Presentation

The presentation last night went really well and we are excited about the direction God is taking the ministry. Much of the foundation work is being done to get us to be able to minister more effectively now that He has clearly shown us what His plans are for the future of HU in Haiti.  So, we are excited to share our three greatest needs with you.  Of course, sponsorship of the orphans and at-risk children in Chaveneau are still important as are organizing short term teams to serve in Carrefour (medical teams especially) and at the orphanage in Port au Prince.  So those things are still going on and actively being organized but for now we need to pick some projects to focus on and the follwing three are what we feel our greatest needs are.  It is this foundation work that is not always glamorous to support but is vital to the ministry- to be able to be effective in other areas He has called us to.  God has really shown us that if we take time now in these areas we will have years of fruit/benefit from this.    

VEHICLE-
     The donated truck from Madison has been sold and the money added to other fund raiser money.  This gives us about $6500 currently to use to purchase a vehicle when we go to Haiti.  We would love to have about $10,000 which would get us a really reliable vehicle so we are trusting God to provide the balance or to give us a good vehicle for what we currently have to spend. We plan to buy this vehicle when I return in July.


BASE-
      The need for a base is more evident than ever.  We would really like to begin to get an area where we can really pour into the local community, establish long term relationships and build on those we already have, etc...  A place where teams can stay when they come to Haiti and we can even rent to other groups when we have no teams for HU on the ground.   We anticipate that this will cost about $3500 to $5000 per year and that amount usually needs to be paid up front.
                   (photos below of the place we are considering- 3rd floor of a house for rent)

CLEAN WATER-
      We have an organization willing to help us install the clean water system and their usual procedure is that the recipient of the system needs to provide a water source and needs to provide a building to house the system they install and keep it secure/operational.  Both of these are things we frankly do not have funding for at the current time and we are working with them to see if we can work something out.  For now here's where we stand...
     Chaveneau-  We are still getting estimates to put in a well (we would rather have our own well rather than use the community spring water that has been tested and found to be contaminated- there are numerous concerns with using this spring source)  but we anticipate it costing about $2500 to $3500 to drill a well.  then, we need to build the 8' x 10' building.  This would involve not only construction teams to COME but funds to pay for supplies.  We do have a group who would like to do an installation of the system in the end of November so this would mean we would have to have the building and well completed by then!
     Orphanage-  We have some funds to drill the well but are still getting estimates because the estimate we got from the latest well driller was $10-12,000 US  OUCH!  That is because there is so much rock on the mountain where the orphanage is located.  Again, once a well is installed we would need to build a place for the water system.  But, just having the well finished would be a blessing to them.

Hope this gives you a better idea of how you can pray for us and where we are being directed.  We always need people behind the scenes too.  Fund raising, collecting/packing and organizing items to ship to Haiti, contacting potential donors, etc. all takes time/energy that we just do not have time for.  There are MANY ways for you to become involved in the ministry.  Contact us if you would like to volunteer and we can work to find the perfect fit for you!  Thanks-  **  fill out the contact form on our website
www.heartsunitedwithhaiti.org

Base...

Here are some photos for you- please pray about considering helping us get a base!  

This is a photo of just SOME of the suitcases and supplies I needed to take from the Arris house to the new house for the last team.  WHen I have a team at the Arris house I still have to get them out of the closet and empty them and set things up.  It will be nice when we have our own place and can let things set up from trip to trip!

Here's a place we have heard is for rent (3rd floor only)...... Sounds like it would suit what we need but we still need to pray.  If it's still available in July and God has given us some money we may consider it!  (not quite the area where we would like to be, but you never know-  God has His ways of directing us)

Very large balcony!  :)  

One of the bedrooms- we have been told there are four large bedrooms and two baths.... 

We really hope to rent a place by the fall of this year.  Then we can host teams better- building bunk beds, having a stockroom for donated supplies, etc... 

So long little man...

.... for now anyway.  A few minutes ago I said "bye" to Jean Bernard.  He had the stitches out this morning at the hospital and we got a final exam from the doctor who said he is healing really well.  He has some swelling remaining in his "private area" but the doctor says that is because the hernia was there so long and the hernia itself is fine now (completely fixed).  He said if the swelling persists maybe we will get him to see a urologist in the future but for now it's nothing serious or life-threatening like the hernia was.  Praise God!  When I asked about his limitations the doctor patiently explained to him that he is still not to life anything heavy and he still needs to keep the incision site really clean and dry it well after showering (especially umbilical area- tends to harbor bacteria).  He promised that he would do all this.  Let's pray he does.

playing with a puzzle that was donated to the girls but was sitting around and kept me sane at the orphanage!  THANK YOU to whomever donated it!!!  :)  :)  :)  

removing the sutures.... I got to assist (wasn't much help I am afraid)..... GREAT doctor!  Would highly recommend him to anyone needing a surgeon in Haiti!  :)

It was hard to say goodbye.  He has literally been by my side for almost two weeks straight and I will miss the little guy a LOT.  I need sleep cause at night he would slide his mat so close to mine and then lay there and put his arm against my mat or drum on it or kick it so I would wake up a lot but it was nice to know he was there and safe. I am starved for normal adult conversation IN ENGLISH (and driving Redgi/James/Obed crazy with all my ramblings).  I am tired of constantly yelling at him to sit still and not play ball and not climb things (normal 12 year old boy stuff) and having him look at me with those puppy dog eyes and then wait until I am not looking to do it all again--- somehow thinking that if I don't SEE it he didn't do it.  Hahahaha

But, now he tells us he will run away and be back on the street.  We urged him to stay with relatives or the Cornet family but I don't honestly think he will.  I am sure he will show up from time to time and he knows I will return to Haiti July 9th and that James will know where I will be then.  That way he can come and find me and I should be able to give a better update. He likes the freedom and lack of rules the streets provide.  He is still too young to understand structure and the importance of it and that some rules are there for his protection and/or the protection of others. He's just a little boy who wants to play and have fun and have no one telling him he can/can not do this or that.  Please keep him in your prayers and me as well.  It's been quite a journey.