An Update from Evens & Karina Paul
What a year 2020 has been! We've had difficulties with hurricanes in Haiti and the Covid-19 crisis situation. But we've also had a wonderful year full of blessings with new opportunities and partnerships that we've developed over the year for which will be benefit the people of La Victoire, Haiti.
Despite all that we have been through the year with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, we experienced the hands of God at work in Haiti each and every day upon our family’s life, the ministry and those we serve in the ground of Haiti. As Psalm 23:4 reminds us, God has been and continues to secure our friends and family while we are navigating this dark moment in the history of our lives.
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. -Psalm 23:4
We have been praying for you all. Now is the time when we joyously look back and celebrate milestones and accomplishments in the year within our ministry in LaVictoire, Haiti, because of the support of all of you friends and sponsors and through the continuing guidance and blessing of our Lord Jesus Christ:
Medical Clinic
We have finished construction on the walls, roof, rough electric and plumbing. With your continued donations and support, we hope to finish the inside of this clinic in the early Spring of 2021. All we need is electrical fixtures, doors, windows, tile, paint and furnishings and be ready to receive patients and medical teams in our completed medical Clinic by May 2021.
Storehouse Haiti Church
In partnership with Storehouse Church of Chicago, we have finished the floor for the church. Before, we always had to worry about dust getting kicked up during the worship service! Plumbing and electricity pipes were also installed in our church building. With Storehouse’s continued support, we plan to finish the church construction by painting, decorating the rest of the building. We always want to make sure that it is a welcoming place where people gather often to worship our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We are thankful for this partnership with Storehouse Chicago and we are looking to have our brothers and sisters in Storehouse Haiti in the 2021 if God allows.
Campus Electricity
In partnership with Valparaiso University and a family of one of our members, we are upgrading our electrical system to power our new Medical Clinic and Mission House. This means installing an inverter system and solar panels at a cost of nearly $90,000. Unfortunately, the system hasn't been able to be installed yet due to the Covid-19 pandemic. But it's just a matter of time!
We also developed a wonderful partnership with a group of friends and organization - Engineers For Hope in Washington, D.C. - where we will be able to power our Community Center. This is where the Storehouse Church and the Primary School are located. With this, we'll be able to have youth camp gatherings, children and adult camps gatherings in the coming year of the 2021.
Engineers For Hope, developed with the University of Mines in Denver, will also help us power bigger gatherings at our Camping Center. These systems are scheduled to be in-place by Spring 2021. At that point, our computer lab and wells we have on-campus will all be powered with solar energy.
Microloan Program
COVID-19 has had a clearly negative impact on economic opportunities in Haiti. But we've partnered with Covenant World Relief and other amazing partners - Storehouse Church of Chicago, Engineers For Hope, and New Community Covenant Church of Kansas - to start a microloan program. So far, this program has provided funds to seventy (70) families in need to restart their family business. We also provide training for these wonderful small businesswomen on micro-finances and business management which give them more skills and capability to do well in their business.
