Thursday, July 29, 2010

First Orphanage Home is almost complete!!

His Hands for Haiti is praising God for a photo we received in the mail from Pastor Noel! The photo is of the first orphanage home - just about complete!!! Thank you, Lord! And thank you to everyone who donated to help make this possible!

Now for house #2!!

Saturday, April 17, 2010

Maine Walks for Haiti - Waterville

Organizations across Maine will be walking to raise money to support clinics, orphanages, schools and hospitals. Walks are currently scheduled for Portland, Bangor, Waterville and Jackman. 100% of all monies collected at the Waterville walk will go to His Hands for Haiti for the orphanage construction project in Terrier Rouge, Haiti. 100% of all monies collected at the Bangor and Jackman walks will go to Haitian Ministries. Monies collected at the Portland walk will go to Konbit Sante and other organizations that are working in Haiti. (Please visit www.mainewalksforhaiti.org for more information.)

To register for the walk in Waterville, please send an e-mail to info@hishandsforhaiti.org. Registration fees for the Waterville walk are:

$10.00 for individual registration

$25.00 for family registration (3 or more in the same family)

$90.00 for teams of 10 or more


Each registrant will also be encouraged to gather pledges from individuals or sponsors who will not be walking. FREE Maine Walks for Haiti t-shirt to the first 50 registrants! We would LOVE to see you there!

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Awesome news!

On September 18, 2010, Grace Point Church in San Diego, California will host a special fund raising concert with special guest performer Mac Frampton! Mac is an incredibly accomplished pianist and we are so very grateful for his willingness to do this concert as well as for Grace Point's willingness to host it! The proceeds will go to benefit the orphanage construction in Terrier Rouge, Haiti.

We have not yet worked out the specifics concerning time, cost, etc but we will be sure to keep you posted! If you live in the Southern California area or are planning to visit there, be sure to put this on your calendar!

Friday, April 2, 2010

Our Trip to Haiti - March 10 - 24, 2010

What an incredible trip God blessed us with! We had the perfect team and God allowed us to accomplish all He had for us to do - not only the processing of 661 children but also delivering funds to help victims of the earthquake as well as delivering funds to see the start of a home for orphaned and abandoned children in Terrier Rouge. "Not to us, O Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory because of your love and faithfulness." Psalm 115:1.

Because the eyes of the world have been turned toward Haiti since the earthquake of January 12th, we have been blessed to have received MANY financial contributions to be used to help those who have been affected by the disaster in Haiti. What a blessing it was (and continues to be) for us to be able to not only send money down to Haiti regularly since the earthquake but to also be able to bring funds with us and deliver them in person to our partners in Haiti who continue to work tirelessly to help their brothers and sisters in need. What a joy it is for us to be used by God to be a blessing not only to those in need but also to our partners in Haiti who now get to share in the joy of distributing to their own people. In the past we have been told by Marie (Pastor Noel's wife) that it is an incredible joy for her to be able to help the people around her who are in need but she often does not have the financial means to do so. She is always so thankful when we are able to share the blessing of giving to those in need by giving her the financial means to help them. When we see our Haitian brothers and sisters blessed with the financial ability to help their own people, our joy is complete and we believe God is pleased with our efforts. So thank you to everyone who gave so we could give to our partners who continue to work to help the victims of the Haiti Earthquake - such as the 15 year old boy who lost seven siblings and both his parents on January 12th, or the young pregnant woman who lost her husband, her home and all her possessions on that fateful day. These and many other people are now being blessed by your contributions and we praise God for allowing us to be a small part of the process. We are still accepting contributions to help victims of the earthquake so if you would like to donate, please send us an e-mail or visit http://www.paypal.com/ and send your tax deductible donation to the following e-mail address - info@hishandsforhaiti.org. Please be sure to include a note in the message box telling us your donation is for earthquake relief.

We also received the indescribable blessing of delivering the funds needed to see the start of a new home for orphaned and abandoned children in Terrier Rouge. Pastor Noel's vision for this home, which will be an on-going work of L'eglise Baptiste de Terrier Rouge, is to build several small homes on the property with one housemother and 10 children in each home. The first house was started while we were there and God blessed us by allowing us to be present at the ground breaking ceremony where Pastor Noel, Pastor Elima and several others sang and prayed over the land before the start of the project. As we're sure you can imagine, there were not many dry eyes as we witnessed our friend Verdin swinging that hoe to break ground for the first time! As funds become available, other small homes will be constructed on this same parcel of land. A housemother will be selected for each one and children will be placed in the homes according to their need. If you would like to donate towards the continuing cost of building this home for children, please send us an e-mail or go to http://www.paypal.com/ and send your tax-deductible donation to the following e-mail address - info@hishandsforhaiti.org. Please be sure to include a note in the message box telling us your donation is for the orphange construction.

The following paragraphs are excerpts from a trip report written by one of our team members, Marilee, who was making her second trip to Haiti. Her words do such a wonderful job of describing our experiences, we thought we would just reprint them here for you to read.

"Fourteen diverse volunteers made up the team for our HH4H trip. Ranging in age from 17 to 70, 3 males, 11 females, came from all across America [Maine, Maryland, Utah and Arizona], to meet up in West Palm Beach, Florida to travel together on a DC 3 airplane. God has a great sense of humor, as He prepared us for the trip. Our personalities and skills are distinct, and God gave us the challenge of working and living together in Unity and with the goal of doing all to His glory. I believe that our Father is pleased with the attitudes and work of the team. When we could have become irritated with each other, laughter erupted. When we needed to separate into teams for the day, people were generous and flexible. When we shared in devotions and team meetings, we rejoiced and mourned together. The team experience was unlike any I’d ever been on. Without a doubt, God was truly giving us the inner strength and ability to work together and come together as one. I believe God is pleased......Our team was another super blessing during this trip. A six decade age span, yet all of us were devoted and committed to this mission. We shared fantastic devotional times at 6:45 a.m. and prayed together to start the day. We laughed joyfully as we ate at each of the 3 meals served to us daily. Our debriefing meeting each night had serious discussions, yet much laughter. I personally felt that the team was fantastically matched. All of us were assigned by God to come on this trip. All of us had a shared love for the Lord, and for each other."

And here is Marilee's reflection on the ground breaking service -
"This was likely one of my top 10 all time favorite memories of my life! Tears streamed down my face as we stood on the land which is having an orphanage built by the local Haitians. Pastor Noel had a 15 minute service of dedication and the joy that I felt to be part of this building project was truly indescribable.The first swing of the pick into the dirt by the worker was thrilling. Before we came, HH4H posted a need for money to help start this orphanage here in Terrier Rouge. The goal to start was five thousand. Over eleven thousand had come in when we left [for Haiti]! Pastor Noel demonstrated his faith that the money would come in, by accepting the money and immediately starting the construction. In the hot sun, these workers started the intensive labor of hand building a cement home. I will never forget that prayer service….God in action."

Thank you again to everyone who gave and who prayed that our trip would be successful. God answered those prayers exceedingly abundantly above what we could ask or think and our hearts overflow with gratitude. It is such an incredible honor to be used by God to be His hands to help serve His people and we long for the day when people will not see our works but see His hands in action and give Him all the praise and glory.


The foundation of the orphanage is complete!







The concrete blocks for the home construction are stockpiled next to the foundation.


Sunday, February 14, 2010

Dominican donations arrived!

We received word from our missionary friends in the Dominican Republic that the donations they had for Pastor Noel and Marie were delivered yesterday. But their journey to deliver the supplies was not without its problems. Here are some excerpts from their message to us -

"We made the trip to deliver the donation to Pastor Noel and Marie yesterday but it did not go as we had planned. We spent a lot of time planning, using our contacts to ensure that we would not have problems crossing the border, yet that is not how it worked out. We had taken our [Canadian] work team that is here with us. Our contacts in Dajabon had received permission from Dominican Immigration for us to cross without problems. However, when we arrived, they saw those foreign passports and [the difficulties started]. They wanted about $400 in “fees and tax” for the team to go across and back again. They took a look at our $2000 worth of [supplies] and told us that the donation was too small and did not qualify as a donation so they had to tax us. Then we asked if our driver, and Paul [who has Dominican residency] and Pastor Eddy (who is a Haitian pastor who has a church in Ouanamithe and Dajabon) could go across with the donation and not be charged any fees or tax. The reply was yes – no fees, no tax [for those with Dominican or Haitian passports or Dominican residency]......So, this is what happened yesterday at that crazy border. Pastor Eddy, our driver and Paul went across to Pastor Eddy’s church in Ouanaminthe and took the donation there. Because we could not cross with the team, we felt it best [for those delivering the supplies] to be as quick as possible [making the delivery] since the team was just “hanging out” in Dajabon waiting [so the supplies were just left with Pastor Eddy in Ouanaminthe]. Pastor Eddy talked with Pastor Noel and Marie by phone and when we left, Marie was going to go to Eddy’s church yesterday afternoon to pick up the supplies."

I called Marie Noel this afternoon and she confirmed that they had been able to drive to Ouanaminthe and pick up the food, clothing and medicines delivered by our missionary friends. They were so thankful and very grateful for all the efforts of our new friends, their Canadian work team and the Canadians back at home who sent the money for them to purchase the supplies in the Dominican Republic. They had already begun to distribute what they had received and the people were very thankful for this outpouring of help.

Again, we know that the need in Northern Haiti will be ongoing and help is still needed but it is wonderful to know that people all over North America and even in the Dominican Republic want to help and are willing to do whatever it takes to make it happen.

Saturday, February 13, 2010

A challenge - give it up and give it away

This morning I had a challenging thought and I wanted to share it here. At this time of year it is traditional in many churches to think about giving up something as a way of sharing in Christ’s suffering on our behalf. And while I think there is merit in pondering His atoning work and perhaps even sharing in it in some small way by denying ourselves something, I thought it might be even better to take it a step further. Christ gave up His life SO HE COULD GIVE IT AWAY. So in our giving up of something, why not take it a step further? Why not give it away? Give up that latte or that lunch. Give up that dinner or that dress. Give up that movie or that magazine. But then take the money you would have spent on those things AND GIVE IT AWAY. In that line of thinking, I’d like to offer a suggestion.

In October of 2008, Pastor Noel asked us for help to purchase a piece of land on which he wanted to build a home for orphaned and abandoned children. As a result of some wonderful donations, we were able to give him the money he needed and the land was purchased. Just recently, Pastor Noel asked us for help again. In light of the recent disaster, he would now like to begin building this home for children on the piece of land purchased 1-1/2 years ago. We know the need for this type of housing has obviously increased in recent days and we promised him we would do all we could to find the financial help necessary to begin this construction.

So what’s my suggestion? Give it up, and give it away. Give up that latte or lunch, dinner or dress, movie or magazine, or whatever you would give up, and then give away the money you would have spent on those things so orphaned and abandoned children in Haiti can have a home. And if you’re willing to do something like this, why not take it even one step further? Why not challenge your friends and family, church friends and neighbors to do the same? If you think this is a good idea, share the idea with someone else! Maybe all you could give up is a lunch at McDonalds. You might think your $4.00 lunch at McDonalds won’t go very far. But just think what would happen if a thousand people gave up their $4.00 lunch at McDonalds or their $5.00 foot long at Subway? Little is much if God’s in it. God can multiply 5 loaves and 2 fishes. So even the little you could give up can be multiplied beyond what you can imagine and God can and will do amazing things if we’re willing to give Him the little we have.

Luke 6:38 - Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

So how about it? Are you up to the challenge? I know I am! If you are too, send us an e-mail and then let other people know. It would be great to share our ideas and suggestions with one another. And it would be fantastic to see the start of that home for orphaned and abandoned children in Terrier Rouge, Haiti when we go back there on March 10th! So let us hear from you - info@hishandsforhaiti.org.

For Him and for the children,
Jamie Charles
His Hands for Haiti

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Earthquake update - good news! 2/11/10

We have good news to share today! We talked to Marie Noel again last night and school in Terrier Rouge opened on Monday. Marie said that not many of the children had returned to school yet because they are still afraid but, in time, they will begin to return back to their normal attendance. She hoped that by next Monday, more children will return but at least the schools are open and operating so the children can attend now and we are very grateful for that! We also spoke to our good friend Stevens Charles last night and he confirmed Marie's news, saying that all the schools in the area were reopening and children were slowly returning. Please pray that their fears will soon be overcome and all the children will eventually return to school.

We also learned today that our new missionary friends in the Dominican Republic are making plans to go to Terrier Rouge this weekend to bring them some much-needed supplies. We are so thankful to them and to their supporters, as well as the brothers and sisters in the Dominican Republic who are reaching out to our friends in Haiti to bring them this help!

In October of 2008, Pastor Noel asked us for help to purchase a piece of land on which he wanted to build a home for orphaned and abandoned children. As a result of some wonderful donations, we were able to give him the money he needed and the land was purchased. When we spoke to Marie Noel last night, Pastor Noel asked us for help again. In light of the recent disaster, he would now like to begin building this home for children on the piece of land purchased 1-1/2 years ago. We know the need for this type of housing has obviously increased in recent days and we promised him we would do all we could to find the financial help necessary to begin this construction. If you would like to donate towards the cost of beginning this home for children, please send us an e-mail at info@hishandsforhaiti.org or you can log into PayPal and send your donation to that same e-mail address.

Also, many of you have already sent us financial donations towards the added cost of purchasing food and other necessities for the displaced people who have come from Port-Au-Prince and are now looking for help in Terrier Rouge. And while we are extremely grateful what's already been given, we know that this need will be on-going so we're asking for continued support to meet this need in the long term. We have also been overwhelmed at the outpouring of support in the form of new sponsorships for the children already pictured on our website and, again, we are extremely grateful for that. Our hope is that the children remaining on the website now will also find sponsors BEFORE we return to Haiti just one month from today as we anticipate new children being enrolled in the schools who will need sponsorship support. As we have been saying since the beginning of this crisis, the crisis in Northeast Haiti is still growing, and will continue to grow, so our friends continue to need our help.

A new tax relief law allows people who contribute to Haiti earthquake relief by March 1, 2010 to take a tax deduction for the contribution on their 2009 tax return. This means donors can receive an immediate tax benefit, rather than having to wait until they file next year's return. Donors may deduct these contributions on either their 2009 or 2010 returns, but not both. As you are aware, we are a registered 501c3, tax-exempt, non-profit organization so donations made through His Hands are considered tax-exempt and we do issue a receipt to all donors. Media attention is beginning to wane as time passes, but we will continue to serve the pastors we have partnered with in Northeast Haiti long after Haiti has left the news and the last reporters have gone home. We are in this for the long haul and we would appreciate your participation with us to help the pastors to help the people in their communities and, of course, to help the children in the schools. If you wish to make a financial donation through PayPal towards the cost of food for the children in the schools we're working with or to help with food, clothing and other necessities for people who have been displaced by the earthquake, please send us an e-mail at info@hishandsforhaiti.org or log intoPayPal and send your donation to that same e-mail address.

Please join us as we pray for the people of Haiti in this time of disaster. As we have more specific information about the children in our program, we will post it here.

Thank you for your concern -
His Hands Support Ministries