A Kansas family helps to replace a church that was destroyed in an earthquake.

On January 12th, 2010 Haiti suffered a massive 7.0 earthquake. Since that day Star of Hope has been active in recovery and rebuilding. Six new schools have been built. Local communities have received assistance and lives have been rebuilt.

According to the Star of Hope organization, on Dec 1, 2013 a new church campus in Rigaud, Haiti, was dedicated by the community. The new complex was made possible because of a family in Kansas. Bessie DeWerff of Ellinwood, Kansas traveled to Haiti to represent the donor family for the inauguration.

The funds provided by the donor family made it possible to build a structure and campus that brought great joy to the people. The earthquake had turned the simple church building they had built decades ago into a mere shell of a building.

Once construction began, it progressed quickly and efficiently.

In less than six months the old building was razed, the property cleaned, fenced and construction completed, all by hand labor. The only power tool the local workers had to use was a gasoline powered cement mixer. More than 125 jobs were had during the construction. These local jobs meant much to the families in the area who subsist on meager day wages and gardening.

During the dedication service Pastor Sampson Pierre used a passage from Exodus where God had seen the plight of His people, He heard their cries and He had the power to deliver them from their plight. The pastor reminded the people that the same happened in Rigaud. God saw, God heard their cries, and in His time He provided.

Église de Dieu de Rigaud serves as a church home to some 500 people. In addition the church hosts a school of 900 students, supported by Star of Hope donors around the world. They provide services for all in the community, from children though the elderly. The people take their responsibility within the community seriously and the church is an important influence.

The entire church congregation asked Bessie DeWerff to carry back word of their appreciation and thankfulness to the LD & Marilyn Davis family of Great Bend, Kansas, for making it possible. One of the other congregations who lost their building in the earthquake sent their pastor to the dedication. He addressed the people of Rigaud, reminding them of the great responsibility they have to use the church complex to help people and to spread the gospel message.

Mr. Barry Borror, president of Star of Hope, said “God always provides in His timing. Star of Hope is humbled to be used to connect people who want to help with those in need.”