Thoughts and Observations from a Summer Intern

Hey there! I am Jaelyn Knolls, the summer intern for Mission Made Jewelry and Haiti Awake! I have been working for about a month now, and I would love to share some of my thoughts!

I graduated from Wilmington Christian Academy in 2022. While I was a student, the Haiti Awake Ministry would sometimes come a speak at our chapels. As I listened, I remember wishing for more ways to get involved and contribute to help in Haiti. Being able to work for Haiti awake this summer is such a full circle moment, and such a blessing!

As I learn more about Haiti, and the beautiful people there, the more I thank God for all the people who have made Haiti Awake possible. The ministry has been able to do so much good for the Haiti community, and being able to witness this impact firsthand is so inspiring.

My favorite part about working with Haiti Awake is being able to see how love truly pulls people together. Our friends in Haiti are so hardworking , sacrificial, and caring. Those on our team living in Haiti spend so much time pouring into the children in their community through playing games with them, and spending countless hours helping them get a good education.

Moving forward, I am excited to see what God has planned next for the Haiti Awake Ministry!

Wesly Valcourt

Because we have not been able to host teams for five years, we have many staff members at Haiti Awake that most of our American friends do not know. Wesly Valcourt is one of them.

Wesly has been working part time for Haiti Awake for six months, but he is someone we have known for many years.

According to Executive Director, Becky Graves, “I was incredibly happy when we were able to offer Wesly a part-time position with Haiti Awake this year. He is a great example to the children. I have no doubt he will continue to develop his leadership skills over time. Wesly is someone I believe will, in time, make himself indispensable to the organization.”

Wesly spends time helping the children with their homework and reviews lessons with them to help them study. He plays games and builds puzzles with the children as well. Additionally, every Saturday Wesly Valcourt teaches English classes for the students.

Wesly’s favorite thing about his work is being able to share his experiences with the children. He hopes his story will help keep the kids motivated and passionate about their education.

He says, “In Haiti, the biggest present your parents can give you is stable education. So I hope they have interest to study.”

We appreciate all the ways Wesly Valcourt contributes to the Ministry!

Great news!

Great news!

Hello everyone,

Last week, I provided you with an update on the situation in Haiti, talking about how bad things were and different challenges we were facing.

I know that many of you have been praying for us, and I want to express my gratitude for your support and prayers.

Thanks to your prayers and by God’s grace, there have been significant improvements in the situation, especially in our community. Our children and the children from the community can now return to school after three weeks of staying home, churches have started gathering together again and we are able to circulate normally in our community because the roads are unblocked.

We are also incredibly grateful that our community center is once again open to welcome children from the community, especially those from the Community Child Sponsorship program.

Let's continue to trust in the Lord and remain hopeful for even brighter days ahead!

Blessings!

Buried in the likeness of His death. Raised to newness of life.

It’s Thursday. I’ve been trying since Sunday to find the words to share the events that transpired in these photos. But I have come to the conclusion, words are inadequate. They will never be enough.

Sunday those of us who live outside of CERMICOL had the privilege of being part of a holy moment inside those prison walls. I’ve often expressed that, in Haiti, I sense the presence of God in a way I have never experienced Him here in the US. Sunday was perhaps the most sacred moment to which I have ever had the privilege to be in proximity.

This morning my thoughts are on the following verses, verses I have known for many years, verses that became so real to me on Sunday.

"But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved." Ephesians 2:4-5

"Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit." I Corinthians 12:13

Buried in the likeness of His death. Raised to newness of life.

Glwa pou Bondye.