Ambassadors of Hope in the Rain

Dear Friends,

The rains are upon us here in Haiti! I returned to Haiti on May 16 with a team from Lake Wales, Florida and it has been raining almost every day since they left. We have been interviewing those in great need and one thing we hear almost every time is the fact that people are sleeping standing up. Heavy rains cause flash floods that run across the ground and into make shift homes where people are trying to live. The stories are unbelievable.

Since we began the home building process we have completed almost 20 homes. Completed means that the home is erected, doors and windows have been placed, the home painted and concrete poured inside. Then the most important thing we do from the Haitian perspective is have prayer over the home and the family which will live there. I was so blessed the other day to visit a neighbor for whom we built a home, and found her very meticulously arranging her shoes, clothes, etc. into her new home. She was making it her home for now. The reception to these homes has been amazing! The people love them — and we take down about 10 new names every day, adding them to a list of people we hope to provide homes for in the future. Unfortunately, we have to prioritize and every person knows they may not receive a home. We are trying to link with other partners to see what we can do to provide more housing.

Last week, the first Church of God congregation in Haiti began receiving the Maxima homes in the village of Prosperre. We built four homes and then a fifth one was erected for our teams to use as storage. It was a hot, long week but the work was very satisfying and the people in Prosperre were so thankful. We plan to return this week with a second team. One of the people I met in Prosperre was a father of 8 children. His wife was killed in the earthquake, their home destroyed, and the youngest child is 9 months old. We hired him to work with us and we hope to provide them with a home.

Another goal we have adopted is the idea of being ambassadors of hope. The Haitian people are amazing survivors and tend to get up every time they are knocked down, smile and walk on – but we feel we want them to know they are not forgotten. It has been exciting to see the hope being passed from one person to the other. Last week in Prosperre I saw a Warner University student organize a multitude of children into free throw shooting lines at a basketball court. When a shot was made the cheers went up and when one was missed a sea of laughter could be heard. Life and love were being shared with the language of play.

Please pray for the Haitian People, especially the children. As we prioritize our list we are looking to the young and the old for the top of our list. As you can imagine, the word of these homes is getting out and people are coming from all over. Our funds are limited so we need your help to provide for the needs. We need your prayers as well. The work is exhausting, and the long hours and never seem to stop. Thanks to every one who has given, prayed for us, sent help or purchased an item. May God richly bless you all.

Peace – Phil Murphy

Pray for the people of Haiti, especially the children.