More Good Things!

This widows home is being replaced!

One of the main reasons I have not corresponded sooner, is that so much has been going on at Real Love Ministries International!  So many times, I wanted to tell you the stories and so many times, I had to set it aside to handle the pressing duties of the ministry.  From launching new ministries, to strengthening existing ones, to raising our organizational capacity to match the ministry on the ground, much is needed to be done.  Thank you for accepting this 3-month update in lieu of the intended monthly reports. You should see more regular updates in the future.

So besides the launch of Real Love Academy, here are some other Spring highlights:

• New Homes for Widows: In April, we also began a project to replace 2 widows homes in the village of Belladere which is in the mountains near the border with the Dominican Republic. Grant money from the Doherty Foundation supported this project. Substandard housing is prevalent throughout Haiti and among our widows.  We are attempting to address the most egregious. These homes have been replaced with concrete block homes providing bedrooms, kitchen and living area.   Beds were provided as many sleep on the ground, a mat or on metal springs.  Move in date was May 5.

   

           Above the other home being replaced &

     views of both homes completed.

• New Well: We have been dealing with dirty water for awhile now at our ministry campus.  It was finally determined to replace the well.  The contractors, Blue Ridge Christian Homes of Indiana, stood behind their original work of 6 years ago, to drill a new well at minimal cost! We are so grateful for their integrity!  Next, we will be adding a water filtration system.
  

• Having Fun: May 1 was Labor Day in Haiti.  Our children had the day off from school so, we gave them a fun day out!! They visited a museum, played at the playground, had lunch and enjoyed ice cream!! Just like you enjoy giving your family days like this, it puts a smile on our face to do the same for our family!! Thank you to our staff for planning and leading this event.

Not everything is as exciting as above but, still it's important:

• U.S. Board Retreat: The Board of Directors has met 3 times now including a 2-day retreat at our HQ in Rutherford College, NC.  The retreat allowed us to get better acquainted with each other and lay alot of necessary groundwork.  As stated earlier, it is vital that the organizational side of RLMI ramp up to match what God is doing on the ground in Haiti.  Next month, I will share some great thoughts that came out of these meetings.
• Other Projects: We are in the process in developing our new logo and communication package and substantially updating our website to better tell our story,  In addition, online accounting and donor management software is being implemented to better connect the people and resources in the US with the people and need in Haiti.  Again, this stuff is probably more exciting to us than it is to you but, it is necessary to be effective servants which is want we want to be.  Our goal is to deliver on what God is calling us to do in Haiti in partnership with the people there.
• Visibility & Partnerships: At the end of April, Jonathan Reece (US Director) and I attended the 1st Annual Haiti Collaborative of North America.  Hosted by Bethesda Teaching & Referral Hospital (which is to be built next door to our ministry campus!), this event in Lawrenceville GA brought together numerous ministries and organizations to unite in addressing the medical needs of Haiti especially, in the rural areas of the country.  In June, we will be representing RLMI at the Evangelical Methodist Church's Journey East in Salem VA.
  

          Our table display at the Haiti Collaborative.