My Adventure of Haiti!

My family had been telling me all about the wonderfulness of Haiti, but I didnt experience it until now. Which I love. This is my second Favorite place in the world right now! I cant even explain why I love this place so much, it could be the many colors or the many people or the language or maybe even the special smells. I have no clue what it is but I love it so much! The orphanage is so fun, the girls taught me how to play jump rope today, we thaught the girls a lesson about how God made you special for the purpose and roads ahead of you. The girls listened wonderfully, they seemed to want to know more. There is a little girl that I have grown so found of, I really want to take her home with me. She is about 2 years old and has the cutest little hair, oh my gosh the girls love playing with my hair. Yesterday they braided it and today they made me look like I came out of the "Hey Micky" music video. The transportation is so much fun! We ride in things called  a Tap-Tap. They are so much fun! The girls just want to be held and told they are loved! they are the sweetest things! Please keep praying for safety and these people in Haiti. They are amazing people! -Marin

Overwhelmed

Just a minute to update while we have internet service.  Overwhelmed is all I can say, I am drawn to this place and I can't explain it.  4 hr. ride in tap-tap from airport to house wh're staying, flat tire on way.  Frustrated with the language barrier, especially when we stopped at the orphanage yesterday and all I could do is smile as kids came running up and hugging.  Already have a favorite "girl" at the orphanage, hoping she remembers me today.  Dinner was great (we had meat- chicken of course- but it was really good).  Slept on the rooftop last night, intermittently, roosters don't crow when it's time to get up, they're at it all night.  People start waking at 4 am to take advantage of the sunlight because they never know if they will/will not have power that day, they are always busy, not too many sit around "lounging", most are in after dark because it's not safe.  Off to get a shower- YES!  we have a shower just need to limit time... then to the orphanage.  Blessed to be here!  (typed Fri. am)

Back from an awesome day at the orphanage- dancing, jump rope (not me!) bubbles, games, bible story and constant hugs.  The older girls liked playing with my hair, "stealing" my sunglasses and posing for photos.  My "girl" did attach to me toward the end of the day! Exhausted and ready to retreat to the rooftop, there is a nice breeze here in the evening that makes for great sleeping.  Please continue with prayers, especially our rides in the tap-tap...crazy drivers!

-Melissa

Team has arrived

Just to let all of you know that the team is all here and safe and luggage is accounted for.  We will update later, but for now know that your prayers are felt and appreciated.  We had a flat tire from the airport, we got stuck in horrible traffic (so they got to see the FUN side of Port au Prince), we visited (briefly) the orphanage so they could see the girls and we just ate dinner.  Time for debrief from the first day and to get to BED... LONG day for most of us!  Keep up the prayers for Marilyn, Marin, Carolyn, Melissa, & Evelyn- the team~   :)  :)  (and Redgi/Crystal as well as our other translators and those we will minister with/to- thanks)......

Getting ready...

... for another trip to Haiti and getting excited to go!  This trip does not have many participants but they are a dynamic and excited group and you can't beat that!  :)  This trip will be a split trip- some of the time in Carrefour and at the orphanage and some of the time in Chaveneau working with the school children and community there. We are working out the details and budget still but it sounds like we have a good trip planned!  Please remember to follow our daily trip reports.  We will do our best to get them done if/when internet is available but with the new internet service we should have a better ability to update.  It's always exciting for me to see what people write and to hear how God is impacting them on the trip.

This is "Doctor Moses" who works in a tent in the market.  He has no supplies except a blood pressure cuff and stethoscope but he opens up his tent every day to see those in the community who are in need.  He charges very little to diagnose, write prescriptions and order bloodwork for his patients.  We hope to help him a bit on our April trip.

There is still time to sign up for the April trip (April 21 to 29- primarily a medical group) which will be serving in Carrefour and Port au Prince area.  So far it looks like we have six people pretty sure they are coming which is great but the more people the better the trip!  So spread the word- let us know.  This trip is only $350.00 which includes EVERYTHING once you are in Haiti-  translators, food, transportation, lodging, supplies, etc...  People have until March 20th to commit.  Exciting stuff!  We plan to work some in a clinic, help a doctor in the marketplace, and possibly volunteer at the local hospital/medical center.  It's up to God but these all look like good possibilities for this team!

Thanks again for all your prayers and support.  If you would ever like to contribute toward our trips even if you are not going, we guarantee that we will use your donations wisely- to help people like the man above and others God leads us to.  We can always give you an accounting of how your money has helped in Haiti.  Send donations to Hearts United with Haiti  PO Box 55, Morgantown, PA 19543 or donate online on our website via PayPal (secure online donation).  ALL donations are tax deductible too!  God bless!  -Crystal

Sponsors needed

Here are some more girls in need of sponsors at Life is Wealth Orphanage in Port au Prince and a little about them.  There are still MANY who need your support.  I will be heading down to Haiti in early March and would LOVE to tell as many girls as possible that they have a sponsor.  Will you help us by spreading the word??  If you do not see one here that you would like to sponsor please remember that there are about 60 still in need of sponsorship so there are PLENTY to choose from!  Contact us at huwh.orphansponsorship@gmail.com  and we will work closely with you to partner you with a child that you can form a long term relationship with.  Thank you in advance!  :)  -Crystal

Berlandia- very quiet, does not go to school (ashamed cause she can not read or write), sweet little smile but she does have a mischievous side.  

Jennie-  was being abused by her family members so she ran away and WALKED all the way to Port au Prince from a town that is at least an hour DRIVE away!  She is new to Life is Wealth and very sweet but having trouble finding a group of girls to "connect" with- this little one has been through a LOT- you can see it in her eyes.  

Ketzia-  Another new girl- she came from an orphanage that was closed down recently (not Son of God) and is very quiet but sweet.  She LOVES to have her photo taken and is often lurking and ready to jump into the photos I take.  

Nailanda-  This one is an absolute physical beauty yet very very quiet and shy.  She is always playing with dolls and smiling when I see her.  She loves school and is often to the side looking at books in her free time.

THANK YOU

We had the Valentine's Day fund raiser.... to raise money to ship our donated truck to Haiti.  In spite of snow (so low turnout and TONS of food left over) we were able to raise almost $1200 so far.  This is almost 1/3 of what we anticipate it costing us to ship the truck and to get it from the port in Haiti and onto the road.  :)  We are so excited and encouraged by this and want to THANK everyone who prayed for us, donated food, came out to cook and/or eat, donated online, etc....  You have blessed us and will bless the people of Haiti as well.

We are still accepting donations toward shipping the truck and will send it off as soon as we have enough raised.  We pray we can get it shipped by early April to have it in Haiti for our upcoming spring trips.  If you would like to donate online visit our website (www.heartsunitedwithhaiti.org) and look on the "donate" page for more instructions.  You can also send a check/money order to Hearts United with Haiti  PO Box 55  Morgantown, PA 19543.  All donations are tax deductible!  :)

Praise God for all His blessings!  -Crystal

Christelle

OK... so here's the first of our "orphans needing sponsors" updates. We are planning to put up photos of some of the girls who are yet to be sponsored in hopes that those of you visiting this site will see them and decide to step up and partner with our organization and sponsor one (or more) of them.  And of course who better to start with than the sweetie who shares my name:  Christelle!  Christelle is 10 years old and according to her interview ended up at Son of God Orphanage in Carrefour in a typical way- her grandmother dropped her off and never came back. She thinks she has 2 sisters and a brother living with her mother but is not sure of that.  She loves the color white, rice with ground meat and chickens are her favorite animals.  Christelle goes to school and is in first grade which she LOVES- especially when getting good grades. In her free time she likes to play with dolls or her best friend Ketia Belony.  When she grows up she would love to drive a car and she would love to have more toys to play with.
    If you visit Life is Wealth you may not even notice Christelle.  She is often lurking in the periphery- watching what is happening with a huge smile on her face and a twinkle in her eye.  She isn't one to fight to be first for vitamins or attention- in fact we usually have to track her down to get her to participate in things.  She is very shy but you can just see that desire to "fit in" and be part of the activities when they are going on.  She and I (since we share a name perhaps) have bonded and when I am sitting alone or with very few orphans around me it is not long until I feel a little body pressed up against me from behind or little hands playing with my hair and I know she is near.  She longs to feel loved, needed, wanted and would LOVE to know that she has someone out there praying for her, thinking about her, loving her when they are apart.  I guarantee she will do the same for you.  Christelle is loved by all the other girls- she is a peacekeeper for sure.
    Won't you consider sponsoring this beautiful little girl?  If not her, there are 60 others still available that our coordinators can match you with.  Your monthly donation of $32 will help feed, clothe, educate, provide clean water and personal items for your sponsored child.  You can also correspond and encourage one another.  James 1:27 is the perfect verse for this aspect of our ministry.  God will use your prayers and provision in the lives of these orphans for His glory.  Your part is to be obedient to His call.  :)