January 2011 Update
Vapor Around the World
As you read this, I am in Haiti assisting our project manager in preliminary work necessary to the establishment of a center here. Truly, we are in the middle of tremendous spiritual and physical need. Three days after I return from Haiti, my wife and I will fly with a group of Americans to West Africa to be a part of the opening of a center initiated over two years ago. I stand today in Haiti as I stood two years ago in West Africa, praying God will do here what he has done there. As I step back, I marvel at God's providence in the life of this cause. Come with me on a Vapor tour around the world.Kawangware Slum Center
Our indigenous staff is entering their fifth year of center oversight, where disciple-making and humanitarian outreach is as strong as ever. This center provides jobs for 30 local paid staff that are assisted by a volunteer cast of 20. Thousands of people are touched weekly by the ministry in Kawangware.The humanitarian outreach in Kawangware includes high capacity water relief, education sponsorship, organic family feeding assistance, disease prevention and detection training, family medical aide and more. The sports ministry outreach operates five days a week and facilitates life-on-life mentoring for 900 young people. Since 2005, literally thousands have come to faith in Christ. We currently have three micro-businesses in Kawangware.
In 2011, our focus in Kawangware is to improve existing micro-businesses and establish additional in-country revenue streams in order to cover local operational costs.
Gichagi Slum Center
Our indigenous staff is entering their first year of center oversight. This center employs 14 locals and has 35 volunteers. We currently have two fledgling micro-businesses in Gichagi.The humanitarian outlets in Gichagi are similar to Kawangware, but are in earlier stages of execution. The large-scale sports outreach is about to begin and will include both a running and soccer ministry. Though the leagues have not yet started, many adults have come to follow Christ over the last two years as a result of disciple-making efforts associated with getting the center planned and developed.
In 2011, our focus in Gichagi is to initiate and implement our first year of large-scale outreach.
Togoville Center
Our indigenous staff will be entering their first year of oversight. This center employes 17 locals and has 25 volunteers. We currently have one micro-business established in Togoville.Our Togoville center hosts the humanitarian outreach components of our other centers, with the addition of an agricultural/nutritional assistance element. The area's population is estimated to be less than 1 percent evangelical Christian. Strong voodoo roots have led to multiple child sacrifices even within the last few months. To date, 78 adults have found hope in Christ and are in spiritual formation groups. The center will officially open to the public Feb. 19.
In 2011, our focus in Togoville is to turn over leadership to our established indigenous team.
Quanaminthe, Haiti Center
We are actively pursuing land and are working out the logistics necessary to establish a center in Quanimenthe, Haiti. We have solidified our partnership with a key church in the area and are putting together cost estimates for the center as we speak.Our field representatives/missionaries will be moving into the area March 10, 2011. This regional center is key to the establishment of additional outreach centers across Haiti in the coming years. The aftermath of the Jan. 2010 earthquake has created levels of complexity we have not faced before. Please pray for us as we negotiate through the many human needs, as well with rising costs, as we move forward with this pivotal project.
In 2011, our focus in Quanaminthe is to establish a new center for humanitarian aid and sustainable life change in Haiti.
As we look around the world and see the great need, we also see the potential made possible by our great God. Thank you for all you do to help this cause. We greatly appreciate you.
