It has been more than eight months since the devastating earthquake
hit the nation of Haiti on January 12th, 2010. A great big "Thank
you" to each of you who have given funds to help with the
reconstruction of the Christian school in Vignier.
To date, we have raised a total of $82,000.00 to assist with this huge
project. The first $40,000.00 was used to purchase steel which will
complete the second story of the building. We have committed another
$50,000.00 to purchase the concrete for the foundation and pony wall
for the building construction to be two stories. As you can see, we
are short only $8,000.00!
Just last night I received exciting news! All the 7 containers
that are carrying the building and associated materials to complete
the project have been waiting at the port of St. Marc in Haiti for
months. The containers have now been released by
Customs!
This means that the building construction can finally begin. Ben
Conner, the contractor I told you about in a previous email, and five
of his employees, will be going to Haiti (from Texas) at the end of
September to begin the project. We are so grateful for their
willingness to sacrifice their time, energy, and finances to see this
school built for the glory of God!
If you have been planning to contribute to this project and have not
yet participated, we invite you to be part of this incredible
opportunity to bless the children of Haiti.
You can do so by any of the following ways:
(1) Phone 902-471-3333 and provide your credit card number.
(2) Mail your cheque to:
Fellowship of Christians, 147 Chandler Drive, Lower Sackville, NS
B4C 1Y3
(3) Donate online by going to www.cupofcoldwater.org
God bless you! We appreciate your love and support for the
poorest of the poor.
Donna & Evan
LETTER 7 - April 5, 2010
Dear Friends:
Thank you for your continued support of the Haiti Vignier project.
Many of you have been giving so generously and we are overwhelmed by
your commitment to blessing Haiti.
We have great news!! Ben Conner from Texas
(the contractor we told you about in our last email update) advised
us that a church in Pennsylvania donated a steel building for the
school. Ben had been praying for funds to buy a 60 foot wide
$50,000.00 building. Instead, an 80' X 120' building
(valued at $250,000.00) has been donated! The fact that this
is a larger building and that it can be re-designed for two stories
is a huge blessing.
Ben and one of his employees are currently in the process of
transporting the building from Pennsylvania to the port in Florida
by way of two semi-trucks with sleeper cabs. Evan spoke with
Ben yesterday and because there was a delay in getting the building
loaded, he was spending his Easter week-end on the road. Once
delivered to the port, the building will then be shipped in
containers to Haiti.
Thanks to so many of you, we were able to make a significant
contribution to this project. Fellowship of Christians has
purchased from a company in Texas the structural steel that is
required for the construction of the second floor (and Ben is
putting it in the shipping containers). The cost for
the steel was $40,000.00! Thank you so much for the part
you played in making this possible!!
We are continuing to raise funds toward additional expenses that
will be necessary to complete the building. Because the walls are 14
feet high, the second story becomes possible when the building is
put on 2 foot concrete piers and a stem wall is built around the
perimeter. The cost for the concrete is in the range
of $50,000.00. We believe we can raise the funds for this need
(so far we have raised 30% of the amount).
Once the shipping containers are in Haiti, there will be a
need for volunteers. Ben is taking six of his employees and
they all expect to be in Haiti working on the project for at least
three months. We are hoping that by mid-May the volunteers
will be welcome to participate. Ben needs welders, block
layers, framers, and sheet rock finishers. Those who are not
specifically skilled will be needed for support personnel to fill
the machines with fuel, get water, etc. Both male and female
volunteers will be welcome. If you personally, or a group from
your church, would be interested in participating in this way,
please contact us and we will put you in touch with Ben Conner.
Finally, we ask you to pray for several needs:
(1)That when the shipping containers arrive at the port in Haiti,
there will be great favor for this project and all containers (there
will be four) will be released promptly (without fees) to go to the
Vignier destination.
(2)That Ben Conner will be strengthened by God to complete this huge
task.
(3)That Benite will be given wisdom and understanding as he works
with both Ben and the Haitian people to see this project become a
reality.
(4)That we will raise the $50,000.00 in time to purchase the
concrete.
Note: if you live in the Halifax area, we invite you to
attend the benefit concert being held this Saturday at Emmanuel
Baptist Church. Funds raised will go toward this Vignier project.
(See www.cupofcoldwater.org)
Thank you for taking the time to read this long note. May God
bless you as you are blessing others!
Donna (902-471-3333) & Evan (902-471-1134)
After Pictures
LETTER 6 - February 1, 2010
Dear Friends:
Early this morning we received another email from Benite. In spite of
the huge challenge he sees before him, Benite continues to
demonstrate his compassion and hope for the people of Haiti. In the
midst of his own immediate needs he is wanting to meet the needs
of others.
So many of you have responded to our call for funds for earthquake
relief in the Vignier project of rebuilding the compound and blessing
the community. We thank you, and Benite thanks you. You are a
blessing!
If you have not yet responded, we invite you to either donate
online, phone us (902-471-3333), or mail in your donation.
Benite's email follows:
Dear Special Partners,
I want to take this special moment to thank you for your prayers and
support in this disastrous moment.
I went to visit Port-au-Prince and its downtown a few times already
and it is heart breaking. Most businesses went down. Most of the
goverment buildings went down if not all. Port-au-Prince has become
almost a camp site. People are fighting when some of the organizations
are doing the food distribution because of lack of coordination and
the amount of people seeking help.
I also went to Leogane, to Jacmel, it is heart breaking. It is a
country that needs to be rebuilt. People need mostly food and shelter.
In Vignier, many houses were destroyed but not to the same magnitude
as Port-au-Prince and Leogane. I do plan to bring a couple families to
Vignier from Port-au-Prince as I plan to find some rice and others
items.
Some people are asking about us in Vignier. Many people are still
sleeping outside, me and my family also. For water, we can buy it and
we do find water to shower for our well is still working.
I do not know how the situation would be in the future for the
commerce is paralyzed for now. Food has become more expensive because
the supply is limited. A bag of rice that used to cost 360 HT dollars
is now 500 dollars. I talked with a rice supplier and he will try to
help me get about 10 bags of rice so that I can help some people in
the village and also some families in P-au-P, for food from the
charities has not reached the village and also many blocks in
Port-au-Prince and others. My philosophy is to see if I can help 10,
20, 30 families at a time and I know for sure they will get the heIp.
I took some plantain ( Banana platain) to Port-au-Prince to
assist some people and I would like to continue to do that on a higher
level. I would love to feed, build for people, etc for I want to be a
part in the rebuilding of my country and you will be a part also. If
you know any organization, any government funding who wants to help
rebuild and wants to help financially, I will make myself available
for I see the suffering of my people who are in great need.
It is true that many NGOs are helping but I pray it will do good for
the people and go to them. I promise and I guarantee you if money is
given to me to help people, feed, build for people, it will go to
feeding, building, helping and I want you to come to see what we do
with it and take pictures.
Yes, we have church meetings and we have about 12 people coming to the
Lord already after the event and looking for commitment from many
more. We will need Bibles for we feel a harvest of souls is coming.
We have 3 days of fasting in the church to pray for Haiti and
its reconstruction.
As you know it, the buildings will be rebuilt but I want more for my
village. I want to go past my compound and also to help many more
people. I also want to further help people to become self-sufficient
by creating businesses. Haiti has to grow also. The Lord knows my
heart and my love for my people.
Let's stay in touch.
Blessings,
Benite
LETTER 5 - January 21, 2010
Dear Friends:
It is a joy to hear from Benite one more time. We had no
communication from him for five days and were particularly
concerned following the huge aftershock yesterday. His description of
Haiti will give you a glimpse of the terrible conditions these
people are living in as a result of this terrible tragedy.
Again, thank you to all who are responding to this need.
You can give online:
;
or by phoning me at 902-471-3333; or by mailing
your cheque to:
It has been over 8 days now since the quake hit Haiti. In the midst of
this mess where thousands died, dead bodies under the rubbles, stinky
smell in town, many sleeping under the stars, even in Arcahaie because
people are so scared. Food is very scarce, gas is very scarce, most
markets and businesses are closed because their buildings are damaged or
by fear.
Yesterday and today, I went to visit the town of Arcahaie and also
walk through Vignier. I see that many houses are affected but our
compound in Vignier took the biggest blow in all the county of Arcahaie,
Cabaret. There are also many people died in Arcahaie that were living in
Port-au-Prince.
Many people are asking for the people in our church and the school.
Fortunately, no church members died in the church except we have 5 to 6
people that were wounded. Yersterday, one of our neighbors died at the
hospital. Also, those who know Mme Gedeon, she is one of our
cleaning lady at the school, she had lost 2 grand sons.
At the school no one died. Fortunately, it was not during class hour.
Sorry for not communicating very often, I do not have a way to
communicate yet except using the internet cafe.I hope to be able to
communicate easier with you by next week. But in the meanwhile, keep
acting on behalf of Haiti as our agent to rebuild the compound and also
the many others that need help in Vignier and so on. Anyone who wants to
donate towards rebuilding, I know you will take the responsibility until
we know what to do for things are still not easy.
May it be the time for Haiti's restoration and I am glad that you and I
are just in the middle of it. I am alive for such a time as this.
Blessings,
Benite
Before Earthquake Pictures (After will be shown here when possible)
LETTER 4 - JANUARY 19, 2010
Dear Friends;
If you, like us, are following the news reports about Haiti, I'm sure
that there are times when you become overwhelmed by the
intensity of this massive tragedy. In the midst of this huge loss of lives
and country devastation it is encouraging to hear a story like this one.
This morning we received an email from YWAM (Youth with a Mission) who
have been in Haiti for more than 15 years. Their compound is far
enough away from PAP to have received only minimal damage. Now, they are
actively involved in bringing aid to the people of Haiti in many different
ways. This story from yesterday is one that did not make CNN.
Yesterday our YWAM?ers in PAP came upon people seeking help and a
four month old child was discovered pinned under a building. Our rescue
team from YWAM sprang into action. After some time the child was removed
from the rubble and rushed to a make shift hospital with a large cut on
her head. Once there everyone tried to find a responsible person. After
asking where the baby?s mother was, the people with them said she is still
under the building. The YWAMers rushed back to hear people saying that she
was under the building, dead. Our YWAMers began to dig to find her. To
everyone?s surprise they found her ALIVE! She was extremely dehydrated and
will need hospital care but it seems she will recover!
YWAM St. Marc Gym has become a make shift recovery ward for the
overflowing hospital. Yesterday a Doctor asked one of our YWAMers ?What
are they going to do with all these orphans.? He claimed that none of the
children at our center had known living parents and the orphanage
caretaker is not in the country. ?Would YWAM take these children?? he
asked. One of our volunteers spoke with one young boy that was actually
thought to be dead! He had already been placed in the morgue in a closed
room with the dead. After placed there and the door closed, morgue workers
heard a knocking on the closed door and was shocked to see that this young
boy was still alive!
Strategies are forming on how to best cope and minister during this
situation. It is very intense and difficult, but let us all pray for the
children of Haiti.
Would you join with me in praying for the children of Haiti?
Pray for Godly strategies that will provide safety and a loving
environment for the many orphaned children of Haiti.
My communication with Benite has been minimal as he is
struggling to deal with simply surviving during this difficult time.
Prior to the earthquake, Benite had purchased land for the building of a
new orphanage. Now, this orphanage will be needed more than ever!
Thank you for your continued prayers and financial support. You are
blessing the nation of Haiti!
Donna & Evan
LETTER THREE - JANUARY 16, 2010
Dear Friends:
Finally, we have word directly from Benite! As you read through this
letter you will see why he has not been able to communicate with us. My
heart aches for the plight of this community of Vignier.
Thank you to those of you who have already contributed
toward this project. Your gift is such a huge blessing.
To those of you who would now like to make a donation, you can either
phone me directly (902-471-3333) to give a credit card donation; or you
can send a cheque/money order to:
Fellowship of Christians, 147 Chandler Drive, Lr Sackville, NS
B4C 1Y3
All funds (100%) will go to Haiti for rebuilding and restoring the
Vignier compound, as well as for immediate relief for the
community. You will receive a tax deductible charitable
receipt.
Here is the report in Benite's own words: It was 4 :53 when I was getting ready to attend a conference at 5PM
with a professor. Sunddenly, I heard a great noise and a big shaking. I
run to open the door to go outside. I stand in front of the door and a
voice told me not to open it and I went to hide under the desks in the
room and in seconds the heavy concrete ceiling fell down. Dust, breathing
hard, thinking about my family, my wife, my little Daisie, I could hear
the others crying already for help. It reminds me instantly about
what had happened when a school collapsed in Port-au-Prince 2 years ago
where children stayed there for 2, 3 days under the rubbles. I thought
that It was going to be the same happenning to me.
Instantly, I began to say that I am not going to die now. I found a crack
of about 14 inches high between two concrete beams( Concrete beam of
the floor that I was on and the beam of the ceiling under which I was) and
I scrolled myself out and jumped about 20 feet from the first floor. I am
alive but I am still under shock, traumatized when I still see myself
laughing with the person behind me and in front of me a few seconds before
the event. I am still wondering why I am still alive ? How could I be here
still ?
The country has lost a lot, it country to rebuild. We lost human
ressources, professors, entrepreneurs, teachers, workers, students, etc.
According to the last estimates some 150,000 or more have died and more
than 250,000 are wounded. Thousands of houses are destroyed, either in
Port-au-Prince or outside of Port-au-Prince.
In Vignier, where we live, we have lost many things :
1. The school has collapsed and need to be
rebuilt.
2. We lost chairs, benches, desks, file
cabinets
3. The sewing classroom has been destroyed
with every thing inside
4. The cafeteria is on the point to collapse
and need to be demolished as soon as possible
5. The depot where we used to put food and
other items is on the point to fell down. It needs to be demolished before
it fell down by itself.
6. We lost our solar panels for they were on
top of the school
7. The front of the church is destroyed and
need big repair.
8. Money that I have to do payroll and to
buy food is lost under the rubbles, papers, documents, my adress book,
etc.
9. I lost most of my clothes, my shoes
10. I lost my laptop, my phones and most of the numbers.
11. My satellite dish is impacted and I had to come to an internet
cafe to write you.
12. I am sleeping me and my family and some other familes outside.
That was what had happened on the compound in Vignier but there are many
others in Vignier and around that lost their houses as well. So, it is a
tough situation but it is not over yet.
Haiti needs you and Vignier needs you and I need you.
1. Prayers for Haiti, for the work in
Vignier, I am still under that shock and I am traumatized sometimes.
2. Your advice is needed on how to approach
the situation
3. We need builders- Construction teams-
come and help us rebuilt.
4. Be our agent to help mobilize ressources
to help rebuild Vignier, Haiti, etc.
5. Doctors, nurses to come to help in the
restoration of people physically, mentally, spiritually
6. Etc.
We need you to stand alongside of us now so that we can get back on our
feet for the situation is terrible.
We love you all and thank you
Benite Jeune
LETTER TWO - JANUARY 13, 2010
Hello Friends:
I just received this update about Benite that came from his brother in
St. Hubert, Quebec. This is a touching miracle story of how Benite's life
was preserved. I am not surprised to hear that Benite's first response was
to help others -- that is his heart for Haiti!
Benite and his brother Caleb were both in the university during the earth
quake.
Caleb heard a huge grinding noise and had the reflex to open the door to
run from his class, but a voice that he claims is the Holy Spirit; told
him to close the door and get under a table.
He closed the door, just as the entire building on the other side of the
door collapsed.
He was able to escape by an other route.
By midnight Benites wife and parents still had no news of him.
They decided to drive into Port au Prince to see if he was at the
residence that he lived in while studying at the university. They found
that building flattened to the ground.
They then went to the university, to find that it was collapsed as well.
They then saw his car parked, and asked people milling around if they had
seen the owner of the car.
They said yes! He is OK, because he had turned the car lights on to help
rescue people from the collapsed buildings around the university.
They then were able to locate him.
As well, Benite's brother gave a bit more detailed report
about the condition of the compound:
No loss of life in the Vignier compound, or surrounding area.
Materially speaking; there is nothing left.
The school has collapsed, the training center/guest house have collapsed,
the cafeteria, Benites home as well as the front of the church have also
collapsed.
Nothing is salvageable or fit for occupation.
From another of our contacts in St. Marc, Haiti (YWAM Missions Base), we
have this report:
Dead
lay in the streets, possibilities of mass burial sights talked
about on the radio. People wandering the streets, city parks now filled
with people camping out in them. The situation is worst than dreamed!
Yesterday
we sent an investigative team to Port-au-Prince (PAP) to take
a first hand look at the situation. I will not easily forget what Rodney
Gephart and Wayne Snow said when they had returned; "The situation
is worse than it has appeared on TV!" My heart sank and instead of
crying I felt a numbness come over me as they began telling me of the
dead, the buildings that had colapsed and then to hear that they could
not find any information on who is doing what as far as cordinated
efforts for immediate response and longterm recovery.
Please continue to pray that the aid workers going into Haiti will be
given wisdom to know how to proceed in the most efficient manner to save
lives and bring hope to these precious people. We will keep you posted
as we get updates.
Donna
Morgan
LETTER ONE - JANUARY 13, 2010
Dear Friends:
Just moments ago we received news about our dear friends in Haiti. We
have been advised that Benite Jeune (affectionately known as our
"Haitian son") and his family are safe! We are very thankful to
know that they have survived this devastating earthquake.
However, the three story school (enrollment of 700 children), the
feeding cafeteria for the children, Benite's house, his father's house, an
associated orphanage, and the church building have all been
completely flattened! We have spent time with the children and
families in each of these buildings, and our hearts are breaking
as we think about the tremendous loss this is to the community.
Benite has a huge vision for his nation. We have seen him persevere in the
midst of extreme challenges over the last ten years as he accomplished
so much with so little. Now, he must begin again.
Should you wish to help with the rebuilding of these structures and
the re-establishment of this ministry center, as well as helping to
provide funds for immediate relief (food, water, etc.) we will be
accepting donations (beginning immediately) for this purpose. All of
the funds (100%) will go to Haiti. You will receive a charitable donation
receipt when you donate funds. You can donate in the following ways:
1. By donating through Paypal
2. Make cheques payable to "Fellowship of Christians" with
memo on the cheque saying "Haiti Relief" and
mail to:
Fellowship of Christians, 147 Chandler Drive, Lower Sackville, Nova
Scotia B4C 1Y3
3. Phone me at 902-471-3333 and provide me with your credit card
information.
As we receive further details directly from Benite, we
will provide updates.
