Following God

Some people are of the belief that when they hear God's voice or sense Him directing them somewhere they should fast, pray and proceed cautiously- constantly asking Him for direction/discernment.  Others step out to follow Him and move forward until He clearly shows that this is not the direction He desires them to take- then they change directions to follow Him in another direction.  I believe that both are good ways and both have times when they are needed/warranted.  And I do not know that they are all that different most of the time.  (in the case of finances it can be very different- "Do we wait until we have ALL the money to proceed, part of the money or do we step out trusting that the money will come?")  Well, this is one of those times when Hearts United has decided to step out and follow His direction and until we feel otherwise. The board feels that God is leading us to form some sort of plan with the pastor of the orphanage where the Son of God girls have been moved with the intention of entering into a long term partnership with him/the girls there.  We do not have all the details worked out yet.  We certainly do not have answers to all the questions, but we are moving forward- one step at a time and trusting that if this is not what God has for us as an organization He will make it abundantly clear.

Right now we are in the process of collecting data from the pastor, answering questions about how he was operating before we came along and finding out what his goals/plans are for the future of the orphanage. We are discerning what our role will be- desiring to partner with him, to provide assistance but NOT to create dependence upon our organization for taking care of the girls.  We firmly believe this is a responsibility God has given him but going from 40 girls at his orphanage to now almost 80 has certainly presented it's own set of challenges.  He was not prepared to provide food, clothing, schooling, etc. for that many new girls.  All that in addition to taking care of their medical needs- and they have plenty.

In the past (at Son of God) there were many organizations and individuals involved with these girls and many have formed close relationships.  But, that is also part of the problem that was created.  The director of that orphanage did not manage his resources well (that is an understatement) but still people all wanted to "help" and did so by donations- many donations.  We truly believe this is not the answer either.  Coming alongside the pastor is one thing.  Helping him develop a long term plan for maintaining his facility while continuing to provide an environment where the girls will be healthy, emotionally stable, spiritually fed, and well educated is another.  Providing him with "hand outs" so he learns to rely on them is yet another.  Things need to be managed well, long term plans need to be developed, partnerships need to be formed, etc..

So, we ask for your prayers as we step out in faith- truly believing that this is where God is calling us as our "other project".  We will continue to be involved with Chaveneau (of course) and will still work diligently to help the people there improve their community, providing clean water, food, medical care, etc... but we will also work with this second project in Port au Prince.  We believe God is directing this and that these projects are actually not too different.  Both are in alignment with our mission statement.  Both are very different areas of need, but both will benefit the Haitian people long term- creating productive members of the Haitian society who will ultimately be equipped to assist their own people and country in the future.  This is (and will continue to be) our primary focus.

If you would like information on sponsoring a girl at the orphanage or a child in Chaveneau please notify us.  We will be launching sponsorship shortly after the new year if all works out as planned.  God bless!  And as always thank you so much for your support and prayers.  :) :)

note:  the photo was taken at the orphanage- it is of Melinda- one of the littlest ones there.  ALL are beautiful and ALL deserve sponsors... just like the children at the school in Chaveneau.

 I am willing to talk to your church or group and show photos so people can hear about our vision and pick a child they would like to sponsor!   Just give us a call or send me an e-mail.  -Crystal

Chaveneau update-

OK... enough about Son of God (though it will never leave my mind AND you may be hearing more in the near future)... what is God doing in Chaveneau many are asking? WELL... you will not believe the answers to that question. 

First of all, the school attendance? Up to about 200 children daily!! (250 registered now from what I hear) I have attached SOME photos of the children in class but I will take more photos when I get there in a few weeks- of them lined up for the national anthem in the morning- that's when you get a good picture of how many there are. Here are those that came on time the first day of school and got to line up (Haitians are notoriously late AND it was the first day of school so the photo is missing MANY children)



Next question... where do you put all the students? Well, they are not all fitting in the school sooooo- the Arris family (along with church members and friends) built THREE outdoor classrooms. They are being used for the little ones- preschool and kindergarten. They are located under the trees and are covered by tarps. I am sure we could use some able-bodied people to come and make improvements but they are working well for now! Exciting stuff!



The classrooms inside the church have undergone a "facelift" as well. They are no longer separated by tarps,but now they have wooden dividers between classes/teachers that double as chalkboards. Speaking of teachers, we have increased our staff quite a bit- most of the new people are teacher's helpers (no need for all of them to be teachers) but there are some new teachers, a principal (the director travels between the school and Port au Prince) and others. New benches for the school have been constructed to insure that all students have a seat. We also have a man operating the gate- yes GATE on the property. They have had a few problems with children not in school showing up at recess time to "bully" those in school so a "fence" was put up all around the entire playground/soccer field. This too could use an update, but for now it is made from woven palm fronds and is amazing! The man at the gate controls who does/does not enter the property and provides security.





God is moving in Chaveneau and though it's exciting to see all that has been done, it has not been without cost. Many students still do not have uniforms (important in Haiti to have), inside the church needs to be finished with concrete and painted, salaries need to be paid, etc... PLEASE consider sponsoring a school student ($25 per month) or classroom ($75 per month) or giving a donation to the school for "general use". THANK YOU to those who have given- we hope you have enjoyed seeing the money IS being used wisely. :)

"Home" again...

I put the word "home" in quotes for a few reasons... this was the first time leaving Haiti that I really felt as though I was going to the USA to visit and would be returning "home" soon because I return in three weeks to Haiti with the medical assessment team (A-team) and then again at the end of Dec. for a group that is coming from California.  But, then I thought farther and realized though I love Haiti and the people there so much and though I had the most amazing/blessed trip this time, Haiti is not "home" either... I have a HOME in HEAVEN where I will live one day forever -spending time with the love of my life- Jesus!  I will tell you that I believe I have been given a wonderful glimpse of what Heaven will be like the past few weeks.  I have also been blessed to experience what pretty much everyone who has gone on a mission trip experiences- I was FAR MORE BLESSED than those I went to serve.  Starting with the friends with whom we stayed in the beginning of our trip to those with whom we stayed at the end of our visit to Haiti and everyone in between both Emily and I were so blessed.  Let me explain a bit about our trip now that I can share the details- will try to be brief.

It all started when Son of God orphanage was closed by officials in Haiti due to the horrific conditions the children were living in and the treatment they were receiving from the directors of the facility.  Children were literally starving, they were sick and covered with scabies, some were neglected/physically/sexually abused, etc...   We had been on the periphery of the investigation by Americans compiling data for many months so we knew some of the key people working/advocating for these children so we were blessed when we were chosen to travel to Haiti to help wherever we could just 5 days after the closing of Son of God (SOG).

We arrived in Haiti on Thurs. 10/27 and for the first five days we stayed with friends on the "front lines"- people who were helping locate/identify children moved in the closing of SOG and others who were still considered "missing".  The role God gave Emily and I was to stay at the base where these friends live and do work there (physical work, photography, compiling data, etc...) so they could continue to attend meetings and  do what they needed to do to find/help the children.  They knew where 35 girls were and at least 9 boys (we later found it was 20) and they knew all the "key players" in the investigation on the Haitian side.  We felt so honored to be able to be there and be able to free their schedules for them so they could attend to the work God had given them without worry/distraction.  Being "behind the scenes" can be difficult- everyone likes to be in the spotlight, but honestly it was a job done with JOY and we made some great friendships in the process (and even learned things/met contacts that will help our ministry in the future).

But, I have to be honest and say that after five days of being in the country and 10 days since the closing of SOG it was really hard some days to listen to stories of visits to the girl's orphanage (where we KNEW Sarafina was) and not see the girls ourselves.  But, Emily has even said, God really used that time to teach us both a bit about servant ministry and putting Him and His agenda first.

Then, day six in the country we got to see the girls!  I can not explain to you the feeling of driving into that facility to see them and watching them as they tentatively approached us, some saying our names, but hanging back a bit because they were unsure of us/our intentions.  They had been told many stories about the Americans and not to trust us.  But, it didn't take long until we had little hands tucked in ours and children fighting for our attention.

Bottom line, we were asked to join the pastor there, stay in his guest house and serve the girls by giving them medication and helping with transition to this new, happier place.  So, day six meant moving to the girl's home where we would live the next NINE days.  I will write more stories about this experience because honestly it is hard to talk about it still without getting VERY emotional.  Yes, I am 50 years old and hormonal (and as some of you know I cry very easily anyway) but this experience would bring anyone to tears.  The ability to love and bless others that these girls have is beyond comprehension.  After all they have been through they still  welcomed us into their "family" and we were truly part of the group.  Leaving there was one of the hardest things I have ever done in my life. It was the glimpse of Heaven I talked about earlier.  Not physical heaven.  It is still Haiti- it is a dirty, concrete place where they live, but the sense of family, the love, the tenderness toward one another is beyond compare.  If you look past the physical you will see the smiles, hear the shouts of joy, hear the corporate prayer every night, hear the worship songs sung at dusk on the porch, watch the older ones caring for the younger, etc...

Again we were tested when Emily and I had to leave after nine days even though our "relief" was not coming for another week so the girls would be "alone".  We knew they will never truly be alone- many of you are praying for them and will continue to do so and we know God is with them but it was like leaving family when we pulled out of there and went to visit the boys for a day (that was another GOD experience) and then to head back to the place we stayed upon arrival to debrief, process and REST for another four days.  But, during that time we were again ministered to and blessed much more than we were blessing.  Those we stayed with were wonderful and really helped me at least work through some things I needed to.

Our last night was spent at the Arris house- planning for the Dec. trips and having time with my family there.  Getting out of the car and having the family come over and call me "mom" and hug me- seeing their faces light up when they saw me was another blessing.  And then having an evening with them was God literally putting icing on the cake for me.

THEN, to top it all off, on the way to the airport our last day we stopped by the orphanage to see the girls and to talk to the pastor about a few last minute things.  I wish there was a video crew there to capture the reception we got.  I couldn't help but think about the reception we had when we first got there just two weeks earlier- to the day.  This time girls RAN to us- screaming our names.  They literally knocked Emily to the ground to hug her- crying and laughing at the same time.  One got to me first and jumped from about 3 feet away and landed with her body against my chest and wrapped her legs around my waist and arms around my neck.  She kept kissing and kissing my cheeks and crying and saying "I missed you" in Creole.  Then the rest were "on" me.. all fighting to press in and touch me and I think of how blessed I am.

These girls are now my daughters.  God did not put us at that orphanage by chance.  We are ONE family now- all 36 of us!  (and actually more cause we bonded with many of the girls who were already at the orphanage too) I do not know what God has for the future, but I know He has given me a glimpse of the joy I will have in Heaven when I get there.  Returning "home" to this orphanage was beyond what I can describe to you all.

THANK YOU for those of you who contributed financially to this "emergency" trip.  It was by far the most expensive one we have taken and we will be "in the hole" for a while because of it, but we were blessed so much by our time there and humbled that God used US to help these girls transition to their new "home".  Thank you to those who covered us in prayer.  We ask that you continue to pray for us and for the girls as we work with other organizations to see what God has for their future sponsorship/support, etc... Pray that we can reunite many with their families.  I truly pray many of you reading this will get a chance to meet these girls one day and know them.  They are truly gifts from God and they bless everyone who meets them.  :)

"Working" with the girls!

The following was written from the orphanage where Emily and I have served for the past 9 days- we were so blessed God used us in this capacity and we were allowed this opportunity- it gives you a LITTLE glimpse of our life here in Haiti-

Imagine for a minute getting up in the morning and getting medication ready for 35 girls- some are on two or three different kinds that all need to be measured and logged in their charts.  Then, joining the Haitian cooks rolling dough to make breakfast to feed about 75 girls only to be called upstairs to your room where your own breakfast of scrambled eggs and Haitian coffee awaits you.  (along with the little girl who directs you to the bathroom and holds a basin of water and soap out so you can wash your hands- pouring the clean water over your hands once they are soapy)  After breakfast, you get to go play with the girls and “hang out” teaching them English as they teach you Creole.  Every one of them fighting for your attention.  Mid morning brings with it more “treatments”- soaking swollen hands, dressing cuts and scrapes, washing hair and cleaning open sores, etc…   Afternoon meds and “dinner” comes too soon at about 2 to 3 pm. and then the later day wound care again.  Dinner is set on the balcony overlooking the entire city of Port au Prince and is a huge meal complete with an ice cold drink bought by our host family again.  Finally, the evening routine begins at about 4:30 pm with applying scabies treatment/medicine to ALL the girls in the orphanage as well as some of the family because the Pastor feels no one should be made to feel “different” so he lets them all play together even though many of “our” girls are covered with scabies and sores.  We start the treatment so early because it takes a long time to administer to all the girls and we want good light.  Then, we hang out again and finally, at about 8 pm. we give evening meds and then we go into one of the bedrooms with all 35 girls and sing songs/pray before bed… So far I have not been able to keep from crying when doing this- good thing it is so dark in there.  How blessed to hear the happiness of these girls, to see the love, to spend this time with them!  They are happy- you need not worry about them.  They are loved.  They are adjusting well and have made friends with the 40 who were already at this orphanage and the pastor/family who run the place love them and WANT them there.  He is an amazing man of God.  They will soon start school and eventually will be trained at his “professional” school where they will learn trades such as sewing, baking, hair dressing, etc…  Yes, these children have been abused.  Yes, many of them have had to fight to survive.  But, survive they have and they are resilient.  They are happy here and so are we.  God is amazing and both Emily and I consider ourselves soooo blessed to be here serving these girls and Him. And we are so thankful for all of you who have made it possible to be here.  There is no doubt in either of our minds it is exactly where God has us right now. So, as we fall into bed exhausted at about 8:30 pm. we say “Thank you”- to you and to God!   More photos and stories to follow.  J

ALL the girls at the orphanage- they are all one big "family" now

                                           Emily handing out morning medications

 

        Morning medications- all counted and ready to "serve"