Pastor Lesly Bertrand

Hurricane Matthew Damage

November 2, 2016 by Tripp Atkinson

The following is a letter from Pastor Lesly in Haiti, describing the most urgent needs at this time. We will have a team on the ground soon helping address some of these needs. Thanks for your support.

Solidarity with God’s People in Haiti after the Hurricane Matthew

I want to take this opportunity to thank you for your prayers for our people in Haiti during and following Hurricane Matthew. It was a terrible hurricane that hit Haiti four weeks ago. I am taking this opportunity to write you on behalf of the people of the Southern peninsula of Haiti. Haiti is divided unto ten geographical departments… the Southern peninsula contains by itself four departments and all those four departments were devastated by Hurricane Matthew. In the Southern peninsula, we have two church buildings that were destroyed, including the homes of two pastors and many of their church members are homeless. They are not only homeless, but they lost everything they had because the hurricane wiped out crops, killed farm animal that fed several families in mountain and the rural areal so they are now empty hands.

For those reason and because of the love of God we cannot stay silent without helping them. The word of God says in 1 John 3:17-18 ” If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.”

I would like to count on your prayers for the people who are now being struct with the epidemic of cholera which affected areas after the hurricane. I also ask you to help build the houses of two pastors which were destroyed. I would like to ask you to consider arranging some teams of workers to come and help us to rebuild the two church buildings that were destroyed as well some other infrastructures.

My goals is to establish immediately gardens like corn, vegetable and beans in order to help to feed the people and the animals. We would like to establish a goat and chicken family project and distribute some goats and chicken to families in order they can raise and replace some farm animals.

I would like to establish a feeding program as soon as possible for the children who are in great difficulty to feed themselves and live. I believe the children are really in great need of social support from America.

If you feel the Lord leads you to help us accomplish one or more of these objectives and goals, it will be great.

For the cause of Christ,

Pastor Lesly Bertrand.

Hurricane Matthew Update

October 4, 2016 by Tripp Atkinson

This is a message we just received from Pastor Lesly. Thanks for your continued prayers for Haiti and the children/staff of Grace Children’s Home. Know that as we learn more, we will organize resources to help however we can.

Dear Dr. Bruce :

Thank you for your concern about us. At this point we are fine at the orphanage home and all the boys are fine and very well but we are still under the hurricane and it could leave the country at noon before it get Jamaica and Cuba tomorrow night. Right now we are under strong and violent wind and a lot of rain. There is flooding in our village, water is almost 3 feet but our property is safe from the water, the southern of Haiti is worst. We have 3 churches there and it is very difficult to communicate with them. Pray for us because after the hurricane we are going to experience epidemic it could be more worst than the hurricane. It is something common in Haiti after any major hurricane where many people died in epidemic. I think we will need some help for our people in the south, please think how if you can organize a team may be November or next year to help rebuild.

Blessings I will keep you informed.

Pastor Lesly

Urgent Prayer Request!

March 19, 2012 by Tripp Atkinson

Dear Haiti Orphan Foundation Family,

It is with great sadness that we share an urgent prayer request with you. In the early hours of Sunday, March 18, the security of the Grace Children’s Home in Haiti was compromised by burglars who were apparently looking to take advantage of a slow time of activity at the home. The security guard, Abela Elifete, was shot and killed during the robbery. Pastor Lesly, his wife, his daughter, and a male employee were all assaulted in the process of the men demanding money that was not available. We are thankful that none of the children of the GCH were physically injured in any way.

We have already offered to help Pastor Lesly greatly increase the perimeter security of the GCH and have helped pay for National Police to protect the home until a professional security company can be contracted. Ensuring the safety to all at the Grace Children’s Home and all who visit is of paramount importance. Please pray with us for Pastor Lesly and his family, the children, staff of the GCH, and the Elifete family. We realize that wounds heal fairly quickly but the emotional strain remains far longer. We have asked the church to provide additional spiritual and emotional support for the children as they attempt to restore a sense of normalcy.

In no way does this senseless act deter our mission or work in Haiti. In fact, it furthers our resolve and is a strong reminder of the harsh reality the children endure everyday. We thank you for your continued support of the Haiti Orphan Foundation and the Grace Children’s Home. May we all stand steadfast in the comfort of God’s love and grace as we endure this tragedy.

Under Christ’s Grace,

Board of Haiti Orphan Foundation