"Show us how to increase our faith!" - Luke 17:5

On July 17, 2013, I met Handy Oge for the first time. Though our meeting was brief, and though I never thought I would see him again, God knew. And He made a way.

Since that day, we have seen miracles with our own eyes as our Father has done exceedingly abundantly above all that we could have ever imagined (Ephesians 3:20).

As we look toward the future we believe the promise of Isaiah 64:4, waiting with hopeful expectation:

Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him.

2014

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2020

A Story of God's Providence

Hi, Everyone!   I’m Steeve Derard, Ground Director of Haiti Awake and Pastor of EEGC.   I am here to update you on what’s happening in Haiti.  This update is a little longer than a usual weekly update, but it is such a beautiful story.  I hope you’ll take a few minutes to read about it!

Though we did many things last week, I want to tell you about Friday because it was such a special day.

First, let me explain something to you.  On March 19, when the first two cases of coronavirus were confirmed in Haiti, our President closed our borders.  This has prevented our friend, Becky Graces, from coming back to see us, and it has also prevented many Haitians from returning home, including a man named Edvy Durandice who was in the States for medical care.

In a true example of the providence of God, Edvy is staying next door to Becky in WIlmington, NC.  They never knew each other before this, but now, they are friends who spend time together every single day.

Every night when I call Becky, I ask her, “How is Edvy?  Did you see him today?” And she tells me about their English lesson and other things they talk about.

Then we found out that Edvy’s daughter lives very close to the children’s home in Carradeux, and I was able to meet her a few weeks ago.

After that, God put it in our hearts to go to see Edvy’s family in Leogane, to show them that we care, to let them know that Edvy is okay, that we are praying.

Friday was a long day. I left my house at 6;30 a.m. and returned just before 9 p.m.  The drive was long, and we also got stuck in a traffic jam for 3 hours in Martissant on our way back.

But despite this, we had the best day.

I was so happy to meet Edvy's family and different people from this peaceful and very clean community.  The hospitality we have received was exceptional. The food, the coffee was "wawwww." The only thing is that the trip was not long enough to know everyone well.

But listening to Edvy's wife talking and the deep conversation I had with Edvy's Son, Etzaire, helps me to know how to pray for people in this community better.

We were welcomed . We laughed a lot.  And I was so happy to meet Edvy's sister who lost her husband recently because I was able to sharde some encouraging words with her.

Everyone was happy to meet us. And we let them know that we are here because of Edvy's meeting with Becky.

Our trip brought so much joy and made Edvy's family have less concern about him.

I am thankful that we were able to go and help the family with some food as well as some other people in the community. It was a short trip but such a blessing.

Please pray with us that Edvy can return home to his family soon.  They miss him so much!

COVID-19 Update

Hello, Friends!

Some of you have reached out to inquire about the state of affairs at Haiti Awake during this time of worldwide concern.

First, we would encourage those of you who wish to pray for Haiti Awake to watch our new video produced by Jake Flaming.  This will give you a good overview of our ministry, helping you to understand the different facets.

Click on this link to view the video on YouTube.

Second, we are like every other ministry right now.  We are waiting to see what the next 24 hours will bring as things continue to change rapidly day by day, it seems.  Last night the President of Haiti announced the first two confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Haiti and suspended all travel to and from the country.  We are waiting to see what that will actually mean and how that will be enforced.

Please pray for God's provision in a country with a fragile health care system and economy.   The level of suffering that could be experienced is uncertain, but we trust our future to a sovereign God who is always in control and is not taken by surprise by the events each day.   Our children and staff currently have all that they need, and leadership is working on a plan to provide provision in the days ahead should the country go to a strict quarantine.  Right now schools and some businesses have been asked to close by the government, but other businesses remain open.  (Similar to what is being experienced here in many parts of the US.)

One of our staff members sent this passage this morning:

Praise be to the God and Father of our LORD Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.  2 Corinthians 1:3-4.

We are not concentrating our prayers on our own comfort, safety, and security.  Instead it is our prayer that God will use our ministry during this time to point people to the hope we have in the Gospel.

Life is not about safety.  Life is not about comfort.  Life has an all-consuming purpose - and that is to share the truth of the Gospel with those who are without Hope.   Our prayer is for opportunities to be light during a time many people find dark and confusing.

We welcome your questions and will do our best to answer them in the days ahead.  Please watch our Facebook and Instagram for updates.

Eglise Evangélique de la Grâce de Caradeux

On Sunday, January 26, 2020, God brought many dreams, many prayers, and much work together as Eglise  Evangélique de la Grâce de Caradeux gathered together on their first Sunday with their pastor, Steeve Derard.

As we look forward to the months ahead, much of our efforts at Haiti Awake this year will be concentrated on Church Ministry Development, equipping this young body of believers to do the work of ministry and live out the mission statement of Haiti Awake which says:

Our goal is to equip these local Christians to reach their own communities and their own country through showing Christ’s love in action.

To see more photos of this very special day, click on the box below.

10 Years after The Earthquake by Steeve Derard

"It is not the dead who praise the Lord, nor any of those descending into the silence of death. But we will praise the Lord, both now and forever." Psalms 115: 17-18

January 12, 2010.

10 years since a terrible earthquake had shaken our dear Haiti and affected all the Haitian people.

10 years where we can not forget good friends, siblings or someone we knew and neighbors we have lost on that day.

But 10 years also where God has never stopped pouring abundantly His blessing on the life of the Haitian people despite it all.

We bless the name of our Lord.

He is faithful yesterday, today and forever.

I truly believe, that God has used this difficult moment for our good.

Not all houses have been repaired yet, neither the National Palace, the Haitian cathedral, some schools, some hospitals. But I can testify how God used this earthquake as a tool to call several members of my family and my friends to God's family. Now it is amazing to see how they are growing in the Lord.

"We know that God works all things together for our good." Romans 8:28

God is our hope, when there seems to be no hope.

He is our light in the darkest moments.

He is faithful and good.

January 12, we will never forget you.

Ministry Focus at Life 90.5 - December 2020

We Grieve With Hope

Because He lives, today we grieve with hope at the passing of Steeve's beloved mother, Nann, who was 75 years young.

Wife of Anora for 54 years, she was the matriarch of a beautiful family with a legacy of faith and good works.

We believe her passing is precious in the sight of the Lord. Psalm 116:15

Virginia Joseph 3/27/1944 - 9/20/19

Because we see ourselves in relationship with people

I journal every single day. Sometimes my journal entries are simply a quote, a Bible verse, or a single thought. Other days, I might write a page or two or more.

Today I was looking back and found this message from 2014. How true it rings still - and how appropriate to share it with you now.

You see, when I first started going to Haiti in 2012, personal interaction in the community was not encouraged by the organization with whom I worked. In fact, in many ways it was actively discouraged. In those brief times when I was free to leave the compound walls, I found myself face to face with people in Tabarre 14 who I quickly came to love and know by name.

One of the first children I came to know was Kenny. There are so many children in our community. But she has always stood out because of her big personality. She may actually be the first child I came to know outside of the family members of adults I knew.

When we started Haiti Awake in 2014, she and her sisters began coming faithfully to our neighborhood Bible schools. And we have over time gotten to know more of them and their story.

Kenny’s family was one of the families who you blessed through Christmas for our Community two years ago.

And now, it seems appropriate to make Kenny our first sponsored child in our neighborhood. Our vision is to stand with her family, support their parenting, encourage Kenny in her schooling and her walk with God, and make her part of our extended family. Though she will continue to live with her family, she will very much be part of our Haiti Awake family, as well.

Kenny needs a sponsor who will believe in her, who will be faithful in financial and prayer support - a sponsor who sees himself or herself in relationship with this precious young lady. Is that someone you?

Sunday we invited Kenny to the monthly Haiti Awake birthday party for our children and staff. We did this in faith, knowing that someone will step up to be her sponsor.

Yesterday Steeve wrote this in the Bible Haiti Awake gifted her for her birthday:

Kenny, we want you to know God loves you. You are a beautiful girl. Always allow the Word of God to light your way like Psalm 119:105 says.

Haiti Awake loves you so very, very much.

God bless you.

We are so thankful that God has led us to include Kenny in our greater vision for our community. If you would like to sponsor Kenny, please contact Kelsey Stott at sponsorship@haitiawake.org

Thank you for caring about the people we love.

Becky Graves, Executive Director