It’s curious the big things God begins in unassuming places…like the inspired partnerships that grow on the bumpy backroads of Haiti.
Two summers ago such a partnership began as a tiny seed planted in the soil of a Facebook group and then a West Virginia summer camp. Last August, it grew on a short-term trip. Today, it has produced some of its first fruit!
The partnership has forever transformed two communities: Lindside, West Virginia and Kaypotier, Haiti. During the Lindside Christian Church summer trip, their pastor, Richard Hodges, asked RoRo and Cameron if there was a smaller but significant project their church could help raise funds for to bless the people of Haiti.
RoRo suggested building the additional classroom space that was needed at the school/church in Kaypotier. Emmanuel Christian School in Kaypotier has grown so quickly, they had outgrown their main building. Temporary lean-to structures had been constructed to keep the children out of the sun and rain so they could keep learning while plans were being made to build permanent classroom spaces.
The following day they made a quick trip to see the location again and talk to our pastor and school administrator there. It was determined that the church members would need to excavate the site before any construction could take place. And the project would be an estimated $10,000 to complete.
No promises were made, except to pray and continue discussions to determine if Lindside felt God leading them to take on this project. A few weeks after the trip Richard indicated that the elders and leaders were ready to take on this partnership and wanted to get all of their people involved. We helped them by setting up a fundraising page so they could share this with their church members, friends, and family. Then, the people of Lindside got to work with some serious fundraising.
This church of about 120 believers in Lindside, WV, raised $10,000 in just over 5 months to bless the kids, families, and church members in Kapotier, Haiti, with new classrooms for their school! Construction is now underway, and we will be sharing photos of the completed classrooms soon!
The fruit?
- All of the children at ECS, Kaypotier will learn every day in clean, sturdy, protected classrooms.
- Emmanuel Christians Church, Kaypotier will be able to show the love of Jesus to the families of these children as they continue to provide top-notch education, now in a great facility.
- A passionate church in West Virginia is encouraged by how God has blessed the work of their hands as they bless their Haitian brothers and sisters.
- HCO is thrilled to have a front-row seat watching God work in small projects that make a big difference.
In 2015, we are asking God to provide more churches like Lindside that will partner with us on special one-time projects that need to be completed!
Could your church partner with us this year in a $10K, $15K, or $20K special one-time project?
Would you make yourself available to God for a small project that makes a big difference?
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