News
January 12th marked the one year anniversary of the devastating earthquake that ripped through Haiti's most populated city, Port-au-Prince. As Haiti is one of poorest and most under resourced countries in the western hemisphere, this disaster created catastrophic conditions on many levels, making it difficult to even decide where to begin providing aid. The death toll stands at 317,000 and millions of people that have been displaced from their homes are living in crowded tent cities in and around Port-au-Prince.
Vineyard USA was able to provide immediate relief to the Haitian people by financially supporting two of our partner organizations Convoy of Hope and Compassion International. Both organizations had people and assets in Haiti prior to the earthquake and Convoy of Hope was one of the few organizations that was able to get containers of relief supplies into Haiti shortly after the disaster.
In April of 2010, a special partnership was formed between Vineyard USA, Convoy of Hope and the Global Aid Network ("GAiN", a ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ) to come alongside a local Haitian church to construct a facility to house and feed relief workers that come to work in Haiti. In addition, it will provide a place for the local church to host retreats for local pastors. The facility is located just outside of Port-au-Prince, on a forty acre site owned by the local church. When the construction phase is complete, the facility will be staffed and operated by the local church.
The facility will include dorms to house 150 relief workers, bathroom facilities, dining hall, kitchen, and staff housing. The camp will be self-sufficient, with its own electrical, water and waste water systems. The local church pastor, Esperandieu Pierre, GAiN and Convoy are committed to a long-term ministry plan based at the site. That plan includes enlarging the existing church, medical clinic and school. The construction of a hospital, warehouse and children's home are also currently under way.
At the end of May, three containers were loaded with tools and building materials and were shipped from Mercy Response's warehouse in Houston to Haiti. Two made it to the docks in Port-au-Prince in record time but were held by the Haitian government for over a month. During the delay we were able to move forward with the site work in spite of not having our tools and equipment. The first two containers were finally delivered to our site the week of July 26th. Once we had our tools and first round of material, we started to pour the building foundations and install the underground plumbing and electric piping.
We continued to make good progress throughout the fall in spite of the hot rainy weather and difficulties in getting concrete delivered in a timely manner. By mid November the two dorm buildings were complete and the other five buildings were approaching the interior finish stage. With the holidays approaching, it was decided that it would be prudent to take a break starting November 14th, and resume work on January 10th.
We have had an enthusiastic response to our request for workers to come in January and February. Incredible progress has been made in the last three weeks. All the site work is complete and the exterior of all seven buildings are complete. With only the interior finish to complete in four of the buildings, we are on track to complete the entire project by mid March.
There is still great need all around Haiti which will continue for years to come. The faith based organizations operating there seem to be the ones that are making a tangible difference. The local church we are working with has grown to over 600 people. Our prayer is that when the camp is complete that many will be able to continue to come and minister to the Haitians. Being able to get adequate rest and food will enable those who come to sustain the endurance needed to serve in difficult conditions. It is our hope that many will come now and in future years to help meet the practical and spiritual needs of a desperate people.
Blessings,
Phil Schissler
Director
Vineyard USA Mercy Response