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