Only 3 more weeks

We have 3 weeks left until we leave for Haiti!  So exciting.

 

Ian brought me the computers today so I will be reviewing them and letting you know if they are usable or not.  Please be thinking about your projects and what you need to bring to Haiti because we have very limited space and need to know ASAP.  Alicia or I will be sending out some updates soon (a review of our last meeting, stuff for our next meeting, etc.)

 

Thanks!

Lucas

 


DAVID is always smiling and will be the first to come and give you a hug. He came from a family with two mothers, six sisters, and four brothers. Before he came to Maison de Lumiere, he says he was a vagabond – wandering on the streets of Port-au-Prince. He was brought to the home by his cousin. He is a very loving child and quite a talker. He understands and can speak English very well. He is also very inquisitive and always loves to know what is going on. Whether cleaning out the office or setting up a game, he will be right there to help out. He also loves to listen and learn new things. His passion is the Bible and he never misses Bible studies and discipleship classes. One day, he wants to be a pastor. Please pray that David's love for Jesus and God's Word continues to grow, and that his dreams of serving God in full-time ministry will blossom.

DENUITE has a twin brother and is one of eight children. At a young age, Denuite's mother died and her father, a poor farmer in northern Haiti, tried to take care of the kids. As survival became difficult, Denuite, her new step-mother, and three brothers came to the city to see if they could raise enough money to feed the family. Her mother was able to start selling cookies on the street but was robbed a number of times by street thugs. Denuite would beg, but would get injured and harassed by other street kids and could not earn much. She consistently walked in fear of others on the street, getting hit by cars or being shot at. Denuite finally feels free. She loves her school, her new home, being able to help out around the home, and all her new friends. She has a funny sense of humor and has been nicknamed Ti-Comic (little comedian) by the other kids at the home. Please pray for that Denuite would grow in her faith to become a committed woman of God.

--
Lucas Simmons

tonight!

hey everyone,

 

we are really looking forward to seeing you all tonight and amy we will be all ready to skype at 7pmish.

 

only 3 weeks left!!!

 

please try to read through 1st corinthians 12 before you come. 

 

DANIEL and his brother Keso had been living in the neighborhood near Maison de Lumiere since the orphanage opened. They lived with their widowed mother and two sisters in a vacant lot. Their mother got very ill and could no longer care for her children, so they were offered to stay at the orphanage. Since moving into Maison de Lumiere, he has adapted well and truly loves the home and his new "family." Daniel started school this last fall and is doing well. He is learning English and French in classes. He loves playing basketball, cops and robbers, singing worship songs, and learning about the Bible. Please pray for Daniel as He learns more about the Lord, and as he grows in his faith.


DAPHNE was brought to Maison de Lumiere by an aunt who had cared for her since both of her parents died. The aunt, who was very poor and had 7 children of her own, struggled to care for Daphne and could not adequately provide for her. Because she was malnourished, Daphne is very small for her age, weighing only 12 pounds when she arrived. She was very sad and withdrawn when she first arrived, but now she has blossomed and is well-loved by all the staff and other children. Please pray for her as she grows up, that she would learn to love and follow her Savior.

--
Lucas Simmons

today

i am feeling a little bit like I am in Haiti.  Our hot water is definitely lacking and has been for days.  Unfortunately it is not Haiti hot so a cold shower is not so appealing.  haha.

 

Alicia and I are trying to get in touch with the travel agent to purchase tickets.  I am expecting the transaction to be completed by tomorrow, we will keep you updated for sure.  Can't wait to see you all on Thursday!  The reading assignment is a little up in the air, so for now just don't worry about it until we tell you further. 

 

Keep thinking of more ideas for projects and just being praying that God would reveal our gifts and that we would be able to pour out love and blessings to the people of Haiti and the missionaries.

 

¹³Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." ¹⁴Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. ¹⁵Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that." ¹⁶As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil. ¹⁷Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins. - James 4:13-17

 



CLIFFORD (TI-JOHN) is a very shy child who loves music, sports and worship. He had a very difficult life growing up in Cite Sole, one of Haiti's poorest slums. Clifford and his older brother used to walk the streets of Port-au-Prince, wiping down cars and begging just to survive. Since coming to Maison de Lumiere, he is more confident and happier. He is one of our best athletes exceeding in basketball and soccer. Often wearing a set of headphones, he enjoys listening to worship music every chance he can. He also loves to sing and play drums. Please pray for Clifford, that God would continue healing his broken heart and that he would grow to be a solid man of God.

 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lucastheexperience/3141907357/in/set-72157611333604717/
CHERLEY is Mikerline's sister, our oldest resident at the girl's home. She, like her sister, was sent away at a very young age when her mother's boyfriend at the time decided that they should not live with them. Living with an aunt, she received money from her mother to attend school. One condition of her staying at the aunt's house was that she was to be the servant, or "restevec." Her aunt had a large house and Cherley was responsible for keeping it clean. At 8 years of age, that was a tremendous responsibility and a great deal of pressure. She came to Christ at a crusade and her new relationship with the Lord helped her endure her daily hardships. Today, she loves her new life, learning more about Jesus, and the opportunity to attend school. Please pray that Cherley would daily draw closer to the Lord.

--
Lucas Simmons

WOW

So, the baked goods for haiti fundraiser, was an amazing success!  Wow!  God is so good! 

 

If you don't go to King's Harbor or weren't there this weekend: the passage we learned about was John 6:1-21.  It just seems to relate to the generous giving of the church today, I will let you dwell on how it all connects yourself.

 

¹Some time after this, Jesus crossed to the far shore of the Sea of Galilee (that is, the Sea of Tiberias), ²and a great crowd of people followed him because they saw the miraculous signs he had performed on the sick. ³Then Jesus went up on a mountainside and sat down with his disciples. ⁴The Jewish Passover Feast was near.  ⁵When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, "Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?" ⁶He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.  ⁷Philip answered him, "Eight months' wages^[a] would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!"  ⁸Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, spoke up, ⁹"Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?"  ¹⁰Jesus said, "Have the people sit down." There was plenty of grass in that place, and the men sat down, about five thousand of them. ¹¹Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.  ¹²When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, "Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted." ¹³So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.  ¹⁴After the people saw the miraculous sign that Jesus did, they began to say, "Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world." ¹⁵Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself.

Jesus Walks on the Water 
¹⁶When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake, ¹⁷where they got into a boat and set off across the lake for Capernaum. By now it was dark, and Jesus had not yet joined them. ¹⁸A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough. ¹⁹When they had rowed three or three and a half miles,^[b] they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were terrified. ²⁰But he said to them, "It is I; don't be afraid." ²¹Then they were willing to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading.

 

CLAIRMOND, with his brother Clifford, mother and sister, would move from one relative's house to another prior to living at Maison de Lumiere. His father died when he was young and his mother struggled to care for her children. When his mother got very ill, she brought Clairmond and Clifford to the home because she could no longer feed them. Fortunately, Child Hope was able to provide a job for Clairmond's mother as a cook at the orphanage where she still works. Clairmond enjoys his life at Maison de Lumiere and all his friends. He is a friendly, loving, and sweet young boy. He is also very creative and likes to make things to play with around the home. Once, he attached two cups to a string to make his own walkie talkie. Clairmond also loves Jesus and has a kind and sensitive heart. Please pray that he will grow into a Godly young man who is passionate for the Lord.

 

CHEDLINE has seen much pain in her life. Her grandmother raised her since infancy, due to her mother's poor mental health. She came from a severely impoverished life in Cap Haitian where she often went days without food. When her grandmother could no longer take care of her, Chedline came to Port-au-Prince begging on the streets to survive. Despite her past, Chedline maintains a sweet disposition and gets along with everyone at the home. She loves studying God's Word and says she wants to be a seamstress when she grows up. Please pray that the Lord will continue to heal Chedline and that she will grow in her faith and into a Godly young woman.
--
Lucas Simmons

Oops!

For shame, I did not send out an e-mail yesterday.  Well looking at the plane tickets, we are either going to be flying Spirit or paying more than we thought.  We are hoping and praying Spirit works out. 

 

Don't forget we have another meeting this Thursday at 7pm sharp.  We are still working on the reading for this week, but just be thinking about community.  The different ways you get involved in a community and think about how God uses community. 

 

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.  25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.  - Hebrews 10:24-25

CLIFFORD (TI-JOHN) is a very shy child who loves music, sports and worship. He had a very difficult life growing up in Cite Sole, one of Haiti's poorest slums. Clifford and his older brother used to walk the streets of Port-au-Prince, wiping down cars and begging just to survive. Since coming to Maison de Lumiere, he is more confident and happier. He is one of our best athletes exceeding in basketball and soccer. Often wearing a set of headphones, he enjoys listening to worship music every chance he can. He also loves to sing and play drums. Please pray for Clifford, that God would continue healing his broken heart and that he would grow to be a solid man of God.

 

CHABINE is a very smart, friendly girl with definite leadership skills. One of six children, Chabine grew up in a small village near Cap-Haitian in northern Haiti. At a young age, her father went to the Dominican Republic and never returned. This devastated her and her family. When it became too difficult, Chabine, her mother, brother moved to Port-au-Prince looking for other opportunities. Even though this pained her mother, they all ended up begging on the streets to survive. Her mother was happy when Chabine was invited to live at Maison de Lumiere and no longer have to risk her life on the streets in Port-au-Prince. Today, she is happily living at the girls' home where people love and care for her. She especially loves school and writing is her favorite pastime. She wants to be a teacher one day. Please pray for Chabine's continued healing and for her faith to grow as she seeks to be a woman of God.

--
Lucas Simmons

Haiti April 2nd

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you wil find; knock and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives; he who seek finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened" - Matthew 7:7-8

 

Hi all, there is not much of an update today.  We are a bit closer to buying plane tickets, but only because another day has passed and we need to do it.  We are shooting for early next week, at least in my mind that would be the best time.  We will see.  We are talking with Susette about projects, I hope to have updates for all of you shortly on that.

 

ANDERSON is a strong and kind boy. He is healthy and an excellent, self-taught gymnast. He works almost everyday on his backflips, handstands, and other stunts. An excellent soccer player, he has no problem keeping up with the other boys playing soccer. Anderson occasionally struggles in school, but he is also one of the most diligent students, working regularly with the tutor. Shy and quiet, you will find him often in the background with a big smile on his face. Sometimes on weekends, he can be quite the cook. After dinner, you may find him cooking up another "dinner" or after dinner "treat." He also enjoys art and craft projects. Please pray that Anderson would grow in his young faith and learn to know how much Jesus loves him.

 


CINDY is a precious little girl who has grown in so many ways since coming to Maison de Lumiere. She interacts well in school and is very smart. An active, healthy young girl, she loves to play on the swing set and with her dolls. All of the other girls act as her "big sisters" and love to watch over her. Please pray for Cindy as she continues to grow, that the Lord would heal her heart and she would come to know how much Jesus loves her.

--

Haiti Team: April 1st

We are a month away.

 

So for this month, I will do my best to send out e-mails everyday.  Alicia and I really want to keep you updated on the trip and the planning and how everything is going.  So it is not just over here planning everything and surprising you when we get to Haiti.  I also want to get you pictures and bios of two kids everyday since none of you have been there, I thought it would be good for you to get familar with them.  Between Alicia and I we know most of the kids names so if you ever forget one don't hesitate to ask us.

 

I was going to try to tell you that the trip was cancelled, but April Fooling via e-mail is just so tough.

 

Alicia and I are working on plane tickets this week.  It is super duper important that you get your 600 or whatever monies you have to the church ASAP.  The prices are going up, so we need to get these soon.  We will be departing late night May 1st, and returning sometime on the 9th. 

 

I don't use the phase super duper very often, but there it is... in 1s and 0s.  Just for you. 

 

I also keep forgetting to let you know that our updates while we are gone will be posted at http://khchaititeams.blogspot.com  I am also posting these daily updates there.

 

Don't forget our meeting that is not a meeting is this Thursday night.  Let us know if you are coming and feel free to bring friends.

 

"Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful." Colossians 4:2

ALEX is an incredible young man with a deep love for the Lord. He stands out as one with a very sensitive heart and seriousness in his relationship with Jesus. Alex wants to be a pastor and/or serve in full-time ministry. He also loves to joke around and often tries to play tricks on others, particularly the staff. He likes to have fun and is well-liked by all the children. He enjoys reading his Bible and being a teacher/mentor to the younger children. Please pray that Alex's faith will and love for God's Word would grow and that he may become a Spirit-filled Christian leader.

 

ADELINE is a sweet, precious little girl. She loves to be silly, make funny faces, and just make others laugh along with her. This is a big contrast to her dark days of begging on the streets of Port-au-Prince. Today, she is finally able to be a little girl and not worry about surviving or providing for her family or even finding food for herself. She loves Jesus and is thankful for all He has done for her. She is learning God's Word and loves to sing songs of praise and worship. School is one of her favorite things to do. She enjoys learning and studies diligently. She also plays hard and has a true passion for life. Please pray for Adeline, that the Lord will continue to heal her heart and fill her with His life, love and grace.
--
Lucas Simmons