Hope for Haiti: February 2013

Monday, February 11, 2013

Banana Leaf

“Jesus replied, ‘And you experts in the law, woe to you, because you load people down with burdens they can hardly carry, and you yourselves will not lift one finger to help them’” (Luke 11:46).

Have you carried a bucket on your head? Haitians carry buckets and pots on their head. Sometimes, they take a banana leaf and wrap it into a circle and put it between their bucket and their head. The load is stabilized. The girl in the blue shirt in the center of the picture has a banana leaf under her bucket.

Maybe you have not carried a bucket on your head before. Maybe it is too much to carry. However, as believers we can supply help to those who are carrying the buckets. Think of it like giving them a banana leaf. Rather than doing something that is awkward, like carrying a bucket by yourself, maybe God is asking for you to give a “banana leaf.”

What is your banana leaf? What kicks your passion into gear? Most likely, that’s your banana leaf. What would help lighten the load, rather than increase burdens?

By Mollie Bond

Friday, February 8, 2013

Teams and more

Many have responded to a nudging to go to Haiti. There is certainly no monopoly here but just a sampling of what's taken place and a small part of the ministry in Haiti called EMEVI.

Click on the image for the rest of the show.

www.hopeforhaiti.ws

Friday, February 1, 2013

2013-02 Newsletter

Hope for Haiti Newsletter February 2013

Here we are already into February. What will the days ahead hold? First a glimpse back then we will see what’s on the horizon.

Month’s of donations gather in a garage piled high creating a path of their own. At some point it all needs to go, so for this collection January 4th was departure date. Delivery from Chattanooga to Charlotte where this photo was taken and then transfer to a larger truck which has made the journey to Florida and now is at Port in St Marc, Haiti. Yes the truck too. We are blessed by some dear friends that saved us space in this vehicle for this crate and file cabinet. Just meet up with them and all the rest is covered. Thank you Lord. Here it is Feb 1st and already the seeds are starting to sprout in the garage as new donations have started to arrive. Have something you might like to contribute? Maybe another saddle like this or a similar one to bless the ministry in the mountains. School supplies, Shoe Bags, Pillow Case Dresses, Heavy Duty Pots and Pans, Tools and more, could be part of the next shipment, it’s up to you. For more information click here and send us a note or wander around the website for ideas.

The calendar is filling up. Later this month from the 19 to the 26th a team will join Marcel with a trip to the Matheux Mountains, Fond Baptist and then down to Bataille. The school building being built, block by block. Made on site, these concrete blocks being set on a firm foundation. 250 children waiting for a roof and to be able to move from the outside in, coming soon. Care to help?

The end of March another team is headed to help with the continued building at Bois Neuf. From our standpoint things may look like they are moving slowly but God’s timing and ours so many times do not match up. The Conference building will bring new meaning to the annual EMEVI Conferences (sometimes called Camp Meeting). It all started with an area of dirt just outside the the Church at Bois Neuf. Coconut Leaves provided the first few years covering to shield from the sun but still little protection from the rains. Then tarps and even now some of those are still being used. Not a big deal that is until you have over 1000 people gather each year with meals being prepared for most twice a day. It’s a big project that is well underway, if you would like to contribute let us know. Conference this year runs April 25th to the 28th.

June will bring a team to connect with some sponsored children and possibly track one or more over the years. There is also the possibility of having clinics, but that is to be seen yet. No shortage of opportunity here just praying for workers.

Well that’s a bit of what’s happening at the moment, more may be seen at the blog, facebook or google + and of course the website has lot’s more to check out. Ever consider sponsoring a child? There are a lot to choose from, visit them at Hope for Haiti.

Please join us in prayer for Marcel and these teams and we strive to honor the Lord with these opportunities before us.

Blessings, Art for Hope for Haiti saintmarchaiti@gmail.com or 423-892-7227

Here's a few of the photo's to go with the letter.

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.