Summer/Fall 2024 Newsletter

Dear Friends of W4H,

Prov. 21:13 states, “If you refuse to listen to the cry of the poor, your own cry for help will not be heard”. The cries for help from the Haitian people have been heard for many years but the past three years have been desperate. The gangs control 80% of the Capitol, chased out 600,000 of their homes, killed and injured thousands. Even at this time it is estimated 5 children are killed each day. And help seems so far away.

Daily chores

We left in June of 2022 planning to return in Aug and now here it is Aug of 2024 and we are yet to return. It will probably be years before real peace can be obtained. 400 Kenyan Troops are in the Capitol, supposedly waiting for reinforcements of another 2000 but are months behind in arrival. The troops had taken control of the major hospital in the Capitol but have now lost that strong hold and have retreated being chased by the brazen and taunting gangs. The local population is becoming discouraged as the conditions are remaining the same.

One pail at a time

Have to have optimism, start of well

Hand digging a well

Dirt removed after cleaning

I have heard the least news reports the last 3 weeks than I heard the previous 3 months. This to me does not sound like good things are happening. Our crews continue to work every day when the gangs are not in our area. Their main focus has been the cleaning of existing wells as the water table is dropping between 5-15 feet because of drought conditions. We have hired another cleaning crew as it takes nearly a week to clean and deepen an average well. Only good thing about these projects is that the first 50’ has already been dug, so they only need to go a little further to water, add extra pipe and reset the pump.

Naturally the loaded container is still here, just waiting for the word it is safe to have supplies start arriving. Since 2008 we have taken a loaded truck every other year with supplies. Just drove it to Miami, drive on the ship, fly to Haiti and wait a month for customs to call and say your ‘truck has arrived’. This dock was only 25 minutes from our compound so it was so convenient. Only once did customs make us open the truck and they inspected the load. It usually cost between $1700-$2400, depending upon the custom officer. We now can no longer bring in trucks but must have our supplies loaded in a professional container. So now we will need to rent a crane to load the container on a semi to truck it to Miami, a crane to unload and onto a ship.

Container being loaded

After arriving to Haiti the ship will unload the container to another semi and deliver it to another mission. This is necessary as if you had customs unload the container on the dock a good portion would be stolen before you got everything reloaded. As another mission, offered to us for this purpose, we will then load the contents on Haitian trucks as they will be able to get through road blocks etc on the 10 hr trip to our compound better than a semi loaded with a new container. Why is all of this extra work necessary is because the dock we usually had our trucks delivered has no cranes. Nothing in Haiti is simple, safe or cheap. Just before we left 2 years ago a pipe order we had placed, finally arrived. It was a large order hoping to last us 3 years. If pipes and pumps would not have arrived then, there would be no way now to acquire them. It had to be another example of “God’s Perfect Timing”. Our team of workers would not have had the needed supplies to continue working as they are now.

Prison 25 mi from our compound, 500 escaped last week

In closing I want to praise many of you who are so faithful in your prayers and financial support. I always fret and stew over the thin summer months when giving usually drops off but by the end of the Christmas season the Lord and you have always provided what we needed to keep helping the Haitian people have just a little better part of their lives made easier and safer. 

I should take to heart of Jer. 29:11, When he says to each of us: “For I know the plans I have for you”, declares the Lord. “plans to prosper you and not harm your plans to give you hope and a future”. Please continue to pray for the safety of the Haitian people and that peace may soon come to them.

Sincerely,

Chuck & the Board of Directors

*After this letter was written yesterday (29th) I just read this morning that 35 MORE American armored vehicles have been flown in to help back up the troops. The troops are discouraged as they have not been paid in 2 months. 500 prisoners escaped from a prison 25 miles from our compound. And the full amount of 2000 more troops are no were to be found and 400 Kenyans are not going to get the job done. All happy and encouraging news. Again, prayer is all we can do from here.