Dear ,

Happy New Year!

As the year is just beginning, I'm excited to give you a brief update on the progress being made in Haiti.  After unexpectedly spending two weeks there due to some vehicle troubles in December, it is amazing to see the work God continues to do for us and through us.

In our last prayer update, we showed you a quick snap shot of our family spending the weekend in Haiti after being invited by the Colonels of the Parengcoy (Paraguayan Engineering Company) to their United Nations Medal Parade Ceremony for the 1st contingency from Paraguay.  We felt honored to be a part of it and to be able to publicly recognize their contributions to Village de Nouvelle Vie.

 

Before the temporary shelters were event built, we needed their assistance for land preparation and after for the securing of fencing as well as gravel spreading.  More importantly, God allowed us to build lasting friendships with these gentlemen where we were able to share our faith.

Speaking of Faith!... The Pastor of the village recently informed us of four (4) individuals who have committed to following Christ!  Praise God!  Although we have been working to meet the basic needs of the people of shelter, clean water and food, this has always been a focus and our mission.  Thank you, Lord, for the opportunity to serve these people.

Here are a few quick updates from the December 2011 trip.  I was accompanied by Emily Hendershot and Susan Ranney, both from my home church in Davison, MI.

• Followed up with many organizations we have been working with:  IOM, JOTC, World Food Programme, IOM Protection Unit, UNFPA
• IOM Protection has committed three (3) new solar lights for the village.  This will increase security - especially at night.
• IOM donated hygiene kits for each family.
• Haitian Chicken Broilers did a site visit so that we can start a large chicken project.
• Distribution:  rice and spaghetti, clothes, more hygiene items and water jugs.
• IOM donated three (3) Rehydration Tents and supplies.  One will be used at our site and two more will be given to a doctor we have worked closely with.
• World Vision - we are under consideration as a project that they might include on their grant application.  This would mean that our project would fit under the umbrella of a big organization like World Vision, which in turn means better long term sustainability for our families.
• FonKoze visited our site again.  They came to offer micro-loans to the women of the village.  We had 13 women sign up to be a part of the program.  Many of them had small commerce before the earthquake, but haven't been able to start back up.  This will give them the edge to increase livelihoods for their families.
• After meeting with the UN Japengcoy (Japanese Engineering Company) at their base about moving the final seven (7) temporary shelters, they did a site visit and are considering when the work can take place.  
• On the last day of the trip, we distributed a chicken to each family with chicken feed! Just a few days before this trip, money was collected from family and friends to provide a gift for Christmas of a chicken for each family.

 

One struggle we had this trip was that Floyd (the van) broke down.  We know that everything happens in God's timing, but this was very frustrating for us.  A lot of valuable work time was spent coordinating the purchase and delivery of van parts from the Dominican Republic.  The van was broken down for one week while we waited.  Luckily, the Paraguayans were willing to help us in our time of need.  This is another reason our friendship with the Parguayans as been such a blessing.

One of the most important parts of this trip was a family meetings we had.  This simply means that we got everyone together to share updates and to hear any concerns they may have.  It ended with a beautiful song and prayer.

It was such a blessing to have Susan Ranney with us again this trip.  She definitely has a servant's heart - a true blessing to the people.  While we would work, Sue would help families get water, carry things for them and just spend time sitting with them - even with the language barrier.  We loved watching her rock the babies and know the families were so grateful for the supplies she brought and distributed.  Thank you, Sue! 

PRAYER REQUESTS:  Please pray...

• God would meet the hunger needs.
• The leadership of the Village (President and Pastor) would set an example to everyone in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.
• Molive Mesifort.  Molive is a single mother in the village with two small girls who will have her third child, a boy, in January.  Please pray for good health for both Molive and the newest addition to her family.
• That the agricultural land would reap a bountiful harvest!
• Our Paraguayan friends headed home on December 24th after their year of service in Haiti.  Please pray that God would bless them for helping us and for helping Haiti.
• For the salvation of those in the village and all those we work with.  That God would use us for His perfect plan.

Thank you for your continued prayers and notes of encouragement!  You have been part of this project through your support from day one!