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| Child Hope International | September 2012 |
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Greetings in the name of our Risen Savor and Lord Jesus Christ!
Change is not generally easy. Many people struggle with change. But here in Haiti people long for it - the kind that gives them hope for the future. The kind of change they seek is the opportunity for an education. The beginning of a new school year is one of the most difficult times of the year for those of us who live here. We see literally hundreds of families and individuals fighting for the chance to attend school, for the chance to transition for illiteracy to literacy through a good education. With an education, they hope to get a job that can help pull them out of the vicious cycle of poverty. This was one of our first major revelations about Haiti when we first visited as part of a missions team. We were totally taken aback by poor children on the streets begging, not for money or food, but for school. We were shown a list detailing tuition costs, books, uniforms, etc. for their school and asked to pay the school directly to verify how the money would be used. When we came home from that missions trip and shared this with our own kids they didn't get it - "They beg to go to school? I beg to get out of school!" Wow, how we take so many things for granted. It's a third world reality that most people who have public schools can't understand. You see, in Haiti, school is not free (except for very very few overcrowded government schools). Most people must pay. But how can they pay when the average income here is a dollar a day and a year of school costs about the same? They need sponsors. Many NGOs and missions organizations are here trying to help kids with school but the sponsorships are few and the needs are so much greater. We realized that, outside of the Gospel, (our main reason for being here), education was one of the most important elements to help transform this country. We are committed to providing the highest level Christ-centered education possible. There is certainly a learning curve and a long way to go but, with each small victory, we move that much closer to that goal.
Please pray for this effort, that Christ continue to be the center of all of our educational efforts and that he be glorified in the lives of the young people who graduate our school. Pray that our graduates make a difference in Haiti, first, for the Kingdom and ,next, for the transformation of a nation for the glory of God (2Chronicles 7:14). God bless you. In Christ in Haiti, The Manasseros |
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Meet Echeline
 Echeline Aurelus is the newest member of the Child Hope family in Haiti. This precious little 3 year old girl lost her mother in the January 2010 earthquake. Her father was also seriously injured in the quake. He was told by his doctor to refrain from work due to the type of injuries he received. He continued to work because he had to feed his family. As a result, he died in March 2010.
Echeline went to live with her aunt but when her aunt's health took a turn for the worse her aunt came to MDL seeking help.
We invited Echeline in to be part of the MDL family on Saturday,  September 1st. At first very quiet and reserved, she has warmed up to all the people pouring love on her -- including the children. The other little girls in the girls home adore Echeline and are always pawning after her. Her new best friend is Estaline, five years old. They are often seen holding hands, playing together or just laying on their beds chatting with each other
In just a few short weeks, Echeline has adapted well and has a beautiful smile. She also loves to dance
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Estaline, Echeline & Daphne on a lunch date
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Echeline seems in relatively good health although she appears to have some developmental delays. Regular medical check-ups are scheduled in the next few weeks.
We feel so blessed to have her as part of our family and are looking forward to seeing her grow up.
Please pray for little Echeline's health, strength and that she grow into a mighty woman of God.
She currently has no sponsors. If you are interested in sponsoring Echeline, click here.
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Lighthouse Medical Clinic Moves
 Thanks to our wonderful friends at Times Square Church in New York City, The Lighthouse Medical Clinic has expanded and moved into a much larger facility down the road from our staff house and closer to the local ravine community.
The new clinic will allow us to see see more patients and to offer a more fully-equipped clinic that will also include dental services.
The idea is to eventually have daily hours and a full-time doctor and nurse. The clinic will also host visiting medical/dental teams that will be able to offer specialized health care services, such as surgeries. In addition, the clinic will be a center for health care education and information in the community to  share the love of Christ. Visitors will also receive prayer, hear the Gospel and see Christian films (like the Jesus Movie in Creole) while waiting in our reception area.
We thank the good people at Times Square Church for their generous support and valued partnership on this greatly-needed community service and outreach.
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2012 MDL Graduates
Six residents of the Lighthouse have reached 18 years of age and will be graduating out of the Lighthouse next month. Here is
a brief overview of what our graduates will be doing.
 Cherley - is nearly finished with secondary school and will be concentrating on passing her government exams for the next two years. When not in school, she will also be working with the transition program afternoons and weekends sewing purses and clothes. Her career dream is to become a doctor. She will be sharing a small flat with Cherline and Isguerda, who are also graduating.
Cherline - has had some challenges with ear surgery this year but  is excited about pursuing a career in baking and cooking. She will attend school during the day (she's in 7th grade) and will work in the transition program's bakery in the afternoons. She will also attend cooking school two afternoons a week and train alongside some of the our missions' cooks to get practical hands-on experience.
 Isguerda - graduated from beauty school this year and is excited about becoming a full-time cosmetologist. She will still be attending school (she's in our special 9th grade exam class) but she is putting a big focus on working toward the goal of owning and operating her own beauty salon. The new place she is moving in with Cherline and Cherley also has a room where she will be able to host beauty shop clients.
Clifford - has been involved in various aspects of the transition program and will continue working in the program in the afternoons and Saturdays. During the day, he will be attending our 9th grade exam class. Clifford is still uncertain about his career goals but is determined to do well at the Transition House and at school.
 MarcHarold - will be joining the MDL staff as an afternoon/evening assistant to Cindy Ahrentzen, working with the younger boys at the Lighthouse. During the day, he will be attending school (he's in 10th grade). He will also be helping as our recreation director, setting up afternoon activities and coordinating special sporting events.
Ti-John - will be attending trade school and regular school (he's in 10th grade). He will continue to participate as one of the MDL Worship Team members, playing bass, guitar and singing Wednesday and Saturday evenings. He will be moving in with his mother and family.
Please keep all of these young people in your prayers as they move forward in this important new step in their lives.
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Back to School
MDL SchoolWe are gearing up for the new school year at MDL School and  working hard to get ready for the students. Recently, a missions team from Ra  nch Church from Santa Barbara, California took on the ominous task of painting the interior of the school, cleaning up and organizing the school. In addition, Rev Robinson and team from Virginia-based Know the Truth Industries, helped move medical supplies out of the old medical clinic to make way for additional classrooms at the school. We are excited for the new school year.
Outside Kids Due to limited class space, MDL School cannot help all the children in our community. In the past, we have had funds donated so that we could provide  special scholarships to many of the needy children in the area but, unfortunately, those funds are not available this year. If anyone is interested in contributing to our outside kids scholarship fund, please feel free to donate here and designate the donation for "Outside Kids Education." If you would like to sponsor for any of the outside kids attending MDL school, click here.
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Orange County California Food Marathon
 If you live in or are visiting Southern California, you could participate in the premier event for our Haiti muTch feeding program on Saturday, October 13, at 8:30am, 10:30am and 12:30pm.
The event will be held at Children of the Nations (COTN) warehouse  and is being organized by a Child Hope long time supporter, Mission Viejo Christian Church. The goal is to make 100,000 meals. The event will also benefit other local Southern California feeding programs as well.
Stay all day for games, food, live music, and more! This is a great way for Southern California  families to serve Haiti together from home! Churches, schools, and businesses are welcome too.
At this event the participants will be packing the very food we use at our feeding program here in Haiti. The location of the event is:
COTN Meal Packaging Center
22432 Avenida Empresa
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
Contact: Sara Booth 949-212-4621 for more information.
Click here for more information.
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Upcoming Events
Sept 21-28 - Ranch Church - Santa Barbara, CAOct 6-13 - Carmel Presbyterian Church - Carmel, CA Oct 19-26 - Grace Church - San Diego, CA
Nov 2-9 - King's Harbor Church - Redondo Beach, CA
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