As believers we are called to be the hands and feet of God, sometimes it is obvious when we are to step-in, but sometimes we miss out, due to a number of reasons. However, on our build trip to the Dominican Republic last week the Lord made it obvious to several team members individually, that He wanted us to intervene on behalf a local man named Vitale (pictured on right). So we started to pray. Vitale is Haitian and a humble man who lives right between the two new homes we were building. He is a faithful servant in his church and a trainer in Empowering Action’s Abundant Life program (which teaches community members simple solutions that will impact their health and develop economic empowerment). Vitale also has been a faithful volunteer on Paradigm home builds never asking for help, though his living conditions were one of the worst that we have seen in the DR.
His one-room home is made of scrap metal and bits of wood, a blaring contrast to the stable homes we were building. There was no floor and most of it was exposed to the outdoors. All of his belongings were heaped into a pile in the middle of the room so that if it rains and water came in from under the walls, only the items at the bottom of the pile would get wet. His bible set atop of the pile. He has no bathroom, water or basic utilities and uses a fire at night for light.
So we posted the video and call to action on social media, soon after, the Lord revealed why He stirred our hearts. We learned that Vitale’s wife had passed away the week before and he had just sent the savings that he had to Haiti, to help with her funeral costs. He had been planning to use that money to install a new roof on his home. God not only moved us to share this man’s story but He also moved in your hearts to give generously! Our goal was to raise $4,000 to be able to provide a concrete floor and rebuild his home the best we could. Because of the Lord’s goodness and your faithfulness to His calling, we are excited to share that we raised enough in 3 days to provide Vitale with a whole brand new home!!! Praise God for His mercy and compassion and always giving us more than we can ask or imagine!
THANK YOU for your generosity and walking with us as we serve people like Vitale. We truly could not do what we do without our ministry supporters. It is an honor to serve with you in the name and love of Jesus and we look forward to sharing build updates on Vitale’s new home in the near future!
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” ~Ephesians 3:20,21
