November, 2010
Dear Friends,
As we approach the end of 2010, we continue to be grateful to be alive,
and we continue to count our blessings. Most days are challenges in
Haiti, and we do not see these challenges decreasing soon. However,
we serve a good God; and He will continue to equip us with strength for
every day.
So far this year we have survived a major earthquake, treated thousands
of victims, buried many, sheltered countless victims including our own
children and staff, fed thousands, and listened and cried with many.
There is absolutely no way we could have been able to move on without
strength from the Lord and the numerous arms of support that came to us
from many friends and donors who care about Haiti and the Foundation.
Our thanks goes to all those who planned, packed, and shipped
containers. Navigating the reception of these was a real adventure
in many cases, and we learned a lot about Haitian Customs in times of
need. We thank God for having been able to clear every single
container. We will be distributing supplies for a while, and we are
happy to continue to serve many families in need that come to us.
Others have sent funds to help with the ongoing additional expenses,
and we thank them as well. Without these funds we would not have
been able to undertake major repairs needed in our various structures,
mainly the hospital which is our
biggest building. It has taken close to six months of major repairs,
including construction of two ramps, to accommodate the many new
physically challenged people of Haiti. Fortunately, we never had to
stop offering care while the repairs were ongoing. These new ramps
give a new look to the hospital, one that creates a sense of what the
rebuilt Haiti should look like. We live with the hope that some day
Haiti will really be rebuilt just as each victim will be rehabilitated.
While several hospitals in Port-au-Prince closed, we were happy to be
able to function through dust and noise as we continued to offer hope and
care. We are presently planning to celebrate on November 18th the
end of the repairs and the official reopening of all of Hope Hospital's
facilities. Hope Hospital has been transformed into a full-service
facility, and we want the Port-au-Prince community to know about the care
they can receive here. The day will start with a service of
thanksgiving and be followed by an open house. Please keep us in
your prayers as we work to prepare for this event even as we carry on with
the on-going work of serving and healing those who come to us for care.
In addition to the work at Hope Hospital, the orphanage for older
children, Haiti Home for Children, required major and costly repairs.
Most of the repairs and painting were done in a six-week period allowing
us to remove all the tents we had been using for shelter and for all the
children to return to
their home. Part of the Haiti Home building is being us
ed
as classrooms to accommodate the school space destroyed by the earthquake.
Many friends of the Foundation, including children from many places,
helped the school with new benches and chairs. Until we have a new
building, we are working toward making space available as conducive to
learning as possible. We want to take this time to thank all those
who contributed to help us reopen our school.
As Haiti continues to endure storm after storm, we thank God for the
strength He gives us to continue working and to encourage the people we
serve. It is by His grace that we were able to rise above the many
challenges we have faced. At present we are dealing with the
outbreak of cholera in Haiti as well as one or more hurricanes that
threaten to bring more heartache and suffering to this country. With
God's grace and the support of our friends, we will continue to serve as
we are able not only the people of Port-au-Prince but also those in the
countryside as we share the resources made available to us.
Love and compassion for the people of Haiti was clearly demonstrated
through the support of the friends of the Foundation. With such
love, we in the field gain strength and encouragement to continue on with
the ministry the Lord trusted to us. We will continue to give of
ourselves in tough times, and we will rise and shine again as we trust God
for better days.
With heartfelt thanks, we pray that everyone who reads this
newsletter will be blessed.
In His service,
Gladys Thomas
