Please Welcome our New Board Members
HOPE would like to take a moment and thank Asneth McNamee for her faithful service to HOPE since its inception in 2005. Asneth has been an important member of our team sharing her insights into cross cultural relationships and her genuine heart to help others. Due to other commitments, it was necessary for Asneth to step down from the board. We are grateful for her service and look forward to all that God continues to do through her.
Two new board members have joined our team to fill vacancies. We are excited to have them join us as they bring fresh ideas and enthusiasm! Crystal Giaquinta, from Rhode Island, began traveling to Duchity in 2010. She has a great heart for young people (she ministers in both the children’s and youth ministries at her home church) and this was quickly demonstrated through her involvement with our Vacation Bible School outreaches. Crystal has faithfully sponsored children in Duchity since 2010 and has traveled with us each summer to continue building relationships in the community. Thank you Crystal for committing to join our team!
Lynda Rivers, from Coventry CT, is no stranger to ministry. Serving with her husband in local church ministry as well as parachurch ministries, Lynda brings insights from being on the front lines. The Lord challenged Lynda many years ago to serve in Haiti and last summer, He made that possible. Lynda immediately fell in love with Haiti, the people and returned energized to help meet the needs. She too, sponsors a little girl in Duchity.
We are thrilled to introduce Lynda and Crystal to you. Please join us next Saturday, April 27th at our Annual Benefit Dinner in Stamford, CT. Help us welcome Lynda and Crystal to our team!
Immediate Need
In order to hold our weekly Computer Training Classes, Bible Studies and Film Outreach, we use a generator to provide power. After many issues with the generator and attempts to fix problems, it finally gave out last week. Now, more than ever, it is important for us to set up our building with solar power. In order to put in a start-up system, that will provide for our current needs, the cost is $4500. Please prayerfully consider a donation to help us meet this need. Thank you!
Donations can be made online by clicking “Donate”. Please indicate your gift for “solar power”.
Checks can also be mailed to:
HOPE Mission International
PO Box 265
Canterbury, CT 06331
Memo: Solar Power
2013 is here and there is much to do!
We are excited about:
– April 27th: 3rd Annual Benefit Dinner in Stamford CT
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– Final projects in process to open the Library this summer
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– Planning Ministry Teams for July 2013
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– Opening the HOPE Community Library July 2013
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– Praying for God to continue the GOOD WORK He has started in Duchity, Haiti
– Praising God for you, our faithful partners!
There is no better way to see what God is doing than to experience it first hand. Contact us for more information about traveling to Haiti this summer! We’d love to share the experience with you!
Storm Sandy Update
Summer Ministry Highlights!
We were beyond blessed with two AMAZING ministry teams! Both jumped right in and loved on our community. They challenged us to gain fresh perspectives on the ministry and people we have been called too. Thank you for entrusting this experience to us. We were blessed to walk alongside you. Please pray for these 13 individuals as they continue to process all that they experienced and continue to seek God’s direction in their next steps.
Our first team, from Eastford Baptist Church, ran a daily VBS attened by 140 children! They brought creative stories, songs, games and crafts which delighted the children. During “down time”, it was not a stretch to find the team outside playing alongside the children on our property. They really took advantage of opportunities to love on our kids. While we were not able to complete as much of the work projects this week as we would have liked, the team laid the foundation for the second group to jump right in and finish all projects. More than anything, we enjoyed the time hearing their impressions and considering ways they can continue to partner with us into the future. Thank you Eastford!
Team from Eastford Baptist Church, Eastford CT
Our second team was from Calvary Chapel along with 3 additional friends. This team experience a different side of Haiti from the get-go! After arriving at the airport and loading up the vehicles, they were caught in over 6 hours of traffic! This was a first for us and everyone hung in there. Once arriving in Duchity, they got right to work building kitchen shelves, bookshelves and finishing the benches. What workers! By week’s end, 11 bookshelves were built and 10 benches/desks were built and painted. They also ran a daily VBS and hosted a special party for all of our sponsored children. What a great time loving on our children! Thank you for the gift of your time and energy! We are excited to see how God continues to use you in Haiti!
Team from Calvary Chapel, Canterbury CT along with friends from NYC, CT and RI!
We are excited that school will be starting in September- please pray for Silvance, our National Sponsorship Coordinator, as he is busy gathering uniforms, supplies and making school arrangements for our 50+ sponsored children. This is a great time to sign on and help us support more local families through education!
Computer training classes will also be starting again in the fall with new students. Weekly Bible studies and Film Outreach will also continue. Join us in praying for God’s direction, wisdom and discernment as we consider next steps involving the library itself and other potential ministries.
Enjoy a few more pictures from this summer’s teams!
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- Team from Eastford Baptist Church, Eastford CT
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- VBS
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- Team from Calvary Chapel, Canterbury CT along with friends from NYC, CT and RI!
Consider joining us this December for another ministry trip to Duchity! It is a great time to go (a bit cooler!). Perhaps come as a family during the holiday break! Next summer is also wide open for teams. Talk with your friends and church family- we’d love to work with you to design a custom trip that meets our needs and coincides with God’s call for you. Contact us below if you’re interested!
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Summer Ministry Teams
Summer is here and that means it’s time to head to Haiti for summer ministry!
We are so excited to have two teams this summer- one from Eastford Baptist Church, Eastford Ct and a combined team with members from Calvary Chapel, Canterbury CT and members from Coventry CT, Manhattan and Rhode Island.
Already, these teams have met for prayer, planning and packing. They have done a great job contributing to the team! We are thrilled to have them join us in Haiti and are excited about what God will do in and through them.
Please join us in praying for the following:
1. Eastford Team- July 7-14th
2. Calvary Team- July 14th-21st
3. Wilfrid and Elisabeth as they lead the teams
4. Work projects: benches, bookshelves and roof leak repair
5. Vacation Bible School both weeks
6. Opportunities to encourage community members, the local church and ministries we visit
7. For us to be sensitive to God’s leading and to be aware of where He is already at work and join Him there.
8. For good group dynamics
9. For each member to return home with all that God wants them to receive from this trip
10. For the work God is doing with HOPE to be multiplied.
Thank you to all those who gave gifts towards the team members, trip needs, clothing/kitchen donations! We are incredibly blessed by the generosity of His people! We look forward to sharing with you all that God does this summer. Stay Tuned!
Ministry Team Needs
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Wish List- Can you help us?
Perhaps you have some items looking for a new home? Or, you’d like to create a collection project for your
Sunday School class, home Bible study, youth group, community group etc… Here are some ideas!
For Outreach Ministry
– 5 additional laptops
– Permanent Internet access (approximately $5,000 for set-up at library)
– Men’s gently used clothing
– Books: Creole, French, Spanish and English
– DVDs: Christian and family friendly films (G and PG)
For Summer Teams
– twin sheet bedding
– pillows
– durable plastic plates/cups/serving platters and serving utensils
– plastic table clothes (6 – 8 foot tables)
– TOOLS: screwdrivers, hammers, tape measures etc….
Dreaming BIG (but not to big for our GOD!)
– 15 passenger van or large truck
– propane stove and refrigerator
– table saw
– additional monies towards summer work team projects
Contact us below if you can help us out ~ Thanks!
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Computer skills classes have begun!
Computer skills classes have been in session for two weeks now! We are thrilled to provide this training within the Duchity/Pestel community.
For many, it was their first time seeing and operating a computer! Each class includes a 30 minute Bible Study focusing on who Jesus Christ is, His character and deity and why we should follow Him. Then, students learn the fundamentals of the computer, applications and the internet. We have two classes- one for 10 youth and one for 10 community leaders.
Pray for the following:
– our teacher travels weekly from PAP to Duchity: for safety and the financial resources to cover expenses
– for truth to go forth boldly and hearts to be challenged for Christ
– for those that know Christ already: continued growth and discipleship
– that God will raise up godly, skilled leaders who can take on these classes and continue teaching them
– for the capability to purchase more computers (currently 2 students are sharing 1 computer)
– for the capability to install permanent internet access in the library- approx. $5,000
Thank you!
December Trip Recap
Our trip to Haiti in December was in many ways what we did not expect- but at the same time, it was EXACTLY what we expected.
We did not expect to have to change ministry plans or re-arrange schedules or even forgo activities we were looking forward to. But we did expect God to show up BIG time, to give us opportunity to be His hands and feet and to proclaim His truth. It is always comforting to know that God’s ways are higher than our ways even when it is not what we would have chosen for ourselves We can rest that He is in absolute control and is accomplishing His plans!
Wilfrid was able to travel to Pestel 12/18 and make arrangements for the Computer Training Center. All laptops and equipment arrived safely, is set up and ready to go! We’ve arranged for a computer teacher who can teach both the bible lessons and computer skills. We’ve reviewed his bible lesson material and are very impressed. Lessons will begin with understanding who Jesus is- His deity, His characteristics and why He is the Savior! Classes will begin the weekend of January 20th- one class for adult community leaders and one class for youth. Our goal is to train local leaders to carry on these classes in the future.
We have temporary internet access at the library, while the classes are in session. But- we are in need of a permanent solution. This is possible as soon as we have the finances- approximately $5,000. It will be very exciting to see how the introduction of new technology and internet advance the Duchity community. I get pretty excited for the teachers and students when I consider them using the internet for their lessons and research. Also- being able to keep in touch with loved ones is a plus !
We are in need of regular monthly giving to underwrite the cost of these classes (approximately $400/month). We will need monies to cover transportation for the teacher as well as the fuel to run the generator during the class time. If you would like to give a gift towards this please visit our “contact us” page.
The film outreach is also beginning. We were able to deliver a number of Christian and family friendly films to the HOPE Library. Many of our favorites such as, “Fireproof”, “Facing the Giants”, and “The Nativity Story” will soon be seen on the “big screen”- either using our 52 inch T.V. or the new LCD projector that was brought down in December. Some may wonder how this is an effective outreach. For a community without electricity and few opportunities to interact with technology- having an opportunity to view a Christian/positive movie is a very special treat. We do hope that truth goes forth through these movies and causes people to think, reflect and consider God. It also opens the doors of the HOPE building to the community- allows them time to be together and creates a bridge between the community and future HOPE outreaches/ministries. Two young men will be overseeing this weekly activity. We ask that you pray it is an encouragement to the Duchity community.
Finally- we were deeply saddened on Christmas Day to learn that one of our faithful national supporters had passed away. Guerline, Wilfrid’s sister, passed away unexpectedly. She leaves her mother and two young sons (17 and 13). Guerline faithfully cared for all HOPE teams and was a true delight to be with. We will miss her gentle nature and warm smile. Please pray for her family- that they will experience the comfort that only Jesus can give. Both of her sons are sponsored through our program and will continue to be involved in our outreaches. We praise God that Wilfrid and Alice were able to be in Duchity when this happened. They were an incredible support to their family and the community. The HOPE library building was used to hold the funeral services and over 700 attended. The gospel went forth boldly and we praise God that HOPE could play a small part in that. Please pray for the community as they seek to move forward.
Thank you for your continued support of God’s work in Haiti. We are humbled and in awe of all He is doing!
Elisabeth for the HOPE Team
HOPE Mission International 