Check out the website at www.shoesforhaitiskids.com

Haiti, 3rd trip for SFHK, Nov. 5-12, 2008

Thanks to all of you who donated shoes, finances for us to buy shoes, and money for us to buy food for the poor while in Haiti. We were able to put shoes on the children at Fonde School, bring bags of rice, beans, and some bread to a small church, 3 small schools, and whenever we saw a need. We want to thank Bettie Snyder and her son Phil from Glow Ministries of Zeeland, Mi wh0 have been in Haiti for over 30 years, they help us with everything that we do. They also provided a home for some of the team and othe rest of us stayed at the hotel next door to their home. Please check out their website at http://www.glowmi.org/ They truly are making a big difference in the lives of the people there.

Again, thank you for making Shoes for Haiti's Kids possible. May God bless you for your generosity.



Also, a big hand to the team who all helped in hauling shoes, bagging rice, beans, bread and giving of themselves to the children, widows, and people of Haiti. Thanks for sacrificing of your
time, money, and yourselves for Haiti! Great job!



back row left to right, John, Carol, Frank, Cindy, Bettie, Charlie
front row left to right, Ria, Shirley, Nancy, Michele

To make a donation, MAKE CHECKS OUT TO NEW HOPE & send to:

Shoes For Haiti's Kids
New Hope Ministries
4425 71st St.
Vero Beach, Fl
32967

Fonde Baptiste School

The kids of Fonde Baptiste School were waiting for us when the truck drove up full of shoes. They were so excited and we began by opening up the suitcases full of shoes and also some large boxes full of toys. When I saw all those children, hundreds of them, I just prayed and asked God to give us enough shoes for them all. We worked for hours trying the shoes on the children and fitting them. It was a big job but very satisfying. I know in order to put a new pair of shoes on each of the children there, we will need a lot more shoes. We were also able to give a few teachers a pair of shoes. The children gathered around us outside and we loved on them, hugged them and just let them know that they are loved. I videod some of them singing and let them watch themselves on the video and there eyes just got real big from seeing themselves. They loved singing for us and we just had a great time together. After putting on the shoes, a trip to the outhouse and a nice meal of chicken, rice, beans and planteens, we headed back down the mountain. The trip up to the school was met with dirt & rocky roads, hairpin curves, and times when we were going straight up and all sliding together in the back of that truck. The truck was loaded with 12 people in the open bed in the hot sun, 12-15 suitcases full of shoes which were strapped to the top of the cab and put under the seats, etc. We also had a bucket of chicken that had been cooked for us in the early morning. This was not like a bucket we get from KFC but a pail, bucket, filled with chicken as we drove up the mountain for 2 1/2 hours in the hot sun. Needless to say, it was still hot when we ate it! Thanks to Charlie who had a firm hand on that bucket all the way up the mountain! Also, I was amazed at the people in that village, with nothing but a school/church many of them are born up there and die up there, never leaving that village. I was impressed with the gardens I saw on the mountains. Their soil is good that they are able to grow what they need. Our trip to Fonde School is a memory that none of us will ever forget! And our bodies felt the affects of that trip for several days after!

Widows meeting

As we entered the womens meeting they were singing so beautifully that they could be heard through out the neighborhood. What a beautiful sight to see their faces smiling as they sang praises to God. Cindy Holliday encouraged the women with a message that touched their hearts followed with a meal for each of them of chicken, rice, and beans. Life has been hard on these precious widows but the love of God shines in each one of them.

Seven precious orphan girls

These 7 girls have quite a story! They were in an orphanage and were asked to leave and put out on the street. One of their caretakers at the orphanage was also asked to leave. They were scattered everywhere, some going home with the cook, others to find some distant relatives but Dumwa, who had taken care of them at the orphanage, gathered them all up and took them to live with him, his wife and brand new baby. Frank and I have supported two of the girls and we wanted to see them so they all came over to the house at Betties. Dave and Luanne Gould had donated over 100 pair of brand new sandals, flats and heels so we let the girls go through the boxes and for over 1 1/2 hours we watched as they tried on the shoes, giggling and just being girls. It was so much fun to watch. There are many more like them that desperately need support on a monthly basis. If you would like to support a child in Haiti, check out http://www.glowmi.org/ They feed over 2000 children a day and with the recent hurricane this past summer, children have lost their parents and they need your support. God Bless you!

Our "Brush Arbor School"

The kids at our little "Brush Arbor School" are some of the sweetest children I have ever met. They are all so grateful for the rice and the beans that we gave to them. They will take it home to their families and will have enough for a few meals. Money has been donated to build them a new "brush arbor school" closer to the main road where the school will have better access. Our goal is to one day be able to build them a concrete block school. Also we would like to begin to support this school on a monthy basis. For $200 a month the children can be feed 5 days a week while they are attending school. Can you help? It would be life changing and maybe even life saving for the children there. Plus their education, being able to read and write!

Life in Haiti

HOME FROM HAITI

We arrived back from Haiti early this afternoon. We are all home safe and sound. Will write all about the trip in the next few days. Thanks so much for all of your prayers! Ria Voss