Our team in Haiti is being abundantly blessed by the Lord. I spoke with CJ yesterday and he told me that they are already on their 3rd house! Praise the Lord! To be more productive, the 7 men are broken into 2 teams, one making the bricks, and the other laying the bricks and working on the tin roofs. For the most part, the rain has stayed away. Pray that the rain continues to wait, so that the team can work on the houses as much as possible.
They also reported that school is in full force and that the classrooms we built at spring break are full! The kids are getting a little stir crazy because we built on their playground (the basketball court), but its ok because they are LEARNING, for the first time since Jan 12th. What a blessing!
Please continue to pray for our team as they are serving along side of Haitians, providing a permanent structure of shelter. Pray that the men would have opportunities to tell the homeowners who the true Shelter of their lives should be.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Monday, April 19, 2010
April 19th, 2010
Here is the latest update from our President, Dan Kirkley. Please continue to pray for him and his team, as he is in Haiti this week. If you are interested in joining us on a trip to Haiti, please feel free to reply to jen@hopeforthehungry.org, or call our offices at 254.939.0124. Thank you for all of your continued prayers and support for the people of Haiti. -- Jen Sutton
___________________
April 19, 2010
Since the Haiti earthquake of January 12, we have witnessed some incredible events there which have encouraged us tremendously. As you know, statistics are still not firm regarding the death and injured totals but the number remains between 220,000 and 300,000 dead and 1,200,000 displaced. With the rainy season upon us, the need for shelter for the homeless has become a top priority. Food remains an issue, but assistance is reaching the neediest in most places. Yesterday, we provided enough food for a month for 400 people camping on an orphanage compound thirty miles Northwest of Port au Prince. I learned of the need while attending a meeting in Dallas last week….Jean Alix had the resources, so we shared. God really has blessed us to be able to assist! As of last week, fifty one Haitian churches of various denominations have joined our fellowship to assist those in need and to pray together for healing of the nation.
While in Haiti over Spring Break, Jeff and Jen Sutton and I took 13 University of Mary Hardin-Baylor students to Haiti where we worked in the village of Guibert, repairing 10 of 12 trusses in the local church roof and building 10 16’X16’ temporary classrooms (now housing 330 students) so school could resume the last week of March. Also, we prepared and poured the foundation of the first of the tract homes we will be building in the village of Guibert and in many other villages across the areas where houses were destroyed. (Our village saw about 80% of the homes there rendered unable to be occupied).
I leave again for Haiti on the 19th of April with CJ Rich and five other men including Danny Davis, Emil Studinka, Rusty Russell, Justin Rich and Edwin Robinson. Our task is to complete the roofs on what we believe are tract homes numbers 3, 4 and 5. Rain is now coming daily and work has begun to slow. My hope is to visit some of the organizations we have been able to assist with food, tents, water filters and medications. Additional planning will also be a priority as we see what progress is being made in other areas and ways we can help.
One week after we return (May 4) Jeff and Jen will take another group to complete additional homes. Pray that as they work with Sinclair, their Haitian counterpart, the relationship will grow stronger and stronger and that Sinclair will be encouraged to strengthen his walk with Christ
Please pray that as we go we will be able to encourage the Haitian leadership and provide for them some relief and rest. Jean Alix, Mylene and their staff have been working non-stop to ensure that as many as possible are receiving the help they need along with the opportunity to know Who really is supplying the resources. Pray for us, also, that our Belton based staff will continue to walk in wisdom in managing the resources God and His children have supplied to demonstrate His incredible love to the people of Haiti. Pray that the materials for the tract homes we are building will continue to be available. Yesterday, Jean Alix told me that since the government declared that only “sea sand” can be used for concrete and not the normal mountain calcium based sand, that sand is no longer available. That means costs will rise dramatically (even though our structural engineer tested all our blocks and concrete and found that, without exception everything held the U. S. standard of 3,000 PSI or better. Above all, know that God continues to win the victory in Haiti.
In His Indescribable love…dan
___________________
April 19, 2010
Since the Haiti earthquake of January 12, we have witnessed some incredible events there which have encouraged us tremendously. As you know, statistics are still not firm regarding the death and injured totals but the number remains between 220,000 and 300,000 dead and 1,200,000 displaced. With the rainy season upon us, the need for shelter for the homeless has become a top priority. Food remains an issue, but assistance is reaching the neediest in most places. Yesterday, we provided enough food for a month for 400 people camping on an orphanage compound thirty miles Northwest of Port au Prince. I learned of the need while attending a meeting in Dallas last week….Jean Alix had the resources, so we shared. God really has blessed us to be able to assist! As of last week, fifty one Haitian churches of various denominations have joined our fellowship to assist those in need and to pray together for healing of the nation.
While in Haiti over Spring Break, Jeff and Jen Sutton and I took 13 University of Mary Hardin-Baylor students to Haiti where we worked in the village of Guibert, repairing 10 of 12 trusses in the local church roof and building 10 16’X16’ temporary classrooms (now housing 330 students) so school could resume the last week of March. Also, we prepared and poured the foundation of the first of the tract homes we will be building in the village of Guibert and in many other villages across the areas where houses were destroyed. (Our village saw about 80% of the homes there rendered unable to be occupied).
I leave again for Haiti on the 19th of April with CJ Rich and five other men including Danny Davis, Emil Studinka, Rusty Russell, Justin Rich and Edwin Robinson. Our task is to complete the roofs on what we believe are tract homes numbers 3, 4 and 5. Rain is now coming daily and work has begun to slow. My hope is to visit some of the organizations we have been able to assist with food, tents, water filters and medications. Additional planning will also be a priority as we see what progress is being made in other areas and ways we can help.
One week after we return (May 4) Jeff and Jen will take another group to complete additional homes. Pray that as they work with Sinclair, their Haitian counterpart, the relationship will grow stronger and stronger and that Sinclair will be encouraged to strengthen his walk with Christ
Please pray that as we go we will be able to encourage the Haitian leadership and provide for them some relief and rest. Jean Alix, Mylene and their staff have been working non-stop to ensure that as many as possible are receiving the help they need along with the opportunity to know Who really is supplying the resources. Pray for us, also, that our Belton based staff will continue to walk in wisdom in managing the resources God and His children have supplied to demonstrate His incredible love to the people of Haiti. Pray that the materials for the tract homes we are building will continue to be available. Yesterday, Jean Alix told me that since the government declared that only “sea sand” can be used for concrete and not the normal mountain calcium based sand, that sand is no longer available. That means costs will rise dramatically (even though our structural engineer tested all our blocks and concrete and found that, without exception everything held the U. S. standard of 3,000 PSI or better. Above all, know that God continues to win the victory in Haiti.
In His Indescribable love…dan
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Friends,
Thank you so much for your prayers throughtout our trip. We definltly could not have accomplished as much as we did without them! That being said, the Lord has done some amazing things through us and in us this past week, while we were in Haiti. We never thought that we would get anywhere close to finishing every project we needed to do... but we did! The foundation for the first home was built, we built all 1o temporary classrooms, and we finished all 12 of the rafters in the church... and even had time to paint some of them, as well! Not only did we get to all of the "tasks" that were set before us, but we got to play with the kids. Not just play with them, but truely invest in their lives: learn their personalities, recognize their giggles, and hold each one of them in our hearts forever. Long after the memory of all of the hard work and exhaustion leaves, we will never forget the smiles on the faces of "our" kids.
Please pray for our team as we try to adjust to life back in the States. Pray that we have patience for people who didn't get to experience Haiti with us and who dont understand our new passions. Also, ask us about our trip and truely listen to every single story we have to share. This is the best gift you could EVER give us.
Again, thank you for all of your loving support through out our journey. You each mean more to us than you'll ever know.
Thank you so much for your prayers throughtout our trip. We definltly could not have accomplished as much as we did without them! That being said, the Lord has done some amazing things through us and in us this past week, while we were in Haiti. We never thought that we would get anywhere close to finishing every project we needed to do... but we did! The foundation for the first home was built, we built all 1o temporary classrooms, and we finished all 12 of the rafters in the church... and even had time to paint some of them, as well! Not only did we get to all of the "tasks" that were set before us, but we got to play with the kids. Not just play with them, but truely invest in their lives: learn their personalities, recognize their giggles, and hold each one of them in our hearts forever. Long after the memory of all of the hard work and exhaustion leaves, we will never forget the smiles on the faces of "our" kids.
Please pray for our team as we try to adjust to life back in the States. Pray that we have patience for people who didn't get to experience Haiti with us and who dont understand our new passions. Also, ask us about our trip and truely listen to every single story we have to share. This is the best gift you could EVER give us.
Again, thank you for all of your loving support through out our journey. You each mean more to us than you'll ever know.
Friday, March 19, 2010
Today was a very unplanned adventure. As we left the boys home yesterday, the rain started and didn't stop until 9am this morning. Because of this, the Tap-Tap couldn't make it down the slippery muddy rock road, so we had to tweak our plans a little. At first, we thought that today would just be our "tourist" day where we would go to the Baptist Mission to buy gifts. BUT Jean Alix gave us the go ahead to walk to the boys home when the roads got too muddy. So we drove half way there and then walked about 30 mins down hill to the home. We looked at the foundation on the new home and they have done a great job!
About the time we got to the boys home, the rain started again... We all went inside, with our entourage of small Haitian boys, and started finishing the church rafters. While the rafter team worked, we helped some of the older boys empty out the cisterns to clean it. It was hilarious!
The boys climbed down the ladder and between hoisting up buckets of water, they were swimming and splashing, and just being boys. It was so sweet to see after seeing them working so hard with us this past week.
After lunch, the church crew finished up the rafters and the others got to play with some of the boys. We left a little earlier than normal today because we had to walk the 30 minutes back uphill to the Tap-Tap...
Tomorrow, we will spend the morning at the boys home painting the rafters in the church and saying our final goodbyes to the boys. Then we will have our "tourist" day. Pray for everyone on our team as we leave new relationships behind. Pray that the Lord would remind us that the kids that we are leaving will be cared for even after we leave. It will be a hard day for all of us, so please pray that the Lord would guard our hearts during this emotional time.
About the time we got to the boys home, the rain started again... We all went inside, with our entourage of small Haitian boys, and started finishing the church rafters. While the rafter team worked, we helped some of the older boys empty out the cisterns to clean it. It was hilarious!
The boys climbed down the ladder and between hoisting up buckets of water, they were swimming and splashing, and just being boys. It was so sweet to see after seeing them working so hard with us this past week.
After lunch, the church crew finished up the rafters and the others got to play with some of the boys. We left a little earlier than normal today because we had to walk the 30 minutes back uphill to the Tap-Tap...
Tomorrow, we will spend the morning at the boys home painting the rafters in the church and saying our final goodbyes to the boys. Then we will have our "tourist" day. Pray for everyone on our team as we leave new relationships behind. Pray that the Lord would remind us that the kids that we are leaving will be cared for even after we leave. It will be a hard day for all of us, so please pray that the Lord would guard our hearts during this emotional time.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Thursday, March 18th, 2010
Today was an incredibly sweet day. When we got to the boys' home, we went down to the basketball court and they were having class in the new rooms we had built! It was such a precious sight. Even though some of them didn't have walls or roofs, they were still being used. We finished putting the roofs on the remaining classroom and then finished them up by adding walls/chalkboards to each of them. When we finished with the last nail, we all cheered really loud and the Haitian children around us laughed!
Tommy's team was absolutely fearless in the chapel. They got the job of rebuilding rafters done with very few of the needed materials... Such great improvisers! In 3 days, they've built 12 rafters and have only a few boards left to do!
While we were working on the other two projects, the foundation for the first rebuilt home in Guibert was laid. Tomorrow we are going to help mix cement and move bricks for the home! Pray for us as we finish our last work day. Pray that we will end strong and finish the jobs we started. Pray that the Lord will be glorified in everything we say and do.
Tommy's team was absolutely fearless in the chapel. They got the job of rebuilding rafters done with very few of the needed materials... Such great improvisers! In 3 days, they've built 12 rafters and have only a few boards left to do!
While we were working on the other two projects, the foundation for the first rebuilt home in Guibert was laid. Tomorrow we are going to help mix cement and move bricks for the home! Pray for us as we finish our last work day. Pray that we will end strong and finish the jobs we started. Pray that the Lord will be glorified in everything we say and do.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Wednesday, March 17th, 2010
Tap-Tap day 2 went well, no incidents or mishaps. We've framed all 10 classrooms and have 8 of them roofed. We have completed 6 of the rafters in the church... Such a productive day! We've had such a good week so far, growing in Christ as a team. It has been so encouraging to see all of the different gifts and talents the Lord has given each of us.
Please pray for us as we finish the last two classrooms, the final rafters, and begin the first house. We have a very exciting day ahead! Thanks for your prayers!
Please pray for us as we finish the last two classrooms, the final rafters, and begin the first house. We have a very exciting day ahead! Thanks for your prayers!
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Tuesday, March 16th
After breakfast this morning, we got a special treat... Jeff got to drive us to the boys home in the Tap-Tap (Haitian taxi). Before we left, we prayed over him and for the Lord to bless our travels and our days work. And He did.... We arrived safely and even though Jean Alix was out of town, we were able to coninue on... I'm sure that this won't be the last time that Jeff gets to take the drivers seat!
Once we got to the home, we went looking for extra lumber and more supplies for the day. We pulled out all the stored supplies and dug for the new things, but praise the Lord, we found everything that we needed, so we started working and kept it up until 5! In between all of our hard work, there were many play breaks with the kids who were very eager to play. When we left for the day, we had a total of 7 classrooms framed and 5 rafters in the church repaired. When we finished, Jeff drove us back home!
Pray for us to get amazing sleep and rest tonight so that we have the energy to go on tomorrow. Also, pray that we will be able to use what resources we have to do the work that is needed.
Once we got to the home, we went looking for extra lumber and more supplies for the day. We pulled out all the stored supplies and dug for the new things, but praise the Lord, we found everything that we needed, so we started working and kept it up until 5! In between all of our hard work, there were many play breaks with the kids who were very eager to play. When we left for the day, we had a total of 7 classrooms framed and 5 rafters in the church repaired. When we finished, Jeff drove us back home!
Pray for us to get amazing sleep and rest tonight so that we have the energy to go on tomorrow. Also, pray that we will be able to use what resources we have to do the work that is needed.
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