Oct 2013 News

It's happening!

     October 30th thru November 1st Leadership Conference will be in full swing. This year it will be held in the new building at Bois Neuf allowing the 400+ attendees to stretch out a bit. Want to see the new building and where it's at? Click here. Please remember to pray for the attendees who come from all over Haiti as well as the teachers.

     Travels to the states. Marcel traveled to Michigan, Ohio, Tennessee and Alabama visiting supporters and

friends along the way this past month. So many contribute in so many ways it's hard to report it all, so, just a

couple notes of interest for now.

     Churches in Colorado, Michigan and Alabama have made and are making it possible for the building at Bois Neuf to come together. Checking out the slideshow mentioned above with the realization that this just would not be possible were it not for the body of Christ all coming together, each with their giftings.

     A clinic in the mountains? Yes it has begun. For many years now it has been a desire of Marcel's heart to

be able to minister spiritually, emotionally and physically to the needs of those around him. From our standpoint the original clinics started not many years ago seemed to meet some very basic needs. When no health care is available even those basic needs are huge. Last month a building in the mountains became the newest addition for clinics. Much work both from stateside and in country all came together as the first (in this location) clinic was held as well as teaching for midwives. This coming week the second clinic will be held with more improvements to the building as it also becomes a place of refuge. If you would like to see some of the progress to date, click here. , here you will also find a link on the photo or title to a short video.

     Beyond the mountain clinic work continues to bring to completion a new church/school building. No big deal except that you reach this location by foot. This coming January plans are for a roof to be set in place. A church in Kansas and Tennessee have partnered with the folks there to encourage and walk with them,

marveling at all that God is doing. More on this may be seen by clicking here.

     Next year is filling up fast with groups from Kansas, Tennessee, Colorado and Alabama already in process looking at dates. Not to mention Camp Meeting in April and EMEVI's mission trip scheduled in August going to Belladere, Haiti. Just a couple photo’s, one from this year’s outreach in Gonaives. www.hopeforhaiti.ws 

Nanpwen

This will start a short series on Nicknames.  Marcel enjoyed sharing while spending some time in the states.

Rocks

 “They all ate the same spiritual food and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ.” 1 Corinthians 10:3-4

Currently, the church in Bataille is built from rocks held together with mud. Each hard rain forces the people to rebuild the church because the mud washes away. The community in the mountains are close to finishing their first cement building, which happens to be the church and school built by EMEVI.

Rocks signify many things for Haitians. As means of income, smash rocks with a hammer to create gravel. Or mix crushed gravel with cement to build bricks. Rocks inhibit farmland, change the flow of water, and litter footpaths. Rocks show up in Haitian proverbs too: Woch nan dlo pa konnen doule woch nan soley. (“The rock in the water does not know the pain of the rock in the sun.”)

Rocks signify many things in Biblical history as well. Moses struck a rock to get water for the people (see Exodus 17:6). Jesus called Peter “the Rock” because Jesus chose him as the rock to build the church. (see Matthew 16:18). Rocks build foundations, and God is our foundation (Psalm 19:14).

Join us. Whether you are physically capable to build a church in Haiti, or spiritually capable to pray for the church in Haiti, be a rock. 

     Submitted by Mollie Bond

Wash

“‘No,’ said Peter, ‘you shall never wash my feet.’ Jesus answered, ‘Unless I wash you, you have no part with me’” (John 13:14).

The rain made the trail almost impossible. Ankles twisted, clothes muddied, Bibles forever wrinkled from the rain seeping into the backpacks. After the team arrived, dried off, and rested, the earth still made traveling to the outdoor restroom difficult. The bathroom was down the side of a steep slope, still muddy from the hours of rain.

So the Haitians built steps. Without a lumber store, or even scraps of wood, they chose to find large stones, carried them back, and made the steps so the foreigners used the restroom. They traveled with the team, and still found the energy to find the largest stones in the area.

It seems backwards. The mission team came from thousands of miles away to serve, and instead the locals served the team. Looking back on the uncomfortable feeling, it’s easier to understand Peter’s resistance of Jesus washing his feet. Peter didn’t want that uncomfortable feeling. Jesus washed his feet, because Jesus served. Peter needed to accept that. Just like the foreigners needed to accept the locals building the steps. Sometimes accepting Jesus’ service is uncomfortable.

If you don’t allow others to serve you, then both parties loose out on blessings. Accept help, accept service, and accept grace, even if it’s uncomfortable.

By Mollie Bond, based on a devotion by Kathy Hart

Reality

Hope for Haiti Newsletter April 2013

Lets just call this reality.  Something to think about  anyway.  Have you ever done something and later the light came on to reveal something that was right before you the whole time?  Welcome to my world, next time maybe the light will come on first.

A few years ago a request was brought before us to see  if there might be an interest out there for sponsors to walk with children from Bataille.  Simple enough and we prayed.  Yes, we moved forward and photo’s were taken, names were gathered to match the photo’s and it all began.  School in this area was started back up about that same time and it was obvious that this need was great.  90% of the adults do not read or write in this area and if things stay the same there’s little hope of that changing.  So we embarked on this journey and started to process the information that had been collected.  Somewhere along the way the names and photo’s did not all line up.  Let me explain, the information about the children had been collected and shared by the people at Bataille.  Then it was sent on to another person for “processing” and something seemed out of place.  Further investigation proved that we needed to look further into this so we did.  Updated information was gathered and still something did not add up.  A copy of what was collected was sent with a team to Bataille so that both photo and name were together to make a positive id.  Finally it looked like all was well.  If only that were true!  Next trip an attempt to acquire birth dates and simple bio info came up as a priority.  A teacher at the school took the info and hand wrote all the names and birth dates, for those that had it recorded.  Back home once again and as this information was being recorded it became apparent that many of the names had misspellings.  So just what is going on!?  Remember the light coming on?  In a land that time had pretty much forgotten and the people were even called “The Forgotten One’s” things are just different.  Many of the people go by nicknames such as “Let it go” and “When he was good”, few have recorded vital statistics, Most cannot read or write and I had expectations of clear and accurate information to share with those that would sponsor children!  Go figure.  So here we are today with more children sponsored at Bataille than we imagined, a school that started with 30 children in October 2010 and is now over 250 and growing.  This has been a humbling season and a great season to see all that the Lord is doing in a land that once was Forgotten.  Maybe you would like to sponsor a child there, just come with foreknowledge that the “information” may be sketchy but the photo’s and children are very real as well as the need.  Check them out here Bataille Children.  Or check out the children at the other schools, Bois Neuf, Colmini or Charrette.

Lots more going on right now with preparations for Annual Conference at Bois Neuf.  The building is in full swing this week with roofing going up.  Walls will come at a later date as well as a concrete floor.  This, though, will be the first year the conference will be held under a permanent roof with the addition of a tarp for the small section that will wait completion for a future date.  Over 1000 people gather each year for this time of worship, teaching, baptisms and more.  Photo’s of the current work are available right here, Bois Neuf Building.  Please pray for Marcel and the EMEVI Team as they work towards this goal.

Lots more at the website www.hopeforhaiti.ws - saintmarchaiti@gmail.com - Art R.

All Their Heart

All Their Heart

“So we rebuilt the wall till all of it reached half its height, for the people worked with all their heart” (Nehemiah 4:6).

The wall for the school in Bataille is half way done.

The Haitians prepared for a group to come and help, so they started hauling sand from the river to use for the concrete blocks. The first day the American group and the Haitians worked so hard, they used all the sand. So the following morning, at 2 a.m., the Bataille people starting going further down river to collect more sand by hand in buckets. The Bataille people “worked with all their heart” because they know the value of education. Coming alongside Hope for Haiti provides more opportunities to build a school, and ultimately rebuild a country.

By Mollie Bond

What Story?

Every team has it's story and this one is no different.  The team had it's members but no one knew ahead of time that a few additional members would join in along the way.  You would have to ask someone here just what this is all about for the rest of the story or you might just think it's a goofy photo.  However there is a story or testimony to be shared.  This remote location in Haiti tugs on your heart, really though it's the people that tug.  About 90% or the adult's do not read or write, that's just the way it is.  The next generation will break free and the children are hungry for knowledge.  How hungry?  Would you walk over an hour to come to school daily, crossing a river multiple times holding your school clothing  above the water then upon the last crossing hiding in the weeds to change and be looking sharp for school?  Many of the 250 children that are coming to school here in Bataille, Haiti do just that.  So while we visited this past month the children had a couple days off of school but were not excused from helping to build the new school.  The walls went up with the help of the community as we did our best to lend a hand in this process.  Want to help or see more? check out a short video clip here. What testimony do you have to share and are you sharing it?  Oh yes, you will have to ask about ... the rest of the story.

Culture Clash

“When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have come down to us in human form!’” Acts 14:11

It’s important to understand the culture and the potential perspectives when exploring a new place. I learned children in some parts of Haiti will not look you in the eye if you are older and talking to them. Their culture teaches them this action. It’s not because I was Caucasian like I thought. My misunderstanding of the culture prohibited me from communicating God’s love for his Haitian people appropriately.

Paul healed a lame man in Lystra. However, the crowd fell on their understanding and their experiences, and deemed Paul and Barnabas as gods. It’s what they were taught. They didn’t know Paul and Barnabas, as humans tapped into God’s power were not using their own power to heal.

What situations do you walk into without doing a little bit of research on the perspectives of whom you are going to see? What is one new thing you can learn today that will help bridge the gap in communication?

The girl in the picture is Izlande SainVil who lives in Bataille. She does not have a sponsor. If your heart is pounding faster because you want to make sure she goes to school and has food, please pray about becoming asponsor.

By Mollie Bond

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.

A thought from 2012

2012 Thoughts

                                                               

If For No Other Reason!

Not knowing his name I will call him John and share this story as my failed memory keeps it. A day before the earthquake on January 12, 2010 in Léogâne, Haiti, (the epicenter), John felt compelled to move to the mountains and to do it now. He owned little, so that same day he headed out. His journey finished at Fond Baptist where there is no running water or power. News travels slowly to Fond Baptist but in time the destruction of the earthquake on the 12^th reached John. His former home, Léogâne, was hit like never seen before. John pondered this. Why was he spared? It’s a troubling thought but answers escape him. It’s a deep seed planted.

Fond Baptist is something like a county in the mountains with farming and gardening dotting the landscape.  Few travel here from outside but a vibrant community exists within. Lack of education and poverty are ever present and survival is pretty much day to day. Small "communities" crisscross the mountainsides clear to the river basin below, one of which is called Bataille.

Bataille lags behind modern culture about 150 years. It’s rural, rugged and remote, even lacking access by any type of vehicle but change is coming to Bataille because it, or more accurately, its people, tug on the hearts of many. Education is slowly coming to Bataille.

So, for two years John sought a purpose or reason for being spared and for whatever reason eventually made his way down the mountain to Bataille. He wondered why he made the trek.

The day he arrived was October 12th, 2012, a day that also brought a small team to Bataille. They helped build a new school and stood alongside a Pastor who managed to bring a generator, projector and laptop computer. Also some time ago this Pastor acquired a Creole version of a 3 part Billy Graham presentation called “My Hope”.

John arrived when the team showed the third video and, towards the end, rain chased most back to their homes that provided at least some shelter from the moisture. John hung around though. He briefly shared his story and knew that the questions he had been wondering were answered that night.

Eternity changed that day as another soul, John, took a step of faith to walk with our Lord and Savior. There is much rejoicing in heaven and here on earth as we have seen a miracle!

If Hope for Haiti has been drawn to Bataille in this season to save one man’s soul, it is worth it.  This would not be possible were it not the Lord's nudging and your response to make a difference.

Thanks for making a difference!

This is just one story of many from 2012.  Much more is available online as it happens throughout the year.  Blessings,

Foundations

Foundations are so crucial and set the stage for days to come.  Where is your foundation?  Is it in Jesus Christ?  The answer to this question will set the stage for each of us.

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More on the building at Bataille may be found here, http://www.hopeforhaiti.ws/#/projects/bataille or by clicking on the title.

Sharing

“On arriving there, they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.”  Acts 14:27

A group saw six Haitians meet Jesus for the first time.  After the projector turned off, their hearts turned toward a Savior.  I wasn’t there.  Someone on the team was willing to share and now I’ve been encouraged.  What story in the past week has given you encouragement to keep going?  What stories do you need to share so that others know how good God is to his children?  Encourage another to stop by this site so they too may be encouraged.  It’s why we share what we share.

By Mollie Bond

Prepare

Pass through, pass through the gates! 

Prepare the way for the people.

Build up, build up the highway!    

Remove the stones.

Raise a banner for the nations.  Isaiah 62:10

This bridge was not here before they came. But when the people heard missionaries were going to come, they hauled rocks for miles, dropped them in the gully, and used concrete to pave the way for the travelers. Will you help them build up more roads so the gospel can reach Haitians?  Pray God raises a banner between nations by building more roads to remote places.

By Mollie Bond

Madame Philip

Marcel shares a testimony.

Leadership Conference

      The book of Hebrews in 3 days!  Could be like a drink from a fire hydrant.  Over 300 in attendance, representing 83 different churches from all over Haiti.

     37 attendees stayed at Bois Neuf, food was prepared for everyone in attendance by the volunteers and 16 young people helped with cleaning and logistics.

Hurricane Sandy disrupted the plans for many to come while 75 that were not registered showed up to fill in the void.

     Many homes were lost in the mountain area around Fond Baptist due to the hurricane and the current building at Bataille had it's walls washed away once again.  Looking to replace them now with metal roofing to hold things in place until the new building is completed.  Please pray for these folks as they once again gather the little they have and put up some type of shelter.

     Bouncing around here a bit, so, back to the conference.  A group stayed one extra night so Marcel took the opportunity to question them regarding what they had learned.  Easily they shared what was learned bringing much encouragement to Marcel.

Thank you for your prayers!

hopeforhaiti.ws for more information.

Final day of Faces

 

      The need before us is real.  The hands to put all this together are there.  People come from miles around to help, using the gifting's they have to bless others.  These are not paid workers but volunteer's reaching out to meet a need.  This just may be the season of change leading to a future and a hope.  Children that are willing and wanting an education and are hungry for what the Lord has for them.  What will it take?  Brothers and Sister's coming together to meet a need, reaching out in love.

      Join us - www.hopeforhaiti.ws

A Brother







A Pastor

                                                Two of his children




"All the believers were together and had everything in common." Acts 2:44

Bataille Faces continued

 

     Although you cannot see this man's face you can imagine it.  This rock to be used in the foundation for the new school as well as all the rock for the foundation were hand carried from all around the building site.  Local materials are used to fill most of the need but some items still need to be hand carried in from afar.  Bags of concrete, rebar and eventually lumber for trusses and metal for the roof will all be brought in and all hand carried from miles away.  Care to donate the funds for a bag of concrete or some rebar?  A $10.00 donation is a good start, let us know if you can help.  www.hopeforhaiti.ws

 

"Come to me (Jesus), all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28

Faces continued

 

      Tools are precious anywhere.  The head of this new pick was carried down the mountain just the way you see it.  Other tools as well were carried in, all through donations.  Some had been shipped from the states as crates and containers are sent and filled with needed items.  Maybe you have something that would bless a brother or sister in Haiti.  Let us know, www.hopeforhaiti.ws

 

"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds." Hebrews 10:24

Day 4 Bataille Faces

     Ever carry a bench on your head?  Fairly common here with leaves for cushioning.  Each board and bench leg is made elsewhere and hand carried in then constructed on site.  One bench cost's about $70.00.  With the increase in school registration many additional benches will be needed. Care to provide a seat for a group of children at school?  www.hopeforhaiti.ws and let us know.

 

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control...." Galatians 5:22-23a