Spring 2021 Newsletter

“Hey Boss Man, there must be something we can do.” These were the words from Sammy our Director after the team had found a family living on the side of a barren, rocky, treeless mountain. The “house” was an 8’x8’ tent with seven people living in it. During rain, water dripped through the corn stalk roof, under the sides, and on to the dirt floor. The family tried to find a dry spot and hold the one mattress up out of the mud. Sammy bought a tarp and took it up to place over the roof.

After posting the story on FB we had over $5000 in two weeks. This purchased a small plot of land and the construction of a 16’x16’ concrete block house. They help the family get another bed, table, chairs, clothes and shoes as they are in rags. Within a month, the mother goes into labor with her 8th child and dies. We now have a day old baby and 5 little kids without a mother. So the baby could be cared for, Sammy and wife Rossie got legal custody as foster parents from the courts. They already have a daughter age 8 and a son age 6. After all this we find out living elsewhere is an 18 yr old daughter of the family and fortunately she returned to be a “mother” to the brothers living with their dad. After sharing this whole saga on FB many others were interested in helping so a fund was started for the baby and family.

NEW HOUSE UNDER CONSTRUCTION

During all this situation, Sammy’s father unexpectedly passed away. His mother already was hospitalized for breathing complications. Sammy ends up being in charge of funeral arrangements, making accommodations for his many siblings and other relatives coming from many places in Haiti and US, plus finishing the house. Sammy’s life was being challenged! So thankful for Sammy and all the work he did with the relocation. Sammy, being a pastor, would like to share his father’s life story.

MR. FEDELUS WITH SHERIFF HAT

As today, life in Haiti in the 1950’s was very hard also. To support his family, Mr. Fedelus farmed in an area with poor rocky soil and little rain. He was a kind, well liked gentleman but liked his liquor too much and gambled on chicken fights and didn’t take care of his family. His wife left him and moved with 3 children to the city. Sammy was raised by his grandmother. This is still very common in Haitian culture. Sammy’s dad was sheriff of the area at this time but still needed more income.

BABY ANABELL

At this time the president was Papa Doc a dictator with a private army of 30,000 secret police called the Tonton Macoot. During his reign one could safely walk streets at night, streets were clean, little prostitution, but everyone lived in fear as many people just “disappeared” during the night and were never seen again. After 14 years of unopposed power the son, Baby Doc, took over with an even harsher rule. Mr. Fedelus, not being a Christian, joined the Tonton Macoots. He was to report anyone he thought could be a problem for the government. A deteriorating economy caused many people to move from farms to the city to find work. Slums began to grow and frustration caused rioting in 1984 against Baby Doc. America flew in a plane, loaded he and his family, 70 or so friends, plus $4 billion from the country’s treasury to Uganda, Africa. The people went wild and tore the city of PAP to pieces. The Tonton went into hiding, but hundreds were found, killed, burned, and tortured. As a Tonton, Mr. Fedelus continued to be a fair and honest man as he had been all his life in the community. So at the overthrow he was in no danger as he was loved by his community.

SAMMY AND BABY ANABELL

Fifteen years ago Mr. Fedelus became a Christian and after 31 years of separation he and his wife remarried. Sammy’s dad was at church every Sunday and always accompanied the singing with a tambourine brought by a visitor to W4H. As a Christian he was always happy and content and loved being with his grandchildren. Jesus says in Matthew, “That if a man owns a hundred sheep and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.”

I enjoyed listening to Mr. Fedelus play the tambourine during the church services. You could see the joy in his life - such a happy ending! Thanks to all who have supported us in many ways as we continue to improve lives through pumps and irrigation.

Sincerely,
Chuck