SUMMER 2011
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL & BIRTHDAY PARTY

Report and photos by Karla Shelley

August 12, 2011

We recently returned from another wonderful trip to do Vacation Bible Camp for the kids at the orphanages in Haiti.  Nearly 200 kids attended a full week of games, crafts, Bible stories and songs. On the last day we held a carnival and then the yearly birthday party. Phew! You can see from the photos that there were a lot of smiles and a lot of joy. I'm never sure who is having a better time... them or us!

We had some additional help this year from Child Evangelism in Haiti who sent some fantastic young people to lead the Bible stories and songs.  Speaking in Kreyol, they did a much better job than our attempts in past years to do it with translators.

Thanks to the dedicated talents of some seamstresses at Bidwell Presbyterian Church, Chico, CA we were able to take 160 uniform dresses for Gladys to have for the start up of school this fall. She was so excited to receive them and so were the girls!

We also used some of the trip funds to buy four large, heavy-duty handmade rocking chairs so the house moms can have a comfortable seat for rocking all the babies. As you can see, we made good use of them as well.

We have a special place in our heart for the young adults who are still at the orphanage. Perhaps this is because we have known them longest and know how hard life is in Haiti. We want to help them transition into jobs and new living situations. Pray for Gladys as she works on transitional housing and finding vocational training and mentors to help the older children successfully launch into adulthood.

Mike, also known as “Papa Blanc," always brings books to read to the kids. He tries to find books in French, although he doesn't really speak the language himself. On this occasion he was reading “The Cat in the Hat” in English with a French accent. They didn't seem to mind one bit. :)

Haiti looked better; hardly any rubble is left, and many buildings have been repaired so there are fewer tent cities.  Under the surface, however, food prices are higher for staples like rice, beans, and oil.  Like so many places in the world, the poor are getting poorer. The corruption and lack of a stable, functioning government continues to be a problem.

We are so grateful that God sent us to Haiti. We strongly believe that Gladys Thomas, Director of the Foundation for the Children of Haiti is doing an amazing job at meeting the needs of her people. We love being a part of her ministry by offering our love, encouragement, support, prayers and presence. She carries a heavy load of responsibility on her shoulders, and we trust that our involvement is an answer to her prayers for help to do what God is calling her to do for the people of Haiti.

Thank you for your part in getting us there and making this trip a success!