by SMI Haiti
Click on the link below to read the current newsletter.
We have trailers in Tennessee and Indiana that we need to fill and ship to Haiti. We also need additional finance to ship the trailers. We hope to send the trailer from Indiana by early July.
Items needed to be shipped in the trailers are:
Canned food items, Clothing in good condition and suitable for hot weather, Queen beds (2), Shower stall, Toilet, Bathroom vanity and sink, Paper towels, Tables and chairs, Electronic keyboard, Furnishings for remodeled church/school building, Paint, Construction supplies such as: Scaffolding, Jackhammer, Circular saw, Auger, Misc. tools in good condition.
If you have items to donate or would like to contribute toward the cost of shipping or to help cover the cost of any of the needed items please contact us at info@smihaiti.org.
by Frank Williams
May the LORD now show you kindness and faithfulness, and I too will show you the same favor because you have done this. 2 Samuel 2:6
My heart is overwhelmed with all the sacrifices that others have made to accomplish the work that we have begun in Haiti. I have had one of the greatest opportunities in the Kingdom that I could think of: taking what has been given to us and giving it away to bless others. SMI has taken hundreds upon hundreds of people to Haiti and most say the same thing, “I can’t believe all that you guys have done here in Haiti.” The reality is that all we have accomplished has been made possible by the Grace of God and the sacrificial giving of others. I remember speaking at one of the largest Haitian churches we are affiliated with and asking the Haitian people some very simple questions. The first was how many of them believed that I provided the tent they were sitting under. The response was almost unanimous with joy and agreement that I was certainly the one who provided the tent. The next question was how many thought that I provided and built them the new $300,000 school facility. The response was even louder and more adamant that I was the one who did that. I then asked about the homes that were built and the water tower and food, etc. The response was always the same – that SMI and I provided all they had.
As I was standing in the pulpit it occurred to me how easy it was to take the credit for something that didn’t belong to me or the ministry. It also occurred to me that unless the Haitian people have the right perspective, they would never have a true understanding of the provision and mercy of God to them and their church. I continued to preach a little message of the Church becoming the Church and representing Christ to the dying world around them. Yet as I was speaking about them representing themselves properly I stood in front of nearly a thousand people who had a misunderstanding of what or who made it possible for them to be the church. I began telling them the “truth.” We called the message “Zero.” I told them that I had stood on some rocks on that property with about fifty young people and we had prayed for a church, school, and homes but that all the money I had added up to Zero. This dialogue went on for several minutes as I described every project that was accomplished in the past two years, the hundreds of thousands of dollars that were spent, and the reality that I have Zero dollars. (The Haitians love the word Zero, probably because they can relate.) So if I had Zero dollars and it appeared that all that was built was done by our ministry, then where did the money come from?
The easy answer (and a true statement) was and is that God provided. It is great to begin a project with no money and only faith and see God move upon His people and provide all that is needed. When this happens then God gets all the Glory! The more complicated answer is naming the thousands of people who gave to offerings or the thousands who donated supplies and the hundreds who came and worked. All who gave would most likely say, “If it weren’t for God I would have nothing to give.” But to really give an accurate answer you would have to trace back to every church and every individual who gave to that church or to SMI directly and every business which donated and so on. I have found that in my position with the ministry and being the face that people relate SMI with that I receive a lot of appreciation for the work accomplished, and yet there are many even in our own ministry working together to make it happen. All of us at SMI have made a certain level of sacrifice for the work, but the reality is that SMI exists only because of the sacrificial giving of others. I am afraid that sometimes we hide under the statement “God provided” to keep from really appreciating those who give. I know that without God none of what we have seen would have been. I also realize every good blessing comes from above and we do give God all the praise, but I want to tell each and every individual how much SMI appreciates them and the sacrifices that are made with finances, gifts, time, and prayer. Without your obedience to give and the sacrifices you have made we have Zero.
Frank Williams
by SMI Haiti
Click below to read the current newsletter.
by SMI Haiti
This year I received a phenomenal birthday gift from my adult children. After sharing with my children about my three trips to Haiti this year and the plight of the homeless there, my children offered to share with my wife and me the cost of a new home for one homeless family in that beloved country. They made the offer as a gift to me…perhaps the greatest material gift I’ve ever received for a birthday. Knowing of nothing I really need, it was a joy to receive a gift I could pass on to others. During my visits I was exposed to the ministry of SMI Haiti and was most favorably impressed. SMI is helping Haitians help themselves, not merely putting on a Band-Aid or offering a handout. It was a joy to make our contribution to the homeless in Haiti through SMI. We know that the home will be built by Haitians, giving several employment, and occupied by a worthy Haitian family carefully selected by SMI. There will be no plaque on the home to identify the donors, just the joy in our hearts of knowing that although we can’t meet all of Haiti’s need, we can at least help a few who will never experience the full extent of God’s blessings to us as a family.
by SMI Haiti
Lekòl Canaan in Guitton begins its second year in October. This year there will be 115 students in 2 kindergarten classes and grades 1-4.
The students waiting for sponsors are pictured in the photo album “Guitton Students 2011-2012.” If you would like to sponsor a student ($225/school year or $22.50/month for 10 months) click on “Photos” and pick a student. You will have to write down the student’s name. To donate toward the sponsorship click on “Donate” and then on “School Sponsorship.” When you have completed the donation click on “Contact Us” and send an email with your name and the name of the student you wish to sponsor. Thank you for your help in making school a reality for 115 young people from the village of Guitton.
by Frank Williams
On Sunday January 16th our group went to church at
by Frank Williams
In a previous blog, I mentioned the great blessing of providing homes for four families in Haiti. I spoke of the Joseph family, which was the first family I met in need of a home. Pastor Jean Marie took me on a journey through the banana fields and rough terrain at the foot of the mountains. As we walked for several minutes not seeing any village or any sign of human life I began to think, “Who could survive out here?” Like a page out of the National Geographic, we came upon this little make-shift home of mud and tin with a small fire burning outside. A little lady and three small children met us as we approached the house. Madanm Joseph stands less than five feet tall and you could tell that she was an extremely hard worker. Minutes later her husband came out of the field with a machete in one hand and some twigs in the other. Our time there was short, but we told them to keep believing and that God loved them. A few weeks later, when back in Haiti with a youth group, we felt that one of the new homes was to go to the Joseph family. I gathered the group together, and we grabbed a bunch of rice and beans and headed to the Joseph home to bless them with food and the great news that they would be moving soon. When the young people saw the living conditions of the Joseph family and that still the smile and love of Jesus was on their faces, their hearts were surely touched. As we were leaving, I asked the group to look back at the family and think about this thought: When things at home aren’t going the way you think they should, remember the Joseph family. When the waitress messes up your order and you’re getting ready to complain, remember the Joseph family. There were several examples I gave them until they began to start shouting out their own like when the teacher gives us too much homework, remember the Joseph family. I am sure none of them will ever forget the Joseph family; God didn’t! The new home was completed and presented to them in November, and it was an exciting time to see them receive this great blessing. January was the first time I had been back to Haiti since they moved in, and I was very pleased to see how much pride they were taking with their new home. I was working nearby on the school when Mr. Joseph came to me and took my hand and walked me to his new home. I entered the home and saw a small table, a couple of utensils, and a towel or two. There was a make-shift bed of cardboard on a metal frame with all their clothes under a sheet. Madame Joseph greeted me at the door with a kiss and took me to the small table. With no other sign of food in the house, she gave me a basket of bananas. I tried not to take it, seeing her five kids in rags and absolutely nothing in the home, but the Lord said receive her offering and bless it, so that’s what we did. I took the bananas back to the group and each of us ate from the bunch, and it was a banana eating experience like I have never felt before. I saw tears, thankfulness, joy and compassion as different ones put the fruit in their mouths. Only minutes after eating the group began to put a gift bag together for the Joseph family. It included cooking utensils, towels, lotions, soaps, toothbrushes, candles and other household goods. That wasn’t all though, because God’s blessing is pressed down shaken together and running over. It included brand new clothes for the kids, shoes, underwear, and a full size mattress and frame. I wish everyone I know could have been there to capture the moment when we gave the gifts to the Joseph family. We set up the bed and Madanm Joseph, who was having chest pains when we arrived and not looking well, did a plunge onto the bed like a little kid jumping into a pool. Both hands went up in praise and the presence of God filled the little house. They gave an offering of about all they had and God blessed them back far more than they could imagine. It’s just another example for us to put our faith in God and he will provide and meet our needs. When we lose sight of this, it is time to remember the Joseph family!
by Frank Williams
A few years ago, while working on the mission home in Guitton, we met a man from the village who was looking for work. This was not an unusual event because every time we began working in Guitton about 45 guys would show up to help us work. We did our best to hire as many as we could and really didn’t have a relationship with any of them. Relationship is the key word. On one particular day, we were pouring a floor in the home, and this young man knelt down next to Jeff and began working the concrete with him. We could tell he was experienced and we formed a relationship. When we asked his name, he looked up with a smile on his face and said, “Jackie.”
Jackie is a man of few words, and that is ok because we couldn’t communicate anyway. We just worked. We would invite Jackie to church and most of the time he came, but there was definitely a void in Jackie’s life. For a couple of years Jackie would show up like clockwork to work, and, as always, we would love and encourage him. This relationship grew, but the rumor on the street was that Jackie was very involved with voodoo. The local pastor would tell us to be aware that Jackie was heavy into voodoo. Pastor Jean Marie would also warn us to be careful with Jackie because of his voodoo worship. My response was always the same - we come to Haiti to encourage the saints and to share God’s love with the sinners. Having a greater understanding of the powers and behavior of voodoo, Miss Phyllis felt that we needed to discontinue our working relationship with Jackie. Having Jackie exposed to all that God had provided for our ministry was not in our best interest. This request was very hard on us. We couldn’t see the voodoo because of the man, while most couldn’t see the man because of the voodoo. I have learned that, even when I don’t always agree, submitting to the request of seasoned saints is usually the best for all involved. I remember the morning that I met with Jackie and told him that we could not hire him anymore. I started by telling him how much we loved him and how grateful we were for his work and that he didn’t do anything wrong. He always had an empty look in his eyes, so his response was similar to conversations before. I grabbed his hand and told him that he was always welcome in the church and that if he ever needed anything to come to the gate and ask and I would see to it that his need was met.
Jackie never asked for anything. I would see him on the roadside and stop the car to hug his neck, tell him we loved him, and try to give him a little food or money. About a year had passed and God was moving in the little church at Guitton when I received that wonderful call. Jackie was at church and he gave his life to Jesus! Wow, you mean you can fire a guy who is already hungry and even though he is a heavy voodoo worshiper still love him and respect him. The answer is yes, and by God’s grace we did our best to love him into the Kingdom. When I saw Phyllis a few weeks ago, she told me of Jackie coming to her prayer meeting and said, “Frank, I wish you could have been here the day I hugged Jackie.” Jackie is one hundred percent dedicated to the church and the void in his eyes has been filled with the love of Jesus. He moved out of his voodoo worshipping home and into a little home behind our compound. If you follow SMI, you have heard of thirteen to fourteen families losing everything after the hurricane. That’s right; Jackie’s new home was completely wiped out in the hurricane. To most of us who have been running this race a while it comes as no surprise that the enemy tries to steal any and every thing he can. Bit God is always faithful. Jackie’s smile never dimmed, and the following Sunday he was sitting in church with a suit on worshiping his Savior. That afternoon we gave Jackie some goats and food and began replacing what he had lost. This morning I got a text from Mark. It read, “I wish you could have seen Jackie Sunday morning. He has joined the choir and he has a lead part in a song.”
One man, one relationship. If nothing else was ever accomplished in Haiti by SMI or me, was it worth the last fourteen years to see Jackie get saved? I say yes. A lot happens in this world, but the Word of God says that all of heaven rejoices when someone is saved. We are rejoicing with heaven at the conversion of Jackie.
by Kit Brunson
Pictures can be found under “Photos” on this site. Click on the “Find Us on Facebook” link below to view videos of the families receiving new homes.
by Frank Williams
Several months ago, I had the privilege to meet with board members and the president of the Fuller Center for Housing. Millard Fuller was the founder of Habitat for Humanity and formed the Fuller Center for Housing to get back to the original spirit of giving a hand up instead of a hand out. Millard has passed away but his legacy continues. Out of our meeting, the Fuller Center committed to build thirty-six homes with SMI in Haiti. We began these homes in the summer and just completed four units. There are always trials and errors when working in Haiti, but we are excited that most issues have been worked out and families are ready to move in. The families receiving this helping hand are families in the church at St. Ard and all very deserving. I personally met and interviewed each family and witnessed first-hand their current situation. After meeting the Joseph family and seeing the little tin and mud structure they called home, there was no doubt in my mind this family was at the top of the need-a-home list. There are seven in their family, and the little home they had before had been destroyed. They were renting their current home from a family member, and you could not walk away from there without wanting to do something. I am thankful to God that they are receiving a new two-bedroom home. As with any situation, there is always someone who has it worse. I didn’t think it could get much worse than the Joseph family, but when I came upon the next family that had built a shelter with some old car parts and tin, my heart grieved even more. A husband and wife were living in a triangular structure that was five feet tall, four feet wide and about seven feet long with a mud floor. There was a piece of cardboard on the ground with a pillow at one end that they called their bed. What a blessing to give them a helping hand up to a brand new two-room home. The other families’ situations are similar ‒ they lost their homes in the earthquake and were living in practically nothing, trying to survive, and trusting God for a miracle. Because of God’s faithfulness, people’s giving, and the Fuller Center’s vision to help, SMI was able to provide and be the hands of God for their miracle. Each family participates in the construction of the homes and the infrastructure and commits to a life-style of Godly living, looking for opportunities to be a blessing to another. This is just another example of loving Haiti one family at a time.
