YWAM DTS in San Diego/Baja -

The small Caribbean nation of Haiti has gone from poverty to total devastation after a 7.3 earthquake hit on January 12th this year. The desperation of the Haitian people is seen on the news each night and it is easy to respond with a feeling of despair, as it seems like very little aid is getting to those who need it most.

Youth With A Mission has operated in Haiti for almost two decades. With operating locations in four cities, they have been caring for the people of Haiti through ministries including schools, health care programs, agricultural development, micro-enterprise and Christian training. They were involved in responding to the victims of the 2008 hurricanes which destroyed much of the island and continue to partner with other YWAM centres in rebuilding homes lost in that disaster.

YWAM’s national office in St. Marc is more than 60 miles from Port au Prince but as over 500,000 people have fled the devastated capital city they have taken a lead in coordinating the aid effort alongside local churches and other agencies in their province.

Hundreds of survivors are arriving daily, seeking food and medical care. YWAM teams have created supply centres and camps to provide for 8000+ refugees, many of whom are badly wounded. For one pound a day, they can feed and accommodate victims in a three week program which allows them to recover, receive medical attention and then earn some money to go home and rebuild their lives.

Though the situation is desperate and the tasks daunting, Terry Snow says his staff sees the opportunity to help the Haitian people as they build from the ground up – literally and spiritually rebuilding on a firm foundation.

In the face of staggering need, YWAM teams are motivated by God’s love to help the Haitian people. It will be a very long road to restore communities in this devastated nation, but Snow and his staff are relying on supernatural strength. “When I am weak He is strong!” says Snow. “If we help others within our ability we have done an awesome thing, but when we help others beyond our ability that is an act of faith that causes men to glorify God!”

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