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Yesterday was such an amazing day. Unfortunately I do not have a lot of photos of the parts I wanted.  I had to hand my camera to another person and the batteries died not long into the ceremony/dedication of the water building but I DID get some.  Here is a sample.

We drove home at about 2:30 pm. and got to the guest house at about 6:30 pm. for dinner and to just chill and celebrate ALL that the group had done this past week.  Two water systems!  Many people will be healthy now.  Praise God!  We even managed to stay within our budget though we did spend the excess on
some things like snacks/drinks for the celebration for all, an exterior light for the water building for security, fixing the fence, etc...

Redgi went home for the night (I am at the guest house with the team) and will pick me up/take me back to Carrefour today- from there, who knows.  Tomorrow I have four friends coming to stay with me at the house in Carrefour.  How exciting to be able to share it with others.

As we were driving in there were so many people walking to the church- took this out the front window.

People gathering for the celebration.  The stove and such were there to show some of the things/classes they will offer at the professional school.  They will charge about $50 US for the year for a class but they are planning to teach things such as cooking/baking, sewing, masonry, computer, etc.. 

Women waiting for the celebration to begin

The mayor of Chantal is on the right in this photo (I am sitting behind the person speaking).  Pastor Cornet, Pastor Duval, Pastor Junior and a visiting Pastor Blackson were all in attendance as well.  The Mayor got the first jug of water and he even said he would encourage the people of Chantal to come out for water- that it is better and cheaper than what is sold there!  :)  :)    This will encourage people to come to Chaveneau and hopefully take some classes at the professional school and will  ultimately help the community become more self-sustaining.  Praise God!

Pastor Cornet was thanking me and Bower Hill Community Church who was responsible for the project.  I thank them too!  For caring about the people of Haiti, for coming to help and for their friendship/hospitality they showed Redgi and myself this past week.  I am blessed to call them friends!  (and they are committed to a 3 year follow-up)

More people at the celebration- trying to find some shade!  This string line/ribbon was later cut by the mayor!

I spoke about our commitment as an organization to their community and working WITH them- not to give hand outs which will be gone shortly after they are received, but to help them become a community that is self sustaining- providing jobs for those in the community, providing better health/nutrition, providing education so that they can be part of a positive future for Haiti!  :)

Darenda spoke as well.  She explained how they could have picked many "causes" and even once they chose to help provide clean water to Haiti they could have chosen many other locations, but God brought them HERE!  Now the people of Chaveneau must continue to "pay it forward" and go to others to help them as well- whatever that looks like to each person/family.  We pray this is only the beginning!

There are unfortunately no photos of the people getting their certificates for attending the classes and for learning to be operators, of the cutting of the ribbon and my favorite part- of ALL in attendance getting a taste of the clean water from a cup.  They were sooo excited and the mood was so positive.  I wish everyone readying this could have been there with us as well!  THANK YOU again for helping this become reality.

Final work day

Yesterday was the final work day in Chaveneau-  Pastor Cornet and his wife, Pastor Duval and his wife, the mayor or Chantal, many people from Carrefour and many from the community of Chaveneau will participate in a dedication ceremony this morning when we will all get to sample CLEAN WATER from the building.  We will drink the water like communion- all together after a prayer and some words from special people.  It will be an amazing time I am sure and quite emotional.  I have already cried - especially yesterday when the first bottle of water was filled and capped.  God is good!  :)

Chris drinking the clean water that was produced with the system!  

They put back up the fence so it is more secure!  HU paid for that a while ago but they wanted to wait until all work was complete- it looks good

The girls watching.... we had so much fun!

Our operators!  Charlot (L) and Manuel (R) ... they now have a PAYING JOB!  :)  So excited for them!

The team with the operators and the FIRST bottle of water!   

The people in the education class (to learn about when to use the clean water for their family) will train others in the community now!  They made a banner for the celebration!

The women took a walk and I thought this was cute- to see the children watching them take a photo (trying to see the screen of the camera as the photo was taken)

And THIS is why we did what we did.  We tested the water from the current water source (they drink this every day- orange label) and within 1.5 days it looked like this and smelled horrible.  The one on the right is the well we just hooked up to the system.  We are convinced by the way is is turning that when we go back this morning that too will have turned black and smelly.  This is evidence of bacteria in the water that can make people sick.  

We've got WATER!

Yesterday at BOTH sites we ran the system and got water all the way through.  Bleached it/cleaned it and today we should be ready to dispense the first jugs to members of the community.  :)  :)

School children leaving to go home (water building in the background)

Darenda signing the covenant with Pastor Cornet and Pastor Junior- they agree to maintain the system, offer free water to families in the community, pay the operators (Bower Hill will pay salaries for the first year, then 1/2 the salary for the second year- cool set up.  They must also form a water committee from the community to oversee the running of the system, report any problems, etc.... 

Toasting (didn't drink it yet) to the water system WORKING.... this is the tank for the "dirty" water...

The class of people who have committed to learning about the system, learning about when to use clean water and to educate others!

The BOSS on the roof overseeing the work!  ;)

view through one of the holes in the church building!  :)  :)  

Looking over at the church!  Cool to have this angle from the top of the water building.

beginnings of a road into the property- it goes right up to the water building.  Still need to finish it (about $500 US) but it will be really nice!  

A bit hard to see but a RAINBOW appeared in the sky right after the water started to flow!  God is good!!

Chaveneau Water

Here are some more photos of the installation and stuff.  Well pump submerged right before dark yesterday so we are praying to have water pumping and going through the system by noon.  :)  :)

The Montero sitting in Chaveneau- trying to air it out cause the carpet on the floor is WET still from crossing Mirogoane Lake.  

Redgi helping with the installation

Gephtay helping with the installation (he lives on the church property and will help with maintaining the system as well as training the community.

We took a walk to another site so test their water and I got BURNT to a crisp but this is the view of the mountains as we walked.... just so pretty here!

Ezekiel watching us work.... :)

The system is getting ready to try!!

Holding the well pump before we submerge it!  He took his "job" so seriously!

Here is the view as you approach the school/church from their driveway.  Looks soooooo good!

MONTERO/CLEAN WATER

God is amazing!  First of all, we HAVE the Montero in Haiti!  Took a lot of prayer from many of you and we literally got it, drove it to the airport and the team was walking into the parking area to load up- couldn't have been any closer!  This team is the one coming from Pittsburgh, PA to install a clean water system in Chaveneau as well as another town near Les Cayes (where we are staying).  We spent our first night in Carrefour and headed out to Les Cayes area at about 6 am Wed.  On the way we had to drive THROUGH Mirogoane Lake and water leaked into the doors of the Montero (it was about 6" up the doors- exhaust making "blub blub" sounds out the back) and yet that beautiful SUV made it up ALL the hills/mountains like a champ.  Not one problem and only about 1/2 tank of gas (which is good considering it took us about $100 US to fill it!)  We arrived in Chaveneau at about 2 pm. and worked until about 5.  They were soooo excited.  So many people from the community showed up to help and/or watch.  They were asking if they would have clean water to drink that day.  They are so excited to have this available.  GOD IS GOOD!  Here are some photos from the first day and such.  Will do my best to keep you updated.  :)  :)  Thanks for your continued prayers.

Everyone wanted to see what the team was doing inside the building... no room to stand/move!

Our papers and license for the Montero!  :)  :)  :)

Flat tire on the Kia on the way into Chaveneau- one of TWO that day!  Argh... such wasted time....

While waiting for the Kia to bring the rest of the items needed for install the team had the kids put the Living Waters for the World stickers on the bottles!  Brilliant!

Another shot of the community and the water building!

Inside the building- hooking together all the batteries-  :)

Chris was showing the children a video of his dog licking a lollipop- they thought that was SOOO FUNNY

Working on the giant solar panel!

Another shot of the site.... just so you can get a feel for all of it!  :)  

Why not help in the USA?

Before reading the following blog understand that I live on the East Coast.  I am about 2 hours from New York City and the Jersey Shore where Hurricane Sandy did MAJOR damage as it came ashore a little over a week ago.  Though I have not been to see the aftermath of that storm first hand I did go to New Orleans six weeks after Hurricane Katrina and saw there what this type of disaster does not only to a home, but to the lives of the people it has impacted.  I sat with people, prayed with them, listened to their stories as we took all their waterlogged belongings and threw them on the curb.  I held them in my arms and cried with them as they went through family photographs and mementos and tried to salvage what they could and grieved the loss of so many cherished items.  But, through that I learned a LOT about what's really important in life.  What matters most is faith, family, health... not THINGS though it still hurts just as much to lose those things-- mostly because of the memories and stories we attach to them.

I am writing this blog because I am truly saddened that lately I have received a barrage of "attacks" from people in my area asking, "Why are you spending so much time/energy helping Haitians when we have people HERE in the USA who are in need, hurting and going through so much?"  (this is usually in regard to the Hurricane aftermath since that is so close to home and has impacted so many we all know/love)  I have always tried to answer this question with kindness and love, but honestly lately it has become more and more difficult to respond in that manner.  So, as I often do, I turn to this blog to pour out my heart and to hopefully address this question as well as prompt some of you to think about what matters and where/how YOU can do your part as well.

First, in response to, "Why aren't you helping here in the USA?", let me tell you some things about my personal life.  For many years I went to Philly (and still do occasionally) to serve in Kensington which is one of the worst areas, I have been to the Gulf Coast 12 times after Hurricane Katrina (over three years) and my oldest daughter was a missionary there working with post-Katrina victims.  I have been to Denver, Colorado which is the homeless capital of the USA to work with the homeless there- at shelters, a soup kitchen and to work with an AIDS awareness group helping them with a large fund raising event.  I have also done work in Reading, PA at Hope Rescue Mission and Opportunity House and have made sandwiches and taken blankets/sleeping bags to the homeless in our area living on the streets and under bridges.  I have quit my full-time job and have had no income for the past 18 mos. so I can travel to Haiti (which is paid for by a friend by the way)- relying only on the money my husband makes as a self-employed landscaper.  We have never had many of the "luxuries" that many Americans do- I have never had a dishwasher, only got cable TV three years ago, I don't have a smart phone, my car is desperately in need of repairs, etc..  So, as for helping here in the USA?? Been there- done that and I continue to do so when able.  

Second part of that question is, "Why THOSE people?" as if Haitians were any less deserving just because their birth certificate doesn't say United States of America on it.  My response to that is, "What makes an American any more entitled to care?"  Yes, there are MANY people in the USA who are hurting.  Many have lost jobs, many don't have opportunities to just move somewhere and get another job, many are hurting.  I understand that and I DO care about them.  But, it is honestly not where God is calling me right now.  Our ministry in Haiti is NOT a ministry that believes in going and giving handouts.  We do take things to Haiti- usually because they are cheaper to purchase here, they are donated to us or because they are more difficult to find and purchase in Haiti.  We believe in working WITH the Haitian people to help them become LESS dependent upon others and help them become contributing members of their local community.  That being said, there are literally VERY FEW opportunities for them to do that.  There is a huge unemployment rate simply because there are no jobs available.  Many want to work and help their families but they do not have the chance to do so. Yes, we are seeing that more and more in America but at least we still have a society where there are opportunities.  Yes, I have met those who are literally "stuck" here in the USA- who can't afford to move from the city and find a job, who are one or two paychecks from being homeless, etc.. I do feel for them and understand and I do care. 

Finally, I have been accused of taking finances from the people in the USA and other organizations by constantly putting things on facebook and my blog about ways to donate.  To that I say, "Yes, we do give people the opportunity to donate, but we do not intend to pressure anyone nor do we imply that they should donate to our ministry rather than one that serves the local community or those in the USA."  It is up to the individual donating to choose where they will allocate their finances- we are merely letting people know of our needs and the opportunity they have to contribute and support our ministry.  I have never intentionally made anyone feel guilty for donating to another organization rather than ours nor would I ever do that.  The only time I have ever said anything even somewhat similar to that is when saying something about the THINGS we as Americans spend our money on when asking people to give something up for a period of time and instead take those funds and use them to bless someone.  (ie:  give up going out to dinner one time and take those funds and donate them)  But, ultimately they can choose where to allocate their donation.

Usually those who ask me the questions above are not doing anything themselves here in the USA to be part of the solution. Often they are too busy pointing their fingers to take time and evaluate things with an open mind. They usually don't understand what we are doing in Haiti and they look at it as just wasting money to go help people who don't care to help themselves.  Nothing could be farther from the truth.  There are both Americans and Haitians who have no desire to improve their lives.  Who have no desire to work.  Who have no desire to change the situation they are in but instead to complain about it and wait for someone to come along and give them a handout.  Those are NOT the people we work with!  

I feel honored and blessed that God has chosen Hearts United with Haiti to work with the people of Haiti!  To encourage and empower people so that they can take the necessary steps toward independence and to be able to provide not only for themselves, but for others and then to take what they have learned and teach others to do the same.  To teach them to fish rather than just giving them fish.  

Are we all called to work and minister outside the USA?  NO!  But please do not judge me because I am.  I have done (and will probably continue to do) plenty of ministry here in the USA, but for now God has called me to Haiti and for that I will not apologize or make excuses.  Instead, I will praise Him and thank Him for this amazing opportunity.  

** Stepping off the soapbox now- thanks for letting me "vent"!  PLEASE take this message in the tone it was written- not to scold or offend, but to explain my position and to give people something to think about.  We, as Americans feel so "entitled" and often don't look beyond self.  We are all God's people and none is more or less deserving of love, care, compassion and a helping hand from time to time.  

Serving Him in Haiti-  Crystal Funk   :)

God is moving!

The most common question I am asked when speaking to a group about Haiti is, "Are they making any progress?  Is there any change since the earthquake?"  Most people know of Haiti because of the earthquake or at least that's the first thing that comes to mind when they think of the country.  Since Hurricane Sandy impacted the East Coast of the USA I have also gotten a lot of people who ask how Haiti made out since Sandy visited there first.

My answers to each of these questions and ones that are similar are usually the same.  "Haitians are amazing people and they are very resilient.  They will pull together and repair/rebuild what they have the resources for, they will encourage one another and they will continue to trust that God has a plan for them and seek to continue to honor/serve Him."   That is true for the majority of the people I know and work with, however, there is a side of Haiti that I sometimes don't often talk about to those asking general questions.  There are many Haitians who still do not have a relationship with Jesus Christ.  There are many who are angry/bitter/frustrated with the years of empty promises from their government (and others).  There are many who are still grieving the loss of jobs/family members/friends in the earthquake.  There are many we meet who just need the peace and love that only comes from salvation.  It is a blessing to go to Haiti and serve, but ultimately if we do not share the love of Jesus with people and help those who are searching accept Him as Savior we have failed.  Redgi likes to laugh at me because we once tried to shoot a promotional video for Hearts United and one of the lines we shot over and over was, "If we feed them, clothe them, give them medical care, and educate them we have succeeded only in creating a community that is heavier, better dressed, healthier and more intelligent, however they are still going to hell."  How true.  We need to remember the primary  reason for our service in Haiti is to share the gospel message.

We ask that you pray for our upcoming teams who will be ministering in Haiti in the end of November and December.  We have 31 people between three teams who are coming to be the hands and feet of Jesus and to not only tell the Haitians about Him but to model Him as well.  Pray that their witness will impact many as will ours.  We have seen how God is moving in Haiti and using His people to show His love, mercy, compassion and heart to the lost and the hurting.  We pray when the Haitians see us working and ministering among them that they will see Him as well because without Him we can not do anything.   :)  :)

the outstretched hands of children as our team prayed for them - March 2011