From Kahoa to Fayeton

Kahoa Elementary children right here in Lincoln, Nebraska have been learning about Haiti all year in conjunction with raising funds to support our children ( all of OUR children ) at the Fayeton Orphanage in Gonaives, Haiti.  In most cases an earthquake in Haiti would not have affected too deeply a child in gradeschool here in the US.  However, because of their studies before the earthquake they were deeply affected and worried about the kids they had been learning so much about.  Last weekend as they finished their year they had a MAJOR garage sale which was hugely successful!  Last weekend as they were doing the sale the 250 pictures they drew and laminated were being hand delivered to each of the kids at the orphanage.  Below are a few the heart warming pictures of the Fayeton kids receiving their pictures.  They will treasure them forever as they are a few of their only belongings.  More importantly they know they have new friends from Lincoln, Nebraska USA that care about them. 

 Kahoa kids.....YOU had a very   successful year!

April 15, 2010 Lincoln, Ne

Linked-In Thru Him


Yesterday, Adrien and I went to Lincoln, Nebraska to meet with some of our die hard GO Project friends. The Lord rattled me pretty good.

Listen to this…

In 2008, I got a random call from a woman in Lincoln, Nebraska – Susan Browne. Susan heard of C3 through someone who heard from someone else, etc… The Brownes, adoptive parents, have a heart for orphans. Susan said that her family and some friends wanted to get involved in C3. After a couple of conversations, I agreed to come to Lincoln for an intro meeting with Susan and several other ladies. Fox and I drove up. I remember that we made that trip about a week after going to Gonaives, Haiti.

We met at Susan’s church, Lincoln Berean; walked into a conference room; and greeted a group of ladies. One of the women, Kristin Heaton, had a balled-up Kleenex in her hand and puffy red eyes. The whole crew had been crying before we arrived.

Mike and I got to talking; Kristin got to crying. We’d stop. Start again. More tears. (Fox has been known to make women cry, but for me, this was highly unusual.) We really couldn’t get into the meat of what we wanted to say. So we stopped the group and turned to Kristin.

“Are you okay?”

“No. My heart is broken right now and I just can’t stop crying.” Kristin explained why. She and her husband were in the 2nd year of the adoption process for a little girl, Bettania, and it was going nowhere. Even more painful in the moment, they had another young girl, Dieunette, at their home on a medical visa – they sponsored her so she could have brain surgery. All had gone well. God had knitted this little one into the Heaton family. Here’s the problem: their time had seemingly come to an end. The next week, the Heatons had to part ways with Dieunette and their hearts ached at the thought. As we started to talk of the global orphan pandemic, Kristin had specific little ones wrenching her emotions. She couldn’t see past the pain. None of us could after we heard.

We asked Kristin, “Where is this child from?” “Haiti.” “Haiti? Are you kidding?” (Kristin didn’t know of our work in Haiti.) I pressed, “Where in Haiti?” “It’s not a place most people have heard of.” “Where?” “Gonaives,” she replied.

“Gonaives? (I can’t believe this!!!) What if I told you Mike and I were just there last week?”

You could have heard a pin drop. This was one of those God-orchestrated moments where everyone knew to just chill out and soak it in. God is at work in and around us, all the time – and sometimes he shouts a real-time reminder.

Well, the Heatons courageously shepherded Dieunette to Haiti and kissed her “goodbye.”

Over time, Dieunette’s mother couldn’t care for the child. Dieunette was in danger. Upon referral to social services, Dieunette was placed in an orphanage. The Heatons, still embroiled in Adoption #1, began to fight through Adoption #2 – both long shots. The Heatons also joined with gusto what has become a growing and passionate group in Lincoln – The Nebraska Global Orphan Project – battling with us to bring more children into care.

The struggle to adopt Bettania and Dieunette raged on for 2 more years. Nothing. The girls were in an orphanage in Port au Prince, with no end to the adoption in sight.

On January 9, Kristin sent some family and friends an update that the adoptions were going nowhere. She and Scott were losing hope. Here were Kristin’s closing words: “I have to figure out how to live with all of this which I’m not doing very well with at the moment. Hope it get’s easier but I just don’t know how it can. For now I will peel myself off of the floor put one foot in front of the other and try and find joy in each day.”

On January 12, Haiti shook.

**************************************

One facet of GO Project’s relief effort in Haiti has been to deliver food, water, and supplies to other orphanages in Haiti that collapsed during the quake and had no resource pipeline. There are so, so many in this category. We’ve gotten to the ones that the Lord put in our path.


In the immediate aftermath of the quake, we got an email from Dan Southerland, a pastor and friend in Kansas City. CNN ran a report of a collapsed orphanage in PaP with scant and soon-to-be gone food and water for 151 children. A friend of Dan’s let him know, and Dan, in turn, let us know. Dan was able to track down contact information for the orphanage, and Moise got the address: Publin 4 (behind the local of djoumbala), Rue Lamothe, impasse Petion 2. Moise and I had phone numbers for 3 ladies at the location: Jamie, Ali, and Margarette St. Fleur. We got hold of Margarette. She confirmed the problem. She had some food, but no water. Margaret believed this was a short term problem, but needed water, especially, right away. So we delivered water and supplies to Margarette at the orphanage, and encouraged her. We left and moved on to the next location.

That was that.

Honestly, I haven’t given that place, Bresma Orphanage, another thought. Until yesterday…

****************************************

Back to yesterday in Lincoln. Like I said, we met our GO Project friends there for a meeting. But no Kristin and Scott. I asked Susan about them. Susan: “Haven’t you heard about the girls?”

Kristin and Scott are rather busy these days. The girls are home with them! Susan went on to explain God’s amazing provision. After the quake, the Heatons had no idea what happened to the girls or the orphanage they were in. They stayed glued to CNN to follow every detail of coverage, hoping to glean some information about the state of Port au Prince and all there. To their shock and amazement, they learned the fate of the girls through a CNN story of a ruined orphanage with a dwindling food and water supply and no help. While the orphanage was down, the kids were alive. Susan explained the miracles… The Heatons learned the girls survived from a CNN story. Unknown people in PaP responded with food and water. Many of the children were flown to the United States. Adoptions pending for years were completed. Bettania and Dieunette – home.

I heard this and thought, “Hey, I know this story.” “Susan, what was the name of that orphanage?” “Bresma. It’s run by a couple of young ladies named Jamie and Ali.” Yep, I know this story!

God allowed me to share with Susan and the group our little slice of this story – we had the privilege of being some of the unknown others.

God gave us another moment – another reminder.

Scott and Kristin, the Lord’s got His hand on you all. He always has. And GO Family, we’re more connected by God than we can possibly imagine.

Lord, You are trustworthy – no matter what.

Faithfully yours,
Joe
P.S.: I’d love to have a statistician run the odds on these circumstances and call it chance.

Renise Matters


Hello, GO Family. Many of you have been faithfully reading this blog since Jan. 12. You’ve become attached to these children, like Renise.

On Saturday, March 20, Renise gave birth to her little daughter, Kimberly. We’ve been mum about the events surrounding that day, and the amazing God story that continues to unfold. During a dicey time of uncertainty for us (not for God), we needed to just be quiet.

Now we’re sending a full Renise update that Trace penned. 

In the year before the earthquake, this little girl was sold into slavery by her parents; was sent back to her parents only to have her mother die in her arms; lived with her mother’s corpse; went back to her owners where she was sexually assaulted by 2 men at gunpoint; got fired from her slave work unworthy of even that; and was turned to the streets with a troubled pregnancy that would have taken her life. The earthquake freed Renise. Since January 12, she’s found a new hope in a most miraculous chain of events and the deep, daring love of others.

Guess where she’s at today? School. Her first day.

Hope. Love. Redemption. If you sometimes think these are words of mere bloated inspiration tossed about by preachers and politicians, consider Renise. The same God in her life is at work in yours. He can be trusted, even when the chips are down and we can’t understand.

April 12, 2010

Back To School

“Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.” William Butler Yeats

Truth told, Back to School time at my house means an annual ritual carrying the same rote emotions.

Disappointment. The kids have been swimming and playing all summer. Summer time means vacation, BBQs, play time, down time, family time. Going back to school means play time’s over. Sleeping in is over. That’s a bit disappointing to my kids, and to me.

Anxiety. Next year is here. For our kids: new grade, new teacher, new unknowns – new fears. For the parents: where have the years gone?

Relief. Worn thin by the summer mayhem, we’re ready for the kiddos to get back to school: not because we’re really excited by how they’ll learn and grow, but because we feel ready for a break.

Today’s a different Back to School experience. School’s open at the Transition Village. Kids who’ve survived an earthquake but lost their parents got up this morning, got dressed, and readied for school. This is a day of excitement; of expectation; of a new normal. For many of the children, this is a first.

This is a spark.

Enjoy these pics:

Teachers Cheesing

Kids Praying (opening school prayer)

Look Out World, Here Comes Renise! (In white hat.)

I’m pretty well jazzed that my kids here in KC are in school as I write, and so is Pierre, Rogelin, and the rest of the crew in Haiti. So are the kids in our homes in Uganda, Cambodia, Thailand, the Philippines, and around the world. All kids with a hope and a future.

Thanks, GO Family, for your continued commitment. Your kids in Haiti are back to school!

Faithfully yours,
Joe

April 3, 2010

New Life



Trace Thurlby, in KC


Two weeks ago today, I held Renise’s daughter twenty minutes after she was born. What a beautiful child! Like all proud families, we wanted to shout the good news from the waiting room of the Haitian Hospital. We were so grateful for the miracle of new life. However, much work was left to ensure Renise and child would receive love and care post delivery. We needed to tend to that first.


The story deserves more than a blog entry. One day soon, we will share every Divinely-designed detail. When we do, we will celebrate with you a God whose ways are higher than our ways, whose thoughts are higher than our thoughts, and whose love is greater than our love.


Yet with Easter upon us, the celebration of Jesus’ Resurrection takes me back to that day in Haiti. Renise’s baby was transverse. Renise is petite. In pre-earthquake Haiti, Renise was living on the streets in the most desperate conditions. How would she have received even basic medical care, much less a C-Section? Ironically the earthquake, which killed so many, saved Renise’s life and her child.


An Italian OB/GYN team in Haiti for disaster relief performed Renise’s surgery. They brought new life into the world at almost exactly the same time Moise’s church was holding a memorial service for the eleven people from his congregation that went to Glory in the quake. Was this mere coincidence? Or, more likely, was this another blatant attempt by God to show us that He is always working in our lives? More specifically, was this more confirmation that life and death are in God’s loving Hands? That’s the message of Easter. God had the power to lay down His life for us. He had the power to take it up again.


He has the power to renew the life of a thirteen-year-old, homeless, orphaned, raped restavik. Through her story, He has the power to pierce the hearts of people all over America and Haiti. (By the way, Renise and her beautiful child are both doing very well.)


The Global Orphan Project does none of this. God does all of it. He is the Author of New Life. He brings it to pass in His time. Because He lives, we live. Because He lives, Renise lives; her daughter lives, and the eleven people from Moise’s church who went to glory LIVE! That’s the hope of the Gospel. Jesus is Risen! Praise be to God!

April 1, 2010

A Modern-Day Schindler


Trace Thurlby, Live from KC

Meet Chuck Mack. For forty years Chuck was a Teamster Representative. He worked hard, and now it was his turn. Retirement. For many this means a big party to celebrate. A gold watch, maybe even a Rolex, or a Carribean cruise; that’s the best way to top off forty, faithful years of service, right? His friends and colleagues certainly would have thrown the bash and celbrated with him, but Chuck had another idea. Take all the money that would have been spent on parties and presents and give it to those in need. That’s right, all of it, but where and to whom?

Then January 12th happened. Chuck’s heart was heavy as he watched scenes of fallen buildings, people living on the street, no food, no water, no power. Generosity met clarity. Chuck would send his “retirement party” to those suffering in Haiti. Like a modern-day Oskar Schindler (Schindler’s List), Chuck’s “gold watch” will soon be rice and beans for hungry children; his retirement party is helping build homes for kids living in rubble. It will send them to school. We’ve never met Chuck Mack in person, but if we have our way, Adrien Lewis will soon convince Chuck to come to Haiti with us. Our GO Project kids will give Chuck a five-day party he will never forget.

For today, we are more than grateful. We are truly humbled. Because of Chuck and because of you, we get to care for the King’s kids. Thank you! We love you! Press on!

March 31, 2010

Caring about Stephanie

Trace Thurlby, Live from KC

More than two and half months after the earthquake, God brought us Stephanie. Stephanie is 14. She’s a new mom, and she was in the care of UNICEF. We don’t know much more, except that she’s struggling. She’s angry, frustrated, and closed. I can only imagine what she’s thinking. How many people have betrayed this child? How does she know that she can trust the GO Project family?



While our lives are worlds apart, I see some of myself in Stephanie. At times, I hold onto hurt instead of turning to God. Justifying my frustration, I can resist the One who heals. Maybe, you’ve been there too.



I’m grateful for Moise and Gladys who are gently reaching out to Stephanie in love. Please pray for her. Pray that God will renew and restore. Pray that God will protect her from spiritual attack. A precious life, and maybe two depending on what happens to her child, hang in the balance.



We’re convinced there are more Stephanies in Haiti. Children who were “absorbed” into makeshift tent communities will continue to come out of the woodwork. Pray that God will give us the opportunity to provide safety for chaos; certainty for confusion. That’s who He is. This is what He’s called us to, and there is so much more to do. Thank you for walking this road with us. Thank you for caring about Stephanie.

The A Team March 24, 2010

Alan Dietrich, live from Croix de Bouquet, Haiti
Remember that show with Mr. T – the A team has come to stand for the best team assembled for a mission. Well, tonight I had privilege of meeting with an A team. Pastor Moise Vaval, our GO Haiti Field Director, met with an amazing group of individuals who are making up our GO Haiti leadership team – including Joseph, Kender, Carmelle, Joseph, Jenette, Gladys – and a few more to come. They are following God’s call in their lives to rescue orphaned and abandoned children in Haiti, and bringing them into orphan villages, lead by the local church. As we talked tonight about what God has done in our lives since the quake, it was thrilling to hear how they have an urgency and life purpose to play their part in this mission. I could not even dream of a more gifted group of people to serve with here, it is another reason why it is so hard to leave Haiti. Thank you for your support that we can assemble such a team to carry out these God-sized plans, and please pray for them by name – to press on for the cause.

Starting Here, Starting Now March 23, 2010

Alan Dietrich, Live from Croix de Bouquet, Haiti
There is a new work being done here. A movement that we are all blessed to be a part of. This new work is about rescue, hope, joy, salvation and growth in our Lord. It is in some of the most insignificant places, yet its impact is undeniable. We are now beginning the phase of mapping out the new orphan villages that will be planted in Haiti this year – God is leading us to new places where the needs are great. This foundation, pictured below, is the start of new life at Pastor Moise Vaval’s church campus, Source De La Grace. It’s a home funded by Isabelle Redford’s cards, and it will house some orphan girls and their momma. It will be filled with giggles and prayers, hair braiding and hugs. Our prayers are for many more this year for so many who need it. Thank you so much for your generosity that provides for this, its starting here and now.

March 21, 2010

This morning, the team and I attended Pastor Moise Vaval’s church - some of our group really needed to be uplifted after the KU loss last night. We arrived in time to share in worship, and it was ‘all out’ – especially when the church began singing “I’ll fly away” in Creole, and we joined in English. Moise’s church building was severely damaged during the quake and his congregation were all impacted in some way. To hear us all lift our voices praising God for our eternity in heaven puts it in perspective. Moise’s church, Source de la Grace, is one of our 10 village plants in Haiti for 2010.. Much to be done there – and its a great work that God is doing – reaching scores of new folks with the love and hope in Christ.


Pastor Jimmy Dodd preached this morning on Mark 2, and you could imagine their damaged tin roof opening up to welcome the paralyzed man brought in by his friends. Then, one of the folks on our visiting team here, Magalie, was joined by her dad – who she has not seen for 10 years since she was last in Haiti. Reunions are a beautiful thing – here and in heaven.


And, tonight – while some of you watched about Haiti and orphans on 60 minutes (


www.60minutes.com), we were enjoying Mary Poppins (in french)! The kids here now have a new word

Haiti Update 3/17/10

From Trace Thurlby live in Haiti:

His Children

“Can we do something about the kids who don’t have parents? See me after church.” – Sage (age 7)

This note from seven-year-old Sage to the Sr. Pastor at Faith E-Free launched the church’s orphan care ministry, Sage’s Hope. Led by a child’s heart, the question being asked is how, not if, every member of Faith E-Free will help orphans.

Two days ago at the OTV, Pastor Chris walked up to Pierre who had his finger in a pink Bible he carries. Chris decided that he would read to Pierre in English the passage on that page.

“Vindicate the weak and the fatherless; Do justice to the afflicted and destitute. Rescue the weak and the needy; Deliver them from the hand of the wicked.” Psalm 82:3-4

God was speaking to Chris through the well-placed finger of a 10-year-old Haitian orphan. No surprise. God loves His children! Seven-year-old note writers, eight-year-old artists, ten-year-old Haitian orphans, thirteen-year-old violinists…He loves to involve His kids in His work…His kids of all ages.

Two of His children that I met this week are Danny and Karen Logan. They’re a successful farming family. They’ve been married for 50 years. They love God and they love their neighbor.

Now in their 70’s, they’ve been to Haiti six times in the last three years. This trip, they slept on the ground for six days, eating military-based MRE’s, and making sure their Haitian brothers and sisters have clean water. Retired? Are you kidding? They’re just getting started!

Danny and Karen, Sage, and God’s other children aren’t out to save the world. They just want to help people, because they love them. It’s that simple. The best things usually are.

In Psalm 131, King David said, “I do not involve myself with things too great or too difficult for me. I am like a little child.”

In Haiti, God shows us what King David knew: God loves His children, no matter what their age! And that’s Good News from one of His kids to another.

Haiti Update 3/15/10

From Trace Thurlby live in Haiti:

I’m sitting beneath Juli’s beautiful mango tree. With its shade and the March breeze, I may have one of the country’s best seats on this sunny day in Haiti.

If it weren’t for the tree, I wouldn’t recognize this place. Three weeks ago it was rubble and shovels. Today it’s beds, rice bowls and smiles. Gift bags from Faith E-Free started a kid-led fiesta. The frenzy has now given way to bubbles, suckers and soccer balls.

Juli is part of our GO Project family now. We love the story God is writing (from earthquake to refugee camp back home), but it is far from finished.

We’re looking at an addition and raising the wall to give this family more space and more security. They need it, and you all make it possible. Thank you! We love you!

Haiti Update 3/14/10

From Trace Thurlby live in Haiti:

Great day! Church was God-filled this morning. See the blog entry below for more.

Moise and I spent this afternoon with our new friends at Living Water. They have a solar-powered water purification system that will make the most cynical skeptic smile. We were at the launch ceremony of their latest site. I had my first glass of “tap water” in 7 trips to Haiti. Fantastic!

Living Water wants to install another system at Moise’s church and maybe more with other GO Project partners after that. Bottom line: clean water helps people in a big way. Having this system makes the church an even more effective servant leader in the community. Moise and I meet with well diggers on Tuesday, but this is headed in a crazy, good direction.

Then we went to Leogane with Danny, Karen and John from Living Water. I heard Leogane was hit hard by the quake. True. Very true, and sobering, but amidst surreal devastation, we saw hope.

We met Pastor Jean-Claude. He cares for 85 children on probably 4-5 acres of land. His church was pancaked, but was cleared by the Canadian and, get this, Chinese Gov’t as well. Jean Claude needs some help, but he’s doing great work!

God is on the move! GO is feeling called to Leogane. Pastor Jean-Claude is established and caring for God’s kids. The land and location are excellent. We trust God will raise the right partner. He is faithful and active!

Haiti Update 3/14/10

From Trace Thurlby live in Haiti:

Can’t get enough

What would happen if we got on our knees and prayed for 40 minutes to open our worship service? What would happen if we sang songs of praise with all our heart for 40 more minutes, and then spent another hour in the Word? Some people wouldn’t come…I agree. People concerned with checking the church box, being at the game for kick off, or beating the church across the street to lunch – those people would be gone in a Sunday or two.

But, let me tell you what else would happen. God would receive our small sacrifice of worship, and the power of His Spirit would move in such a mighty way that most “church goers” wouldn’t recognize it. He would free us from the chains of sin. He gives grace to the humble.

Grace. God’s grace. People want that, so much that we’d fill the church….and churches would have a new problem, they’d run out of chairs.

That’s what happened at church today in Haiti. And don’t believe for a second that it wouldn’t “work” in America. The team from Colorado is loving it, as I always do, as you will when you come.

Thank you for worshiping the King with us. We just can’t get enough of Him!

Haiti Update 3/10/10

Pastor Calix is praying for you.

Earlier this week, we celebrated as Juli and her 47 children moved into their new home, which was built on the same piece of property where they were living before the quake. Today, we’re watching another new beginning. Local Haitians are hard at work to give Pastor Calix and his 33 children a permanent place to call home. Remember, we met Calix living in the rubble of his pancaked orphanage. Over the last month he has become a good friend and trusted partner. Several times, we’ve heard Pastor Calix pray blessings over The GO Project. He’s praying for God’s blessings over you and your family! Most of you haven’t met Pastor Calix, but he loves you. In a time of uncertainty and despair, God used your generosity to provide answers full of hope to this gentle pastor with a big heart for kids! He’s part of our GO Family now. Soon, we hope to show you pictures of Calix’s kids moving into their new home!

Haiti Update 3/9/10

The GO Project continues to see hope abound in Haiti, like the new beginning for Juli and her kids.

After the earthquake destroyed their home, Juli led her children on foot to the Dominican Republic, 50 plus miles away. For weeks, Juli’s kids lived in makeshift refugee camps. Then, in early February, Juli and her 47 orphans came to The GO Project’s Orphan Transition Village. There, Juli told us that, “Home is where people love you.”

From Adrien Lewis live in Haiti:

They won’t forget the day they were all huddled under the mango tree watching everything around them crumble. In fact there was a bit of commotion and one of the little girls began to cry…she was afraid the earth was shaking again. They won’t forget walking to the DR and then being shipped back to Haiti to find themselves in a new orphanage with 200 other children.

They also won’t forget all the people that loved on them the last 30 days…all of you! Some of you came to Haiti to love on them with your time, others continue to love on them through prayer and support. Now, less than 2 months after losing everything, they are home again. So in some ways they are better off than they were before this mess, because they have felt your love from across the ocean. They know, that in the name of Jesus, the one they call on as Lord and savior, they have been protected and provided for.

Thank you for being His hands and feet.

Thanks to you, Juli and her kids found “home” in our GO Project family, but today, with the help of Burns & McDonnell, Juli and her kids are back in their new, permanent home. Juli can now sit on her porch and watch her kids play beneath her beloved tree. Home. Hope. Haiti.

Haiti Update 3/8/10

From Joe Knittig live in Haiti:

We got back from Cayes last night. Overall, this was a busy and positive leg of the trip.

We were able to go to St. Louis, Cayes, and Cambry – and see Cavaillon. All are in pretty rough shape. Many of you have gone to visit these places. To us, they’re not much to look at. But, the villages mean much more than buildings to the kids. The kids settle into their home environments more than we can imagine. Such a dramatic disruption like this devastates them.

By God’s grace, they are all OK. And they will get through this. We do have a lot of work ahead.

This flash flood was a freak of nature. The area where Cavaillon sits, for example, has never flooded in Dony’s life time. The people in that community and surrounding communities are seriously confused and rattled.

The pipeline of help to the kids is flowing. As soon as we get that truck from DR, it’ll really flow. Please pray for that.

It was a blessing to worship at Cayes and Cambry. No matter what’s going on around them, these folks will not be moved from Jesus. They sang louder than ever. They praised harder than ever. They smiled more certain than ever. Experiencing God like that – in the midst of crisis – is like mainlining Truth.

So we left Cayes full up. And we got back to the OTV to see soccer games and welcoming children.

Today is move day for Juli and the kids. They were buzzing this morning. It’s good.

Today is my exit day. Moise is back. He’s doing great – healing and eager to serve. So our fearless leader is back. Adrien’s here on his wing. I’m taking off in 15 mins in peace, excited to see my Julie and my kids at home.

Thanks for your prayers, and for making this part of your walk.

See you soon.

Faithfully yours,

Joe

Haiti Update 3/6/10

From Joe Knittig live in Haiti:

Today’s been a humbler.

For some reason, the govt is making it tough to get supplies across the border from the DR. We had a much needed shipment destined for Cayes turned back. Why? A paperwork issue.

We’re bringing in food, tents, and meds by the truckload, and the Haitian govt didn’t like some paperwork. Like we had a truckload of guns and ammo.

Speaking of Cayes, I’m here. This freak flood has wreaked havoc on the ESMI system, and they are busting their humps. Dony and I spent time starting to plan next steps. We’ll hit it again in the morning.

Right now, I’m about to crash for the night… In a seat in a tap tap… Next to the driver… Who has serious toe jam issues…

There’s no room in the inn tonight.

Humbling day.

On the great side, I spent an hour at Cambry snuggling Erinese and Clar (Clarence), Erinese’s little bro. Man that was something. I have a special bond with those 2, and that made my day.

God’s in control. Same as yesterday. Same as tomorrow.

Goodnight.

Joe

Haiti Update 3/4/10

From Joe Knittig live in Haiti:

“In the future, everyone will be world-famous for 15 minutes.” Andy Warhol

You know I got a shine for Pierre. Today he had his 15 minutes (15 seconds really). We did a little Skype interview with CNN international – with an emphasis on use of social media and our blog. (It hasn’t aired – we’ll let you know when it will.) Pierre jockeyed into position to see what was happening. Right on time. We got to hold him up to say ”Bonjou” to the world. He thought that was really, really cool.

That boy is amazing. You recall we found him by himself, wearing only a tattered T-shirt, laying in a hospital yard with an untreated broken femur. He’s gone through a lot here. He’s had happy times. He uplifts with his mischievous laugh and winning smile. And he’s also kept us in check, showing that this is not a tea party. These are broken, battered little ones. Hearing a child scream for his dead mother in the pitch black of night – knowing the reality – empties the spoken word. Pierre’s life since Jan. 12 has covered the gamut.

Pierre’s had a broken leg set and casted. His bone is mending. The cast is off. He’s beginning to walk without a walker. I believe Pierre’s heart progress is tracking his leg.

Today he stole the social media show, and got his 15 minutes. Bravo, Pierre Petiel Joseph!

Thanks to you all, GO Family, for given this fella a shot.

Faithfully yours,

Joe

Haiti Update 3/4/10

Video clip of flooding in Casa Major and southern Haiti that Pastor Louis St. Germain describes as unprecedented. See Louis’ commentary below:

Flooding in Casa Major from The Global Orphan Project on Vimeo.

Haiti Update 3/3/10

From Joe Knittig live in Haiti:

A most gracious 60 Mins crew has been with us nearly 3 weeks. They’re telling a story of Haiti’s hurting children, a story far bigger than GO Project. Today, our part of that story concluded with some final interviews.

No matter how the story unfolds, I’m grateful for 2 special producers and their staff. They loved on these kids well beyond a story. They loved on Moise and Francoise, well beyond a story.

Join us in praying that God will use all involved to advance His global movement to care for orphaned and abandoned children.

We’ll let you know when the story will air.

Three highlights from yesterday…

1. El Shaddai

Louis, Dony, Doudou and the entire ESMI crew has shown life saving leadership. They made snap decisions to rescue hundreds of orphans. And they are tirelessly working day and night in communities in the south in chaos. We need to continue equipping the ESMI church networks. So many of you know these men. They are amazing. We are humbled to serve with our brothers.

2. Vaval Family

Moise and family left for a family respite in the Dominican Republic. Moise Jr was busting at the seems when they left. Apparently, he never stopped. Moise said last night at bed time that Jr was still eating and jumping around.

Pray for some deep family unity and healing.

3. Renise

It’s definitely a girl! Mommy Fox took Renise for a sonogram. Renise has confirmed she wants her baby to be adopted into a family here in Haiti. And it seems the Lord may have brought to us the parents. We shall see soon! I’m awestruck at Renise’s transformation.

Today’s a full day! Here’s what’s going down:

1. Doing Rounds

Deliver to some of our circuit of orphanages that collapsed.

2. Start Calix Rebuild

Finalize the land details. The contractors are ready to rock.

3. Explore Fond Parisien New Village Site

We’re giving thought to a Fond Parisien village plant. Land’s there. Great location. Strong ag possibilities (Kevin and Janet – your new home??? Hmmmm?)

Exploring deeper today.

4. Cayes Support Planning

We’re lining up resources we can quickly access to take the ESMI work in the south to an even higher level.

5. Clothing Biz

We’re about to launch a school uniform business to (a) creat jobs, and (b) generate funds from biz to help pay for orphan care. More tomorrow on why the biz component is so critical in the relief and redevelopment effort.

6. Juli’s Home

Make final completion and move plans. Looks like Juli and her 47 will return home Saturday.

That covers about 60% of it. As Trace says, God’s doing with you there and us here what he did with the little boy’s lunch.

That’s all for now GO Family. It’s a great day to be alive in God’s grace.

Joe

Morning Activites at the Orphan Transition Village from The Global Orphan Project on Vimeo.

Haiti Update 3/2/10

From Joe Knittig live in Haiti:

A signature moment here at the OTV came late last night, when the Fox crew arrived. Renise had her hair all done up, and a cute sundress on – waiting for Momma Fox. When we pulled in, Renise knew what was happening. Giddy, she started jumping up and down. She stumbled in her flip-flops and fell on her bum, laughing hysterically the entire time. What a blessed re-union. Things are well here, and this allows us to focus hard on Cayes now and in the coming weeks.

Cayes is a mess. Louis and Dony and the entire ESMI crew are, as you’d imagine, leading with courage. It’s a true privilege to serve them.

Here is the good news… All of our children are safe.

Here is the bad news… This is a highly unusual flood, as it’s neither rainy season nor hurricane season. We have more than 400 displaced children from 3 villages: Cavaillon, Cherette, and Casa Major.

The Cavaillon children have been re-located to the clinic in Cayes. Pastor Nerva took the Cherette children to higher ground, where they have “settled” for now. Pastor Cloitaire has done the same with the Casa Major children. There will be large scale losses of food, clothing, and stuff. Stuff can be replaced. Kids cannot. So we’re thankful.

We have formed and launched (immediately upon the news of the flash flooding) a GO Project / ESMI relief effort. Obviously, priority one is getting the displaced children food, water, clothing, and shelter where they are – and resettling them elsewhere if and as necessary. That process is underway. Long Hollow, your container couldn’t be more perfect in its timing and content. About 3/4 of that container – shelter, clothing, emergency food rations – will immediately go to Cayes on Thursday or Friday (depending on when it hits here at the OTV).

We will keep you posted with more detail on Cayes as we receive it.

We continue to seek your prayers for our kids, for Louis, for Dony, for ESMI, for Cayes, and for all of Haiti.

Thanks for going deep with us!

Faithfully yours,

Joe

Haiti Update 3/2/10

From Joe Knittig live in Haiti:

Right now, if you’re like me, at least a part of you is thinking: “What’s the point?”

Hurricanes in ‘08. An earthquake hits in ‘10. Poor! Poor! No, extremely poor! Devastating. We rally with all that we have. The whole world does. Progress. The news fades a bit. Then Chile. And now, an “also ran” – an unusually brutal torrent and flood before Rainy Season in the south of Haiti. A flood that otherwise would have rightly garnered global headlines is a but a blip on the radar screen. We’re all a bit weary.

It’s just Haiti. Pathetic.

Do you speak or think these thoughts, as I sometimes do in the deep recesses of my mind?

Emotion has worn thin, and logic and self-interest invades.

But GO Family, here’s where God really shows-up: when we’re feeling a bit beaten down.

So what, exactly, is the point?

Here is the point. People matter to Jesus. We’re all that matter to Him. No matter what your bent. The people here – orphans here - concern Him a great deal. Ergo, they concern us. They concern us enough to give them what we can out of love. A home. Some food. Some water. Some clothes. Even if these things could get buried beneath rubble or swept away by water, they matter. They represent more than things. They represent our hearts.

And what’s at stake in taking these risks with our hearts? Money. Time. Some thoughts when staring at the back of our eyelids at night. Maybe some embarassment.

It’s so worth it. When love makes no earthly sense – when it brings about a crisis of belief – there we find the real Jesus who ignites a passion that spills over into every area of life.

So, if you’re still tracking this (or just starting), think of it this way: this is just as much about you as about them. Maybe Haiti, Malawi, Uganda, Cambodia have something for you.

Let’s see the river cards. We’re holding pocket aces in Christ.

Faitfully yours,

Joe

P.S. Cayes update coming tomorrow. Mixed bag. But the kids are OK!

Haiti Update: 2/27/10

From Joe Knittig live from Haiti:

I’m not sure what to make of this night. Really, we needed a late rainy season. Looks like an early one.

I have no further Cayes news. I do know several of our villages were impacted with sudden flash floods, and there’s sheer misery in Cayes. This weighs heavy on my heart, and confuses the mind. Should we just go there? And do what? How do we get there? Can we even get there? How is Louis? The kids? You get the point.

And at the same time, the kids greeted me hear with squeezy hugs that will melt your heart. The real extra tight kind. Pierre got into a little fight while I was gone. And he started it. He came right to me, hugged me, and then confessed that he wrongly started a fight. I explained forgiveness. He smiled. Great moment. And then we celebrated that his cast’s off. The kids are great. The team here is amazing. Wow!

Yet it’s flooding in Cayes. As I tap the keys now, it’s pouring here. Pouring. In my mind, I can hear the groan of a suffering people in refugee camps within sight of what were their homes. Are the kids in Cayes OK? Lord Jesus, protect them! I’m not sure what to make of this night. This much I know. Two tracks. God’s in control of both.

Blessed be the Name of the Lord Most High. We’ll talk more soon.

Haiti Update: 2/27/10

From Joe Knittig live from Haiti:

I just landed in Port-au-Prince and received word from Louis and Sharon St. Germain that rain and floods are pounding the south. The city of St. Louis du Sud is being evacuated. To where? Don’t know. Any higher ground. Louis reports that the streets of Cayes are flooding, and the rain continues. Word from Casa Major, Cavaillon are that the kids are dry and OK. We’ll provide more information when we have it. Please pray.

Haiti Update: 2/27/10

From Alan Dietrich live from Haiti:


Proverbs 13:20 ‘Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise…’


I’ve been richly blessed to know some spiritual giants in life – people who model what it is like to be a Christ follower by word and action regardless of circumstance. They are attractive by their character, and their life mission – to reach the lost, to disciple others, to help the needy – is as steady and constant as their breathing. One of these is our GO Haiti Field Director, Moise Vaval. He is a model ’servant leader’, and every single life matters much more to him than his own. Today, he will lead the funeral of his precious son, Jean Marc, at 2 pm edt. He shared wise words as we walked together on Friday: ‘Always serve at the feet of our Lord Jesus and love Him more each day’ – his life is a perfect example of this.

Haiti Update: 2/26/10

From Alan Dietrich live from Haiti:

Was filmed at University Hospital and Moise Vaval’s church by the 60 minutes TV crew this past week. Their producer and team are intelligent, talented and passionate about orphans (I’m sucking up). Actually, they really are, so my shots will end up on the cutting room floor (unless they go with the ‘beefcake/chippendales missionary’ angle I proposed – lol). Their story focuses on two core trajectories for orphaned and abandoned youth in Haiti: one of lost, desperate, violent youth and the other of hope in reunion and restoration in an orphan village. Neither of these have been well told before, both are actual realities in Haiti and the outcomes from each could not be farther apart. Could be a painting of the true impact of James 1:27 – we’ll keep you posted!

Haiti Update: 2/26/10

From Alan Dietrich live from Haiti:


A new family member at the Orphan Transition Village and in Heaven

Two precious lives forever changed by the earthquake in Haiti. The first is Jean Marc Vaval, the son of our dear Pastor Moise Vaval, GO Haiti Field Director. You’ve read that he had not been found since the quake. The excavation of his school where he had last been seen has been occurring, and we visited there yesterday. The massive structure was completely leveled, and the grounds covered in school papers. Jean Marc’s body was found and eventually taken to University Hospital. Though his body is there, we know that he is in heaven with our Lord and Savior. His parents are true faith heroes – serving orphans and their community tirelessly each and every day and night, including during this time of uncertainty, with grace and determination. Please lift up a prayer for their family.

And, from the same University Hospital, a new life begins. A ten year old boy, the only child in his family, named Jovani Michel, was returning home from the store with groceries for his mom when the earthquake struck. By the time he reached home, he found that his mother and father did not survive. He wandered to the grounds outside the Palace, which now lay in ruins as well, and slept outside the gates for several nights. Someone brought him to the University Hospital, where the clinicians and US Army soldiers serving there fed him and gave him a cot and sleeping bag, and called us. We are blessed to have a new, very energetic member of our family here at the OTV. And, the rest of his life on earth begins tonight in our care.

Monday Feb. 22, 2010

We promised some of you we would update you on Carrie Davidson's travels to the Transition Village. Her trip was post poned for 1 week. She'll now be leaving Feb. 28th. Carrie along with 2 other nurses will be helping to medically document the 500 new children. We'll keep you posted starting next Monday.

Haiti Update: 2/22/10

From Trace Thurlby live from Haiti:

Alan Dietrich and Moise are now running the Orphan Transition Village. Two Godly, gifted men, uniquely equipped for the business and ministry of caring for God’s kids. What a privilege to serve the King with them and call them “Brother.”

As I head home, I remember a conversation I had with Juli. Her 47 kids regularly lead worship at the village. All the while, their new permanent home is closer to being finished.

After hearing her kids worship for more than an hour one evening, I said, “Juli, your new house will become your home the night you all move in and sing your praises to God.”

She smiled. “Home is where people love you,” she said. “We’re excited about our new house, but because of your love, we’ve been home ever since we came here.”

This morning Moise was talking about the fact that we don’t know what tomorrow brings. With a 4.7 aftershock last night and other daily Haiti adventures, that truth of TODAY is easier to see here.

Moise continued, “Since we don’t know about tomorrow, we need to love all the people God brings into our paths today – family, friends, co-workers, people at church, neighbors, strangers.”

HOME. TODAY. I look forward to living out in Kansas City what God is showing me here in Haiti. Sitting in the airport I pray a prayer I learned from Mike Fox, “Dear Lord, please let me live long enough to come back to Haiti one more time.”

Thank you for making all of this happen! God is using you in a mighty way here to impact all of us – the kids, the adults, the entire GO Project family! And He has more work for us to do. We love you!

Haiti Update: 2/18/10

From Trace Thurlby live from Haiti:

Two days ago, a local ministry who ran a Christ-centered Saturday program for kids came to visit. They knew of 25 children in Delmas living in a tent community who were in great need. Aid is getting into the camp, but local power brokers, supposedly representing the people, weren’t distributing uniformly. Families/children, with little to offer these power brokers, found themselves at the end of the line.

The GO Project isn’t positioned or called to deal with corrupt men either. God will make a way.

Through local ministry leaders, we invited these children to church this morning. Chuck preached. Seven children gave their life to Jesus, and then, each child was given a bag of food that will feed their family for five days.

There will be a day in Haiti when an elaborate plan will not be necessary to feed their children. Until then, we’ll use every good idea, resource, and relationship to care for God’s kids. On behalf of 25 children and their families in Delmas, thank you for caring enough to find a way!

Haiti Update: 2/17/10

Spent a few bucks today on some sugar cane…O’Neill is getting the stalks ready for tonight’s movie (The Jesus Film in Creole). I think our kids have earned it.

On a serious note, I visited an orphanage in PaP today. They were short on food and sleeping on the street. We took them rice, beans, water, oil, three tents, and some mats.

Their orphanage was legit, but very urban. No land. No soccer balls. No kites. No singing…and very little Jesus. Laughter, smiles, and song were in short supply. I asked them about their local pastor…they didn’t know who he was.

God is blessing His GO Project kids (which includes us), in large part because God loves His bride (the Church). What’s going on here is not man made. I pray we never forget that.

Haiti Update: 2/17/10

From Trace Thurlby live from Haiti:

Two months ago, Dafka (18) lived with her Mom and sisters in Croix Des Bouquets. Her Dad worked for the Port Authority downtown. Dafka went to school and had a new boyfriend, Johnny (also 18).

Two weeks ago, Love a Child (an organization) called us and asked us to take Dafka. Dafka’s family died in the quake. She had no place to go. We were happy to give her a home.

Yesterday we learned that Dafka is a few months pregnant. Her boyfriend is in a clinic in the DR. His family is in tact. The question now is: will Johnny do the right thing?

This morning we learned that Johnny’s says he can’t help Dafka, because his arm is broken. Dafka, like many young pregnant girls, is hoping her boyfriend will turn out to also be a man – a strong, gentle man. Moise will graciously reach out to him and speak truth into his life.

If Johnny’s family embraces Dafka, the young couple will make a run of it together. Many of us have been there. If they balk, Dafka will stay in our GO Project family.

Your love will provide the foundation from which she can begin this new chapter. Your care points her to the care of her Father God. Your prayers will strengthen her.

Today, I saw five hundred women standing in a USAid line under the piercing sun. I saw a tent community whose abject poverty defies description.

I also saw food, shelter, and love given to those in great need in the name of Jesus. The movement of God’s hand is a beautiful thing! He’s using you to feed children, to spread hope, to reassure a scared 18-year-old girl that it’s going to be OK.

Haiti Update: 2/15/10

From Trace Thurlby, live from Haiti:

What’s in a smile?

Magana is a beautiful, 16-year old girl. If you look closely at this picture, you can see the top of a steel rod in her left leg. What you can’t see is that her right leg, crushed in the quake, is amputated below the knee.

She was initially treated on the U.S.S. Comfort; is now being cared for by Gillian, a Canadian physician at Love a Child (pictured to her right); and is close to being reunited with her family due to the help of a caring Haitian Pastor and our GO Project Field Director, Moise Vaval (pictured on her left). Moise is bringing hope and healing to Haiti in the name of Jesus. What a joy to watch him reach out to the hurting.

As we left, Magana today, we said, “Magana, Bonjay Benihou!” (God bless you!)

“AH-MEN!” she sang and flashed her priceless smile.

Every time I’m in Haiti, I’m in awe of the bigness of our God….by the purity of His love…by the resilience of our Haitian family, like Magana. Thank you for loving her! Thank you for helping her! Bonjay Benihou!

Haiti Update: 2/15/10

From Trace Thurlby, live from Haiti:

Many of you prayed and fasted with our Haitian brothers and sisters over the weekend. Last night Moise shared with me that he saw a real 2 Chron 7:14 moment for the country.

“If there is something good that came from this catastrophe, it is that God is taking over Haiti spiritually. I’ve been praying about this for years. At our church alone, 70 people gave their life to Jesus Christ over the last three days.” – Pastor Moise Vaval

New life was also witnessed over the weekend, as our little 13-year-old sister Renise went in for an ultrasound. She’s seven and a half months pregnant. Her daughter is due on April 17th. We’re working with local medical professionals to make sure Renise and her daughter get the care they need and deserve. Many of you have asked me, “What are the plans for Renise’s child?” All I am going to say for now is, “We see God moving in a powerful way to write a beautiful story.” More details to follow.

God is using you to make this new (spiritual and physical) life possible! And, He is faithful to complete what He starts. As they say in Haiti, Benny Swa Le Te Nel! Praise the Lord!

HAITI UPDATE: 2/14/10

If you’ve followed this blog, you’ve heard about James from time to time. James doesn’t know how old he is. He looks like he’s 4. A dentist looked at his choppers and said he’s probably 7. He acts like he’s 17.
After getting his head smashed by a block and undergoing surgery, James had a gash running from just next to his right eye alll the way up into his head. Shortly after the quake and his surgery, the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative delivered to us a groggy, bandagd Li’l James. We had sparingly little biographical info on James, though we did have a few leads.
James has miraculously healed, and become the Mayor of the Transition Village. He’s a great character. Funny. Joyful. Mischievous. Bright. Sweet. He has stolen the heart of every person who’s come to visit, and the entire staff at the OTV. To be honest, we’ve become emotionally attached to this little guy.
From the beginning, however, our first priority for the children entrusted to us has been to safely return them to family, if safe and at all possible. Even when re-unification is hard on us.
Our initial efforts at tracking James’ folks – if alive – proved fruitless. Last Friday, we decided to ramp up our efforts under the direction of Moise and I. This morning, a group of 10 people from the OTV took little James and hit the streets in the area where James was found.
On the way our driver called a friend, who met us on a street in the area. Then another joined us who knew the area. We drove deep into neighborhood where we believed James lived. At the top of a one-way we got out and started asking around. James was holding on to me with anticipation because he now remembers this is close to his home. A 10 yr old girl sees James, listens to us, and says that she knows someone who may know something about James’ family. We wind around and find a cousin. He points us further into the neighborhood. Moise follows a lead and disappears. Then he pops back to the rest of us with 3 ladies and a HUGE smile on his face. Who are the 3? James’ aunt, grandma, and mother! Can you believe it?! James beamed. The smile on his face was priceless. By the grace of God, a family was re-united one full month after the quake! By then, a crowd had gathered staring at the scene in utter disbelief. Moise prayed over the crowd to give thanksgiving. It felt so so good!
Today is day 3 of 3 of prayer and fasting. I don’t know all of the prayers the Lord has answered. We do know He’s answered many and many more answered prayers will come. And we credit Him with this victory for little James and his family.
We lost a precious little part of our village today. And the Kingdom gained a great big W.
Look, there’s a lot of tough stuff going on here in Haiti. But there are victories. They are daily. They are huge. And they inspire!
Count this as a Big One. Thanks for not quitting on James and his family. Au revoir, James. May God richly bless your life, little man.

Haiti Update: 2/12/10

ONE MONTH AFTER: Where are we GO-ing?


One month ago today, Haiti’s largest earth quake in 200 years rocked the country. With your support, we were on the ground in 48 hours. By God’s grace, all our Global Orphan Project children were okay. Within 72 hours our first food shipment secured a reliable pipeline for all 2,000 GO kids in Haiti…and for thousands more hurting, hungry, and in need of care.



We then focused on newly-orphaned and abandoned children. By day four, our Orphan Transition Village was operational; a safe place for desperate children fending for themselves. More than 500 new children have come into our GO Project family; some from orphanages destroyed by the earthquake. Others, like James (7), Pierre (10), Renise (13), Moliva and Rogelin (15), lost their parents one month ago.



These children pierce our hearts. We celebrated when Johnny and Franze reunited with family. We hurt when Pierre grieves the loss of his Mom. We see hope in their soccer games. We hear it in their songs. We feel it in their hugs. You are there with us. Your generosity to our Haiti relief fund feeds these children and gives them shelter. Your prayers protect them, and for many on our weekly teams, your presence blesses (may we even say ”spoils”) them?



We love that. We love you.



So, where do we GO from here? We will build new homes for these children. In partnership with the local church, we will bring them into our GO Project family. In the next few weeks, we will share with you specifics as to what homes will be built, where, and when. Many of you have already indicated that you are “in.” You will give these children a future grounded in the love of Jesus, and we trust God to bring more partners to this movement of care!



We are grateful for you. Press on!

Haitians Replace Carnival with Prayer: Haiti Update: 2/11/10

Join us in celebrating 3 days of prayer and fasting for Haiti.

As many may have heard, President Preval has cancelled a Haitian tradition held for decades, called Carnival (a Mardi Gras type celebration).

In place of this huge party an organized 3 day prayer and fasting event is set to start this Friday, February 12th, through Sunday the 14th, from 6AM to Noon each day.

What we are doing:

All children in Haiti under our care will fast and pray from 6am to 12 noon for their country
Adrien Lewis will lead our staff on the ground in prayer and fasting along with the children
No trucks will be unloaded during the prayer and fasting hours
Our GO Project team in the US will be praying and fasting as well
What can you do:

Organize your own prayer and fasting event
Get your church, school or business to hold a prayer and/or fasting event
Simply pray and fast along with us
We consider it a privilege to be working along side each of you to care for His kids! Our prayer is God will continue to heal Haiti for His glory.

Haiti Relief Update (2/10/2010)

From Mike Fox live from Haiti:

Our friends from World Vision showed up today with about 200 toys (big cars, balls, and dolls). Out of the blue, they pull up in an old, ratty truck full of toys. Just like Santa.
The kids lined up. Renise, our 13-year-old who came to us five months pregnant, got to go first. She picked up the biggest doll and went and hid it. She named her doll Jennifer.
Renise is just a child. It breaks my heart knowing she doesn’t fully understand all that is going on. A young girl comes to us via a UNICEF phone call, incredibly alone. Now she is smothered in love by a bunch of strangers. Transformed. Remarkably alive. Her little belly growing each day. God created her for this moment. This moment to break my heart even deeper for the little girls like sweet Renise who have to put their entire future in the lives of strangers. I don’t pretend to know how this will play out, but God does. We have to trust Him.

Haiti Relief Update (2/10/2010):

From Joe Knittig live from Haiti:

A 60 Minutes crew has been with us for about 10 days. And they’ve been great to deal with, and have taken a shine to the work. They love the kids. And they look to help advance the chains outside of “the story.” They did exactly that yesterday.

Remember the call about the 100 children in La Gonave? Well, we never got another call to know whether or not they would be carried here. The 60 Minutes crew hopped on a boat yesterday morning and went to La Gonave. They asked a bunch of questions. And, sure enough, they found the location. There’s an orphanage there with 100 children. Their home is in tact. They’ve just been struggling to find any food. Yesterday, when the crew arrived, the kids were eating the last of their rice. Tomorrow? Unknown.

This morning, Adrien and Moise packed a month + of food, along with tents, meds, and bedding for the La Gonave children. The 60 Mins crew is taking them to the home. They should be arriving right about now. I can only imagine the scene.

Back here at the OTV, a container Ed Barber packed arrived. This was a fun one to get! Lumber, generators, tools, tents, tarps, meds, powdered milk, diapers, baby formula, clothes. Christmas in February! As I write, I can hear Tate and his crew going to town building shelves.

This afternoon will include at least 2 more new site visits – orphanages with kids in trouble.
And we’re working with El Shaddai on launching a major front in Leogane (the center of the quake, and a city that was about 85% destroyed). It will be a new village plant under the big top – a giant 200′ X 60′ tent, to include a school for 750 kids.

Speaking of schools… Expanding existing schools and building new ones in connection with our villages will be a major focus of our near and long term relief efforts. In Haiti (like most countries of extreme poverty), there are true orphans (lost their parents) and economic orphans (abandoned because parents’ poverty starves them). Pre-quake, the margin between the two was slim. Now the margin is non-existant. In the coming months, there will be scores of thousands of children abandoned by relatives from the unbearable weight of poverty.

Instead of just expanding residential orphan care, we need to reach economic orphans and their families and mitigate the coming tide of abandoned children. A key platform for our effort will be expanding existing and building new schools within our children’s villages. Those schools will include a 1 meal per day feeding program, which will run year round.
In a village with 100 orphans in residential care, we can reach another 400 more kids on the brink of becoming orphans. In listening closely to Haitians who know the grassroots problems, and learning over the years, we’re convinced this is a key intervention for the children of Haiti.

Expect to see very soon opportunities to take part in a GO Schools program as part of our ongoing relief and redevelopment effort.

OK, let’s get out of the high minded stuff for a minute. Pierre’s here sitting next to me. He’s real happy – almost giddy – today. He scored a flashlight and coloring book. He can’t stop giggling. And he has the greatest laugh. Pierre says to tell you all: “Bonjou! Mwen remen ou.”

So there you go. 100 kids at La Gonave have a special and necessary surprise coming; Leogane’s on deck; schools are coming; Pierre’s giggling.

Joe

Haiti Relief Update (2/9/2010):

From Mike Fox, Founder, live from Haiti:

I am no expert in international rescue and relief. Nor do I pretend to possess but a minimal understanding of the Haitian culture. Additionally, I have not seen a television report about Haiti since my January 16 arrival to Croix de Bouquets. However, I know what I have seen. After personally experiencing 3 1/2 weeks in Croix de Bouquets directly following the earthquake, I have had many opportunities to observe different people and how they reacted to this disaster.

First, regardless of what the media may try to portray, the Haitian people are already rebuilding. They are rebuilding their homes. They are rebuilding their churches and businesses. But more importantly they are already rebuilding their lives. Kender, our 25 year old Haitian operations manager at the Go Project transition village shared this with me two days ago “the Haitian people must move forward. My generation will forever remember the earthquake. We will tell our children but they did not experience it. Then the next generation will know nothing about it. It will pass. We need to move forward.”

Secondly, the international relief effort is a testimony to mankind. Literally tens of thousands of people from around the world had to fight hard just to get here. It was not an easy task. Both the seaport and airport were restricted. But they got here nonetheless. Each and everyone of them mattered. Sure, a lot of redundancy and chaos surfaced but it always has in times of international crisis and it always will. This type of relief always takes too many meetings and far too many assessments. But in the end, goodness prevails. People really care or they wouldn’t be here.

Finally, the staff and volunteers of the Global Orphan Project are undeniably the “best in class”. When it really mattered, you came through. When the ditch was deep you waded though it. When fatique wanted to take you down you fought through it. Whatever it took you did it. Day and night. Tirelessly. Every single one of you matter. Those that have left family and jobs and traveled to the transition village are no more important than any one of us that gave a set of bedsheets, a box of diapers or ten bucks. We all need to do our part. You did.

The dust is settling over Haiti and recovery has began. Thanks to each of you for making this possible.

Haiti Relief Update (2/8/2010):

From Joe Knittig, live from Haiti:

It’s been a busy couple of days here.

We’ve started caring for 87 children at a damaged orphanage. It was a mess. After 24 hours with food and water we brought yesterday, Madame Paul’s children looked much better. We brought them some tents and bedding. Madame Paul, a powerhouse 70 year old Haitian woman, broke down in tears. She asked us to pray that God will keep giving her strength. So I pass that request to you.

Last night, we returned 25 children to their home community, Portail Leogane. Moise’s church helped them home. We provided tents and food. Wow!

Sounds great, right?

Yes and no.

Yes, because these children should be with family who loves them. No, because many of these parents are in such bad shape that they can barely handle themselves. Many of these children are leaving a solid and safe environment and going to squalor. But, they will be with family. That’s how the Lord intended last night. We will continue to monitor and help.

I’d love to tell you that every re-unification has a fairy tale ending. Many do! And we praise God. The truth is, some are heartbreaking. Still, we praise God.

As I’ve been saying, life here’s running on 2 tracks.

As 25 went home with confused emotions, the rest geared-up to watch Shrek. Movie night #2 was another smash.

Joseph, a pastor who’s been helping us, heard about movie night. He asked to come with his kids. Of course we invited him. At 6:30, Joseph showed with a TRUCKLOAD of kids – orphans he and his wife care for. They filed in, all in a row, enchanted at the glow on the wall and what it would become. Just kids. Great stuff.

Today started slow. Our OTV leaders under Moise – Kender, Carmelle, Gladys, and Jeanette – readied for another day. I spent the morning in what’s become a daily ritual: meeting with people at the gate who run orphanages in trouble, and deciding who’s told “no” and who warrants a visit.

This afternoon, the help loop ran. We went to 4 children’s homes out of food to re-load them. This has become routine such that we almost forget the privilege of this service.

One home reminded us…

We stepped in to a sweet little home. Husband. Wife. 9 orphans. 1 family. They had a beautiful home. No food. We stocked ‘em with food and water, and just hung out for about 10 minutes. There was such peace there. It melted away our tensions. Exhale. Whewwww. Selah.

Then the email popped. Here’s the report: 100 orphaned children in La Gonave (island off PaP) are starving to death. The Army wants to helicopter them out as early as tomorrow, but they’ve nowhere to take them. Will we take them?

Answer: YES.

We immediately started scrambling. Some prepped shelter and bedding for 100. Moise got to work with Gladys planning for more mommas and cooks. Mike and I met with our friends at the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative, with whom we’ve been partnering here. They’re ready to send a medical team to help with intake.

Adrien’s ready to get on a boat @ 6 am to La Gonave to help.

Our blood’s pumping. This is why we’re here.

And another call… Now the situation’s unclear. Choppers may land to offload 100 broken children tomorrow. Then again, maybe not.

Crazy.

Now it’s 10:30. We’re just pulling into the OTV. Just got done rushing one of our girls to HHI – she had a seizure.

Amidst all of this, our first group trip ended today. My Lord, did they do a great work lifting these kids!

I’m headed out of the car and up to bed.

Thanks for making this possible.

Goodnight.

Haiti Relief Update (2/7/2010):

From Joe Knittig, live from Haiti:

We got to the home with 87 children today. It’s a bad, but not hopeless situation. The children have a strong, Godly woman leading them. Madame Paul is about 70, and her strength in Christ and raw physical strength makes her one impressive force.

She does need help. We brought her an ample supply of food. We’ll bring tents and the children clothes when our next container arrives. Her place is physically secure, so cleaning up the conditions and helping where they are is the best option.

Here’s what’s unbelievable about her situation. Madame Paul said Unicef visited twice, as well as other aid organizations, to “assess.” And they left the children as they found them! It’s outrageous.

Tonight was real tough. Pierre has had a terrible night. He kept screaming in pain. His stomach. Now his leg (he has a broken femur). Now his other leg. With the help of some terrific Haitian nurses, Pierre calmed for awhile.

Then the real problem surfaced… For 30 minutes straight, Pierre beat his mattress and screamed for his mommy.

What do you do?

The love of Christ is a constant, deep, persevering love. That’s what Pierre needs. From us. And, by the grace of God, that’s what we’ll give.

Haiti Relief Update (2/5/2010):

From Joe Knittig, live from Haiti:

REDEMPTION

That’s our Lord Jesus. That’s what we see here. Yes, that’s the word.

We’re in the poorest country in the Western hemisphere; in uncharted waters; amidst mind boggling oppression. And the human Spirit breathed by Christ Jesus before time began triumphs here in “throw away” children.

A 13 year old orphan child slave, gang raped and pregnant: she smiles and will look you in your eyes if you’re patient.

A 10 year old with a shattered femur who watched his family perish: he beams when you sign his cast.

A 15 year old boy who lost his parents 3 weeks ago: he joyfully carries Beth Fox’s birthday cake to her tonight.

Sister Marie from The Little Sisters of St. Theresa has lost everything, can’t feed 100 kids, and comes humbly for help: the Body transcends denominational bunk to make sure children facing death eat.

47 children prayed under a mango tree when their home collapsed: that prayer saved their lives, and tonight they sleep in safety.

The most dynamic stories of Redemption occur when oppression exerts extreme, acute pressure. Explosions of divine triumph echo through the valley of the shadow of death, and shout new life into existence.

We see much hope for Haiti. We see much hope for the world. And this hope has the name Jesus.

I want to tell you what a privilege it is to walk this walk with all of you right now. I’m tired of the name Jesus suffering from perversion and empty talk. Our God is One of unconditional love and grace. He is generous. He is Love – of the most radical, selfless, infectious kind.

REDEMPTION.

That’s the word.

We’re seeing it. And you’re bringing it.

It’s a privilege to serve with all of you in the GO Family.

Haiti Overview (11:00 AM cst 2/4/10)

From Trace Thurlby, live from Washinton, DC:


God is using Jimmy Dodd and Bob Hogdon to allow us to tell His Haiti stories in DC today. Anyone who doesn’t struggle with the contrast between a Haitian orphanage and a Senator’s office either isn’t paying attention or isn’t emotionally invested. Yet, we are grateful for the heart to help we see in the highest levels of government, and we will willingly go wherever God leads to care for His children. Championing His kids is our privilege and our calling!

In Haiti, most of us don’t speak enough Creole to order dinner. We need our local church partners in every aspect of work. They enable us to go, do, and love in ways we never could on our own. Here, in the US, God has given us relationships, opportunities, and resources that our Haitian brothers and sisters don’t have.

This is no accident. Our mission to care for God’s kids around the world requires partnership. Partnership leads to friendship. Friendship to love, and love to the heart of God…the heart of God back to caring for His kids. It’s a wonderful, messy, familial web.

From a Senator in DC to a housewife in KC; from a Nebraska nurse to a Nashville businessman; from a Wall Street Trader to a Port Au Prince pastor, we are in this together…caring for God’s kids.

But, be careful! In the process God may just pierce your heart and “ruin you for the average.” We love it when that happens! We love you! Press on!

Haiti Overview (7:51 AM cst 2/4/10)

From Pastor Jimmy Dodd, Pastorserve:

•The Government is reporting that the number of displaced people ranges from 800,000 to one million.

•No matter how much food hits the shores of Haiti , distribution is the key to keep more people from dying. Without that, the volume of aid becomes an impressive but meaningless statistic.

•The United Nations continues to operate with little or no input from Haitian leadership. Haitian leaders are ready to serve. More than 1200 Haitian pastors who survived the earthquake and are ready to serve – but are not being asked. In short, the number one problem appears to be the ineffective use of the local indigenous church. Allowing Haitian pastors into the distribution process would result in an immediate dramatic uptick in results.

•We are moving out of Phase I of the earthquake aftermath. The vast majority of Haitians have either been treated or they are dead. Phase II (the next three to four months) will be to provide ongoing medical care, establish temporary housing and stabilize effective food and water distribution – but, Phase II will also bring a public health crisis with problems such as cholera and dehydration. Phase III will begin to address long term issues such as infrastructure and rebuilding. No doubt, the ongoing health crisis will be at a critical level.

•Food and supplies are still bottle necked at the airport and port. On January 19th, President Clinton lamented the absence of any effective distribution system in Haiti. Since then a voucher system has been implemented allowing women to receive food and water. Yet, many Haitians continue to go without.

•Security is commonly cited as the reason for the distribution bottleneck. There are not enough UN security forces to provide adequate support. Yet, from all NGOs in Haiti I have heard one resounding theme – Security is not an issue.

•The World Health Organization has effectively distributed medical supplies. Yet, food and water are not being distributed. The message is wildly inconsistent.

•Electricity remains unstable which has hindered earthquake relief assistance. Fortunately, the fuel crisis is now passed. Fuel tankers are everywhere in Port-au-Prince .

•In short, the perfect is in the way of the good. Right now, 50% right is better than nothing. There are ways around the airport and port crisis. Supplies can be delivered to the Dominican Republic and trucked into Haiti.

Haiti Update (4:43 PM cst 2/3/10)

From Joe Knittig, live from Haiti:

On the way to the Village with 47 more little beauties.

What a ride this crew has had. Quake hits. Destroys home. They flee – all the way to the DR. Now they come to us at the Transition Village, for a season. The GO Project will build them new homes and resettle them with a head start to their next chapters of their blessed stories.

Our caravan of cars looks like a Shriners’ parade. Kids packed in cars.

I’m holding a little one now in the back of a truck. Probably 1 year old. She just fell asleep. Long day. Great day.

Haiti Update (9:23 AM cst 2/3/10)

From Joe Knittig live from Haiti:

This is a big day. Here’s what’s happening so far (and it’s not even 10 am):

A truck of supplies arrived at 6:30 – unloaded.
We’re readying for the arrival of 47 children and caretakers today.

Several others will likely come from other places.
We received a report of 2 orphanages in PAP that crumbled in the Jan 12 quake. 591 children. 28 confirmed dead. 64 unaccounted for (likely under the rubble). The rest are living under hung sheets – no help since the quakes. We’re on the way to these sites now with emergency food and to assess.

The influx of people into Gonaives is creating big problems. Increasing death from infections. Scads of kids (many of whom were orphaned pre-quake and are really in bad shape). We have govt request and approval to bring 240 into care immediately. We pulled the trigger on that this morning. 80 children in each of 3 locations in Gonaives.

NOTE: We need VILLAGE and HOME sponsors for these 3 locations!

So, our efforts in our post quake emphasis on orphaned and abandoned children:

Transition Village – more than 250 children in; staff of 35 (all Haitian) busting their butts; rapidly approaching 300 plus.
Gonaives – 240 children coming in effective immediately.
PAP – 500 new children being assessed – disposition unknown.
Other than that, not much going on.

Last night, Calix broke down crying tears of joy before he and his children went to bed. For the first time since everything changed, they were going to bed in a home and knew they would wake with food waiting.

We sat out listening to kids singing – the most mesmerizing sound of joy. Tonight, the sound will be at least 47 louder.

GO Family, we’re just starting. We could not do this without your generous and sustained partnership.

Merci!

Joe

Haiti Update (5:53 PM cst 2/2/10)

From Joe Knittig live from Haiti:

We’re getting more and more kids with broken bones and stitches.

We will open existing trips to add a doc and/or a nurse to serve at the clinic.

Guys, the kids are rockin’ tonight! You wouldn’t believe the Majesty.

T, Aslan is, indeed, on the move! It’s downright discombobulating.

Alan and Denise, wait til you see!

Haiti Update (12:30 PM cst 2/2/10)

From Joe Knittig live from Haiti:

This morning we set out to pick up Calix and the children at Bon Repost. A big, 24-foot box truck led our convoy. We needed it to pick up their beds and belongings.

This is a little different than my family’s move from Johnson to Platte Country. This move brings life to 34 little ones.

Now, we’ve got’em! 34 kids coming back to our GO Project Orphan Transition Village right now! We’re all in the back of a tap-tap eating dust. The kids are singing and clapping – overjoyed to be out of the refugee-camp hell hole where they’ve lived since the quake. For the first time in days, they won’t have to worry about what is for dinner or whether they will be safe tonight. Soon, they’ll be playing soccer, flying kites, and singing praises with their GO Project brothers and sisters…all because of your giving, your generosity! God is using you to care for His kids! Thank you!

Welcome to the family, Calix and crew! We’re so glad you’re here.

Haiti Update (11:45 PM cst 2/1/10)

From Joe Knittig live from Haiti:

Here’s some great news! We have 36 more children coming to start a new life tomorrow; 47 more on Wednesday. And more to follow! You are moving the chains, GO Family.

Today, I want to take you deeper into the great God stories coming out of Haiti. This will hammer home the point that faith, risk, generosity, and reliance upon God are necessities – not feel good punch lines.

We’ve spent the last 48 hours battling the Calix Syndrome. It has been tough, and a great victory.

The Calix Syndrome:

A strong man, Calix, and his wife care for 36 orphans at Bon Repost. They rent a house for the children. Quake hits. Bon Repost crumbles. The home is totalled. Mercifully, the kids survive. They’re living outside with no security, no shelter, no help. No aid is getting to Bon Repost.

We find Calix and the children late at night, 3 days after the quake, with the kids wriggling together like a litter of kittens. The kids are hungry. They have only a cup of flour. We show up with food. Praise God.

But what now?

Food won’t last there; everyone still needs to eat in the days and weeks ahead. The whole community is starving. Merely having food without security means danger. Are 36 orphans going to fight off adults starving to death?

Days later we return. We invite Calix to bring his children to safey at the Transition Village. He has the children get on the truck to go. Then off. Then on again. Then off. The kids need the help. But Calix is overwhelmed and scared. He and the children stay put.

Calix is scared to death of traffickers. He doesn’t know us. And kids get shuttled and sold here in Haiti. Does he take a risk with us? Does he let them die where they are?

So the kids go hungry again. No more food. The children start talking about dying. Calix prays. We go back for the third time with more food. Calix is a broken man. 3 weeks into this, he realizes that he won’t wake up to find this is just a bad dream. It is now reality.

So we bring Calix to see the village. We now have his budding trust. We explain again. We want to bring the kids to safety, for a season. We want to help them safely resettle with him – with the family in tact. This takes time. We can’t snap our fingers and make things perfect. But we can help.

Finally, Calix gets it. And fortunately, it’s not too late. Tomorrow morning, 36 new miracles join us.

Do you want to know what made it click? Calix knows we’ll stick with he and the kids through resettlement.

So here is the Calix Syndrome if left unchecked…
Disaster + Extreme Poverty + Orphan Care = Confusion, Denial, Languishing Death.

So many here caring for orphans suffer from the Calix Syndrome. They’re hurting.

To overcome this, we rely upon the Lord and you. We must go deep with Calix and the kids, and follow through to a homecoming resettlement. That is not “aid.” It’s relationship. Restoration is the Promise!

Thanks for going deep with us – for the long haul.

What an opportunity the Lord has given us!

Faithfully yours,

Joe

NPR REPORTS FROM OUR TRANSITION VILLAGE:

Orphanages Collect The Displaced

At the Eben Ezer children’s village in the countryside east of Port-au-Prince, new children arrive every day — more than 100 since the earthquake. Kids laugh and yell as they play soccer in a dirt field. It’s almost hard to tell how much they’ve been through.

Read more here

Haiti Update (8:37AM PM CST 1/31/10)

Via Joie Knittig Live from Haiti:

Oh what a night…

Here’s what went down. We didn’t pick up another crew of children. We learned that the kids are at a hospital. Right this minute, we’re at the hospital to meet w a friend there and the Medical Director. This level of due diligence is required. We’ll keep you posted.

We made 3 runs to 3 destroyed orphanages late in the night. 138 children total out of food and water. By the grace of God, we were right on time to stock em up.

Yesterday was Pierre’s bday. That boy was in tall cotton. We gave him a harmonica. He can’t play worth a darn (yet), but he’s loving it. A CBS producer asked Pierre what he thinks of where he’s staying. He beamed. ”I love it.” Love what? ”Everything.”

That’s not a goofy “everything’s peachy” self promotion. There are kids here who are struggling, hard. Pierre’s testimony speaks to this: good and loving and reliable is a home run for these kids. Perfection isn’t required.

We have a few huge days ahead of us at the Transition Village. We’ll keep you up to date.

This is all of our work, together. Can’t thank you enough. Keep pushing. And know you’re helping bring a LOT of joy to the bottom rungers in this mess.

Talk later…

Joe

Haiti Update (5:21 PM cst 1/30/10)

From Joe Knittig, via Haiti:

A day of transition at the Transition Village…

Trace is headed home. T, you’re an amazing leader. Godspeed, bud.

I arrived back on the scene early this morning. We spent the better part of the day testing what’s working and what’s not; and adjusting. Strong.

Now it’s time to move again. We got an urgent call to help a crew of children in PAP. We’ll head out in 15 mins.

I’ll keep you posted.

Haiti Update (5:08 PM cst 1/29/10)

From Trace Thurlby, via Haiti:

One our kid’s kites was just whipping around high above their GO Project home. I wish you could see them make these contraptions of sticks, rice bag string, creativity, and persistence. I smile every time I see one.

Beth brought home two, new daughters today. Jessica, 17, and Valentine, 16, have been at Love a Child healing center since the earthquake. Now they are better and had to leave. They had no family to take them. No place to call home. Until now. They are part of our GO Project family.

Imagine bringing two teenagers that never met you into your family on a Friday night. There are some challenges, but nothing love won’t overcome in time. Your love is what they will see in smiles of the others here. Your love is what they’ll hear in the laughter and song from our GO Project brothers and sisters. In it all, we’ll introduce them to the love of their Father. Welcome to the family, Jessica and Valentine! We’re so glad you’re here!

Haiti Rescue Update (1/29/2010 7:58 am CST)

Via Joe Knittig;

“Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them. Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’ When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there.” Matt 19:13-15

God is showing a divine creativity in bringing the children.

I’m on my way back from KC to the Village. And a funny thing happened on the way to the forum…

Mike Fox and I met a guy from Cypress about a year ago. He introduced us to a new GO friend from Australia, who now lives in San Francisco. That’s Bobbi Dunphy. Bobbi has a friend, a doc, serving now at a hospital in PaP. The doc has a problem. There are 10 orphans at the hospital with nowhere to go. Doc wants to help – he is compelled to help – but doesn’t know where to turn. Doc connects with Bobbi. Bobbi connects with us. We’ll take these little ones, and welcome them with a hot meal and lots of love. God willing, we’ll have them tomorrow.

Let them come, Lord.

We all have our roles to play, huh? We wouldn’t know of these children without the Cypress to Australia to San Francisco to Haiti to GO connections. We couldn’t greet them without your backing. And someone out there is going to sponsor a village that these children will call home. Individually, we’re in way over our heads. Collectively, we’re right on. That’s faith ALIVE. Thank you!

Please pray that there’s no interference to hinder these children coming to receive a new chance.