Tuesday, December 31, 2013

last day of the year

We had a full day today! First, we went to the Life is Well orphanage and finished up some painting that we started yesterday. We also hung out with the kids. It was great because we saw the same kids that were there yesterday. After just even two days, it becomes easier to recognize faces and names. After that, we ate lunch and took a little break. We then walked down the OSE orphanage down the road and made some bracelets with the kids there. It was a really great experience for me personally, because I speak French and a lot of the kids there also spoke French. I felt like I could truly connect with them today because I could exchange more than just a smile (although that is always great, too!). Overall, it was a productive and fun day! Tonight is New Year's Eve, so we will be heading over to church and hanging out there for a little. There are sure to be fireworks and celebration tonight, so we will be awake for a while.

Thanks for your prayers and thoughts, and bonne annĂ©e!
-Skyler








Pediatric Hospital

When we first arrived at the hospital it seemed more like a community area rather then an organized health provider (hospital). There were people walking up and down the street, some not being taken care of, others just sitting on the sidewalks. There were specific locations for people who were sick with tuberculosis, which consisted of a tented area, where as back home a patient with tuberculosis would be in a specific isolated room. Our focus of the day was to be with the pediatrics hospital and provide a lunch to the children as well as diapers. It is up to the parents of the children to provide all the supplies that their child may need while in the hospital, the only thing provided to a family is the bed.
The pediatric hospital looked like stables with cribs lining the outer walls, there were no walls to divide a family from another sick family, there was a table near the entrance where the doctors and nurses did the paperwork, and the temperature was hotter inside than it was outside. Medication and supplies were stored on the wooden shelf right above the child's crib. The environment was sad but smiles and "merci" (thank you's) were still heard.
We had the opportunity to talk to a few of the parents and find out what the hospital stay was like, how long they had been there, what was wrong with their child, and say a prayer over their child and family as well. One of the parents we talked to has a two year old son named Jackson who has been in the hospital for fourteen days, he had a bellyache and the mother explained that she did not have the money to provide the medication needed for her child so they were going to stay until they could provide the necessary treatment. Next to Jackson's crib, there was a baby that had been dropped off by his parents, which means no treatment was going to be provided unless another family or ministry would provide the money needed for supplies. Jackson's mother was a blessing to the other child because she knew the history of the child and continued to watch over the child as if it was one of her own.
The power of prayer was very well accepted and handled among the parents and families within the hospital. Not only were we able to pray with the family about the healing of their children but they allowed for us to hold their hands and make a circle of prayer.
Overall the experience was humbling as well as shocking. We were able to experience the love of God and spread his joy and hope to families at a time where they may have none at all. We are happy to have this experience and share the love of God and his word throughout the community.
We love and miss our families at home,
Brittany Phelps, Gwen Miller, Jaclyn Anderson

Photos- Day 2

Yesterday we went to Life is Wealth Orphanage in Port au Prince to paint the dorms where the girls sleep and also to play with them and meet them.  Some of the group also went to the General Hospital in Port au Prince to visit the pediatric ward where they met/talked to/prayed with many children and their parents.  It was quite an experience for them and I will have one of them blog later.  We are having a good time sharing the love of Jesus with many and getting to know one another as well.  Thanks for the prayers and MUCH support/encouragement.  It means a lot to the team and really has an impact on our ministry!  God bless- Crystal

David really got into sanding with us (he removed his shirt to put onto his head and also over his mouth at times cause it got REALLY dusty!  

some of the children helping Auston sand

Sanding in the big room- the reflections are particles of dust in the air that caught the flash.  We went outside to get fresh air, but it really wasn't as dusty as it seems.  

playing duck-duck-goose with the children while taking a break from sanding/painting

repainting the bedrooms

hanging out with our new friends after the painting is finished for the day (we still have about 2/3 of the place to paint!

again- hanging with new friends

Auston showing some of the photos he took to the children

sanding prior to painting

the children got into helping us sand the place and clean it too

when the power came on, they all went to watch their TV (but the station was music videos that were NOT very appropriate so we talked to Pastor Yves about this.  

hair is always a way to bond

a friend had made these ornaments for each child for Christmas and I was excited when we came (and they did not know we were coming- just the pastor did) some of the girls were wearing them as necklaces. 

Monday, December 30, 2013

We have been very busy the last few days. Doesn't look to be slowing down. Here are a few from the last two days as we played with children from the two orphanages we visited.-Auston



My Highlights from Life is Wealth Orphanage

Today was pretty exciting. We got to go to the Life is Wealth orphanage. We spent the first part of the morning sanding and painting the walls. Some of the kids wanted to help so we gave them sandpaper and rags. It was so funny to watch them get excited about cleaning. While the guys worked on the tall parts of the walls, we got to play with the kids. They were really concerned about the paint that was stuck to my hands, so they led me out to a water faucet where they instructed me to rub and scrape my hands under the water. It was an oil based paint so it wouldn't come off. After one boy got frustrated he led me to a bucket where he started to dump liquid out and onto my hands. I thought it was water until it started to sting a little. He had been pouring gasoline on my hands! Once I realized it I couldn't stop laughing. 
 My other highlight from the orphanage was when the girls did my hair.There was a lot of tugging and ripping going on, but I definitely  got an interesting hair do. I really enjoyed working and playing with the kids today and can't wait to go back tomorrow!
- Renee Wubbenhorst

Photo highlights- Day 1


I will try to post some shots daily of the team doing different ministry so you can see what they are up to.  I will let them post blog updates to read.  Enjoy!  - Crystal

church by the beach in a pavilion with goats walking through the building.  Fun times!


The children with their food provided by a church in Michigan!  (OSE Orphanage)

Josh on the mountain- the children told him he looked like Jesus

Gwen showing the children some photos she took of them!

Same with Auston... showing photos

hiking back to base from the mountain overlook

Renee helping carry food into the orphanage!  :)

Sunday, December 29, 2013

Worship Time

One of my favorite parts of the day was when we visited an orphanage. We went and played with the kids. We used a parachute to play games with the kids. Like all kids, they could repeatedly play the same game over and over. They loved running under the parachute. We then all stood around the parachute and waved it up and down while singing some church songs. I knew of the songs, but they were singing in Creole. I love how we can be all singing the same songs but in different languages. It is such a cool thing to all sing together in your own native language, but be worshiping the same God. I think that is a big reason it's important to visit other places and get out of your comfort zone because you see the unifying pieces that connect all people. 

Can't wait for tomorrow's adventure!
(p.s. Ally wants to say that she is still kicking :))

-Breanna S.

sunday/funday

Hello, friends! My name is Skyler Burkhart, and I'm currently part of the Hearts United With Haiti team. It's been a great experience so far. I flew in a day earlier than the rest of the team, so I've had a little more time to adjust and hang out in Haiti. Every day has been eventful, and I can already tell that this is a great country.

Today was Sunday. We started off the day with going to church. The church that we went to is located by the beach, so that was very cool to see. The water was so blue. I think Haiti is often portrayed as a very dirty country, but it is actually very beautiful here. After church, we visited the OSE orphanage down the road and played with some of the kids there. They were all extremely friendly and energetic, which was awesome! After the orphanage, we went on a hike to the top of the mountain that is near us. That was quite a sight to see. I took a few photos if you are interested in looking at them.

I am excited for what the rest of the week has in store! We will continuously need your prayers and thoughts, so we thank you in advance for them!




-Skyler (and the rest of the team)

Update 12/29 - early morning

Sorry for not updating more last night.  First night is full of questions, unpacking, etc... and (of course) we had NO ELECTRICITY! So.... we were extra busy holding flashlights for one another and doing other things to stay dry with the rain. BUT... all were in bed at least before 10 pm. and I think they are all still asleep as I type this....

Here is the ONE photo I have from yesterday.... sorry there are not more but again it gets so busy as the team can explain to you once they return.  Now that we are safely at the base and organized things should move at a much slower, "island" pace!  "Haitian time" is what we affectionately call it.  We have a plan, but it's not necessarily God's plan for us all so we need to be open and sensitive to His direction.
(cool story below the photo- keep reading)

For those of you who are following the blog and not necessarily the team (or those following the team)- check out this God story I have from yesterday!

So... Redgi and I went to the airport in the Montero to get the first group.  I packed a backpack and some snacks to eat because after the 3 students from Malone arrived I was going to wait 2.5-3 hours in the parking area for the next group and then another hour for the final group.  MY PLAN- not what God had at all!  First of all, after Redgi left for the base with the first group and I was sitting/relaxing some of the porters I have come to know came over.  They had some questions for me to help them improve their English speaking skills.  (for example:  "If I have a group of women, can I say, 'Come on guys" because they are NOT guys- they are female"?)  So, there I was asking them questions too and giving an impromptu English class which I loved.

 Then came a text from the 3 York College students who were flying through Miami that they had missed the plane.  The other 7 York students were already in the air flying from Fort Lauderdale and one was planning to stay INSIDE the airport to wait for the second group.  I didn't know if they knew that the 3 had missed their flight.  (hope you are still following this- it's kinda complicated)  Well.... to make a long story short- when I told the group what happened, one of the guys I had never met before who was in my impromptu class says, "Miss!  I can get you inside the airport!  My brother works security."  So... he introduces me to his brother who speaks no English but who brought me inside and got me to a bench (still not inside baggage claim but close) and tells me to wait there.  After he left me, another man came up to ask who I was and why I was there and I told him.... HE took me all the way to baggage claim where I was able to connect with the group.  So, I now have the phone number of the security guard and know him (believe me - I tipped him well) and I actually got inside the airport.

Not only that, but in between the two security people when I was on the bench waiting, I met an American who is working with a great organization. We shared stories and have very much the same philosophy on ministry.  She got my contact information and I am excited to share that we are going to meet up sometime after the team leaves.  She is looking to MOVE to Haiti and work as a teacher somewhere.  We just started a school.... Who knows what God might be up to!  Only He knows but one thing is sure!

I have waited MANY times for groups and NEVER been allowed inside the airport before.  Only God could have orchestrated all that.  So, once again, what the enemy meant for distraction for the group was used by God for good!  Praise Him for all the ways He guides and directs us.  It is because of prayers from many like you that this happens.  So, thank you once again for all your support in prayer for the ministry.

I was just so excited I had to share this with you all! God bless you on this last Lord's day in 2013!  -Crystal

Saturday, December 28, 2013

Team has arrived

The Malone University students are here at the base safe and sound.  The York College group is mostly here (3 are still in Miami due to a delayed connecting flight and will arrive early tomorrow morning).  We had orientation and a great Haitian dinner of rice/beans and beef stew and they are all relaxing on the roof after a slight rainstorm which has cooled things off greatly!  We pray for a good night's sleep and will update again in the morning or early afternoon (after church) if possible.  Thanks for the prayers!

Friday, December 27, 2013

1/4 of team has arrived

Today was very busy with getting supplies for the upcoming trip, finalizing details, picking up Skyler and Auston at the airport, traveling to the orphanage, etc... but God has already been evidencing Himself for sure!  We were kept safe on the roads, Auston/Skyler got here with no trouble, we found all the supplies needed to paint the orphanage for decent prices, and more.  We were even able to stop by Redgi's house for a few minutes to get personal items for Madame Josee' and bring them to the base so she didn't have to carry them on tap tap tomorrow when she comes to begin cooking (all the while SHE was at the base delivering fruit/vegetables for the team that she had purchased in the city- lol).  We are all exhausted and ready for some much needed sleep.  

Tomorrow's plans include picking up three groups from the airport at three different times (12:30, 3:15 and 4:30) and then traveling to the base for orientation, dinner and to get organized.  Praise God we have electricity.  Hopefully tomorrow we will have the same since it is nice to get unpacked and organized/settled with light to help.  We can also use the fans to keep us cool when sleeping, though it is nice and cool here at night right now.  

Prayers for a good day of travel for the team members coming tomorrow and for the upcoming ministry God has called us to.  We have the tentative schedule posted and will see what He brings our way!  

God bless- Crystal

Sunday, December 22, 2013

Christmas Blessing!

The concordance (in dk. blue), a book on Christian family living (light blue upper left) and two Bible study books on Romans along with 75 New Testaments in Creole!  What a gift from God to Haiti! (through the generosity of His people).

So, here is an amazing story of God's provision that I just have to share with you!  It all started with an e-mail I received from Delta Airlines saying the itinerary for my return trip to Haiti had changed.  I opened the e-mail to view it and it didn't seem to be any different from what I already had on record.  Then, I noticed the change!  I was moved from Economy class to BUSINESS class!  This means that in addition to the wonderful seat with more room I was now entitled to two free checked bags - 70 pounds each.  No, you have to realize that every trip to Haiti I take the allowed 50 pound free bag and then I always check a second bag that weighs 50 pounds and pay for that one (usually $40).  Since I keep my clothes and other items in Haiti at the base we rent, these suitcases are usually filled with donations, items for people I know, items for the base/orphanage, etc...  Well, I called Delta to confirm and YES!  I do get the two bags!  This is almost another whole suitcase.  :)  :)  

WAIT!  This story gets better.  Now that I knew I had extra pounds I could pack I began to pray, "God, what would you have me take to Haiti this trip that would be a blessing to Your people?"  It didn't take long until I got an answer.  Within a few hours I got a text that someone had donated a large amount of money for us to use to bless someone this Christmas season.  Again, I went to prayer.  "OK God, I have extra weight to pack, and extra money to spend.  What should I do with both?"  

A few hours later I was cleaning and came across the catalog feom a place near our house in Pennsylvania that sells books in Haitian Creole.  DING DING DING   The lights went off and bells whistled (not really, but you know what I mean) and I knew!  I called, placed my order and went to pick up the books.  75 New Testaments in Creole, a concordance for Pastor Yves and Pastor Robby, and three Bible study books for some of the translators we are close to. 

Not only did the price come to almost all the money I had to spend, but guess what?  Right before leaving I had a quick thought pass through my head.  I asked the guy selling me the books how much he thought they weighed.  He said, "I have a scale right here for when we ship packages.  Let's check".  Yep!  You are right.... the books I had just purchased weighed........... 40.8 pounds!  

If that's not God at work, then I don't know what is folks!  So, my bags are packed and I am ready to go back to Haiti.  Seventy five people will receive the word of God in Creole and some of those who have blessed us in the past year will have some material to study His Word (in their language).  THANK YOU JESUS!  A Merry CHRISTmas indeed!  

Blessings - Crystal

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Update...

(photo thanks to my new friend Emmett!)

The past few days have been filled with meeting and visiting with some friends who stayed over, visiting with Pastor Robby and visiting with the children at the nearby orphanage (photo is of us making friendship bracelets).... TONIGHT my friends from Pittsburgh come for the night (8 of them on the team) and tomorrow Redgi and I will travel to Mirebalais to take his mom for her bloodwork.  We also bought 2 more bunk beds for the base bringing the total bunk beds to 7 in the guest rooms (sleeping for 14) and 1 in the staff room with another single bed for me.  SOOOO we could in theory sleep 17 now!  God is good!  And if you haven't read it yet, we paid rent for the next YEAR (until Nov. 25, 2014) so we will be using this as our base at least until then unless something major happens.  

Sorry I didn't update much- no power since the line blew outside the house two nights ago burning our wires.  Don't know if/when it will be fixed and we will get power again.  This may be the last update until I return on Sunday afternoon.  

God bless-  Crystal

Saturday, November 16, 2013

What a day!

Well, it is 6 pm. and Redgi is in his room taking a nap while I sit on the porch in the dark working on this blog.  That should let you know how this day was!  It was productive but it is draining going to Life is Wealth without a team- especially two days in a row.  The children ALL want your attention and hang all over you as you try to do whatever it is you came for.  Even if you just came to play, it is HOT and SWEATY but I love it for sure!  We went to get some things done and accomplished all that was on the list, but we also went to play with the children.

The "boss" looked at the location for the water building and is going to work up a quote for me.  He will need about 1/3 to begin the work and can start as soon as possible.  Both Redgi and I felt very comfortable with him and Pastor did too.  They will need to remove a large area of concrete to put in the foundation for the building, but we like the idea of locating it to the right of the gate as you enter the property better than the original idea of putting the building to the left as you enter.  There are so many reasons for moving it and thankfully it will work in the new location and Pastor Yves is happy with that decision.  I will call those responsible for paying for it once I return to the USA with a quote and they can begin to send down payments to begin.  This is exciting stuff!  Finally it seems these children will have clean water to drink.

We also got everything done on the list I put up earlier and even are hoping after Redgi wakes up we can go get money changed into gourdes and then pay the rent for ONE YEAR!  This means we plan to still be in this location all the way through the summer and fall of next year.  We are even praying about some space that has opened up on the property (another rental unit) which rents for about $160 per month.  We could use the area for storage for ALL our donations and extra items and also for an office space or for sleeping quarters for staff.  We will need to pray about that one first.  God knows!

Right now I am praying we get electricity since I am not sleepy and would love to sit and read a book or something.  God bless- church tomorrow if we can make it (we may try a new one nearby) and then Madame Esther's orphanage in the afternoon and possibly visiting with a friend of mine who also serves in Haiti.  She called and said she may stop by with her son on their way through Carrefour.  Redgi and I both need a sabbath because we have been running nonstop but praise God we are accomplishing much in His name!

Day 5

Hard to believe it's that many days I have been here (including the day I arrived).  Yesterday was super busy but we got a lot accomplished- Praise God!!

In the morning we worked around the house on various items (paperwork, answering e-mails, balancing receipts, etc).  Then, around noon we left to do errands.  First we visited Amondine and Madame Esther at the hospital.  We were able to pay more on her bill and buy more medicine for her.  It took FOREVER and there was a period of time when I sat and watched Redgi and Madame Esther just walk from one room to another - back and forth to pay things and get questions answered.  We have no further information about her progress/diagnosis because the results of the blood test were not available when we left there.  We will call this morning on our way out of here.

After leaving the hospital we went to the mattress place in Delmas and bought 17 mattresses- 13 for Life is Wealth and 4 more for the base.  They will not be in stock until Tuesday (Monday is a holiday) so we must come get them then.  Once we purchase two more Haitian bunk beds we will have beds at the base for 17 people and 2 extra twin mattresses on the floor (waiting for an American bunk bed to either be built or purchased).  It's really looking like a mission base the more and more we do around here.  Yay!

We then picked up Mr. Alvarez and Edwin and headed over to Life is Wealth.  I was greeted in the usual manner with screaming and dancing and I was very happy to be "home" with the children.  We were able to spend only a little personal time with them because they had their Leadership Class, tutoring, and other activities.  This week the men running the group gave prizes to all the children who were doing well in their class at school as well as those who looked clean and well dressed.  (they have been working on hygiene)  There was little trash on the property which was encouraging since we have the trash removal program in place.  Today we will spend more time there, meet with Pastor Yves (he was busy yesterday), meet with a man who will possibly build the water building and we will do some interviews on the children.  There were about 5-6 new ones I do not know (including some little boys which I am sure makes Robinson and Charles, Jr. happy).  Siliene was back which shocked me!  She had left about a year ago (summer 2012) to go home to Artibonite but she CHOSE to return from her family.  Redgi says, "Who wouldn't want to return to a place where your parents aren't around to yell at you all the time and discipline you.  A place where you have lots of friends readily available, food, a bed, and you have no jobs/responsibilities"-----Oh how that broke my heart!  I do NOT want to encourage children to leave their homes for the "draw" of an orphanage.  So lots to pray about there!

Today is (as I said) Life is Wealth day.  We will call the builder one hour before we leave the house and he will meet us in Carrefour (he lives on the way to Gressier) and we will drive him to the orphanage to figure out price for construction of the water building.  Then, we will do all our meetings at Life is Wealth and hang out with the children there. It doesn't sound like much but I have a HUGE list of things to go over with Pastor Yves, he wants to meet with me, and we want to give the worm medicine and talk to each child (ALL 60 or so of them)..... LONG day ahead!

Your prayers are heard and appreciated.  Traffic yesterday was horrible and we spent a great deal of time just sitting, sitting, sitting plus weaving around others (whose cars had run out of gas or were overheating) the whole time.  We have had long days but the nights are cool so sleep is good!  God bless-  Crystal

Friday, November 15, 2013

Update

OK... too tough to respond to all the messages on facebook and e-mail asking what we have been up to and how things are going, so I am going to try to put it all here.

Tuesday I arrived.  After lunch with Redgi and his father we went to visit his mother and to see Sparky (and the rest of the family).  It was wonderful to see Madame Josee'.  She looks great and her hair is just beginning to grow back! We will take her to Mirebalais on Wed. of next week (Monday is a holiday so they rescheduled the chemo for another day) and I hope to be able to talk to the doctors or nurses then to see how she is progressing.  Her breast is softer now and she can no longer feel the lumps under her arms or in her neck.  A repeat of the CT scan (abdominal) and chest X-ray need to be done before deciding on treatment.  We are praying she is now a candidate for surgery but time will tell!
     We left the Alvarez residence and came to the base where I cleaned my room, handed out gifts and other things to Redgi/James (that they bought from me for either themselves or friends) and then we relaxed around the house and just caught up on the past two months apart.  Both Redgi and James had much to share!  They have been very busy in my absence.

Wed. was a "base day"- the three of us had meetings all day (and some breaks from English/Creole too) but we got most of the planning done for the December trip, most of the plan for the rest of my stay, receipts balanced (money accounted for), etc...  Pastor Guy (the owner of the lot next door) stopped by so I got to have a meeting with him about using the lot.  Please pray with us about that one- not sure how it will develop.  He is a shrewd businessman who has been to the USA many times so he knows how to "work a deal".   In the afternoon James got a call from Jean Bernard's brother that they had located him (see story below) so in the evening we got to have Jean Bernard over for a while at the base.  We also bought gas for the stove and did some other errands.

Thursday (yesterday) we spent a large part of the day at the hospital with Amondine. (one of the children at Madame Esther's orphanage).  Before I left for Haiti a friend gave me some money and said, "This is for Madame Esther.  Meet with her and find out what her greatest need is".  Then, yesterday Redgi's phone rang.  Madame Esther didn't know I was in town but she told him that Amondine was very sick and in the hospital.  We went to see her, paid her hospital bill (from that money my friend sent- we have $100 left to cover her new expenses).  We met with the doctor and he said she is extremely anemic which makes her hemoglobin very low (that carries oxygen throughout her system).  So, she is receiving oxygen and blood transfusions.  When asked the cause of the anemia he said he feels it is a "chronic problem" rather than acute (meaning she doesn't have any bleeding or anything making her lose blood SO it is most likely due to malnutrition).  Madame Esther has been telling us for a while that the children do not have enough to eat but this really brought her situation to light.  We have been taking her food monthly and vitamins when we can, but she is in a very desperate situation.  We got to spend some time in prayer together and I got to hear more about her needs.  She really loves the children- no doubt there and we were blessed to be used  by God to show her that HE loves them too!  (by sending us with the money when he did- the hospital was refusing to do any more treatment until the bill was paid)
     We also saw Dr. Carl and paid a bill we had there (he had seen Peterson last week because Peterson was sick) and bought worm medicine for the children at Life is Wealth.  We hope to go there today because it is the day their leadership classes are held.  We will photograph and video tape the class and even participate.  We also hope today to buy the mattresses with funds that were donated for that specific purpose.

It may not sound like much is being done, but God is at work for sure and we are quickly checking items off the "to do" list.  Keep the prayers coming and we will try to update more as the trip progresses.  God bless! His servant-  Crystal

Amondine in her hospital bed.... Bless this little one.  She was so cute when I laid hands on her and prayed - she was like a little angel and sooooo grateful afterward. Both our eyes were filled with a few tears!  I think she is very scared so I pray this comforted her a bit.  

Thursday, November 14, 2013

Reunited!

Last night we FINALLY found Jean Bernard!  For those of you who do not know, he is an orphan my very first team in the summer of 2010 found living on the streets and helped out with school, lodging, etc... for a few months.  However, like many street children, he didn't like living in a family setting with rules, didn't like having to go to school regularly, and other structure.  So he would often run away.  We would track him down, find someone to keep him, offer to help them with expenses and the cycle would repeat itself.  Then, in May of 2012 when we had a team in Carrefour he showed up complaining of pain in his groin.  Praise God it was a medical team and they were able to examine him.  After examination, they concluded he had both an inguinal hernia and an umbilical one.  God provided the finances and doctors needed to get him surgery quickly and I was blessed to be able to extend my stay in Haiti for two weeks to care for him prior, during his hospital stay and a bit during recovery.  I left Haiti that year in early June and said goodbye to Jean Bernard thinking he would be staying with his aunt.  BUT, when I returned later in July I found he had run away once again and we have spent the past year and a half searching and asking for him.  Praise God last night we finally followed up on a tip that lead us to him and I had about an hour visit with him!  He now knows where our base is and when I will return with a team (December) so he will be able to keep in touch.

It was pure joy to hear his (now manly/deep) voice, to have him sit with his hand on mine and to have him keep hugging me over and over and over.  :-)  :-)  We gave him a soccer ball, some food, and some other things including a hygiene kit but he said he needs clothes.  I had some here but didn't anticipate it being so long until I saw him and how much he would grow. (12 year old boys do that!)  He is not in school- he said because he doesn't have his birth certificate to enroll.  The family he is staying with provides him with 3 meals a day but he has to sleep in a tent in the yard with two other boys- both a little older than him.  He said he has to do a lot of the chores for them.  I explained that they are providing food for him though and a safe place to live but he needs to get back into school.  I highly doubt this will happen since he told Redgi and me that he enjoys the fact that once his chores are done he can just hang out with his buddies and play soccer all day.

Please join us in prayer for Jean Bernard.  Pray that he will be safe and that he will come to realize the value of education and that rules/structure are part of life.  Pray he will come to know Jesus as his savior and that he will realize how much God loves him and has protected him all these years and that his life is valuable.  Pray that we can continue to interact with him (and maybe those who care for him) in the future.  Praise God for the way we have been able to provide for him thus far - with the surgery, foster families, education, clothes, food, etc...


Thankful Journal- (con't)...

I totally forgot that I had started the thankful journal on here as well as on the Hearts United facebook page.  I kept up with it on the facebook page until I got to Haiti where internet is scarce.  Today I am blessed to have pretty good reception AND time to get things done too ... so this entry is to say that if you desire to follow the "thankful journal" you will have to do so on our facebook page.  "Like" us on facebook to get all the updates when we post them.  THIS one is used when we have teams present and that one is updated at other times.  Too much for one person to keep up with- sorry for my "slacking".....  -Crystal

Friday, November 1, 2013

Thankful journal- Day One

November is the month we in the USA celebrate Thanksgiving.  A time to stop and count our blessings, spend time with family/friends and celebrate ALL we have been blessed with.  We shouldn't need a certain day/time of year as a reason to be thankful but sometimes with the busy lives we lead we don't take the time to just notice the little things and thank the One Who gives us all we have.  So, I will do my best to update regularly this month with a "thankful journal".  Since this is the Hearts United facebook site I will probably concentrate a lot on Haiti but since my personal life is so intertwined with the ministry there will probably be some blending of the two.  For today, to kick off the journal, I will say that I am thankful for Jesus Christ- the reason for ALL we do!  I never cease to be amazed at the fact that God sent His Son to willingly die for MY sins (and yours). Though I was not yet born, though I still have things in my life that I will probably do to disappoint Him and not in accordance with His will for my life (which is the definition of sin), though I do not always take time for things like this journal thanking Him, etc... He still loves me, waits longingly for me to come back to Him, and forgives my transgressions EVERY time I ask without judgement or condemnation for waiting so long but instead with compassion and understanding!  How amazing.  Christianity is not a crutch, but instead an honor.  To be used daily by the Creator of the Universe as a vehicle to transmit His message of love and salvation to others is unbelievable.  And to have Him readily available to listen, comfort, guide, and (YES!) communicate with me at the same time as millions of others around the world is mind-blowing.  But, to know I AM that special that He hears me and longs for my voice as I long for His is beyond anything I can describe!  So, today (and every day) I am thankful for Jesus and the gift He gave us all when He came to earth, lived for a bit as a man, taught us so much by example and through words and then died to cover our sins so that today we may live for Him the Father and some day be united with them in Heaven for all eternity!  Amen!

(PS- they won't all be this long- lol)

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

LONG overdue!

Sorry I have not been keeping up with the blog. I have been SUPER busy traveling around and speaking with groups either planning to come to Haiti or those who support our ministry/are considering doing so. I just returned from a 5 day, 1826 mile trip to Pittsburgh, Michigan and Ohio where I was blessed to reunite with some wonderful people who have been to Haiti and meet many new people. God is simply amazing and though I spent over 27 hours driving between locations (and more "around town" in both states) I thoroughly enjoyed the time in the car listening to worship CD's or praying as I went. I barely used my laptop for a few reasons (the keyboard is now missing two keys, internet wasn't always secure and the laptop is just getting so old/slow after two years and 14 trips to Haiti- not bad for a used one given to me in spring 2011 but the dust and transportation takes a toll) so I really had time to just "unplug" a bit and seek God.

Also, when meeting with people they are bound to ask questions about the ministry, our focus, our direction, etc... and God often really uses those questions to challenge me long after they are asked. I spent a lot of time asking Him to show His answers to them- HIS direction, HIS focus and HIS plans for future ministry.  I am excited as we approach another year doing His work in Haiti- about some of the things/visions He has shown me and continues to do so.

In just two days Ron and I will leave for a trip to North Carolina and will be gone for another five days. Then I will be home in Pennsylvania for five days before I leave for Miami and then Haiti for almost two weeks. I won't return to the states until just before Thanksgiving and will stay until just before Christmas.

For now, I ask that you please continue to pray for all of us- myself, my wonderful husband Ron and our daughters/their families, our Haitian missionaries- Redgi and James, our ministry partners- Pastor Yves/Pastor Robby/Dr. Carl/Madame Esther/Madame Josee & family/Rony/etc...., and whatever else God puts on your heart.  Thank you for your support of the ministry.  I will leave you with a FEW of the photos I took these past few days on the road...

The beach on Lake Michigan- too bad it wasn't warmer (but then there would have been crowds....)

Another shot of the beach- I had some good "quiet time" here

The church that hosted me in Michigan- what a GREAT group of people!

One of the sea gulls by the beach.

The lighthouse in Ludington. Simply beautiful

Can you tell I loved sitting by the beach?

A different shot of the lighthouse- I didn't dare walk out to it. The waves were fierce as was the wind.

SOME of my friends in Ludington who have been to Haiti with us!

Pittsburgh (Steeler's stadium) from the restaurant where I went with friends. (this is the group that put the water system in Chaveneau- wonderful people. I will see them again soon in Haiti when they come to install 2 systems)

Another view of the city of Pittsburgh. Just beautiful! (I wish now I had taken a night photo with all the lights)

My room in Michigan. It was sooooo nice (as were my hosts- Bill & Judy). If you are ever in Ludington, MI look up Abbey Lynn Inn- they will treat you well!

The leaves were simply beautiful. This is a state park in Michigan where I took a hike.
Stayed 2 nights in this Super 8 Motel in Wooster, Ohio because I had a meeting at Malone College and also hoping to see a group that has been to Haiti.  Unfortunately only one person was able to make it, but our time together was AWESOME!  (I needed a day to sleep and relax too so I explored the town of Wooster which was pretty and historic)

Historic area of Wooster.  These statues were in front of a huge old building.

This was the top of the building above. I took a ton of photos walking around town. 
Malone College in Canton, OH. This is where most of the nursing classes are held. I loved taking a tour and hearing about their nursing program/meeting staff.  I have had some GREAT Malone students come to Haiti! :)


God bless- He has SURE blessed me by letting me be part of His work in Haiti!