Exploratory team

FINALLY, I say. God says, all in HIS timing.
We are Finally, getting a team to go to Haiti. It is an exploratory team with just a few from our church. We are hooking up with Greg Barshaw from Connect 2 Ministries and House of Hope Orphanages. We will be traveling to Port-Au-Prince and Cap Haitian to see what is being done, what needs done, and pray how God can use more teams in the future. We hope to see the orphanages, churches that need help in rebuilding, medical needs, church planting training center, etc. and wherever God leads us.
We will be having a meeting on Wednesday, April 27, 2011 at WGBC in room 314/316 (far end with stage) at 7 pm. Please plan on attending if you are interested in what we are planning, interested in going on a trip in the future, or would be willing to pray for us.
Please email me at jwfish7@msn.com if you have questions. I will try to respond as quickly as possible.
Thank you for all you prayers.
Stephanie

Trips to Haiti

Working on dates for missions trips to Haiti. Anyone interested?

Follow up to trip

Thinking back of our efforts over the past few weeks....
I learned a lesson as it hit me how we dreamed BIG, but then backed off in our meetings when physical supplies didn't appear rapidly. Plan A, Plan B, Plan C and so on.
I think it was good we decided not to purchase extra water here to ship. However, I think we shouldn't have downsized God's ability so much and stuck with the trailer plan and purchased the other tents locally.
I am not sure where the break down of communication was from the school. It would have been a lot less stressful to have known those supplies were going with us, before the day before travel. I am VERY thankful for what they provided.
Despite that obstacle and a couple others at the last minute, God saw us through it all. He answered many prayers! Prayers of laying it on people's hearts to want to help; bringing it all together; safety in our travels and no vehicle troubles, even as the one day we entered into an area where there were gangs with guns sticking out of their waists; the watching over of the trailer that no one stole anything; and our continued contacts with some of the employees of CVM.
I was so thankful for Stephen's help in driving!! 22 hours down and 24 back. I couldn't have done it on my own. Stephen, Bethaney, and I were blessed to enjoy some time together and also having the opportunity to visit her grandparents who live in Florida. They weren't able to make it for the wedding since her grandfather came down with cancer last year, so it was the first time Stephen and I met them. Bethaney also had not seen them for a few years. We enjoyed a day at Universal (gift from her grandparents) and a slight detour on the way home at Hilton Head beach for an hour to break up travel home.
I praise God for EVERYTHING HE did and continues to do.....now to pursue a team/trip. ;)
With Him for the Haitians,
Stephanie

Dropping off supplies and meeting Rolanda

Wed, March 17:
After a bit of a challenging drive, we delivered the supplies to a separate facility of CVM. (All I'll say, is don't get caught in the enter only SunPass lane.) The drop off location was a "suite" of buildings. There was a small garage door around back, which made it nice to unload. If I understood Rolanda correctly, they need to get the container off the pier by the end of the month, so they will be shipping whatever supplies they have at that point. Then, they hope to have supplies and maybe small teams going to Haiti every 6 weeks. I mentioned I want to go to Haiti with a team. She became real excited. I told her there were others from our church also wanting to go. We talked a bit about this. She gave me her email address for future contact.
She had not heard from Dr. Davis or Pastor Joseph yet. She said the Haitians are still really needing tents.
Praise God for what everyone has done and is continuing to do to help Haiti. There is so that still needs done.
L-R: Milande and Rolanda

made it to FL

From Florida, Tue, March 17th:
We made it to Florida fine. PTL. Thank you for your prayers! It took a bit longer with the added weight/trailer -21 hours so far.
I didn't hear back from Rolanda at CVM until 4:30pm. We decided it was best to deliver the supplies in the morning. Please keep praying for our contact with them, that everything runs smoothly tomorrow, and our travel. We have approx. one more hour to reach CVM.
None of us had much sleep and what we did have was on the back seat of the truck. Dinner and a good nights sleep....aaawww. :)

On the road with trailer

Sunday afternoon:
Since we were so blessed to received so many more donations Sunday afternoon, Pastor Daron and I scurried around to basically go back to one of our other plans - hauling a trailer.
Monday, March 15th 7:30 pm:
After working all day and then getting loaded, we are finally on the road -Florida or bust! :)
Quite thankful for the use of the church trailer and help from my son and daughter-in-law, Stephen and Bethaney, to get it loaded.
Please pray for our travels.

I thank Ben Framstad for sending me this link. Wooster Grace seeks to help the local churches in Haiti to help community people in Haiti so that the Gospel is demonstrated in word and deed.

Who Will Rise Up? from Harvest Bible Chapel on Vimeo.

Wooster Christian School is AMAZING!

I picked up the Haiti Relief supplies donated by Wooster Christian School children. WOW! You kids are amazing!!! Another 450 lbs of stuff. I stuffed my car full and still couldn't fit it all. God is smiling down on you all. You are making such a difference in the people of Haiti. Praise God and THANK YOU!

Hope for Haiti updates from Twitter

From Twitter @HopeforHaiti:
Our first large medical trip leaves for Haiti on the 22nd! They'll stay thru the 27th. So excited to get our trips back up and running! 
Our first big group trip of the year is headed to Haiti tomorrow!! They'll be doing construction- keep them in your prayers!

Please keep praying for Haiti fully devoted followers to show God's love to reach out to thousands of others.  May the Body of Christ truly love people into the family of God.  Can't wait to hear how God does this!  

Thank you!

We are getting all the supplies together and ready to ship. I will be picking up the supplies from Wooster Christian School tomorrow. Thank you to everyone!

Pastor Joseph and Dr. Davis of CVM are in Haiti checking on construction and evaluating the ongoing situation. Please keep them in your prayers.

After much discussion, it was decided not to purchase anymore water from the states. The Haitians now have a water facility up and running. I was told water is fairly cheap there. We believe it would cost more for us to ship than it would be for them to purchase there. Plus, this enables the Haitians the ability to work.

It is awesome to see the various ways people have chosen to help. Our family of Grace is made up of very generous people. Over $13,000 was sent for food and water. We are able to provide a tent, tarp and ponchos for shelter for at least 150 people. There will be many babies and toddlers receiving nourishment and clothing. We had additional misc. supplies donated that will help people too. As my husband told me one night, if we help one person it is worth it.

I want to say THANK YOU to Pastor Daron, Carol Mills, and Rob Miller for their help. It may take a few people to organize such events. However, it only really takes ONE person to help ONE in need. Because of you, there are a number of people having a meal and staying out of the rain. Because of you, we can hope lives will be saved from disease or death. Because of you, there are a number of people "feeling" what God's love means and are given hope.

Thank you also to Blair Rubber for the use of their truck for our collection day.(pictured above) Here a couple pictures to get a glimpse at what we are providing.



Please pray for us as we travel to Florida to deliver our supplies. We will be leaving on Monday night. Thank you.

Everyone of you who helped could be saving a life and leading them to a relationship with God. I thank God for each of you and may God be glorified!

Stephanie

US President pledges aid to Haiti Relief

photo from transplanted mountaineer
Even as we send the donations from our church and community, the need to pray for Haiti continues.  Please keep in mind how to pray, given where our country has landed in regard to its response.  Our president still thinks aid is needed. 

May we help the Haitian churches to reach out to their community just like we intend to serve in our community.  View this video post about what Wooster Grace does locally in Wooster through Sowing Hope ministries. You may need to friend Kristen to view this video.

Everyone played a part

We PRAISE God for everyone one of you who gave in some way towards Haiti Relief! Maybe you brought in a tent, a tarp, ponchos or other items. Maybe you gave financially. Maybe you prayed. However it is you played a part, THANK YOU!
We are still finalizing the final numbers. Currently we have 275 pounds of supplies and that is NOT counting what still needs to be purchased with the financial donations. I will post our outcome within the next week, as we will be wrapping this BIG package of blessings up.

And the Students Respond

Once again, the students of Grace have stepped up and filled a need! We requested that they bring in items for the "Haiti Baby Shower" and they responded! We received about 20 Wal-Mart bags full of blankets, clothes, formula, wipes, Pedialyte and other items that are a necessity for young children.

While many small groups went together and purchased things, we had one student, Erika H., that had her mom post the flyer at work, and received several bags of items from her moms co-workers, and also pitched in and bought a bag full of clothes and other items with her own money!

We also had one student, Naomi F., that took the time to make a few blankets for the children in Haiti. Here is a photo of one of her blankets (taken with my cell phone, sorry for the poor quality)

And as we were wrapping up this evening at small groups, I received a text from a student that was not at church because of illness, but wanted to make sure she could still get her items on the truck!

What an example these students have been to those around them! And I pray that these items will bring hope in the name of Jesus to those still suffering in Haiti.

Let's fill a truck!

REMINDER: Bring you HAITI RELIEF supplies to Wooster Grace Church today. Praise God for what has already been given!!! I am excited to see how God will continue to use the people from our church for Haiti.

Sunday, Feb 14th

I thought the first Sunday went well. There were people donating funds and others making commitments to bring in shelter supplies. Thank you God!

We will need more flyers for next Sunday and I think I will bring a container to put supplies in, just in case people bring them in.

Now we just need to get something final on the truck. Tom? Rob?

Please keep praying for this outreach and that people will allow God to use them to help our Christian brothers and sisters so they can continue to reach out to the lost and hurting people of Haiti.

Waiting for a reply back regarding the dates for teams. Yesterday, I talked to a couple people who had signed up to go. Keep praying for this also.

"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up" Eccl 4:9-10

Thank you. I believe God will bless those who reach out to the "church" in need and the lost.

Come Together Now - Haiti Benefit

Here is a YouTube Video of the Come Together Now song that Michael W Smith wrote for Haiti benefit. The Contemporary Christian Musician community recorded this song (think We Are The World) to Benefit Haiti and you can purchase it on iTunes

Carol Mills Bio

My name is Carol Mills and I have been attending Wooster Grace Brethren Church for over 12 years with my husband Nate. We have three beautiful children that have since joined us!! Taylor is almost 12 years old and active in Children's Choir and SMM Amigas at church as well as keeping us busy playing OSU Soccer. Our son Drew is 8 years old and also involved in Children's Choir as well as whatever sport is in season! Our youngest Toby is almost 5 years old and has been with us, from his birth country of South Korea, since he was just over 2 years old.

As a family, we enjoy spending time together watching movies, visiting the zoo or various museums, playing Wii, and attending sporting events of our children, local community and when we are afforded the opportunity, even our local professional teams (Go CAVS!) We enjoy going to Contemporary Christian Concerts as well, my favorite of which include Third Day, Skillet, Barlow Girl and many many more! Some of my favorite movies include Fireproof, The Ultimate Gift and Disney movies!

Books that I enjoy reading include those by Nicolas Sparks and Karen Kingsbury. I have also recently read Crazy Love by Frances Chan with my adult Small group and continue to be challeneged by what I learned. Of course my favorite time reading is in the mornings, in God's Word.

I am currently working with Student Ministries in organizing a Baby Shower for Haiti with my wonderful High School Small Group girls, Lindsey J., Hope F., Micaela H., Erika M. and Erika H.

Why the Children

During times of crisis, as the Haitians have recently encountered, it is easy to sit back and be overwhelmed by the devastation. It's easy to see broken buildings, and broken homes and broken bodies, but sometimes it's even harder to look deeper into the broken spirits and the broken lives of the people of Haiti. The burden of the broken buildings and broken bodies is heavy on the hearts and lives of the adults of the country, but it is the broken spirits that will most greatly effect the children. These children count on those around them to care for them and to help them to see what life is about. They are fully dependent on the adults around them and when they are broken, or all together gone, where can they turn? That is where, as believers, we can step in and be that encouragement and hope that these children need.

Several years ago, as my husband and I began to investigate International Adoption, the orphans of Haiti soon became a tender spot in our lives. Personally, after reading the book Hands and Feet by the band members of Audio Adrenaline, my heart has not been the same and I have had a desire to make a trip to Haiti and work with a ministry in orphanages. Following the Hurricanes of 2008 that devastated Haiti, my heart grew even closer. Now, following January 12, 2010 I feel like there is a piece of me that is not here. All I can see are the children's faces, pleading for help.

Did you know that prior to the earthquake, almost half the population of Haiti consisted of Children, ages 0-14? I am sure since January 12 that percentage has unfortunately increased.

Here are some statistics (2006 figures) taken from the Hands and Feet book:

• 8 percent of children born in Haiti will die before their first birthday
• 30,000 children under the age of 5 will die each year
• Minimum wage in Haiti is approximately $1.70 a DAY

So "Why the Children" you may ask? Because they are the future of Haiti. They are often the lost and forgotten, but without them, without reaching them in the Name of Jesus, this tragic situation will continue to be just that... tragic. Lets take this opportunity God has placed before us to make a difference not only in the lives of a few children with diapers and formula, but to be an impact in a country that has been hurting for a very long time, and needs the Healing Grace of a God that loves them more then they may yet know.

We Are the World Video for Haiti

We all heard it was coming. Hear it now....
We Are The World" Video for Haiti:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ApSMiXUTZ3Q
or
http://bit.ly/bcCvMF

Now let us show them what Christians can do. :)

Volunteers

If anyone is interested in helping on Sun, 2/14 or Sun, 2/21 at the Haiti Relief tables please let me know. (330-262-3474) We need people prior to each service and after 3rd both Sundays. Also, need a few volunteers to help on collection day, Sunday, 2/28, any hours between 8am -7pm. I am anticipation being busier in morning and again at 6pm.
Thank you very much for you willingness to serve.