|
|
|
|
|
| Child Hope International |
January 2013
|
|
Greetings in the name of our mighty, awesome and holy God Who is the same yesterday, today and forever!
As we start a new year, we look both ahead and behind. We look behind to reflect on what has happened. To celebrate in God's provision. To praise Him for the amazing things He did. And to learn from our personal failings. Looking behind helps us to skew and calibrate our vision for tomorrow.
We learn from our mistakes and are encouraged by the victories.
As we approach nearly nine years in Haiti we have seen and learned a lot. We are humbled and grateful that we face nothing alone. That we have our Creator God, our Provider our Protector always at our side.
Looking back is taking a step back. To reflect. To repent. To seek the Lord's will and guidance. James 1:5 says, "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you." And this is a great time to ask.
Here is our prayer...
"Lord, as we look ahead at this new year, we seek your will and wisdom to guide and direct us. That Your will be done, so that Your Kingdom comes, on earth as it is in heaven.
Lord, please allow our flesh to have no place in our decisions. That everything we do glorify Your name and that You be lifted up and honored in every aspect of our lives.
Dear Lord, we thank you for never leaving nor forsaking us. For loving us despite our failings and weaknesses. Thank you for your Love that never fails!
Dear Lord, thank you for the many people You have chosen that pray for us, support us financially and serve the Haitian people -- all for Your glory!
Great and glorious God! We are Yours. Use us, that You be glorified and exalted in our every effort.
We love You Lord. We love You Lord.
We love You Lord.
We pray by the Name above all names. Our Savior and King! Jesus Christ!
Amen." In Christ in Haiti, The Manasseros |
|
Looking Back -- Looking Ahead
2012 was an eventful year. Haiti once again faced tremendous trials - Tropical Storm Isaac and Hurricane Sandy hit Haiti hard, resulting in numerous causalities and massive devastation to Haiti's already struggling agricultural industry.
Haiti was so very blessed when many of you stepped up to help assist the storm victims with repairing and replacing housing, supplying food, medical needs and other critical aid and services.
Although the year was wrought with many difficulties and challenges, there were also numerous triumphs and blessings. Hundreds of families were helped through Child Hope. Our new expanded medical/dental clinic moved another step closer to providing expanded, daily health care services for the many needy families and children in our area. Our MDL school took in more outside students who would never have dreamed of attending school but are now doing well and getting an excellent education. Child Hope's muTch feeding program is now providing an average of 200 children with healthy meals three times a week. Our transition program continues to teach young men and women valuable vocational skills and provide jobs to mothers who can now keep and support their children.
We also saw special  victories for infants like baby Guy Marcus and precious Yules Darline whom were brought to us barely alive and are now thriving. Thank you Jesus for saving those precious babies.
Children housed at Maison de Lumiere are growing up in a healthy, safe environment with a great education, a heart to serve and hope for the future. We are seeing MDL kids who have transitioned out of the orphanage get jobs and learn to successfully live on their own. We have much to be thankful about!
Throughout the year one thing remained - our amazing wonderful God continues to  demonstrate His enduring faithfulness and love. The theme of our 2012 Celebration Dinners continues to ring true -- His love never fails!
So what is in store for 2013? Where is Child Hope heading? We can't anticipate the storms, political or economic events but we do look forward to seeing more amazing stories of how God is working in the lives of the MDL children and through Child Hope in Haiti.
Some of the new things we look forward to in 2013 include:
 Lighthouse Village - Another dream becomes reality! After nearly 6 years of praying, Lighthouse Village is coming close to happening. We are in the process of purchasing 3 acres of land in the beautiful plush mountains above Port-au-Prince. This property will be the future home for MDL children. We are designing the Village to have a number of small cottage homes, ideally, with a Haitian mom and dad caring for 6 to 8 MDL kids. Please pray with us that all goes well as we finalize the purchase of the land and that the Lord provide what is necessary to complete construction.
New Clinic - We look forward to increased activity in 2013 with our  new medical/dental clinic. Cholera, malaria and other epidemics and diseases continue to take lives in Haiti. The larger clinics, we believe, will allow us to offset this disheartening reality by providing medical/dental health care services to the needy people in our community on a near daily basis. In addition, we hope to introduce frequent health care classes to educate and promote prevention in the community Please pray that the Lord continue to provide so that the clinic can hire needed staff and obtain the medicine necessary.
Special Themed Missions Trips - One new the introduction of missions trips for individuals, families and special audiences like Mom/Daughter, Father/Son retreats. The first of these new Missions weeks is called The Dream Team and is for people not coming as part of a church or other formal group but have wanted to visit and see what Child Hope does in Haiti. The week is scheduled for the week of June 14-21.
We are looking forward to a great 2013 as we seek to walk in God's will and to honor Him in all we do. Please keep us in your prayers.
|
Earthquake Third Anniversary
On January 12th, the Child Hope family gathered in the Ben's  recreation area next to the boy's home to worship, pray, mourn the loss of quake victims, share testimonies and reflect on the devastating event that occurred three years ago. It was a solemn event but it also reflected on the hope our Lord provided in the midst of the crisis and in the time following the quake. We were encouraged with the many ways God demonstrated and continues to demonstrate His faithfulness and unrelenting love.
|
Reaching Out - Community Service at MDL School
MDL Primary School is truly a lighthouse for Christ in the local community.
 Principal Ivens Bastiens has invited all MDL students to participate in Saturday community service projects which include such things as trash pick-up, landscaping and assisting with a variety of improvement projects at the local tent cities. This outreach effort has the community buzzing about the positive impact the school is having on the community.
Rising up early Saturday morning and gathering at the school, the kids rally together to prepare for the various projects of the day. Depending on how many children show up, they usually divide into multiple teams to cover various locations. Once the teams are given instructions for the day's project, the children grab the tools they need and follow their leaders out to the various work areas.
People in the neighborhood have asked "Who are these kids and  who is paying them to do these nice things in the neighborhood?" When they are told that the students are from the Lighthouse School and that they are doing these things for free -- to help the community and glorify God -- many are skeptical. However, when they see the children return week-after-week they are moved. Many neighbors have asked if they could help join the effort. Today, the community service work teams are comprised of half students, half local neighborhood volunteers (including parents of the students), working together for cleaner, more beautiful neighborhood..
It is the goal of Ivens and his kids to eventually start a full-on neighborhood beautification program by planting trees, flowers and plants throughout the community.
|
Dream Team Scheduled for 2013
 No, the NBA superstar team is not coming to Haiti for a special game. However, another super team is coming and you may be one of them.
Child Hope's special "dream team" missions week has been scheduled for June 14-21, 2013. This unique trip has been put together for people who have always wanted to visit Child Hope in Haiti but have not been able to join because they were not part of a formal church or other missions team group. Individuals, couples, families and other interested people will comprise this special "Dream Team" to experience a week at at the Maison de Lumiere, Child Hope's mission in Haiti.
This unique week will be personally hosted by Bill and Susette Manassero who will lead morning and evening devotions and host all activities during the week. Their daughter Ariana Manassero will also have a special time with the team members where she will share the story about "the dream" she had at 8 years of age that ultimately resulted in what Child Hope Haiti has become today.
Other activities during the week will include hands-on work projects, fun activities at the boys and girls homes, assistance with the feeding program, outreaches to the local tent city/ravine communities, a fun full-day beach trip and more.
The cost of the week will be $800, excluding airfare and will include all on-ground expenses such as room and board (three great meals a day), health travel insurance, transportation, a trip to a private beach resort and even a few work projects. Space is limited, so to insure your place, register online with a $400 deposit per person. You will also need to complete a brief application online . If you have any questions, please feel free to write us at info@childhope.org.
We expect this to be a memorable trip that participants will long remember.
|
|
 Ivens Education Fund
As most people know and read in this newsletter, Ivens Bastiens is a valued member of the Child Hope family here in Haiti. Besides the busy schedule he has running the MDL School as principal and director, he also manages to fit in a few more responsibilities such as Bible teacher/host of the muTch feeding program, tutor for many of the kids at MDL, manager of Community Service Saturdays and our major liaison with the tent city and ravine communities. Many call him the "unofficial Mayor of Delmas 75." He has helped us rescue many a child and family during hurricanes and other dangerous situations. He is always available, at a moments notice, to step in to help people in need, no matter the situation. Add this to the fact that he is putting all of his siblings through school, taking care of his elderly grandmother and housing (in an already crowded house) various dislocated people, at-risk children and others in need. And he does all these things without asking for any help or assistance. He humbly serves these people as if serving the very Savior himself. His love for the Lord is evident in all he does. He is an amazing person and tremendous blessing to Child Hope and the local community. Iven's big dream, for the last 10 years, has been to one day complete his college education. And last year, a visiting team member found this out and was able to raise one year's tuition and the money necessary for books and other fees. The university Ivens attends allows him to attend classes evenings and weekends. He completed his first year, with honors, but now has no funds to complete the full second year. He is not asking for help but we would like to bless Ivens by raising enough funds to cover two more years of school, if possible. One year's fees are $3,000US. $6,000 would cover two years. Would you be able to help out? Even a small amount will be appreciated. As you may know, we do not often ask for funds but this, we feel, is a very worthy cause. If you are interested in helping this godly young man to complete his education, you may contribute to his school fund here. Thank you and may God bless you. |
 2013 Calendars
|
|
|
| Upcoming Events
Feb 1-9 - Santa Barbara Team - Santa Barbara, CA
Mar 8-15 - Circle Square Ranch Christian Camp Team - Ontario, Canada
Mar 15-22 - Hillcrest Covenant Missions Team - Prairie Village, KS
Mar 23-27 - Revolution Church Missions Team - Annapolis, MD
June 14-21 - DREAM TEAM MISSIONS WEEK - open to everyone
|
|
|
|
|
