Spring 2025 Newsletter
Dear Water4Haiti Friends,
The Lord tells Joshua in 9:1, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” I tried to find a passage that was joyful and giving the Haitian people hope, safety, peace of mind and a better promised future is close at hand. I get so discouraged myself each news letter, writing with such a negative message but it is all true. I just reread the Dec. Letter and could just as well have sent it out again as nothing has changed. In fact, the situation is even worse. Last week the gangs started moving into a completely new area, NE of Port, closer into our area. The country sides are all very rural and agricultural. What will they gain there? Only frighten more people and chase them out of their homes (700,000) already in the capital of Port au Prince and killed several thousand. To add to that problem, the 200 Kenyan troops which have been there for several months and promised more reinforcements, which have not arrived, are being pushed back by the gangs and several have been killed. The UN said, “You are on your own, we are not coming to help”.
One good note is that we have received word that our new order of pipe and pumps from India might arrive next month. The trip from India is 14,000 miles and the last 50 are the most dangerous and even a ‘no travel zone’. It is so complicated to go around and avoid the gangs, it takes 2 different boats and go to 3 extra docks. The pipe will be handled 8 times before it is in our compound. But it has always worked as we have done it twice before which I am sure with the Lord’s help. We are very fortunate that over the past 3 years our workers have had to stay home for only a week because the gangs were in town just shooting the place up. They went into the courthouse and just shot up the files, computers, desks and we did lose some papers. They pick on no one in particular just to frighten the people but one trip they did burn 30 homes for no reason in our town of Montrouise.
If you were to come to Haiti and see the boats our pipe is transported in, it could just as well be the Sea of Galilee with Peter fishing with a boat with only one sail. They provide all of the transportation between Haiti’s docks and the Island of Lagonave. Just 15 miles west of our compound. We service 65 pumps on this small island 40mi long and 15 miles wide with 150,000 population. In no way do these pumps serve all of these people but to those miles out from the capital. We travel there about every 2 months repairing several each trip. We have a small compound with a house, shop, storage and a 4x4 pickup. Roberto will stay about a week using local help to get the pumps repaired.
Comparing the vintage boats earlier, W4H has now entered into the new age of QR codes. This is where you can scan the little square box with lots of lines inside, take the photo and it will instantly hook you up to the Foundation and follow the directions in how to make a donation with your credit card. If you are my age and have used a check for your whole life, make your donation just like you always have. Also do not forget the Foundation has moved to a new location, so their new address is 2908 W 39th St. Suite A, Kearney, NE 68845.
Thank you for reading this letter as I know it is just one of many you receive daily asking for donations as I do, and most are for worthy causes but each of us must decide which one to support and you all have been so faithful these many years, “Thank you so much again.”
The pictures in this letter are showing you the steps it takes to make a new well and install a pump. #1 Is naturally deciding where you want the well and then the diggers start. Depending upon the depth to water from start to finish will take 2-3 weeks. Most wells in our area are between 30’-80’.There is one man in the well with a short pick and his partner is on top with a pail tide to a rope to pull up the dirt. I figure in an average well, 9 cu yd of dirt has been removed, close to one truck load. #2 is covering the hole so concrete and pump stand do not fall into the well. #3 is building the forms and pouring the concrete. #4 The base of the pump is ready for the pipe and pump to be installed when the concrete dries in a few days. We do about 2 per month. #5 Ready to serve many families and save walking so far to another pump.
Sincerely,
Chuck & the Board of Directors