It is amazing to ponder how much our view of the world has been changed by advances in technology and transportation.  The internet connects people from around the globe in relationships centered on business, politics, friendship, romance, common interests and new ideas.  It places information about people and events thousands of miles away right in front of us through a screen.

The improvement of travel options also means that we can be in Miami at 9 am and be in Haiti before lunch.  All of this gives us the opportunity to live “glocally”.  This term means that we can be completely engaged in our local community and choose to make an impact in the lives of people around the globe – in places like Haiti.

Jennie and I enjoy a friendship that we have invested in for years with Ben and Cheryl Pace.  They are both school teachers at Philip O’Brien Elementary School here in Lakeland.  They are amazing teachers with classrooms full of bright young children.  They also happen to share our heart for Haiti and the work that is being done through CPI and our partners.

As a result, Cheryl asked Jennie to come share with the children about life in Haiti.  Jennie came and shared pictures, told stories from previous project trips, and used objects to help the children understand a “day in the life” of a Haitian child.  In response to Jennie’s presentation, the children began collecting money to be donated through CPI to purchase food for our Haitian friends who live in a village named Chauffard.  After a few weeks of collecting funds, the children had raised over $160.00.  This money will purchase 3-50lb bags of rice that will be distributed to families in Haiti in the coming weeks.

These children are living in a glocal reality and making a glocal impact.  They live and attend school locally, but have chosen to make a global impact through a partnership with CPI.  As a result, Mrs. Pace and her 3^rd grade class are touching the lives of children and their families in Haiti.  They now join a growing community of world changers known as CPI Partners.

Are you taking advantage of the opportunity to have a “glocal” impact?

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This past weekend, CPI was able to send our Haiti Network Leader, Jonathan Capre, to Haiti to deliver relief funds and purchase food and supplies for our friends.  He was able to connect with Jean Jacques, Claude, Jeremie, Chester and Moses in Port-au-Prince.  Each of them is living in tents – along with most of the rest of the residents in the capital city who are fearful of future quakes.  Jonathan was able to assist each of them with funds to purchase food and basic supplies they needed for their families.

Jonathan then began the journey up to Chauffard.  After several hours along winding, mountainous roads, he reached the village where we have invested so much over the last two years.  The people of Chauffard were spared widespread loss of life and injury, but did sustain damage and destruction of many of their homes.  As it turns out, the church/school facility that we have constructed is only partially damaged.  The walls and temporary shelter are still intact and serving as a rally point in the community.

Jonathan delivered rice and beans that were distributed to the people of Chauffard.  He told me yesterday that the people could not believe that he came. There has been no sign of international aid in these rural communities and the people feel as if they have been forgotten.  However, Jonathan’s presence sent a clear message that we have not forgotten them and are committed to our life-long partnership with this community.

We will be traveling to Haiti in April with a small team to finalize our project plans for the Summer and to deliver more relief aid to Chauffard.  Our personal partners, along with our Church Partners (The Crossing-Clermont and FPC-Lakeland) are gearing up for HUGE impact through our Summer trips.

There are several ways for you to continue your involvement or jump in for the first time.  Here are at least three ways to be a part of our mission:

1.  We need financial resources for the work.  No apologies – great work involves great resources and you can make a huge difference through an act of generosity.  Click on the “Donating” tab to give.

2.  We need people with big hearts and willing hands to join our project teams.  Click on the “Connect” tab to fill out an online form.

3.  We also need help with projects here in the U.S. as we strengthen our home base and prepare for the future.   Click on the “Connect” tab to fill out an online form for involvement.

If you want to be involved – we can find a way to connect your heart and hands to a meaningful role in the mission.

The choice is yours – do something great with your life!

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What is the PLAN for CPI?
1.  Jonathan Capre, who leads the CIM network of churches and schools in Haiti, will be traveling to Haiti as soon as it is feasible to assess how the people of CIM have been affected by the earthquake.  We have 4 CIM churches and schools that are in Port-au-Prince and the surrounding areas.  Jonathan will be our hands and heart to these folks until we can be there. He will also be able to assess the roadways and transportation options available for teams to travel to Haiti in the next 6-8 weeks.

2.  30 – 60 days after that, we will have a small team of Personal Partners travel to Haiti to begin addressing the most pressing needs in the communities that we work in.

3.  3 – 6 months after that, we have at least 3 team trips planned with our Organizational Partners to continue our efforts and keep working our mission

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Two weeks ago we hosted the CPI-Haiti Community Dinner here in Lakeland and had over 130 people join us for an evening of music, amazing Haitian food, and an invitation to connect to our cause.

Here are some outcomes worth celebrating:
- 30 people committed to use email and/or Facebook to promote our cause
- 18 people expressed an interest in joining us for a Transforming Travel trip
- 30 people committed to pray regularly for our mission
- 5 people committed to host a small dinner or dessert social
- 6 people committed to help us connect to their local pastor regarding a church partnership with CPI
- 5 people committed to raise additional funds
- 11 people have a skill or passion that they would like to use in the mission of CPI
- 6 people expressed interest in serving on the Leadership Team or Advisory Team
- $4,000 in one-time donations
- $600/month of monthly support

Needless to say, our mission continues to gain momentum and we wanted to share some of the results with you.

We also know that many of you wanted to join us, but could not for different reasons. Therefore, you can download some of the printed materials we have created as well as the powerpoint slides from the presentation if you visit our site here.

Also notice that you can donate securely online at our website at www.cpihaiti.org.

The dream is becoming a reality.

We created CPI so that everyday people, from diverse backgrounds, with differing gifts and passions, could connect to something bigger than all of us. At one point we were in the back of this crowded room taking it all in…friends and new acquaintances were sharing a Haitian meal, talking about our mission, considering their unique point of connection and responding to the invitation to make a difference in the lives of our Haitian friends.

The movement has begun and we hope you will find new ways to connect to our cause and join a growing community of world-changers. There is a unique role that only you can play…are you in?

SEE HOW TO CONNECT TO THE CAUSE HERE.

Other quick updates include:
– CPI and The Crossing Church will be traveling to Chauffard, Haiti in December to continue our work in that community. More details to come.
– Updating our website: Donating online now available , Document downloads are now possible, Haitian Heroes (YOU and everyone involved) , the Education section has begun and is for individuals and organizations with eyes on the development field to get some of the best tips and resources for propelling their mission.

Sincerely,

Kenny and Grant
The CPI Guys
www.cpihaiti.org
www.twitter.com/cpihaiti
Facebook Cause ( http://www.causes.com/cpihaiti)

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Everyone from the “Willy Nilly” Kenscoff 2009 Haiti trip, check out this link and give this functionality a try:

http://cpihaiti.ning.com/

I also recommend both Google Picasa and Flickr because both have great interaction with our website for plug and play.

Find more photos like this on CPI Haiti Community Partnership Intl

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