The Temple of Praise, city of Hinesville and the Liberty County area raised more than $9,000 to assist with the rebuilding of three churches, an orphanage and a school in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, through the “Remembering Haiti” program on Feb. 28.
Local leaders, pastors and residents came together at the Temple of Praise for the service, which encouraged local relief efforts for Haiti and provided assistance to Pastor Michel Dijuste and the Church of God Philadelphia, an orphanage, church and school in Haiti.
Dijuste and his wife Leane Dijuste traveled from Gressier, Haiti — a small coastal town about 10 miles west of Port-au-Prince — for the program. Dijuste gave a firsthand account of the earthquake and thanked program participants for their work in rebuilding.
“You don’t see all on the TV or Internet,” Dijuste said. “I am the original and I see it in the flesh.”
The pastor told the audience his orphanage, church and school were destroyed. Six of the boys in the orphanage were trapped during the earthquake and two of them died. His ministry also lost a minister and 14 members. Helping his congregants recover and find temporary refuge are just some of the challenges that Dijuste faces upon his return to Haiti.
“It’s too late to be discouraged,” he said. “I will not turn back and I will not give up.”
Attendees were encouraged to help with relief efforts and received information about how to get involved.
Hinesville Mayor Jim Thomas told the audience the city of Hinesville wants to be part of Haiti’s recovery. “We are our brothers’ keepers,” he said.
Dr. Peggy Rayman of the Coastal Georgia School of Missions, Patty Sauvé of Hands on Haiti and Pastor Kevin L. Betton of Temple of Praise also addressed the crowd.
Betton, whose church works with the Church of God Philadelphia, said the program was necessary to bring awareness to the need for support of relief efforts.
“It shouldn’t take a travesty like Haiti for us to recognize the need to give,” he said. “There are people in Haiti and near us that need us. Even in your poverty, find it in your heart to give. Look beyond your own needs and see a greater need.”
For information on the “Remembering Haiti” program call Sheletta Beverly at 876-6369 or e-mail templepraise@clds.net.
For information on the “Hinesville Help Haiti” campaign, call Krystal Britton at 876-3564 or e-mail kbritton@cityofhinesville.org.
Local leaders, pastors and residents came together at the Temple of Praise for the service, which encouraged local relief efforts for Haiti and provided assistance to Pastor Michel Dijuste and the Church of God Philadelphia, an orphanage, church and school in Haiti.
Dijuste and his wife Leane Dijuste traveled from Gressier, Haiti — a small coastal town about 10 miles west of Port-au-Prince — for the program. Dijuste gave a firsthand account of the earthquake and thanked program participants for their work in rebuilding.
“You don’t see all on the TV or Internet,” Dijuste said. “I am the original and I see it in the flesh.”
The pastor told the audience his orphanage, church and school were destroyed. Six of the boys in the orphanage were trapped during the earthquake and two of them died. His ministry also lost a minister and 14 members. Helping his congregants recover and find temporary refuge are just some of the challenges that Dijuste faces upon his return to Haiti.
“It’s too late to be discouraged,” he said. “I will not turn back and I will not give up.”
Attendees were encouraged to help with relief efforts and received information about how to get involved.
Hinesville Mayor Jim Thomas told the audience the city of Hinesville wants to be part of Haiti’s recovery. “We are our brothers’ keepers,” he said.
Dr. Peggy Rayman of the Coastal Georgia School of Missions, Patty Sauvé of Hands on Haiti and Pastor Kevin L. Betton of Temple of Praise also addressed the crowd.
Betton, whose church works with the Church of God Philadelphia, said the program was necessary to bring awareness to the need for support of relief efforts.
“It shouldn’t take a travesty like Haiti for us to recognize the need to give,” he said. “There are people in Haiti and near us that need us. Even in your poverty, find it in your heart to give. Look beyond your own needs and see a greater need.”
For information on the “Remembering Haiti” program call Sheletta Beverly at 876-6369 or e-mail templepraise@clds.net.
For information on the “Hinesville Help Haiti” campaign, call Krystal Britton at 876-3564 or e-mail kbritton@cityofhinesville.org.