Hope for Haiti: December 2009

Monday, December 28, 2009

Remote Travels

One of the 7 churches and 5 schools Marcel oversees is called Bataille. It's quite a trip to get there. Click on the title above "Remote Travels" for a sample of what it takes. Our team from a few weeks ago spent an overnight there, coming back weary but oh so filled. A impromptu worship time to rival any was enjoyed while with these very special people. The 4 minute slide show/video is worth checking out.

Saturday, December 26, 2009

Along a mountain Road

These mountains in Haiti hold far more than what is seen at a quick glance. People are everywhere, scratching out a living trying to put a meal a day on their "table".

"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me." Matthew 25:35 & 36

Scripture has come to life, shall I pass by on the other side of the road? Tugging at my heart!

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Marcel with December Team

Kansas, Colorado, Tennessee and of course St Marc, Haiti are represented in this team. The Lord blessed us to be able to come together Dec 5th to the 12th, meeting up with Marcel. Helping with roofing, clean up of new classrooms, visiting 5 of the 7 churches that Marcel oversees, worship, prayer and much more describes our week together. Our trip to Bataille a remote church/school was a highlight for everyone. The trip to Bataille involved a ride first to Fond Baptist area on top of a mountain. Bataille is reached by hiking down to the river basin about 3500 to 4000 feet below on very steep terrain. It was worth every step! Power and running water (other than the river) are only an imagination in this area. The church had been converted to our bed and breakfast which included rock and mud walls, dirt floor and some of the grandest hospitality found anywhere. A impromptu worship service with drums, voices and dance stirred our souls... Watch for more in the days to come.

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Dec 2009 Trip

Just to the right is a link to a slide show from our recent trip to Charrette, Haiti near St Marc, or you may click on the title "Dec 2009 Trip" above. 360 students now call this as well as the church next door their school. Most of the students had been meeting outside in good and bad weather. Thanks to all who made this possible.

Hope for Haiti the story..

Hope for Haiti was Incorporated January 25th, 1993 and is a registered 501(3)(c) non profit organization that was established on January 23rd, 1995. Jon and Diane Seitz as well as Tim Whorl founded Hope for Haiti with the intention of “Promotion of giving and contributions to provide relief for needy Haitians”. Hope for Haiti was founded in Glen Rock, Pennsylvania. In 2008, most of the administrative and logistical services were moved to Chattanooga, Tennessee with Jon and Diane still providing oversight for Hope for Haiti from Pennsylvania.
In 1990 Jon and Diane Seitz planned a trip to Haiti with their daughter. Just before their departure their daughter came down with Chicken Pox and plans were changed allowing a door to be opened. Their travels went forward but with a empty seat as their daughter stayed home. On the flight into Haiti, their first, the passenger that filled that seat would forever change not only their lives but many others as well. Being their first trip into Haiti this passenger was concerned that they make the connection at the airport and the journey had begun. They swapped contact information and the rest is now history in the making. 1991 brought another trip back into Haiti for Jon then in 1992 Tim went with Jon and talk started about setting up this ministry. While visiting in 1992 the conversation was started about the possibility of child sponsorship for helping insure that children be able to attend school. After arriving back in the states the paperwork was drawn up and filed to incorporate Hope for Haiti as a Domestic Nonprofit Corporation. The trips continued and after seeing the needs from year to year at Bois Neuf Church/School their contact invited them to a nearby community called Charrette. Charrette sits above St Marc in what might be called foothills with a partial view of the bay below. This had opened another door and the tent pegs were about to be expanded. Hope for Haiti's focus had been primarily with Bois Neuf and now it seemed good to reach out beyond there. 1998 there was a stirring going on and a community that was mocking the people of the church saying “where is your God?” was about to change. Charrette church would soon be meeting inside a building instead of under a tree. A trip was organized and planned and in 1999 a Youth Group from Pennsylvania brought much encouragement by working right alongside their brothers and sisters in Christ building what is now the Church/School at Charrette. This was the beginning of a new season for Hope for Haiti and how it would be challenged to continue to reach beyond anything that could have been imagined in those early days. Working alongside a Pastor and Friend that is passionate about God and helping others has and is making this a labor of love. The ministry in Haiti “Evangelical Living Water Ministry of Haiti” or EMEVI has now expanded to include 7 churches and schools with around 1200 students. Today Hope for Haiti continues with it's mission to Promote the giving and contributions to provide relief for needy Haitians. Many have come alongside and through their generosity people's lives are being touched and changed. Teams continue to go providing encouragement and hands to help. Buildings are being built, jobs are created, medical clinics and of course children are being sponsored and educated. Remember that empty seat on the plane? Well Marcel Destine continues to touch many lives and is making a difference. You never know when that divine appointment may come or where it might lead, that is still a work in process.

Hope for Haiti...

a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, located in Glen Rock, PA, with administrative and logistic functions being handled in Chattanooga, TN, works with the ministry EMEVI (Evangelical Living Water Ministry of Haiti). Marcel Destine oversees EMEVI which includes 7 churches, 5 of which are also schools, and are located in and around St Marc, Haiti. We pray this may be used to get the word out to those whose hearts are being tugged on, to come alongside some of the poorest people on earth. Hope for Haiti raises support through sponsorship of children which helps provide for schooling, meals and supplies for schooling. EMEVI info. You might want to check out the video clips for a further explanation of the ministries of EMEVI and Hope for Haiti.