Anse-a-Pitre

Hey friends and family,

Just returned from a trip out to the southern Haitian border for a week of work in Anse-a-Pitre. I was feeling pretty sick before I went, and ended up having to stick around the capital for an extra couple days instead of going out when I was planning to with the group of missionaries who came to work. But I eventually made it out there, and it was quite an experience.

While in Haiti, we spent our time working on a church for Pastor Andres' congregation, who pastors a church in Anse-a-Pitre and is a pretty amazing man of faith and leader in his community. During the time the group was there, the stucco was finished and the floor was poured. The church also doubles as a school house for over 50 children during the week, so having a cement floor will be a huge blessing.

We also did a medical clinic while in Haiti with Dominican and Haitian doctors who volunteered their time to take care of patients. It was moving to see people recieve basic medicines and hygiene kits to take home. It was also sobering to see the severity of their ailments. A lot of parasites, infections, and skin rashes. The water in Anse-a-Pitre runs in a cement canal through the community. It comes from a river in the mountains 24km away, and passes through several communities before it reaches them. This water is used for washing, bathing, cooking, and drinking as well, which explains many of the health issues. One of the projects that the FFP is working on is installing a water purification system next to the church. The building is finished, and we are in the process of getting a well drilled to have a source of good water to purify.

The Haitians continue to amaze me. Their capacity to hope in the face of a devestatingly brutal way of life is astounding. Thier culture is fascinating, and their language (which I was able to learn just a tiny bit of while I was their) is incredible as well. They truly are a beautiful people.



Pastor Andres

Don't know if you all have been following the news, but a tropical storm has just swept over the DR and Haiti. The rains have caused devastating flooding in many of our communities, and although the house here in Santo Domingo is dry, we know that many of our brothers and sisters are wet, and some of their homes have been destroyed. The FFP is beginning to pool resources and plan for relief efforts, but in the meantime I ask for your prayers. Anse-a-Pitre was hit especially hard. The rains flooded the town, and homes, possessions, livestock, and crops were all swept into the sea. Pastor Andres called us this morning to let us know that 500 people took refuge on the floor of the church last night. May the Lord see their suffering and respond. On a related note, the storm is headed for Florida, so let's pray for mercy in that as well.

My time here is coming to a close, so this might be one of my last updates. Thanks for your continued prayers for health, and for joining me in praying for those who have been affected by the storm. I hope this email finds you all well wherever you may be.

Peace and Blessings,

Nick