Keep praying...

       My friend Adella holding Sophia (we THINK she was  rescued)

I still have no news about Sarafina and we do not have an exact number of children that were rescued on Friday from Son of God Orphanage in Haiti- sorry.  Things move slowly in a third world country and we all want to make sure we are reporting FACT- not supposition so even though it seems like it is taking forever, it really is moving along.  This is an even longer week than last week was while we were waiting for the Haitian government to actually go in and remove the children from that place.  I would ask that you PLEASE continue to pray.  I am not free to share a lot of details, but there are many reports coming out of Haiti from reliable sources and there is still a GREAT need for prayer...for the children, for the TRANSLATORS/Haitians who still live in that community (not everyone "bad" has been arrested so they are in danger), for my friends who have flown there to help, etc...  Until then, look at some of these images of "our" children at Son of God... I have tried to give you some names so you can pray for them specifically. Thank you for all the e-mails, notes, prayers, phone calls, etc.. They mean SO MUCH at this time- it's been tough to say the least.  In my head I KNOW God is in control, but my heart is still hurting for these children I love and have worried about for over 13 months.  I have been pouring over God's promises for His people- particularly the children/orphans.  He has NOT forgotten them!

      some of the children at Son of God with my team in March 2011-  Marie (the woman running the orphanage when it was closed down/wife of the "director" is in the back in the purple)


      Bettina (sitting on Abby's lap)- we still have no idea if she got out


      Wendy (opening a note sent by a friend of mine that I delivered)- we are pretty sure he got out- we saw photos of him that the news media released crying and scared.


       another group photo (they are holding a sign from my school- we collected clothes, toys, etc.. )

THANK YOU JESUS

PRAISE GOD the children of Son of God "orphanage" in Haiti are FREE!  There’s been an official announcement as of about 2:30 pm. EST today. I have attached a link to an article released by ABC news.. there are MANY others.  Know that some of my good friends are traveling down as I write this to see the children and help with this transition so they ARE being looked after- no need for everyone to rush to see them and overwhelm them. Though we know the children are safer in their new environment they have only ever known life at Son of God or with their families prior to being taken to the orphanage.  So there will be trauma associated with this move.  Please continue to pray for the children and my friends who will be staying with/near them to be with them as often as possible for the first period of transition. I am sure some will need medical care, etc... Also pray for safety for those who have been very involved in this situation in Haiti from the beginning. Some have been threatened since the “director” of the orphanage was arrested in July so I can only imagine how much more they could be in danger now.  I will forward stories of praise and excitement as I get them or post them on my blog.  

NOTE:

We are STILL having the prayer time at 7 pm  Monday night  at Living Rock Bible Church in Elverson.  We will have slides of the children to share so you can see the faces of those you have been praying for! Just show up- we will be there no matter how many of us there are.

Thank you SO MUCH for all your support with this!  James 1:27 and Hebrews 6:10 (two of my favorite verses) come to mind.  God bless-  J

Here’s the ABC article… Feel free to message/e-mail me with any questions…

http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/haiti-closes-orphanage-child-neglect-14788210

OK to finally share...

I sent this to my prayer partners and posted it on facebook, but I would like to put it here as well.  Feel FREE to share with whomever you desire- TOGETHER we can help these kids!

For those of you with soft hearts I know this story will break yours, but I need to share it... I know it breaks mine and it is with tears in my eyes I share it with you.  I do not share for sensationalism but I share out of LOVE and out of desperation for the children at Son of God Orphanage in Haiti where we have taken teams and I have personally visited many times. Many of you know that my daughter Emily first "sent" me there with a message for her special girl Sarafina who I am now in love with too.  The last time I saw Sarafina was July when I went to visit her with my team (around July 23rd).  At that time I got to tell her I love her, Emily loves her and we will NEVER forget her no matter where we are- even when we are apart and can not see one another.  I said this partly because I knew things were "going to get crazy" at Son of God and partly because I just wanted (as every time I leave) to reassure her that she is NEVER far from our minds... 

There has been so much going on at Son of God since a group of people I consider good friends (I was only minimally involved in this at this point) got the Haitian government and other organizations investigating and involved to try to bring help to these precious children- children living in filth, being abused (both sexually and physically), not being fed, not being clothed with things we took as donations, etc... I could tell you of months of investigation and exposing the corruption of this facility.  I could tell you of the many organizations who are working together to get these kids out yet they remain in the same (if not worse) conditions.  I could tell you of the arrest of the man who runs the organization and how it "went down" and how we all thought and prayed that THIS would be the end and the children would finally be moved and safe.  I can tell you of how his wife and children continue to run the orphanage, to eat well, to have "luxuries" the children in their "care" do not have.  I can tell you how the meetings with officials in Haiti have exposed even more corruption than any of us could imagine.

What I can NOT tell you is that the children are safe. That they are fed.  That they are healthy.  That they know we are fighting for them (and not wondering WHY the Americans come to see them but nothing changes- except to get worse).  That they will be "OK".  That they will not die of starvation (as we fear at least one already has).  

Will you PLEASE join me in prayer for these children?  Monday night (October 24th) we will be having a time of prayer.  I am not yet sure where this will occur (depends on response) but I am asking that you prayerfully consider fasting until then from something that (when you think of it or want to eat it or whatever you choose) will remind you to PRAY for them!  TOGETHER there is power through prayer.. God has not forgotten the children of Son of God.  PLEASE join us in this fast/prayer time. PLEASE look at the photos of "our" girl Sarafina and remember her as you pray. The first one was taken in the beginning of July 2011, the second on Aug 17, 2011 by a friend of ours.  There's no knowing how much thinner she is now- TWO MONTHS later!

Thank you-  God bless!!  "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this:  to  look after orphans and widows in their distress."  James 1:27

Blessings-  Crystal Funk (founder/president of Hearts United with Haiti)

PS- Please comment or e-mail me if you plan to come on Monday the 24th to pray with us.  Then we will get a number together so we can plan a location that will "fit" us all.  thanks

PLEASE feel free to share this information with whomever you desire.  And finally, if you would like to sign a petition to get CNN to do a story/get involved in the investigation, please follow this link from a friend of mine.  (copy and paste this link)

http://www.change.org/petitions/the-freedom-project-expose-human-trafficking-at-son-of-god-orphanage-in-haiti                  

Sarafina -July 2011

Sarafina- 8/17/11

School has begun!

Today school began for the 2011/2012 year with 200 students!  YES!  I said, TWO HUNDRED!  Last year there were 75 (we thought we would have 12 to 15 originally-  WOW God) and the building was full when we went to visit.  I can not personally imagine another 125 children there.  But good thing God isn't limited by MY imagination.  He is moving in Haiti and it's absolutely amazing to watch it happen.

I spoke with Michael on Friday (twice- once the poor man was stuck on the side of the road while taking public transportation with 24 chalkboards and "a whole bunch of wood to build stuff" and other school supplies- the bus had broken down- "this is Haiti") and he was excited to get to Chaveneau with the supplies to get things ready.  Then he called Sunday afternoon with a HUGE surprise for me.  He said, "Mom, someone here wants to talk to you" and then proceeded to put Jude on the phone.  This sweet little voice said, "Hello" and then when I asked who it was he replied, "Jude".  I couldn't believe it! Jude is the little boy in many of my photos- he is the profile photo for the Hearts United with Haiti page on facebook and was on my personal facebook for a long time in a photo with me holding him. I know I shouldn't have favorites but I do have about 10 little ones that I have really bonded with after living in the community. But, what a blessing it was to hear his sweet little voice all the way from Haiti.  Oh how I love that little boy and the people of Chaveneau.

Anyway, back to Michael's phone calls.  He told me that they realized there was no way to fit all the students into the church/school so they are building three outdoor classrooms under the trees where we held Bible School and had as our "team area" this past summer.  This is so exciting to me.  I can not wait to get there in December and see first hand what the classrooms look like.

Please pray for the students, teachers and the Arris/Beaubrun families as they all adjust to this new school year and the expectations, demands on time, challenges it will bring.  But rejoice with us as we praise God for this overwhelming response to this project.  We are so thankful for Pastor Duval who followed God- even though many thought it didn't make sense to put a school in Chaveneau.  God rewards our obedience to Him and MANY will benefit from this school/church/etc...

I will send out my newsletter for October soon- you will be amazed by what God is doing when you read of all that has been happening - both in this organization and in Haiti.  :) :)

Can't keep up!

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  :)

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

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