Haiti

I want to give everyone a little update on how things are going with missions:
Trip Prep: We have had two Haiti meetings and it's been awesome to meet the amazing people that are going to be going on this trip. Our team training meetings start next Saturday and will continue through March. These meetings will be for all trips, to help prepare us for cultural difference, spiritual warfare, etc. I'm really excited to get the South Africa team together for the first time and meet everyone that's going!
Financial: First off, I want to give a BIG thank you to everyone that's given already. It means so much to me that you would be willing to contribute to something that is so important to me and I pray God blesses you for it! I know I am so blessed to have you all in my life! <3 With that being said, I still have $ 3,200 to raise as soon as possible. I know that seems like a huge number (trust me , I know!) but every bit, not matter how small, helps a lot and adds up fast. 
Lastly, I wanted to share some things about Haiti with you so you know a little more what you are giving to and praying for.


-Haiti is the #1 poorest country in the western hemisphere and ranks 2nd to last for the highest amount of people living in poverty {in the world}.

-Haiti's population is 9,719,932 in an area of 27,560 sq km. To put that in comparison, that's a little smaller than the state of Maryland. Maryland's population is 5,699,478.

- 40% of Haiti's population is under the age of 14

- over 50% of the population practices Voodoo

- Over 50% of the population cannot read or write

- Haiti ranks 181 out of 190 countries in life expectancy

-only 50% of Haiti's population has access to clean water

-chronic malnutrition affects 24% of the children under 5, that number goes as high as 40% in some areas

- Inflation has become a big problem in Haiti: 40 Gourde to 1 of our dollars

-Before the earthquake there were 6,000 registered voodoo priests, there are now 300.

The bottom line is- the people of Haiti are people too. They have the same wants and needs as us.They have emotions, just like we do. They were fearfully and wonderfully made by God, just like we were. They aren't just something we can forget about, they're real, and they need us.