Your faithfulness is overwhelming. So many people are asking how they can help, so I have put together a list of the current needs we are dealing with as we baby step this unknown journey. You can contact me at: restorehaiti@yahoo.com Current needs: Teacher sponsorship (70.00 per month) We have 17 teachers left who need monthly sponsorship. I am encouraging churches, families or individuals to consider sponsoring one teacher for a one year commitment. We hope to be able to offer communication between the sponsor and teacher as well as photos and even personal visits. I will have their photos and stories up on the blog in the coming week. Orphan Sponsorship (40.00 per month) We have 32 orphans who need sponsorship for food, medical care and education. Most importantly, since Restore Haiti's main focus is on the educational needs of Haiti, I am looking for a non-profit who will consider taking the orphanage under their wing. Details will be provided upon request. Please pray the Lord will provide an organization for this. Research into agricultural needs- This is completely out of my scope of knowledge. However, I realize it is vital to the orphanage to learn how to grow their own food and perhaps even raise their own chickens for eggs and meat. Our hope is to provide the means to assist them in caring for themselves rather than having them grow dependent upon us. Kim Cochran is looking into this, but the more information we can get the better. If you are interested in helping with this project please let us know. Water needs- The orphanage has a well that is contaminated. They currently purchase water weekly for the children, but from what we observed on our last visit, its just not available to them enough. You would have thought we were pouring sweet nectar into their little mouths the way they pleaded for more. We are looking for someone to take on the research and action of providing water to the children. The community of Ouanaminthe needs water. During our time there, we noticed several water pumps but Pastor Willio said they are all contaminated and not usable for drinking. I don't begin to know what this would look like but I am sure someone who is passionate about this area will be led by the Lord in the right direction. Non-Profit Status- We are looking for someone to hold our hand through the non-profit status. I once thought an attorney was mandatory, but it turns out this is not the case. We really need to get this up and running to assure donors the money is being used correctly by "Restore Haiti." All donations are currently being run through Our Saviour's Church but only as a temporary way of providing tax deductions for donors. Travel Needs: Funding is the bottom line. I would like to lead at least 6 trips a year for people to come to know the needs of Haiti, but more importantly, to know the children personally. With this personal relationship comes a desire to make a difference. There is a moral clarity that is recognized when you visit this country. Plan a trip with a team of 6 people being called to serve in Haiti. We can take you there. Please do not be overwhelmed by the message that all of Haiti is dangerous. My first trip was truly masked by this message. Ouanaminthe is a welcoming and friendly border town to the Dominican Republic. One day I hope to take my own children to Haiti. If anyone has connections with American Airlines and can get discounted airline or free tickets for me to travel to keep an eye on things in Haiti, this would be a blessing. Bake sells, car washes, babysitting for church families, these are all ideas on a smaller scale that can be done. Design a shirt: We will be looking at ideas for a "Restore Haiti" t-shirt. I would like a Black shire with some type of white logo for Restore Haiti. Spreading the Word- Tell people you know about the task at hand. Tell them about this blog or share stories about what's being done in this part of the world. I truly believe the right people will lead in the right directions. Just spread the word. Donations can be made directly on the blog (www.restorehaiti.blogspot.com) I used to be afraid to ask.... I've gotten over that. I have learned from this process not to hold back. Even the most ridiculous requests have been fulfilled. One day soon I will share the funny story about my plane ride back from the Dominican Republic and how I met "Uzi." What fun!