Lives are changed when a new road paves the way for men and women to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior
By Nicole Higgins, whose husband, Robert, serves as a heavy equipment operator for the demolition and reconstruction team in Haiti
“Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow” (Psalm 25:4, NLT).
The demolition and reconstruction team worked in the city of Leogane rebuilding a main thoroughfare during the month of April. The road provides access to schools, churches, and small and large businesses.
The new street will help many people in the community, among them Marie Yolette and Nanelle Alceus.
Marie owns a small roadside food stand on Darbonne Road. Before Samaritan’s Purse arrived, Marie never knew how many lunches she would sell.
“Darbonne Road used to be full of potholes making driving hard,” she said. “People did not stop at my stand.”
Since her business is the only source of income for her family, the construction of the road has had a huge affect on Marie’s life. Business picked up when the demolition and reconstruction team bought lunch there each day. After the work was finished, traffic on the road increased and she had even more customers. Now she is able to support her daughter, Chelda, and two grandchildren, Christela and Woodensly.
She appreciates the support the demolition and reconstruction team has given to her business.
“When Samaritan’s Purse fixed the road, travel became easier,” she said. “I am happy to have the improvements.”
Robert Moore, the demolition and reconstruction program manager, gave Marie a Creole Bible. She is so thankful for the gift.
“I sleep with my Bible,” Marie said. “It guides and protects me daily.”
Nanelle has also been impacted by the work of Samaritan’s Purse. He lives in Leogane and works along the river collecting rocks to sell as foundation material for houses. He digs with a hand pick, piles his stones into one area, then loads the dump trucks.
His job became easier when Samaritan’s Purse arrived, because the heavy equipment operators uncovered stones to be gathered. Community members like Nanelle struggle daily to make a living so after we began working there their livelihoods became much better.
Nanelle is 33 and supports a wife and two children. It usually takes two days to gather enough rocks to fill a single-axle dump truck, and he earns $25 per truck he loads.
“I am thankful to Samaritan’s Purse for allowing us to work next to them,” he said. “Robert allows us to collect the rocks after he digs. This makes my work easier.”
Robert Higgins, a heavy equipment operator, gave Nanelle a Creole Bible just as our teams did with Marie.
“Thank you, friend,” Nanelle said with a big smile. “I know God gives me life and health to work. I am thankful for the Bible. I can read God’s Word to my family.”
Marie and Nanelle are valuable assets to their families and community. Working with the demolition and reconstruction team has been a blessing to them.
“Samaritan’s Purse is doing a great job. I appreciate the service you are doing for my community,” Nanelle said.
