Yves Prophet, Executive Director and many of the GVCM board members gathered with supporting churches and friends at Westlink Christian Church in Wichita Kansas March 12, 2010 for a Summit Meeting.

Yves was in Haiti when the earthquake struck and has been in crisis mode for two months. He was busy helping maintain order, rescuing people out of Port au Prince, and locating food and supplies. He spent time running back and forth from Fedja to PAP, working with the UN and Haitian officials, taking people to the hospital, and networking with others. He has been doing everything possible to care for his fellow Haitians. He was a tired man coming into the Summit. The gathering brought together many of his friends, co-workers with GVCM, and perhaps as important as any – many of the children from God’s Children’s Orphanage that have found homes in the area – both those from years ago and those that came out in January after the earthquake. The fellowship refreshed Yves and gave him an opportunity to share the needs and vision of GVCM.

The Summit meeting produced some strong emotions as we listened to Yves experiences rescuing people and the vast devastation he has seen. We also felt some joy and excitement as he told of a voodoo priest that gave his life to Jesus and the hundreds that have accepted Christ during the last few weeks. There seems little doubt that the people of Haiti are seeking God and true love as they try to rebuild their lives.

The Summit was designed to bring together the GVCM board and supporters to:
1. Review how God has used the vision of Yves and others to reach the country of Haiti with God’s love over the last ten years,
2. Access the post-earthquake needs in Haiti.
3. Begin planning how GVCM can move from “crisis reaction” to “planning for the future”.

GVCM has made an impact in Haiti in the past ten years:

• Churches have been planted – today we are partners with 42 churches throughout Haiti.
• Schools connected to churches – we have nearly 4,000 students in schools throughout Haiti.
• Pastors have been trained – Ministers travel from the USA regularly to teach and mentor Haitian pastors.
• Orphanage – “All God’s Children Orphanage” in Fedja has provided a home for many orphans and unwanted children.
• Deaf School – is sponsored to train deaf children to communicate with sign language.
• Medical Teams – Teams have gone several times a year to provide clinics in rural settings.
• Construction Crews – Many church buildings have been built, benches made, wells drilled… Teams have helped whenever there has been a need.

• Food and water –The earthquake has disrupted the normal channels for food. Haitian staples of rice and beans are in great demand forcing prices up and creating shortages.
• Repair to buildings – churches and individual homes – A few of our church buildings need repair and many church members and neighbors need material and funds to repair their homes.
• Security for the Orphanage – The children in the orphanage need a protected site and the extra guests need protection also. Security guards are needed and the perimeter wall needs to be completed.
• Shelter for the displaced – Many lost their homes. Some have moved to live in tents on the Fedja campus. These and many others have no homes to return to and no jobs to start fresh.
• New Churches to be built – Many communities where we support a church have no buildings or have started something that is not finished. More than ever community centers are needed for churches, schools and other groups.

• Food and Water:
  • We authorized buying a covered 24ft truck. It will cost $12,000 to $16,000 and will allow us to pick up and distribute food.
  • We are looking into some type of storage facility at the Fedja campus to store food for distributing to the area churches.
  • We would like to find a method to get food to Thomassique and other outlining areas that are in need of food.
  • We would like provide one meal several times a week for all the school children.
  
  
• Repair to buildings – churches and individual homes:
  • We authorized up to $10,000 to be used to repair homes in the Fedja area, mostly for church members and those closest to the orphanage.
  • More funding would allow a broader repair program.
• Security for the Orphanage:
  • We authorized the purchase of material to complete a security wall around the orphanage. Work crews will be used to complete it.
  • We discussed hiring an additional security man to watch the perimeter of the campus and help maintain safety for the children and guests on campus.
• Shelter for the displaced:
  • Our first priority is to find housing for those living on the Fedja campus.
  • One option is to buy some nearby property. Approximate price starts from $25,000 US to $75,000 for the land, depending on how much we purchase.
  • Partner with a non-profit that specializes in building homes in Haiti. (We are talking with multiply groups to put something into place quickly).
  • Consider partnerships to help the displaced beyond Fedja if the opportunity arises.
• New Buildings to be built:
  • It is a high priority to build a church building outside the campus walls at Fedja as soon as possible. Approximate cost: $200,000.
  • Build a clinic new the Fedja campus. Approximate cost: $200,000.
  • Build a school for up to 1,000 Students near the Fedja Campus. Approximate cost: $600,000.
  • We proposed designing a church building that would be adequate for a group of 200.
  
  
• Other proposals and needs:
  • Shoeboxes in July – we are planning to collect supplies for children and distribute shoeboxes in July full of mostly supplies for children
  • Future Adoptions - We have 17 children identified at the moment for adoption. We are working on some future guidelines for all adoptions.
  • Micro-Loans - We have had offers to help set up some type of “micro-loan” system to help Haitians start a small business that could sustain their family. (We could use someone with knowledge and experience in this area to help). This would help the displaced get started again.