Hearts United with Haiti: STAFF RETREAT

Our hotel in Jacmel for the staff retreat- it was nice though it was Haiti! (lol- no power due to generator issues, overpriced for what we got, etc... but it was time away together so it was fine)

We just returned from a four day "get away" in Jacmel where the five of us (Redgi, James, Ally, Jenny and I) got to relax, swim, read for pleasure, and pray/talk about the future direction of the organization. It was great to get input from Jenny/Ally as they presented their observations and thoughts based upon the past month they have been here serving with us. Both have been invaluable to the ministry this summer and both had some great thoughts and suggestions for us going forward. It was nice to have confirmation on those things James, Redgi and I have felt for a long time. Suggestions have now been made to our Board of Directors and we will see what God does in the next months/years through Hearts United. A few things that have become more and more clear this summer are:

-Hearts United needs more staff- stateside (and possibly in Haiti) to handle specific parts of the ministry. The main reason is that we are growing just too large to have a few people managing all the details any more. Another reason is that we need to train up leaders so that should anything happen to those essential few, the organization as a whole will continue onward with the mission that it has been called to and created for. This means we will begin seeking individuals to manage certain areas of the ministry (ie: short term missions coordinator; fund raising/event planning/public relations coordinator; etc...) You can begin praying about how you may plug into one of these volunteer positions should you feel led to do so.

-Hearts United needs OUR OWN PROJECT(s). Though the goal of the organization is to walk alongside Haitians in ministry they are already doing we all agree that we need to get moving on developing the Training and Discipleship Center to become that area where we can train up and encourage the future leaders in Haiti. We agree that supporting the Haitians we do (LIW Orphanage, Rony's Foster Program, Pastor Robby's church) is in alignment with what we were called to Haiti and to start Hearts United for, however, we need to follow His direction with creating this center where we can train and equip HAITIANS to then go out and make a difference in their respective communities. We are still praying for land and/or a location where this will be possible.

-Hearts United is growing and God is using us in mighty ways- both for the teams that come and for those we minister with here in Haiti. This summer alone we have moved closer to the goal of helping Pastor Yves at LIW become less dependent upon foreign aide while helping the orphans heal and become the women (and men) God has intended them to be. We have met with specialists and are working toward a "mommy" program there where the children will be divided up into family units and will be mentored by trained staff. This should cut down on some of the negative behaviors we have seen in the past few years and should help the orphanage become more manageable for Pastor Yves and his wife. Through this program the orphans will feel more secure and encouraged to grow in their relationships with others and with God in healthy/positive ways. It will take an adjustment period but can ultimately be an extremely positive step for this orphanage and these children. We spent a bit of time on the retreat praying about what God's plan is for this program and what our involvement should be.

Overall, we are so blessed to be His hands and feet here in Haiti and we truly desire to serve God in all we do and represent Him to the Haitian people and communities we serve. We also desire for Him to use us to continue to impact short term teams and use their time in Haiti to encourage and train them for service wherever He calls them in the future. It has been a blessed summer so far and we thank and praise Him for His faithfulness to us- individually and collectively as Hearts United WITH Haiti.

Blessed beyond belief- Crystal