I wanted to introduce you to my Haitian friend, Pastor Gaetan, who lives in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Before the earthquake, Pastor Gaetan took in 14 orphans. Most of these kids were abandoned by parents who simply could not afford to provide for their child.
Since the earthquake, Pastor Gaetan has rescued another 16 orphans. Many of these kids lost their parents in the earthquake.
On top of that, Pastor Gaetan’s personal home was damaged and he also lost his brother in the earthquake. You can see his brother in the picture below. (left side)
This is truly an amazing man of courage and faith. HELP and Soma Austin have decided to partner with Pastor Gaetan. But, we need more partners.
Here’s why:
1. We need to build a new orphanage. Currently, Pastor Gaetan, his family and the 30 orphans sleep in tents. You can go to www.helpendlocalpoverty.com/helphaiti and you will see our vision to build an orphanage. You can click donate, and 100% of the donation (minus transaction fee’s) will go towards building the orphanage.
2. We need to get all of these kids sponsored. To sponsor a child, you can go to Help One Now. Any child from Haiti, is from Pastor Gaetan’s community. Child sponsorships are vital to the rebuilding process; we can ensure they have food, medicine and clothing each month.
We plan on partnering with Pastor Gaetan long-term, we’re so excited to see the progress of this community, as we help renew Haiti.
Be sure to watch the video below, click through to enlarge:
I want to say “thanks” to everyone who attended. NWA is such an encouraging community; its great to see people who are connecting, collaborating and causing change to happen!
Also, I wanted to say thanks to Mike & Corrie Rusch for hosting, Jacob and Emily Kaler for allowing us to use their lake home for the week, and Tim Newberry, and KeyPoint Church for providing the food for the House Show.
I’ve included some pictures below, and you can see the rest of the pics here. Big thanks to Joshua Segraves for taking the pictures.
Roughly two months ago, we took a trip to Haiti. Why? We knew we had to do something to help and we wanted to make a difference. We wanted the people of Haiti to know that they are not alone as they try to recover and rebuild their nation.
After spending time with key leaders, hearing their stories of heartbreak, seeing their resolve, and praying, we decided to launch the We Have Not Forgotten Campaign. Our goal is to raise a minimum of $100,000 to help build an orphanage for 30 orphans, to build single family homes for the displaced, and to repair critically damaged water wells throughout the country.
We’re launching this campaign on the six month anniversary of the earthquake. It’s a simple way of letting the people of Haiti know that We Have Not Forgotten… nor will we forget!
Check out the social media page. We have web banners, iphone backgrounds and also some information on sponsorship for this campaign. We need your help to reach our goal so that we can help our friends in Haiti.
We have close to 30 kids that need sponsors from Port-au-Prince, Haiti. These kids have been through so much since the earthquake in January. They currently live in tents in the front yard of Pastor Gaetan’s home. (see picture) They’ve lost parents, extended family members, friends, homes and community in the earthquake. They struggle daily with basic needs such as food, clothing, medicine, etc! The pictures show a snapshot of the kids. They’re beautiful, happy, and yet so wounded.
They live under tarps in 100 degree heat, yet each day, they attend school, and on Sunday’s they attend church. We’re currently working on building new shelter for them. More info on how you can help us get them a permanent home coming soon.
I’m excited to announce that I’ve been asked to become a “featured blogger” at Together for Adoption Conference this October in Austin, TX. The focus of the conference is ‘The Gospel, The Church And The Global Orphan Crisis,”
I will also be leading a breakout session on Child Sponsorships. Stoked, that I get to participate in such a great conference in my city, and at my home church.
Seriously, this is such a great opportunity to connect with other orphan advocates, learn from leaders who are passionate about the fatherless, and understand how the gospel and the church can do what we’re called to do, and that is to care for the orphan & widow!
Keep updated by joining the Facebook Page, or following on Twitter. I hope to see you in Austin!
Occasionally, I would like to share about organizations or individuals that are doing some amazing work across the globe and making a true difference in our world.
Here’s the first edition!
Lemonade International: My friends Bill & Cherie Cummings are doing some amazing work in La Limonada, an urban slum in Guatemala City. Lemonade International is less then two years old, a young organization that’s sure to make a long term impact in La Limonada. Follow them on Twitter – @lemonadeintl
Children’s HopeChest: Tom Davis was doing orphan care work in the 90′s, because of that I have a deep respect for him, and Children’s HopeChest. Recently, they have focused on of human trafficking. Great organization being led by some great people. Follow them on Twitter – @hope_chest.
The Cobblestone Project: A domestic organization that serves the poor in NW. Arkansas! They’re doing some really tangible work that makes a true difference in their community. I love how they network and collaborate with churches, local corporations and other organizations to serve their community. You can go here to learn about those who are leading and shaping the organization. Follow them on Twitter – @csproject
Esther Havens: Esther is a fellow Austinite and humanitarian photographer. Esther uses her art to communicate the story of the global poor, especially those who lack clean water. She’s worked with various organizations such as TOMS Shoes, Invisible Children and Charity: Water. Esther is truly passionate about those who suffer, and she is doing something significant to tell their story to the world. Follow Esther on Twitter – @estherhavens.
The goal was to connect with area churches, businesses and individuals who are passionate about serving our friends in Haiti. I wanted to say thanks to the following churches who participated and hosted the event:
Also, I enjoyed connecting with Craig from Thirst No More. They do great relief work, and they’re also going to do some longterm work in Haiti. Check them out.
I would also like to thank all the people who came Tuesday to hear stories from Haiti. So many folks in NW Arkansas are loving and caring for our friends in Haiti and the orphan world-wide.
Tuesday morning, we were able to meet with Dr. Steve Graves. I heard him give a message at Q Austin in 2009. I was excited to learn from him, hear stories and listen to ways that HELP could become better at what we do.
I wish I could thank all the individuals that I met, connected with and heard stories of love and service from, it was deeply encouraging, and motivating. Clearly, something beautiful is happening in NW Arkansas, thanks for letting us participate.
This morning I leave for NW Arkansas for three days of meetings. Most of the meetings are focused on Haiti initiatives. Tuesday night, I will be speaking at a Haiti Relief Town Hall meeting along with Craig from Thirst No More.
Multiple churches, community leaders, NGO’s and businesses are gathering to find ways to collaborate and serve our friends in Haiti.
I also get to hang with Mike and Jacob and so many other folks from the Cobblestone Project. They’re doing some tremendous work for the poor in NW Arkansas.
Here’s a quick video we shot will in Haiti last week.
The picture below is a simple reminder of the pain in Haiti. Kids are everywhere, alone and broken. Many are double-orphans, they’ve lost family and friends! These kids have been through so much, yet, they can (and do) have hope. They need people like you and me to step-up and help them to feel loved, receive an education and to someday have a job so they can support themselves, and their communities!
Our last day in Haiti. Its been a quick, yet long week. It’s hard to sleep well in Haiti. The normal comforts of life simply do no exist here. Hot showers…no, air conditioned homes, no…I could go on and on.
Yesterday, we dropped off Scotty Wade, and met with World Orphans. We visited a tent city. In that city we met with a widow. Her husband was preaching at church when the earthquake hit and was killed. She now has to care for her four kids alone. I spent 20 minutes in her tent (home), the heat is sweltering and they sleep in the dirt. It was horribly sad to be frank.
We spent a few hours moving in and out of the crevicies of Port au Prince. Story after story of heartbreak and ruin. We met this young girl, she was shy, sick and scared. She lost both of her parents in the earthquake. She reminded me why HELP exist, to try to help rescue girls like this, and restore her hope and renew her community!
This is truly an amazing man of courage and faith. HELP and Soma Austin have decided to partner with Pastor Gaetan. But, we need more partners. 
