Bright Hope has found a new friend. I’d like you to meet Water4. They’re an awesome organization with the mission to bring clean water to the extreme poor. Did you know 200 children die every minute from water-borne diseases? But with a $20 copyright-free pump that can be made in any country and hand drilling technology Water4 is beginning to change that statistic.

With kindred hearts for the extreme poor, Bright Hope and Water4 became quick friends and quickly found ways to work together. In Zambia, Samfya Community of Care Providers (SCCP) is using the technology to create jobs, drill wells and install pumps that will water the kitchen gardens being planted with Bright Hope’s micro loan. In Haiti, the $20 pump will be installed in hundreds of wells that were destroyed by the earthquake. Working together we are accomplishing powerful acts of love.

We’re always excited to connect with others working on behalf of the extreme poor. We are certain, day by day, we are making an impact in the lives of those living on less than $1 a day.

Bright Hope hasn’t stopped focusing on the Haiti Earthquake ever since January 12th. Our efforts are making a huge impact and we wanted to update our readers with detailed information!

As of last week, through Bright Hope:

The most recent shipment contained: Food, 240 Tents, 2 Large tents, Hope Packs and Med Packs.

Thank you to everyone who has given financially, started fundraisers, or just spread the word to others in how they can help Haiti.

Haiti’s rainy season is here. Our goal is to send as many tents as possible to our partners for distribution. To donate a tent click here. 

Together - we are making a difference!

Before the earthquake, the town of Pignon (Bright Hope’s main project in Haiti for the past 15 years) had a population of 40,000, according to Jephthe, Bright Hope’s Project Developer, there is now over 100,000. The Pastor’s Association of Pignon (POA) estimated the pre-earthquake church attendance at 15,000 people is now 50,000. Even through hurt and destruction, the openness to God is more than any other time in Haiti’s history!

For the first time in Haiti’s history there was a national day of prayer granted by Haiti’s President! Most people in Haiti participated in the 3 day event and an estimated 90% of Pignon involved. Most businesses were closed and over 5,000 people at Jephthe’s church alone took action (that is over 6 times the normal attendance!). This event is a shining example of how the attitude of the people has turned toward God instead of blaming Him.

Now is the time to pray! The next 6 weeks leading up to Easter will be a perfect time for Haitians to become more open to the Gospel. The more people we can help through the local church the more people who will be ready for the wonderful story of redemption at Easter.

To find out more about what Bright Hope is doing in Haiti right now click here!

The lives of 2 million Haitians hang in the balance as Port-Au-Prince and outlying areas suffer the affects of a 7.0 magnitude earthquake.The split-fault quake occurred Tuesday afternoon about 10 miles west of the Port Au Prince and could be felt as far away as 300 miles.

As the sky turned gray with a choking dust the infrastructure of city lay in rubble. Destroyed were buildings including the hospital, the National Palace, commerce center, government buildings and many homes. It was a long, dark, frightening night as Haitians searched for survivors. Many are missing or feared dead.

The Bright Hope Response

We are in touch with our church network in Haiti (Jepthe, our Project Developer in Haiti, is pictured here) and currently assessing how our assistance can best help save lives and glorify God.  I spoke with one Haitian leader who said “the best built buildings in Port-Au-Prince have been destroyed, imagine what has gone on throughout the city.”

We will have two immediate responses:  Distributing food, water, clothing and temporary shelter (immediate needs) and secondly to supply Med Packs (personal hygiene and First Aid kits) to needy families.

All our relief efforts are accomplished through churches. It will take days to know the full impact. Communications have been difficult as services have been interrupted.As we hear from our partners, we will update our website.

I need your help in four ways:  Pray, Network, Act, Give

1. Pray! Pray! Pray! Please pray now and in the upcoming days for the Haitian people, our Partner Developers and the Churches and Pastors we work with to provide relief.

2. Network:  Could you recommend Bright Hope to your friends on Facebook, Twitter, blogs, and email to help in Haiti? Please forward this letter and our website BrightHope.org to those in your network.

3. Act:  We need groups to fill 5,000 Med Packs — a project for churches, Sunday school classes, scout groups and homeschoolers. Order in minimum quantities of 20 at $15 each ($300) or you can sponsor a pack and we will fill one for you for $30. To order a box of Med Packs ($300) call 224-520-6100 and speak with Joy. To sponsor a $30 Med-Pack visit our website.

4. Give:  As God would lay it on your heart at our website  www.BrightHope.org

Thank you for sharing and praying for those in most urgent need in Haiti.