New Garden in Onaville

Progress in Haiti We are often asked when we talk about Haiti if there is any improvement. The answer, YES! There are many new things here on campus with many more new things planned. New buildings, new gardens, new grades in the school, new health center to open in the next year, 2 new children’s homes and many opportunities to for Haitians to work and support themselves. In Onaville which has a population of several hundred thousand we are seeing new roads and buildings as well as more structure to the society. There are schools, medical clinics, churches and gardens. The people themselves appear healthier and have a renewed interest in life. From the roof tops on campus we can see a lot of new construction and industry. Just up the road there is a new housing complex that should house several thousand people when complete. The roads are being paved and every home will have a water source. There are also several new factories in the area. These are just a few of the improvements that we are excited about. We are very excited about the spiritual changes that are taking place. The church in Onaville is growing very rapidly. The Jesus film is shown here in the medical clinic at least twice a week to those that are waiting to be seen. There have been several baptisms and the youth ministry on campus is growing. There are also pastor’s conferences being held on a regular basis and the gospel of Christ is being spread throughout Haiti. These are only a few of the changes in Haiti that we are excited about. This week is only reaffirming for us that God is continuing to call us to be involved in Haiti and to continue to do it in partnership with NVM. We hope to be able to share many more exciting things with you when we get home.

LOVE: That is what we did today. Today was our first day in Onaville. We were thrilled to see all of the progress that has been made there. So much organization as well as buildings going up. As we reflected on the day the same theme kept coming thru. We spent the day loving on people. It seemed that for many of the people that we saw that was the thing they were seeking the most. Praising God that we were able to demonstrate his love thru smiles, talk, touch and prayer. We lost count of how many pregnant bellies that Cindy rubbed. Also a lot of teaching and reassuring. We had two nurses join us from one of the other teams today. They were fantastic. They fit right in just like they had been a part of the group forever. It was the best first day that we have ever had as far as organization and flow. We did have a sad case today. A mother came to be seen for an earache. While she was waiting on of the gentleman helping us asked Brooke if she had seen the baby. We said no because she had not asked us to see the baby. As is typical in Haiti the baby was all covered up. Upon close inspection it became obvious that the baby was very malnourished. Brooke felt that the baby probably only had a few short days to live. The team was able to not only give the mom instructions and support but to pray with her. All we can do is leave it in the Lords hands. I keep coming back to Ephesians 3:20 this week and the question what have I not asked the Lord for. Today it is wisdom!

But God!

I don't know why I am continually amazed when God reveals his AWESOME power...by now I should expect it and anticipate it. But yet, I'm amazed. And my being in Haiti for this trip is no exception. As of a week ago I had no intention of being in Haiti. I have been here twice before, loved EVERY second of it, but wasn't a part of this team...a week ago. BUT GOD! While I had no intention of being here, I had every desire to be here. But I am the stubborn sort and I told God quite some time ago that as a result of having a new job, I couldn't possibly take the time to come down this trip. BUT GOD! In spite of myself, God had different plans, for which I am very thankful. As the trip grew closer, my heart grew heavier knowing that I would not be joining my team in Haiti. But GOD! Last Sunday our church commissioned the team to go in both church services. In the first service, I joined my church in praying for those going. But about half way through the prayer time I "melted down", and had to leave the service to pull myself together. Then, when the church gathered around the team to pray in the second service, I decided that I couldn't bear to be outside that team circle, and joined them instead. I went home from church very heavy hearted that day, and had a conversation with God about it. I told him that I knew it was a long shot, and that I had made this decision, but if there was ANY possible way that I could go, I would really LOVE for that to happen. BUT GOD! Monday, while at work, I got a text from Tim telling me that one of the team members had to withdraw from the trip, and "did I know anyone interested in going?" SERIOUSLY! (That was my reply) Well I immediately started praying, talked to my husband, and replied to Tim that I might be interested. What I didn't know was that he had texted several other people as well. One of them had just made plans for a trip to Florida just hours earlier. One had said she wasn't interested, and one received blank texts. The only catch at this point, was that I didn't know if I even had any vacation time for the year. But, I decided the only thing I could do was ask. So, on the way home from work I called my boss and asked. He didn't know if I had vacation time either, due to some recent company changes and had to check with his partner. The next morning I received affirmation from my boss that I did have vacation time and, with my husband's blessing, received permission to go to Haiti just 3 work days later! So here I am, back in this place with a heart overflowing with gratitude to a GREAT GOD who continually does even more than we could ever think or imagine...and I can't wait to see what He has in store for us this week! ~Heather Meade

More Than We Can Think!

So we are on the plane enroute to Haiti. Finally time to sit and reflect on the last 8 weeks. Our verse for the day and the trip is Ephesians 3:20-21 “ Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us. Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. AMEN This trip is totally beyond anything that we could think or comprehend.



As usual Cindy and I started working on this trip several months ago. One of the great difficulties is the flight arrangements. This year was the most difficult. We started looking at flight options back in early November and just kept running into road blocks and obstacles. A friend of ours who flies a private charter approached us in November and said that he had been burdened to ask the owner of the plane to consider flying us down to Haiti. He said that he would pursue it but not to get our hopes up. About this time we discovered that I needed spine surgery again so things went into slow motion.



God was gracious and allowed me to have the surgery very quickly and with no complications. To God’s glory that told me that I could probably resume running March 1st. I have been running for over 4 weeks with no problems. So mid December we went back into planning mode. At this time we had not heard back on the charter and were working on the assumption that we would be flying commercial. As we progressed into early January things became even more difficult with the flights. On January 3rd I told Cindy that at the team meeting we would tell the team to really pray and that it would require the Lord’s intervention for us to go. Late that night Caleb texted me and said that the private charter was still an option. He requested that I send an email the following morning. So Sunday the 4th I sent an email to the owner of the plane explaining what we do in Haiti and why we go. Late that day we met with the team and filled them in. We told them that we needed to clarify flight arrangements by January 12th or we would not be going. On Thursday that week Caleb called and wanted to know if I wanted the good news. Upon receiving our email on Wednesday the plane owner immediately said we can do that and have their family foundation sponsor it. ROUND TRIP. Our God is amazing, I am not sure why I continue not to trust. There are several other stories by team members about how God worked amazingly to get them here and we will let them share them as the week goes on.