A young boy named Eddy Constant lived on a moutain above the Ravine de Sud. His family could not afford to feed him, but a woman many called “Grandma,” seeing his need, quietly gave him scraps of food behind her shack. An act reflecting the love of Jesus when no one else would. Around the age of nine, Eddy went to an orphanage near Torbeck, about 18 miles away. There he excelled in school, supported by a sponsor in the United States who gave him the opportunity to attend King’s College in the U.S. Despite the chance to build a comfortable life abroad, he returned to his home in Haiti, determined to help his people.

In 2010, a massive earthquake devastated Haiti, and a volunteer from Iowa named Ken DeYoung flew medical supplies into Les Cayes, a village on the Southern side of the country, about 4 miles from Torbeck. On the very last trip, Ken asked if someone could show him around the city because he hadn’t left the airport. Eddy, who was working for the United Nations at the time, was there waiting there for him. To this day, Eddy has no idea why he ended up there. It was as if God placed him there.

From that moment, God began to open doors for world change that began in Haiti but would blaze life amidst the midwesterners whose hearts went out to the vulnerable. The desire to rebuild in the aftermath of the earthquake was partnered with an engineer’s ingenuity to create something that would become a harbinger of hope. The innovative solution was to convert grain-bin style structures into earthquake-resistant homes called the “Safe T Home,” designed & manufactured by Sukup Manufacturing in Sheffield, IA. The family-owned & operated company worked with GoServ Global to build the first “Village of Hope,” with the support of people around the U.S. Hundreds of people joined in Eddy’s cause to share the love of Jesus and help the people of Haiti.

In 2012, Hurricane Sandy hit and destroyed Eddy’s beloved hometown. In prayer and faith, the decision was made to build the grain bin homes up the mountain away from the ravine’s flood zone. There was no road to the top, so villagers and volunteers carried pieces by hand uphill, tons of metal brought there by their sweat & strength. With machetes, pick-axes, and shovels they eventually carved out a path for a dump truck. That road stands today.

In the end, nineteen Safe T Home® structures were built atop the mountain. Grandma, who had

generously loved Eddy when he was a boy, was given a safe and secure home of her own. When asked what to name the new village, Eddy replied without hesitation, “John 3:16.”

We continue to see God bless this place. A family inheritance was used to create a memorial there that would impact generations to come: a church building. Many continue to be baptized and spread the love of Jesus. Throughout Southern Haiti, Eddy and those by his side take steps of faith that all began because of the woman who shone God’s love.