What’s Happening in Haiti Now?

Here’s the most recent update from Haiti ARISE, the organization that you helped support with your generous giving!

“I had a revelation today. It was a Rhema word, God’s Word coming to life in relavent, specific meaning for us now. It hit me, as I was pondering all the events that have happened since the start of 2010, that this year is truly significant. I have always been fascinated by the symbolism of numbers in the Word of God. I find this year to be partiularly amazing for us, both personally and as a ministry.

We began the groundbreaking for the foundations of the technical college and our residential faicility almost seven years ago in the seventh month of July on the 10^th, 2003. I remember clearly the sweat and energy that was invested in digging those footings. We were embarking on a new dream that we would work hard to accomplish. This year of 2010 marks our seventh year of Haiti ARISE Ministries in operation in Haiti. In January we were just putting the finishing touches on our first two buildings. Although the ministry vision encompasses much more than these two buildings, this was the start and it took seven years to build, develop and finish. We were ready to move on to more when the notable earthquake of January 12^th hit Haiti, virtually destroying the techincal school.

We had a decision to make: repair what we had worked so hard to build, with the chance of the construction being compromised, or tear it down completely and start over. After prayer and assessment, we choose the latter in faith that God would help us rebuild. To our surprise though, instead of feeling utter despair and sorrow, we felt an anticipation and an excitement at what lies ahead as we trust God. There was a definite feeling of loss. This was our “baby”, a vision we birthed with intense labor and cost. Who wouldn’t be heartbroken about losing their first-born, in a sense? But just as God required Abraham to give his first as a sacrifice, it seems He has required the same of us.

Pastor Ron Leech, our pastor from Eastside City Church, shared a message a few weeks ago that really marked me. He spoke about giving the FIRST of all of our labors to God, referring to our tithe. However, there was an even deeper principle that was being unveiled in his message, that of giving anything of our FIRST to God as an act of sacrifice and faith, enabling Him to redeem the rest. He modeled this to us by giving us His firstborn, to redeem the rest of His sons and daughters. (Rom. 8:29) God also declared that a tenth be the required first amount of all of our fruits. (Ex. 13:2) This is amazingly significant, being a number of wholeness, completion, and the start of something new. Seven and three are also numbers symbolic of completion and perfection in Scripture.

So I felt God spoke this word to me today: We have been laboring, building, working hard to birth our baby, this vision He gave us for Haiti ARISE. Just as we came upon our seventh year in existence, we were completing our FIRST work. And in this year, of 2010, it is as though God asked us if we would give it as a sacrifice, a tithe, believing that HE would redeem it, rebuild it and make it even greater than imagined before. I believe that because we willingly made this hard decision in faith, trusting God to see how HE would rebuild the school, God is blessing and will continue to provide in amazing ways for Haiti ARISE. We are already beginning to see and experience this and I imagine Haiti ARISE becoming something much greater than we can fathom.

On the personal side, when we began Haiti ARISE we were also at the place of starting a new family. God had spoken to us a year prior promising us a new birth. This came both spritually in the ministry and naturally with our first son, Asher Isaac. As I reflected on these insights today, I also realized that Asher was conceived seven years ago on the 10^th day of May, 2003 and this May is our 10^th wedding anniversary. Maybe just coincidence? I just find it all amazing; confirmation to me of God’s incredible plans so intricately laid out for us to discover. 3. 7. 10. Perfect, complete, whole and new!

So we are in great anticipation of the remarkable things God is going to do. He has already begun! Let me share briefly an update of the Haiti ARISE happenings.

After the return of the assessment team, we estimated that the most immediate need for our campus was to reinsure security by rebuildling the wall. With the help of Eldon Ortlieb from Surrey, BC and John Lawrence in Carstairs, AB, a new more durable design was planned. Construction has been steady and many nationals are being employed. Reports from Marc tell us that it is ¼ complete. We hope to have it finished around the current campus by mid-May, as the Cranbrook medical team plans to return and security will be paramount to hosting community clinics. Our team will also be assessing at that time the condition of the Haitian people psychologically and considering what steps we will need to take to provide ongoing trauma counseling.

Teams have begun to re-enter with Haiti ARISE to assist in the rebuilding and disaster aid efforts. The focus of our teams shifted drastically after the earthquake hit. Those that were scheduled for this spring are resuming their plans taking into consideration the new and present needs. Our main focus for teams for the next six months to a year will be rebuilding projects such as the wall and the school, food distributions and evangelism & relief aid to the multiple camps throughout the communities of Grand-Goave. There is a harvest that is ripe as people are displaced and eager to hear and accept the gospel. Teams will be visiting the camps to share the hope of Christ, pray with people and give toiletry items and food. Our first team left last Monday, March 15^th from Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. We have teams scheduled this spring coming also from Saskatoon SK, Medicine Hat AB, Caronport SK, Strathmore AB, Agassiz BC, Cranbrook BC, and Calgary AB.

We are also delighted to have more hands coming on board to help lighten the load of work. Kathleen Harrison has joined our Haiti ARISE team to help with team coordinating and administration on the US/ Canada side. If you are interested in coming to assist us in Haiti with a team, you may contact Kathleen at kathleen.harrison@haitiarise.org. We will be accepting new teams for the fall and next winter.

As for our short to long-term goals, we are working on new site plans for the three properties, and anticipate beginning reconstruction on the school as soon as July, (maybe even July 10). Other construction that we plan to commence within the coming year are:

• Medical clinic
• Grade school
• Children orphan village homes

For community ministry, we continue to distribute food regularly. Between Haiti ARISE and Samaritan’s Purse, we are currently employing over 400 Haitians. We are developing designs and laying out selection criteria for a rebuilding project of residential homes. We plan to drill two more community wells in the coming months.

On the US and Canada side, we have been extremely blessed by the outpouring of generous hearts towards Haiti ARISE. We have been astounded by the response and creativity of many, especially school students and some businesses gathering their communities together to hold drives, fundraisers and campaigns for Haiti. We would like to thank everyone who has kept Haiti close to their hearts, minds and pocketbooks.”

Written by Jennifer Kohlhammer