R.I.P., EDH (City Power)

It’s been about two months since we don’t have City Power in our area of Haiti. Not even one day.

It’s been two months since our community was immersed in the dark. Maybe EDH has been kidnapped and killed. Who knows since kidnapping is still our current reality in Haiti.

Right now, we are experiencing a heat we never experienced before, and so many mosquitoes, as well. Notice, that it’s not even July yet.

I wish people in my area could have EDH at night, so that they could use a fan to help them fight the heat and the mosquitoes.

Fact: Yesterday, I went to three big grocery stores looking for some ice, so my family could have some cold water to drink. I found nothing. (I just feel so sad.)

Also, I also received a call from CERMICOL (the juvenile prison), telling me that they are in a complete darkness, as well. (All I can think is just wow.) They are looking for someone to help them get some lights with solar panel, because the absence of the City Power, affects everyone and everywhere.

It’s so hard right now, even for people to have their phones charged.

At Haiti Awake, we are so thankful and blessed beyond words that we have a solar system at the community center.

But it’s so sad to see the whole community in the dark.

Hindsight is 2020

Since Haiti Awake was founded, we’ve often quoted Proverbs 16:9 in order to remind ourselves that God is ultimately in control.

We can make our plans, but the Lord directs our steps.

Perhaps no year has this verse been more relevant than 2020.

In January we started the year with such optimism and so many plans. Jake Flaming and Michelle Carr came to Haiti for a few days to work on projects for 2020. They were also in attendance on the first Sunday of Eglise Évangélique de la Grace de Caradeux.

February was monumental for us because we helped the first child ever in our community with school fees. By year’s end, our community child sponsorship had grown to the point that we were able to help all children in the program with school-related fees for the 2020-2021 school year.

Then came March. And we all know what happened in March.

But prior to a great portion of the world going into quarantine, we had the most blessed weekend with our friends, the Finks. God knew how much our hearts needed encouragement from them before heading into a very uncertain season.

In April, we began to focus a great deal of our time and attention on creating a homeschool program. In Haiti, though school was suspended because of Covid-19, there was no plan for remote learning. So we created our own curriculum, and it was fun and fulfilling.

In May, God brought a series of events together in a way that can only be credited to Him, and we knew we were to intentionally begin investing in the life of a young woman named Kerwin. At the time, Kerwin’s health was very poor, and her situation seemed hopeless, but today, by God’s grace, we have seen her come back to life in so many ways. We are so thankful to be part of her story.

June was a month of continued opportunities for outreach - including an outreach at a women’s prison. Our friend, Brian Sanders, had encouraged us to focus on others during quarantine, and his perspective, his questions, his advice opened new avenues for ministry that are continuing. We are so thankful for the influence he has had in our lives this year.

In early July, the country of Haiti reopened its borders, which had been closed since mid-March. We felt like we were beginning to see some light and hope for better days ahead. One of the forward-planning things we did was take photos of all the children individually and collectively so we could send out new child sponsorship cards to all of the wonderful people who support Kay Timoun month after month.

August was a blessed month indeed. Life in Haiti began to return to normal, and we were able to host our first ever dental clinic for the children of Kay Timoun, our staff, and the children in our community. This was so exciting to everyone!

Becky was able to return to Haiti in September. Being away for 6 months was the longest absence she had ever had from Haiti since Haiti Awake was founded.

In October, we hosted our first Mission Made Live Facebook event since MMJ became part of Haiti Awake in July. The on-line event was incredibly successful. We are thankful for our team of volunteers here in the US who makes events like this possible.

November brought the homecoming of our friend Jocelyne Andre who was severely injured in an horrific accident in September. Many regular givers gave above and beyond to make sure Jocelyne and her family were cared for, and it has been our honor to help the family during this difficult time.

December was full of exciting events, but nothing compared to our opportunity to bless those in our community through Christmas for our Community, an annual event where Haiti Awake gives to vulnerable members of our community - a goat, rice, beans, and oil. What a joy it is to be part of this program year after year.

We look back on 2020 with utter amazement at the way God provided through every challenge, every difficulty. Our Community Child Sponsorship grew. Our opportunities for outreach expanded. Our own children and staff matured in many areas.

As we look toward 2021, we have chosen the following verse to guide us:

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

— Hebrews 12:2

A Life Characterized by Helping Others

Each month during 2020, we have chosen a Person of the Month at Haiti Awake based on popular vote.  We ask people why they are voting for a person, as well as who they are voting for.

This month’s Person of the Month is Wesly.  Here are some things both staff and other children said about him when they voted:

• he is always there for everyone 

• he always motivates me

• he always wants to take care of his friends

• he always give us good advice to motivate us to be someone better for ourselves, our family and our friends.

• he is always there to help us, make us ready to go to English class.

• when I don't have transportation money, he has given me money from his own money  

Wesly helps in so many ways at Haiti Awake including driving for Haiti Awake Chauffeur Services, living at the boys’ home, working with teams, and generally being available in whatever capacity Steeve might call on him, including driving many, many people to church each Sunday on our large tap tap.

We are thankful for Wesly’s faithfulness to Haiti Awake.

If I myself (Becky) could vote, I would vote for Wesly because when I visited Haiti in October, he was awake before I was every single morning and made coffee so I never had to wait for it to brew.

That is true friendship!

Because He First Loved Us

Back in October, we first told you about our Christmas for our Community - Doko project. This evening, our staff and children who participated returned safely to Port au Prince.

“There will always be a reason why you meet people. Either you need them to change your life or you’re the one who helps to change theirs. And everywhere you go you will learn something different. For me going to Doko helped me see a lot of things in a different way. It was so good to see so much joy in people face and how they welcomed us. They were so thankful.”

— Polo Charles, Director of Economic Development for Haiti Awake

Thank you to all who participated this year, and we look forward to more opportunities to show love in action in the future.

“Thanks to everyone who helped to make this happen. Thanks for speaking life this way to fill people’s hearts with joy.”

— Louis Hudson, Photographer for Haiti Awake

“I was happy to know Doko and people in Doko. I was glad also to spend some of my time there for Christmas this year.”

— Dieussait Dera, House Supervisor for Haiti Awake

“Doko is one of the greatest place in Haiti, and people there are awesome . After receiving their Christmas gifts yesterday for the first time in their community, they were so happy.”

— Steeve Derard, Ground Director

“People were so happy to receive their Christmas gifts. They didn’t expect that, but God who knows everything sent our team on time to share hope, love, joy to people in that community which I am from and where my parents are living. They are very grateful for that and so are we!”

— Makendy Lindor, Staff at Haiti Awake

We love because He first loved us.

I John 4:19