Our Hearts Ache for Haiti

It seems like an impossible situation, but we can't just sit back and watch things implode.
 

Java Relief is doing something about it. We are not a big mission-based organization, NGO, or even a church with resources, but we can't just sit around and watch our friends suffer. Together with the Luken Foundation, we are trying our best to help the families in the slum of Cite Soleil through this tough situation.

Here is a text I received from Luken, a friend and hero of ours that lives in Port Au Prince, Haiti, who volunteers in the slum of Cite Soleil. I reached out and asked if there was anything we could do.

Good morning Steve,
Things are still the same, the streets are barricaded with rocks all over Haiti. There was a lot of shooting last night in my area. People are smashing windows of vehicles who try to pass by. Protesters are setting up barricades and burning tires. Businesses, schools, and even hospitals have been shut down. The crisis here in Haiti is because of the economic problems, huge government problems, fuel shortages — thus people are protesting with riots and roadblocks. It has been unbelievable!

The bottom line is that they want the President to resign, so they can run things their way. Whereas the president does not want to step down. Honestly, Steve since yesterday it has been gotten worse. I stay home to read my bible, study and pray. I believe God is in control, things are going to get better in the coming days.

Thank you and all of those who have prayed for us in Haiti. One thing I would like to do is to purchase rice, beans, and cooking oil to distribute in Cite Soleil.  They are really in a bad situation and it is getting worse and worse. People there are literally starving. I should be able to start doing that soon. Lord willing. I am waiting on God for answers.

Java Relief is partnering with our friend, Ricky Burge, (who has a heart the size of Texas) the founder of the Luken Foundation, and so far have been able to wire $3,000 to Luken. With this, we can provide over 4,000 meals. The children that live in the slum and are a part of the Luken Foundation will help prepare the food and hand it out so they can learn the importance of giving back. Local Haitians are coming in to help Luken minister to the people, which is unprecedented. Most Haitians will not go into the slum. We want the residents of Cite Soleil to know that there are people that love and care about them. 

We know that the vast majority of people in Cite Soleil did not choose to live there.  They were born into a terrible situation, just as most of us were born into a much better one. They need hope. If you pray, please pray that Luken and his team will be able to bring the food safely into Cite Soleil.

Thank you for partnering with us by your donations and purchases of Java Relief coffee and products. If we all work together we can do our part to help in what seems to be a hopeless situation. 

Thanks for your encouragement, you're a huge blessing to all of us at Java Relief coffee.

Steve Siewert

P.S. Hundreds of additional dollars continue to come in because of this post. If you want to help, go to our donate page here Donate

Brandy and Steve Siewert with Luken Erm of the Luken Foundation