Read just a few of the stories and updates from our eBlasts and newsletters documented over recent months.
Help Feed the Children in Haiti
January 2009
In 2008, hurricanes left hundred of thousands of Haitian children homeless and hungry. 80% of the rice fields were destoyed. Famine is imminent. But you can help. If you, your church or organization would like to participate in a food drive, please contact us and we'll get you set up.
Or, you can be a part of helping feed the children in Haiti by sending a check with "Food Drive" in the memo line or donate online and specify "Food Drive" in the comment box.
Thank you for praying for Robenson!
October 2008
As you may know, in early October, Robenson, our oldest child, was
rushed to the hospital in Santiago, Dominican Republic with a fever of
106 degrees. We crossed him over the border and the Massacre River in
the middle of the night. When he arrived at the emergency room after
the three-hour taxi ride to Santiago, doctors were initially unable to
find a blood pressure on him. When they did find one, it was only
40/20. As time passed that night, doctors told us that his kidneys and
liver were failing, his condition was fatal, and that he would likely
not make it through the night.
We informed you, our faithful supporters, and literally thousands of you prayed that God would heal his body. And now, he is back home and expected to make a full recovery!
Hurricane Ike left 800,000 Haitians homeless and hungry.
October 2008
Since mid-August, Haiti has been ravaged by four major storms that left much of Haiti in ruins and killed more than 500 people. Thank you for your constant prayers for our safety. With the exception of some minor flooding and too much mud, we are thankful that the Hope for Haiti Children's Center compound and properties, as well as our children and missionaries, fared well during the storms. However, this is not the case for most of Haiti and for many other orphanages in the country.
Hurricane Ike, the worst of this season's storms so far, left as many as 800,000 Haitians homeless and hungry, many of them orphaned children. 80% of Haiti's rice fields were destroyed by the storms and world governments predict that without an enormous surge of foreign aid, a famine in Haiti is imminent within six months. Even before these storms, the food crisis was a source of pain and anguish for the Haitian people, causing rioting and hopelessness throughout the country. Now the need is even more desperate.
Please pray with me, for all of Danita's Children, as we consider how we can bring hope, healing and health to the people of Haiti and especially the orphaned children. With famine a strong possibility, we want to be Christ's hands and feet extended to these hurting people; to bring hope to the hopeless.
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
September 2008
Sponsors of the hit ABC show Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, blessed us with toys, clothing, and school supplies for the orphanages! Shoes, school supplies, clothing, cleaning supplies, and rice were dropped off by individuals from various communities and were then shipped to a warehouse in Orlando. Nearly 13 tons of items were donated. What an incredible blessing!! On Friday Sept. 12, we filmed our portion of the program here in Orlando, Florida, with the family and the celebrity hosts from ABC. We are excited and so very thankful for this opportunity to increase awareness about global orphan rescue and care and the work being done at Danita's Children to love and care for orphans, as well as preparing them for a brighter future full of hope. > Read more.
Hurricane Update
August 2008
As you've certainly heard in the news, Hurricane Gustav has been barreling through the Caribbean islands this week. On Tuesday, Gustav came ashore as a hurricane in Haiti and took at least 59 lives here and eight in neighboring Dominican Republic. Officials said that most of the deaths were due to flooding and mudslides in western and southern Haiti which was hardest hit. We've received many inquiries about the safety of the children and staff at Danita's Children. The eye of the hurricane traveled south of us, and here in Ouanaminthe we've received an unusual amount of rain, mud, and wind. Thankfully, everyone is fine and our buildings are not damaged. We appreciate your concern, support and prayers! Please continue to pray for us during this hurricane season, and others who find themselves in the path of a storm.
Prayer Alert! Riots caused by food crisis.
April 2008
We received a government notice alerting American citizens living in Haiti that there have been unannounced political protests linked to the cost of living in Haiti. Although the protests are localized to Les Cayes in the South Department of Haiti, there have also been some minor protests and random acts of vandalism in downtown Port-au-Prince, the capital. In the past when we've received this tye of alert, we know that it has been the prayers of our supporters and the faithfulness of God that has kept our missionaries, staff and children safe and well cared for.
Please agree with us in prayer for • the safety of all the missionaries, children and people of Haiti • for an end to the hunger crisis, and • for peace to be restored.
A Healthy Milestone for Rose Mica
March 2008
On April 25, 2007, five-year-old Rose Mica arrived at our orphanage
weighing only 19 pounds. She had been abandoned by her family and was
at the point of starvation before her neighbor found her and took her
to the hospital. After nearly a year of good nutrition and a lot of
love, she now weighs a healthy 44 pounds and as you can see, has a
beautiful smile to share. Read Rose Mica's story.
Medical Center Update
February 2008
Bob Miller, architect and dear friend,
arrived in Haiti on February 5th to finalize plans for the medical
center. In previous years, Bob has donated his time and services with
plans for our church and school. With the new plans in place, our goal
is to break ground for the medical center in April of this year. For
more information about the medical center, see Projects.
Despise not small beginnings!
September 2007
We are thrilled to announce that on September 4th, 2007, 540 children walked through the doors to our new school building! The construction process was not easy. It took almost two years of building “block-by-block”, but it has been worth all of the hard work to see the joy on the children’s faces.
