I don’t think I have been so excited as I was today when I drove the first stake into the ground on the land that God gave us to build His clinic/hospital. God shared His vision of this clinic with me many years ago. We have searched for the land for it for years; we have looked at many properties, but none of them was just right. Last year He provided the land He wanted us to glorify Him with. It is right on the main road, within walking distance of the mission house. It has mango trees, avocado trees, and some other fruit-bearing trees on it – you will see us enjoying God’s fruit as it fell from the tree. As I prayed over this land I could truly feel the Holy Spirit giving me such a feeling of joy that I had to tell someone how excited I was, so I called my wife and told her.
The people in the area are very excited about the clinic. I told them that they need to be in prayer that God will provide the funds for such a God-size project – they said they already are. As you can see in the photos, we are digging the trenches for the large rock to go into, for the foundation. We do not have the funds yet for the cement to build up the foundation to get ready to lay the block, but God will provide as we need it – He always does. It is very difficult to estimate building costs here in Haiti because prices change so rapidly. To have cement delivered to us is almost $10 U.S. per bag, and rebar has almost doubled, so with the cost of things going up we are looking at around $10,000 for a wall. I know some people don’t understand why we need a wall, but it is a Haitian thing. If you don’t build one, people will encroach on your property. We also need it for security.
You will see a drawing of what we hope the clinic will look like, and also the layout from the top view. There will be many changes as we go along, and many additions. If you know of anyone or any organization that would be willing to help us with this project, please contact me. I will be glad to come to you to discuss the future of this project. What is going to make this clinic different is that, eventually, we will have American doctors to come and perform surgeries that will save lives. We have had many people die here from conditions that are not even considered that serious where there is medical attention available. Besides a surgery room, we will also have a dental room and an optometry room. What a blessing God has not only for the people of Haiti but also for the Americans who will be part of this miracle.
Tomorrow afternoon a youth team from Rocky Bayou Christian School (RBCS) will arrive, so we will be very busy in Port au Prince. One of the photos taken at Jerusalem IV shows the foundation for the toilet that RBCS funded – on Friday they will start laying block. RBCS has also funded the finishing of the outside of the school so that it will be ready to be painted. We have plenty of projects for the students, but also enough time to play with the Haitian children who are counting the days until the American group comes.
We are praying that in the future we will be able to build a church for Jerusalem IV and a school. As you can see in the photos of the church/school, it is about to fall down. I continue to buy tarps and Haitian wood to hold it up, but I do not want to buy new lumber when I know God has a plan to provide for that church. The great thing about this church is that we will provide the materials and they will build it. They will have to haul water on their heads, mules, etc., and carry rock and gravel, but they will build their church. We usually have to pay only one boss to help direct them. I believe this is the way it should be, as it was with Jerusalem II – it gives them ownership. If the Lord moves you or your church to be part of this blessing, please let me know.
We have two God-size projects that are way beyond what we can do – that makes them God-size, they seem impossible – so please pray with me that He would accomplish these visions. I know that He will provide all our needs.
“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us . . .” – Ephesians 3:20
Thank you for all your prayers.