Haiti Outreach Ministries — May 2023 Update

Dear friends,

I am pleased to share that our programs in Haiti — the schools, the clinic, the water treatment sites, the churches - remain open and serve the communities, despite the backdrop of insecurity. Construction on the first phase of the Bible College at Espwa is also progressing, truly living up to its name as a campus of hope. Behind all of this work are Haitian staff members who are committed to creating a better tomorrow for their country. I recently asked if they would share — in their own words — what life right now is like, what they want you to know about Haiti today, and how you can specifically offer prayers.

Excerpts from their powerful words and reflections are below. Thank you for reading, for caring, and for praying.

Peace,
Caroline Chambre Hammock
Executive Director

What is it like for you to travel to work each day?

Because of the insecurity, I leave my home each Monday morning around 6 a.m. to go to work - and then I stay there, only returning home Friday evening when I am done with work for the week. I sleep at the HOM/MICECC campus.

Traveling daily to go about your business requires great mental effort and extreme vigilance because you can face danger anywhere and at any time. It also requires great faith in God.

A trip that normally would take 30 minutes can take more than 90 minutes because I have to avoid most areas.

I try to go to work by car, but sometimes we have to leave the car somewhere and go the rest of the way by motorbike, because of burning tires in the roads that make barricades so the car cannot pass.

What is it like to find basic items like food, fuel, or medicine that your family needs?

The population does not have access to gas even though the pumps have gas in them because it is the gang that controls them....a simple citizen cannot have access to the pump to buy gas easily. You have to buy it on the black market. Gas is anywhere from $10 to $12 U.S. per gallon.

Even when you find what you need, it is quite difficult to buy it because of the high cost of living. Inflation is now over 50%.

To find food, fuel, and medicine, I have to do like everyone else…basically find a friend who works in one of these areas to help find it, otherwise, you have to pay a very high price for what you need. You can't spend at your price, it's the asking price you have to pay without exception.

Basic necessities can be scarce in supermarkets...trucks carrying foodstuffs are blocked because gangs prevent their free movement.

What is life like for your children?

My son is five years old, and he has to spend the week with me on campus without his mother because of the security situation which prevents us from moving around freely. It definitely has an impact on him because he always talks about it with me.

God has taken care of my family, and I am hugely grateful for that. This year, I had to change my child’s school because the area where his old school is located became too dangerous. As a result, I had to pay a lot more for school fees and transport costs.

This situation of insecurity is causing psychological trauma to our children, as fear invades them.

What do you want people to know about life in Haiti right now?

I know Americans already know a lot about the lives of Haitians right now because they read the news, but I can confirm that Haitians are living in an abnormal situation in every way possible.

Thank you for giving us the opportunity to talk a little about the chaotic situation of our dear Haiti, which, unfortunately, is getting worse day by day. This situation increases poverty among families living in the country. The majority of schools and universities are no longer functioning. Praise be to God the schools of HOM and MICECC are functioning despite the difficulties. We live in fear with the hope of seeing our country reborn, which was the pearl of the Antilles.

Life is much more difficult and complicated in Haiti than someone who does not live in Haiti might believe. No matter how one tries to explain and describe to a foreigner how most Haitians currently live, it will make no sense to them because it is a completely inhumane way of life.

The situation is critical, but God is our recourse. We are certain that things cannot stay this way.

I would like people to know that despite everything, I am personally very proud to be Haitian and there are always good people who live in Haiti. We are waiting for help to come one way or another. Above all, do not forget us in prayer.

What are your prayer requests?

I ask that you pray so that God in His love can free us so that real life can be resumed.

Pray for us so that peace, security, and political stability may reign in Haiti.

Pray for a great revolution of consciousness in every Haitian, for everyone to understand that Haiti is our country, we are the ones to change it, we are the ones to protect it. Pray for God to act for the Haitian people directly.

May God give the Haitians strength to bear all these afflictions. May God give HOM and MICECC more wisdom, intelligence, and skills in order to always make the best decisions for the benefit of the people we serve.

I believe that God is looking for an individual in Haiti who could stand in the breach so that our country is not destroyed. So help us with your prayers that God can find this person to lead the people in the way of Moses. Haiti for Christ and Christ for Haiti.

Pray for our future, that we can have a chance to live better.

Read more about Haiti Outreach Ministries HERE.

THE OPPORTUNITY
The Outreach Foundation is seeking gifts to support the mission and ministry of Haiti Outreach Ministries. All gifts of any size are welcomed to help provide scholarships for students and to support the community feeding program. You may make a gift HERE or by sending a check to our office.