2016 Mission Trip January (18-21)

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Our Leadership Team made it home safely! Thank you for all your prayers! Please continue to pray for EVM’s continued ministry in Haiti.

EVM Mission Trip Update, January 21st

Greetings again!

I apologize for failing to send a report last night- -I got “tied up” in a sermon preparation I’m meditating about for this Sunday, and the time got “past me”. In any case, the day was once again very gratifying. We got all of the curriculum material for each of the grades (Kindergarten – 5th), plus the 6th grade as well (in preparation for next year)! Sis LaTonya: I’ll be getting with you next week!

We are working to complete the plans to begin building the new latrine built within the next 2 months. This is going to take extreme prayer on all of our parts–I will explain more later in my Trip Report. I have attached a couple of pictures of what the latrines look like right now. I will send a picture or 2 of what a new one will look like once it is built (PRAYERFULLY within the next 2 months)!

We will send more pictures out on Google Drive for you to pull down of the trip, once we get back.  I will also send each of you a Trip Report NLT Monday morning–I’ve got a lot of catching up to do between now and then.

I do want to mention and give a SHOUT OUT to Debra- -the “new” EVM Website is up and operational.  If you haven’t gone to it within the last 24 hours, you might want to do so.  It’s quite impressive.  A big THANK YOU to Debra and all her helpers who made this day possible.  It is another step EVM is able to take because of all of us working and serving in our gifted area.

We will be heading back to the States in a few hours, and then both Richard (the Rock Star) and I have a long way to go to get from Miami to our final destinations.  Please pray for Richard that he makes it back to the DC area under the enormous amount of snow that is supposed to hit there between now and Monday.

Blessings to you all–it has been an incredibly special trip to see where God has taken Onaville, the people of Haiti, and EVM in just a few short years and months.  One last thing before I sign off, I have also attached a picture of one of the children in their PE uniforms that has the seal of “The David Steward Christian School for Boys and Girls” on it–it is a picture of a Cross and a book symbolizing learning and wisdom in a Christian School–God is GOOD!

Did I mention that we are going to have to pray collectively and mightily for the new latrine to be built in the next 2 months!!!

Best and blessings –

Ronnie
“But you O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head,” (Psalm 3:3, ESV)

EVM Mission Trip Update, January 19th

Greetings from Haiti!

We had a very productive day today. We began it, by meeting with Pastor Massillon, Madame Yvette, who is the Head Administrator, and Pastor Pierre. There were a group of concerns that were “ironed out, that I will not put in this e-mail. The best synopsis is we all agreed that the children’s education comes first, and we all need to make sure they are taken care of to the best of our (the parents, the staff, and EVM) ability. Nothing was contentious, but there were four basic concerns regarding the children that were discuss:

Their comfort–it is extremely dusty and hot under the tent. Plus, there is little to no light when the sides of the tent are down.
The students need their books–they are finally ready for pick-up this week!
Many of the students are hungry at the beginning of class, and throughout the school day. Some of the students come with a snack; however, many do not.
There is a need for a copier to produce many of the student’s homework assignments and test papers.

We will work all of these issues, and several others, but I just wanted to give you a flavor of what was discussed. Oh yeah, one of the children also saw fit to label Richard as a “blanc (white) American”. That’s because they didn’t know his name and associated him with the group of Americans who tends to come and help them out. As soon as they learned his real name, he became a “rock star” for the rest of the time we were there–RICHARD, RICHARD, RICHARD!!!!

We also got by to see Sis Darlene’s new abode–built through the blessings of EVM’s Homes for Haiti, under the leadership of that rock star I just mentioned–Richard Green! It was an absolutely beautiful time. Darlene’s entire family was there to greet Richard, and pass on their love and appreciation for what was done for them. The house is impressively built to hurricane and earthquake codes, and has already been wonderfully decorated inside. You can tell they are very proud of their new home. It took 4 months to complete the building process, and anything that was salvageable from the previous mud home, was saved and given/sold to someone else in need. It is an amazing story of the power of love and blessings. Darlene is convinced she would not be in the home had we not spent time in Chambrun many mission trips before, AND, had Richard not begun the relationship-building process that Paul typified when he came to a different town during his many trips/journeys. I’ve attached a picture, but will not send any others due to their size.

We all are blessed to be children saved by God’s grace, living in America, and being a part of the EVM ministry too! God is good; ALL THE TIME!
We will be back in Onaville tomorrow morning to spend time with the students. They look very precious in their PE uniforms! We will be there when they raise the flag in the morning. Time to turn out the lights–more tomorrow.

Best and blessings to each of you –

Ronnie
“Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen,” (Jude 24-25, NIV)

Visiting with Daline and her family Tuesday at the new home done through EVM and sharing a wonderful meal together.

EVM Update, January 18th

Good evening!

We made it here, safe and sound! It was a pleasure to meet “all of the usual suspects”–Gami, Cathi, Brooke, Pastor Pierre, the cooking crew, and Clarise. Clarise is getting married this weekend to a beautiful young lady from the United States. Everyone is excited about Emily’s family traveling here for the wedding. Clarise and Emily have known each other for the past 6 years through Emily’s travels here as a missionary. You might remember Clarise as the young man who taught the Children’s Church and is now the headmaster for the Boy’s Home here on the NVM campus.
There is a medical team from Indianapolis here conducting a medical clinic for the people (not the kids in the school) of Onaville. They have been here for a couple of days, and will leave out this coming Friday. I believe there are 15 people on the team–the leader and his wife have been here several times before.

We were able to spend an hour with Pastor Pierre this evening and have begun to map out the trips for 2016 and beyond. We primarily spent time talking with him about expectations for the school, and how we can/will make the school in Onaville a “school of excellence” through our collective efforts.

We will visit the children and administrative staff for the first time tomorrow. Richard spoke with Bernard, who told him that everyone is excited to see us–as we are too! We also plan to meet with Dr. Edmond, who heads up the NVM clinic here. The NVM campus has grown beautifully- -it is a blessing to see the transition that continues to take place each time we/you come.

BTW: The EVM house was completed 2 weeks ago, and the family has moved in. We will send you a host of pictures tomorrow evening. Needless to say, Richard is stoked about seeing the occupants!

One last news flash: if you don’t like mosquitos, January is a month to stay away from Haiti- -either that, or make sure you bring the repellent!!! We have been here on July 4th, back in 2011; and now, we are here on Jan 18th–the MLK holiday–what a marvelous way to spend the holiday–preparing to serve the people of Haiti both now and into the future!

Please continue to keep us in your prayers, and thanks for all each of you do to make the EVM vision and mission a success. Pastor Pierre commented during our discussion with him that he told the staff at Onaville the EVM has only been doing this for 2 years, and we have made great strides in getting the school firmly established. There is a long road ahead of us, but we will make it by continuing to serve together in our spiritual gift!

Best and blessings,
Ronnie

“and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness,and your night will become like the noonday. The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.” (Isaiah 58:10-12, NIV)

PS: I pray a couple of you who have not been on a mission trip might consider coming if only for a couple of days–pray about it!!!

Meeting with Pastor Pierre Monday night