The Storms in Haiti

Everyone is aware of the recent onslaught of hurricanes and tropical storms, especially along the Gulf Coast of the United States. Fresh pictures of the devastation left behind by Hurricane Ike are still coming in. I have been ministering at an orphanage in Haiti since 2002, making nine trips and seeing tremendous growth spiritually in individuals and significant advances in the facilities the orphanage utilizes day in and day out. Hurricane Gustav crossed southwest Haiti, and our orphanage took a direct hit. Praise God that no one was killed! Here is a list of the damage inflicted:

• Destroyed all 10 acres of agriculture
• Destroyed banana, papaya, coconut and mango trees
• Destroyed our bakery
• Destroyed our solar panels
• Destroyed our communications
• The orphanage was flooded with 4-6 inches of water
• The structure where the school and feeding program was held is destroyed
• The new school construction is destroyed
• Power lines were ripped from the house

After Gustav, both Tropical Storm Hanna and Hurricane Ike dumped heavy rains on already-devastated Haiti. When our team was in Haiti in July, we brought a huge amount of resources to take care of many immediate needs, help them complete the bakery and then look forward to some other projects. Just a couple months later, these storms have been a major setback. They have to rebuild much of what already existed. Lost crops and fruit trees can't be readily replaced. Electricity, communication and transportation have all taken a severe hit and there's no telling when things will be back to normal.

In the U.S., there is a massive mobilization of aid workers bringing in medical supplies, clean water and food, and working to clean up the mess left behind by the storms. In Haiti, aid efforts are underway, but there is no infrastructure (or sufficient resources) to provide relief even comparable to the efforts being made here. The orphanage will not receive government assistance or other relief. They are on their own unless you and I step up to help.

Our team is already planning to try and go back to Haiti in November over Thanksgiving. My goal is to raise $10,000 and for that, I have to have your help. I really need you to give what you can. I also need you to raise money on my behalf. If you will get between 5 and 10 people to each give a donation towards this goal, we'll quickly be able to raise thousands of dollars and help the orphanage rebuild and reach out to their community like never before.

Brian Kloefkorn
3219 Overland Ave Apt 6182
Los Angeles, CA 90034