One year ago was a tragic and horrific day. Little did one family know, that day would mark the beginning of many answered prayers.  G.O. Ministries Haitian Pastor Wilby Romain and his wife and missionary, Lisa, had been praying for their son Carvens who lived with his mom in Port-au-Prince. 

January 12, 2010 changed the lives of the Romain family forever.  Ceradieu (Romano) lives in Santiago, Dominican Republic and has been a partner with G.O. Ministries for nearly ten years.  He was glued to the television which was his only source of news because all of the phones were down in Haiti.  Romano quickly gathered a few things and headed across the border to find his family. 

In Port-au-Prince, his heart sank as his fears were realized.  He found his brother’s body, the father of seven children.  After mourning with his family, Romano returned to Santiago with his niece and nephew, Romaine and Juan.  During the year they learned to adjust to the Dominican culture and heal from the horror of the quake.  As an 8- year-old, Jean is actively involved in both the Haitian and Dominican church services in Hoya del Caimito and he attends the G.O. school, Isaias Emmanuel.  He enjoys going to soccer practice and games with Romano to cheer on the team as well as playing basketball with the G.O. sports team. 

Terror and fear still grip people a year after the earthquake.  The disaster and the devastation that followed carried a tremendous toll on the mental health of all involved.  Prior to the earthquake Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s capital city with over four million people, had only one hospital that could care for 100 patients for mental health.  In addition to the lack of resources, many stigmas are attached to mental health in the Haitian culture that prevent people from receiving care.

Philippe Eduord decided to leave his stable position as teacher of French in Santiago, Dominican Republic and assist his countrymen in Port-au-Prince. With the aid of G.O. Ministries, Philippe has established a clinic accepting clients with mental health issues related to the earthquake.  Philippe says the biggest obstacle to people’s recovery is that society sees no value in the aspect of mental health.  “Haitians are used to living in the streets and are always in mode of survival.  Why should Haitians care about mental health if they cannot eat?”  

We are so grateful for so many of you who contributed funds, aid, and prayers for our relief efforts.  Following are a few highlights from those efforts:

·         G.O. Ministries served over 30 organizations and ministries during the rescue efforts in the days immediately following the quake.   As we transitioned from rescue to relief to restoration four significant partnerships with other organizations passionately serving Haiti in Jesus’ name emerged.  G.O. has used funds raised for Haiti to help further their respective works in the country.

·         G.O. provided Hands and Feet Project and Joy in Hope with cement mixers, shovels, picks and small generators to help with rebuilding efforts.

·         G.O. provided funding for one ministry truck for Haitian Christian Outreach who has been on the ground responding to the consequences of the quake since it hit.

·         G.O. provided two massive generators to Northwest Haiti Christian Mission in order to provide consistent electricity for their new high school serving students displaced by the earthquake.

·         G.O. partnered with Northwest to help finance its fight against the current cholera epidemic.

·         G.O. is blessed to serve alongside of these organizations as we work together to restore Haiti!