In July 2013, the same week I met Handy and our kids, I met this little boy in Cabaret (a town about 1 hour from Port-au-Prince). His name is Bernard Fito, Now he is 11 years old.
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.”
What Can We Celebrate from October?
It has become our monthly practice to publicly share our praise for what God is doing here at Haiti Awake.
Wesly
I celebrate that my mother was able to come home from the hospital.
Lorvens
I celebrate the opportunity to be registered at school again this year, and I celebrate the fun we had with Sè Becky as we played games.
Vorb
I celebrate the fact that God provided so that we could go to visit the boys’ prison providing some stuff they really needed and the fact that God has allowed the Finks to finish their adoption.
Cesnel
I celebrate God’s protection, and the fact that Haiti Awake makes a free English class for the community.
Idelmy
I celebrate that I am attending a new school and advancing to the next grade.
Yvenson
I celebrate that no one in my family is sick.
Fanor
I celebrate that God has given me and people I care about good health.
Migerlson
I celebrate I am growing in grace and intelligence.
Stanley
I celebrate that I passed my entrance exam at my new school, I had a fun week with Sè Becky playing games.
Pastor Steeve
I celebrate the good week we had with Sè Becky. I celebrate that the Fink family came to pick up their girls, and now their family is all together.
Hudson
I celebrate the surprise of our friend Becky coming back to visit because we didn’t think she’d come to see us again until 2021.
Big I celebrate that my friend Becky can come twice since Haiti is open again. It’s a blessing and a grace for us.
Dieussait
I celebrate health because I was sick but thanks to God I"m good now.
Makendy
I celebrate that I have so much joy this week playing games, and I had a good year in school. I took my official exams, and though I am waiting for my results, I believe I will be successful in that.
Davensky
I celebrate that God has allowed me and Handy to go back to school, and we are safe.
Handy
I celebrate that Sè Becky came to see us safely, and God allowed us to come here to church every Sunday to praise him
Antonide
I celebrate the fact that God keep us healthy .
Widecherline
I celebrate God's protection, and the fact that He has allowed our activities to start again this month.
Oh give thanks to the Lord, call upon His name;
Make known His deeds among the peoples.
Psalm 105:1
Photo credit - Louis Hudson
10 Years after The Earthquake by Steeve Derard
"It is not the dead who praise the Lord, nor any of those descending into the silence of death. But we will praise the Lord, both now and forever." Psalms 115: 17-18
January 12, 2010.
10 years since a terrible earthquake had shaken our dear Haiti and affected all the Haitian people.
10 years where we can not forget good friends, siblings or someone we knew and neighbors we have lost on that day.
But 10 years also where God has never stopped pouring abundantly His blessing on the life of the Haitian people despite it all.
We bless the name of our Lord.
He is faithful yesterday, today and forever.
I truly believe, that God has used this difficult moment for our good.
Not all houses have been repaired yet, neither the National Palace, the Haitian cathedral, some schools, some hospitals. But I can testify how God used this earthquake as a tool to call several members of my family and my friends to God's family. Now it is amazing to see how they are growing in the Lord.
"We know that God works all things together for our good." Romans 8:28
God is our hope, when there seems to be no hope.
He is our light in the darkest moments.
He is faithful and good.
January 12, we will never forget you.
2019 in the Rearview Mirror
What a week!
Peyi Lòk by Steeve Derard
Pennies, Haiti Awake, & Jungle Sludge
VBS has ended but many lives have been touched and many more will be touched. At CBF children heard about Jesus and learned about another country where other boys and girls are also learning about Jesus. Adults at CBF learned about Haiti Awake and in turn opened their hearts and donated. The theme was The Incredible Race: One Family, One Race, One Savior.
The story is finished at CBF. But it will continue with our brothers and sisters in Haiti. Only God knows how many more lives will be touched through the fun of raising pennies for Haiti Awake and dumping Jungle Sludge.
- Anne Atkinson
Go and Transform Your Community
"Remember the things I have done in the past . . . "
This Is Amazing Grace
Doko through Hudson's Lens
When I got to Doko, I met strong people who are struggling with life so that they can bring bread to their family every day. Occupations include cultivators, farmers, vendors, and fishermen. They can’t provide all the necessaries things to get all of the kids in school on time, but they are making all of their best to make them go to school even at the age of 13 years old. -Hudson
We learn and grow
But one of the most beautiful, soul-sanctifying things God ever does for us is to bless our lives through those we’ve come to bless, to expose the pride and superiority that makes us think we’re in perceived control of them, and to realize that God is the one who’s truly in control of all of us. Sure, people learn and grow from what we do, but we learn and grow as well by being in their company.
— Joey Lankford
Cesnel's Big Adventure
Thoughts on Doko
Five years of loving Handy Oge
“When are you going back to Haiti?”
By far, the most common question people ask me is, “When are you going back to Haiti?” and since April 18, the answer has been, “June 14.” Over and over people expressed surprise. “But that’s so far away!” And it was. But now the date is drawing close, and last minute preparations are being made.
And my heart is happy.
Celebrating Missions
On Monday, May 7, 2018, over 200 people gathered at Scotts Hill Baptist Church in Wilmington, NC, to celebrate missions around the world. On this night, 25 tables were set to share more about missions based in the Wilmington area but operating all over the world.
Two of the tables hosted by Pastor Roger Barnes, Sophie Leonard, Alexandria Augi and Jennifer Augi (all members of the March 2018 team) highlighted and told the story of Haiti Awake.
Sophie Leonard and Alexandria Augi were also able to talk with the children in attendance at this event about the Bible schools they led in Haiti while traveling with Haiti Awake. They encouraged the children not to feel limited by their age but to listen for God’s calling to go and serve being the hands and feet of Jesus.
The mission night was a wonderful opportunity to share in our local community how lives in Haiti are being changed through friendship, discipleship, community, teaching, resources, time, and most importantly the unifying love of Jesus Christ.
“Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD,
the people he chose for his inheritance.”
Ansanm pou Ayiti (Together for Haiti)
Steeve, Polo and Manoucheka attended the Ansanm Pou Ayiti Haiti National State of Health Congress which was held at the Karibe Hotel in Port au Prince May 10 and 11.
The Congress gathered over 200 policy makers, seasoned executives, public and private stakeholders, and knowledgeable pioneers in the health industry to discuss the state of health in Haiti.
Over the course of two days, attendees analyzed the current environment and health system in place, studied the role of public and private sectors in spurring innovation, discussed the challenges individuals and organizations face within the health industry in Haiti, and collaboratively examined the available opportunities for solutions, innovation, support, and systems for change to Haiti’s health landscape as we know it.
Our Haiti Awake staff learned so much and were so grateful for the opportunity to attend.
Introducing a new member of the Haiti Awake Family
We are planning for a busy summer at Haiti Awake with 6 teams - back to back to back to back to back to back . . . Our staff will work for 6.5 weeks without a day off! We are feeling excited - and challenged.
One of the only ways we'll survive this busy season is with additional sets of hands - one of those sets belonging to Alexandria Augi .
Alexandria Augi, daughter of Rich and Jen Augi, felt God was calling her to the mission field on her first mission trip to Arizona in 2010. She absolutely fell in love with sharing God and His love with the children there.
This March Alexandria traveled to Hait for the first time. It was immediately evident that she felt at home with our children and our staff - and they were equally comfortable with her. Just a few days into her trip in March, we began talking about the idea of Alexandria coming to Haiti to intern for the first half of our busy summer.
We're so thankful her mom and dad are allowing her to be part of our family this summer!
In her free time, Alexandria enjoys karate (and teaching it!), reading, and baking. While she is majoring in mathematics at UNC Wilmington, missions holds a special place in her heart and she is ready to follow God’s plan wherever it may lead her.
And this summer, He has led her to the summer internship at Haiti Awake. For this we are abundantly thankful!
