinika (“Ji-nee-ka”) Lindor –who inevitably work their way up to sit on my lap. Faneika and Djinika had their world literally turned upside down on January 10, 2010 when the devastating Port-au-Prince earthquake left them without a family, without a home, and without a school. It is difficult to imagine how hopeless their situation appeared. But since being placed in this HFHC-sponsored orphanage, they now have a family, a home, a school, and they rejoice in hope! God has turned “their mourning into dancing” (Psalm 30:11)!

 We thank God for each of you who have prayed for this ministry during these past two years. Many of you have sacrificially given during one of the most challenging economies; you have held yard sales, packed Christmas Joy Boxes, served on a mission team, assisted with a Rebuilding Hope 2020 breakfast, and demonstrated your concern in so many ways.

I was speechless when I learned recently about a fundraiser led by Meredith Harpel who attends the Northeast congregation in Cincinnati where I attend. Meredith, for her 9^th birthday party, asked her friends and family to not get her any presents, but to donate 100% of what they would have spent on gifts to help children, raising almost $100 for Hope for Haiti’s Children.

 We were so blessed to have contributions totaling $1,211,000 for earthquake relief and we have done our very best to maximize these dollars to provide aid to as many as possible. We have partnered with 10 other organizations, including the Healing Hands International and the USAID Denton program, to magnify the efforts. All told, more than 4,000 families – including over 20,000 women and children – have been helped with food, water purification filters, and shelter since the earthquake. Two Earthquake Relocation Communities have been launched as part of the Rebuilding Hope 2020 project, which is focused on building a sustainable future for families trapped in poverty. At the end of this month, 100% of these funds have been spent. The chart and table below shows the details of how your crisis relief donations were utilized:

Lord willing, with your continued support in 2012, we plan to complete the following:

At the Thomazeau Earthquake Relocation Community

• Build and launch the Thomazeau Christian Orphanage, with a caretaker for orphaned preschool children (who will need Orphan Care Sponsors)
• Start a new Christian Preschool class with a quality teacher for sponsored children in the Thomazeau community (including our orphans)
• Expand the Thomazeau Orphanage Gardens with a tilapia fish farm

 At the Mission-Cross Earthquake Relocation Community

• Complete the mother-child apartments with latrines and bath houses
• Start a bread bakery business (through a grant from Healing Hands International)

At the Delmas Christian School

• Complete the 2^nd floor construction classrooms
• Complete the 2^nd floor bathrooms
• Complete the drainage / erosion-mitigation system

Thank you for sharing your love and bringing the joy of hope to children in the name of Jesus. The importance of our task should not be minimized. As the educator Forest Witcraft wrote:

A hundred years from now it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove. But the world may be different, because I was important in the life of a child.

 In Christian love,

Ken Bever
President