May 2012 Update

We just returned from a trip to Jacmel, Haiti with the entire Colee Family (Chip, Christy, Chris and Caroline) plus Mary Conley Teel.  It was such a blessing to be able to share all that God is doing in Jacmel with the Colees.  Tommy and Joy are doing great, and they continue to make great strides in reaching out to Haitians and other missionaries in the area.  It is easy to see how God is using them to build relationships with mission teams, pastors, and the children.

While we were there, Stuart Davidson arrived with a mission team from the church he pastors in Daphne, AL.  It was good seeing Stuart and meeting the team members from Eastern Shores Baptist Church.  Stuart preached Sunday morning at Pastor Paul's church.

Stuart's team also met up with Patrick O'Connor at the Atlanta airport.  A lot of you remember Patrick from being the Children's intern at FBC, Montgomery for the past two years.  Patrick approached me in July of 2011 with the idea of him possibly spending some time in Jacmel this summer.  It is no surprise that we were praying for someone to serve as the first Children's Hope intern in Jacmel.  He continued to pray, and he kept in touch with us and in December he felt sure God was calling him.  He will serve as our first intern and will be in Jacmel until the end of July.  His primary responsibilities will be to coordinate activities between the children and mission teams and to mentor the children.  He plans to conduct a very simple version of our Bible Drill helping the children to become familiar with books of the Bible and key verses.  Please pray for Patrick as he serves this summer.  You can follow his blog at http://www.followingthejourney.wordpress.com/.

On this past trip, we spent time with the kids at Children's Hope and visited with another orphanage where we were served Haitian spaghetti.  We delivered supplies to a midwife clinic, checked out rural life in Cayes Jacmel, attended Pastor Paul's church and attended Church on the Beach.

Charley has been very busy getting everything in place to pour slabs for all the buildings at Children's Hope which is scheduled to begin next week.  Martie continues to do well after surgery and is helping Charley with all the details stateside.  She will have a second hip replacement in August/September but will spend around a month with Charley in Haiti prior to that.

Psalm 37:4 says "Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart."  Andy and I can testify to this promise.  Several years ago, God placed a burden for fatherless children on our hearts.  Now, God is allowing us to see our desire to serve orphans come to fruition.  God is providing for every need of the 20 orphans in Jacmel and so much beyond that.  We are so grateful that God allows us to be part of His work and we thank all of you for partnering with us.  God reminds us every day that He is at work all around Children's Hope whether it is a smile on the face of a child or a $25,000 anonymous gift from an Alabama church!!!  We are blessed beyond measure!

I am attaching a lot of pics of this last trip, so please enjoy them.

Mary Conley with children at Hands and Feet Orphanage

Christy with child from Hands and Feet

Chris with children from Hands and Feet

Our children watching the French version of Lion King

Our kids singing at Pastor Paul's church.  They sang two songs in English and then one in Haitian Creole.  We were all beaming with pride! 

Lovenson going about as high as he can!

Chip and his new buddy, Edith

Stuart checking out Nicole's name tag

The Colees with new "extended family"

Patrick with Lovely, Elida, Nathalie, and Geralda

Christy and Chip

Caroline and Wilemson

Fedline (newest child at Children's Hope)

Casimir with Chip

Sarah (on the right) receiving supplies collected by 6th grade SS class at FBC, Montgomery.
On the left is a Haitian student who will take the midwifery exam in September in CA

Beth, Mary Conley, Davidson and Caroline at CapLamandou

Chris with Lovenson 

Drum Roll Please!

As you know, we kicked off our Phase II Campaign on March 11, 2012 to begin construction on six houses and a director's house in Jacmel, Haiti.  As of the end of last week, we've received a little over $130,000 with commitments of $90,000 more.   While we are short on our goal, we know that where God guides, He provides.  A special thanks to Celia and Troy Teel for raising funds for Shelby's House!   Shelby passed away from cancer when she was just a teenager, so CH is honored to name the first girls house after her.  Shelby's House will provide a safe haven for many vulnerable orphans in the years to come.

Another house will be built in honor of Cole Ellis called Cole's House.  Again, CH is deeply humbled to play a part in honoring Cole and the extraordinary young man that he was!  We look forward to telling all the boys that live in this house over the coming years about Cole and his love for Jesus and others.  You will be learning more about Cole's House in the next couple of weeks.  However, if you want to contribute now, please send your donation to: First Baptist Church,  Children's Hope Fund, 305 South Perry Street, Montgomery, AL 36104.  Please include a note that your gift is intended for Cole's House and make your check payable to: Children's Hope Fund.

Charley Elgin returned to Jacmel last Saturday and hit the ground running.  A team from Atlanta is with him this week, and they broke ground for Phase II today.  Wow, we are beyond excited and grateful!

Both tractors worked today after a frustrating Monday, and the weather cooperated as well.  Thank you Charley and Martie for using your skills and gifts for Kingdom work.  Also, thanks to the Atlanta team for being there - I believe this is their second trip!  By the way, Martie is still in Montgomery recovering splendidly from a hip replacement.  Her long awaited day will be May 16 when she returns to the doctor for follow-up and hopefully, released from care.

Tommy flew to Tampa today to reunite with Joy.  They should have another granddaughter born by tomorrow - Aria Catherine!  John and Jeanette Bush are at the Alabama House hosting and taking care of the day to day tasks for Children's Hope.  A big thank you to them for filling in for the Schwindlings.

Atlanta team hard at work!

Ground breaking for Shelby's House

Both tractors working - preparing site for Director's House

Just a Few Details!

If you ever think God is not concerned about details then I have a story for you.  God called Children's Hope from Montgomery, AL to purchase land in Jacmel, Haiti which included a tractor and backhoe.  The tractor and the backhoe seemed like a bonus but neither worked.  God called Martie and Charley Elgin from Waveland, MS to build the orphanage in Jacmel.  The Elgins knew Kim from Atlanta that came on a mission trip to Jacmel and brought a Delta mechanic who could "fix" anything which meant he was able to repair the tractor and backhoe!  Guys who belong to a ministry out of California borrowed the tractor and backhoe and rescued homes in a tent city in Jacmel that were being flooded!  What an opportunity to share with these tent dwellers about the love of Jesus!  Wow, isn't it great being a child of God and a member of the Body!  What a privilege it is that God uses His children to help each other.  As Jay Wolf says "we need Jesus and we need each other."  God supplied just the right person/people at just the right time.  We or should I say, Charley, had been waiting for months to get the tractor and backhoe working.  We are so grateful to everyone who God used to bring Him glory in this story.

Joe and Kim repairing parts

Putting it to the test!

Flooded village.

Working to save the homes