With 14 Homes of Hope now established, we all wanted a peak at the plan for the kids once they graduate and prepare to take the next steps in life.  This morning, we had the opportunity to see how the LSM ranch will help guide these steps for many of the students.  Aquaculture, beef, goat, citrus, and crop production vocational trainings are all gaining momentum in their development.  Along with production, the students of the LSM ranch will have the opportunity to learn other trades such as meat processing, welding, and carpentry.  And those are just the starters.  The amazing part is that this ranch will be fully self sufficient utilizing solar energy, renewable animal feed sources and natural fertilizers from the aquaculture and animal production.  We were amazed at the plan this ministry has looking forward!

In the afternoon, the team split up.  The ladies went back to the our Cavaillon home with some cool activities, one being the pillow making activity.  The end product was definitely approved.  The guys dug into a couple of roof projects working with some men in the community to replace a few thatch covered roofs with new steel. 

We all have a huge day tomorrow as we continue the work on the roofing projects as well as our first day of eye and medical exams.  It's a blessing to watch this come together!  Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers as we continue to be a part of an amazing ministry that ECC has partnered with for the long run!

We wouldn't have changed a thing today.  After church, we visited the two Homes of Hope in Banbou, returned to the guesthouse for lunch and then joined forces with the locals to remove the LSM van from the river.  Nothing out of the ordinary here.  Once we were back on the trail, we took advantage of our day at Caviallon with the girls.  Nancy quickly realized that you NEVER pass on a chance to help a girl this adorable with her cream soda!  

Each home that we visit greets us with hugs and kisses and we quickly accept every one of them.  At first, it catches one off guard then after a few grins, you are hooked.  With each home we visit, we are gaining a better understanding of LSM's impact here.  In the CRP boy's home, the 12 boys have only been together for 2 weeks.  Each boy has a story that has lead him into his new family.  How does this work? As believers, we need to understand that nothing brings peace and stability to a child more than the impact of a strong marriage.  Each home is lead by a couple, mentored and empowered by the local church, while walking right beside LSM.     

 

 On Monday, we will begin our day at the ranch to see how LSM is continuing their work with these families by educating and training the older children once they reach the age to leave home.  From learning trade skills, the pursuit of a higher education and business development, LSM carries out the plan to invest in the lives of these future leaders in their communities.  After our time at the ranch, we will finish our day at Cavaillon.  The ladies will be working with the girls at our home and the guys will begin the work to re roof homes in the community. 

 

After a 4 hour bus ride through the hills of southern Haiti, we were searching for a way to stretch our legs in Cavaillon, north of Les Cayes.  After an amazing welcome, the girls of the Cavaillon Home of Hope did not hesitate to break out the jump rope!  Nancy kicked off the sandals to set a stage only to be trumped by Rick, Brad & Nick (below).

 

 It didn't take long for these girls to grab our hearts and also for us to be completely amazed at what is going on with Loving Shepherd Ministries.  These girls are not orphans, they fully realize they are a part of something bigger ... a family that is devoted to following God's plan for restoration and hope.  Being the father of two boys, Chris is slowly getting his daughter "fix". 

Tomorrow morning, we will worship with the people of Banbou, hang out with our girls over lunch, unpack some activities, and then wrap the evening up with an outreach event at the church in Caviallon.  We are all in awe of this experience and it has just begun!  Keep us in your prayers as we continue to prepare for our week of eye exams, medical checkups, and roof replacements!

Getting Ready

Over the past seven weeks, our team has walked through many trainings striving to learn more about poverty, orphans, what "culture" really is, and the definition of worldview.  We have also had the chance to see how Loving Shepherd Ministries has responded to what we have learned.

Over the past 10 years, LSM has been on the front lines in Haiti.  This ministry has been pivotal in Haiti by teaching Biblical answers to poverty, empowering church leaders to take a stand to uphold those answers, and equipping house parents to develop Haiti's next generation, just to name a few.  The primary structure in all this ... a family.  If you are not familiar with LSM, take a minute and check their website out (http://loving-shepherd.org/). 
 
14 of us from ECC will arrive on those front lines this coming Saturday.  We will be conducting eye exams, medical exams, leading some Bible learning activities with the kids, worshiping with the people there, and working on some construction projects.  Are we a little intimidated by this?  You bet!  Whenever any of us get "plucked" from our little world and given the chance to serve with a ministry that has clearly been guided by God, it's intimidating.  With that also comes a peace in knowing He is with us, He is guiding, and He will be glorified.  Thank you walking with us as we go.  We will be in touch!

Keeping Connected!

We are excited to keep connected with our teams as they serve both locally and globally!  As these groups travel and participate in service, we're asking them to update this blog so that we can stay up to date back at home and know what they're doing and how we can be praying for them.  

Be looking for new posts from:

1.  Our team going Haiti to minister with Loving Shepherd Ministries (April 27-May 5)

2.  Our team going to Florida to serve with Give Kids the World (May 4-12)

Thanks for standing behind our teams as we send them out!