Hope for Haiti

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Basketfull

Early one morning we had broken down along a high mountain trail. Reflecting upon the fact that we had left well before sunrise to get to this point, how early had he started baking this bread? Our paths crossed here while he paused for a break before going on to market. Here we have bread for our bodies, what "bread" are we consuming for our souls? This had provided an opportunity to pause and ponder, just what is it, that is feeding my soul?

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Hands

Reach out to someone in need, lend a hand. Opportunities present themselves each day, it's a choice worth making to be there, to help. Touch is powerful, a gentle touch when someone is hurting, a hand up when someone is down. After all He has rescued us and even brought Peter out of the water as he sank. Washed the disciples feet, can you feel His touch?

Saturday, March 5, 2011

Mountain Home

High in the mountains of Haiti are many villages, this one being east and a bit south of St Marc. Lepinard is home to a small mountain community where around 100 children come to school. The community sits somewhere around 4000 feet in elevation below the peaks around that rise to over 4900 feet. No roads, only trails, no power with the exception of a small generator at church, no running water, a spring under an hours walk away. But cell phones yes, recharged as the generator purrs just outside on a Sunday morning. Primitive sound system that runs off the generator for electric guitar, mic's, speakers and right next to them a "drum set" with a cymbal hanging from a rafter. The drummer never missed a beat. What a contrast with modern technology next to very primitive living conditions. Bathroom, hum, wherever. Looking to the north is a beautiful view of the valleys below and the mountain ridges to the south. It's quite a climb from the "trail head" taking about 2 hours. Common ground is found here as we worship, side by side with brothers and sisters in Christ. Click on the picture or title for a few photos of this journey. Interested in helping reach out to these brothers and sisters, let us know.

Saturday, February 26, 2011

What Load?

This saddle is currently at rest. It carries many loads up and down the mountains at LePinard, Haiti. All kinds of vegetables and fruits, spices and cooking oil. With no power it becomes a daily task to have fresh food available and the nearest road is about a two hour walk away. Water comes from a spring down in the valley but it's only about an hour walk. The reminder here is that we take the "load" off to allow the animal to rest. Why then is it so hard, to allow the loads we carry to be set off and put aside for a time? Reminds me of a scripture - "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Matt 11:28-30) Click on the title or picture for additional photos of our trip to LePinard.

Monday, February 14, 2011

Protection

Here hangs the corn. The critters like to eat the corn when it is left about but here high in a tree it finds protection from the 4 legged critters. Birds are few in a land that has very limited trees and if they did come for a visit, well they might become a lunch feast...

Along the trails in the mountains this is a common sight or if you were to look around the cabbage there could be eggs stored under the leaves to help keep them a bit cooler. Not quite what we might expect but tested and proven to keep what little they have protected.

Welcome to Haiti!

Click on the picture or title to see more photo's of Marcel's trip to Fond MaBlanc.

Friday, February 4, 2011

Feet

Yes, underneath this clump of leaves are feet. How many steps does it take to pick up and deliver these leaves? A visit to our grocery store takes minutes by vehicle but here in Haiti a visit to market could very well be an all day venture. Folks in the mountain areas leave in the early morning hours (2 or 3am) to take their crops to market then return later in the day purchasing as they can what's needed back home. Sure appreciating a vehicle in the garage at the moment.

Friday, January 28, 2011

Burden

Came across these precious children on a mountainside collecting fodder. The biggest one not only had fodder but was also carrying a little one probably a sibling. Generations have lived this way just to survive, everyone works and pitches in, from the oldest to the youngest. What burden are you carrying? "Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30

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.