Brokenness, Opportunity | Hurricane Matthew, Update 9

A Haiti relief update from Trace Thurlby, president of The Global Orphan Project

Yesterday, Kevenly Desauguste and I left Kansas City with every intention of landing in Port-au-Prince later that day. Kevenly, fluent in Creole and English, with a passion for children and healing, is starting his service connecting people to God’s heart for His kids in Haiti as the new GO Haiti Engagement Manager. For my part, I am relieving the first wave of our Hurricane Matthew response team (Joe, Mike, and Jake), who have been serving in country for the better part of a week.

Between flights, we received news that changed our plans. The runway lights in Port-au-Prince were broken. We would have to overnight in Atlanta and take the 7 a.m. flight this morning. After a quick text, John and Kate Larimer welcomed Kevenly and me into their home. 

GO Project Board of Director Member John Larimer and GO Haiti Engagement Manager Kevenly Desauguste

Their tangible friendship was a blessing to us. 

Parts of Haiti are broken right now. People are sick and dying. Homes are destroyed. Supplies are scarce. The problems confronting hundreds of thousands each day far outweigh anything most of us have ever faced. It can seem overwhelming. Yet, I can’t help but be guided by the Larimer’s simple acts of generosity. They fed us, gave us a bed to sleep in, and helped us get back on track. 

GO Project exists to be a friend to local churches who are caring for local children and families in crisis. Over the last week, in the brokenness created by Hurricane Matthew, God has given us opportunity: to feed the hungry, to provide medicine to the sick, shelter from the elements, hope to the discouraged — to love with action in the name of Jesus. As we enter week two, we are embracing a new opportunity – to help hundreds of children get back into their homes.

Due to your generosity, we recently put in a purchase order for 450 mattresses. Children who lost their beds in the storm will not be sleeping on concrete floors much longer. Roofs need to be put back on homes. Wells decontaminated. Bed frames repaired. Walls rebuilt. Our damage assessment in the south is complete. The needs are many.  There is more work ahead. Please consider helping meet these needs by giving to our Haiti Relief Fund.  For more information, please contact Ryan Hudnall, [email protected]

This weekend, Kevenly and I will visit our partners in the north. Our goal is simple — to help our friends in need — but the scope is large. Thank you for standing with us! God is doing great things through our GO family right now. Praise be to God!  We’ll continue to keep you updated. 

 A photo taken by GO Project’s Hurricane Matthew response team while assessing damage at Biggarouse, a local church partner in southern Haiti.