Two Month Update!

A lot has been going on over the past few weeks. I really need to start updating this blog on a more regular basis. NVM has been packed since last Saturday with numerous teams: Appalachian State CRU (Campus Crusade for Christ), UCONN CRU, GAiN, West Point Cadets, and Kanakuk (8th graders).

Had a great time working with the Kanakuk middle school team this week. Spending time with these 8th graders has got me even more excited to do more with youth ministry in the future.

It's always great to go to the NVM childrens home in the village to hang out with the kids.

Had a great time working with the Kanakuk middle school team this week. Spending time with these 8th graders has made me even more excited to get into youth ministry in the future! 

 I worked with the Kanakuk team yesterday at one of our satellite locations, in Onaville. We had a VBS day camp for 100+ kids. Had such a great time with the games, skits, and worship.

I was in Onaville again today...replacing the old white and blue tent that was currently being used for church, vision clinics, and other activities. Replaced it with a new tent that is at least triple the size. So excited to see God fill this much larger tent beyond its capacity, like he did with the white and blue tent. Had a great time working on this with the Haitians and West Point Cadets.

I am making it a priority to update this blog on a more regular basis. It is hard to believe that I have already been serving in Haiti for two months. Already a third of the way done with this internship. Excited to see how God is going to work through Nehemiah Vision Ministries and myself over the next four months. I appreciate all the prayers and support from everyone. I am so thankful for this opportunity for God to use me in Haiti as a tool for the Kingdom, via this internship.

Roadtrip to Fort Jacques

Last Friday, our NVM staff decided to take a little "roadtrip" to visit Baptist Haiti Mission and Fort Jacques. Baptist Haiti Mission originated in 1943; BHM spreads the Gospel of Christ through evangelism, medical services, education and other services in the Republic of Haiti. Their main focus is directed toward the establishment and the development of indigenous churches through evangelism and education. We all enjoyed a little ice cream in their restaurant, then headed further up the mountain, to Fort Jaques!

View of the gorgeous mountains from the truck

In the back of the truck at Fort Jacques

One of the buildings at Fort Jacques

Awesome view of Haiti, from Fort Jacques

NVM Missions Team Coordinator Brandon Hutchens & his wife Katie

Musical genious, Clersondy. NVM church sound & music tech

The NVM Staff at Fort Jacques

NVM Youth Carnival "Alternative"

As many of you may know, Carnival celebrations are huge here in Haiti. Carnival (Mardi Gras in United States) is characterized by tons of partying, drinking, etc. Rather than the youth being involved in these activities... Nehemiah Vision Ministries decided to provide the youth in Chambrun and neighboring villages with a Carnival "Alternative" from Sunday, February 19 - Tuesday, February 21. These 3 days were by far the most fun days I've had here in Haiti (yes, even better than the beach visits!). One of the greatest influences for my return to Haiti, were these children/youth. These 3 days were a great opportunity for the NVM Staff to not only have tons of fun with the youth...but also share the Gospel with them. I am going to share photos from our Carnival "Alternative" and in the process of making a video from these 3 days. It should be posted some time this week! For now...enjoy the photos!

One Month Update!

It is hard to believe that today marks the first MONTH that I've been in Haiti! The time passes by rather quickly here...although some days feel like they last forever. I am definitely enjoying life here at Nehemiah Vision Ministries. Thankful/blessed to be an addition to the NVM staff, and the wonderful things that NVM is doing for Haiti and the Kingdom of God. I have been asked by numerous people, what the living conditions were like for me, here at NVM. So...I decided to go around campus and take a picture of (almost) everything, so that you can sort of get a "feel" for the campus!

Entrance to Nehemiah Vision Ministries

Girls and Boys Dorms

View of the Mountains, Behind the Dorms

Dining Hall

Mens Restrooms/Showers and Laundry Room

Mens Restrooms/Showers, Dining Hall, and Womens Restrooms/Showers

Hospital and Basketball Court

NVM School

NVM Medical Clinic and PreSchool/Kindergarten

Two Childrens Homes Under Construction

NVM Church

NVM Warehouse

NVM Administrative Office (left) and Church (right)

NVM Hospital Under Construction

Slideshow of all the photos:

Week 3 Update!

Today marks the third week that I have been in Haiti! It is hard to believe that 3 weeks have already gone by, since my arrival on January 16th. Just to give everyone an idea of some of the projects I've been working on...I am going to share with you the biggest project that I have been working on, which is the warehouse on the campus here at Nehemiah Vision Ministries. This is probably the most creative warehouse that I have ever seen. Yes, creative. I say this because the four corners of this building consists of shipping containers (see pics below). Definitely don't come across this too often (or at all) back in the States!

The warehouse:

Inside of the warehouse....Before we started to re-organize and consolidate:

In the midst of attempting to re-organize/consolidate...we received another container of food last week, from GAiN (Global Aid Network)!:

 Brandon Hutchens, Mission Teams Coordinator here at NVM:

Unloading the incoming container into a storage container we consolidated earlier in the week:

Heavy pallets and an incline are not ideal!

How the warehouse looks as of today, February 6 (compare this to the first picture in this blog post ^):

We have spent numerous hours re-organizing & consolidating containers, throwing out trash, and installing the new warehouse racking in the left-rear portion of the warehouse!! We hope to receive more warehouse racking to fill every wall...which will help aid our main goal of KEEPING the warehouse in order (neatness, location & inventory of donations, etc.) I will keep everyone posted on the progress of the warehouse throughout the next 6 months! I am beyond excited about the progress that we have already made! I work with a great staff here at Nehemiah Vision Ministries...and I look forward to spending the next 5 or so months working with them.