Today we finished our third roof. This was a special day because we were roofing the house we helped lay bricks and tie rebar on two days ago. Unfortanetly this house was not on the road and we had to walk the supplies down part of the mountain. The homeowner was Joseph and he is this little old man who was so appreciative for the work we were doing. He helped with what he could and had a lot of people there to help us. Everyone did an amazing job at their tasks and the roof went on fast. As we finished the roof we were able to pray for Joseph and his family. It was a sweet time. He thanked all of us and gave us hugs. Tonight we found out that there would be over 20 people staying in this home. Also, they were not going to be sleeping in the homes until they were fully finished but we got a call tonight and they are sleeping in the house we roofed. After 5 months of sleeping in a tent they are now in a home! We also got to go and have a meal at a restaraunt and did some souvineer shopping. It has been an amazing week and we have truly been blessed. We are looking forward to tomorrow and getting to worship with our Haitian friends.
Pray for much needed rest tomorrow. Pray for the last few days here and that we would continue to be intentional. Pray for God to be glorified in all things.
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Friday, May 7, 2010
Friday!
Today was another exhausting day. After the changed plans from yesterday, we really weren't sure what we'd be doing once we left Jean Alix's house. But after a days break from roofing, we got to go at it again today! Thankfully the home was on the side of the road, so we packed up all of the needed supplies into the tap-tap and dropped it off on the curb. Shalmai, the home owner, was right beside us the entire day. It was so encouaging to see him take ownership of his home and put so much sweat labor into it.
Our team works together so well! Everyone has been so joyful in every single task they have been given. It's been so sweet to watch our our team minister to their Haitian brothers and sisters.
Pray for us tomorrow, as we are working on our third roof. Pray for our safety as we handle heavy materials and for endurance as we continue our work in the hot sun. Pray that we continue to shine the light of Jesus to everyone we see and that we would be intentional in everything we do.
Our team works together so well! Everyone has been so joyful in every single task they have been given. It's been so sweet to watch our our team minister to their Haitian brothers and sisters.
Pray for us tomorrow, as we are working on our third roof. Pray for our safety as we handle heavy materials and for endurance as we continue our work in the hot sun. Pray that we continue to shine the light of Jesus to everyone we see and that we would be intentional in everything we do.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Flexablity is Key!
It's another beautiful day in Haiti. Last night we had a rainstorm that cooled things off and the sound of rain on the tin roof put us to sleep. One of the key words to missions is flexablity and we have learned this one today. Our plan was to put a roof on house number 2 but it was not ready for us. So, we regrouped and switched to plan b. Plan b included is breaking up into 2 groups with different tasks. Group 1 stayed at the boys home and built shelving for our supplies. They had to move everything out in order to build. The shelving is built as far as we had supplies and will be finished once it gets here. Group 2 went to one of the houses that we will roof later this week. We helped with different aspects of the house from moving blocks, mixing concrete by hand, handtying rebar, and various other tasks. All of us were stretched beyond measure. We were challenged with our plans not working out and doing things we weren't ready for. But in everything God was blessed.
Pray for us as we continue to work on homes and plan to roof again tomorrow. Pray for team unity and strength. Pray for communication to not be an issue and find new ways to share the love of Christ with those we come in contact with.
Pray for us as we continue to work on homes and plan to roof again tomorrow. Pray for team unity and strength. Pray for communication to not be an issue and find new ways to share the love of Christ with those we come in contact with.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
It's a long way down!
Today has been a long and tiring day. We started the day at 6am to the sun and breakfast being prepared. The goal for the day was to put a roof on a house. We left Jean Alix's house by 8am and headed to the boys home. When we got there we took a quick tour, saw some of the roofed houses, and began to prepare for the house we would work on.
Side note- school is back in session and the temporary classrooms we built at spring break are in full use. Such a sweet site to see.
Once we had gathered the supplies from the storage room we learned that the house we would be working on is about a mile and a half down the side of the mountain. So, we carried all of the supplies down the long path to the house. After a long day and many trips up and down we accomplished our task and ROOFED a HOUSE! We were able to pray with the family and had some really sweet moments. They were so appreciative and their smiles will forever be engrained in our minds. It truly took teamwork to finish the task and everyone did great.
PTL our prayers were answered and our cement is here, so work can continue. We got to help unload 100 bags of 50k bags of cement. Incase you didn't know 50k=100lbs! Although we are tired it is a huge blessing to be able to continue our work here.
Please continue to pray for our team and for the work we are doing. We have 3 more houses to roof and several other projects and tasks. Pray for stamina and strength to get through the days. Pray for openness to opportunities to share and love on people.
Side note- school is back in session and the temporary classrooms we built at spring break are in full use. Such a sweet site to see.
Once we had gathered the supplies from the storage room we learned that the house we would be working on is about a mile and a half down the side of the mountain. So, we carried all of the supplies down the long path to the house. After a long day and many trips up and down we accomplished our task and ROOFED a HOUSE! We were able to pray with the family and had some really sweet moments. They were so appreciative and their smiles will forever be engrained in our minds. It truly took teamwork to finish the task and everyone did great.
PTL our prayers were answered and our cement is here, so work can continue. We got to help unload 100 bags of 50k bags of cement. Incase you didn't know 50k=100lbs! Although we are tired it is a huge blessing to be able to continue our work here.
Please continue to pray for our team and for the work we are doing. We have 3 more houses to roof and several other projects and tasks. Pray for stamina and strength to get through the days. Pray for openness to opportunities to share and love on people.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
We've Arrived!!
So, after leaving Belton at 3am this morning, we've finally pulled in to Jean Alix's driveway! Such a welcome sight! We are sitting down to a wonderful dinner and then are all headed to bed after such a tiring day of travels...
For those of you who didn't hear, we have purchased 200 bags of cement, but haven't been able to get it because it was out of stock. The work here has been at a standstill until the cement is onsite. This was a concern for our team and the weeks tasks ahead of us. But praise the Lord, when we got here, Jean Alix told us that there are 100 bags waiting for us in Guibert!
Please pray for us as we begin our work tomorrow. Pray for strength and endurance as we evaluate the work that needs to be done.
For those of you who didn't hear, we have purchased 200 bags of cement, but haven't been able to get it because it was out of stock. The work here has been at a standstill until the cement is onsite. This was a concern for our team and the weeks tasks ahead of us. But praise the Lord, when we got here, Jean Alix told us that there are 100 bags waiting for us in Guibert!
Please pray for us as we begin our work tomorrow. Pray for strength and endurance as we evaluate the work that needs to be done.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
April 22, 2010
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.
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.
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
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