Rebuilding Teams Needed in Haiti
Southern Baptists are beginning to transition the work in Haiti from disaster relief to rebuilding and teams are needed. KBC Disaster Relief Associate Coy Webb says the goal is for Southern Baptists to rebuild 5,000 block homes in the next year to 18 months.Webb said the KBC will work in coordination with the Florida Baptist Convention, the North American Mission Board and with Haitian Baptist pastors and churches on the rebuild project.
He said a team of 6-12 members can build two block homes in one week. The plan calls for the team to construct 256-square-foot homes that are designed in such a way that they can be expanded by the homeowner later. The concrete slab will already be in place when the team arrives to do the construction.
These homes are desperately needed. Currently, many families devastated by the January earthquake are continuing to live in tents and other forms of temporary housing.
Rebuilding the homes will provide a great witness for Christ and ministry outreach for Haitian Baptists. The construction of the homes will also provide a great training opportunity for Haitians who assist and can open doors for future employment in construction.
Haitian Baptist leaders also desire discipleship and evangelism teaching and equipping teams. Webb believes that equipping new believers is crucial for continuing spiritual vitality among believers and in the churches.
Now is the time for you and your church to plan a trip. Scott Pittman, director of the KBC’s Partnership Missions Department, will be the primary KBC coordinator for the Kentucky rebuild teams.
Kentucky Baptists are to be commended for their outstanding response to the disaster in Haiti. Our convention has sent 18 disaster relief teams to Haiti thus far to provide medical services, build temporary housing, remove rubble and assist the people in other ways. Their efforts have directly resulted in at least 170 professions of faith.
In addition, more than 540 temporary (canvass covered) homes have been built and 40,000 Buckets of Hope distributed.
Kentucky Baptists have also provided more than $400,000 for disaster relief. These funds have provided more than 691,000 meals which were distributed by Haitian Baptist churches as well as medical supplies, water and rebuilding materials.
Webb has been involved in the Southern Baptist disaster relief effort since the beginning, having served on the first NAMB assessment team. He said the most gratifying experience has been the response of volunteers and the revival and evangelistic harvest among Haitians. Reports indicate that more than165,000 professions of faith have been recorded and 150 new churches planted since the earthquake.
Please pray about how God wants you and your church to be involved and contact the KBC Partnership Missions Department at partnership@kybaptist.org to make arrangements for your team.
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posted by: Bill Mackey on August 3rd, 2010