Embrace Haiti

Adult Education - New Initiative

2012-02-02T20:14:00.000-08:00

The Haitian literacy rate is less than 55% and even lower in the more rural areas like the village in which we are working in Bayaha. Here there are very real and very large obstacles to education for children, but for adults who may have never had good access to education, it could be nearly impossible to conceive. As we all know, education is the key to a better future regardless of what corner of the world you may reside. That is no different for Haitians. When Plant With Purpose visited Garrot, Bayaha a few months ago, it became even more obvious how important a better educated population is to the prospect of improved economic development and a better standard of living in this community.

Upon announcing the Adult Education Initiative within the village last month, we very quickly had 50 men and women registered to attend these classes for basic literacy and math. We believe they would have kept coming, but this is the maximum size for our first class. It's encouraging to see their desire to learn. They are responsible for supplying their own pencil and notebooks and we supply the teachers.

Here is the first class of adults, whom we are so excited to have join our newest program...

A Day of Thanks

2012-02-02T19:38:00.000-08:00

The local pastor recently held a celebration in the new building to mark it's completion and thank God for His many blessings. Pastor Norck reached out to churches in surrounding communities and invited everyone to come celebrate a new beginning in the village and give praise. It was a remarkable image to see so many Chrisitans come together in a place where once only a thatched roof and four wooden posts had stood.

A beautiful scene of thanks giving and hope restored...

Growing a School

2012-02-02T11:21:00.000-08:00

This fall the school grew for the first time in three years. We now have 65 children enrolled between pre-school and third grade. This was an exciting step for us and the village, especially considering it coincided with the addition of 22 new children joining the local Haitian National School. That means altogether 40 new children are learning that weren't able to attend school just a few months ago. We owe it all to a beautiful group of women who love God and gave generously when they heard the call. Something about dozens of children watching from a far while others were being fed and educated, just didn't sit right with these ladies and then they realized they could actually do something to change that.

God is working on the hearts in this village and the hearts of the people right here amongst us. He's painting a new picture for a community which once lacked all hope.

Thank you, Ladies of The Loft!

Twenty-two children joined the Haitian National School

(the concept of smiling for photos hasn't quite taken hold yet)

The children who joined our school holding their new uniforms

(some perhaps a little camera shy)

Much needed school books and supplies

and uniforms for all!

Pathway to Change

2012-01-27T06:36:00.000-08:00

We would like to say "thank you" to Plant With Purpose, http://www.plantwithpurpose.org/, who flew in this past weekend to conduct a two-day workshop at TWUMC for our Embrace Haiti team. During the course of the workshop, representatives from San Jacinto Baptist, Huntersville Presbyterian, and The Woodlands United Methodist Church came together to develop a "Pathway to Change" for Bayaha/Garrot. It was a huge success and the team has a clearer vision of how to partner with Haiti to impact sustainable change in the village, beyond the efforts already in place. For more information or if you would like to help in some way, please contact Dea Scogin at deascogin@gmail.com.

Announcing 2012 Trip Dates

2011-12-12T16:28:00.000-08:00

We'll have teams traveling back to Haiti during the following dates in 2012, May 4-12 and October 19-27. We hope you can be a part of them! To learn more or to reserve your spot, please contact Dea Taylor at deascogin@gmail.com or 281.788.0999. Space is limited.

Coming Soon: Embrace Haiti Christmas Donation Cards

2011-11-15T09:31:00.000-08:00

If you would like to make a donation to Embrace Haiti on behalf of a loved one this Christmas season, please contact Julie Trushenski at rjtrushen@aol.com to make your contribution and to order your donation card(s).

Experiences Not Soon Forgot (October 2011 Trip)

2011-10-27T11:39:00.000-07:00

How do you begin to describe one of the best weeks of your life by trying to squeeze it in to a few short paragraphs? That's the problem -- words can't do justice to the experience that Haiti gives you.

I've said it before and I will say it again: people go to Haiti thinking they are going to work on Haiti, but the reality is Haiti ends up working on you! First, you lay judgement aside and then allow yourself to see the people instead of the poverty. The people are lovely, respectful, strong and resilient. Through it all they continue to carry on and we can certainly learn a lot from them.

Two and a half years after I first visited this remote village and saw a sense of dispair and hopelessness, I returned this month to find seeds of hope and smiles on kids faces. One in particular wouldn't stop smiling...

A few highlights include...We helped paint the new community building that currently serves as both a church and a school for 50 children. We started a new latrine on the school grounds and delivered 200 packs of seeds to help support the community co-op garden.

We visited people in and around the village in an effort to build relationships. During those visits we encountered a woman who had just given birth to her baby at home in her hut three days prior. What a joy to see the baby and congratulate her on her precious gift!

We also met a 65 year old woman who raised 10 children, having all gone off to school and she now cares for her elderly neighbors -- just the way community was intended.

Outside the village we saw walls going up around a church that our partners, New Life Haiti, help support. The construction was made possible through a gift from Church Project in The Woodlands, TX. Our team also was invited to help deliver food to elderly shut-ins, which was a powerful experience. We visited a new hospital for spinal cord patients, many of whom were injured in the 2010 earthquake, then we walked through a Cholera Clinic to learn about what can and is being done to treat victims. Finally, we got to visit the special needs orphanage and see Baby Grace, a mircle baby who survived a severe case of hydrocephalus and is now all smiles.

Another important part of our trip was looking for ways to help connect people in need to whatever local resources may be available. Baby Modelin from our village was born with a cleft palate. Through the efforts of our partnership and Mr. Len Morris, he was able to get the first surgery done to close his lip, however was not strong enough for the second surgery to close his palate. We found a resource for him in Children of The Promise where he has since been taken in and will be cared for until he is strong enough for the next surgery. It seemed so clear that he wouldn't make it if his severe malnutrition was left unchecked. Modelin's parents have hope for him and so do we.

During our trip we took time to meet with all of our Haitian staff who keep things going year round. It helped us gain insight in to how things work and what things should change. This included the Pastor, Community Development Liasion, Teachers, Cooks, and Nurse. We also had the unique opportunity to meet with people who participate in the community co-op garden and a large group of men in whom we recognized some pivotal changes ocurring. Our goal is to come alongside this community to help them identify their strengths and abilities to affect changes based on their own will and determination. Change from the inside out, if you will. Holistic and lasting changes they themselves will continue to carry forward. Last month these men met with an organization called Plant With Purpose (Floresta Ayiti) whose job it was to assess the village for the potential for economic and agricultural growth. The men's response when we talked with them was a simple thank you for helping them see how they could work together and for bringing them closer to God. It was the breakthrough we had hoped for and a powerful message from the village leaders.

Despite all the encouraging things we witnessed during this week, we know there is still much work ahead. In the coming months we hope to build a new kitchen (the old one hardly qualifies as a kitchen!), connect with groups who might be able to help build a bridge over the river that isolates villagers during the rains, start an adult education class for the illiterate men and women in the community, and explore ways to get more of the village kids in school. There are an estimated 70 kids who are not attending school, but after researching the National School we have learned that with a simple uniform and school books/supplies, many of these kids could be admitted. I hope people feel empowered by knowing that $100 could send a child in Haiti to school for a year!

The Embrace Haiti team is made up of many people just like you who give their time, talents, and wisdom to a project that wouldn't be what it is without them. We are eternally grateful!

God Bless,

Dea Taylor

A Unique Experience: Mosaic Class Benefiting Embrace Haiti

2011-07-13T20:38:00.000-07:00

Embrace Haiti is offering a special Mosaic Class on Wed, July 27 from 10:00 – 12:00 at TWUMC. It will be taught by a talented artist, Shelley Alexander, whose work has been displayed at TWUMC, and in conjunction with Art with Vision. Anyone who registers a week in advance can also receive free childcare via the church nursery. The cost of the class is $25 and ALL the proceeds go to support our efforts in Haiti.

Click this link to learn more and register online:

http://www.thewoodlandsumc.org/news/2011-06-21/mosaic-class

Announcing Our October 2011 Trip

2011-07-07T19:48:00.000-07:00

The dates have been set for our next trip to Haiti. It will be October 7-15, 2011. If you are interested or have questions, please contact Jane Jordan, 281.297.5900 or jjordan@twumc.org

The team will spend time in the village of Bayaha, helping with the school and working with the children. Some painting and planting may be involved, as well. The team will also visit and assist with a new orphanage that is currently under construction. There will be opportunities to bond with the local Haitians and share the love of Jesus.

Good Things Come to Those Who Wait...

2011-07-07T19:39:00.000-07:00

Specifically, a ROOF, and it is up!

Rafters up; before and after of the old school and now the new!

A sight for sore eyes!

Americans and Haitians have collaborated on the construction of the new school.

One word: Hallelujah!

It took quite a bit longer than expected, but the roof is finally up on the village community building. Speaking of expected, we never expected many of the things that have happened in the past two years, but none of the challenges have deterred us or derailed the vision for this village - the vision to educate the children and transform the village.

Come this Fall, 50 school children will be attending classes in an actual school building for the first time. As they leave their thatched canopy - the only school they have ever known - behind, we are excited to see what God has in store for this community and how many more children will be educated within the walls of this new building.

It's not finished, much still needs to be done, but progress has been made and progress will continue so long as we all collectively work together, sharing, giving, sacrificing, and loving the people of Bayaha. They have hope for a better future. Pray God uses us to that end. He is the only thing that has got us this far and He is our one true hope!

Another LWI Health & Hygiene Training

2011-07-07T19:01:00.000-07:00

LWI Health & Hygiene Training will be offered in The Woodlands on August 5-6 and again on November 18-19. Learn more and sign-up at http://water.cc/living-water/health-and-hygiene/

Living Water Health & Hygiene Training

2011-01-13T11:45:00.000-08:00

LWI Health & Hygiene Training will be offered in The Woodlands on February 18-19. Learn more and sign-up at http://water.cc/living-water/health-and-hygiene/

Embrace Haiti Alternative Giving Christmas Cards

2010-12-14T20:19:00.000-08:00

Do you know somebody who has everything? Or perhaps you are tired of shopping for trinkets at Christmas and are looking for a way to give with meaning. No need to shop any further... Embrace Haiti has beautiful Christmas cards available as an alternative gift. In return for a donation of your choosing, you will recieve a lovely card that you can give as a gift. Don't stop at one -- just think of all your favorite people who would be touched to know that you made a donation on their behalf -- friends, family, neighbors, teachers, the list goes on and on!

100% of your tax deductible donation will go to help support economic development in Bayaha, Haiti. Minimum recommend donation is $5 per card.

Cards are available at Grace Point Book Store (TWUMC Main Campus) or by contacting Rob Draper at robsusand@gmail.com or 281.292.5028.

Trip Summary - October 2010

2010-11-09T08:43:00.000-08:00

The October Mission team traveled to Haiti the first week of the month. The team visited Bayaha every day. Working with Haitians masons and construction workers, we completed the school’s walls and preparations for the roof.

The team visited an orphanage for young girls and another for children with special needs. We also visited a hospital where people hurt in the Port-au-Prince earthquake were recovering from injuries and receiving physical rehabilitation and occupational therapy. We also visited a school in nearby village, Savann Gra.

The team distributed donated clothing and flip-flops to village children. A special package of school supplies and a book were given to each of the seventeen students who recently advanced to the second grade. Then we cheered on the school and village children in an exciting soccer game. Goal! Goal!

We brought seeds and information for the new agronome, Alix, who is working with the second graders to plant and tend a new children’s garden. The cooks will use vegetables from the garden when preparing the children’s lunches at school. We also brought a companion Bible Garden study materials and curriculum guide (in Creole) that the teachers will use to teach all the school children about God’s love for people through growing fruits and vegetables. Many thanks to Hope Seeds (http://www.hopeseeds.org/) for their generous contribution of seeds and cirriculum!

Thank you for your continued prayers and support to help renew Bayaha.

Rob Draper, The Loft/TWUMC

Announcing Our October 2010 Trip

2010-07-28T18:18:00.000-07:00

The dates have been set for our next mission trip to Haiti. They will be October 1-9, 2010. If you desire to be a part of this team, please contact Dea at deascogin@gmail.com or 281.788.0999. Limited space is available.

May Trip 2010

2010-05-27T12:03:00.000-07:00

The May Mission team just returned from a week long stay in Haiti. During the week, the team visited Bayaha every day and continued work on the new school building and strengthening relationships with the children and other villagers. The team worked with Haitian masons and laborers to begin construction on the walls of the building. Haitians will complete the walls. Work will begin on the roof, interior walls, and the concrete slab floor in the coming months. We are optimistic that the building will be sufficiently complete in time for the beginning of school this fall. The team also brought flip flops for Bayaha children and girls in an orphanage that the team visited during the week. Team members taught VBS, dental hygiene, and held a hot dog roast for the children. As planned, there were enough hot dogs for the school children and other village children, with seconds and thirds for those who wanted more. The team installed a tether ball pole in the school yard and played tether ball, frizzby, catch and parachute games with the children. A good time was had by all!

Villagers watered and tended the new garden planted this spring. They picked parsley, carrots, and other vegetables for meals they were preparing. The team also helped lay out the foundation for a 15' by 15' hut that will be home for a grandmother and her daughter. They currently are living in a shanty shack in a seaside dump in Cap Haitian. Haitian villagers completed the foundation by week's end and will finish building the hut soon.

All in all, the team had a rewarding experience, many days of hard work, and lots of fun kidding around with one another and villagers. We were pleased to serve and work along side Haitians in improving their life situation. As always, there is so much for those who will return or join us for the first time in the future. Please join the effort to help make Bayaha sustainable in whatever way you are so moved.

Rob Draper, The Loft/TWUMC

Village Update for March

2010-03-22T11:57:00.000-07:00

Len Morris from San Jacinto recently returned from Bayaha last week and reports the foundation for the school has been dug and the co-op garden has been plowed and planted. The village is anxiously awaiting the arrival of the next team in May. If you are interested in traveling on this mission trip to Haiti, May 14th-May 22nd, please email rjtrushen@aol.com or jhull@twumc.org.

Mission Trip Q&A

2010-03-04T09:09:00.000-08:00

Ever thought about going on a mission trip to Haiti? Still have questions you need answered? Come on up after the Loft Worship services this weekend (March 6/7) and we'll try to address your questions or concerns. It will be informal and you can get as little or as much info as you need.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Messages of Love

2010-02-17T14:55:00.000-08:00

This year as Valentines fell on a Sunday, the children of Loft Kids Church (1st - 4th graders) took that opportunity to send messages of love to the children of Bayaha. Over 150 personalized cards were made for the Haitian children, so that they would know they are loved. It was a fun and meaningful way to celebrate the holiday. Each family also took home a photo card of one of the Haitian school children, so they could pray for them each day.

Mwen renmen ou - 'I love you' in Kreyol

Embrace Haiti: Donations

2010-01-28T08:43:00.000-08:00

If you have been touched by the mission of Embrace Haiti and would like to contribute, donations are being accepted by The Woodlands United Methodist Church marked for "Embrace Haiti".

TWUMC
2200 Lake Woodlands Dr.
The Woodlands, TX 77380

Any questions or requests for additional information may be forwarded to Dea Taylor, 281-788-0999, deascogin@gmail.com

"Give Hope To Haiti" Benefit Concert

2010-01-21T10:30:00.000-08:00

In response to the recent earthquake in Port au Prince, Haiti, Market Street – The Woodlands will host a benefit concert, “Give Hope to Haiti,” on Friday, January 22 from 5 pm – 9 pm.

The event will benefit The Hydrate Hope Project, a clean water project of two relief organizations based in The Woodlands, I Am Change and Real Hope for Haiti, an orphan care and rescue center.

Funds raised from the “Give Hope to Haiti” benefit concert will be used to rebuild damaged facilities at several orphanages in Haiti, provide food supplies for children, repair broken water wells throughout the region and implement a bio-sand filter production project.

The benefit concert will feature live entertainment from Aaron Ivey, Matt McCloskey and Gatlin Elms, as well as bands from Austin and Nashville. The event is free and open to the public, however organizers request attendees make a monetary donation towards the relief effort.

Please come out and show your support!

January Mission Trip On Hold

2010-01-20T11:53:00.000-08:00

Due to current travel needs to Haiti, the mission trip scheduled to leave on January 24, has been postphoned to enable relief workers and medical personnel to get into the region more quickly.

Reports From Our Missionary Partners in Haiti

2010-01-15T11:56:00.000-08:00

We've recently learned that Rick and Debbie Hutchinson, our missionary friends who reside in Haiti, are thankfully okay! They report that the north has not been physically affected by the earthquake, however they have been without communication until today. Many in the north have lost loved ones in the south and they expect to see people migrating into their area from the south. At this time they only expect a shortage of fuel. We are so grateful to hear this news and call for your continued prayers for the Haitian people.

Earthquake Aftermath

2010-01-14T09:18:00.000-08:00

We are deeply saddened by the immense tragedy that struck Haiti on Tuesday, Jan 12. The 7.0 earthquake that hit near Port-au-Prince was felt throughout the country, including the Cap-Haitien area where our partners and friends work and reside. We have had no communication with them since the quake and are praying for their safety. As many people have said, the hardest part is not knowing.
The extent of the devastation in and around Port-au-Prince is hard to comprehend. Words truly can not describe the magnitude of the sufferring these people have endured. Our hearts break for them.

We are calling for prayers for the safety, both of the Haitians struggling to survive and the relief workers. We also hope as many people as possible will donate to the relief efforts. There is no doubt the recovery will be long and difficult, but we must remain hopeful and committed to the Haitian people. They are not just statistics -- they are our friends and neighbors -- who we love.

If you have specific plans to provide aid or collect donations in your communities, please post those here, so more people will be aware. Embrace Haiti monetary donations are being received by TWUMC marked for "Haiti Relief" or people can give to other established relief organizations working in Haiti, such as:
The International Red Cross (www.redcross.org)
World Food Progamme (www.wfp.org)
Samaritan's Purse (www.samaritanspurse.org)
Living Water International (www.water.cc)
*our partners at LWI are coordinating amongst several organizations to multiply their efforts in water restoration in Haiti.

Announcing Our May 2010 Trip

2010-01-07T20:02:00.000-08:00

If you have been waiting for just the right time to step out in faith and have been seeking a unique mission experience, then perhaps now is the right time. Embrace Haiti is returning to Bayaha this May to continue forging relationships with the villagers and fulfilling the vision for their community. The travel dates are May 14 - 22. Please contact Dea (deascogin@gmail.com) if you would like to register to be a part of the team this May! Space is lmited.

Haitian Coffee Now Available for Purchase

2009-11-23T13:11:00.000-08:00

In order to raise awareness and funds for the Embrace Haiti project, we are temporarily selling bags of Singing Rooster Haitian Coffee in The Woodlands, Texas during December. You can buy one bag for $15 or 2 for $25 either as ground or whole bean. If you are in The Woodlands and would like to order this delicious coffee, you can email rjtrushen@aol.com or buy it at The Loft Church during the first three weekends in December. To find out more about this coffee, you can visit http://www.singingrooster.org/.

Construction Materials

2009-11-16T22:26:00.000-08:00

The first wave of construction materials were just procured in Haiti, which include cement block molds, sand and supplies. These are an important first step towards the multi-purpose building being constructed in 2010!

Toothbrushes & Toothpaste

2009-11-10T08:41:00.000-08:00

Many thanks to Children's Dental Center for donating 100 tooth brushes and tooth paste to the children of Bayaha. They will be brought to Haiti with the team in January!

If you know someone who would like to donate more of these, please contact us at deascogin@gmail.com.

Announcing Next Trip Dates

2009-10-25T19:45:00.000-07:00

Embrace Haiti will be assembling our next mission team to travel to Haiti from January 24-31, 2010. The focus of this trip will be health and hygiene training within the village and possibly getting started on the construction of the new school building/church. Read on to learn about our most recent trip this October!

October Mission Trip

2009-10-23T12:15:00.000-07:00

The October Mission team just returned from a week long stay in Haiti. During the week, the team visited Bayaha every day and developed close relationships with the 51 school children during their first official week of school. The school children received clothing items, new backpacks, and bibles. The team saw the completion of a well on the school property, helped start a jewelry business and a sewing business, visited several orphanages, surveyed the property, and looked at different buildings for ideas for Bayaha's future multi-functional building.

Towards the end of the week, the team attended a Haitian funeral and threw a birthday party/celebration for the school children.

Kreyol Children's Bibles

2009-10-20T20:22:00.000-07:00

Some of the youth here raised enough money to purchase a Children's Bible in Kreyol for each one of the school kids. Their photos were taken and placed on the inside of the Bibles so they would know it was theirs.

Getting Ready for School

2009-10-20T20:18:00.000-07:00

A lot had to happen with the help of our dedicated team in Haiti to get 51 children ready to start school in October. Two sewing machines were purchased in May to make the uniforms and also start a sewing school.

There were materials, shoes, socks, undergarments, and of course the very important hair bows!

Then of course comes the books, feeding supplies, chalkboards, etc.

The class is assembled to meet their teacher...

What a great blessing!

Mission Bayaha: Village Transformation

2009-10-20T19:57:00.000-07:00

As part of that original trip we devised a collaboration amongst the participating churches and a strategy for moving forward. The collective vision was to transform this small village through a multifaceted approach. When asked about what they would like to see change in their village, the elders said first and foremost to educate our children. By our estimation, last than half of the school age children in Bayaha were actually enrolled in school, due to the in ability of the families to cover the expenses. This is typical in Haiti and one thing we felt we could see change.

Step 1 - Start a School
Step 2 - Feed the children, because a hungry child can't concentrate on learning.
Step 3 - Build a multipurpose building to serve as a school, church, clinic and huricane shelter
Step 4 - Invest in small businesses and bring some industry to the village
Step 5 - Begin a gardening co-op to assist the community in feeding themselves

And so we began the process of raising money, raising awareness, and recruiting help.

In the Beginning...

2009-10-20T18:46:00.000-07:00

In the beginning, a group assembled with the help of Living Water International representing three churches and a couple of individuals set out on a Vision Trip to discover a small village in Northern Haiti called Bayaha. It was an opportunity to see where God had led us and what work He had for us. We found an impoverished community lacking most of the necessities we all take for granted: clean water, food, adequate shelter, and education. But, more than that you could see the sorrow and hopelessness in the eyes of the people we encountered. Our guides on this journey and our hosts while in Haiti, Pastor Rick and his wife Debbie Hutchinson, helped us process the experience and understand that while we can't change the entirity of the situation, we could make an impact on the lives in this village, by answering Jesus' call to love one another and giving them hope for a new life. We can't do it all, but we can do what we can do and leave the rest to the Lord. Here are some images from our Vision Trip in May 2009.

The current site of the church and the land purchased to build on:

Debbie Hutchison leading children in song on our first day in the village:

One little girl in the village didn't know what to make of us:

The children who were enrolled to start school for the first time:

The Vision Team: