Three children who now have a vivid demonstration of God’s love—in action—that they’ll not soon forget
From Hurricane to Healing
A 145mph wind opened the door of opportunity to reach the lost in Haiti
Dear Friends,
The devastation visited upon Haiti last fall by Hurricane Matthew has faded from the minds of many, but the gratitude of the many survivors helped by Heaven’s Family has not!
Although I’m just getting my feet planted back home after almost non-stop travel from September through December and still in the midst of playing catch up, I must not let another day go by without showing you how your generosity has blessed those who endured the 145 mph winds, 30+ inches of rain, and 15-foot storm surge Matthew unleashed upon them. An estimated 1,000 were killed and 1,000s more were left homeless when their frail houses were simply swept away.
In response, the Disaster Relief Ministry at Heaven’s Family helped provide food, safe water and other emergency supplies to 1,200 survivors. Two new wells were dug to restore damaged drinking water sources. We also provided 4,500 sheets of corrugated metal to replace roofs that were stripped away. In the photos below you can see some of the homes where those metal sheets were used, and the happy faces of those who now have a roof over their heads.
I’m also excited that about 400 Haitians heard the gospel preached, and among those who gave their hearts to Jesus was a voodoo priest! Times of disaster are great doors of opportunity for reaching hearts that have been softened, and central to the vision of the Disaster Relief Ministry is communicating the transforming love of Jesus to the survivors in word and deed!
In early April I’ll be returning to Haiti as well as Cuba, parts of which were also devastated by the Category 4 hurricane. I can’t wait to visit with the many we served, and hear their testimonies, which I plan to share with you in my upcoming trip blogs. Thank you on behalf of all those you’ve served!
Because of Him,
Jeff Trotter
Director, Disaster Relief Ministry
