Global Orphan Sunday

November 8, 2015 is Global Orphan Sunday. A time to stop and remember those considered orphans- whether true orphans or economic orphans (parents place children in the care of an orphanage because they feel they can not provide the basics of food, clothing, shelter and education). There are an estimated 360,000 orphans in Haiti and another large number of children living with families not their own as domestic servants in exchange for promised lodging, food and education. We know some of these children personally and to hear their stories can be heartbreaking and overwhelming. BUT... God knows them too. He sees. He hears. He cares. And we are blessed to be used by Him to reach out to some of these children on a regular basis due to the generosity of people like YOU!

As this Orphan Sunday approaches would you pray with us and consider the following needs? 

1.  Sponsor an orphan monthly. $32 per month provides education (uniform, books, tuition), clean water, food, medical care and other items. We currently have about 15 children in need of monthly sponsors. 

2.  A one-time donation or monthly donation toward Nanny salaries at the orphanage in Port au Prince we partner with? Monthly salaries are just under $800 per month for all nine women combined. These women are invaluable in the ministry they provide to the children. 

3. Sponsor a delivery of fruit/milk to the orphanage (this is done twice per month) so the children get fresh items and variety in their diet. $75 providea milk and a piece of fresh fruit (or two).

4.  Donations toward helping those trying to keep their children at home and not put them into orphanages. We work on job creation and skill training with these older children and parents so they can provide for their own needs rather than resort to orphanage placement. 

5.  Donations toward our sustainable project in Bas-Citronniers. The more sustainable the school can be, the more children they can feed and educate- thus greatly decreasing the liklihood that parents will resort to orphanage placement or sending their children into domestic servitude. They need funds to pay teachers and expenses, but more importantly, to develop their gardens, goat raising project and other things to become self sustaining. 

Donations can always be sent to us at Hearts United with Haiti. PO Box 55. Morgantown, PA 19543. They are tax deductible. You can also donate from the website - there is a donate page that connects you to paypal. www.heartsunitedwithhaiti.org. 

THANK YOU for your consideration of the orphans in Haiti and for helping us in our efforts toward orphan prevention. God will combine the efforts of ALL to do His work and bless these precious children. 

Fruit (mangos) delivered twice per month. 

Bracelets the girls in the countryside make to support themselves. 

Working on the business plan for raising goats in Bas-Citronniers (to sell and help supplement the school budget)

Some of the orphans at Life is Wealth Orphanage in Port au Prince. 

Update 10/29

Driving home through Champ de Mars yesterday. It is good to be back, visit the orphanage, see our little artist friend (Richardson), etc..... Today we head back for more time with the orphans, pay a few bills, exchange chicken food that the chickens won't eat, buy some fruit/milk for the children (we missed the 25th due to the election and yesterday the fruit left was not prime so we ordered fresh stuff), and have an important legal meeting in the evening. Busy days, but finally getting out and about! 

Banquet Update

Our annual fundraising banquet held on October 16, 2015 went VERY WELL with an amazing turnout and great program.  Though none of us had set a goal for funds we hoped to raise, we were blessed by the generosity of those in attendance! Here are a few photos to share from the event. 

Astreede Augustin (one of our Haitian translators) and Sophia Charles ( former trip participant) provided special music... In Creole and English. 

Joyce Martin was honored for over five years of faithful service on the Board of Directors. 

Pastor Tim VanDalen psoke and gave testimony about his experiences after bringing two groups to Haiti with Hearts United (one in 2013 and one in 2015)

Redgi Alvarez (Haitian Coordinator for the organization) was able to share a bit about his role as supported missionary in Haiti. Redgi is one of two Haitian nationals who help manage the day-to-day ministry in Haiti. 

Founder Crystal Funk was able to share a bit about the future plans for the organization and the needs within the ministry. 

   **note: photo credit to Jordan Bush Photography- sorry but internet is not good enough to download them, so they are copied from my phone here in Haiti as I viewed them on the screen. Thanks Jordan!!

---We have received MANY e-mails and messages from people asking what needs are still to be met so we will be posting soon to give an update on those needs. Sorry, but time just keeps moving along and it is tough to keep up with it all but we DO value all our donors and those who support the ministry in so many ways. 

Construction Trip & Mission base update...

OK.... Some of you have heard talk about the possibility that we may move the Hearts United base AGAIN this fall. I guess it is time to make an official announcement and ask for prayer about this matter. Bottom line: the current landlord plans to almost triple our rent come November (yes, like many in Haiti, he assumes we are "loaded" after seeing the number of people in and out all summer) therefore, we spent time seeking God's direction for a few weeks before I left Haiti and He led us to this place. The positives: SINGLE home- no one else on the property, huge yard for the dogs and teams, a flat roof we can use (and car port and patio area too) to sleep outside, parking for both the bus and Montero. Negatives: more rent, the rooms are smaller and layout not as nice, and it currently has no hook-up to public electric so we would need to buy a transformer and have wiring done (this could move with us when we finally build, but will cost $1000 to $1500 US) The first year we may spend as much as the current landlord wants in rent next year, BUT some of that money will be for things that will remain with us going forward. We need to decide soon so please join with us... praying God will make His plans clear. Feel free to e-mail us (heartsunitedwithhaiti@gmail.com) with any questions.

ALSO.... We would like to announce an opportunity to serve this fall in Haiti.  We are planning a construction trip.  Ministry will honestly depend on the above..... IF we move locations, we will be physically moving all the things from the old base and putting them into the new one, building outside showers (possibly), putting steps to the roof, etc... depending on who signs up and their skill level.    We might also tear down a home we built in 2012 and use/salvage the materials for projects around the new base.

If we do not move to the new base (and possibly even if we do) we may also do some repair work on a roof that is leaking at the school in our remote community (Bas-Citronniers) outside Leogane.  They also need help building chicken coops and a pen for goats.  Again, this will depend on who signs up.  The details will be posted as we know who is coming to Haiti.

Rest assured- you WILL have things to do!  Ron Funk is leading this trip and he is NEVER idle- lol.  We will also try to get some Haitians to work alongside us- either to apprentice or to lead some of the projects.  You can register online from the website-

 http://heartsunitedwithhaiti.com/Sign_up.html

OOPS-

   This blog post was from July 24 but failed to go through so it was left on the computer.  Sorry so late.  This team left July 25th and had an AMAZING trip.  The whole summer was fantastic and we praise God for His love and faithfulness in this ministry.     

      I can’t believe it is day 6 already. The days in Haiti seem longer but time has flown by and it is our last full day here. I am sad to leave but I am trying to simply enjoy this day. We have done so much during the week we have been here. I have experienced many emotions as I usually do in Haiti. There was so much joy seeing the girls at the orphanage and playing with them. We visited the general hospital pediatrics ward which was a lower point for me. We helped with a medical clinic which was so different than visiting the general hospital. Now it’s our last day we are just going to relax and visit the beach and enjoy Haiti’s beauty for one more day.

                                           -Shelby

          This has been a great trip.  I again will miss the people I have met and be thinking and praying for the children constantly.  This organization just takes my breath away with how dedicated they are to not just contribute things to this country then leave.  They take the time (a lot of time) to walk beside the people of this country and teach them how to be self sufficient.  The people this organization touch will not just have something for now, they will have the skills that last forever and can be built off of.  I have had great pleasure getting to know the people on this team and seeing their talents shine.  I will miss you, Haiti! 

                                        -Chasta 

Wednesday, July 22

Today the group went to the pediatric ward at the general hospital in Port au Prince. I always love going there because the families we meet are always an inspiration and the children are adorable. We take diapers which they quickly hand out to each patient ( yesterday everyone got three). We talk to the families, play with the children, pray with families, encourage them, and give parents a much needed break so they can get out a bit while someone else cares for their child. 

In the afternoon we got to go to a school where Jerry ( one of our translators is director) and got to just sit and practice English with students. This was always the highlight of our English classes when we had our school ( which we hope to start up again soon). The team gets into groups with Haitians who are learning English and they just ask questions of one another, learn about the other culture and practice talking to/listening to different people. It was AWESOME!!!

Then, in the evening we just hung out. This group is really pouring into the staff which makes me soooooo happy. So, they were teaching English to Mr. Alvarez and our downstairs neighbor. Friday morning one person will go to the market with Madame Carole and will shadow her while she then prepares the food. We have also invited hem to join us (Madame Carole and Sherly) when we play cards or games. Exciting stuff!!!!!

Hard to believe that we will be done with summer teams soon. Kylee leaves tomorrow (Friday) and she will be missed sooooo much!! She and Michelle took on a lot of the work involved in hosting teams and made my load lighter but they also poured into teams. It will be strange to have the house back to ourselves after Wed of next week. (Saturday we take the team to the airport and then drive to Mirebalais to pick up Darline, Mimose and Jesula/Melantchy so they can come stay with me Sat-Tues while Redgi is back with family in Delmas). I am looking forward to this a great deal. We will make bracelets and hang out!!

7/21/15

        Today at the orphanage, we distributed girl’s underwear, sandals, and hygienic products. It was our second and last day to visit the orphanage. We hope that even though it was something small, it brought the girls joy. After we played with the girls, did some hair dos, and talked with one another …we had to say goodbye. The experience for us was very heartfelt and we hope that our visit helped bring some love to every child there.

        In the afternoon, we had an English class with students at all levels. We had 12 Haitian students that were beyond eager to learn that some even came an hour early to class! The class was very exciting. Some of the activities involved acting, dictation, and creating stories. It was a joy to see how happy the students were to participate in the activities with some of the American team members. At the end of the class, many asked if they could return tomorrow for another session. 

       Tomorrow we are planning to visit a pediatric unit at the general hospital and offer English classes at a local Haitian school. Overall, we are having a pleasant experience and loving every minute of our time here. The food has been amazing!!

                   July 21^st Liliana Vega from Lancaster, PA 

 

The left over flip flops from Bible school last week were a hit!!!

Nothing like clean, new underwear!!

Kylee handed out letters from a woman in Colorado who wrote to EACH child!!!!!

Group photo with some of the orphans

Advanced English class

Practicing together

Crystal and Mr Alvarez have an amazing connection.