Haiti (MNN) — Tropical storm activity stirring in the
Caribbean hit Haiti hard this week.
Haiti is barely hanging on after the season's first named storm
of the hurricane season struck the region. Ana, downgraded to a tropical depression, moved across the neighboring
Dominican Republic Monday, dumping about four inches of rain.
The two countries that share the
island of Hispaniola are vulnerable to hurricanes. Last year, four storms, striking in
succession, killed nearly 800 people and caused $1 billion worth of damage in
Haiti.
Repairs haven't been completed from last year's season, and
this year's season has already begun, adding to a growing sense of ill ease.
Though the storm had largely
spared their shared island, Eva DeHart with For Haiti With Love says the ministry
wasn't so fortunate.
DeHart details the damages:
"Our clinic got the direct hit by lightning. All of the light bulbs
exploded in the clinic. Our inverter took a hit. I don't know whether it's
going to be reparable or not. The computer power source is gone–it's going to
have to be replaced, and the printer took a hit. It took out our satellite
internet."
Power for the clinic is a
necessity, especially now that "there was a closure in Milot at that
hospital which creates more volume for us as well as those coming from the Cap
Haitien hospital and those who come directly when they get hurt."
A lack of communications with the
ministry team can be troubling, too, but there was another issue needing
attention. "There was a tremendous
amount of rain with this storm, so there was flooding down the street and into
the area where we're storing the beans."
This has been a summer filled with challenge for the ministry. First, there was word that For Haiti With Love needed to replace their truck–an expense
that was necessary but seemed impossible due to the enormous cost. Then, DeHart was figuring out how to ship a large
food donation when a shipping agreement fell through at the last second.
Together, these obstacles threaten to disrupt For Haiti's evangelistic outreach through feeding programs and now the burn clinic.
DeHart says people interceding on their
behalf has resulted in answered prayer. A couple in British Colombia provided the funds to purchase
a new vehicle, and there are several avenues being explored to ship food.
DeHart urges people to continue praying. She wrote in their last newsletter: "It is
YOUR prayers that give us the strength to go on and keep this 40-year legacy
alive." Their team's response in the face
of adversity can be the strongest witness for Christ in the community. Click here if you can help.
