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| Child Hope International |
June 2013
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Blessings and Good Tidings to you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
So often we hear lamented from visitors who are here as part of a missions team - "How can I really make a difference to the massive problems of Haiti in just one week?" And we usually say, "You'd be surprised!"
Most people do not see the aftermath of their visit with us in Haiti but we do. We see the smiling faces of the children they loved on while here. We see the joy of the children enjoying their now freshly painted room, with beautiful graphics, that spur their faith and imaginations. We hear the glowing feedback and gratitude from the community who saw our team picking up trash or assisting in the feeding program. We hear from the young single mother of five as she praises God because her children were protected from last night's rain storm thanks to the team who rebuilt her tent three days prior.
Are team members making a difference? When you look at the overall mission of Child Hope you will respond with a resounding YES!
Child Hope, or, as we are known in Haiti, Maison de Lumiere or "The Lighthouse," is here to share the Light of Christ, to share the hope of Jesus and to give glory to His name. It is not about us but about Him working in and through us!
When the MDL children or the children and families of our community see our guests coming week-after-week, pouring out love, serving selflessly in the name of Christ and trying to help make people's lives just a little bit better -- they see not so much us, as individuals, but, more, the One who lives within us! Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior!
They see that there is a God who truly loves them, who cares for their every need and who wants to have an intimate personal relationship with them.
We are part of a Body called The Church. And our job is to be ambassadors for the Lord and to be His hands and feet here on earth. To glorify His name in everything we do! That's what they see and that is what is making the difference.
When we recently had our Dream Team missions team here, the team was not from just one church -- they were The Church. The Body. Representing many churches. Coming from many situations and backgrounds. But each person was united in one purpose -- to proclaim the power and glory of Jesus Christ!
Not only did they make a strong impact on those they encountered in Haiti but, when they returned home and shared their experiences and photos with friends, family and co-workers, people were moved and shaken by the Power behind what they had just experienced. Jesus again was glorified!
So, when assessing the value of your week-long visit, don't be fooled! Don't underestimate the power of the One who sends you! Can He make a difference in just one week? Can He use just one life to bring about eternal change? You bet He can -- and He does! We see it every day.
We serve the God of the impossible! Who takes things that seem unlikely and even disconnected and brings them together, to create something beautiful and amazing -- all for His wonderful glory!
Kinda like feet!
How beautiful on the mountains
are the feet of those who bring good news,
who proclaim peace,
who bring good tidings,
who proclaim salvation,
who say to Zion,
"Your God reigns!"
-Isaiah 52:7
In Christ in Haiti,
The Manasseros
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Child Hope Hosts First "DreamTeam"
Have you ever wanted to visit and serve in Child Hope's Haiti ministry, but thought you couldn't because you didn't belong to a church mission's team? If so, you're not alone! This question has birthed the concept of what we now call the "Dream Team," where individuals and families from all over can share in the Child Hope Lighthouse Ministry without being part of a formal church missions team. With that, we are happy to announce that our very first group visited Haiti last week!
Evelyn Blanton, from Norwalk, California shares, "I nearly cried when I read the description of the missions trip because it was truly everything I dreamed of in relation to serving with this ministry. It was such a specific answer to prayer I knew I just had to apply. It was the opportunity I had been waiting for the Lord to bring."
'Team meetings' consisted primarily of emails, with a series of back-and-forth exchanges. "One of the awesome testimonies of this trip was how we all came together and got along so well! I don't think any team knowing each other ahead of time could have done any better!" observed Dream Team participant Butch Koenig, who participated with his family from West Chester, Pennsylvania. Evelyn also adds, "Our team was truly anointed. I believe we all began to bond even before we met via emails and encouraging messages."
Dream Team 2013 consisted of a total of 18 persons. Many felt that spendi  ng time in a local tent city and helping with the Feeding Program impacted them most. "I haven't stopped thinking about the babies I held, fed, kissed and prayed for. Now when I pray before I eat, I specifically ask God to provide food for the kids I met by name. Saying 'grace' before eating has become a very deep and personal prayer." says Evelyn. Butch also adds, "The way the young tent city kids took care of each other and their even younger siblings was far more impacting than anything else for me."
Christie Stephens of Turlock, California adds, "The Lord showed me that amidst all the poverty and oppression, that His light is alive in Haiti. Child Hope is bringing up disciples who are being sent out to spread Jesus. "
The group spent time with the boys and girls in the orphanage, helped in the feeding program, repaired tents and worked on various tasks, such as organizing supply depots,  cleaning and arranging a new baking kitchen for the transition house, hosting a soccer clinic, constructing bunk beds and setting up basketball hoops for the boys.
When asked what they thought CHI newsletter readers should know after their 'Dream Team' experience, responses included; "Every one of us should be finding a way to wipe out hunger for kid's worldwide. It is achievable in our lifetime!" and "Go to Haiti! You will be so deeply ministered to and so stirred to pursue the kingdom work of Christ."
Interested in participating in a future 'Dream Team' missions trip? Contact us here at Child Hope International. We look forward to hearing from you and God bless! - Gerri Markham
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New Child Hope Video Series - Video #2
The second installment of the Child Hope Video Series features Israel Baptise, one of the first boys at MDL and a graduate of the program in 2011. Israel had a very difficult life before coming to the Lighthouse. Having been severely burned as a baby over most of his body, and later surviving an abusive home for street boys, Israel's life is a strong testimony of the power of Christ and the love of our Maker.
Over the next few months, you will have exclusive access to this and other special videos through this newsletter. To view the videos you will need to type in the password: Haiti. You also have an advanced opportunity to share these videos with your friends.
Produced by award winning Filmmaker, W. Ashley Maddox of Missionary Films, the videos take you inside "The Lighthouse," sharing an exclusive view of the ministry from the inside out. Maddox, who spent 6 days in Haiti capturing his own unique perspective of God's work in Haiti through Child Hope, was allowed free access to film the children and activities of the mission.
We hope you will be blessed by this and the other videos in this series. Feel free to post them on your Facebook page or other social media to share with your friends.
God bless you.
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 Pastor Recounts Trip
Pastor Jeff Olszyk, Missions Pastor for Zarephath Christian Church in Somerset New Jersey, visited Child Hope's Maison de Lumiere (MDL) mission for the first time in January 2013. He first learned of MDL through a partner church.
As the Missions Pastor, Olszyk coordinates the mission trips undertaken throughout the year by his church with the help of coordinators responsible for different countries. Olszyk directly participates in several trips a year.
Although his church had visited Haiti in 2011, in 2013, Olszyk wanted to visit MDL for himself and form a new relationship with Bill and Sue Manassero and MDL. While his church sent several  participants on this trip, including a nurse and a person who spoke French, Olszyk traveled with an open mind, prepared to serve as needed. His goal was to assess the needs so as to be able to provide appropriate assistance. His team did some light construction at the boy's orphanage. They also participated in the Child Hope feeding program, spent ministry time with kids, including children's ministry, games, and sports. While some of the children spoke Creole, the MDL kids were able to communicate in English. During the 2013 visit, the team was also able to participate in a service commemorating the three year anniversary of the earthquake. The service expressed, not sorrow, but thankfulness for God's goodness and faithfulness.
Olszyk noted that the Guest House accommodations were exceptional as compared to other mission trips. The missionaries are assigned a Guest Manager to answer questions and brief them on the facility. When a church plans a trip to MDL, all planning worries are covered. MDL sends PDF type handbooks, which covers cultural nuances and other needed information about the trip. With other trips, one has to expect the unexpected. Olszyk recommends that others planning a trip be flexible. He suggests that missionaries read Dr. Farmer's book - The Year after the Earthquake. Olszyk had certain early expectations regarding the safety of the team. However, the only time there was any nervousness was during a visit to another orphanage. This took place during political demonstrations or "manifestations."
Olszyk relays that, in working with MDL and Haiti as a whole, missionaries work side-by-side with Haitians - it's not just missionaries coming and offering service. Bill and Sue consider themselves guests of Haitians and are there at their invitation. The Haitians love Bill and Sue, who Olszyk believes live a sacrificial lifestyle. He feels that love exudes from all the staff, children and locals who are affiliated with the orphanage. Amongst all of these people exists a symbiotic relationships across cultures and languages.
Olszyk plans to bring family members on his next trip, scheduled for January, 2014.
When asked what he would like future missionaries to know about MDL, Olszyk explained that he has been to 5-6 different countries on nearly every continent. MDL, according to Olszyk, has a sound infrastructure, values-based missiological principals, and its practices follow sound principals. MDL cares for children off the streets and others from families who can no longer support their child. A strong emphasis of their program is to help the child become a functioning independent person. One can see the process in place from infants to young adults in-transition.
Olszyk shared his experience of traveling with Bill and Sue on a Saturday to see a new piece of mountainside property for the mission. "They are in process of purchasing this property. Bill and Sue see a future for the ministry by expanding the mission in this area. In spite of working 10 years in the trenches, they still have other dreams-generational dreams," said Olszyk. - Kristy Barbier
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 School Fund
Matching Fund Campaign
Only One More Day!
The School Fund has been an active Child Hope partner in helping fund education for a number of our Lighthouse students. The School Fund has recently joined with Chegg, Inc., a discount textbook and student resource company, to provide 50% matching funds to anyone who signs up to sponsor a child's education through the School Fund on Wednesday, June 26, 2013, after 12pm ET. For example, a $10 donation will earn students a $5 bonus. The challenge will last until 11:59pm or until funds run out. |
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