2020 – May 4

Marianne Pix 2014 cropped AP

UPDATE ON THE CABRINI COMMUNITY CENTER IN JACMEL, HAITI

By Marianne Boehme – Update-May 4, 2020

FOOD DELIEVERY COMPLETED BEFORE EASTER

The leadership servants delivering the food to the mother’s houses found a warm reception. Mr. Carmelo hand delivered the food to them for their safety and to ease the physical strength that it takes to deliver this amount of food. Some of the mothers live in the hills surrounding Jacmel and the pathways are very difficult to climb.

MOM’S TESTIMONIES

(The broken English are their direct quotes)

Jesusla commented, “You guys always do good actions in the community.  Mr. Carmelo, (our leader) seems never to be tired. I know the presence of GOD is with you. Thank you for blessings us. “

Jolicoeur shared with the leaders, “I pray and thank God to watch over the Cabrini Team members. A big gallon of oil with the sardines is great. We do not have the funds to afford all these food from the main market. We all love you and we are sure that God will continue to bless you.” (She is one of the assistants in the bible study now.)

Benita Tiblan comments, “Cabrini continues thinking about us, Cabrini always show us a good sign of love.  The Cabrini mission is about treating us with love and compassion. God bless you all.”  (Benita’s husband is Patrick, one of the construction workers that helped us in the Feb. construction).

I think you can feel the moms’ gratitude through their own words.

“WHATEVER YOU DO, WORK AT IT WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AS WORKING FOR THE LORD, NOT FOR MEN. IT IS THE LORD CHRIST YOU ARE SERVING”     – COL. 3: 23-24

CABRINI COMMUNITY CENTER – THE VISION BECOMES CLEAR

Cabrini Community Center is being used at this time, 4 days per week. It has no doors, windows, septic or electricity yet but with the concrete flooring we were able to hold our first celebration of thanksgiving this past February.  There were between 60 -70 people in attendance.  Our moms, their families and 3 of the 5 fathers that work with the construction team also blessed us with words of praise and thanksgiving for the opportunity to work. We also had some teenage young men from a local nearby church come to help us with kite flying at the end of the celebration.

Ministry groups that meet weekly at the Cabrini Community Center in Jamel, Haiti are:  

  • Two groups of bible study/prayer for moms – 40 members meet on Thursday and Friday afternoons.
  • Singing Moms of Jacmel – 25 members meet on Wednesday afternoon for practice and prayer.
  • Adult Education class, 2 groups – 6 members meet on Thursday and Friday afternoons.
  • Children’s ESL classes –   25 students meet on Saturday afternoons.
  • Food Distribution Center – 30 families (200 persons). Storage, packing and sorting.

What a miracle this all is and we are all thankful to watch God’s plan unfold.

CORVID 19 COMES TO HAITI

HAITI FIGHTS BACK WITH THE FOLLOWING RESTRICTIONS

Haiti has shut down their airports to all flights including the US leaving hundreds of travelers stranded on April 24th 2020. They have closed the land border with the Dominican Republic as well. American Airlines will be selling one-way tickets for April 27th and 28th, to ferry out US Citizens and permanent residents.

PRAYERS, PRAYERS ARE NEEDED

Haiti has 60 ventilators for 11 million people. Some countries will struggle but Haiti might never recover from Corvid 19, so their only hope is to enforce restrictions to stop the spread.

As of April 20, 57 people have tested positive with 5 deaths.  There is a curfew in place. Markets are only open 3 days a week. Haitians are encouraged to use face masks, and to limit gatherings to 10 people. Churches are shut down as well as restaurants. Hand washing and social distancing are in place.  But most of the people don’t understand the situation. 

Cabrini Community Center Leadership Team

 

We need to believe that the Lord will Provide and will provide an answer to the world situation. 

God knows the end from the beginning and if we ask for forgiveness of our sins and pray he will restore our land.  As the Haitians always tell me, “GOD IS IN CONTROL, HAVE FAITH! “ This Is Something We All Need To Remember

Invest in people by paying it forward.