From Ashes to Glory

Going on a Foundation for Peace mission trip is a life-changing experience, but sometimes God opens doors for opportunities to serve that cause us to stand in awe at His provision and love.

Last summer the mission team from Long Valley Presbyterian Church went to La Victoria to continue building a church. Community and church members Kenia, Fernando and their five children were excited to reconnect with their American friends.

As the walls of the church rose, members of the community, including Kenia’s family, worked hand in hand with the LVPC team. Dominicans and Americans were one big, happy family.

On Thursday tragedy struck.

Kenia and Fernando’s house caught on fire. The group saw smoke and ran to the house. Powerless to stop the fire, they watched the house and all its contents burn to the ground.

Says Meghan Sullivan, “It had been raining all day and we think a power line sparked over the house and caught the gas tank on fire. Normally the kids would’ve been in the house, but they were helping at the worksite—even the three-year-old who’d been napping in the house 30 minutes before the fire started. I don’t want to think about what would have happened to the kids if we weren’t there. Our entire team was really shaken and upset.”

After the fire—the remains of Kenia and Fernando's house

The group quit working for the day and reflected on the tragedy. They quickly agreed on what needed to be done. “That same day our group of 24 committed enough money to rebuild Kenia and Fernando’s house. Since they are part of our family we invited them to stay with us for the rest of the week. Every day they had showers and meals. And they were surrounded by the love of family,” says Meghan.

On Friday, the day after the fire, rebuilding started. The group cleared debris and prepared the site for reconstruction. They bought the family shoes and a few days’ worth of clothes. The church community in La Victoria also rallied together and got bags of clothes for each family member.

Within a few days a new house started taking shape!

As if this wasn’t enough tragedy, Kenia and Fernando were supposed to be married on Saturday but their papers were destroyed in the fire. “So we threw them a wedding! We worked with the church to arrange decorations, flowers, tuxes and a wedding gown. We even had a reception! For a wedding gift our group gave them a new stove, gas tank and some kitchen items. A few members also sent them on a one night honeymoon!” recounts Meghan.

Wedding day! Kenia, Fernando and their children: Kevin, Derlis, Denzel, Keidel and Enmanuel.

The happy couple!

What seemed like a tragedy on Thursday was such an overwhelming joy by Monday. It was certainly not the trip they expected, but everyone from LVPC will never forget the experience and the tremendous joy that comes from giving. 

Today Kenia and her family live in their new home. Her eyes fill with tears of gratitude as she recounts the blessings from her Dominican and American families – and a loving God who is her Great Provider.

Kenia with sons Denzel and Keidel, and FFP staff members Alenny and Maura, stand in front of their new house 

God is good. All the time.

Bringing Health and Hope to Haiti

Latrines.

It’s a topic so basic most of us never think about it. But it’s a problem Hank Belusa and his mission team from the Presbyterian Church of Chatham Township (PCCT) talked about when they distributed hygiene kits in the impoverished community of Despizo, Haiti. They saw the lack of proper sanitation in the village and knew that properly constructed latrines could transform the health of the community.

The village of Despizo in eastern Haiti

In Haiti, latrines are almost as important as food and shelter. Without them, unsanitary conditions spread diseases like typhoid, malaria, and dysentery. According to the World Health Organization, “2.4 billion people do not have access to any type of improved sanitation facility. About 2 million people die every year due to diarrheal diseases; most of them are children less than 5 years of age.”

The PCCT team talked to the community leaders of Despizo and promised they’d build latrines. Back at home in Chatham, Hank planned to raise $1,500 for two latrines, but was surprised he raised enough for four.

One set of the latrines built by Foundation for Peace

Pastor Valentin asked if they’d consider building enough latrines for the entire village -- which meant raising another $5,000. “I thought, we now have a proactive effort in Despizo where we’re impacting the lives of 200 people who pretty much felt nobody cared about them,” Hank recalled. He gave Valentin his word and trusted God to provide, “We’re giving them hope. I couldn't let this fail.”

In June 2013, he began fundraising again. Thanks to a significant donation from a church member's employer, the goal was within reach. “It was amazing how we all came together. By mid-August we’d raised the funds,” said Hank.

“We told the villagers we’d build more latrines if they properly maintained the first four---and they have,” Hank said. “What this means is that while they can’t pay for it, the community members have a stake in it and they can say, ‘I actually made an impact on my village.’”

Pastor Valentin and Ken Culver lead the dedication ceremony.
CLICK TO VIEW VIDEO OF CEREMONY.

In November, Foundation for Peace leaders dedicated the latrines and presented them to the community.

It might not seem like much to us, but to the people in Despizo these beautiful new latrines mean improved health, renewed hope and evidence that they are cared about and loved.

Consider going on a mission trip to Haiti or the Dominican Republic to see for yourself how lives are being changed and communities transformed. 

Would you like to help Foundation for Peace bring hope, health, education and transformation to communities in the Dominican Republic and Haiti?