This past month we had a HUGE privilege of having our home church, Horizons, send a team down to Haiti. Of course we had an absolute blast and of course we got a ton of work done. Pics soon to come. Here is a video put together by Matt B (awesome job I might add) from Horizons from the trip. Oh...and Aaron Hughes would get mad if I didn't mention him haha. You rock bro. (Lets see if he reads this). Enjoy!!
Lots of changes and things going on here at our compound. Prior to coming to Haiti we knew that the Center was used as a pastor training facility and also a meeting place for the leaders of the Wesleyan Church. What we did not know was just how BIG of a role this place would play in the training of local pastors. Starting in January of 2016 the Ortlip Center will begin hosting classes for the FLET Program - A program that will allow pastors to receive their Master's Degree. Pastors will travel to the Ortlip Center for a week (or two) of intense classes, led by a visiting professor from the States. After the class time has concluded, the pastors will return to their homes to work on assignments for the next couple of months. We believe the training and classes these pastors receive will have an amazing Kingdom impact! When Horizons Church was here they began work on the classroom for this program and did an amazing job! (Pics coming soon!)
With the classroom done we move on to the next step in order to be able to host this program. In order for the FLET Program to begin in January as planned, the Ortlip Center must be able to sleep 30-35 people. Right now our sleeping capacity is at 24 people. For those who have seen pictures on Facebook and/or visited us here in Haiti, you may know that our family currently occupies three rooms on the top floor of one of our buildings - a combined living room/office, the girls bedroom, and our master bedroom. These three rooms were originally made as guest rooms, with each room having a separate outdoor entrance and each with its own bathroom. The most cost-efficient and logical thing for our family to do is to move out of the rooms we are currently occupying. This would immediately increase the Center's sleeping capacity to 35+ people.
Here is how you can help:
(Taken from our latest newsletter - If you have not received our newsletter just let us know your email and we will get you put on our distribution list!)
After talking and praying through several different options, we feel that the most cost efficient and logical place for our family to go is UP! We are in the process of designing the layout of a third story apartment for our family. We will have the same amount of space as we are currently living, but we are excited to be able to design a space that resembles more of an apartment - rather than three separate guest rooms. This apartment might even have room for us to factor in a small "kitchen!" As much as we feel at home in the rooms we currently live, we are thrilled about the idea of having a space that works better long-term for our family.
How soon can the construction begin? As previously mentioned we are in the design stage right now. There are many factors to consider when designing the space - air ventilation, noise from the highway next to the property, security, weather, etc. We are hoping to have the design completed by the end of the month. Once the layout plans are finished, we will be ready to start construction.
In order to expand the sleeping capacity at Ortlip and provide our family a new place to live, we need to raise roughly $20,000. Our first thought when typing that out is - "How will we ever raise that amount?" One thing that God has been teaching us this year is TRUST. Trust in His timing. Trust in His provision. Trust in Him. If this is God's will for our family and the Center, He will provide in his timing and His way. "Bondye konnen" - God knows. He knows our needs. We just need to trust in Him.
What role can you play in this?
PRAY - Pray that God provides financially. Pray that we wait well on His timing. Pray that His will be done in everything we do.
GIVE - With tax season upon us pray about how God might be calling you to give towards this project. We are already looking at our own finances and tax return to see how we can help fund the project. (Shoot us an email if you would like more information on how to go about giving.)
GO - Do you have construction knowledge? Concrete, electrical, plumbing, etc. Bring a team (1, 2, 3….10 people) down here to help with the building process. We'd love to have you join us down here for a construction trip!
Thank you so much for your support and prayers. We cannot do what we do without the support of our friends and family!
With the classroom done we move on to the next step in order to be able to host this program. In order for the FLET Program to begin in January as planned, the Ortlip Center must be able to sleep 30-35 people. Right now our sleeping capacity is at 24 people. For those who have seen pictures on Facebook and/or visited us here in Haiti, you may know that our family currently occupies three rooms on the top floor of one of our buildings - a combined living room/office, the girls bedroom, and our master bedroom. These three rooms were originally made as guest rooms, with each room having a separate outdoor entrance and each with its own bathroom. The most cost-efficient and logical thing for our family to do is to move out of the rooms we are currently occupying. This would immediately increase the Center's sleeping capacity to 35+ people.
Here is how you can help:
(Taken from our latest newsletter - If you have not received our newsletter just let us know your email and we will get you put on our distribution list!)
After talking and praying through several different options, we feel that the most cost efficient and logical place for our family to go is UP! We are in the process of designing the layout of a third story apartment for our family. We will have the same amount of space as we are currently living, but we are excited to be able to design a space that resembles more of an apartment - rather than three separate guest rooms. This apartment might even have room for us to factor in a small "kitchen!" As much as we feel at home in the rooms we currently live, we are thrilled about the idea of having a space that works better long-term for our family.
How soon can the construction begin? As previously mentioned we are in the design stage right now. There are many factors to consider when designing the space - air ventilation, noise from the highway next to the property, security, weather, etc. We are hoping to have the design completed by the end of the month. Once the layout plans are finished, we will be ready to start construction.
In order to expand the sleeping capacity at Ortlip and provide our family a new place to live, we need to raise roughly $20,000. Our first thought when typing that out is - "How will we ever raise that amount?" One thing that God has been teaching us this year is TRUST. Trust in His timing. Trust in His provision. Trust in Him. If this is God's will for our family and the Center, He will provide in his timing and His way. "Bondye konnen" - God knows. He knows our needs. We just need to trust in Him.
What role can you play in this?
PRAY - Pray that God provides financially. Pray that we wait well on His timing. Pray that His will be done in everything we do.
GIVE - With tax season upon us pray about how God might be calling you to give towards this project. We are already looking at our own finances and tax return to see how we can help fund the project. (Shoot us an email if you would like more information on how to go about giving.)
GO - Do you have construction knowledge? Concrete, electrical, plumbing, etc. Bring a team (1, 2, 3….10 people) down here to help with the building process. We'd love to have you join us down here for a construction trip!
Thank you so much for your support and prayers. We cannot do what we do without the support of our friends and family!