World Renewal International

What a wonderful creation the family of God is. I love how it works. Yes, I know we mess it up once in a while but oh the joy when we get it right.

[Pictures are of Pastor Jesse Ireton baptizing new Christians in Haiti and with Pastor Luc and Rosanna.]

The hurricanes that hit Haiti during the summer and fall of 2008 destroyed lives, homes, businesses and hopes and dreams. Christ Compassion Orphanage that Pastor Luc Joseph had started along with the church and school in Gonaive, Haiti were destroyed. Pastor Luc, his wife and daughter Rose Luci had gathered on the roof of their house with the 25 orphans and told each other goodbye and we will see one another in heaven. However, God had another plan. Climbing to a newly constructed but unfinished house with a third floor next door, all survived. They made their way through flood waters to the house we were constructing for our headquarters and the Joseph family. Many of the children and adults became ill but all survived. They all went without food and clean water. But all of the children, Luc's family and the adults who care for them survived.

There, at the new but unfinished house, they have remained for almost a year. Luc's old house was cleaned and has served as a make-shift orphanage during the non-hurricane season. It has been a year of crowded quarters, and some of the children living in the homes of church people. A few times we have brought Pastor Luc and Rosanna to the USA just to rest.

The plan has been to build a new church/school near Luc's new home which is out of the flood zone. On this same property a dormitory for the orphanage has been planned. However, this required the purchase of property. The cost has been in the $10,000 range.

In the middle of this crisis has been the USA economic depression. During the past 12 months our main goal has been to be sure the children of Christ's Compassion Orphanage are safe, feed, clean, cared for, educated and spiritually encouraged. We need 100 sponsors for the orphans, we have 38 at $30/month. The children have been well cared for, education has been challenging. Thanks to all of you who have sponsored a child or given emergency funds to keep them all safe.

Last month as Field Director Max Wright and my assistant Frank Penna were going to Haiti, someone called and said, "How much do you need to buy the property for the orphanage in Haiti?" I told them we had $2000 and we needed $8000 more. She said, "I just sent you a check for $10,000." We purchased the property that week. Kiowa United Methodist Church, Kiowa Kansas, where Frank and Janet Penna and I ministered last year raised the funds for a large electric generator for the orphanage. This is the only electricity available.

Brandywine Community Church, Greenfield, Indiana has been a great partner in the ministry of Haiti. It was through this congregation we first met Pastor Luc and Rosanna. Pastor Jesse Ireton and wife Dori have served on the pastoral staff of Brandywine Communty Church, had known Luc even before that. We are grateful for the encouragement they gave to come along side of Pastor Luc. Pastor Jesse went to be with the Lord this past year. Huge numbers of people tried to convey to his family how their lives had been changed by he and Dori's love, teaching and caring. It is only fitting that we call the new dormitory for Christ Compassion Orphanage, The Ireton House.

In October, Brandywine will take and offering to construct The Ireton House. They are sending Senior Pastor Mark Wright, my brother, and several elders the week after the offering. We will need help with the construction of a facility to be used for a new church/ school on the same property. The children have been sleeping on blankets and some mattresses on the floor. We have a lot of purchasing to do. However, we feel that God is helping us to help those in distress.

Thanks for stopping by.