This is the most urgent report that FOCAS has ever made! Everyone’s hearts are greatly saddened at the death and destruction in Haiti left by the earthquake on Jan 12th, but those of us who have been there and have developed a deep love for the Haitian people are shaken to the core. I returned from a quick trip in early May. It is a disaster of epic proportions. But God has a plan, and I believe that FOCAS MUST be a part of the solution in both physical and spiritual ways. We praise God that our Haiti staff, associates, and closest friends survived, but we know some who died in the disaster. And, the damage to schools, churches, clinics and homes has been very extensive. FOCAS is responding by creating the Haiti Earthquake Aid and Relief Transformation (HEART) initiative to bring relief and rebuilding to the people in our service area near Port Au Prince (PAP). Our plan is to approach HEART in three phases. Phase ONE - was to take a medical team to Haiti from Mar. 13th.-20th. It was a wondeful team with incredible results. Phase TWO - will focus on rebuilding cisterns, schools, clinics and churches in the areas of Petionville, Callebasse, Mt. Marre Roseaux, and Galette Chambon. We plan to do this by funding local workers and also taking construction teams down in June and August. We will seek funding from other organizations to get maximum leverage for our funds. Phase Three - will begin as soon as we can and probably go through the end of 2010 or into 2011. It will be for food for children and families and other critical supplies, like medicines and medical supplies to clinics. We have made an initial estimate of $100,000 plus what we can raise from outside sources. This will require some adjustment as details become available. In all phases of this effort, we plan to have a major evangelical thrust. It is essential for the successful rebuilding of Haiti that it be built on the Rock that is Jesus Christ!! Please consider helping in many ways:
- Pray for God to meet the needs of the Haitian people and glorify Himself through this tragedy. Pray for the many people who have lost loved ones and who need physical and emotional healing. Pray for calm, strength, and safety for everyone involved in the coordination of care , relief, and rebuilding.
- Pray about being part of one of the planned teams.
- Prayerfully consider what would God have you give to help the FOCAS HEART Program!. Personally, I plan to give as never before and ask that you consider the same.
In Jesus, Lord of ALL,
Dick Taylor
PS: PLEASE, be as generous as you possibly can be!! And, please ask your church or business to give a special offering of the HEART.