A couple days ago I shared answers received from my three Haitian leaders…
Questions about Fuel, Water, Internet, Transportation, Businesses… and HUNGER!
My heart aches for our Haitian friends.
This morning, as usual, I woke up to texts from Haiti. Just want to share a couple of them.
First let me introduce a young man I’ve known for over a decade. I’ll call him Rob. He was just a kid when I first met him, a young teen looking for a way to help his single mom and younger siblings. He was willing to do anything for his mom. Over the years he earned enough to provide food for the family & also to pay for his schooling.
Since 2018, the instability in Haiti has affected his income. Not enough work. Eventually, he had no money for school. He had completed through 7th or 8th grade. After learning about his situation, we offered to provide basic English & computer training for him at Apparent Project. He showed up faithfully & completed the training. But he still wanted to finish school. That’s when he asked for to help to pay for his school!
After having Pierre (who works for AP) check out the school, verify the costs, etc, I decided to help. Only one condition… I needed to see his completion certificate for each semester. He did the work and got good grades. I’ve helped sponsor him for a couple years. It’s only about $400/year. A worthy investment for someone willing to study & work!
Text #1… this morning, from this young man
“Hi. How are you? Please, I need your help. My mom hasn’t eaten anything since Friday. She has no money. Please can you give me 50 dollars to give her some food?” Then a little while later… “I was just saying you can help me.”
Text # 2… from one of my leaders in Haiti who answered the 6 questions.
Hi, Marilyn! This is my 2nd time going to the bank. “First time… they didn’t have big bills… only 1s. Today no dollars. Went to a 2nd location, but they’re throwing rocks & burning tires. Hope to try again on Friday.”
“I have no funds for AP expenses. Need $$ for diesel, Internet, and light bill. Other expenses are ok due to no school/daycare. Praying you are able to accumulate some funds for the staff soon.”
(Picture shows a portion of the line to go into the bank.)
Knowing when it’s a good idea to help… and how to do it.
Pondering the situation… The banks aren’t even functional! How could I get $50 to Rob, and to AP? I personally can’t continually feed my friend & his family, all of Apparent Project & their families. God, what solution do you have? Thank You for opening up the heavens! Thank you for the provision that is coming, and for the solutions to the crisis in Haiti. Help us to be part of the solution!
Show me what to do!
My most frequent prayer over the last decade has been… “Father, show me what to do!” When Jesus was on earth, He said that He only did what He saw the Father doing. I do not claim to get it right all the time, but it’s my prayer, that I see and do what the Father shows me to do.
An Opportunity to Serve
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IF you are curious… Read on!!!
The following will clarify the current situation at Apparent Project and will outline our Plan to overcome the challenges. There’s an Opportunity to be part of His Solution to the Crisis in Haiti!
September – October 2022: Haiti and at Apparent Project
The Apparent Project school is currently closed. Our area is pretty much in “lockdown” status.
- This summer a few kids showed up for childcare. The staff was able to show up. Many kids spend time with grandparents inthe countryside (the “province”) during the summer.
- However, currently there is no way for most of our staff to get to work. Only some of the kids could come, but parents are afraid to bring them.
Note: I arrived in Haiti September 1st. I always show up for the first week of school. 
The violence escalated in late August, and the lack of gas &/or escalating gas prices disrupted everything.
Then the education department decreed that the schools (at least in PAP) wouldn’t start until October 3rd. We are a certified school now (an amazing God story)! IF we open the school right now, we will be fined. All schools in our area are shut down.
We ere able to have our “beginning of the year” parents’ meeting. And we were able to hand out the kids Apparn Projecdt t-shirts. 
We just have no idea when school will be able to start this year.
Note: I left Haiti early, on September 8th, because there were no kids, only a few staff, no reason to stay. We were basically in lockdown, and it was getting complicated to get food. I’ve been coming to Haiti since 2008. It has never seen it this bad. The earthquake was devastating, but people came together. This is very different. (In addition to the Haiti crisis, I had a health scare during this trip! That never happened before!)
- In previous years, when schools were shut down, transportation was available. Now, with the gas prices incredibly high, escalating violence in various places, and public transportation unavailable (tap-taps & motorcycle taxis), most of our staff & families are unable to get to AP.
- The current situation is making it almost impossible for most businesses to function. Most in our area are closed.
- In addition to the lack of transportation, there is a lack of clean water. The local “Culligan” type businesses can’t produce the filtered water. So, now there have been reports of a cholera outbreak! I called AP Haiti to ask if this has affected our area (Delmas 75). I was told that so far, cholera is not in our area.
- The banks are only partially working – causing more financial confusion & problems.
Apparent Project is in a financial crisis.
In 2020, when the world shut down, we were in a similar situation. Long story, but God brought us out of that season. He has provided in various ways throughout the years, so I’m confident that He will make a way for us again. There is always opportunity available in a crisis!
- We haven’t been able to pay staff for several months. Throughout the summer we were able to at least provide basic operating expenses.
- September/October. The financial crisis continues.
The PLAN: This year, God has been speaking to me over & over again about “using my voice.” And about writing… I am naturally a “behind the scenes builder.” A systems analyst kind of person, a database & graphic design kind of person. Sitting at a computer feels like home. HE has asked me to use my voice – whether it’s in writing, speaking, graphic design methods, video, etc – in various ways – somehow making my voice heard. So, I’m just doing the next thing I believe He is asking me to do, trusting that it’s part of His plan to bring an end to our current financial lack and into the next season, where our financial prosperity & stability is in line with the blessings we experience at AP in so many other ways!
My 1st assignment: the Blog. Help others get to know our AP Haiti staff. (Blog content is also used for Facebook & Instagram posts, and in emails.)
Two out of the three “sections” of the blogs are taken from spontaneous ideas I had while Haiti this year.
This past Spring, I wanted to find out what each person’s dreams were. I was just curious, wanting to get to know each person better (even though I’ve known many of them for years.)
Another time, I decided to hold my phone up to show their faces & record whatever they wanted to say about AP. I don’t speak Kreyol, so I had no idea what they said!
I’m also writing what comes to my mind. These people are like “family.” We have done life together for quite some time. It’s interesting what memories show up. Even though it’s time consuming, I’ve been writing (using my voice) and enjoying the process. The stories are testimonies of some of the things God has done over the years. It “feeds my soul!” And is provides some “raw material” that could be included in other ways as I use my voice.
But wait… there’s more.
As He shows me what to do next, I’ll do it. It is the year of getting out from behind the “curtain.” I may still be at my laptop, but my voice will be heard. Connections will be made. His provision is on the way!
I want to thank those of you who have read some of the stories & responded to our needs. I’m grateful!
I am reminded of the story where there was a drought in the land. Elijah prayed for rain during the 3rd year of a drought. It’s an interesting story, beginning in I Kings 17, but in I Kings 18:44-45 it says – that he saw a little cloud forming in the distance. He could see the answer was coming! And it poured!
After my first post… within 30 minutes, a woman had read the blog & immediately set up a recurring donation of $10/month. That $10 donation touched my heart. It was like the little cloud in the distance! Elijah knew it was going rain!! I know God is preparing the outpouring of His provision.
I hope this blesses you!
34 staff, with an average of $400/month salary
Together we can do this! #34-400
You are welcome to join us!
