Personal Message
We are still basking in the joy of our Savior's miracle in healing Susette. We knew our God would do it! Thanks to all of you who joined us in storming the gates of heaven! We are now continuing to pray in the belief that the continuing chemo therapy treatments will not harm or result in new problematic health issues. Thank you Jesus (in advance)!
With all that is going on with Susette's treatments and recovery, we were hit pretty hard by the attempted kidnapping of our dear friends Ted and Lisa Hojara. Again, we give our Lord thanks for saving their lives and getting them to safety. He has been growing their faith ever since. Ted told us that that single incident did more to solidify their commitment to Haiti than anything else. Praise the Lord!
We feel blessed to have such great saints sitting in for us in Haiti. Please pray for them and for your role in helping them continue their good work in Haiti. We've listed their web site in this newsletter and hope you take the time to learn more about this awesome family.
Despite the craziness going on in Haiti, we miss it more than ever and can't wait to get back to see Frankie & Kenny (the two children we are adopting), all the children at the orphanage, the Hojaras, our great staff and other valued friends in Haiti. It really hurts to be away.
Thank you all for your continued prayers and support. We thank God for you all and regularly pray for you.
God bless.
The Manasseros |
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Meet Oline
 Our newest resident at the Maison de Lumiere girls home is a sweet little angel named Oline. We have known Oline for more than three years as one of the children in the neighborhood whom we sent to school. Oline's mother, although very poor, did her best to provide for Oline, her only child. Unfortunately, in December, Oline brought her very ill mother to us to see if we could help her. We brought her to various doctors and clinics and most said they didn't know what she had and that they couldn't treat her. Finally, Haiti's General Hospital took her in and tried to treat her. She stayed at General Hospital nearly 2 months before she died. When she died, people from the neighborhood came to us saying Oline was alone and had no one to care for her. When we saw Oline she was very sad because she loved her mother very much. We tried to find relatives to care for her but when we found no one, we took her in to the girls home. Oline was immediately welcomed by the other children at the orphanage and the beautiful smile we have known for years slowly crept back on her face. Today, she is doing wonderfully. She is healthy and very bright, being one of the better students at her school. She loves having so many new sisters and a real home where she can see and feel the overwhelming power of Jesus every day. Please keep Oline in your prayers as we seek sponsors for her, help her adjust to her new life at MDL and help her grow in her faith in Christ.
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Susette's Miracle
 In case you missed the awesome news, after only four chemo therapy treatments, Susette's PET/CT scan showed her to be CANCER FREE! This is nothing less than a total miracle. As a result of everyone's prayers, we believe the Lord Almighty heard and acted on those petitions! Praise the Lord! We are excited and thankful beyond measure. The doctor, however, although amazed himself by what he saw, is insisting that Susette continue chemo treatments through July. His feeling is that "undetected cancer cells" can come back 10 times as strong. So, please don't stop praying as we are continuing with the treatments. Even though we have this incredible news, we are praying that she champion the chemo therapy treatments which are already wearing on her physically. Let's give thanks to our mighty Lord and Savior and continue our prayers more fervently than ever. God is great!!!
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God is Faithful
 As many of you know by now, the Hojaras, the family temporarily filling in for the Manasseros in Haiti, recently survived an attempted kidnapping. At around 8:30pm, on a rainy Sunday evening, Ted and Lisa were driving back from the orphanage where they were administering medicine to some of the children at the orphanage with the mumps. One house away from their home, a pick-up coming towards them stopped in the middle of the road. When they attempted to drive around the vehicle, the other vehicle rammed them. Ted Hojara quickly put the truck in gear and sped away before the men in the assaulting vehicle could get out of their vehicle. Observers of the incident said the men inside the other vehicle were armed and even heard one of the men tell another "Don't Shoot!". By the grace of God, Ted and Lisa were able to escape injury and possible kidnapping. We thank God for His mighty hand of protection on them.
A few days later, their daughter Charmaine was baking brownies when an explosion in the oven burned her face and arms. The two incidents back-to-back hit them hard.
Here is a brief update from the Hojaras:
"Things have really calmed down around here -- things are very peaceful. God has placed a peace over us and this house and ministry that is beyond understanding. And as far as Charmaine and her burns, it is incredible how fast she is healing. Every morning when she gets up we take a look and see how its doing and Lisa and I just stand in awe at how fast it is all healing. It is like God is healing her right before our eyes. In less than a week there are only small little areas still left to heal. P.T.L. I want to say thank-you to all you have been praying. You have no idea how it has blessed and encouraged us. Please continue to lift us up and this ministry, for God truly has big plans for this ministry. Thanks again and God Bless you all The Hojara Family"
Ted has shared how these events have strengthened their faith and commitment to Haiti. What the enemy meant for evil God turned around for His glory.
Please continue your prayers for the Hojaras. You can get more information on this remarkable family at http://heartofjonahtan.blogspot.com/.
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Haiti Food Crisis
 With food prices rising, Haiti's poorest can't afford even a daily plate of rice, and are resorting to desperate measures to fill their bellies.
Mud has long been prized by pregnant women and children here as an antacid and source of calcium. But in places like Cite Soleil, Haiti's largest oceanside slum, cookies made of dirt, salt and vegetable shortening have become a regular meal.
Food prices around the world have spiked because of higher oil prices and other economic factors. Prices for basic ingredients such as corn and wheat are also up sharply, and the increasing global demand for biofuels is pressuring food markets as well.
The problem is particularly dire in the Caribbean, where island nations depend on imports and where food prices are up 40 percent this year alone.
The global price hikes, together with floods and crop damage from the 2007 hurricane season, prompted the U.N. Food and Agriculture Agency to declare states of emergency in Haiti and several other Caribbean countries.
Recent riots protesting high food prices have further exasperated the problem and increased safety risks for those living in Haiti.
Not only is this impacting the operation of our orphanage but it is negatively affecting our employees and neighbors we help out in our area. We have recently increased our food budgets, staff salaries and feel an increased need to expand our feeding program in the area.
Please join us in praying for a solution to this difficult situation, adequate funding and for the safety of our children, missionaries, and staff. |
Ravine Sech Ministry
 It started out as a simple trip to the beach and ended up being a mini-crusade.
Recently, the children from Maison de Lumiere went up to a little village on the beach called "Ravine Sech", which means "dry ravine". The people living there are very poor and have nothing. When our children arrived, the poor children from the local village gathered to check out the large group of kids. The hunger and poverty of the children prompted some of our kids to share their testimonies of how God had worked miracles in their lives -- how they had been delivered from sin and life on the streets to victory in Christ Jesus. Afterwards, the MDL kids started giving away some of their own clothes, toys and food. They were moved by the Holy Spirit to share with these children in need -- first, with the most valuable gift they had - their testimony - and then, with the material items for which they had been blessed.
It was a powerful time where God moved in the hearts of the special children of Maison de Lumiere in service to another special group of children..
The Hojaras and Rob & Brittany asked the kids if they wanted to come back and the kids resounded reply was "yes" and "often."
It is a true miracle to see how the "ministered to" have become the "ministers." This is the prayer of Maison de Lumiere (The Lighthouse) -- to see your men and women raised up to go out into their native Haiti to share the hope of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Please pray that this is just a spark in the lives of our children whom will go out and ignite the people of Haiti by the power of the Holy Spirit.
To see some great photos of the trip, check out Rob and Brittany's photos at http://web.mac.com/brittanyjbohlinger/Site/photos/Pages/dry_ravine.html.
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Camp Haiti 2008
 On June 23-28, we will be holding our first summer camp for the children of Maison de Lumiere. Hosted by a multi-church consortium of people from Southern California, the camp will be held at a nearby Nazarene church compound. This team will be bringing the love of Jesus, fun, games and activities to our little ones. The children will be camping and enjoying themselves away from the orphanage just like a true "American Camp" experience. The week will wrap up with a special beach trip.
We are really excited about this event and are asking you to join us in praying for a true faith-building experience. In addition, the camp organizers are trying to raise a significant amount to provide the best quality camp experience possible. If you, your church or school is interested in supporting this event, please contact Jamie Kruse at damedee@gmail.com or click here to contribute online. Sponsorship for one child to attend camp is $400. Any amount to help offset costs is welcome. Thanks and keep praying!
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