We have some very special boys and girls in Haiti celebrating birthdays in June! Check out how much they have grown!
Elizer- June 5th Rodeline- June 5th
Franceline- June 9th Isna- June 10th
Guechelade- June14th Paul- June 15th
Woodens- June 22nd Isaac "Bebenlove"- June 27th
Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.
Meet Hannah Zweifel.....she may be small, but her heart is larger than mine.
When I was seven I was collecting toys, playing with friends, and primarily worried about...well....myself. This year for her birthday Hannah asked her mom if she could do something a little different. Instead of asking others to bring her birthday gifts, she wanted her friends and family to help her collect shoes for the children in Haiti.
But she didn't stop there. She went to her school and got permission to host a shoe drive so other students could donate shoes too!
In one week she was able to collect 108 pairs of shoes. That's almost enough for every child in the One Vision Home to have TWO pairs of new shoes!! Hannah and her mom called the project "Sole Searching".
When asked why she wanted to do this, here was her response...
"I wanted to do the shoe drive because I wanted to help the world in all different ways. And I learned how to help Haiti in church. On my 7th birthday I didn't want any presents because I wanted shoes for Haiti . And I'm sorry because of the earthquake that took their families. I hope they're happy because they have new shoes."
Do you have Hannah's faithfulness, kindness, and servant's heart?
Do I?
It's a question to ask yourself and something to strive towards daily. You don't wake up one morning and decide to answer God's calling for your life. Following Christ is a DAILY, if not moment by moment decision, and just like Hannah, One Vision works to continually be obedient.
It doesn't take an impressive resume, large amounts of money, or any special skill sets to serve others. If you have a passion to help those in need you are fully equipped to serve on the mission field. Whether your mission field is your neighborhood, or half way across the world......YOU have been called by your Savior to serve.
This past April, we sent a team to Haiti on a mission to strengthen the knowledge of women, young and old, in the art of sewing. One of the trip participants, Carol Dunlap, gave us a compelling snapshot of her time in Haiti and how God worked in her and through her that we would like to share with you:
Haiti: dark yet beautiful, different yet the same, taking yet giving.
Their language is different. The circumstances of their lives are definitely different from most of their North American counterparts. Yet, they're the same... longing to be loved, to be cared for.
You see, this trip was never about sewing. God had a bigger plan. I sew; I am not a seamstress. There's a big difference.
I was asked to lead the moms at the orphanage in devotionals each morning before we started sewing. I was happy to be able to do this for them. That request was soon replaced with another one, one that is near and dear to my heart. Would I be willing to lead a bible study with the older girls about modesty and purity? Would I ever!
I knew fairly quickly what I would want to talk to them about, but the issue was communication. How do you discuss issues of modesty and purity as it applies to young women through the voice of a male interpreter? Well, you don't! We were in for a huge surprise when we arrived at the orphanage. There, wrapped in the body of a beautiful Haitian female interpreter, was a gift from God. There had only been male interpreters previously, so this was a first!
As we began our study, it "felt" like I wasn't really connecting with the girls. They were sitting at the sewing machines obviously anxious to get to what they were there for... sewing!
After a few smiles and some giggles, we completed day one
.
Day two took a completely different turn. We met away from the younger children and sewing machines. The plan was to meet for 20-30 minutes. An hour and a half later, when we came back to the sewing group, it was obvious that good stuff has happened in our little group.
The girls really opened up and shared their hopes and dreams. We talked about God's plan for them and their future spouse. They began to articulate what they desired in a mate. Our interpreter was instrumental in getting the girls to talk. It was truly a God ordained time.
The third day, which I was really looking forward to, took an unexpected turn. Our female interpreter could not come. The only option was to use one of the guys. So we went back to our little room and began our study. As I presented questions to the girls, it was obvious that this was not going to happen. The look on their faces communicated to me what their words could not: "We are not talking to him in here." So, they were dismissed to go back downstairs. They could not get out of that room fast enough. I was honestly disappointed, but I feel like it was a start and hopefully other teams could pick up the study when they came. Even if a female interpreter can not attend, we pray that God can speak to these young girls.
A vision had been cast. After much prayer and discussion, the Bible study will go on. Cecile will meet with the girls, and they will be going through a study book called And the Bride Wore White. It's my hope and dream that these girls will become mentors for the younger girls. It's our vision that these young women grow into Godly women used to change Haiti, to bring Light in a dark country.
This trip was never about sewing for me; it was about investing in the lives of the next generation.
At One Vision International, we believe in the power of prayer.
Prayer can heal, restore, and bring strength to the weak. It brings intercession for the needy and gives thanks for our undeserved blessings. It is what we do for the people of Haiti and the Dominican Republic daily and what we covet from you.
We want to honestly and openly share our prayer requests with you so that you can become prayer warriors on our behalf but mostly on the behalf those in other countries that depend on intercession from the Lord to meet their basic needs. When I say basic needs I am referring to food, shelter, medicine, and clothing but I am also referring to love, hope, joy, and the freedom that comes from knowing your Lord and trusting Him.
1. We are blessed with the ability to send containers to Haiti. Some are filled with food, some construction materials, and some with other supplies for the children. However, the process of getting a container through customs in Haiti and released to the orphanage is much longer and complex than you might imagine. Some days it feels like only a miracle will get our containers to the orphanage on time. We currently have two containers waiting to be released and, by the grace of God, we just got word that one should be released and on its way to the orphanage by early next week! Pray that this process will go smoothly. Also, pray that the second container will be released quickly so Francisco and Cecile can receive and use the much needed supplies!
2. The second group of children recently joined the child sponsorship program in the Dominican Republic! We are excited to get to know each one and are working hard to find them sponsors. As we learn their stories from Claudia and Edgard we are excited that they are a part of the after-school program but also broken-hearted by what some of them have endured at such a young age. Please pray that God would use Claudia, Edgard, Mathilde, and the other adults to show them the healing power of Jesus Christ. Also, pray for peace, reconciliation, and kindness in their homes and hearts.
3. We hope to have the children officially moved in to the One Vision Children's Home this fall! The Sevier Heights VBS will be working to collect money for landscaping this summer so that their new house will start to feel like a home. Often the closer we get to doing great things for God the harder the spiritual warfare becomes. Pray that the Haitian and American staff will hold fast to the promises of the Lord and the transition will be smooth (and certainly exciting) for the children.
4. Pray for Claudia and Edgard as they travel, within the country, and back home early next week. God has already proven Himself faithful in getting them here safely and providing OVI with the opportunity to introduce such faithful servants to everyone in Tennessee! Pray that the Lord will give them the words to accurately describe what He is doing in the Dominican Republic and plant a seed of passion in others for their country.
I can't express how thankful we are for your thoughts and prayers. God's word says "The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective" (James 5:16) and we not only believe it... we have experienced it.
The children in Haiti and the Dominican Republic are no different than your own. Some days they're happy, some days they're silly, and some days could be better. They wake up and go to school dreaming of becoming a doctor, an engineer, an artist, or a mechanic. One Vision International operates to ensure that their dreams could one day become a reality and to teach them that no matter where their future leads them there is a loving Father that will continue to guide their steps.
We ask that you prayerfully consider partnering with us in giving these children the opportunity for an education, a loving home, and most importantly, a relationship with Jesus Christ. While many have already contributed so much to One Vision, there is still work to be done. We want God's blessings over the years to motivate us rather than leave us feeling content. Our hope is that you will feel this same motivation and passion for God's people to take action by sponsoring a child.
Your sponsorship will be for a specific child. You will not only be making a financial commitment but a commitment to prayer. Along with pictures and sponsor updates, we encourage you to travel with us to meet your child and build a relationship with them. For more information about where God is leading One Vision in 2014 please take a minute to read our annual appeal or contact the office at 865.579.3353.
