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It has been a while since I have written to fill everyone in on what is going on in Haiti.  Sometimes I get so intimately involved that I do not realize how much is going on until I stop and take a few moments to reflect.  Then, I am usually (as is the case now) overwhelmed at the goodness of God and His provision for our organization!  I cherish these moments of reflection and praising Him for His direction of Hearts United with Haiti! 

This past weekend was one of those times of reflection.  We spent the weekend (Easter weekend) with Ron's family in North Carolina.  Our family drove 9 hours there from Pennsylvania on Thursday and returned after church and lunch on Sunday.  And of course, during the trip there were lots of questions to all of us about Haiti, "what do you do there?", "what is it like?", "do you really think that what you are doing will make any difference?", etc...  Maybe some of you have thought these same things, maybe some of you have been asked the same things (if you have been to Haiti or another similar place).  So, it really gave us time to think upon just what we ARE doing.... is this God's vision or has it become OUR vision?  And the answer is that it is 100 %  God's organization and God's vision that Hearts United with Haiti has come into existance and is continuing to develop. 

Do we know what the future has for Hearts United with Haiti?  NO!  But we know that it does involve our obedience to what we feel He is calling us to.  Whatever that "looks like".  Right now we are still forming the organization, writing bylaws, filling out paperwork for the federal government, praying that He makes our path clear to us.  We are planning summer trips and making ministry contacts.  We are seeking a vehicle to use in the summer and beyond to transport people and supplies in Haiti. 

In just the past week I have received notice from the new company we hired to help us file our application for our 501c3 status (tax- exempt) and they have set up a meeting with me for May 5th at 3:30 pm. EST.  I would ask for your prayers at that time since it will be a long meeting and I will have to answer a lot of questions as well as present a 3 year projected budget, my by-laws, etc... to them.  They will then fill out the remaining paperwork and get it ready for submission to the federal government.  They have assured me that once it is sent to the federal government it will take about 30 to 60 days for approval- THEN we can really begin to solicit donations and they will be deductible for those who donate.  I do not know when the application will actually be submitted to the federal government however since it costs about $1400 more to move to the next step and we do not have that.  So, we will pray and if this IS God's will for us- He will provide that funding. 

I have also been in touch with Haiti and there have been some rumors that have been a bit discouraging about help/support for Pastor Cornet (he is "over" Pastor Duval).  I do not want to share the details because have not yet been able to discern what is fact/rumor, however, it appears that some people who were going to work with Pastor Cornet in Carrefour are reconsidering their decision because they were under the assumption that Hearts United with Haiti is helping him and seeking churches to partner with him with the projects his church is working on.  So, there have been many phone calls and much "damage control" as I have tried to explain to many  the vision of Hearts United with Haiti and assure them that we are NOT giving any financial (or other) assistance to Pastor Cornet.  We are too small to make those kind of changes in Haiti- YET and he/his church is not even part of our vision.  Right now Hearts United with Haiti is pouring all our energy into Chaveneau and the project there.  We also (frankly) have not sent money to Haiti- just one team so far.  We are still praying that God will send people to partner with us/Pastor Duval to help him financially, but this is a SLOW process.  Anyway, this is just something to pray about with us if you will. 

I have also made a new contact with a pastor in a "really bad area of Port au Prince" who has an exciting ministry.  He will be a great resource to have when in Haiti- and maybe a possible ministry partner for the future.  Also, I have been trying to contact an organization I recently found out about that is in Carrefour (the town the Arris family lives in)  but the people running it are from right here in Lancaster County- actually cousins of some of our friends...another contact?? At least it will be someone who speaks English and understands American culture.  So, we will check out their ministry when down in the summer too!  LOTS to do this summer! 

As for the language, both Ron and I can be found listening to our Creole CD's - SLOWLY learning it so we will be better able to communicate when down there this summer.  It's a slow process and one that makes us laugh at one another and at ourselves.  I am sure the Haitians will really get a kick out of our meager attempts to speak with them.  But, they are sooo gracious and patient when we try.  :)

As for the Arris family, they are gearing up for a summer full of visiting missionaries.  They are sooooo excited and asking all the time how many people we have coming on various weeks. Currently we only have a few people signed up for summer trips, but we are encouraged to hear that there are many considering coming.  Those not able to physically come can still help --fund raising so those of us who do go can get supplies, etc to those in need.  We know that God is in control of the summer (and beyond- hahaha) and He will provide --- both people and finances. 

So, this blog is more about provision than anything... His provision- for us and for Haiti (through us and MANY others)... His provision for each of us personally and for our organization.  If God calls you TO something, He will provide the way for you to accomplish that to which He has called you.  If not, it is not His will and there's something else out there.  So... as we head into this season following Easter- when we think about new life and the new life that we ALL have through Christ, we are encouraged... God is REALLY at work in each of us involved in Hearts United with Haiti and He is really at work in the organization and ultimately, He is REALLY at work in Haiti!  Praise God that I was given a little time to renew/reflect on that this past weekend.  Ready to begin the next "chapter" and see what He has for this summer ahead! 

Contact us if you would like to help or would like information about a summer trip- there are still plenty of openings and the larger the teams, the more ministry opportunities we all have. 

In Him- Crystal