group updates

here are some updates from the group about the last few days and the days to come....


Being in Haiti with Hearts United with Haiti has been such a blessing. Hearing Pastor Duval's heart for his church and the Chaveneux community is inspiring. He is such a man of God and has sacrificed so much for the lost souls of Haiti. Being here and seeing it all first hand has only confirmed in me what I already knew to be true, God has asked me to partner with this man to help him accomplish what God has asked him to accomplish.  What an honor to serve beside such a committed, devoted and sold out man of God. God's river of grace flows through the Arris family and out onto Chaveneux.  Never have I met a family so devoted to the cause of Christ. God, thank you for showing yourself mighty in Haiti!!
Denver Burnse 
 

faith; faith  would be defined as  not seeing with ones eyes but with the heart and the soul. inside the heart of Haiti we see this more then anywhere. It still amazes even on the amount i have spent with the team to really see a culture thriving with something non- matirialistic faith may not be a real physical thing but the people here seem to see it more then the americans back home. Today we left with one of the staff and the people here were praising the lord at 3 in the morning! If that is not physical proof of faith im not sure what would then. In today's world and society we are always filled with self doubt and misunderstandings and here it is as if the fog in front of our face is wiped clear to truly see god and feel the spirit you must come to Haiti. to say "oh i would love to help others and be a asset"this is a understatement when you are here you're worth more than you think. Haiti will change your life.

Dillon Franklin

home from Chaveneau

we are home safe and sound and BLESSED by our time in Chaveneau... it was such an amazing day and one that we know you were praying for because it was the fastest trip I have ever had out and back to Chaveneau.  The van ride (15 passenger) was sooooo fun- worshipping together, talking and bonding even more than we already were.  I am sure the other car (smaller SUV) had an equally amazing time.  We are running the generator right now so I can not write much but we promise to give the team some time tomorrow to update about their day... they will have LOTS to tell you all I am sure.  God bless you and thanks again for praying for us.  What an amazing week and amazing group this is- I love seeing how God is using each of their gifts to knit them into one unit.  :-)   -Crystal

DAY 2.

Here we are day 2-  in the morning we went to church (4 hour service but amazing!) and in the afternoon we got to go to the orphanage and play with the children... everyone is fine and the team is fantastic- all getting along well and really unified... thanks for your prayers... more from the team members...  - Crystal
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HEY YOU GUYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 So here I am on my second day in Haiti. So you guys arent wondering the whole time this is Derek.
God is doing amazing things so far in the trip. I met with this little boy named Mike. We bother shared almost the same story. So that was really awesome getting to minister with him. I am missing you all back home
 and yes mom I am still a boy. No need to worry about me coming home a man. I have been put with a really awesome team so thank God for that. I know this may sound stupid but as of right now the weather is so much nicer than my last trip oh yea I have also been bathing this time. So no more Derek that smells really really bad.
  I Got to go to the Son of God orphanage today so that just made my day. I got to see some of the kids who i met the last time and guess what i am still remembered for my awesome dance moves over here.
    I dont know if all the people having birthdays will be reading this but happy birthday Savy , Jeneane and Andrew. Elise you may or may not read this aswell but hope you are having an awesome spring break. I must be going now. I have to wake up at 3 am tomorrow and thats 1 cali time. so have an awesome week everyone
God bless Derek

amazing trip so far... and only Day one is done

Yesterday we had a blessed day.... we were able to sleep in and relax a bit in the morning and spend some time in prayer and getting to know one another- hearing from each other how God has brought us to this point and what we hope He does this week.

In the afternoon we went out into the community with some people from Pastor Cornet's church and prayed for people in the town where we are living.  Many were blessed- both the participants and the Haitians we met.  Last night at debrief many stories were shared about how God put certain people on certain teams (we broke into 3 groups) so they could minister to whomever we met.  I ask you to pray for a baby named Angeluna that we happened upon in my group.  She has SEVERE burns on her left hand and foot and needs them to at least be cleaned and some of the dead skin removed.  Pray I can return there today and help take care of her and please pray against infection.  It is very dusty in Haiti and I am worried that she will get dirt into the wounds.

The evening we went to church at Pastor Cornet's church and all got to stand up front and introduce ourselves and greet the congregation- one by one.  The smiles from the people of the church told it all- they are so happy we are here and so are we.

Today we plan to go to a prayer service for our team  at the church and then in the afternoon we will go to the orphanage.  Tomorrow we leave at 4 am for Chaveneau.... it's a LONG drive but the team is excited to go.  Continue to pray for us as we seek God's direction for the team- who to talk to, who to pray with, etc.. And pray for the drive to are reading this- Yordanos is amazing and she is having a great time but missing you and the girls... give them hugs!  :-)

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HELLO!
This is Samantha Serna and this is my first time in Haiti and I am just trying to take it all in. There is soo much that has gone on and so much to share. When I first heard of Haiti I heard of how there is still so much devestation and how hot it is! And I have experienced both first hand. Walking through the streets you can see so much ruble and hurt but amongst all of that they still have smiles upon their faces. I am waiting and expecting God to do amazing things and can't wait to share more. Thank you, God Bless
Love Sam

Rest of the group....

has arrived safely except for Yordandos Coleman- she will be here tomorrow (her first flight was delayed and she was unable to make her connection in Miami.  She should be here about 8:45 am.  So.... prayers are being answered- God is good! (Dillon, Greg, Denver, Stacy and Derek are here)...  -Crystal


Trusting God, at times, can be hard. However, whenever you step out in faith, you will be rewarded. Its amazing to see in Haiti where so much was broken, how much love is here. Where in the States, we have everything, and yet you don't always see the love of Jesus. This trip is going to be one of heeling and trusting in HIM and let HIS Plans guide our actions.

One of my favorite songs:
But if we are the body
Why aren't His arms reaching?
Why aren't His hands healing?
Why aren't His words teaching?
And if we are the body
Why aren't His feet going?
Why is His love not showing them there is a way?
There is a way

Jesus is the way  

-Alexis

some of the group....

has gotten here... praise God.. the rest  come at 3 pm our time (central time)... we are setting up tents on the roof and getting organized and acquainted.  So far the people here are Eileen, Adella, Samantha, Joanna, Abigail (Abby), Sam and Alexis!  Still waiting for Yordandos, Derek, Pastor Denver, Greg and Dillon.... we will update again tonight if we have electricity.  If not, we will as soon as we can.  Keep praying-  God is going to do amazing things this week.  We are blessed. 

here and safe

Got in yesterday and got our money changed into gourdes and bought groceries and paper products for the team.  Today we get the water and arrange the rest of the transportation for the week and take care of the rest of the last minute details.  Keep praying - things are going well.  We are so blessed that God has chosen US for this ministry- I feel I have to pinch myself.  :-)  Looking forward to the team coming tomorrow morning/afternoon.  

Leaving Tomorrow

Tomorrow morning at this time I hope to already be at or near the airport in New York- ready for my flight to Haiti.  The team of 13 people arrives on Sunday in three "shifts"- one at 7 am, one at 11 am and the final one at 3 pm.  Many will have started travel on Saturday just to arrive in Haiti so please be in prayer for this team as they travel- that things will go well and there will be no problems with their connections, their flights, etc... 

We will meet each group at the airport in Port au Prince and will drive them to the housing location which is located about an hour away (depends on traffic- distance is not far at all).  Once to the house, they will set up "camp", introduce themselves and prepare for a week of ministry together.  God has hand picked this team and all are amazing people of faith who have trusted in Him and answered His call to come to Haiti THIS week with THIS organization.  That alone is always a blessing to me.  I can not wait to meet them (I have only met two for a few minutes and one I know rather well) and minister with them. 

When I get to Port au Prince tomorrow I have many things to organize in preparation for the team coming.  Michael has taken care of A LOT of the details, but some things need to be done together.  He is quite organized and takes this "job" very seriously so I am sure things will go well.

I was talking to a good friend last night and she reminded me that the enemy would love to cause division within the group- especially the leadership of the group.  Just like he did with the disciples.  He used Judas who was one of those closest to Jesus to betray Him.  So, we need to be prepared and ready when the "attacks" come and not let anything divide us because if we are not unified as leaders, then we can not lead effectively.   Matthew 12:25 says:  Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand"     So, therefore we ask your prayers for unity most of all.  That we will continue to seek God and His will for this trip and follow after that and that His will is made clear to BOTH of us so that there is no chance for division.  Thank you!

We have told the group that they can tell their family/friends to check this blog regularly during the week and that we will do our best to keep it updated when we have electricity/internet available.  You never know with Haiti but we are blessed that the Arris house even has these things availalable sometimes- most housing locations do not.  We will at least try to post when the entire team has arrived (that they are safe) and after our trip to Chaveneau is completed because that is a LONG day of travel for the group.  We welcome your prayers during the week and would encourage you to check this blog as well to see what God is doing in Haiti and how He is answering your prayers for us. 

Blessings!  -Crystal Funk

PS- I mentioned Chaveneau above- let me explain what I meant by that.  One day of the trip (tentatively Tuesday right now) we will all travel to Chaveneau to see the school and land there.  This will be a LONG day for the team- leaving very early in the morning for a 4 1/2 hour drive to Chaveneau.  We will then see the school, meet some of the parents/teachers, walk around, etc... and then we will drive BACK to Carrefour where we are staying- another 4 1/2 hours!  It will be a VERY busy day but should be a fun one too!  We have hired a driver to transport us and we should only have to walk about 3 miles and wade through one "river" but we will see.  Travel in Haiti is very unpredictable so prayers for this trip in particular would be very much welcomed! 

Where do I begin?

There is so much new that I honestly do not know where to start.  Ever since Pastor Duval's visit things have been going crazy -- in a GOOD way!  First of all, I received a call Friday that the paperwork should be complete soon for the next step toward obtaining tax-exempt status.  Pray with me that it will be done before I leave for Haiti this Friday so I can change some paperwork at my local bank prior to leaving and so I can potentially open a bank account in Haiti when I am there.  It is going to be cutting it close to get it done in four days, but God is in control and if He wants it done, it will be.  :)  This is all on the heels of the former lawyer "quitting" and returning all paperwork to me while Pastor Duval was here (on Wed. 3/9) so I was feeling a bit discouraged. Nothing personal, he was just too busy to help us any more for free and he was too expensive to hire so he wished us well and suggested this new organization I am using.   So, this news I got on Friday was a real answer to prayer and we praise God for His faithfulness through this whole process.  It seems like it is taking forever, but I know He is in control and when we look back upon things, it will all be worth it and the delays will make sense. 

That being said, we will be needing about $1400 to actually submit the application to the Federal Government for approval for our 501c3 status.  This is the fee for the organization to fill out and file the application and the fee the government requires as well (based upon a 3 year projected budget).  I have no idea where that money will come from, but again we trust that God knows.  Again, I do not like to use this forum to ask for money, but if people do not know there is a need, they can not pray about it with us and/or help out if God leads them to do so. 

And this brings me another reason why I said there is so much new.  After speaking last Sunday at church someone came to me and asked why I am not encouraging people out there to raise funds for our organization.  We got talking and they reminded me that there are MANY people who may not be able to physically go on one of our trips to Haiti (even though they may have a desire to do so) but they may be able to have a yard sale, bake sale, chicken bar-b-que, bike-a-thon, dance, concert, etc... to raise funds for either needs that Hearts United with Haiti has OR for funds for necessary items in Chaveneau.  So..... I am asking if you would pray about doing just that.  If some of you find ways to raise some funds and donate them, you will be helping us greatly. You can designate where the funds will be used or you can allow us to use them where there is "greatest need" (currently that is materials for outhouses and a shower area in Chaveneau so that we can make it more comfortable for summer teams).  I admit that at first I was uncomfortable mentioning this to you on this blog, but the more I have prayed about it I have come to realize that not all are called to "go"... some are called to contribute financially so others can "go".  So.... let's all put on our thinking caps and see what creative ways each of us can come up with to help raise funds to be used to benefit the ministry Pastor Duval has in Chaveneau that we have decided to partner with for now.  My promise to you is that I will post on here what you have done to raise funds (and even post photos of your "event" if you send them to me).  Together we can really bless this community! 

Finally, I ask for prayers for the trip coming up from March 27 to April 3.  Pray that we will be a blessing in Carrefour, that we will have unity among the team, that we will remain healthy, that we will be able to travel to Chaveneau safely to see the project there, that we will clearly see what ministry God has for us and most of all, that HE be glorified in all we do and many are blessed by seeing Him at work through us!  Amen!  (note:  watch this site for updates about what the team is doing during the week- if we are able to update)

Have a blessed day and thanks again for your prayers for this ministry-  In Him- Crystal

Pastor Duval visit

                                                   dinner Saturday night with some friends

                                                                 Haitian church

                                                          Pastor Duval in the loader

We had an amazing visit with Pastor Duval here in Pennsylvania- the first of MANY I hope.  He arrived on Monday March 7th and left yesterday- March 15th to return to Miami (and then he will head back to Haiti on March 20th).  During his time here we did some typical "tourist" attractions (Hershey Chocolate World, visiting Middle Creek Wildlife refuge where the snow geese congregate as they migrate from south to north, driving around Lancaser County to see the Amish, etc..).  We also had some fun meeting some of the people who have supported the ministry so far.  We had dinner with some of them, lunch with others, we attended a Haitian church service near our home and we went to a Christian concert at a local church. Pastor Duval went to work many days with my husband Ron and had fun learning to run the skid loader we have for Ron's business, cut trees with the chain saw, etc... 

There was a translator who went with Ron to meet Pastor Duval at the airport when he arrived in Pennsylvania and that same man also helped translate for a pastor luncheon during the week.  He is a missionary who lived for 17 years in Haiti so his knowledge of the culture and language are amazing.  We also had another translator for dinner Saturday evening with some friends and then the same man (and his wife/daughter) all day Sunday- translating for church, lunch and again for the presentation.  He is Haitian and moved to America about 9 years ago.  His English is very very good and his personality was a perfect match for us- he was very fun and made everyone feel very comfortable.  We couldn't believe how God picked the perfect translators for us to use when we needed them.  Both were "found" through people we know but we never met either until we used them to translate- a real step of faith and God did not let us down (He never does!) since both were perfect for the role we needed them to fill.  Hooray!

The language difference at home was a challenge at times, but overall it was no problem.  We felt all your prayers as we laughed, used google translator and tried to communicate with lots of patience and gestures.  It was like one giant week of charades!  Hahahahaha   But we were blessed that we really felt we understood what he was trying to let us know and that he understood us as well.  Our last night was spent crying and praying- in English and Creole and French... it was a beautiful time and we were all blessed and though we didn't understand every word each other way praying, God knew and there's something so beautiful in that!

Sunday we had a presentation at my church to talk about the ministry in Chaveneau, about our partnership and to let people know how they can come alongside this ministry.  Many were interested and lots of wonderful questions were posed to both Pastor Duval and myself.  We pray that this will be the first of many chances to present the ministry to people and we pray that God will work in their lives and make it clear to those who are meant to partner with us.  We hope many will be prompted to become prayer partners with our ministry to Chaveneau and maybe some will even decide to partner with us financially and/or come on a trip to Chaveneau or Carrefour this summer.  It is such a blessing to serve talk to people about the work God is doing in Haiti (especially through Pastor Duval's ministry) and then see others become excited too. 

    ** Some of the display we put up for the presentation on Sunday-  I would LOVE to travel to YOUR church and show the powerpoint and video I have and talk to your group about Hearts United with Haiti and the work God is doing in Haiti!

                     My husband Ron with Pastor Duval at one of the ponds/patios Ron has created.

We took lots of photos during the week so we can show his family when I go back to Haiti March 25th but I only posted a few of them here.  Thank you so much for your prayers for this visit and we ask that you pray for the group coming to Haiti on March 27th and also for Pastor Duval as he returns on the 20th.  God bless you for caring about this ministry!  :-)   -Crystal Funk

update...

This is the same update as we have on our website, but I know some of you only check this one so I wanted to put it in both places.  Thanks guys for your support and prayers! 

Registrations for the March trip are now officially closed.  We will have 11 participants from all over the country.  Four are from California, Three from Indiana, Two from Pennsylvania, and one each from Georgia and Michigan.  All but three have been to Haiti before.  Please pray for this team as they work together to serve God in whatever way He has for us this trip and pray for us as leaders that we would be sensitive to God and His plan for this group. 

As for summer trips- they are beginning to get full and that is a blessing as well!  People are calling and inquiring.  Many e-mails have been shot back and forth and information forms sent.  If YOU are interested in an information sheet about any of our trips, please e-mail us directly at heartsunitedwithhaiti@gmail.com and we will send out whatever info. you need.  We would LOVE groups too- not just individuals or friends so spread the word. 

Update on the February trip that Ron and Crystal took to Haiti:  It was a blessed trip and I was thrilled that Ron finally got to meet the Arris family and see the country I have grown to love so much.  He really liked it in Haiti and actually is excited to bring his own team to do "construction work" at the site in Chaveneau to get it ready for teams to come this summer.  SOOOO we may not have to deal with "squatties" and showering behind a blue tarp.  YAY!  Pray for him as he talks to some of his friends and presents his ideas for this trip and pray for those he is asking to join him.  Again, if this sounds like something you would like to do, please let us know- he would welcome anyone who feels God calling them to Chaveneau to build outhouses and possibly dig a well.  Pray also for financing for this project since materials will need to be purchased for the outhouses and for the block to line the well, etc...   Contact us if you would like to help us with material costs.  :)

Other needs:  It has become even more aparent that Hearts United with Haiti is in need of a vehicle for the summer to use/lease/purchase.  We really need to have something on site when we have a team in town in case of emergency and the rental costs in Haiti are ridiculous!  So... another prayer request:  pray that we find someone willing to lease us a good vehicle for the summer at a reasonable rate or someone willing to sell us one for a reasonable cost.  Renting is just going to be too much money and we honestly do not know that we have enough in the budget to afford this.  We are stepping out in faith on this one and know that God will provide whatever He has for us to use as a vehicle this summer.  We will not only need it on site for emergencies, but we will need it for errands, to run for food/water, etc... so a vehicle is essential to the ministry. 

Other updates:  Pastor Duval has now gotten the plans for the school from the engineer but not a materials list.  He will present these at a meeting/presentation he will be giving at Living Rock Bible Church in Elverson, PA on Sunday, March 13th at 2:30 pm.  If you are not able to make the presentation, please pray for him (and for Crystal- she will also be presenting) that his vision would be made clear to those present and that they would be blessed by the work God is doing in Haiti- especially in the Chaveneau area.  We serve a mighty God!  Amen!