Video: Not Your Average Day at the Beach

The beach trip was one of the best parts of our week in Haiti. Our goal was to pack the kids into a bus and give them an experience they will never forget. Little did we realize that it would be just as meaningful and exciting for us. These children know very little about life beyond their run-down building and small plot of dusty land. On this day, however, with their brand new swim suits and the biggest of smiles, they would see that life can be far bigger and better than anything they've known before.

Moving forward, our hope is to continue to provide for these children in such a way that this kind of day is one of many rather than once in a lifetime. For more information about how you can help make this possible, visit The Espwa Foundation website.

A beautiful summer day, two full meals, warm water, scenic landscape... sure beats sitting in the shade of a few trees all day.

See another video: A Birthday to Remember
See more pics of the beach: A Day at the Beach

Music by Slow Machete, a project by Joe Shaffer that supports Haitian ministries (available on iTunes).

Video: A Birthday to Remember

Everyday these kids sit in the shade of the large tree in their front yard. Not today…

Music by Slow Machete, a project by Joe Shaffer that supports Haitian ministries (available on iTunes).

Video: Mr. Destin's Ministry

Mr. Destin is a teacher at EBAC Christian School. On the weekends, he spends his time doing his own mission work. He and a team of teachers began a ministry to the families who live in the hills behind the orphanage. He preaches the gospel and provides clothing, food, and some medical aid. Last year, some of our team visited his Sunday afternoon ministry.

Some of us had an opportunity to go again this year, but our entire team will get to see Mr. Destin at work during our time at Peace and Joy Orphanage. Typically, he and some older EBAC students visit there once every other week to spend time with the leaders and kids - teaching them about Jesus and offering any help he can. He will be leading the lesson time tomorrow.

Video: Children's Church

This morning our team split for the Sunday morning church routine. Some of us attended the children’s church program while others went to the regular church service. We will be praying for the VBS program happening back home. In the meantime, here’s a glimpse of the children’s ministry in Haiti.

Video: The Generator, Missionary's Best Friend

Kathy and Alice have been serving the children of EBAC in Haiti for 35+ years. We are so grateful for their hospitality each year we visit. They even encourage us to use this orphanage/school as a launching pad for more ministry in other parts of Cap Haitian - namely, Peace and Joy Orphanage.
As a way to say thank you, our members of our church donated funds to purchase a very high quality generator to provide electricity to one of the buildings here. It may seem strange that two "little old ladies" get excited about a Honda EU2000i Generator, but they were absolutely elated. It was a wonderful surprise, and they are very grateful!
They send their thanks to everyone who made this possible.
We do, too... this generator will be used to power the fans in the guys dorm! And, yes, it's hot!

Video: Traveling Mercies

The distance between Florida and Haiti might be great, but the distance between the American experience and life in Haiti is worlds apart. Here's a taste of what we saw this morning.