Lent, 2006

Dear Friends,

"I will set out and go back to my Father and say to him; Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you". Luke 15:18.

On March 29, the winner of the February 6, presidential elections, the ex-President René Garcia Préval will be inaugurated as President of Haiti. This will open another era for the people of Haiti who have been suffering from a severe political and social crisis for a long time. Seeking their own interests, our political leaders have divided the people.

The inaugural ceremony will take place in Lent, an occasion for the politicians, the government members, and the people to think seriously and meditate about their relation with God. By introducing the circle of intensive violence in our society we have erred from God and gone our own way. My hope is that this evil situation comes to an end and that the people may be able to breathe a fresh air under the guidance of the Lord's Spirit. It is time that we become aware of our situation and go back to the Lord, our God who always offers us this opportunity.

By electing a new President we have made the first step but our problems are not solved yet. Unless we renounce our evil habits, confess to the Lord and return to Him with a humble mind and heart there will be no improvement in the country.... (continued next page)

Making Charcoal in Haiti

Cut Trees

Cooking the Wood

Biomass Project

Project Description

Work with Haitian charcoal producers to develop new ways of producing charcoal. The objective is:

  • a better product (so that small businessmen make more money),
  • do not use trees (thus attacking the deforestation problem),
  • produce bio-diesel fuel as a byproduct (reducing the need to import oil.)

Progress to date

The Faculty of Natural Resources of the State University agreed to help select plants to use in place of trees. Engineers in the US have proven a technology which requires little or no investment by local businessmen. The Ministry of Agriculture in Haiti has approved the idea. Our project leader – Rob Fisher – has researched the charcoal business in Haiti and established links with local businessmen.

Work to be done

Work with local people in Haiti to adapt the technology. (Let them "discover" the benefits for themselves.) Work with professionals to select the best plants for the project. Work with the market supply chain to accept the new product.

Your help is needed!

Rob is ready to head for Haiti in the early summer. We need $10,000.00 to launch the next phases and pay his expenses. Pere Bruno is excited about the potential benefit of this project for the local people in Terrier Rouge. If this kind of project is near to your heart, send us a check now.

Transporting to Market

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