Our Story...
Our story began in 2004 when a friend of James Burch told him about flooding in the already impoverished city of Gonaives, Haiti.
The resulting mud and shards of broken debris presented one particular immediate need -shoes for the orphaned children. There are thousands of orphans in Gonaives. The disease and injuries could be prevented by simply protecting their feet! The effort to coordinate the collection and distribution of shoes began in Florida and culminated in a trip to Gonaives. In August, 2006, the missionaries Thomas Staples, Sidney Jennings, and James Burch brought suitcases of shoes to some of the children, and with the money they had left over, began feeding them as well. The need was so great -- and their hearts and hands so receptive to God's will -- that the Holy Spirit guided them to continue their mission and create a small orphanage over the next two years. The flooding caused by tropical storm Jeanne in 2004 continues its long lasting devastation to this day. Three additional storms and Hurricane Hannah added to the chaos and devastation in Gonaives in the fall of this year, 2008. Jubilee Blanc, "a squatters' city" on a salt flat in Gonaives, has become a place for the poorest of the poor, and is home to hundreds of children and women widowed by the floods. But there is hope, even there. By 2007 the Enfold ministry had grown enough to be able to feed 200+ children a meal, once a day. Due to increasing numbers we had to turn away children. This presented a challenge of expanding facilities to help even more children. Other ministries stepped in and expanded the feeding program and created new ones. God provided a 2000 square foot building which housed and fed 27 orphans on a permanent basis. However, it was made uninhabitable by the flood waters of the 2008 storms and the rescued orphans were temporarily taken in by another ministry in Port-au-Prince . Goals include leasing or building a transition building in Jubilee Blanc and for the continued networking with and support of another orphanage located 70 miles away in Port au Prince. As these 70 miles of travel take 5 to 6 hours on really bad roads, we also pray for a rugged vehicle, medicine, and the leadership and commitment of a "man of God on the ground" at all times. The foundations of an education program, previously an unreal dream, are being laid with the help of many volunteers, Haitian missionaries, and supporters both in the United States and in Haiti. It's a huge undertaking. The city is remote and far from the usual sources of aid. But Enfold Ministry is gaining ground. As we spread the word about the beautiful children of Gonaives, even some people of the larger cities in Haiti are beginning to offer help and services from their own meager resources. The blessings of God are infinite when we all use our talents and services in the name of Christ! We welcome gifts of all amounts and types, especially your prayers! Your service and donations to our ministry serves the least of our brothers in Christ, by whose will and grace we enfold all of His children. Click here to help.