Tomorrow is the first day that framing begins at The House 4 Haiti. Once the house is finished, it will be sold and all the proceeds will go to provide a new home for the children of the Good Samaritan Orphanage in Haiti. What an exciting concept this is. People and businesses here in the States lending a hand by giving their time and resources to help children most of them have never met before. The project was dreamed up and being directed by a long time friend and business partner of mine Doug Thomas. Doug and his wife Randie have been working tirelessly, along with a very talented and resourceful board of individuals, to turn this concept into a reality. Our church, Carlisle Brethren in Christ, is sponsoring this project as well.
So again, Deb and I are humbled and continue to be grateful for how everyone is so willing to give of themselves to help in Haiti.
A "BIG THANK YOU" to:
Everyone that will be and have volunteered for this project.
All the businesses that gave or discounted materials.
The House 4 Haiti Board.
Carlisle Brethren in Christ Church for sponsoring the project.
Doug and Randie Thomas for directing the project.
Bud Jones for being Bud Jones (those of you that know Bud understand...)
Chuck Sieber for coordinating all the volunteers.
And the children of Good Samaritan for helping all of us to think outside of ourselves.
Nou renmen ou,
Jeff
PS. for more info or to follow the progress, go to thehouse4haiti.com
Friday, April 16, 2010
Monday, April 12, 2010
Thank you!
Yesterday, I arrived at Doug and Geralyn's thinking we were there to work on a document that we had started on Friday night. I showed up in my t-shirt and jeans having just gotten up from a wonderful rest on our front porch swing (might I add, Kylie and Brooke had just left my side with newborn kittens in hand and lots of chatter what seemed just seconds before and I finally had drifted off to sleep when Jeff came out to inform me it was time to go). I seriously had no clue what was going on when people came out of the house saying "surprise!!!". Part of it was the daze I was still in from my rest and part of it was having no idea what we could be celebrating.
I must say, I never expected the gathering of people waiting inside for me to arrive. I can't even put into words what this party meant to me. I enjoyed seeing so many people, some of which, I rarely see. The fact that so many of you came to support us just by being there...means so much to both Jeff and I. You came with words of encouragement, prayers, thoughts written for us to read over and over as we make this transition, the gifts...the generosity!
This verse comes to mind:
Romans 12:6-8 "In His grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have the gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly."
It has been so exciting to see God using many people in such various ways.
The vision God has given us in running this guest house is going to become reality because so many people here are involved. I am more than excited to travel to Haiti with all that was graciously given and get everything ready for use. Thank you so much!
I know that as we go about our lives in Haiti and serve teams, it will feel a bit as if you are there with us as we use each dish, make each bed, and fold each numbered towel! (of course I expect that some of you will be there) As I sit on my red chair (with coffee in hand), I will be reminded of the love and support here.
Your efforts have lifted me, have encouraged me, and I am truly blessed to be serving with your support!
Thank you Mary Ann and Ger (and party team) for all of your hard work, the food was fantastic!
With gratitude,
Deb
I must say, I never expected the gathering of people waiting inside for me to arrive. I can't even put into words what this party meant to me. I enjoyed seeing so many people, some of which, I rarely see. The fact that so many of you came to support us just by being there...means so much to both Jeff and I. You came with words of encouragement, prayers, thoughts written for us to read over and over as we make this transition, the gifts...the generosity!
This verse comes to mind:
Romans 12:6-8 "In His grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have the gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly."
It has been so exciting to see God using many people in such various ways.
The vision God has given us in running this guest house is going to become reality because so many people here are involved. I am more than excited to travel to Haiti with all that was graciously given and get everything ready for use. Thank you so much!
I know that as we go about our lives in Haiti and serve teams, it will feel a bit as if you are there with us as we use each dish, make each bed, and fold each numbered towel! (of course I expect that some of you will be there) As I sit on my red chair (with coffee in hand), I will be reminded of the love and support here.
Your efforts have lifted me, have encouraged me, and I am truly blessed to be serving with your support!
Thank you Mary Ann and Ger (and party team) for all of your hard work, the food was fantastic!
With gratitude,
Deb
Friday, April 9, 2010
Haiti Thoughts and an Update
I've been back from Haiti now for almost two weeks. First, I have to apologize for not posting earlier and more often, but this past trip was more difficult than others and I needed a little time to process it. My first trip after the earthquake I was with a group of guys that all have been to Haiti multiple times and we were in full out recon mode. We spent most of our time in the truck, waiting in lines trying to get food for our kids, and then loading and distributing those supplies. Even though it was a very successful trip in many ways and I was exposed to a lot, I think I was so amazed by what God was providing for our orphanages and ministries that I didn't fully take in what people were going through and how desperate their conditions were.
This time a good friend of mine joined me for the last four days of my trip. He was never in the country before but has a huge heart for missions and is the kind of guy that would give you the shirt off his own back if you needed it(which lucky for him not too many people in Haiti wear extra-large). His wife may come to stay with Deb and I for an extended period of time to help us with the medical end of the ministry once we move to Haiti permanently. I was excited for him to come see Haiti and get a feel for what we are doing and will be doing through our ministry there. Also, he and his wife sponsor one of our kids at Good Samaritan and I love to watch people meet their child for the first time.
With all that in mind I took him to see a lot of our operations and orphanages. It's one thing to hear and read about it, but it's a whole other thing to be there and see it for yourself. The best thing is to see someone you care for come to Haiti and get it. And make no mistake, he got it. Hearing him talk about Haiti and how it affected him personally, makes me realize how important it is for us to continue to expose as many people as possible to Haiti. It is very difficult to be exposed to people with that kind of faith, love, courage, respect, and contentment in those conditions and not be affected by it.
One thing I didn't count on is how getting out of the truck was going to affect me. Yes, this trip I got out of the truck and went into the tent cities. The first time was a morning after it had rained very hard the night before. A Haitian friend of mine and myself walked through the mud and muck that was home to thousands. Even though we got a lot of smiles and hellos, there were also stares of desperation and looks of hopelessness. I saw the pain in many eyes from what may have happened the night before. Even though I never felt threatened or in danger from the Haitian people. At one point I felt my spirit being threatened. Satan was speaking to my soul. "This is too big. There is nothing you can do here. God has forgotten about these people. Look at all the pain. What is going to happen to all these people? I am in control here. Not your God". That was the first time I questioned moving to Haiti.
Then I saw another Haitian friend of mine. He was living in that same tent city. He ran over and hugged me and said "Jeff you need to come with me, I need to show you something." We walked for a bit and then he said "Here we are, welcome to my barber shop". It was a little building made out of sticks and tarps, and on the side of it was a sign that read "Blessings Barber Shop". He saved his money from translating for relief organizations and teaching English at our orphanage and bought a little generator and had a chair that was sent in one of the containers that our ministry sent last summer. He had a spring in his step and was so proud and more confident than I've ever seen him before. That was God's way of shutting Satan up, and answering my questions at the same time. Even though there always will be pain and despair in this world and we can't help everyone in need, that is certainly no excuse to turn our backs on those we can help.
Some of the things we have been able to do as a result of people's generosity in giving to the relief fund are:
Able to make sure that all of the kids in our orphanages are in secure temporary shelter.
Provide food, water, and supplies for our orphanages and affiliated ministries.
Rent a new building for the kids of Good Samaritan, that will be available in June. (they are currently sleeping in tents)
Provide a portion of funding for the reconstruction of Pastor Nathan's church.
Helped provide housing for Pastor Nathan's family. (they were sleeping under a 10x10 canopy for six weeks, they moved in their new home April 1st)
Provide on-going financial support for monthly expenses for our partner orphanage.
Hire teachers to teach the kids right at the orphanage so they don't get behind in school.
Provided clothing and hygiene items to orphanages.
Helped a medical clinic with food, tarps, and supplies.
Supplied medication to multiple medical clinics that have seen over 500 people.
Those are just some of the ways we were able to help our friends in Haiti. Which a lot would not have been possible without the support from our church, businesses, and the community.
Well that's about all for now. I'll try to post more frequently, but for now I'll leave with you a thought a friend of mine shared with me today.
"God is here, our job is to help Him reveal Himself to others that need Him."
Sometimes the question is, Who are those people that need him most? That answer may just surprise you!!!!!!!
Bondye Beni ou,
Jeff
This time a good friend of mine joined me for the last four days of my trip. He was never in the country before but has a huge heart for missions and is the kind of guy that would give you the shirt off his own back if you needed it(which lucky for him not too many people in Haiti wear extra-large). His wife may come to stay with Deb and I for an extended period of time to help us with the medical end of the ministry once we move to Haiti permanently. I was excited for him to come see Haiti and get a feel for what we are doing and will be doing through our ministry there. Also, he and his wife sponsor one of our kids at Good Samaritan and I love to watch people meet their child for the first time.
With all that in mind I took him to see a lot of our operations and orphanages. It's one thing to hear and read about it, but it's a whole other thing to be there and see it for yourself. The best thing is to see someone you care for come to Haiti and get it. And make no mistake, he got it. Hearing him talk about Haiti and how it affected him personally, makes me realize how important it is for us to continue to expose as many people as possible to Haiti. It is very difficult to be exposed to people with that kind of faith, love, courage, respect, and contentment in those conditions and not be affected by it.
One thing I didn't count on is how getting out of the truck was going to affect me. Yes, this trip I got out of the truck and went into the tent cities. The first time was a morning after it had rained very hard the night before. A Haitian friend of mine and myself walked through the mud and muck that was home to thousands. Even though we got a lot of smiles and hellos, there were also stares of desperation and looks of hopelessness. I saw the pain in many eyes from what may have happened the night before. Even though I never felt threatened or in danger from the Haitian people. At one point I felt my spirit being threatened. Satan was speaking to my soul. "This is too big. There is nothing you can do here. God has forgotten about these people. Look at all the pain. What is going to happen to all these people? I am in control here. Not your God". That was the first time I questioned moving to Haiti.
Then I saw another Haitian friend of mine. He was living in that same tent city. He ran over and hugged me and said "Jeff you need to come with me, I need to show you something." We walked for a bit and then he said "Here we are, welcome to my barber shop". It was a little building made out of sticks and tarps, and on the side of it was a sign that read "Blessings Barber Shop". He saved his money from translating for relief organizations and teaching English at our orphanage and bought a little generator and had a chair that was sent in one of the containers that our ministry sent last summer. He had a spring in his step and was so proud and more confident than I've ever seen him before. That was God's way of shutting Satan up, and answering my questions at the same time. Even though there always will be pain and despair in this world and we can't help everyone in need, that is certainly no excuse to turn our backs on those we can help.
Some of the things we have been able to do as a result of people's generosity in giving to the relief fund are:
Able to make sure that all of the kids in our orphanages are in secure temporary shelter.
Provide food, water, and supplies for our orphanages and affiliated ministries.
Rent a new building for the kids of Good Samaritan, that will be available in June. (they are currently sleeping in tents)
Provide a portion of funding for the reconstruction of Pastor Nathan's church.
Helped provide housing for Pastor Nathan's family. (they were sleeping under a 10x10 canopy for six weeks, they moved in their new home April 1st)
Provide on-going financial support for monthly expenses for our partner orphanage.
Hire teachers to teach the kids right at the orphanage so they don't get behind in school.
Provided clothing and hygiene items to orphanages.
Helped a medical clinic with food, tarps, and supplies.
Supplied medication to multiple medical clinics that have seen over 500 people.
Those are just some of the ways we were able to help our friends in Haiti. Which a lot would not have been possible without the support from our church, businesses, and the community.
Well that's about all for now. I'll try to post more frequently, but for now I'll leave with you a thought a friend of mine shared with me today.
"God is here, our job is to help Him reveal Himself to others that need Him."
Sometimes the question is, Who are those people that need him most? That answer may just surprise you!!!!!!!
Bondye Beni ou,
Jeff
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