Trust in the Lord with all thy heart….
Thank you for praying, the LORD filled our calendar !
Mary and I spent January and the first part of February doing some much needed maintenance projects on Sea Hope and then we went to North Carolina to attend the WGCR Share A Thon at Anchor Baptist. We were greatly blessed to hear some tremendous preaching and music, and enjoy fellowship with new and old friends.
During this time the political and security situation in Haiti deteriorated to unimaginable levels when the Prime Minister left the country. The gangs united and essentially started a civil war in the capital city of Port au Prince and cut off food and fuel distribution throughout the country. On Thursday of the Share A Thon week, February 29, we were contacted by Jan Milton of Operation Renewed Hope about conducting an emergent food relief mission to churches in Jacmel. We readily agreed. Another donor graciously offered to help as well and we loaded SEA HOPE with approximately 47,000 pounds of beans, rice, and cooking oil. This trip took place March 19 - 23rd. We were also told of a church in the mountains near Jacmel that was in desperate need. Beraca Baptist ( Pastor Kerlando Jerome) is so isolated there are no roads for vehicles to reach the church, and the food was taken up the mountain using pack mules.
Shortly after returning from this trip, we took Sea Hope in early April to Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands for the annual haul out period. The hull was cleaned, inspected, and new anti-fouling paint was put on. Overall, the hull was in great shape. Since then, by God’s grace, with clean propellors and a clean bottom, we have made record improvements not only in speed but in fuel economy. While in the shipyard we also completed several projects on the interior of the boat. This was really a productive time.
During the return from our March Haiti trip, Kevin Falde of Parakaleo Haiti contacted me about carrying food to be distributed to several churches in the mountains between Jacmel, Haiti and the Dominican border. Valerie Stancil with International Orphanages and Schools wanted to send some food and supplies to their Children’s Home in Petit Goave as well. We contacted Joeth Strickland of Crossing All Borders to see if she could help supply some of the items to the Children’s Home and she stepped up in a huge way. Medical Missions Outreach helped us with shipping. Anchor Baptist sent down three men to be on the crew. Calvary Baptist Tabernacle in Carolina loaned us their van to help with crew transportation in Puerto Rico. Three other churches here in Puerto Rico either helped by providing supplies or helped with loading the ship. When all was said and done, at least 13 ministries came together to produce the largest load Sea Hope has ever carried. Over 1500 people were touched by this load, stretching from Les Cayes to the border of Dominican Republic.
We are reaching a lot of people in southern Haiti, but are looking for any way to get into northern Haiti. Please help us pray for a clear path that would allow us to help the people of the north.
The weather forecasters are predicting a very active hurricane season for the Caribbean. Please pray that God will protect Sea Hope from the storms, and that we will be able to aid any island churches that are impacted.
Serving HIM Joyfully
Buddy and Mary Puryear