This is all that is left of the college in Haiti. A few of the new Bishop's Storehouse drivers were attending before the earthquake. Now it will take years before they can graduate.
The following pictures are of some of the many friends Neal has made. Their stories are all amazing yet tragic but they remain ever faithful and positive. What great examples!This is Bien Aime Hubermann. He is the manager of the Bishop's storehouse. Neal says he loves to say "Anything is possible." He is a returned missionary, married to a returned missionary and they have one child. He is a former bishop, counselor in the stake presidency and worked as an accountant before the earthquake.
Jean Phillippe Carrier. He is a driver for the storehouse, married to a returned missionary and will be sealed to his wife and little girl in March if they can earn the money for the trip to the DR where the temple is. He was attending the college in accounting before the school caved in and now lives in a tent with his family next to their destroyed home.
The following is an e-mail that Neal asked me to post. It is about a welfare meeting they recently held. From what I gather, Neal was present at this meeting which is why he sent me this but it is written in the words of another of the church employees who is in Haiti as well.
Jean Phillippe Carrier. He is a driver for the storehouse, married to a returned missionary and will be sealed to his wife and little girl in March if they can earn the money for the trip to the DR where the temple is. He was attending the college in accounting before the school caved in and now lives in a tent with his family next to their destroyed home.
The following is an e-mail that Neal asked me to post. It is about a welfare meeting they recently held. From what I gather, Neal was present at this meeting which is why he sent me this but it is written in the words of another of the church employees who is in Haiti as well.
"I wanted to describe what happened in the welfare committee meeting last Friday evening. It was one of the best experiences in my welfare career.
All of the committee members were present. They truly counseled together, meaning that everyone took the opportunity to contribute. For our American tastes, it may have seemed a bit chaotic, because they would often talk over each other or at the same time. But this is the Haitian way. The sisters were full participants in the matters that required their input. Each personality was evident (agressive, quite, humorous). The Spirit was present.
All matters of business were handled and decisions were made. Scriptures were quoted and statements by the Brethren referred to. The most involved discussion iwas on the issue of who should be helped. One stake president suggested that only active members should be helped. A sister reminded them that the widow and the orphan must be taken care of. Another committee member described a case where a less active father had been touched by all that has happened and has been going to Church. Another quoted scripture on the bishop's responsibility to seek out the poor.They all agreed that the matter should be left in the hands of the bishops with proper training.
They determined that a meeting with all the bishops, Relief Society presidents, and elders' quorum presidents would be held this coming Tuesday at 4 pm. The subjects to be covered are: 1) assesing needs doing a needs and resource analysis, 2) instruction by the Relief Society on using the bishop's order form, and 3) the bishops' responsibility to seek out the poor.
In all of their plans for each aspect of the effort, they were making assignments to have Haitians involved with our efforts so they could act on their own as soon as possible.
We all have had experiences in councils and have seen it work. This was beautiful to watch.
After the meeting I had a few operating questions for the key committee members. I felt impressed to tell them the following. The welfare program in the Unted States developed over several years. The circumstance these leaders face has required them to implement the full program in one month ("0" to "60" in seconds). I bore themtestimony that THEY WERE DOING IT. They have established emergency shelters, organized for medical treatment services, established a storehouse, started a vast employment program, and are looking forward to trauma counseling training for the bishops and others and working on providing transitional housing according to approved guidelines. I expressed by wonder and gratitude. They expressed their gratitude for our combined help.
My description in words does not do justice to the reality. I have every confidence that they will be able to do this work on their own. Will there be mistakes, of course. But the overall direction is sound. Thanks for listening."
All of the committee members were present. They truly counseled together, meaning that everyone took the opportunity to contribute. For our American tastes, it may have seemed a bit chaotic, because they would often talk over each other or at the same time. But this is the Haitian way. The sisters were full participants in the matters that required their input. Each personality was evident (agressive, quite, humorous). The Spirit was present.
All matters of business were handled and decisions were made. Scriptures were quoted and statements by the Brethren referred to. The most involved discussion iwas on the issue of who should be helped. One stake president suggested that only active members should be helped. A sister reminded them that the widow and the orphan must be taken care of. Another committee member described a case where a less active father had been touched by all that has happened and has been going to Church. Another quoted scripture on the bishop's responsibility to seek out the poor.They all agreed that the matter should be left in the hands of the bishops with proper training.
They determined that a meeting with all the bishops, Relief Society presidents, and elders' quorum presidents would be held this coming Tuesday at 4 pm. The subjects to be covered are: 1) assesing needs doing a needs and resource analysis, 2) instruction by the Relief Society on using the bishop's order form, and 3) the bishops' responsibility to seek out the poor.
In all of their plans for each aspect of the effort, they were making assignments to have Haitians involved with our efforts so they could act on their own as soon as possible.
We all have had experiences in councils and have seen it work. This was beautiful to watch.
After the meeting I had a few operating questions for the key committee members. I felt impressed to tell them the following. The welfare program in the Unted States developed over several years. The circumstance these leaders face has required them to implement the full program in one month ("0" to "60" in seconds). I bore themtestimony that THEY WERE DOING IT. They have established emergency shelters, organized for medical treatment services, established a storehouse, started a vast employment program, and are looking forward to trauma counseling training for the bishops and others and working on providing transitional housing according to approved guidelines. I expressed by wonder and gratitude. They expressed their gratitude for our combined help.
My description in words does not do justice to the reality. I have every confidence that they will be able to do this work on their own. Will there be mistakes, of course. But the overall direction is sound. Thanks for listening."
This post, not unlike the others, has touched my heart. Reading these people's stories is almost like a modern day pioneers story. The troubles they have faced and continue to face yet their testimonies stay strong and continue to grow. Others (like us) hear their stories and our testimonies spark and grow. I would love nothing more than to be able to have the money to send Jean Phillippe Carrier and his family to the temple. I donot have extra money but I would love to add him and his family to my prayers. I hope for them to be sealed soon.
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