PASTOR JOHN GLASS
4367 RINGWOOD RD.
NOKESVILLE, VA 20181
703-753-3990
February, 2000
Dear Friend,
Remember Eden Orphanage in Haiti? About a year ago I moved to Virginia to
become pastor of the Manassas and Warrenton churches. Shortly after
arriving, one of my Warrenton couples, Charles and Gigi LeMorzellec began
telling me about "their" orphanage in Haiti. Charles kept telling me I
needed to visit to understand the need; I kept putting him off until…well,
Charles is persistent. Even my President, Elder Herb Broeckel said he
thought the mission experience would do me good. I just returned from
spending 5 days in Haiti with Charles and Gigi where I saw for myself. Whew!
Haiti is the poorest country in this hemisphere and makes Mexico seem like
a bastion of wealth in comparison. Port au Prince looks and smells like a
sprawling dump. I did not see any rats, but then I didn't see it after
dark; with all that garbage they have to be a terrible problem. The
magnitude and degree of squalor and destitution I saw there overwhelmed me
and continues to trouble me. The shacks many Haitians call home wouldn't
be fit for a doghouse for many Americans.
Charles took me to the site where he first found the children. Max Church
(a distant relative of mine) who started Eden needed to step down. When he
asked Charles if he would take responsibility as director Charles accepted,
and being there I could understand why he couldn't walk away. He relocated
the orphanage away from the squalor of Port au Prince. Relocated a second
time now, Eden Garden Orphanage (its present name) is located 70 km out of
Port au Prince at Montrouis in a leased home right on the water. I found
15 children living there who are properly cared for, happy and growing as
normal children do. Compared to the conditions of Port au Prince it is a
haven! Three of the boys want to become pastors. The week after I left
Charles was able to renew the lease on the home for another year (this time
at $750/month), but this location is at best a temporary solution.
Operating costs average $2,000/month.
I visited the church the children attend: no roof. Someone gave the land.
The members sold part of it, which brought only enough money to pour a slab
and put up the walls. Friday afternoon some members were sewing some
fabric back together that had been torn down by a storm. The next day
(Sabbath) it was stretched across wires offering some shade from the
tropical sun. The members are worrying about the rainy season coming in
March. I asked how many they could baptize if the building were finished
and they began more aggressive evangelism in the area? "Lots!" Our
members are only about 1% of the population. Wouldn't it be wonderful to
enlarge that percentage? Charles estimates there are 20,000 people living
at Montrouis. Evening meetings would pack the house right now - I mean,
there isn't much else to do in Haiti in the evenings. It is one of the
most natural settings for evangelism I have seen.
Charles tells me the members want him to locate the orphanage on their
church property. That is a good permanent answer to the need. There is
enough room and at 200 yards from the water the children could still swim.
They need a well ($5,000), a building to house up to 60 orphans ($25,000),
the church finished ($10,000 for the roof and another $20,000 to be
completed), a clinic ($15,000 - the dental equipment is already donated),
and the wall finished and gates installed ($9,000). They will begin a
school. Imagine: a new center of light in the dark! Charles has hired an
architect to draw up plans.
As it turns out the Lord knows exactly who to pick. Charles and Gigi are
the perfect pair to do this work. Not only are they French, they function
very well in Haiti. Charles' approach to developing Eden Garden is well
adapted to the realities of Haiti.
Reflecting on what I saw there reminds me of ADRA's motto, "We've got a
million things to do this week - one person at a time." When Jesus told
the disciples to feed the people they were overwhelmed: "All these?!"
Someone found a lunch and Jesus' blessing fed them all. His blessing still
feeds people, but do you suppose you would like to give a sandwich? Tell
you what. Pray about this; God will guide you on how you should relate.
The "sandwich" (dollars) you give will make an incredible difference in
that part of Haiti. Together we will build an orphanage - and so much
more! As the founder of Food for the Poor says, God gave the poor to
convert us and gave us to help them. He's right. Visit the web site:
www.edenchildren.org. Charles will be posting pictures of each child at
the orphanage in the next couple of weeks. Let Charles know how you want
to help.
Thank you for reading this all the way through, for praying, and for
responding as God directs you.
Sincerely,
Pastor John Glass |