Let's Build A School!

Hi all,

We've added a new button to the website, "Let's Build  A School!" so that visitors can learn more about our hope to help finish the high school in Pestel.   Please feel free to pass this along:

http://www.thrivingvillages.com/

Thanks to all who have donated!  

Some highlights from 2013 (so far!  :)

• January--Purchased 6 motor cycles for the field health workers.  Reports from our last Vitamin A campaign showed that their effectiveness increased by at least 30%
• March--Miss World Team & Variety International traveled to Pestel & produced a moving video of their experiences.  We stay at the new Guest House in Ferier with Sisters Fidelis, Jo and Vicky!
• April--Well-drilling effort undertaken but unsuccessful.  Water Missions International begins Plan B approach.
• May--Variety International pledged to increase their annual commitment to bring the 19 field health workers back up to full time status!!
• June--Thriving Villages gets a new website thanks to the hard work of individuals at Deloitte!  Thanks especially to Sheldon who continues to maintain it!!
• August--Field health workers begin widespread immunization effort throughout all of Pestel for the first time!  Kids in Pestel are still dying from preventable diseases like tetanus, but we are now addressing this.
• September--Miss World Team has raised substantial funds to help kick-off a 'pilot' project in Duchity (southern aspect of Pestel region) in conjunction with John Ball's team!!  Efforts to begin in full force in January.  Effort aims to reach 2000 households with an entrepreneurial-based approach to providing household ceramic water filters.
• November--Miss World Team revisits Haiti but an accident requires an emergency medical air evacuation for one team member and an in-country surgery for one boy.  Both are recovering slowly.
• December--wouldn't it be great to add a line to this list about raising funds to help complete a high school?!?   :)

There are some potentially really wonderful projects in-development that we will send along to you as plans become a bit more solid.  Also, several new individuals and organizations have learned about the needs in Pestel this year and have begun to engage and work together.

We also hope to put together a compilation of exciting activities and initiatives that our friends and partner organizations have undertaken in Pestel this past year!   

May we find joy in this work, perseverance in our efforts, wisdom in our decisions, and humility in our approach.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Ben

--

President, Thriving Villages International

Thriving Villages website:  www.thrivingvillages.org

Thriving Villages blog:  http://thrivingvillages.blogspot.com/

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/ThrivingVillages

"Pay special attention to these issues:

   love for one another;

   absence of desire to be thought of as someone special;

   and the impeccable performance of mundane tasks."  Teresa of Avila

The Bridge

Hi all,

My alma mater, Messiah College, just released the latest edition of The Bridge--its quarterly publication.   You'll see a couple of nice photos from our friend Steve Miller (http://stevemillerphotography.net/), an article that includes some comments from Yours Truly, and a mention of Thriving Villages!

Please check it out!

http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/messiah/bridge_2013fall/#/0

Perhaps folks reading the article will check out our website/blog and read about the opportunity to establish a new high school in Pestel!!

Ben

--

President, Thriving Villages International

Thriving Villages website:  www.thrivingvillages.org

Thriving Villages blog:  http://thrivingvillages.blogspot.com/

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/ThrivingVillages

"Pay special attention to these issues:

   love for one another;

   absence of desire to be thought of as someone special;

   and the impeccable performance of mundane tasks."  Teresa of Avila

Fwd: Opportunity to help establish high school in Pestel

Education in Pestel, Haiti is a priority area for Thriving Villages International.

We have an opportunity to invest in the next generation and complete a high school for students in Pestel!  Basic construction is complete on a 3-room high school in Pestel, and Thriving Villages is looking for partners to invest in the education of rural Haitians.  The $10,000 needed would complete construction of three high school classrooms – lay flooring, construct doors, benches, and chalkboards – at St. Francis school in Pestel.  More than that, it would give hope and a future to a region that desperately needs both.

The Board of Thriving Villages would like to invite you to participate in this important and joy-filled opportunity.  After prayerful consideration and a lot of good discussion, we feel confident that God will provide, the funds will be well-used, and people both here and in Pestel will rejoice when the buildings are finished! 

To donate, visit our website at http://www.thrivingvillages.org, our blog at http://thrivingvillages.blogspot.com/, or send a check to Thriving Villages International, 1601 Susan Lane Mechanicsburg, PA 17055.  Please write "Education Fund" in the memo.  

Thanks for your love and support.  We pray that the outpouring of relief to some of the poorest people in the Western Hemisphere continues as well, as we work to provide education, medical supplies, clean water, and hope for the people in Pestel, Haiti.  

Ben

PS   Please see the attached letter for more detailed information.

--

President, Thriving Villages International

Thriving Villages website:  www.thrivingvillages.org

Thriving Villages blog:  http://thrivingvillages.blogspot.com/

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/ThrivingVillages

"Pay special attention to these issues:

   love for one another;

   absence of desire to be thought of as someone special;

   and the impeccable performance of mundane tasks."  Teresa of Avila

--

President, Thriving Villages International

Thriving Villages website:  www.thrivingvillages.org

Thriving Villages blog:  http://thrivingvillages.blogspot.com/

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/ThrivingVillages

"Pay special attention to these issues:

   love for one another;

   absence of desire to be thought of as someone special;

   and the impeccable performance of mundane tasks."  Teresa of Avila

Latest update from Miss World Organization

http://www.missworld.com/News/2013-11-07/Megan-Young-Speaks-to-Missworldcom/

I am glad to see Megan and Julia in higher spirits.  Several of you have written me and indicated how impressed you are with how the Miss World Team has dealt with these very difficult and traumatic circumstances.  Personally I have been humbled by the true grace with which they have moved along each step of this.  They were placed in a very difficult and scary situation abruptly.  Both Julia and Megan indicate in this latest press release that they remain committed (perhaps more than ever?) to turn this situation into something good for the people of Pestel.   

The shock waves of trauma can reverberate well after the initial event, and I would ask that we continue to pray for healing and restoration for those who were involved in this.

Thanks

Ben

--

President, Thriving Villages International

Thriving Villages website:  www.thrivingvillages.org

Thriving Villages blog:  http://thrivingvillages.blogspot.com/

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/ThrivingVillages

"Pay special attention to these issues:

   love for one another;

   absence of desire to be thought of as someone special;

   and the impeccable performance of mundane tasks."  Teresa of Avila

Short video from Miss World Organization

Hi all,

This was just posted as a follow-up to the recent accident in Haiti:

http://www.missworld.com/News/2013-11-07/Haiti-Accident-Update-Megan-Young-Interview/

Please continue to pray for Julia as she works through the recovery process.

Ben

--

President, Thriving Villages International

Thriving Villages website:  www.thrivingvillages.org

Thriving Villages blog:  http://thrivingvillages.blogspot.com/

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/ThrivingVillages

"Pay special attention to these issues:

   love for one another;

   absence of desire to be thought of as someone special;

   and the impeccable performance of mundane tasks."  Teresa of Avila

Update on Haiti trip: accident in Port-au-Prince

Please see this well-written account on the Miss World Organization website outlining the events that occurred within hours of landing in Haiti:

http://www.missworld.com/News/2013-11-04/Miss-World-in-Orphanage-Collapse-Horror/

Please be in prayer for Julia Morley as she recovers in the Miami hospital from her hip surgery and the events over these past several days.  We are all so thankful that she was able to be transported out to an excellent hospital in Miami, and that greater injuries were not sustained by the Miss World Team or the children.

     

I was not at the orphanage at the time of the accident.  I arrived in Haiti a couple of hours after the Miss World Team.  Evens and I were with Nelson at the time we received a phone call from Julia's son Steve.  

A lot goes through your mind at times like these.   And plenty sticks with you for some time after the event.   Please pray for all those who experienced the accident first-hand.  They have all had a lot to take in.

As difficult as this was, there is so much to be thankful for.  There were so many times when things might not have gone well.  When it's all considered, the ability for the team to get the care they needed in a reasonable time fashion was really very good.   We are thankful in particular to a team of Canadian physicians and nurses who volunteered their time last week at the Bernard Mevs Hospital where Julia and the boy Jonathan were evaluated.  They did a professional job and used limited resources well to diagnose the problems and control pain as best as possible.  The hospital also has a good deal of experience with medical evacuations because of their long-standing relationship with the University of Miami.  When we learned about Julia's fracture I asked what we needed to do to arrange for medical evacuation and was told that the staff at the hospital would work on everything for us.

Ben

--

President, Thriving Villages International

Thriving Villages website:  www.thrivingvillages.org

Thriving Villages blog:  http://thrivingvillages.blogspot.com/

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/ThrivingVillages

"One who is in Christ operates by spiritual discernment and wisdom, and helps a man not by giving him what he wants but what he may need.  Above all, our response is one of caring and sharing; we are ready to serve, to get involved.  This is the risk and the cost of love."  Myron Augsburger

Heading to Haiti!

Hi all,

I will be heading to Haiti tomorrow morning and meeting up with the wonderful Miss World Team.  I can sense that they are excited about the trip, as am I.   It'll be a quick trip, but with plenty of important activities.   I am not likely to send updates on my trip but I suspect the Miss World team will post updates, and you will likely find them here:

http://www.beautywithapurpose.com/

Please pray for safety and also for flexibility.   Also, please pray that everyone on this trip would be affected and impacted by what we experience on this trip together.  

Ben

--

President, Thriving Villages International

Thriving Villages website:  www.thrivingvillages.org

Thriving Villages blog:  http://thrivingvillages.blogspot.com/

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/ThrivingVillages

"One who is in Christ operates by spiritual discernment and wisdom, and helps a man not by giving him what he wants but what he may need.  Above all, our response is one of caring and sharing; we are ready to serve, to get involved.  This is the risk and the cost of love."  Myron Augsburger

September Updates

Hi Everyone,

I want to share a few updates about the work in Pestel, Haiti:

Health:

The May/June Vitamin A Campaign (with deworming pills) reached 6651 children between ages of 6 months and 5 years.  During the prior Vitamin A Campaign the field workers ("APPAS") reached 6384.   Importantly, while they reached 300 more children during the latest round they also did it in 2 months instead of 3.   How did they do it?   You may recall that earlier this year some families donated money for purchase of motorcycles to allow the workers to (hopefully) be more efficient.  I'd say it worked!    We are not fully covering the area, though, and we'll be working on a strategy to accomplish this.  A very recent huge study (1 million children) in India showed that VItamin A reduced all-cause child death by 10%.   The benefit of these medicines is seen when we reach all kids...especially those hardest to reach in the furthest villages.   

If you are interested in helping to develop a strategy to reach the furthest kids in the furthest villages in Pestel, please email me.  

Water:

Very exciting news!   Through a recent generous donation by the Miss World Organization, combined with funding through Rotary International, expertise by a couple of different organizations, we will be launching a ceramic water filter project in Duchity (a town in Pestel) in 2014!!!    We anticipate reaching about 2000 households in the area.   If this model is successful we hope to expand it to other areas in Pestel.

Another important household water filter project will be taking place in the Malcouchin area through Impact for Jesus.  More to come on this!!  

Earlier this year we did not hit water with the well-drilling project.   This week Water Missions International is evaluating a Plan B option for Pestel.  We've provided them with a list (and GPS coordinates) of water sources throughout Pestel that they can evaluate.  

Finally, I've learned that the government of Haiti has been working on constructing a bridge over the River Glaz.  This is more wonderful news!   Almost every year we learn about vehicles (and people) being swept over the side when people try to cross the swollen river which runs over the road.  This bridge will be another life-saver

Education:

We would like to find a way to help Father Parnel finish off his High School in Pestel.  In the past we have helped provide some funds that went toward constructing more school rooms so that the school (St. Francis School) can expand the number of grades it offers.  They have been able to add a grade per year for the past couple of years.  They want to be able to offer 11th and 12th in the upcoming years, but need to have the rooms finished off.   If anyone has suggestions for obtaining funding to help with this important project, please let us know.  We would love to rejoice with the people of Pestel by being part of this landmark event for their community.

Final detail, hopefully you've seen our new website.  If not, I encourage you to check it out.  Yesterday we were able to add a recurring donation button to our website (per request! :)   You can find this at the bottom of the page, right-hand corner.  

http://www.thrivingvillages.com/

The button appears as "subscribe".  That may not make intuitive sense, but hey, it's a free button!  If we wanted it to say anything else we'd have to pay for it.  :)  No sense in that!

Thanks everyone!  We're thrilled at all these good pieces of news and see them as evidence of God's hands already at work on behalf of the people of Pestel, to show us and them how Good and Great He is.

Ben

--

President, Thriving Villages International

Thriving Villages website:  www.thrivingvillages.org

Thriving Villages blog:  http://thrivingvillages.blogspot.com/

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/ThrivingVillages

"One who is in Christ operates by spiritual discernment and wisdom, and helps a man not by giving him what he wants but what he may need.  Above all, our response is one of caring and sharing; we are ready to serve, to get involved.  This is the risk and the cost of love."  Myron Augsburger

New Website for Thriving Villages!!! www.thrivingvillages.com

Hi all,

We are pleased to share with you a newly updated website for Thriving Villages!

www.thrivingvillages.com

We have been working with some wonderful people at Deloitte Inc. since June to revise the site and we could not be more pleased.  Thanks especially to Sheldon and Ujjwal for their work and leadership.  And to Deloitte for donating their expertise to bring this about!   Please share this site!!

You will also see a new logo featured on our site.  This was designed for us by a student, Cait Fenello, at Messiah College as part of a Design Class led by Professor Kathy Hettinga.

We remain grateful to the many hands over these past 6 years who have contributed to the development of the website and its several iterations, the logo, and the promotional materials.  Through their donated time we have tried to convey the needs of the people in Pestel and celebrate the ways that we have seen God working and bringing forward His goodness in new and exciting ways.

Ben  

--

President, Thriving Villages International

Thriving Villages website:  www.thrivingvillages.org

Thriving Villages blog:  http://thrivingvillages.blogspot.com/

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/ThrivingVillages

I do not doubt that the modern Western church badly needs a lot of things, one of them being more confidence that God is working powerfully among us and wants us to do more than we have been willing to do in his service.   John G. Stackhouse

Congratulations to Sister Jo!!

Sisters Jo and Fidelis live and work in Pestel, serving the poor.  This weekend Dr. Ben's family had the joy of joining Sister Jo, Sister Fidelis, Father Parnel (seen also in the attached photo), and Sister Jo's family (including her many many Sisters) in Ohio for her 50th Anniversary of taking her vows!   

 We would like to thank Sister Jo for her dedication to the people of Pestel, and we thank God for her!

--

President, Thriving Villages International

Thriving Villages website:  www.thrivingvillages.org

Thriving Villages blog:  http://thrivingvillages.blogspot.com/

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/ThrivingVillages

I do not doubt that the modern Western church badly needs a lot of things, one of them being more confidence that God is working powerfully among us and wants us to do more than we have been willing to do in his service.   John G. Stackhouse

Updates on Pestel

Hi everyone

Happy First Day of Summer!

 

Water and Well-drilling.

As you know we attempted a well-drilling effort in Pestel this Spring with Water Missions International and Blue Ridge Well-drilling. Unfortunately the effort was not successful.  Despite going down about 450 feet, they were unable to identify water.  At this point Water Missions International is in the process of developing a Plan B.   The need for clean, safe water is crucial to the future of the people in Pestel.  Their current water deprivation underlies a great degree of disease and death.  This is avoidable and we hope to do something about it by working together.   

One of the strategies we will be pursuing will be the purchase of household ceramic water filters.  This is a great strategy for those who have good access to water because it can provide safe water for a whole family for at least 3 years.  At $35 per filter, that's a bargain!  We'll be developing a strategy to roll these out over the next couple of years to reach as many households as possible in Pestel.

Health Workers

The 18 health workers (called APPAS) are currently finishing up the Vitamin A and Deworming campaigns this month.  In July they will be starting to provide immunizations, which is a huge step forward in terms of public health efforts for this region.  They have been trained to provide the vaccines, and we intend to eliminate childhood tetanus as well as prevent the recurrence of diseases like measles which are deadly in this setting.

We were able to purchase motorcycles for the different sections in Pestel to improve the efficiency of the health workers.  Less time spent walking means more time to reach more kids.

Extra Notes

We were thrilled to participate with the international company Deloitte recently on their annual Impact Day.  Two of their team leads put together a group of volunteers from Deloitte to redesign our website.  We are really excited about the new look and are thrilled with the genuine heart of service that these folks exhibited.  We know they were so happy to contribute to this important efffort, and we can't wait to show you the new website when it is finished!  We'll be sure to pass it along when it is!   (see photo attached of the team from Deloitte that worked all day on the site--it includes Nelson in the back)

Nelson left for Haiti on Monday.  He is now reunited with his parents.  We need a great deal of wisdom as we try to navigate issues of safety and health and future prospects in this setting.

Finally, one of my good friends and colleagues, Dennis Gingrich, recently co-authored a blog post about the value of family medicine.  He cleverly included a mention of the work we are doing (see hyperlink about 3/4 down into the article).  :)

http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2013/03/surprised-family-physicians.html 

Enjoy the article!

 

Ben

--

President, Thriving Villages International

Thriving Villages website:  www.thrivingvillages.org

Thriving Villages blog:  http://thrivingvillages.blogspot.com/

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/ThrivingVillages

I do not doubt that the modern Western church badly needs a lot of things, one of them being more confidence that God is working powerfully among us and wants us to do more than we have been willing to do in his service.   John G. Stackhouse

New video available from Miss World Team's visit to Pestel, March 2013!!

Hi everyone,

I am so pleased to send you this new video, produced by the Miss World Team, reporting on their recent trip to Pestel in March 2013.  I am so impressed with how succinctly the video conveys so many important messages about the needs in Pestel.  Congratulations to the Miss World Organization for a fantastic video, and especially Julia Morley who made all of this happen!  

Dr. Ben

Haiti -. Water buckets, roads and clinic

Beauty with a Purpose and Variety International visit to Haiti

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-O1QmivIks&feature=youtu.be

$ 50 USD buys a large clay bucket filtration system. Enough fresh water for a family of six for up to 5 years.  

Sent by

Steve Douglas on behalf of

Julia Morley

Chairman and CEO

Miss World Limited

--

President, Thriving Villages International

Thriving Villages website:  www.thrivingvillages.org

Thriving Villages blog:  http://thrivingvillages.blogspot.com/

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/ThrivingVillages

I do not doubt that the modern Western church badly needs a lot of things, one of them being more confidence that God is working powerfully among us and wants us to do more than we have been willing to do in his service.   John G. Stackhouse

Well-drilling site #2: no water

We received this from Evens:

Hi Dr Ben,

     We yesterday went to Lafievre to drill. We didn't find water there. The machine went 200 feet and found a cave. They will now go to Trouin to drill.

The water we found Tuesday is salty.

Let's pray and hope to find water in Trouin today.

Best,

Evens

-- 

President, Thriving Villages International

Thriving Villages website:  www.thrivingvillages.org

Thriving Villages blog:  http://thrivingvillages.blogspot.com/

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/ThrivingVillages

I do not doubt that the modern Western church badly needs a lot of things, one of them being more confidence that God is working powerfully among us and wants us to do more than we have been willing to do in his service.   John G. Stackhouse

Well-drilling site #1: salt water

Hi all,

Disappointing news about the first site.  While they did hit water it turned out to be salty.   They have moved on to site #2 which is a village called "The Fever".  You can see from the photo the difference between normal water (on the right) and water sample from the water hole in this village.  

This water hole can run dry in the dry season. During the rest of the year it is the main water source for this area.   

We remain very hopeful for good news!

Ben

--

President, Thriving Villages International

Thriving Villages website:  www.thrivingvillages.org

Thriving Villages blog:  http://thrivingvillages.blogspot.com/

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/ThrivingVillages

I do not doubt that the modern Western church badly needs a lot of things, one of them being more confidence that God is working powerfully among us and wants us to do more than we have been willing to do in his service.   John G. Stackhouse

Drilling starts today in Pestel!!!

We received some photos of the drill rig crossing the River Glaz (which is about the southernmost part of Pestel).  Evens is with the crew and they stayed last night at the new Guest House run by Sisters Fidelis, Jo, and Vicky.  The trip took them 13 hours (ugh!!) to travel from Port-au-Prince to Pestel.

Evens wrote that they will plan to drill today!!  They expect to have to drill very deep to hit water, and we are hopeful that when they do hit water it will be fresh water and not salty.  

  

Please pray that they hit fresh water.  The region of Pestel is incredibly water-deprived.  The World Health Organization considers a village water deprived if people have to travel more than 30 minutes roundtrip.  In Pestel many routinely travel 2 hours one way.

Ben

--

President, Thriving Villages International

Thriving Villages website:  www.thrivingvillages.org

Thriving Villages blog:  http://thrivingvillages.blogspot.com/

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/ThrivingVillages

I do not doubt that the modern Western church badly needs a lot of things, one of them being more confidence that God is working powerfully among us and wants us to do more than we have been willing to do in his service.   John G. Stackhouse

Video on Mr World TV from recent trip to Haiti

http://www.mrworld.tv/shownews/Haiti-%E2%80%93-Through-The-Eyes-of-Mr-World/203.html#.UUlgUhesiSp

Enjoy!

Ben

--

President, Thriving Villages International

Thriving Villages website:  www.thrivingvillages.org

Thriving Villages blog:  http://thrivingvillages.blogspot.com/

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/ThrivingVillages

I do not doubt that the modern Western church badly needs a lot of things, one of them being more confidence that God is working powerfully among us and wants us to do more than we have been willing to do in his service.   John G. Stackhouse

Successful trip to Pestel, Haiti with Miss World Team!

Hi all,

I just got in last evening from Haiti where I accompanied the Miss World Team out to Pestel, Haiti.  We were busy!  We covered a lot of territory in a very short period of time...saw a lot...heard a lot.   The team consisted of 

Julia Morley--CEO and President of Miss World.  Julia has decades of experience traveling to impoverished countries, and I was so impressed with her very broad knowledge and expertise.  Beyond that, though, I cannot tell you enough about her heart of compassion for children in need.  I had the pleasure of listening to her stories, learning from her experiences, and really getting to understand how she approaches some big issues like the ones we face in Pestel.  I am thrilled and honored that she brought her team to Pestel, and I know that she and I both expect some really fantastic things to come out of this trip on behalf of the people of Pestel!

Steve Morley--Steve is Julia's son.  He's an incredibly capable, smart guy who can multi-task.  Quite literally, while we were walking through a village or visiting with people, Steve was able to tune-in to the conversations while sending reports to the website simultaneously.  You'll see his handiwork on the MissWorld.com website news items.  He has a marvelous and powerful writing style that captures succinctly the messages from this trip.  He also directed the video content, and I can't wait to see the final product!

Wenxia Yu is the current Miss World.  Wenxia is from China and just came off of a 19 country tour in the past five weeks, I believe, with Miss World.  You can read more about her on the Miss World website.  She sang a song in Chinese to the children in the village of Ferrier, and when she began to sing my jaw dropped.  She has an amazing operatic voice!  

Francisco Escobar is the current Mr World (mrworld.tv) and he is from Colombia.  He posted several updates to his website that you can read here:  http://www.mrworld.tv/newslist.html#.UURnGdasiSo   Francisco does magic tricks and he really dazzled the kids with them!

Claudine Book is Miss World United States.  She has a vibrant spirit and a great love for children.  She loved to interact with them and dance with them.  You can see some fun photos of her letting the kids braid her hair on the Miss World website!  

 Jack Cannons is the COO of Variety International and he is also a big advocate for the work in Haiti.  He expressed to me that he is very pleased with how the funds from Variety International have been used to achieve some really important ends already, and he's eager to support more of the work.

The behind-the-scenes guys include two really neat people named Dave and Grant .  I thoroughly enjoyed meeting them and working with them.  They did the audio-visual components of the trip.  You will eventually see some of their finished videos once they are produced.

Finally, for all those who were praying for the trip:  know that God has answered your prayers.  We experienced a safe, productive trip.  There were no major glitches, no illnesses or injuries.  Even more, every person on the trip was deeply affected.   

Ben

--

President, Thriving Villages International

Thriving Villages website:  www.thrivingvillages.org

Thriving Villages blog:  http://thrivingvillages.blogspot.com/

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/ThrivingVillages

I do not doubt that the modern Western church badly needs a lot of things, one of them being more confidence that God is working powerfully among us and wants us to do more than we have been willing to do in his service.   John G. Stackhouse

Pestel Trip Diary

We are so thankful for a wonderful trip to Pestel!  The people of Pestel are glad to welcome their visitors and are so thankful for the support that Variety International & Miss World have given their community.  What an impact their generosity has had on this long-neglected area.

 

Frequently, Ben isn't able to have much communication with us when he is in Pestel.  This trip, thanks to some of his technologically savvy travel companions, we can follow their trip from afar.  They have done an exceptional job of sharing their thoughts on what they have seen.  Their writings also provide a comprehensive view of the wide-ranging needs the people of Pestel face. 

 

The Miss World Newsfeed has a wide following and will hopefully draw attention to the work being done with the money raised by Miss World and Variety International.  Visit the link below to see what the team is experiencing.

http://www-origin.missworld.com/News/

Please continue to pray for safety and health as the team travels back to Port-au-Prince tomorrow.

Jen Fredrick
--

Thriving Villages website:  www.thrivingvillages.org

Thriving Villages blog:  http://thrivingvillages.blogspot.com/

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/ThrivingVillages

I do not doubt that the modern Western church badly needs a lot of things, one of them being more confidence that God is working powerfully among us and wants us to do more than we have been willing to do in his service.   John G. Stackhouse

Ben's trip to Haiti

Hello everyone,

 

I am writing on behalf of Ben who has no internet access today.  I am happy to report that everyone has safely arrived in Haiti.  Unfortunately, 2 of the checked pieces of luggage were mistakenly sent to France and the airline doesn't expect the bags to arrive in Haiti until the 15th.  The bags that were misplaced contained the majority of the photography & videography equipment which is a great disappointment to all!

 

We are thankful for this opportunity for some of Ben's supporters are able to see firsthand what their generous support has accomplished!  Ben informed me of an exciting development...there is a tentative meeting with Haiti's Prime Minister on Friday!!!

 

Please pray for safe travels as the group travels out to Pestel, Haiti. 

 

Thanks!

Jen Fredrick

Thriving Villages website:  www.thrivingvillages.org

Thriving Villages blog:  http://thrivingvillages.blogspot.com/

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/ThrivingVillages

I do not doubt that the modern Western church badly needs a lot of things, one of them being more confidence that God is working powerfully among us and wants us to do more than we have been willing to do in his service.   John G. Stackhouse

Trip to Haiti

Hi all,

You are going to want to read this:

http://www.missworld.com/News/2013-03-08/Miss-World-Mission-To-Haiti-begins-Monday/

:)

I will be going to Haiti tomorrow to work with Evens and Water Missions International to finalize trip plans.   Please consider putting this trip in your prayers.  We pray that the reach of this week will far extend into the future, that trip participants will have a very meaningful trip, and that the logistics will work out.

Thanks

Ben

--

President, Thriving Villages International

Thriving Villages website:  www.thrivingvillages.org

Thriving Villages blog:  http://thrivingvillages.blogspot.com/

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/ThrivingVillages

I do not doubt that the modern Western church badly needs a lot of things, one of them being more confidence that God is working powerfully among us and wants us to do more than we have been willing to do in his service.   John G. Stackhouse

Pestel Relief Fund: Putting faces to the needs

We received photos from Sister Fidelis that represent some of the families near her house that continue to be affected by hurricane Sandy.  This is the final email that will highlight some of the individuals and their families affected.  

Notes from Sister Fidelis:

Erzili's house. Notice that the whole back wall of her house caved in. Neighbors helped her rebuild the wall and we replaced the part of her roof that was damaged.

Enorme Jean Pierre with a couple of sacks of food we gave him for his family.

KPA (CHRISTIANS PROGRESS TOGETHER) HAITIAN LEADERS IN EACH OF OUR 16 VILLAGES HAVE IDENTIFIED THE MOST-NEEDY FAMILIES. OF THE HUNDREDS OF REQUESTS WE HAVE RECEIVED WE WANT TO ADDRESS AT LEAST 50 OF THEM.

WE NEED TO RAISE $12,500 TO SERVE JUST THE NEEDIEST.

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You can either donate online at:

http://www.thrivingvillages.com/index.php?page=donate 

Then please email Gail (gsands@versatile.com) to notify her that you would like these funds designated for "Relief Fund"

To write a check, make it out to

Thriving Villages International

Memo:  Relief Fund

Mail to 

Thriving Villages International

1601 Susan Lane

Mechanicsburg, PA  17055

On behalf of the Thriving Villages International Board, thank you to all who have given generously and contributed to the people of Pestel.

Ben

--

President, Thriving Villages International

Thriving Villages website:  www.thrivingvillages.org

Thriving Villages blog:  http://thrivingvillages.blogspot.com/

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/ThrivingVillages

I do not doubt that the modern Western church badly needs a lot of things, one of them being more confidence that God is working powerfully among us and wants us to do more than we have been willing to do in his service.   John G. Stackhouse

Pestel Relief Fund: Putting faces to the needs

We received photos from Sister Fidelis that represent some of the families near her house that continue to be affected by hurricane Sandy.    

Madame Orielle's house. Notice that she has many children including the teenager at the bottom, Jean Ewol, who has never been able to walk. We sent  him to a special children's hospital for the handicapped but they said he was too old to be helped. His muscles had atrophied.

2nd photo shows a typical dwelling  of a very poor person in our area. Notice that the woman doesn't even have a decent tarp to cover her children against the rains.

You can either donate online at:

http://www.thrivingvillages.com/index.php?page=donate  

Please email Gail (gsands@versatile.com) to notify her that you would like these funds designated for "Relief Fund"

To write a check, make it out to

Thriving Villages International

Memo:  Relief Fund

Mail to 

Thriving Villages International

1601 Susan Lane

Mechanicsburg, PA  17055

--

President, Thriving Villages International

Thriving Villages website:  www.thrivingvillages.org

Thriving Villages blog:  http://thrivingvillages.blogspot.com/

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/ThrivingVillages

I do not doubt that the modern Western church badly needs a lot of things, one of them being more confidence that God is working powerfully among us and wants us to do more than we have been willing to do in his service.   John G. Stackhouse

Pestel Relief Fund Updates: Putting faces on the needs

Thriving Villages recently received a email from Sister Fidelis Rubbo, who lives and labors for the poor in Pestel, Haiti. Thriving Villages will be collecting donations for these needs during the month of February to help rebuild homes and rescue families in the Pestel Region. We ask that you also consider giving. 

We received photos from Sister Fidelis that represent some of the families near her house that continue to be affected by the hurricane.  

• IN FERRIER, OUR VILLAGE, THE WIDOWED WERE ESPECIALLY HARD HIT. MR. SAINT JOHN, A (VERY SWEET) ELDERLY GENTLEMAN FROM OUR CHURCH, HAD SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO BOTH THE WALLS AND ROOF OF HIS HOUSE. HE IS ALONE AND HAS NO ONE TO HELP HIM. A MONTH AGO HE ALMOST FAINTED IN CHURCH. WE FOUND OUT HE WAS SUBSISTING ON BREAD AND SUGAR WATER. WE NOW GIVE HIM FOOD WEEKLY.
  

• Michlen and her children smiling because of the news that we would help her.
  

You can either donate online at:

http://www.thrivingvillages.com/index.php?page=donate  

Then please email Gail (gsands@versatile.com) to notify her that you would like these funds designated for "Relief Fund"

To write a check, make it out to

Thriving Villages International

Memo:  Relief Fund

Mail to 

Thriving Villages International

1601 Susan Lane

Mechanicsburg, PA  17055

--

President, Thriving Villages International

Thriving Villages website:  www.thrivingvillages.org

Thriving Villages blog:  http://thrivingvillages.blogspot.com/

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/ThrivingVillages

I do not doubt that the modern Western church badly needs a lot of things, one of them being more confidence that God is working powerfully among us and wants us to do more than we have been willing to do in his service.   John G. Stackhouse

Congratulations to Sisters of St. Francis in Sylvania OH for grant to purchase water purification units for Haiti!

We care greatly about the problem of water deprivation in rural Pestel, Haiti.  Through a household survey in Pestel we learned

• People walk on average 2 hours to obtain water
  
• Most collect water in buckets
  
• There are no wells
  
• Diarrhea is a huge problem as a result of poor water and sanitation.  Many children are dying needlessly every year for lack of clean water.  
  

Sisters of St Francis in Sylvania, OH recently received a grant from Rotary International to purchase 100 water purification units for Pestel.  You can read the article here: 

http://www.sistersosf.org/Portals/0/docs/InTheNews/Haiti%20Water%20Purification%20Grant%202-19-13c.pdf

This news comes at a fantastic time, right on the heels of the nice video put together by Renee Plaza's team that I recently sent out.  Furthermore, Water Missions International has identified a well-driller for the work in Pestel and once a special drill bit comes in, the anticipate drilling work will begin early April!!

Sister Vicky to Join Sisters Fidelis & Jo in Pestel.

This week Sister Victoria Della Valle from the Philadelphia Sisters of St. Francis will be flying out to join Sistesr Fidelis & Jo (from Sylvania, OH Sisters of St. Francis) at their residence in the village of Ferrier.  Sister Vicky anticipates 

• teaching English, 
  
• helping with the newly opened visitor's house,
  
• helping with a lot of the organization/administrative work.  
  

March Trip with Variety International

In March Ben will be traveling out to Pestel with a group of 8 individuals from Variety International, The Children's Charity (check out their updated website!).  Variety International has been a faithful supporter of the efforts in Pestel since 2010, when they began their five-year commitment to Pestel.  This trip will be coordinated in conjunction with Water Missions International.  We will be staying at the new guest house in Ferrier!

Thanks in particular to Evens Lanot, Thriving Villages' in-country administrator, who has done an excellent job of ensuring the success of our undertakings in Pestel, and who is doing a lot of the work to make the arrangements for this upcoming trip!  He has a deep heart for the poor in Haiti and has dedicated himself as an advocate on their behalf.  We are privileged to work with him.

We see the hand of God evident in the midst of all these good happenings.  

Ben

-- 

President, Thriving Villages International

Thriving Villages website:  www.thrivingvillages.org

Thriving Villages blog:  http://thrivingvillages.blogspot.com/

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/ThrivingVillages

I do not doubt that the modern Western church badly needs a lot of things, one of them being more confidence that God is working powerfully among us and wants us to do more than we have been willing to do in his service.   John G. Stackhouse

Video from Pestel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZQM_8WMHQQ

I received this note and video link from Renee Plaza who has been working to provide gravity fed water filtration systems to the area in Pestel called Macochon.  This work is being done in conjunction with http://impactforjesus.org/ and http://www.newlife4kids.org/ 

Check out the video!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZQM_8WMHQQ

Hi Ben - Hope this finds you well.  Just back from Haiti for a week.  We were there for two weeks this time and one of those weeks was spent with a team of 23 in the mountains of Pestel.  Wanted to give you a quick update.

We were able to deliver the gravity fed water filtration systems to Macochon.  It was quite the experience and the village has really taken responsibility and ownership of the project.  They managed to work on the road so we could drive the bucket systems all the way into the brush arbor in the village.  They also completed the census and marked each home with a family number.  In addition, they put together a leadership team from the village that helped us train the families on assembly, maintenance and care of the units.  We feel, all together a very successful time.  Please see the short video that we put together for this at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZQM_8WMHQQ

We are thrilled for the good report and thankful for Renee and her team's dedication to the people in Pestel.

Ben

--

President, Thriving Villages International

Thriving Villages website:  www.thrivingvillages.org

Thriving Villages blog:  http://thrivingvillages.blogspot.com/

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/ThrivingVillages

I do not doubt that the modern Western church badly needs a lot of things, one of them being more confidence that God is working powerfully among us and wants us to do more than we have been willing to do in his service.   John G. Stackhouse

Friends of Haiti Guest House in Pestel now Open!

Friends of Haiti Guest House now open!!

Sister Fidelis and Sister Jo lives in Pestel, Haiti.  They are supported by the Sisters of St. Francis in Sylvania, Ohio.  You can read a bit more about Sister Fidelis on our website:

http://www.thrivingvillages.com/index.php?page=sister-fidelis

Through tremendous generosity of their organization and Sylvania Franciscan Health, they were able to construct a guest house in the village of Ferrier where Sisters Fidelis and Jo live.  The guest house was dedicated in December 2012.   We will be using this on an upcoming trip to Pestel in March when we host a group from Variety International!

Enjoy the write-up and the photos at this link:

http://library.constantcontact.com/download/get/file/1103281454608-526/Guest+House+Blessing+12-17-12a.pdf

A comfortable guest house has been a big priority for our organization and we are thrilled to see the work accomplished!   Congratulations to Sisters Fidelis and Jo for their hard work and persistence, and for their vision!

  Ben

--

President, Thriving Villages International

Thriving Villages website:  www.thrivingvillages.org

Thriving Villages blog:  http://thrivingvillages.blogspot.com/

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/ThrivingVillages

I do not doubt that the modern Western church badly needs a lot of things, one of them being more confidence that God is working powerfully among us and wants us to do more than we have been willing to do in his service.   John G. Stackhouse

This article came out today, featured on Masslive.com.  This website has a very big readership (1.2 million)

Enjoy this article and the photos on the site!

Westover Air Reserve Base officer James Bishop chronicles trip to Haiti

--

President, Thriving Villages International

Thriving Villages website:  www.thrivingvillages.org

Thriving Villages blog:  http://thrivingvillages.blogspot.com/

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/ThrivingVillages

I do not doubt that the modern Western church badly needs a lot of things, one of them being more confidence that God is working powerfully among us and wants us to do more than we have been willing to do in his service.   John G. Stackhouse

Hurricane Sandy Relief Urgently Needed for Pestel, Haiti Part III

Thriving Villages recently received anl from Sister Fidelis Rubbo, who lives and labors for the poor in Pestel, Haiti. Thriving Villages will be collecting donations for these needs during the month of February to help rebuild homes and rescue families in the Pestel Region. We ask that you also consider giving. 

This week we will be sending out some brief examples of pressing needs provided to us by Sister Fidelis.  Here are the last examples:

IN FERRIER, OUR VILLAGE, THE WIDOWED WERE ESPECIALLY HARD HIT. MR. SAINT JOHN, A (VERY SWEET) ELDERLY GENTLEMAN FROM OUR CHURCH, HAD SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO BOTH THE WALLS AND ROOF OF HIS HOUSE. HE IS ALONE AND HAS NO ONE TO HELP HIM. A MONTH AGO HE ALMOST FAINTED IN CHURCH. WE FOUND OUT HE WAS SUBSISTING ON

BREAD AND SUGAR WATER. WE NOW GIVE HIM FOOD WEEKLY.

THE FOUNDATIONS OF MANY HOUSES HAVE BEEN UNDERMINED. MANY HOUSES ARE TILTING, READY TO FALL OVER.

AN AVERAGE ROOF WILL TAKE ABOUT $250 TO REPLACE. WE NEED TO RAISE $12,500.  

WE HAVE ALSO STARTED A BEAN PLANTING PROJECT WITH FUNDS LEFT IN OUR AGRICULTURE BUDGET. CROPS AND LIVESTOCK WERE DECIMATED AS WELL, AND PEOPLE ARE EATING THE LITTLE THAT IS LEFT WITH NOTHING IN RESERVE FOR REPLANTING. WE WANT TO HELP PROVIDE THE SEEDS AND PLANTS FOR THEM TO START AGAIN. IF THERE IS ANY MONEY LEFT FROM THE HOUSE REBUILDING PROJECT, WE WILL USE IT FOR CROPS. WE FEAR A WIDESPREAD FAMINE.

You can either donate online at:

http://www.thrivingvillages.com/index.php?page=donate 

Then please email Gail (gsands@versatile.com) to notify her that you would like these funds designated for "Relief Fund"

To write a check, make it out to

Thriving Villages International

Memo:  Relief Fund

Mail to 

Thriving Villages International

1601 Susan Lane

Mechanicsburg, PA  17055

--

President, Thriving Villages International

Thriving Villages website:  www.thrivingvillages.org

Thriving Villages blog:  http://thrivingvillages.blogspot.com/

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/ThrivingVillages

I do not doubt that the modern Western church badly needs a lot of things, one of them being more confidence that God is working powerfully among us and wants us to do more than we have been willing to do in his service.   John G. Stackhouse

Hurricane Sandy Relief Urgently Needed for Pestel, Haiti

Thriving Villages recently received anl from Sister Fidelis Rubbo, who lives and labors for the poor in Pestel, Haiti. Thriving Villages will be collecting donations for these needs during the month of February to help rebuild homes and rescue families in the Pestel Region. We ask that you also consider giving. 

This week we will be sending out some brief examples of pressing needs provided to us by Sister Fidelis.  Here are some more:

LAZAD IS A YOUNG WOMAN WITH THREE CHILDREN, AGES 6 MO., 2 ½ YEARS, AND 4 YEARS. 

HER ROOF WAS TORN OFF AND LOST. ALL SHE HAS LEFT ARE THE POSTS THAT HELD THE ROOF AND OUTLINED THE WALL PANELS.

KADET, A VILLAGE ON OUR SOUTHERN BORDER, EXPERIENCED A FLOOD OF WATER RUSHING DOWN THE MOUNTAIN WHICH DID A LOT OF DAMAGE, INCLUDING COMPLETELY WASHING AWAY THE HOMES OF TWO FAMILIES.

WHEN IT RAINS, MANY FAMILIES ARE HUDDLING TOGETHER ON WET BEDS AND PILES OF WET CLOTHES. EVERY DOLLAR WILL HELP BRING THEM RELIEF.

You can either donate online at:

http://www.thrivingvillages.com/index.php?page=donate 

Then please email Gail (gsands@versatile.com) to notify her that you would like these funds designated for "Relief Fund"

To write a check, make it out to

Thriving Villages International

Memo:  Relief Fund

Mail to 

Thriving Villages International

1601 Susan Lane

Mechanicsburg, PA  17055

--

President, Thriving Villages International

Thriving Villages website:  www.thrivingvillages.org

Thriving Villages blog:  http://thrivingvillages.blogspot.com/

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/ThrivingVillages

I do not doubt that the modern Western church badly needs a lot of things, one of them being more confidence that God is working powerfully among us and wants us to do more than we have been willing to do in his service.   John G. Stackhouse