Six years ago today

Six years ago today.

Six years passed in the blink of an eye.

Six years ago today we took the first step toward a purposeful relationship with the children of Kay Timoun. Six years ago today we moved them into a house close to Steeve’s house.

Little did we know six years ago today what God would do. We didn't have much money (the kids had one sponsor total!), we didn't have big plans (we were simply taking the next step), but our God who is faithful and true knew it all.

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.

Ephesians 3:20

Our Mission

No outsider can meet the needs of a local community in the way a local believer can. The Scripture’s model of missions shows Paul going into an area, preaching and building relationships, then leaving the Christians of that area to continue with a local pastor. However, Paul continued his relationship with these Christians long after his initial time with them was finished. We see this through his New Testament writings to churches and individuals.

In Haiti, poverty often hampers the ability of Haitian Christians to do the work of ministry in their own country. At the very basic level, many Haitian Christians must use the vast majority of their time and energy just to do what is needed to survive. Therefore, they have a difficult time focusing on evangelism and the ministries of their churches.

It follows that if survival is a struggle and there is little to no discretionary income, Haitian Christians often do not have the resources to adequately support the ministries of a local church or to get systematic Bible training. In Haiti, church planting and church growth largely depend on outside support in the form of finances and personal relationships.

Since many churches preach the gospel in Haiti, it is not a mission field which needs Christ introduced. In fact, it is our belief that American Christians could learn much from Haitian believers in the way they live their lives in trust, submission, and mutual edification. Instead, Haiti is a mission field where economic opportunities and personal relationships are necessary to help Haitian Christians and pastors move beyond mere physical subsistence to evangelism and systematic Bible training that will spur church growth and additional church planting.

This is our mission at Haiti Awake - to walk alongside Haitian believers as they identify and meet the needs in their own communities.

Great Is Your Reward!

When asked if I would contribute a guest blog to Haiti Awake, my heart did a cartwheel!

I’ll start by saying that I have been blessed beyond measure since I found Haiti Awake last year! It was in the wake of my personal spiritual awakening as I started looking outward more than dwelling on my own circumstances. God’s timing was IMPECCABLE! I had set very specific criteria on the organization I desired to support – child sponsorship, the ability to really connect with the children I would be sponsoring, build a relationship, send personally-chosen items. God provided all of that and MORE through Haiti Awake!  Isn’t God just incredible?

So, as I sat tonight considering what I felt would be important to share, about what God would want me to share with you, I felt led to the word “giving.”

When I think back on 2020, I can’t help but sit in awe of how God used people like you and me to power forward in His Kingdom-work despite the challenges the globe faced amid the pandemic. Even though people struggled, many still found a way to give. That’s why being a Christian is so wonderful. We give and we love because He first loved us and gave the best gift the world has ever known!

The Bible is PACKED with guidance on giving. For instance, in the book of Acts, we read about how the early church provided for each other’s needs, taking care of the orphan and the widow and spreading the Good News!

Acts 4:32 says, “All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had.

Or, in 2 Corinthians 9:6-7, Paul wrote, “6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

And finally, one of my favorite verses on giving, Luke 6:38 “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

So, as I close, I want to share some lyrics from a song released way back in 1988.

One by one they came
Far as the eye could see
Each life somehow touched
By your generosity
Little things that you had done
Sacrifices made
Unnoticed on the earth
In heaven now proclaimed

And I know up in heaven
You're not supposed to cry
But I am almost sure
There were tears in your eyes
As Jesus took your hand
And you stood before the Lord
He said, my child, look around you
Great is your reward

Thank you for giving to the Lord
I am a life that was changed
Thank you for giving to the Lord
I am so glad you gave

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

What Can We Celebrate from November?

Handy - We have the big tap tap to get more people to church, to come worship in the name of Jesus.

Davensky Fevrier - Haiti Awake went to the boys’ prison to help them, and the fact that Pastor Steeve could travel to the States and God keeps him safe.

Pastor Steeve - God gave me the opportunity to come to the United States to experience Thanksgiving for the first time.  I even had the opportunity to  break the wishbone!

Hudson - Our program for the community is growing constantly.

Big - I’m thankful that God gave us EEGC to help us grow in His Word.

Yvenson - God gives us the pportunity to be in church every Sunday, and we continue to grow in learning the Word of God. 

Stanley - I am  going to school to learn and also having an English class every Sunday and having church every Sunday at Kay Timoun. 

Lorvens  - The innovation at church, like having a big screen so that we can worship God together.

Caelle - I was sick, but I feel better now.

Stevenley - God allows me to see December in good health

Esterlin - I’m growing in learning the Word of God.

Migerlson - The fact that God continues to help me understand life better and learning new words at school.

Idelmy - The fact that I am back to school, and I went to the doctor.   He gave me some new medicine and I am  getting better.

Antonide - God allows her to see another birthday this year again

Widecherline - God helps her to have an amazing month, 

Phebe - God allows her to go to back to school. 

Cesnel - I’m getting better in my vocational school, and God continues to protect me when I’m traveling back home by myself late at night

Maken -  We could go to the boys’ prison

Wesly - School is open and the children can go back to school and continue to learn. 

Dieussait - The opportunity that God gave us to go back to the boys’ prison.

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!

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

"Show us how to increase our faith!" - Luke 17:5

On July 17, 2013, I met Handy Oge for the first time. Though our meeting was brief, and though I never thought I would see him again, God knew. And He made a way.

Since that day, we have seen miracles with our own eyes as our Father has done exceedingly abundantly above all that we could have ever imagined (Ephesians 3:20).

As we look toward the future we believe the promise of Isaiah 64:4, waiting with hopeful expectation:

Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him.

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

A Story of God's Providence

Hi, Everyone!   I’m Steeve Derard, Ground Director of Haiti Awake and Pastor of EEGC.   I am here to update you on what’s happening in Haiti.  This update is a little longer than a usual weekly update, but it is such a beautiful story.  I hope you’ll take a few minutes to read about it!

Though we did many things last week, I want to tell you about Friday because it was such a special day.

First, let me explain something to you.  On March 19, when the first two cases of coronavirus were confirmed in Haiti, our President closed our borders.  This has prevented our friend, Becky Graces, from coming back to see us, and it has also prevented many Haitians from returning home, including a man named Edvy Durandice who was in the States for medical care.

In a true example of the providence of God, Edvy is staying next door to Becky in WIlmington, NC.  They never knew each other before this, but now, they are friends who spend time together every single day.

Every night when I call Becky, I ask her, “How is Edvy?  Did you see him today?” And she tells me about their English lesson and other things they talk about.

Then we found out that Edvy’s daughter lives very close to the children’s home in Carradeux, and I was able to meet her a few weeks ago.

After that, God put it in our hearts to go to see Edvy’s family in Leogane, to show them that we care, to let them know that Edvy is okay, that we are praying.

Friday was a long day. I left my house at 6;30 a.m. and returned just before 9 p.m.  The drive was long, and we also got stuck in a traffic jam for 3 hours in Martissant on our way back.

But despite this, we had the best day.

I was so happy to meet Edvy's family and different people from this peaceful and very clean community.  The hospitality we have received was exceptional. The food, the coffee was "wawwww." The only thing is that the trip was not long enough to know everyone well.

But listening to Edvy's wife talking and the deep conversation I had with Edvy's Son, Etzaire, helps me to know how to pray for people in this community better.

We were welcomed . We laughed a lot.  And I was so happy to meet Edvy's sister who lost her husband recently because I was able to sharde some encouraging words with her.

Everyone was happy to meet us. And we let them know that we are here because of Edvy's meeting with Becky.

Our trip brought so much joy and made Edvy's family have less concern about him.

I am thankful that we were able to go and help the family with some food as well as some other people in the community. It was a short trip but such a blessing.

Please pray with us that Edvy can return home to his family soon.  They miss him so much!