Roofing 101

One of the reasons Ron came during this trip was to help with some construction on the new base if we rented it. We decided to stay in our current location which needs no construction work done, BUT the school roof in Bas-Citronniers is having some trouble with leaking. It was done in a very unique and interesting way- bug/window screening covered with a mixture of latex and cement. This turned the screening into a kind of canvas-type canopy covering the school building. This is lightweight and flexible and was a really neat idea (plus it really looks cool- lol). 

Unfortunately, there were some unforseen design issues- one being that water runs down the roof, but kind of curves back under the edges if the rain is not heavy or it is just dew from the roof. This is rotting some of the supporting boards. 

There is also a problem with the latex-concrete mixture cracking in some spots and this has caused the roof to leak. 

Sooooo we are in the process of working with the locals who originally helped with construction (the designer/builder used all local labor) to repair and replace sections where there is water damage before this thing becomes an even bigger problem. 

As is typical in Haiti, supplies needed are limited and we must travel all the way to Port au Prince to find them. When we do, they are quite pricey!! A five gallon bucket of the latex that we mix dry cement into is $150 US!! We blew through one of those yesterday and need two more to complete the job but dont have funds to do so.... The first bucket about broke our budget!! We have also had to buy 2 x 4's to brace the roof and replace the rotted ones, cement mix, screws, etc. The local labor (giving jobs to five men) costs $14 per day per man.... so $70 per day in labor and we anticipate a week of work so close to $500 in labor!!  

The entire project should be about $1500 to $2000 when done but the roof should then be good for a while. We may eventually have to replace the roof with a more traditional one, but this should postpone that decision for quite a while. 

If you would are touched by the story and would like to help toward our expenses, that would be great. Any funds we dont have to put toward this roof will be funds we have available for other worthwhile projects. God bless and enjoy some of these photos from the work we did yesterday. 

Donations can be made from the website heartsunitedwithhaiti.org or checks can be mailed to Hearts United with Haiti, PO Box 55, Morgantown, PA 19543. Note Bas-Citronniers on your donation.  They are tax deductible and MUCH appreciated! 

Three of the workers (with Ron and Redgi) putting down new screen over holes or cracked spots. That was then covered by the latex mixture like painting. A second coat will be applied in a few days once this completely dries. 

Ron painting on new latex to hold the screen- note how we constructed a little overhang now with the screen to divert water from the boards. Also note how BURNED we all got out in that hot sun..... And to think these guys worked from 8 am to 4 pm with only a short lunch break... all for $14/ day!!

You have to carefully walk out on the beams to lay screen and repair the roof. One step to the side and you would fall through the canvas-like roof. My job was offering up LOTS of prayers as the guys moved about up there over children having classes below. 

Mixing up the latex-cement to paint over the screening. 

A view from down below. 

And THIS is why we do it!! 140 little children can now go to school in their own community in this building thanks to those who came before us to build it and follow the vision they had for quality, local education. We are blessed to continue upon the work they started and help maintain the facilities before the problems get worse! 

-Crystal

OPPORTUNITY KNOCKING??

For a long time God has given us the dream of reaching out to our local community in Carrefour in the form of a Training and Discipleship Center (we desire to use this facility for education such as English classes, literacy classes, nutrition classes, etc as well as outreach such as medical/dental clinics and other community type events). We have always thought it would be nice if this building was located right by our mission base so that those staying with us in the base can be more involved with hosting short seminars or assisting with the teaching we have on our regular schedule. 

As we have prayed about this for the past few tears, God kept giving us direction and always this vision of a location on the mountain.... but that has not happened yet. What HAS happened is that a house across the street is available for rent. We went to look at it yesterday and though it is set up as a house, the community areas are large enough for us to make desks/benches and start holding classes there. There are also three small bedrooms and two baths if needed when hosting groups AND parking for the bus! So, though not on the mountain, it would be a start and a place to begin our own outreach ministry that groups could help with and help us establish. All this right about the same time that we should finally get our legalization completed here in Haiti. This means in the spring we could be ready to start outreach!! How exciting is this possibility??

So..... We are asking you for prayer about this. First, we want God's plan to be clear about this move. We would also need the rental funds of $3500 and extra to set up the building and are praying God will send these (that would be great confirmation). 

Here are some photos of the house.....

Looking down the hallway toward the bathroom - one bedroom on each side to the right and left. 

The big room for classes (the house is being renovated)

Front (reception) area-looking in from outside the house. 

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