H.O.P.E. Center For Orphaned Girls (2010 Haiti Earthquake)

FROM THE SITE:

3/2/10:

I would venture to say that all of you have seen the devastation in Haiti from the January 12th earthquake that struck Haiti. If you have been following us on www.haitihope.org or www.csiministries.org you have seen how the earthquake has affected HOPE and the CSI mission in Haiti.

Pictures on TV don’t do the situation justice nor do they paint an accurate picture of what is happening in Haiti. Though there are desperate people in desperate situations, we have seen miracles and hope. We see neighbors helping one another, sharing food, sharing stories, sharing what is left of their lives and belongings. And while these bits of help are recognized, there is still so much to do, so much need. Rebuilding lives takes more than a few weeks of good intentions. Rebuilding Haiti will take years of hard work, cooperation and the power of our Almighty God.

It can be overwhelming to look at everything that was lost and all that needs rebuilt, but little by little, working in a targeted area, we can make a difference.

CSI Haiti is moving forward with our plans to make a difference in Croix des Bouquets and in the hearts of the people there. If we can empower them they will take ownership of the rebuilding, and meeting their needs can help them see Christ at work.

At this time, we are blessed to be moving toward repairing our own facilities, building a new orphanage and creating ways for our Haitian neighbors to be a part of rebuilding the community. CSI has purchased additional land in Croix des Bouquets and will begin building prosthesis and physical therapy center, a nutrition education center and a widow’s home. These were all projects under consideration before the quake but are even more crucial to begin soon. We have also created a long term community relief program where neighbors will be encouraged to work side by side with one another and with teams to clear rubble and begin to repair and rebuild homes that were destroyed. They will be compensated for their work and will thus be able to purchase food and other supplies for their families from local vendors which in turn will help the local economy.

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FROM THE SITE:

Building HOPE: The Kokosing Group

It is not over reaching at all to say that the January 12th earthquake affected every person in Haiti. Lives were lost, homes destroyed, families torn apart. Some businesses have reopened but schools remain closed. The HOPE Center was extensively damaged and unsafe to inhabit. As word of our situation spread, God used relationships and circumstances to pour out blessings on the girls. They are safe and whole. They are being securely housed on CSI Health Center property. Their physical needs are being met. School has resumed. The church is growing. And they have all, in their own timing, been back to visit their old home. Healing has begun.

And now we move forward with the construction of a new facility that will meet the evolving needs of the girls. The Kokosing Group based in Fredericktown, Ohio has undertaken this project. Not only are they offering engineering expertise, construction supervision, construction workers who will work with Haitian laborers training them in construction techniques, but they are assisting with fund raising and materials procurement and delivery, AND they are offering a dollar for dollar matching grant for funds raised, up to $250,000!!!

You can donate in the following ways*:

1. Go online to www.csiministries.org and follow the link "Donate Securely" on the left. (Make sure you designate it as part of BUILDING H.O.P.E. in order to get your donation matched by The Kokosing Group!)
2. Send a check made payable to CSI Ministries to 1714 W. Royale Dr., Muncie, IN 47304 (Please designate BUILDING H.O.P.E. in the memo line in order to get your donation matched by The Kokosing Group!) *

Contributions to CSI are tax-exempt from federal income tax.

Please pass this information along to your friends, family, other churches and businesses! For information about the BUILDING H.O.P.E. Project, including an up-to-date total of how much has been raised and construction progress, visit kokosing.biz and follow the link.

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Updates at http://www.csiministries.org/pages/pray.shtml

Pray

1.20.10 - 11:15 a.m. - CSI Ministries is making as many updates as possible and we realize that information is being shared through social networking sites and the media. CSI Ministries is only able to support statements that are confirmed and made on its official Web site at www.csiministries.org or through an authorized spokesperson within the organization. For all media inquiries or more information, contact Jody Kress at 765-286-0711 ext. 205 or jkress@csiministries.org.

1.20.10 - 7:50 a.m. - We have confirmed that all of our missionaries and orphans are OK after the 6.1 aftershock this morning.

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Regarding the January 12th earthquake, CSI has established a Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund. Contributions can be made online through our
support link or sent to our office at:

CSI Ministries headquarters at:

1714 W. Royale Drive, Muncie, IN 47304

Updates at http://www.csiministries.org/pages/pray.shtml