Winter 2021 Newsletter

Dear Friends of W4H,

Phil. 4: 6: “Don’t worry about anything, instead, pray about everything,” was definitely our strong hold these last three months as they have certainly been a challenge. There was the constant threat of road blocks, rioting, shooting, burning, looting and just people uneasy, even in their homes.

Receiving a new sewing machine

The shortage of, or lack of, fuel probably effected the whole country more than anything. The lack of fuel was caused by gangs being in control of much of the city of Port au Prince. One of their strong holds was around the docks and the fuel storage tanks. The gangs would not allow tanker trucks to load with fuel and distribute across the country. Gas stations were locked up. Trucks could not get vegetables and fruits from the country hauled to the cities. Food rotted in the fields and the people in towns were then short of food.

We were also out of pipe and the roads were so unsafe we did not dare travel to pumps for repairing or pick up supplies. As of this writing, fuel is being delivered to stations but that can change over night. To add to all of the unrest the President was assassinated. One half of the country was relieved he was gone and the other half had no concerns either way, as nothing will change they will say.

Repairing the truck box

We tried a project which is turning out to be very successful and that is the distribution of used sewing machines sent over and given to seamstresses. We have delivered 7 and there are probably 10 waiting at the post office as we have not ventured there for weeks. One sewing club made a goal of shipping 25 machines.

Rebuilding the box floor on the truck was a major project of 3 weeks. The salt sea air takes a toll on steel and some of the stringers were paper thin. We replaced all of the cross members and welded in a new floor. These improvements will last the life of the truck but we just keep repairing when something breaks down so the truck has no definite life expectancy.

Bags of water and paper - items for earthquake victims

Another issue that poor Haiti has to contend with is earthquakes and hurricanes. This summer at the Western tip a 7.2 earthquake hit. Over 2000 were killed, thousands of homes, churches, schools, hospital were destroyed. By September it was estimated that over500,000 people needed assistance. We were 100 miles from the center so were thankful that we did not receive and damage. We did help in sending some supplies of bottled water and paper products. Two days later a hurricane blew through the very same area as the earthquake. People had to just sit in the rain as there was no shelter for them.

One very exciting project occurred in the center of Kansas. One of our supporters, PEM, a mfg. of PVC extruding machines had an open house and golf meet to celebrate the opening of a new complex. The golf meet was hosted by them to raise money for W4H. The expectations were greatly exceeded by the outcome of giving. In one afternoon one fourth of our annual budget was raised. There were many very generous customers of PEM to make this possible.

Typical day of repairing pumps

This divine windfall could not come at a more needed time. The shipping price from India of a small container loaded with pumps and pipe has gone from $3000 to $12,000 since the last order. Sadly the quality of the pumps has been going down the past few years with poorer handle bearings and workmanship to cheaper/poorer leathers in the new cylinders. We have to change out and replace these parts before we every take them to the field.

But everything will work out as we just purchased enough fuel, both gasoline and Diesel and pipe which should last us at least six months. And all of this just “happened” to come together at the very same time. The Lord once again has never left us, we just have to trust, be patient and wait upon Him. All items came together at the same time. The gangs have allowed fuel to be delivered, we were blessed with donations which afforded us to purchase fuel and the container with the new pumps has just arrived. Possibly, “Divine Happenings”?

Fuel purchased while available

Water 4 Haiti wants to thank all of you who have supported us this year and some of you for 13 years, when W4H was formed in 2008. During this time we have repaired 2500 pumps, installed 64 irrigation systems and put thousands of feet of pipe in the ground. Using a conservative estimate of 300 people are served by each pump, nearly three quarters of a million people have clean and safe water for their use all because of you. The Lord has truly opened your hearts to care and have compassion for the Haitian people.

1 Peter 5:7 says, “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about what happens to you”. Merry Christmas and a sincere thank you from the Water 4 Haiti Board, staff and most of all from the Haitians whom you are helping.

Chuck