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

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.

One At A Time

“So Noah did everything exactly as God had commanded him.”  Genesis 6:23

Noah did what he was directed to do by God.  He didn’t debate, or excuse, or ramble.  He just did.  How?  One at a time.  One board at a time, one nail at a time, and one step at a time. 

This roof, built in 2010 was built one at a time.  One bucket at a time.  One person, handing off to another.  One at a time.  What has God put in your heart to do?  Are you debating the issue?  Are you overwhelmed at the enormous task?  Be comforted in knowing that God will hand it to you, one at a time.

By Mollie Bond

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,

Remember

“Look at the nations and watch—

and be utterly amazed.

For I am going to do something in your days

that you would not believe,

even if you were told” (Habakkuk 1:5).

As we remember the earthquake anniversary, we pray for the people who never saw family members again.  We pray for community to come around those who fled the city in the months afterwards.  However, we also pray for God to again wake up the people to his power and care.  This scene in downtown St. Marc is from when the believers gathered to pray for their country days after the quake.  May God keep that spirit of unity as we remember.

By Mollie Bond

Just a box?

Just a box?  So much more than that.

Read this slowly with a pause here and there.

A stirring happens and the process begins.  Prayer begins and God's children cry out.  In our weakness we fumble with words and speak to the Creator of all, and... He hears, accepting us right where we are.  Do we come before Him expecting an answer?  Oh, maybe, but I'm not sure this time... and He knows this.  He's happy that we come and through this simple gesture a door opens.  What step in the process of prayer will I be today?  The one crying out, the one listening and watching for an answer, the one responding to a nudging and possibly answering a prayer, the one in the desert feeling no one is listening?  And then, it happens in His perfect timing, and direction is made clear, the manna appears... and our faith is strengthened and we continue to pray.

This box could represent an answer.  Many have come together to make this possible.  Filled with donations and headed south.  Free shipping is offered and accepted, just get it to Charlotte and the rest is done.  It's already at port in Florida.

Thanks to the many that continue to play a part in making this a reality.  More photo's available at http://www.hopeforhaiti.ws/photo.php?pageID=37 or just visit the web page at www.hopeforhaiti.ws and check out the photo's.

Joyful Strength

“Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength’” (Nehemiah 8:10).

We celebrate at the New Year.  We are joyful because of the good things the Lord did over the past year:  preparing, building, strengthening.  We met new friends, started new seasons, and have seen the Lord add to our number those that choose to follow him fully.  Let’s continue to celebrate God’s holiness by enjoying food, but also sending “some to those who have nothing prepared.”  God’s strength will provide in return if we are joyful.

By Mollie Bond