Just a few years ago, Dr. John and the others who served with Mercy International never dreamed of building a village. There were plenty of medical needs and orphans to assist. But when the earthquake hit in 2010 and hundreds of thousands of people were homeless, building homes seemed to be a necessity to help the people of Haiti.
The Merci’ de Dieu (“Thanks to God”) Village was born – now complete with 63 homes, a church, clinic, two team houses, and a well. Around 450 people who were previously living in conditions hard for any of us to even imagine now have a home, gardens and community! Their lives have been changed remarkably. And it’s all truly, Thanks to God!
The Merci’ de Dieu Village
Since the Merci’ de Dieu Village is completed, the question has been raised: a second village?
We are so happy to report that God has provided a matching fund to purchase land for – yes – a second village!!
If we meet the matching fund for $4,000 we will not only have a new piece of land, but also the funds to improve it AND provide a cooking school for ladies in the Merci’ de Dieu Village (which will continue sustainable help for the villagers, so they can earn a living). God has already provided funds from a separate donor for our very first home on the new village site!
The second village will be built in the mountainous Deye Mon area of Haiti, where Dr. John has been ministering for close to 40 years. The houses built would be given to widows who can help care for orphans and to families who are the “poorest of the poor.” All of the families would be able to attend a local church, and God willing, we will be able to help students attend a local Christian-run school.
Site of the Second Village in Deye Mon!
“Did you ever imagine one village would be built, let alone two?” This was the question I posed to Dr. John this afternoon as he explained the news about the matching grant and how the funds will be used. “It’s remarkable” he said, “beyond any imagination!”
God is good!
Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21
This is an example of a very “nice” hut in the Deye Mon area. Most huts are not as nice as this. These are the types of families who will be offered a home in the new village.
