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Monday, November 19, 2018

On the Mountain in Haiti


"And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased."

Hebrews 13:16

Greetings!

Radiator problems
It's been a long time since I've updated! By the Grace of God, we have been able to get $300.00 worth of food for the children up to the orphanage every month since last spring. Thank you for helping in such a need!

I was blessed to go to Haiti with two pastors from Life Church of Rome, GA. a couple weeks ago, Pastor Josh and Pastor Greg. We spent a night at Miriam's guest house in Port au Prince where I ran in to a few old friends (that's different then running into a few friends that are old)! It was great to catch up with them.

Broken down truck blocking the road
After breakfast the next morning, Pastor Jonas that runs the orphanage in Z'Orange, picked us up to go up the mountain and stay with them. We first stopped and got $300.00 worth of food for the children to take with us. What normally is a 1 1/2 hour ride to the orphanage, turned into about a 6 hour adventure! The traffic in Port au Prince was simply the worst I have ever seen it. Just as we were about to get out of town, the radiator went out. We pulled down a side road and pulled the radiator out and some people threw some J.B. Weld around the edges and we were off again.

We were on the small one lane road in the mountain, when we

Building a ramp down the bank
came upon a broken down truck in the middle of the stream we needed to cross. Not knowing how long it would be there, which could be days, we looked for an alternate route down the bank and across the stream. We decided we would build a path. I didn't think we would get stuck seeing as we were going down the bank. We could have just slid down and into the little water that was in it and up the other side by the broken down truck. The Haitian drivers weren't too excited about it though. Just as our road building effort was completed, the truck started up and moved out of the way! Our drivers were glad they didn't have to try the 'new' road!

Children watching us
The ladies around the orphanage were preparing a feast for the evening. The smells were soooooo good! We all got to sample the chicken and goat before hand. I must say, it was the best goat I have ever had! Moist and tender.

We had a church worship service that evening which was powered by a generator. As most of you know, there is no electricity or running water up on the mountain. It was a fantastic evening of song and worship. Pastor Josh played guitar and sang and spoke a few words. Then we had a great message from Pastor Greg. Following the service, we had the feast. It was also Pastor Jonas' birthday and we all celebrated with him.


Pastor Josh dishing up the chicken
Ladies preparing food with the kitchen behind them.
Tasting the chicken and goat
Pastor Jonas and his wife were so hospitable towards us! They even gave us there small, one room house to sleep in while they slept on the floor of the church with many of the children they are taking care of.  They don't have a building completed for the children yet, but are working on one when they do get some funds.

Pastor Josh and friends
Pastor Greg and friends
The next morning we went to the hut of a man I know named Desiree. He suffered a stroke about 2 years ago and life is very difficult for his family. About 20 feet from his hut is a voodoo temple. I asked him if he believed in Jesus and he gave a definite yes! I asked the 2 ladies that were helping him (one was his aunt) if they were also Christian which they replied they were not, that they were voodoo right next door. We prayed not only for Desiree, but asked the ladies if we could pray to the one and only God  for them and they agreed. About 30 feet away was a contingent of people from the voodoo temple watching us. I really feel the Lord is opening a door there! Please be in prayer for them.

We spent a couple more days traveling to different places to include Ellen's. She's an American lady that has a small orphanage that she built herself. Truly a calling from God. We had a few demonstrations in the road to maneuver  around, but made it back to Port au Prince safely.

Morning on the mountain

We want to continue to help those that truly need help. Haiti is getting harder and harder to live in. They need so much and we can do very little. But we feel we must do what the Lord gives us to do. First of all to spread the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ alone! We also pray that we will be able to continue to send food to the children along with helping with other needs when the funds are available. We still work with the church called Philadelphia in the Northwest, but it is a difficult place to get to. Please consider helping in this journey to help those who are unable to help themselves. Thank you and God bless!

Desiree on the right
In His Service,
Chuck & Gail Guerber
P.O. Box 171
Ironwood, MI 49938
906.364.1415


Happy to be in school




A class at the orphanage held in the church bldg.






Saturday, April 21, 2018

Thank You!


'He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker,

                              but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.'


Proverbs 14:31
Greetings!
     Just a short update to thank everyone that helped get the needed food up to the orphanage in Z'Orange, Haiti this past week. The family that runs it, which we have known for a number of years, put out a plea for food, which is very unlike them to ask. They take care of a lot of children and food is not cheap in Haiti.
     A special thank you goes to Fred Chalker and Pastor Etienne of Living Water Ministries. After I emailed the need to get money in country, Fred called literally within minutes and said he was headed there in a couple days and would be happy to take the money with him. They met up with our translator Fednel and got the money to him. Fednel in turn contacted the orphanage and set up a time to where they could meet so he could buy the food they needed. Fednel even gave me a picture of the receipts for the food! Thank you Fednel (aka Fedex)!


Most of the children at the orphanage


     This need has a special place in Gail and my hearts. We feel it is extremely important to do what we can in order that they have the nutritious  food they need. It's a tough life for them. It's day-to-day. The signs of malnutrition are noticeable on the children. WE CAN CHANGE THAT! With your help, we hope to lessen their daily burdens by being able to, at the very least, provide the food. There are so many other needs that take the little money they do have.



Happy Faces!
            
 This month we were able to get them 3 bags of rice, 1 bag of beans, 1 bag of corn, a bag of sugar, 5 gallons of cooking oil and some sardines. Next month we hope to be able to provide even more and diverse food and hopefully some juice, too!  We ask that you consider helping us with this. We would like to work up to being able to give them $500.00 worth of food every month. No, not give them the money, but get them the food! They are taking care of a lot of people and even $500.00 isn't going to cover everything, BUT IT'S A START!



Fednel on the left helping Pastor Jonas load up the food for the trip up the mountain to the orphanage.
   
  Please consider joining us in helping in this monthly need. Again, thank you for those of you who helped out this past month! God bless all of you...

In His Service,

Chuck & Gail

Contact  Information

Chuck & Gail Guerber
P.O. Box 171
Ironwood, MI 49938
Phone:  906.364.1415 (new phone)
Haiti: 4753.0270


Friday, March 16, 2018

Haiti in March


Dan from Kids Against Hunger unloading rice and beans
 for the orphanage along with the head teacher and Karl.

In their hearts humans plan their course,
    but the Lord establishes their steps.
                      Proverbs 16:9
Greetings!
A group of 6 of us recently returned from Haiti. We had our plans made, but the Lord directed us in a different path upon arrival! I went along with the folks from Kids Against Hunger, St Peters, MO satellite.
Children from the orphanage attending school
I would like to back up a little here. I haven't written anything for about the past 6 months. Even though I was unable to go to Haiti during that time, the Lord still gave this ministry opportunities to help His people. Last December we were put in a position where a 3-4 month old child needed brain surgery. The Lord made it possible for the ministry to provide the funds for that life saving surgery. Another time we were able to help financially support a work program along with supplying food for the orphanage. I thank our God for putting us, and this ministry, in a position where we could still be effective even though we weren't physically in country. It isn't our work but the Lords work through us. We look forward to seeing how our Lord will direct our feet in the future! Ok, moving on....
The light brown color in this girls hair is a sign of malnutrition
Praying with and for the children
Day 2 in Haiti we planned on meeting the 40' container with 2 smaller box trucks and transfering 250,000 meals. This food was ear marked for the Northwest. After we arrived on location for the transfer, we learned there was a strike at customs and we weren't going to get our food that day (the food wasn't actually released until earlier this past week). With our plans out the window, we decided to make a day trip up to Z'Orange and visit the orphanage. On our way, we stopped and picked up 4 bags or rice, 2 bags of beans and a lot of cooking oil. Upon arrival, we found joyful children in school which was being held in the church at the orphanage. They sang songs for us and were eager to have their pictures taken! Before leaving, we prayed with and for the children. The Lord has shown me the love of Christ at this place.

We left the orphanage and drove through the main road in Z'Orange. I was hoping to see some friends, but only to find out they were all in Port au Prince that day. We were able to meet up with Daniel, one of the voodoo priests living there. We had a nice, casual conversation, then we left.

Meeting up with Pastor Etienne
The decision was made to keep moving forward with our plans of heading to the Northwest. With or without food. Jerry volunteered to stay back in Port in the event the food was released while the remaining 5 of us head northward the next day. Getting to our destination, Lemuel Ministries, in the Northwest is nothing to take lightly, and this trip was no exception! The Lord provided us many opportunities for prayer. When we finally arrived at Lemuel, all the friendly faces were there (except Judy and Ani which were in the States. Sorry to miss you!!). We all enjoyed the fellowship.
Garbage everywhere
We had one full day in the north and we made the best of it. We headed over to the Living Water Ministries campus and met with our dear friend Pastor Etienne. We saw the houses that Living Water and Global Compassion built to aid in the relieve after hurricane Mathew took out the village. It was great to see people living in their new houses with children playing outside! We ventured out on the 'short cut' from Ti Paradi over the mountain to what we call the area of Philadelphia. The road can get a little sketchy at times and I think Karl put it best when he called it and adventure times 2!! It's not for the faint of heart, but we made it just fine.
More garbage burning
We arrived at Philadelphia church to find the pastor and his family just returning from working in their garden. They were hot and sweaty and greeted us warmly. He was excited to tell us of an upcoming baptism. I was blessed to participate in it last year, and he asked if I would return. Not sure when it will take place, but it will be an honor to attend.

The pastor and his family at Philadelphia church
We had an uneventful trip back to Port au Prince with a brief stop at Ellen's orphanage.
We thank everyone that has prayed and/or financially support this ministry. Your giving is a blessing to the people in Haiti. Thank you and God bless.
In His Service,
Chuck & Gail
Contact Information
Chuck & Gail Guerber
% Grace Hill Ministries
P.O. Box 171
Ironwood, MI 49938
Phone US: 906.285.2500
Haiti: 4753.0270
www.nwhaiti.com