God is moving so fast lately that I sometimes feel I have to put on running shoes just to follow Him! Every day for the past week or so He has shown me more and more of the picture He is painting for Hearts United and for Haiti and it is beautiful beyond belief! Here's a BRIEF overview of just some of the things that have been happening:
- we have received calls/e-mails/facebook messages from over 20 people interested in trips this winter/spring/summer coming up. :)
- we have a college group that may be interested in a spring break trip (pray for them as it goes through the approval process with the insurance company and other things)
- our 501c3 application is being written and is moving through the process according to the e-mails I get from the group preparing it (they send one each step of the way)
- one of the local newspapers called and is sending a reporter out (they still need to set up the day/time) to do a story on Hearts United
- a doctor AND a dentist have signed up for the "A-team" and will travel with me to Haiti in December for four days to evaluate the students of the school and the community of Chaveneau (we just need to raise money for expenses for this trip)
- we are working toward getting the bus for transportation to/from Chaveneau for teams. :) (the debate is should we get a large bus or short bus and how much money each option would be so we can make the best choice)
- I have been asked to speak at a church Oct. 23 and I will be speaking at my former school (to the teachers) this coming Tuesday after school. Pray for good attendance- and open hearts/minds to our work in Haiti. I would LOVE to have a group of teachers come next summer with us)
- I have talked to a woman who organizes medical and work teams to Haiti and she may be interested in sending some of them to Chaveneau :) Also, we have a medical team tentatively scheduled for the first or second week of May.
So..... you can see just SOME of the things.... I never cease to be amazed at how God works!
We do have some prayer items for you if you are willing to pray for us..
- Pray as we firm up plans for the teams/individuals who may come to Chaveneau in the end of Dec. (and also for the "A-team" as we make our plans/plane reservations/etc..)
- Pray for a truck of some sort- we REALLY need this for Chaveneau- for runs to the store, to get gas for the generator, for water, etc... and (most importantly) in case someone gets sick/hurt we can get them to the hospital 30 to 45 min. away
- Pray for Ron and I as we try to come up with some sort of "schedule" for December- should we go over Christmas or not? Team comes Dec. 28th so we should be there a few days early AND we have a ministry we would like to check out near the Haiti/Dominican Republic border so we could go do that.... sooo many ideas, but what does GOD want????
- Pray for Michael as his fiance' will be visiting again over Christmas- that they have quality time together and are able to get to know one another better and as they plan their future as husband/wife.
- Pray for the school since we now have 200 students in 8 different grades (preschool, kindergarten, and 1-6)... this means more books, more supplies needed, more teachers, etc... but it is amazing! Pastor Duval actually had to turn some away this year. Wow!
- Pray for the 501c3 application- that it moves VERY quickly through the process so we are tax-exempt this calendar year. We have many people waiting to donate until we have this so the sooner the better.
- Pray for us as we raise funds to pay for the bus, shipping the bus, a truck, school supplies/salaries, medical supplies, flip flops (we were given a chance to buy 500 pairs of flip flops- assorted sizes for $250), etc.... There are so many projects going on but God is really blessing this ministry and through us (and you) He is blessing the Haitians! Praise God!! :D :D :D
Serving Haiti with a smile! -Crystal Funk :)
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Thursday, September 15, 2011
the big 5-0...
Today is my 50th birthday- frankly one I was never sure would come. My mom died at age 48 of a massive heart attack and my dad at age 60 from cancer. Both different (one gone quickly with no chance to say goodbye and one slowly getting weaker over time until he was called home). I will say that both have helped me become the person I am today - the person who asks, "Have I made a difference in this world?" "Have I answered God's call for my life and done what I can to show HIM to the people He has put in my life?" I pray the answer to those questions is "YES!"
Yes, I do mission work in Haiti. But it hasn't always been that way. We have never been blessed with much financially but we have always found a way to help others. It just "looked different" over the years. For years we volunteered as youth leaders at our church, or we helped in our community or in neighboring communities, I was involved in "Mom's in Touch" (getting together regularly to pray for our school, teachers, students), I made meals for neighbors, I watched my friend's children because she needed to work to pay bills, etc... The list goes on and on as I am sure yours does.
I tell you these things NOT to make myself sound so wonderful. Frankly, there are times when I hear the enemy say, "Have you REALLY made a difference?" This birthday was one of those times. I found myself coming up on my birthday- my 50th- feeling like I just wanted validation- letters, notes from people to help me KNOW I made an impact in their life. It is always nice to have those little notes, letters, etc... to look back on when you are feeling low. But then I realized that I am doing what I do for GOD- not for man. Not for reward here on earth. Sure, those letters, notes, etc. make it nice but they are NOT my motivation. I am trying to be obedient to that which I truly feel called.
In the past year when talking to people about Hearts United with Haiti I have had so many people say "I wish I could do something to help you" or "I wish I could go, but ***** (it's too expensive, I can't get off work, I have this health issue, ...)". Nothing frustrates me more! I am not angry, just hurt that so many are buying into the lies of the enemy when they listen to that voice that tries to discourage them. EACH of you CAN do something- you CAN make a difference- you CAN help in Haiti!! Not all of us are called to physically go... yes, that is the "fun stuff"- the stuff that gets everyone's attention but let me tell you of a few things that have been done in the past year that have been a HUGE help for those who have gone. Without this help we would not be able to run this ministry!
- People have collected baby formula, medical supplies, clothing, school supplies, etc... and sent them to Haiti with members of our staff/teams.
- People have paid for MY plane tickets (and Ron's) so we have been able to travel to Haiti so often (we could NEVER have gone as often if it were not for these people)
- People have sewn dresses and tote bags to distribute to those in the community where we minister.
- People have donated food (chicken, pasta salad, dessert, etc...) and yard sale items for our fund raiser so we had the funds for block, cement, rebar, etc. to begin the outhouses.
- People have lifted our teams (and us) up in prayer so our trips as successful as they were.
- People have donated funds toward our transportation expenses so we were able to purchase (and then re-sell) a vehicle to use this past summer- this saved us over $4,000.
- People offered to maintain our home while we were away serving in Haiti- plowing our driveway, cutting our grass, being "on call" for our daughters, etc...
- People have told their friends/family about our organization and encouraged them to get involved.
I am sure i am forgetting a LOT that people have done for us in the past year. My point? There is ALWAYS something you can do! There is WAY too much work for one family/person (Ron and I are so busy) to do and we welcome ANYTHING you are willing to do to help us. In doing so, YOU are helping Haiti. YOU are making a difference.
Please consider what YOU can do to help in Haiti.. is it:
- holding a yard sale or other fund raiser to raise money to send to the school in Haiti to help with operating costs there?
- organizing and sending a group (or going yourself) to do some of the physical work that needs to be done on the base?
- setting some time aside to commit to pray for Haiti and our organization?
- collecting/packing up supplies needed at the school, medical center, etc... for distribution?
- Other (use YOUR imagination- ask God how to partner your gifts/abilities with the needs in Haiti)
Contact us today if you feel God is leading you to partner with us in some way. There are so many opportunities but I can honestly say "we can not do it alone". Many of these things require time/money/energy we simply do not have because God is calling us in another direction. We need the ENTIRE body to do our work- we are only part. Will you help us??? Will you see where YOU fit into God's plan for Haiti? And then will YOU commit to doing what He calls you to do? We pray you will!
So... when I feel the need to pull out those notes of affirmation to read, to look at, to push away the seeds of doubt that we are making a difference in Haiti I instead will commit to pulling up the photos of Haiti- of Chaveneau especially. I will look at those beautiful children, those beautiful people of that community that I consider close friends and I love so much and I will thank God that He has blessed me with sooooo much! I will thank Him for this life He has given me. For trusting ME to carry the message of His love to His people in Haiti. BUT I will also remember ALL THOSE PEOPLE responsible for helping me in this ministry and I will pray for those who will rise up and help in the year ahead. Are you one of those people who will help in ANY way you can? God will bless you (as He has me) for whatever role you fill- :) :) And many will be blessed! Thank you -Crystal
Yes, I do mission work in Haiti. But it hasn't always been that way. We have never been blessed with much financially but we have always found a way to help others. It just "looked different" over the years. For years we volunteered as youth leaders at our church, or we helped in our community or in neighboring communities, I was involved in "Mom's in Touch" (getting together regularly to pray for our school, teachers, students), I made meals for neighbors, I watched my friend's children because she needed to work to pay bills, etc... The list goes on and on as I am sure yours does.
I tell you these things NOT to make myself sound so wonderful. Frankly, there are times when I hear the enemy say, "Have you REALLY made a difference?" This birthday was one of those times. I found myself coming up on my birthday- my 50th- feeling like I just wanted validation- letters, notes from people to help me KNOW I made an impact in their life. It is always nice to have those little notes, letters, etc... to look back on when you are feeling low. But then I realized that I am doing what I do for GOD- not for man. Not for reward here on earth. Sure, those letters, notes, etc. make it nice but they are NOT my motivation. I am trying to be obedient to that which I truly feel called.
In the past year when talking to people about Hearts United with Haiti I have had so many people say "I wish I could do something to help you" or "I wish I could go, but ***** (it's too expensive, I can't get off work, I have this health issue, ...)". Nothing frustrates me more! I am not angry, just hurt that so many are buying into the lies of the enemy when they listen to that voice that tries to discourage them. EACH of you CAN do something- you CAN make a difference- you CAN help in Haiti!! Not all of us are called to physically go... yes, that is the "fun stuff"- the stuff that gets everyone's attention but let me tell you of a few things that have been done in the past year that have been a HUGE help for those who have gone. Without this help we would not be able to run this ministry!
- People have collected baby formula, medical supplies, clothing, school supplies, etc... and sent them to Haiti with members of our staff/teams.
- People have paid for MY plane tickets (and Ron's) so we have been able to travel to Haiti so often (we could NEVER have gone as often if it were not for these people)
- People have sewn dresses and tote bags to distribute to those in the community where we minister.
- People have donated food (chicken, pasta salad, dessert, etc...) and yard sale items for our fund raiser so we had the funds for block, cement, rebar, etc. to begin the outhouses.
- People have lifted our teams (and us) up in prayer so our trips as successful as they were.
- People have donated funds toward our transportation expenses so we were able to purchase (and then re-sell) a vehicle to use this past summer- this saved us over $4,000.
- People offered to maintain our home while we were away serving in Haiti- plowing our driveway, cutting our grass, being "on call" for our daughters, etc...
- People have told their friends/family about our organization and encouraged them to get involved.
I am sure i am forgetting a LOT that people have done for us in the past year. My point? There is ALWAYS something you can do! There is WAY too much work for one family/person (Ron and I are so busy) to do and we welcome ANYTHING you are willing to do to help us. In doing so, YOU are helping Haiti. YOU are making a difference.
Please consider what YOU can do to help in Haiti.. is it:
- holding a yard sale or other fund raiser to raise money to send to the school in Haiti to help with operating costs there?
- organizing and sending a group (or going yourself) to do some of the physical work that needs to be done on the base?
- setting some time aside to commit to pray for Haiti and our organization?
- collecting/packing up supplies needed at the school, medical center, etc... for distribution?
- Other (use YOUR imagination- ask God how to partner your gifts/abilities with the needs in Haiti)
Contact us today if you feel God is leading you to partner with us in some way. There are so many opportunities but I can honestly say "we can not do it alone". Many of these things require time/money/energy we simply do not have because God is calling us in another direction. We need the ENTIRE body to do our work- we are only part. Will you help us??? Will you see where YOU fit into God's plan for Haiti? And then will YOU commit to doing what He calls you to do? We pray you will!
So... when I feel the need to pull out those notes of affirmation to read, to look at, to push away the seeds of doubt that we are making a difference in Haiti I instead will commit to pulling up the photos of Haiti- of Chaveneau especially. I will look at those beautiful children, those beautiful people of that community that I consider close friends and I love so much and I will thank God that He has blessed me with sooooo much! I will thank Him for this life He has given me. For trusting ME to carry the message of His love to His people in Haiti. BUT I will also remember ALL THOSE PEOPLE responsible for helping me in this ministry and I will pray for those who will rise up and help in the year ahead. Are you one of those people who will help in ANY way you can? God will bless you (as He has me) for whatever role you fill- :) :) And many will be blessed! Thank you -Crystal
Sunday, September 4, 2011
FYI
The September newsletter has been sent out. If you do not get one and want to be put on the mailing list to receive our monthly newsletters, please let us know. Either e-mail us at heartsunitedwithhaiti@gmail.com or fill out the contact form on the website www.heartsunitedwithhaiti.org And while I am posting links, I should make sure and include TWO video links about Chaveneau and the ministry of Hearts United with Haiti. Click on the links and check them out- then feel free to share with friends! :) More photos and stories from the summer to come in the next weeks... stay "tuned"... Serving Haiti - Crystal
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