YWAM Base in Haiti Reaches Out to Storm Victims Ravaged by Gustav
"As YWAM [members], we would like to answer these needs. We have been blessed to be a blessing."
Weather reports have been tracking the advance and growth of Gustav, but the tropical storm has already caused deaths and extensive damage in Haiti. Youth With A Mission (YWAM), a Christian youth-oriented missionary and humanitarian organization, has a base in Jacmel, Haiti, and has been doing what they can to help the surrounding community.
Below is a YWAM report from the area.
This is Michael Leeson writing on behalf of Lubens at YWAM Jacmel, Haiti. Currently he has no internet access, so he asked me to send out an update.
Aftermath of the Storm
I spoke to Lubens this morning - Jacmel was in the center of tropical storm Gustav's path. The Jacmel area is in terrible shape - flooding, mud and landslides, and crop losses are affecting everyone. Many homes have been destroyed. Three people in Jacmel have died - two were swept away by the water.
The YWAM house (a two-story building) is flooded throughout the first floor. Many of the bases' office supplies, furniture and all of the food have been destroyed by water damage. YWAM Jacmel's cyber cafe has also been damaged by flooding (Lubens is going tonight to check on the equipment there). Also, one of the vehicles used by the base is covered by rocks from a landslide. Thankfully, all of the YWAMers and orphans are fine.
Food Shortages
Food prices in Haiti have been devastating for much of the population in recent months, leading to strikes and protests. Crops destroyed by this storm will leave families with no food or source of income unless they receive aid. Lubens said the whole community is begging for food.
God Provides Through YWAM Staff
Lubens said the YWAMers have distributed food to 180 families since the storm hit yesterday. This exhausted their supply of food. He shared one story with me that shows God's heart in the midst of these terrible circumstances:
In the onslaught of the storm, 90 mph winds began to thrash the coast. A banana tree belonging to neighbors crashed into the yard of the YWAM house. YWAM staff scrambled to gather the bananas before they were swept away by flooding. Later, the owners of the tree (devastated by the loss of their food and income source) came to the YWAMers to beg for food. Lubens and the team brought them the bananas they had salvaged for them - they were so astounded by their integrity and generosity, they embraced and kissed them repeatedly!
Lubens is determined to stand in the gap for the people during this time, holding true to YWAM Haiti's vision: to be a blessing to their community and to the nations. Over the phone earlier he told me, "As YWAM, we would like to answer these needs. We have been blessed to be a blessing."
