Hope N Literacy’s Petion-Ville Congregation fell victim to the massive earthquake on January 12. Fortunately the church building was not permanently damaged. The property lost one of the walls in the compound and suffered some cracks. It remains a sanctuary to many who lost their homes or simply are afraid to go back in their homes for fear of damage from another aftershock.

Over 200 people call the church building (constructed with a tin roof) home since January 12. In addition they look to us for food and water. When Joe Raymond flew to Santo Domingo on January 20 he acquired food and water and delivered it to Petion-Ville the next day. Joe’s primary purpose for the trip was to bury his father, a missionary pastor to Haiti for most of his life who died only minutes before the quake. Rev. Raymond’s death officially ended his work and formally began an expanded mission for Hope N Literacy. The foundation formally assumed responsibility for three churches located in Petion-Ville, Furcy and Seaguin.

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On Monday, January 25, Pastor Hugh flew to Haiti, via the Dominican Republic. His mission was two-fold. First, he flew there as Joe’s pastor to offer pastoral support to him and his family and to speak at a memorial worship service on January 26. Second, as a member of the Board of Directors of Hope N Literacy, he brought additional food and water along with the prayers of many brothers and sisters in Florida and elsewhere.

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The additional food, provided through the generous donations of churches in Central Florida allowed the Petion-Ville congregation to continue feeding up to 200 people at each meal, but they needed water too and that was more limited.  The church had dug a hole for a cistern some time ago. The foundation planned to complete the construction during its July mission trip. Again, through the generous donations offered as Hugh left on his trip the construction of the cistern began immediately with a projection of being in use within ten days. This cistern will provide water to several needy families living near the church. The damage to Haiti is beyond description and the need will require the joint efforts of government organizations and the thousands of Non-government organizations alike. Hope N Literacy was there before the earthquake and is committed to be there in the future.

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Our immediate actions include opening a school in Petion-Ville for the children without schools or teachers. We look to God and our earthly resources for direction as we seek the possibility of opening an orphanage and or other facilities to support the people of Haiti in their long restoration.