It was a day the children had only dreamed of for the past 9 plus months.  The last time they saw Susette all they knew was that she had a potentially fatal disease and that she would be in treatment for at least the next six months.  There was a great mix of emotions amongst the children from confusion and unbelief to sorrow and outright heart-writhing pain.  To some, she was the only mother they have known.  To others she was more of a mother than they had ever known.  The youngest children had the most difficulty.  They didn't understand why she had to go. and even worse, why there was a possibility that she may not return.  The thought was too painful to bear!  The children responded in the only way they knew.  The way that they knew was the only solution to insure the right outcome -- they took to their knees!  All the 47 children, in addition to the 20 plus staff at the orphanage, began praying with a fierceness, zeal and commitment that some have said shook the neighborhood for the next 9 months. 

People walking by the orphanage would hear the children's fervent, heart-felt, at the top of their lungs, zealous, storming the gates of heaven cries, and were so impacted by the powerful waves of petition that rolled across the neighborhood, and were so moved, that they had no choice but to join in.  The atheistic welder across the street from the boys home, numerous poor families living in the nearby ravines, the merchants and store keeper next door to the orphanage, the catholic attorney landlord and even a local voodoo priest were so moved by what was happening and the faith of the children that they soon joined in the prayers.

To the children, their faith was all they had.  Doctors, medicine and treatments are fine but they knew that the only True solution, the only True cure, would come not through the power of modern medicine but only through the power of the One who specializes in miracles --  the  Lord of Lords, their Redeemer, the Hope, the Truth and the Light -- the One who miraculously rescued them from the painful, abusive and hopeless streets of Haiti only a few years before.

Seeing Susette walk through the gates of the orphanage was more than just a sweet reunion, it was the reassuring response of a Savior that is always faithful, mighty and good.  It was what was expected.  "Of course she's back!  Of course she's well!  Would you expect any less from my Savior?"

When the screams of praise subsided and the tears of joy wiped away, there was a sigh of relief and a simple, sweet little voice saying, "Welcome back Mama.  I missed you."

Coming back to Haiti was a mixed emotional bag of great highs and deep, sad lows.  We came back right at the tail end of one of the worse wave of hurricanes to hit the region for the last 20 plus years.  The city of Goniave and numerous other smaller cities and villages were literally devastated after a series of four severe hurricanes pounded the island nation over a 30 day period.  Nearly a thousand lost their lives and another million were left homeless.  A veil of death and pestilence hangs over the mud-soaked towns impacted by the hurricanes like a cloak of despair and it is not likely to change for years to come.

We, like much of the missionary community in Haiti, rolled up our sleeves to do whatever we could to help.  In the midst of the crisis, we encountered a very special pastor and his family whose home, church, school, and orphanage were literally wiped out overnight.  His story is amazing.  When the rains brought a flood through his home in the middle of the night he acted quickly to move his family out of his house and into a cheap hotel located on higher ground nearby.  Then, he swiftly rushed to check on the children and workers at his orphanage.  To his shock and dismay, he saw that the flood waters engulfed the orphanage and were rising rapidly.  He was unable to even swim to the orphanage.  From the only safe ground he could find, he yelled to the children to climb to the roof and wait until he could get help. 

All 28 of the children, ranging in age from from 3 to 13, climbed to the top of the roof and waited.  As the rains poured down, all he could do throughout the night was to flash his flashlight at the children to reassure them that he was nearby and that help would soon arrive.  Unfortunately, however, the next day brought no relief, just continued heavy winds and rain and rising flood waters. He tried, with no success, to find someone with a boat or with the ability to help but there was no help anywhere.  As evening came his concerns grew as the children had gone more than a day without food.  Two of the older children, against his wishes, attempted to swim to safety but instead ended up clinging to the branches of a submerged tree.  By the grace of God, he was able to rescue the two children and get them to the hotel with his family.  And, as evening came, he returned to his flashlight vigil to again watch out for and encourage the children through the night. 

The next day. the rains let up and he found a boat and some people whom he paid to help rescue the children.  After hours of back and forth trips, he final got the last child off the roof and brought all the children to his one room hotel room with his family.  He notified a fellow missionary in Port Au Prince, who, in turn, contacted us.  We drove our big white truck up to transport the 28 children down to Port Au Prince to our friend's (still under construction) school house, where the children are currently living.  Through the generosity of many of you reading this, we were able to help these children get food, clothing and supplies.  In addition, we helped the pastor to find housing in Gonaive, on dryer ground, where he has returned to attempt to restore and rebuild his church, school for the deaf, bakery (where many of his deaf students once worked), orphanage and elementary school.  He is also trying to feed and assist members of his church and the community in greatest need.

We are continuing to work with this pastor and others we know to do whatever we can to help those in such great need.  Please pray for the pastor and his family as they try to restore their church and act as a beacon of hope in Christ to the people of Gonaive.

Thank you to all of you who prayed and contributed to this effort, making it possible for us to help those in such dire need.  God bless you.

We are continuing to feed and assist the children in need in our local community as the needs are great.  Due to the other pressing needs in the area and in Haiti in general, we are waiting until after the first of the year to launch our official feeding/outreach program that will include Bible lessons and a more formal organized feeding effort.  Children will still receives meals and food out of our house until we build and develop our feeding program next to the boys home.  You will be hearing more in the next few months on our progress as we move forward and continue our planning and development efforts.

We are very excited about our 3rd Annual MDL Christmas Outreach and Feeding.  Year after year, this has become a major community event where nearly 100 children are expected to attend for a big meal, to hear the Christmas story, see a play, dancing, sing songs of praise and celebrate the birth of our Savior.  

In addition to the big celebration, we are trying to put together a very special Christmas for the 47 children at Maison de Lumiere.  In the past churches, schools and individuals have all participated

The succes of our Christmas effort is completely dependent on donations and the efforts of individuals, churches, schools, businesses and individuals.  If you would like to support our effort, either by contributing gifts for the children at MDL or in the neighborhood or donating, we would greatly appreciate any contribution you can make.

To donate online, click here.  To mail in a contribution, send your check to Child Hope International Christmas 2008, P.O. Box 3677, Redondo Beach, CA 90277.  Thank you.

This last summer did not look encouraging for the numerous needy children in our community who had hopes of attending school.  We were preparing to tell the children that, this year, unfortunately, they would not be able to attend.  The children at Maison de Lumiere, however, would not just sit back and watch their fellow Haitian brothers and sisters lose this incredible blessing.  So, they chose to Walk for Haiti to raise money to help the neighborhood children attend school.  Their enthusiasm was contagious and many of you pitched in, as well.  As a result, we are so very excited to announce that 35 poor and needy children will now be attending school this year.  Praise the Lord!  God is so good!

It is our prayer that people will continue to see the value of this effort and become ongoing contributors to our Child Hope Education Fund.  If you are interested, contact Brooke Herman at 888-808-9595.  Thank you for helping send these precious children to school.