Family and Friends,
As you may or may not know, I am going to Haiti this month for a week-and-a-half long mission trip. Haiti has been on my heart since I began serving the Lord, and that prompting intensified after the earthquake. Recently I was provided an opportunity to go to Central America and I thought, "I should go." But the Lord asked, "Why would you go there when I want you to go to Haiti?" Yeah, it was that clear. That question hung there in the air for a while. I couldn't deny it. The time is right...so after much prayer and fasting I am going.
As you may or may not know, I am going to Haiti this month for a week-and-a-half long mission trip. Haiti has been on my heart since I began serving the Lord, and that prompting intensified after the earthquake. Recently I was provided an opportunity to go to Central America and I thought, "I should go." But the Lord asked, "Why would you go there when I want you to go to Haiti?" Yeah, it was that clear. That question hung there in the air for a while. I couldn't deny it. The time is right...so after much prayer and fasting I am going.
Once I decided to take the step of faith, the Lord made it clear that it was the right decision by blessing me with free travel from San Diego to Port-Au-Prince and back and finding a place to stay. I'll be meeting up with two friends, Darah Wilson and Gary George who are full time missionaries in Jeremie with Impact195. I have known and served with these two for many years when I led the Tijuana House Building Ministry at The Rock. They are amazing people with huge hearts. Gary's work with orphans truly tugs on my heart whenever I read his blog. Darah's obedience to the Lord's call for her to serve is no less amazing.
So, with my flights paid for, why am I writing? Well I am asking for you to consider helping to support Impact195, particularly with the two projects that I will be assisting with. One is a small addition on to an existing well house (a small structure that sits over a well that they have dug to provide potable water to Jeremie and the surrounding villages); the other is building a bathroom wall for one of the poorest areas of Jeremie. They estimate that the two projects will cost about $1500.
In addition to funds, they could also use hygiene products (like soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo), kids clothes, flip flops (kids and adults), etc. I will be taking an extra suitcase down and plan to fill it with these items.
With the above in mind, would you please take a moment and consider supporting this effort? Is there something that you could go without for a time where the money could go towards providing some privacy to an outdoor bathroom or to increase the ability for folks to get water that's fit to drink?
If you feel led to financially support this effort, please contact me at your earliest convenience. Any amount you donate is tax deductible (a bonus, yes?); remember this will go directly towards these projects and not to me or my travel costs. If you feel led to provide soaps or clothing, I can even come and pick it up (locally only of course); but I need all supplies no later than May 20.
Lastly, if you can't support financially, would you consider praying for me? Health and safety are big concerns, but most importantly I need prayer to be effective while I am down there. Not so that I can thump my chest, but so that God can be glorified through the work of my hands and the time I spend with the people I come in contact with.
Thank you for your time.
Faithfully yours,
Ed
edward.crenshaw {at} gmail.com
"Only fear the Lord and serve Him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things He has done for you." (1 Samuel 12:24 [ESV])
P.S. Here's some stats about Haiti
So, with my flights paid for, why am I writing? Well I am asking for you to consider helping to support Impact195, particularly with the two projects that I will be assisting with. One is a small addition on to an existing well house (a small structure that sits over a well that they have dug to provide potable water to Jeremie and the surrounding villages); the other is building a bathroom wall for one of the poorest areas of Jeremie. They estimate that the two projects will cost about $1500.
In addition to funds, they could also use hygiene products (like soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo), kids clothes, flip flops (kids and adults), etc. I will be taking an extra suitcase down and plan to fill it with these items.
With the above in mind, would you please take a moment and consider supporting this effort? Is there something that you could go without for a time where the money could go towards providing some privacy to an outdoor bathroom or to increase the ability for folks to get water that's fit to drink?
If you feel led to financially support this effort, please contact me at your earliest convenience. Any amount you donate is tax deductible (a bonus, yes?); remember this will go directly towards these projects and not to me or my travel costs. If you feel led to provide soaps or clothing, I can even come and pick it up (locally only of course); but I need all supplies no later than May 20.
Lastly, if you can't support financially, would you consider praying for me? Health and safety are big concerns, but most importantly I need prayer to be effective while I am down there. Not so that I can thump my chest, but so that God can be glorified through the work of my hands and the time I spend with the people I come in contact with.
Thank you for your time.
Faithfully yours,
Ed
edward.crenshaw {at} gmail.com
"Only fear the Lord and serve Him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things He has done for you." (1 Samuel 12:24 [ESV])
P.S. Here's some stats about Haiti
- Haiti is the poorest nation in the western hemisphere.
- ~54% of the population doesn't have reliable access to water
- 1.8 million people a year die from diarrheal diseases globally; it's the leading cause of illness and death (more so than guns)
- Haiti's infant mortality rate is currently 25%, and is directly related to contaminated water
Since 1804 Haiti has had four national flags.
ReplyDeleteLess than 20% of Haitians age 15 and over can read and write.
The barbecue was first seen by Europeans in Haiti about 500 years ago. [SWEET!!!]
ReplyDeleteOnly 50 percent of Haiti population has access to safe drinking water.
Haiti has some notable firsts:
ReplyDeleteHaiti was the first post-colonial independent black-led nation in the world.
Haiti was the first nation in Latin America to gain its sovereignty
Haiti was the first post-colonial independent black-led nation in the world
It also has some notable lasts:
Haiti is the least-developed country in the Western Hemisphere
Cite Soleil is considered one of the worst slums in the Americas
Unemployment is now 90% in Haiti (that's roughly second worst in the world)