Update from Veronica

Perhaps some of you know that Veronica led the YWAM's ministry to La Gonave. Below she wraps up their involvement to date on La Gonave.

If you haven't yet, check the facebook page (link at bottom) since it is the repository of photos and videos.

Haiti Update

May 16, 2010

After the devastating earthquake turned the world’s attention to Haiti, God brought the island of La Gonave to our focus. La Gonave was experiencing an enormous influx of refugees (750-1,000 per day) after the earthquake, but were drastically lacking food supplies due to the focus on Port-au-Prince. So, through prayer and discussion, a goal of raising $50,000 was set in order to purchase 2 containers worth of food and medical supplies to send to the island.

Here’s what’s been accomplished thus far:
• $43,000 was raised in under 2 weeks.
• Two containers were purchased at the end of February.
• Each container held 46,750 lbs of food (93,500 lbs total).
• Opportunities and finances opened up which sent two of our staff to Florida in March to oversee the loading of the containers, and then on to Haiti for 2 weeks to scout out future possibilities for YWAM Montana to pursue.
• In April, a third staff member spent 3 weeks in Haiti helping to prepare a system to distribute the contents of our containers, as well as the contents of two additional containers provided by the Wesleyan District of New York.
• God moved quickly to cover $3,200 in Haitian customs fees to process the containers.
• All 4 containers, holding a total of 185,000 lbs of food, have been unloaded and are en route from St. Marc to provide desperately needed supplies to the residents of La Gonave.
• Overall, we saw approximately $53,000 come in to provide both containers as well as scouting and distribution costs.
• Through it all, God has accomplished what seemed impossible.

We are currently in the process of moving forward with more long term development on La Gonave. A Foundations in Community Development team will spend two months this summer formally assessing the needs and priorities of the people to improve living conditions in their communities.

Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this project to get critical relief supplies to the people of La Gonave. Whether you donated or supported through prayer, you have helped to save and change lives.

For continued updates as well as pictures & videos from La Gonave, please see the facebook page: Facebook