08.26.11 - MICHAEL GEILENFELD has dedicated his life to helping unwanted and mistreated children in Haiti. Since 1985, he has founded three residential homes for children. These SJF homes have taken in and graduated over 100 children into adulthood. Today, the SJF homes are being run and managed by the first generation of rescued children - powerful leaders and fearless servants. Bravos to Michael and to the SJF Leadership team!
Wednesday, December 2, 2015
(12.02.15) A few simple facts...
(12.02.15) A few simple facts;
(1) All three St. Joseph Family Homes are open and operational.
(2) The children and staff of the Wings of Hope special-needs home have completed their move to the new handicapped-accessible facilities in Jacmel.
(3) There is NO "open arrest warrant" for any St. Joseph leader of family member.
(4) Michael Geilenfeld and Hearts With Haiti succeeded in their defamation lawsuit in Portland ME (July 2015). After a 10-person federal jury heard all the evidence, they ruled in favor of the plaintiffs, awarding an unprecedented $14.5M.
(5) Michael Geilenfeld succeeded in defending himself at trial in Haiti (April 2015).
(6) Thousands of donors and several non-profits continue to support Michael Geilenfeld and the three St. Joseph Family homes in Haiti.
(7) There is no truth to the persistent rumors and allegations of abuse at the St. Joseph Family homes in Haiti, by any person or at any facility.
(8) The truth, once it sees the light of day, results in vindication - each and every time.
(9) "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.", Franklin D. Roosevelt (1933)
To Michael and the SJF - Best wishes for a happy and successful new year!
Saturday, July 25, 2015
Michael Geilenfeld & Hearts With Haiti Win Defamation Lawsuit in Federal Court.
On July 23, 2015, after a three-week trial in federal court in Portland Maine, a 10-person jury unanimously returned a verdict in favor of Hearts with Haiti and Michael Geilenfeld. The verdict was against a man named Paul Kendrick who was brought to court to answer charges of defamation and wrongful interference, covering the years spanning 2011 to the present time, when Mr. Kendrick made continuously wrongful and untrue accusations against Michael Geilenfeld, Hearts with Haiti, and their many supporters. The case required the jury to determine whether all of Mr. Kendrick’s public attacks and statements against both plaintiffs were false and based upon untrue information. After hearing all the evidence, with all parties given full and fair opportunity and incentive to present testimony of any and all witnesses, the jury unanimously decided in favor of Hearts with Haiti and Michael Geilenfeld, awarding substantial amounts of damages for injury to reputation and other harms. The trial judge told the jury at the end of the case that the verdict the jury had reached was entitled to great respect under the Constitution of the United States, and that each of the jurors had performed an esteemed public service by contributing to the right of all citizens to trial by jury, guaranteed by the Constitution and our laws. Hearts with Haiti and Michael Geilenfeld are pleased that justice has been finally reached in this matter, and look forward to continuing to carry out service and mission projects for the children of Haiti.
Philanthropy.com News Article (Click Here to Read)
Michael Geilenfeld ROCKS.
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
2014 & 2015 Visitor Stories and Comments
Excellent food. Great rooms at St. Joseph’s Home. Thank
you for such magnanimous hospitality. - Visitor from IL
Truly appreciated getting to know your family. Being a part of the Mass at St. Joseph’s Home was priceless. New building at St.
Joseph’s Home is an amazing facility, so thankful to have stayed. Thanks for the experience and time. - Visitor from IL
Wonderful service and a wonderful place to spend spring break. - Visitor from IL
I liked the food! I loved Bill’s story also. It made my stay so much more meaningful. I learned a lot that night. I think it is very hard to get foreigners to understand a very different culture and a very different from (the foreigner’s) normal/usual life story. Yet, Bill did a great job! - Visitor from IL
I would like to come here again! Either on my own or with a group. Please let me know if this is possible. The food was amazing. The music and people from both houses were great. I loved how accessible everything was. Thank you for everything! - Visitor from IL
The stay at both houses were amazing. Great hospitality. The boys at St. Joseph’s were very welcoming, fun, accepting. - Visitor from IL
Wonderful homes! Everyone is so lovely. The staff is great. So nice and happy and fun to live with! I had a great time and was so happy to have met everyone. - Visitor from IL
The people are so welcoming and it was such an amazing stay! - Visitor from IL
I had a wonderful time this week! Keep up all of the incredible work!! - Visitor from IL
It was my second time at Wings and first time staying at St. Joseph’s! I absolutely loved it! I’ve never felt so welcomed into a place as I did at St. Joseph’s and really felt like I was returning home to Wings. Thank you so much for having us! - Visitor from TX
Everyone was so incredibly nice. It made my stay here very welcoming. I hope to come back very soon! - Visitor from IL
We had a wonderful stay in Haiti. Thank you so much for all your hospitality and everything you are doing in Haiti! You’re awesome! - Visitor from VA
We had such a wonderful time. Thanks for your generous hospitality, but also for your donation to making Haiti a better place. Also, the food was delicious! - Visitor from VA
Many thanks for warmly welcoming us into your country and sharing such moving smiles and joy! - Visitor from VA
God is truly with this community. Providing love, financial support, and time to SJF and Wings is a life long commitment for me. Thank you for what you do and for being a blessing to the world. - Visitor from NC
I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to St. Joseph’s and Wings of Hope. I appreciate the hospitality and familial atmosphere at both houses. Thank you for being such phenomenal hosts. - Visitor from VA
Thank you so much for your incredible hospitality! This was an amazing trip and made so much more meaningful through my experience here and hearing your stories. - Visitor from VA
Very meaningful stay. We appreciate the vision and faith of all involved in St. Joseph’s and Wings. Hope to become more involved in the future.— - Visitor from VA
The St. Joseph Family is fantastic! So welcoming and fun and hospitable. I have so enjoyed my stay and I am so thankful I met all of the wonderful people. Thank you all so much for what you do! - Visitor from AZ
Thanks for taking care of our group! - Visitor from AZ
I loved my stay at all of the locations, and especially enjoyed being able to interact with the children everywhere. I’ve never had the opportunity to participate in many of the activities that we did this week, and this is the first time I’ve been to an underdeveloped country, so it was a very eye-opening experience. If at all possible, I would like to be able to stay in touch with the St. Joseph Family, and possibly visit again and serve in the future. - Visitor from MT
Fell in love with the hospitality and work done at all the locations. Inspired by faith and relying on the power of God. Personally want to return for extended stays at Wings of Hope and want to donate more time to the house. Thank you for the good works you’ve done here. God Bless. - Visitor from AZ
I enjoyed my time at all houses very much. I appreciate the opportunities presented to the family members of the homes. What is done for the boys at St. Joseph’s is amazing, and they have such a respect for others as well as each other. The children at Wings of Hope are AMAZING! They are so sweet and caring. I can’t wait for the day when I can come back. Thank you for everything. - Visitor from AZ
From the cup of cold water onward, our group was welcomed and immersed in the SJ Family. Worship/prayer was powerful, and the effects of attentiveness, care, faith, skill and love by the staff and boys and girls is evident in the lives of all. God bless you all. - Visitor from AZ
I enjoyed my stays at Wings and St. Joseph’s Home for Boys very much. At Wings the most precious moment for me was hearing the kids sing and praise God in their own special way. Their joy filled the room and my heart. Thanks to Renee and all the family there at Wings for opening your hearts and home and sharing God’s love with me. At St. Joseph’s Home I was truly blessed with expressing we see Christ in others and liked how Michael shared about how we are to lead our lives and backed it up with scripture. I felt a very positive and uplifting spirit in all the young men that live here. I know God will prosper them all. Michael, thank you for sharing your home and heart and family with me. - Visitor from MO
It was a great pleasure to stay at Wings. What an amazing group/family. I was most impressed with the staff. They show so much love and compassion for one another. It is special to watch how each individual has something to give and the affection is amazing. I look forward to my next stay in Jacmel. I will be praying for your family and your new beginning. Thank you, with much love. - Visitor from MO
Michael, thank you so much for your hospitality! You have done an amazing job for all of these young boys. No words can explain my gratitude to you for listening to your calling from Jesus! I am very sad to leave but look forward to my return, soon. Our group amazed me in every step they took out of their “comfort zone”. Also thank you for your teaching on Mother Teresa. Thank you again and until next time, peace. - Visitor from MO
Had an amazing and wonderful experience! The staff and accommodations were great! The kids were great and had a fun time interacting with them. - Visitor from MO
The accommodations were great! Everyone was so welcoming and friendly. I know I learned a lot this trip. The boys were very friendly and amazing. This place has a very amazing and strong spiritual feeling. I had a wonderful time. - Visitor from MO
Thank you so much for the great experience. The things you and your staff do for the residents and the things they do for each other is simply incredible. I have full intentions to return with friends and family. Thanks again! - Visitor from MO
I had an incredible time here at St. Joseph’s. The boys were so welcoming and friendly and I thoroughly enjoyed my time with each one of them. The work that Michael and his staff do is amazing, and I hope to return many times in the future. - Visitor from MO
I really enjoyed staying here with all the kids and the food was amazing. I will really miss everyone, especially Steve, when I get back home. - Visitor from MO
I loved staying here and the amazing food. Everyone was very kind and welcoming. The rooms were also very nice. I definitely want to come back. - Visitor from MO
I loved my stay here with all the kids. The love and care runs deep in this house. - Visitor from MO
The stay here was great! I loved getting to know all of the guys. This family is a true blessing. - Visitor from MO
I really loved staying at Wings of Hope. I was truly moved by the positive behaviors of the children, and I especially noticed that all of the children are so willing to help the other children. The staff were very loving and excited for us to be here. - Visitor from MO
I loved staying here at St. Joseph’s. It was great being able to relate with the boys because we are the same age. I loved prayer time, meals, and fun time. Our room was very clean and a great place to stay. Thank you so much!! - Visitor from MO
This place (Wings) is incredible. I have greatly enjoyed meeting the residents and staff. They have shown me God in a new way, new faces. Thank you for the incredible hospitality and the wonderful experiences here. I cannot wait to share these stories. - Visitor from MO
(St. Joseph’s) is incredible. The boys are excellent, the staff wonderful, and Michael very hospitable. I came here open to new experiences and new ways of finding God. What I found here surpassed my expectation. I found happiness and joy — signs of God’s presence. Thank you for enlivening my spirit through the work that you do. Haiti is forever changed by St. Joseph’s Home. I am, too. God bless you and your family. - Visitor from MO
Thoroughly enjoyed my time. You all are truly a blessing to the people of Haiti. - Visitor from MO
Thank you for welcoming us into your home. I thoroughly enjoyed the evening prayers and the time of fellowship with the boys playing basketball and cards on the roof. This is a wonderful, faith-filled place and my soul has been refreshed by being here. - Visitor from MO
I really enjoyed my stay here. It was great hanging out with these kids and this is an awesome place and organization. I hope to help out with this again in the future. Thank you for letting us come here. - Visitor from MO
I had an overall good experience and Wings of Hope is great for guests. - Visitor from MO
Wings was great. I loved the staff and felt very safe. I loved how we were able to be involved in all the kids’ activities. Food was great, great hospitality and comfortable home-like setting. Thank you for giving our group this incredible view through our beautiful Haitian brothers and sisters and the amazing young people who live at Wings. I will always remember their smiles. - Visitor from MO
‘Thank you Renee for the wonderful stay, it has been an amazing experience! I fell in love with the kids and Haiti, I'll definitely be back again to visit. I wish everyone the best of luck building the new Wings in Jacmel and will be asking friends and family to make donations to Hearts with Haiti and informing them of your incredible mission!’ - SJF visitor from MA
‘We stayed overnight at Wings. The accommodations were wonderful as always. Thank you for another great experience.’
- SJF visitor from MA
‘Loved staying here the boys are wonderful, well-behaved and very loving. Michael you are such a joy and made me feel so welcome. Guichard and Walnes are wonderful role models for the boys. Eres was such a great driver and very calm. Love the work that you are doing and continue to do good work and stay blessed.’ - SJF visitor from MD
‘This has been a joy. The love, support and discipline displayed by the boys and the staff touched my heart. The hospitality and lodging met our needs and left a lasting impression that I hope to experience again. Thank you!’ - SJF visitor of VA
‘My stay here has been enlightening, rewarding and pleasant. I will share the experience with others who I know will be anxious to contribute to the work being done here. I intend to return and support the work of St. Joseph family. Thank you Michael for all that you do and have done. P.S. the food has been great!’ - SJF visitor from VA
‘See you next year. This St. Joseph Family is MY family.’ - SJF visitor from VA
‘As always we had a wonderful and blessed stay here at St. Joseph’s. The hospitality, the food, the fellow travelers were all great! Our room #7 was very comfortable and had a beautiful view. Thank you again for your hospitality and your ministry.
- SJF visitors from VA and AB
‘It was good to see Michael and the boys again. I have not been to St. Joseph's since before the earthquake. Everything has changed and nothing has changed. I have always enjoyed the hospitality. The food is always great. The boys are always courteous and quick to give a hug and a greeting. I always look forward to coming. Thanks!’ - SJF visitor from NC
‘What a wonderful place to stay. The staff was excellent and the kids were amazing!! This is truly a special place. All the kids seem very happy. The roof top is personally my favorite place. All the art and plants bring lots of life and color. Thank you for a great visit.’ - SJF visitor from NC
‘Facility is beautiful and clean! When I think of St. Joseph’s I'll picture a safe haven filled with art, color, and beauty in the midst of Haiti. The boys are well-behaved and happy! I loved watching them complete their chores, giving them ownership in their home. Food was outstanding!!!’ - SJF visitor from NC
‘Brief but great stay. Good food, friendly people. Would stay again.’ - SJF visitor from MA
‘Oasis in the middle of Haiti. Thanks a lot!’ - SJF visitor from Turkey
‘St. Joseph's accommodations were wonderful. The roof garden was a highlight and the food was great. Wings was a well-received respite from the village.’
- SJF visitor from IA
‘Wonderful, friendly people. Great meals! What very dedicated and giving people, always willing to help with great smiles.’ - SJF visitor from IA
‘It is always a wonderful stay at both S.J. and Wings. We are so very well taken care of and all of our "unplanned" problems are made easier by Renee.’ - SJF visitor from IA
‘This is a great place! I loved seeing what is here. You have a great staff and the children are wonderful!’ - SJF visitor from VA
‘What your organization has done for these kids is so inspirational. I hope to one day have the opportunity to give back like you guys are doing now. I want to do all I can to make a difference in this world. Whether it's saving one life or one thousand it's all a huge impact. Thanks for all that you do and all my prayers and blessings go out to your future plans.’ - SJF visitor from MA
‘This program has truly made me feel like there is a great opportunity here for all these kids. They already have the great leaders here and the smiles they had when we arrived made me feel like I was doing a great thing. I will really miss this place and the kids have really made my time here wonderful. Josephine, Steve, Lulu and all the other kids here will always have a great place in my heart and I will always remember them.’ - SJF visitor from NC
‘Thank you, Jacky, for sharing your story with us and thank you all for being Christ's love incarnate. For loving these Wings of Hope kids as children of God and not "disposables" or "demons". God bless.’ - SJF visitor from NJ
Truly appreciated getting to know your family. Being a part of the Mass at St. Joseph’s Home was priceless. New building at St.
Joseph’s Home is an amazing facility, so thankful to have stayed. Thanks for the experience and time. - Visitor from IL
Wonderful service and a wonderful place to spend spring break. - Visitor from IL
I liked the food! I loved Bill’s story also. It made my stay so much more meaningful. I learned a lot that night. I think it is very hard to get foreigners to understand a very different culture and a very different from (the foreigner’s) normal/usual life story. Yet, Bill did a great job! - Visitor from IL
I would like to come here again! Either on my own or with a group. Please let me know if this is possible. The food was amazing. The music and people from both houses were great. I loved how accessible everything was. Thank you for everything! - Visitor from IL
The stay at both houses were amazing. Great hospitality. The boys at St. Joseph’s were very welcoming, fun, accepting. - Visitor from IL
Wonderful homes! Everyone is so lovely. The staff is great. So nice and happy and fun to live with! I had a great time and was so happy to have met everyone. - Visitor from IL
The people are so welcoming and it was such an amazing stay! - Visitor from IL
I had a wonderful time this week! Keep up all of the incredible work!! - Visitor from IL
It was my second time at Wings and first time staying at St. Joseph’s! I absolutely loved it! I’ve never felt so welcomed into a place as I did at St. Joseph’s and really felt like I was returning home to Wings. Thank you so much for having us! - Visitor from TX
Everyone was so incredibly nice. It made my stay here very welcoming. I hope to come back very soon! - Visitor from IL
We had a wonderful stay in Haiti. Thank you so much for all your hospitality and everything you are doing in Haiti! You’re awesome! - Visitor from VA
We had such a wonderful time. Thanks for your generous hospitality, but also for your donation to making Haiti a better place. Also, the food was delicious! - Visitor from VA
Many thanks for warmly welcoming us into your country and sharing such moving smiles and joy! - Visitor from VA
God is truly with this community. Providing love, financial support, and time to SJF and Wings is a life long commitment for me. Thank you for what you do and for being a blessing to the world. - Visitor from NC
I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to St. Joseph’s and Wings of Hope. I appreciate the hospitality and familial atmosphere at both houses. Thank you for being such phenomenal hosts. - Visitor from VA
Thank you so much for your incredible hospitality! This was an amazing trip and made so much more meaningful through my experience here and hearing your stories. - Visitor from VA
Very meaningful stay. We appreciate the vision and faith of all involved in St. Joseph’s and Wings. Hope to become more involved in the future.— - Visitor from VA
The St. Joseph Family is fantastic! So welcoming and fun and hospitable. I have so enjoyed my stay and I am so thankful I met all of the wonderful people. Thank you all so much for what you do! - Visitor from AZ
Thanks for taking care of our group! - Visitor from AZ
I loved my stay at all of the locations, and especially enjoyed being able to interact with the children everywhere. I’ve never had the opportunity to participate in many of the activities that we did this week, and this is the first time I’ve been to an underdeveloped country, so it was a very eye-opening experience. If at all possible, I would like to be able to stay in touch with the St. Joseph Family, and possibly visit again and serve in the future. - Visitor from MT
Fell in love with the hospitality and work done at all the locations. Inspired by faith and relying on the power of God. Personally want to return for extended stays at Wings of Hope and want to donate more time to the house. Thank you for the good works you’ve done here. God Bless. - Visitor from AZ
I enjoyed my time at all houses very much. I appreciate the opportunities presented to the family members of the homes. What is done for the boys at St. Joseph’s is amazing, and they have such a respect for others as well as each other. The children at Wings of Hope are AMAZING! They are so sweet and caring. I can’t wait for the day when I can come back. Thank you for everything. - Visitor from AZ
From the cup of cold water onward, our group was welcomed and immersed in the SJ Family. Worship/prayer was powerful, and the effects of attentiveness, care, faith, skill and love by the staff and boys and girls is evident in the lives of all. God bless you all. - Visitor from AZ
I enjoyed my stays at Wings and St. Joseph’s Home for Boys very much. At Wings the most precious moment for me was hearing the kids sing and praise God in their own special way. Their joy filled the room and my heart. Thanks to Renee and all the family there at Wings for opening your hearts and home and sharing God’s love with me. At St. Joseph’s Home I was truly blessed with expressing we see Christ in others and liked how Michael shared about how we are to lead our lives and backed it up with scripture. I felt a very positive and uplifting spirit in all the young men that live here. I know God will prosper them all. Michael, thank you for sharing your home and heart and family with me. - Visitor from MO
It was a great pleasure to stay at Wings. What an amazing group/family. I was most impressed with the staff. They show so much love and compassion for one another. It is special to watch how each individual has something to give and the affection is amazing. I look forward to my next stay in Jacmel. I will be praying for your family and your new beginning. Thank you, with much love. - Visitor from MO
Michael, thank you so much for your hospitality! You have done an amazing job for all of these young boys. No words can explain my gratitude to you for listening to your calling from Jesus! I am very sad to leave but look forward to my return, soon. Our group amazed me in every step they took out of their “comfort zone”. Also thank you for your teaching on Mother Teresa. Thank you again and until next time, peace. - Visitor from MO
Had an amazing and wonderful experience! The staff and accommodations were great! The kids were great and had a fun time interacting with them. - Visitor from MO
The accommodations were great! Everyone was so welcoming and friendly. I know I learned a lot this trip. The boys were very friendly and amazing. This place has a very amazing and strong spiritual feeling. I had a wonderful time. - Visitor from MO
Thank you so much for the great experience. The things you and your staff do for the residents and the things they do for each other is simply incredible. I have full intentions to return with friends and family. Thanks again! - Visitor from MO
I had an incredible time here at St. Joseph’s. The boys were so welcoming and friendly and I thoroughly enjoyed my time with each one of them. The work that Michael and his staff do is amazing, and I hope to return many times in the future. - Visitor from MO
I really enjoyed staying here with all the kids and the food was amazing. I will really miss everyone, especially Steve, when I get back home. - Visitor from MO
I loved staying here and the amazing food. Everyone was very kind and welcoming. The rooms were also very nice. I definitely want to come back. - Visitor from MO
I loved my stay here with all the kids. The love and care runs deep in this house. - Visitor from MO
The stay here was great! I loved getting to know all of the guys. This family is a true blessing. - Visitor from MO
I really loved staying at Wings of Hope. I was truly moved by the positive behaviors of the children, and I especially noticed that all of the children are so willing to help the other children. The staff were very loving and excited for us to be here. - Visitor from MO
I loved staying here at St. Joseph’s. It was great being able to relate with the boys because we are the same age. I loved prayer time, meals, and fun time. Our room was very clean and a great place to stay. Thank you so much!! - Visitor from MO
This place (Wings) is incredible. I have greatly enjoyed meeting the residents and staff. They have shown me God in a new way, new faces. Thank you for the incredible hospitality and the wonderful experiences here. I cannot wait to share these stories. - Visitor from MO
(St. Joseph’s) is incredible. The boys are excellent, the staff wonderful, and Michael very hospitable. I came here open to new experiences and new ways of finding God. What I found here surpassed my expectation. I found happiness and joy — signs of God’s presence. Thank you for enlivening my spirit through the work that you do. Haiti is forever changed by St. Joseph’s Home. I am, too. God bless you and your family. - Visitor from MO
Thoroughly enjoyed my time. You all are truly a blessing to the people of Haiti. - Visitor from MO
Thank you for welcoming us into your home. I thoroughly enjoyed the evening prayers and the time of fellowship with the boys playing basketball and cards on the roof. This is a wonderful, faith-filled place and my soul has been refreshed by being here. - Visitor from MO
I really enjoyed my stay here. It was great hanging out with these kids and this is an awesome place and organization. I hope to help out with this again in the future. Thank you for letting us come here. - Visitor from MO
I had an overall good experience and Wings of Hope is great for guests. - Visitor from MO
Wings was great. I loved the staff and felt very safe. I loved how we were able to be involved in all the kids’ activities. Food was great, great hospitality and comfortable home-like setting. Thank you for giving our group this incredible view through our beautiful Haitian brothers and sisters and the amazing young people who live at Wings. I will always remember their smiles. - Visitor from MO
VISITOR COMMENTS
Fourth trip to St. Joseph Family,
second trip as leader. Great experience every time. Proud to be a part of 'the
family'. — Jim, NC
This is a wonderful facility. Everyone was so warm and welcoming. The food was very delicious. — Michael, OH
I always appreciate your home and hospitality. This was my fourth stay and I'm seriously sad to leave. Guest rooms were clean and serviceable. And it is wonderful to have a flushing toilet and running water for the shower and sink. My favorite part (aside from the excellent food and fellowship) is the rooftop sunrises and sunsets. The St. Joseph Family is regularly in my prayers and that of my family and congregation. — Nathan, FL
I truly appreciate the hospitality and the food! Thank you Bill for sharing your call story and the history of St. Joseph's. — Terry, FL
Very humbling experience. Look forward to coming back again in the future to see the progress. — Travis, NE
A wonderful mission with wonderful people! Thank you for the amazing care and for being Jesus to me! May God bless you and keep you in his peace always!
— Kenny, FL
Had a very pleasant visit. Thank you for all the wonderful food. — Todd, OH
Thank you so much for your wonderful hospitality once again. Your generosity, welcome and love are much appreciated each year. We look forward to bringing another group of young people to visit you, our family, next year! God bless you in your continued work. — David, Canada
It was great being here! I loved all the kids and I think it is great what is going on here! I will be praying for all of you. Take care! — Jeffrey, NC
You are absolutely beautiful. Thank you for sharing life with me this week — opening your arms, doors and hearts. I look forward to returning many times in the future. I always feel at home when I am here. Mesi pou tout baggy! — Kelly, NC
Beautiful children. Beautiful week. Mesi!!! — Savannah, NC
I appreciate everything you do. I'll be thinking of everyone. — PJ, NC
Incredible week. Thank you so much! — Michael, NC
You guys rock! Great stay! Awesome week! Gratitude! Thank you so much! — Group comments, NC
We had a wonderful time! — Carol, MA
Enjoyed
my stay here. The food was delicious and the people were very nice. The
experience with the children was wonderful. Really enjoyed Jacky's and Renee's
stories. —
Visitor from NC
My
third time here, and every time I fall more in love than the last time. Thank
you for your blessing! — Visitor
from NC
It
has been a wonderful experience thus far, and God is doing a wonderful job
tugging at my heart. I want to take all the children home! —
Visitor from NC
Enjoyed
working with children and staff! —
Visitor from NC
As
usual this visit was very moving, eye opening and spiritually rewarding.
Everyone should come at least once to see how great God's will works through
average, dedicated people. —
Visitor from NC
The
Holy Spirit always permeates the St. Joseph Family and we always experience the
spirit with our "family" in the most profound ways. Our two days at
Wings has been so moving and such a growth experience for our team. W love you
all! —
Visitor from NC
Very
humbling and eye opening experience. It changed my life in many ways. —
Visitor from NC
The
children of St. Joseph's Home have taught me more about the love and kindness
of God than any other experience I have ever had. —
Visitor from NC
Staff
very nice and welcoming. The food was amazing and the experience in Haiti has
changed my life for the better. —
Visitor from NC
Everything
was lovely, so friendly and welcoming. Thank you all (especially Michael) for
daily advice and answers to our many questions. And the breakfasts and dinners
were FABULOUS! Also thanks Walnes for tour of classroom and art studio!!! —
Visitor from MN
It
was good to be back here again. St. Joseph's is my house in Port-au-Prince.
Michael helps everyone plan their days. Breakfast and dinner are delicious! And
the new guest rooms are so comfortable, modern and beautiful. —
Visitor from MN
As
always, wonderful hospitality! —
Visitor from IA
Renee
greeted us with a fully prepared meal, warm and welcoming hospitality and
inviting peaceful spiritual place for fellowship. Thank you for sharing Haiti
with us. —
Visitor from IA
The
service you provide here is beyond words. This is truly a place where God's
work shine. The kids here are beautiful and the great care they receive is
definitely evident. Everyone here is led by God and are truly special people.
I'm touched by the love here and the devotion to the kids. Thank you so much
(and it doesn't seem enough) for the work here. I will keep you in my prayers. —
Visitor from WV
So
much fun! Great hospitality. —
Visitor from WV
My
stay here, with my team, and your family was indescribable. Words wouldn't do
it justice, at least not mine. The people and the kids are beautiful and
obviously loved and part of something bigger. God fills this place. Thank you
for allowing me to briefly be a part of it. And the food was phenomenal! —
Visitor from WV
We
had an excellent stay at Wings, as usual. It was good to see the kids. The eye
clinic went smoothly and we appreciate the assistance of translators. And the
hospitality was great! I wish that we could have stayed longer. — Visitor from WV
This is a wonderful facility. Everyone was so warm and welcoming. The food was very delicious. — Michael, OH
I always appreciate your home and hospitality. This was my fourth stay and I'm seriously sad to leave. Guest rooms were clean and serviceable. And it is wonderful to have a flushing toilet and running water for the shower and sink. My favorite part (aside from the excellent food and fellowship) is the rooftop sunrises and sunsets. The St. Joseph Family is regularly in my prayers and that of my family and congregation. — Nathan, FL
I truly appreciate the hospitality and the food! Thank you Bill for sharing your call story and the history of St. Joseph's. — Terry, FL
Very humbling experience. Look forward to coming back again in the future to see the progress. — Travis, NE
A wonderful mission with wonderful people! Thank you for the amazing care and for being Jesus to me! May God bless you and keep you in his peace always!
— Kenny, FL
Had a very pleasant visit. Thank you for all the wonderful food. — Todd, OH
Thank you so much for your wonderful hospitality once again. Your generosity, welcome and love are much appreciated each year. We look forward to bringing another group of young people to visit you, our family, next year! God bless you in your continued work. — David, Canada
It was great being here! I loved all the kids and I think it is great what is going on here! I will be praying for all of you. Take care! — Jeffrey, NC
You are absolutely beautiful. Thank you for sharing life with me this week — opening your arms, doors and hearts. I look forward to returning many times in the future. I always feel at home when I am here. Mesi pou tout baggy! — Kelly, NC
Beautiful children. Beautiful week. Mesi!!! — Savannah, NC
I appreciate everything you do. I'll be thinking of everyone. — PJ, NC
Incredible week. Thank you so much! — Michael, NC
You guys rock! Great stay! Awesome week! Gratitude! Thank you so much! — Group comments, NC
We had a wonderful time! — Carol, MA
Loved our stay! Thank you for welcoming us so well, and for treating us like family. - visitor from SC
Awesome job with the boys. My first time. I will be back.
- visitor from NC
First time visiting Haiti and I had a great time. I will be spreading your message and concerns. I will be coming back.
- visitor from NC
Thank you for making us feel so welcome and for letting us be a part of your family. - visitor from NC
Thank
you for your genuine hospitality! I felt like we were part of the St.
Joseph Family - especially when i was washing the sheets and towels.
Michael's devotions were spirit-inspired! They have inspired multiple
new sermons. I will keep you all in my prayers. - visitor from NC
The
most complacency shattering experience I have ever had.You took a
forgotten country and it's young people, and gave them a means to ahve
hope for the future. Thanks so much for the blessing of your commitment
and that of your staff. - visitor from FL
Amazing time at St Joseph's Home for Boys!
- visitor from OH
Thanks for the hospitality!
visitor from TX
Thank you for all you do to help the children of Haiti. Haiti is truly blessed for people like you.
Visitor from TX
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fourth trip to St. Joseph Family,
second trip as leader. Great experience every time. Proud to be a part of 'the
family'. — Jim, NC
This is a wonderful facility.
Everyone was so warm and welcoming. The food was very delicious. — Michael, OH
I always appreciate your home and
hospitality. This was my fourth stay and I'm seriously sad to leave. Guest
rooms were clean and serviceable. And it is wonderful to have a flushing toilet
and running water for the shower and sink. My favorite part (aside from the
excellent food and fellowship) is the rooftop sunrises and sunsets. The St.
Joseph Family is regularly in my prayers and that of my family and
congregation. — Nathan, FL
I truly appreciate the
hospitality and the food! Thank you Bill for sharing your call story and the
history of St. Joseph's .— Terry, FL
Very humbling experience. Look
forward to coming back again in the future to see the progress. — Travis, NE
A wonderful mission with
wonderful people! Thank you for the amazing care and for being Jesus to me! May
God bless you and keep you in his peace always! — Kenny, FL
Had a very pleasant visit. Thank
you for all the wonderful food. — Todd, OH
Thank you so much for your
wonderful hospitality once again. Your generosity, welcome and love are much
appreciated each year. We look forward to bringing another group of young
people to visit you, our family, next year! God bless you in your continued
work. — David, Canada
It was great being here! I loved
all the kids and I think it is great what is going on here! I will be praying
for all of you. Take care! — Jeffrey, NC
You are absolutely beautiful.
Thank you for sharing life with me this week — opening your arms, doors and
hearts. I look forward to returning many times in the future. I always feel at
home when I am here. Mesi pou tout baggy! — Kelly, NC
Beautiful children. Beautiful
week. Mesi!!! — Savannah, NC
I appreciate everything you do.
I'll be thinking of everyone. — PJ, NC
Incredible week. Thank you so
much! — Michael, NC
You guys rock! Great stay!
Awesome week! Gratitude! Thank you so much! — Group comments, NC
We had a wonderful time! — Carol,
MA
'St. Joseph's Home for Boys is a wonderful place to visit and to stay
at. There is a feeling of peace, calm and love here. The boys who live here are
treated with respect and are given trust and responsibility. They are given
love, time and attention. Their response to this is overwhelming; they made us
feel welcome and wanted! We visited 'Wings of Hope' yesterday and we were
deeply moved by what we saw. The dedication of the St. Joseph’s graduates is a
testimony to all that being at St Joseph’s has achieved for them. The
commitment of the 3 American Missionaries made us feel very humbled. The whole
experience moved us to tears. Thank you so much for all you've given us and, by
the way, the food was great!’ - SJF visitor from the UK
‘As someone who has worked with individuals with disabilities for almost
eleven years I was truly impressed by the quality of care and education each
individual receives. I was particularly impressed with the fact the children
are taken out into the community on the regular basis. There are residential
facilities in the US that hardly ever take their residents into the community.
I also loved the equine therapy. I found it inspiring to see all of the kids
interact with one another.’ - SJF visitor from IL
‘I've never been on a service trip where I've interacted with so many
children, especially those with handicaps but it was such an amazing experience
and I loved it so much. I've learned so much from all the children, what they
can do continues to amaze me. Thank you so much for having us! I'm so glad to
have had such a life changing experience like this where I learned so much
where I didn’t necessarily think I would.’ - SJF visitor from TX
‘Thank you Renee for the wonderful stay, it has been an amazing experience! I fell in love with the kids and Haiti, I'll definitely be back again to visit. I wish everyone the best of luck building the new Wings in Jacmel and will be asking friends and family to make donations to Hearts with Haiti and informing them of your incredible mission!’ - SJF visitor from MA
‘We stayed overnight at Wings. The accommodations were wonderful as always. Thank you for another great experience.’
- SJF visitor from MA
‘Loved staying here the boys are wonderful, well-behaved and very loving. Michael you are such a joy and made me feel so welcome. Guichard and Walnes are wonderful role models for the boys. Eres was such a great driver and very calm. Love the work that you are doing and continue to do good work and stay blessed.’ - SJF visitor from MD
‘This has been a joy. The love, support and discipline displayed by the boys and the staff touched my heart. The hospitality and lodging met our needs and left a lasting impression that I hope to experience again. Thank you!’ - SJF visitor of VA
‘My stay here has been enlightening, rewarding and pleasant. I will share the experience with others who I know will be anxious to contribute to the work being done here. I intend to return and support the work of St. Joseph family. Thank you Michael for all that you do and have done. P.S. the food has been great!’ - SJF visitor from VA
‘See you next year. This St. Joseph Family is MY family.’ - SJF visitor from VA
‘As always we had a wonderful and blessed stay here at St. Joseph’s. The hospitality, the food, the fellow travelers were all great! Our room #7 was very comfortable and had a beautiful view. Thank you again for your hospitality and your ministry.
- SJF visitors from VA and AB
‘It was good to see Michael and the boys again. I have not been to St. Joseph's since before the earthquake. Everything has changed and nothing has changed. I have always enjoyed the hospitality. The food is always great. The boys are always courteous and quick to give a hug and a greeting. I always look forward to coming. Thanks!’ - SJF visitor from NC
‘What a wonderful place to stay. The staff was excellent and the kids were amazing!! This is truly a special place. All the kids seem very happy. The roof top is personally my favorite place. All the art and plants bring lots of life and color. Thank you for a great visit.’ - SJF visitor from NC
‘Facility is beautiful and clean! When I think of St. Joseph’s I'll picture a safe haven filled with art, color, and beauty in the midst of Haiti. The boys are well-behaved and happy! I loved watching them complete their chores, giving them ownership in their home. Food was outstanding!!!’ - SJF visitor from NC
‘Brief but great stay. Good food, friendly people. Would stay again.’ - SJF visitor from MA
‘Oasis in the middle of Haiti. Thanks a lot!’ - SJF visitor from Turkey
‘St. Joseph's accommodations were wonderful. The roof garden was a highlight and the food was great. Wings was a well-received respite from the village.’
- SJF visitor from IA
‘Wonderful, friendly people. Great meals! What very dedicated and giving people, always willing to help with great smiles.’ - SJF visitor from IA
‘It is always a wonderful stay at both S.J. and Wings. We are so very well taken care of and all of our "unplanned" problems are made easier by Renee.’ - SJF visitor from IA
‘This is a great place! I loved seeing what is here. You have a great staff and the children are wonderful!’ - SJF visitor from VA
‘We
had a wonderful stay. SJF was extremely accommodating and helpful during our
stay in Port-au-Prince.’ -
SJF visitor from NY
‘What your organization has done for these kids is so inspirational. I hope to one day have the opportunity to give back like you guys are doing now. I want to do all I can to make a difference in this world. Whether it's saving one life or one thousand it's all a huge impact. Thanks for all that you do and all my prayers and blessings go out to your future plans.’ - SJF visitor from MA
‘This program has truly made me feel like there is a great opportunity here for all these kids. They already have the great leaders here and the smiles they had when we arrived made me feel like I was doing a great thing. I will really miss this place and the kids have really made my time here wonderful. Josephine, Steve, Lulu and all the other kids here will always have a great place in my heart and I will always remember them.’ - SJF visitor from NC
‘Thank you, Jacky, for sharing your story with us and thank you all for being Christ's love incarnate. For loving these Wings of Hope kids as children of God and not "disposables" or "demons". God bless.’ - SJF visitor from NJ
Saturday, April 6, 2013
2013 Postings & Visitor Comments
Visitor Comments 2013
Very humbling experience. Look forward to coming back again in the future to see the progress. — Travis, NE
A wonderful mission with wonderful people! Thank you for the amazing care and for being Jesus to me! May God bless you and keep you in his peace always! — Kenny, FL
Had a very pleasant visit. Thank you for all the wonderful food. — Todd, OH
Thank you so much for your wonderful hospitality once again. Your generosity, welcome and love are much appreciated each year. We look forward to bringing another group of young people to visit you, our family, next year! God bless you in your continued work. — David, Canada
It was great being here! I loved all the kids and I think it is great what is going on here! I will be praying for all of you. Take care! — Jeffrey, NC
You are absolutely beautiful. Thank you for sharing life with me this week — opening your arms, doors and hearts. I look forward to returning many times in the future. I always feel at home when I am here. Mesi pou tout baggy! — Kelly, NC
Beautiful children. Beautiful week. Mesi!!! — Savannah, NC
I appreciate everything you do. I'll be thinking of everyone. — PJ, NC
Incredible week. Thank you so much! — Michael, NC
You guys rock! Great stay! Awesome week! Gratitude! Thank you so much! — Group comments, NC
We had a wonderful time! — Carol, MA
‘As someone who has worked with individuals with disabilities for almost eleven years I was truly impressed by the quality of care and education each individual receives. I was particularly impressed with the fact the children are taken out into the community on the regular basis. There are residential facilities in the US that hardly ever take their residents into the community. I also loved the equine therapy. I found it inspiring to see all of the kids interact with one another.’ - SJF visitor from IL
‘I've never been on a service trip where I've interacted with so many
children, especially those with handicaps but it was such an amazing experience
and I loved it so much. I've learned so much from all the children, what they
can do continues to amaze me. Thank you so much for having us! I'm so glad to
have had such a life changing experience like this where I learned so much
where I didn’t necessarily think I would.’ - SJF visitor from TX
‘Thank you Renee for the wonderful stay, it has been an amazing experience! I fell in love with the kids and Haiti, I'll definitely be back again to visit. I wish everyone the best of luck building the new Wings in Jacmel and will be asking friends and family to make donations to Hearts with Haiti and informing them of your incredible mission!’ - SJF visitor from MA
‘We stayed overnight at Wings. The accommodations were wonderful as always. Thank you for another great experience.’
- SJF visitor from MA
‘Loved staying here the boys are wonderful, well-behaved and very loving. Michael you are such a joy and made me feel so welcome. Guichard and Walnes are wonderful role models for the boys. Eres was such a great driver and very calm. Love the work that you are doing and continue to do good work and stay blessed.’
- SJF visitor from MD
‘This has been a joy. The love, support and discipline displayed by the boys and the staff touched my heart. The hospitality and lodging met our needs and left a lasting impression that I hope to experience again. Thank you!’ - SJF visitor from VA
‘My stay here has been enlightening, rewarding and pleasant. I will share the experience with others who I know will be anxious to contribute to the work being done here. I intend to return and support the work of St. Joseph family. Thank you Michael for all that you do and have done. P.S. the food has been great!’
- SJF visitor from VA
‘See you next year. This St. Joseph Family is MY family.’ - SJF visitor from VA
‘As always we had a wonderful and blessed stay here at St. Joseph’s. The hospitality, the food, the fellow travelers were all great! Our room #7 was very comfortable and had a beautiful view. Thank you again for your hospitality and your ministry.
- SJF visitors from VA and AB
‘It was good to see Michael and the boys again. I have not been to St. Joseph's since before the earthquake. Everything has changed and nothing has changed. I have always enjoyed the hospitality. The food is always great. The boys are always courteous and quick to give a hug and a greeting. I always look forward to coming. Thanks!’ - SJF visitor from NC
‘What a wonderful place to stay. The staff was excellent and the kids were amazing!! This is truly a special place. All the kids seem very happy. The roof top is personally my favorite place. All the art and plants bring lots of life and color. Thank you for a great visit.’ - SJF visitor from NC
‘Facility is beautiful and clean! When I think of St. Joseph’s I'll picture a safe haven filled with art, color, and beauty in the midst of Haiti. The boys are well-behaved and happy! I loved watching them complete their chores, giving them ownership in their home. Food was outstanding!!!’ - SJF visitor from NC
‘Brief but great stay. Good food, friendly people. Would stay again.’ - SJF visitor from MA
‘Oasis in the middle of Haiti. Thanks a lot!’ - SJF visitor from Turkey
‘St. Joseph's accommodations were wonderful. The roof garden was a highlight and the food was great. Wings was a well-received respite from the village.’
- SJF visitor from IA
‘Wonderful, friendly people. Great meals! What very dedicated and giving people, always willing to help with great smiles.’ - SJF visitor from IA
‘It is always a wonderful stay at both S.J. and Wings. We are so very well taken care of and all of our "unplanned" problems are made easier by Renee.’ - SJF visitor from IA
‘This is a great place! I loved seeing what is here. You have a great staff and the children are wonderful!’ - SJF visitor from VA
‘We
had a wonderful stay. SJF was extremely accommodating and helpful during our
stay in Port-au-Prince.’ -
SJF visitor from NY
‘What your organization has done for these kids is so inspirational. I hope to one day have the opportunity to give back like you guys are doing now. I want to do all I can to make a difference in this world. Whether it's saving one life or one thousand it's all a huge impact. Thanks for all that you do and all my prayers and blessings go out to your future plans.’ - SJF visitor from MA
‘This program has truly made me feel like there is a great opportunity here for all these kids. They already have the great leaders here and the smiles they had when we arrived made me feel like I was doing a great thing. I will really miss this place and the kids have really made my time here wonderful. Josephine, Steve, Lulu and all the other kids here will always have a great place in my heart and I will always remember them.’ - SJF visitor from NC
‘Thank you, Jacky, for sharing your story with us and thank you all for being Christ's love incarnate. For loving these Wings of Hope kids as children of God and not "disposables" or "demons". God bless.’ - SJF visitor from NJ
03.2013 - matthew - family to family;My
wife, Marie and I, owe our family to the St. Joseph Family. In 2008, Marie made
her first trip to Haiti with a woman from our church, Lyn, who had been the
one-woman drum major for our church’s mission ties there. Marie got to visit
all three homes and came away with a profound sense of the work being done by
the SJF and the great need that existed. A year-and-a-half later, I got my
introduction when we took a Living Waters for the World survey team to Jacmel
to look into the possibility of helping Trinity House build a clean water
system to serve their neighbors. We
were all set to bring our full Living Waters team down to build the system when
the earthquake hit in 2010. Having spent time with the St. Joseph Family and
witnessed the living conditions of the Haitian people, our hearts went out for
the thousands of children made orphans by this disaster. There would be no
international adoptions out of Haiti, however, after the quake. But it had been
a wake-up call for us to the thousands upon thousands of children around the
world in need of a loving family. We took the leap and after waiting nearly two
years, we welcomed our son from Ethiopia into our family this past summer. Michael
Geilenfeld and the St. Joseph Family showed us what it means to be a family and
it changed ours forever.
02.2013 - shelley - past, future and right now;
The past, the future, and this very moment now: all three relate to why I said yes to serving as the President of the Board of Trustees of Hearts with Haiti, and in all three I see the faith and hope and love of God lived out. The past: for 16 years I have been spending time with the St. Joseph family, staying at St. Joseph’s Home for Boys whenever I visited Haiti, bringing groups of people of many ages to participate in the lives of all the boys, and then growing to love and participate and stay with the children and residents at Wings of Hope. When the family responded to the call to establish a new residence in Jacmel, and Trinity House was born, I was gratified by their commitment, and to the way that became another outpouring of love when they established Lekòl Sen Triniti. The way the children are lifted up from lives of the worst kind of poverty, from the suffering of various disabilities, or from the brutal wounds of servitude and homelessness and brought into a family filled with music and laughter and prayer and education and daily chores and dance and more prayer and, well, family, fills me with love and hope for all of these children, and even for Haiti. The future: you often hear now that the earthquake changed everything, and I see the truth in that. Fortunately, because so many people reached out through Hearts with Haiti and other supporters of the St. Joseph Family, the changes for them are resoundingly positive. Just two years after the earthquake there was a wonderful service to dedicate the new St. Joseph’s Home for Boys building, which was nearly complete, and by this past September, 17 boys were able to take up residence and return to the routine of life in this busy family: prayers, chores, school, relaxation, group time, working for guests, and studies. Their future is back on a firm footing, with Bill and Walnes as their leaders, and the guest house remains a place of love and community. Trinity House continues to operate as a home, but also as the location of Nouvo Vi, the bakery now under the leadership of Daniel. And the future holds great promise for the children, older residents, and staff of Wings of Hope, and for the opportunity to provide them with the care and home-life that makes a difference in their world. And that leads to the present: I am so excited to in this role at Hearts With Haiti as we begin a campaign to help raise the money to build the New Wings of Hope facility. I am dazzled by the leadership of the St. Joseph Family, (including those already mentioned, and Maya, Jacky, Melchi, Michael and Renee), which responded to the needs of these children and the reality of these economic times by making the decision to move Wings of Hope to Jacmel and thus build a much more economical building on the level ground they already owned next door to Trinity House. This is such an exciting time to be part of Hearts With Haiti. We have new people on the board who bring us more excitement and vision, and we stand with the St. Joseph Family, ready to do all that we can to help ensure that their mission to care for the forgotten children of Haiti grows even stronger. From the very first moment I arrived at St. Joseph’s Home for Boys in January of 1997 and was greeted with a cup of cold water, a welcome song, and a handful of flowers, I have felt the power of their lives of prayer and their dedication to each other and to their community and country. They make a difference. If you would like to be part of an organization that helps change the world, one life at a time, I invite you to join us.
01.2013 - renee - resolve to change lives in 2013; It's the time for New Year’s resolutions. Most of the time these are our best intentions that quickly fall by the wayside by mid-January. We keep trying, year after year, but life often gets in the way and making new habits and changing our lives is hard work. If you are making resolutions to lose weight, live more intentionally, quit smoking, or anything else that will make 2013 amazing for you, we at the St. Joseph Family wish you luck. We also want to invite you to be intentional in your resolutions this year — whether you make resolutions and work to keep them, or have given up resolutions in the past because they were too hard to keep. And we want to give you the opportunity to make a significant difference in the lives of the St. Joseph Family at the same time. This year we are challenging you to be intentional in your resolutions and in your giving and to make a real difference in the lives of some very deserving children. The St. Joseph Family is about to embark on a new and exciting journey for the Wings of Hope children. 2013 will be the start of the building project that will give the Wings of Hope children a new home and a new future in Jacmel. We have the plans and we are ready to start, but we need the money to pay for the construction, furnishings and move. The architects tell us they can do the project in about a year, but only if we have the funds available to work straight through. Will you resolve to help us in an on-going and deliberate way in 2013? Will you resolve to go online TODAY and make a reoccurring gift through your credit card for the Wings of Hope Rebuilding Fund? Will you make the commitment of giving $10, $25, $50, $100, or any other amount you are comfortable with, every month for the next year? Maybe you'll resolve to give a dollar a day. Maybe you'll resolve to give up your daily Starbucks or cola purchase. Maybe you'll skip the drive-thru window at McDonald's and give that savings to the Wings reconstruction. Maybe you'll turn your night out to a night at home once a month and give the savings to the Wings reconstruction. Maybe you'll save your change every night and gift that to the Wings reconstruction at the end of every month. Whatever you decide to do, we thank you. Your commitment to a monthly gift will allow us to budget for our on-going construction and get us closer to our goal of getting the Wings of Hope children into their new home as soon as possible. Online giving through Hearts with Haiti is secure and signing up for automatic monthly payments is easy. Go to heartswithhaiti.org to make a donation, and be sure to choose the option of making your donation recurring on a monthly basis. There is a Haitian proverb that says, "Little, by little, the bird makes its nest". We are challenging you, our friends, family and fans, to help us make that new nest for the Wings of Hope children. The St. Joseph Family has 4,000 fans on Facebook. If each of those fans makes a resolution to make a monthly donation to the Wings reconstruction fund every month in 2013 we would be so thankful and we would be able to work on the new Wings of Hope facility all year. Thank you for your on-going support, friendship and love! We wish you all the excitement, blessings and joy that 2013 will bring.
02.2013 - shelley - past, future and right now;
The past, the future, and this very moment now: all three relate to why I said yes to serving as the President of the Board of Trustees of Hearts with Haiti, and in all three I see the faith and hope and love of God lived out. The past: for 16 years I have been spending time with the St. Joseph family, staying at St. Joseph’s Home for Boys whenever I visited Haiti, bringing groups of people of many ages to participate in the lives of all the boys, and then growing to love and participate and stay with the children and residents at Wings of Hope. When the family responded to the call to establish a new residence in Jacmel, and Trinity House was born, I was gratified by their commitment, and to the way that became another outpouring of love when they established Lekòl Sen Triniti. The way the children are lifted up from lives of the worst kind of poverty, from the suffering of various disabilities, or from the brutal wounds of servitude and homelessness and brought into a family filled with music and laughter and prayer and education and daily chores and dance and more prayer and, well, family, fills me with love and hope for all of these children, and even for Haiti. The future: you often hear now that the earthquake changed everything, and I see the truth in that. Fortunately, because so many people reached out through Hearts with Haiti and other supporters of the St. Joseph Family, the changes for them are resoundingly positive. Just two years after the earthquake there was a wonderful service to dedicate the new St. Joseph’s Home for Boys building, which was nearly complete, and by this past September, 17 boys were able to take up residence and return to the routine of life in this busy family: prayers, chores, school, relaxation, group time, working for guests, and studies. Their future is back on a firm footing, with Bill and Walnes as their leaders, and the guest house remains a place of love and community. Trinity House continues to operate as a home, but also as the location of Nouvo Vi, the bakery now under the leadership of Daniel. And the future holds great promise for the children, older residents, and staff of Wings of Hope, and for the opportunity to provide them with the care and home-life that makes a difference in their world. And that leads to the present: I am so excited to in this role at Hearts With Haiti as we begin a campaign to help raise the money to build the New Wings of Hope facility. I am dazzled by the leadership of the St. Joseph Family, (including those already mentioned, and Maya, Jacky, Melchi, Michael and Renee), which responded to the needs of these children and the reality of these economic times by making the decision to move Wings of Hope to Jacmel and thus build a much more economical building on the level ground they already owned next door to Trinity House. This is such an exciting time to be part of Hearts With Haiti. We have new people on the board who bring us more excitement and vision, and we stand with the St. Joseph Family, ready to do all that we can to help ensure that their mission to care for the forgotten children of Haiti grows even stronger. From the very first moment I arrived at St. Joseph’s Home for Boys in January of 1997 and was greeted with a cup of cold water, a welcome song, and a handful of flowers, I have felt the power of their lives of prayer and their dedication to each other and to their community and country. They make a difference. If you would like to be part of an organization that helps change the world, one life at a time, I invite you to join us.
01.2013 - renee - resolve to change lives in 2013; It's the time for New Year’s resolutions. Most of the time these are our best intentions that quickly fall by the wayside by mid-January. We keep trying, year after year, but life often gets in the way and making new habits and changing our lives is hard work. If you are making resolutions to lose weight, live more intentionally, quit smoking, or anything else that will make 2013 amazing for you, we at the St. Joseph Family wish you luck. We also want to invite you to be intentional in your resolutions this year — whether you make resolutions and work to keep them, or have given up resolutions in the past because they were too hard to keep. And we want to give you the opportunity to make a significant difference in the lives of the St. Joseph Family at the same time. This year we are challenging you to be intentional in your resolutions and in your giving and to make a real difference in the lives of some very deserving children. The St. Joseph Family is about to embark on a new and exciting journey for the Wings of Hope children. 2013 will be the start of the building project that will give the Wings of Hope children a new home and a new future in Jacmel. We have the plans and we are ready to start, but we need the money to pay for the construction, furnishings and move. The architects tell us they can do the project in about a year, but only if we have the funds available to work straight through. Will you resolve to help us in an on-going and deliberate way in 2013? Will you resolve to go online TODAY and make a reoccurring gift through your credit card for the Wings of Hope Rebuilding Fund? Will you make the commitment of giving $10, $25, $50, $100, or any other amount you are comfortable with, every month for the next year? Maybe you'll resolve to give a dollar a day. Maybe you'll resolve to give up your daily Starbucks or cola purchase. Maybe you'll skip the drive-thru window at McDonald's and give that savings to the Wings reconstruction. Maybe you'll turn your night out to a night at home once a month and give the savings to the Wings reconstruction. Maybe you'll save your change every night and gift that to the Wings reconstruction at the end of every month. Whatever you decide to do, we thank you. Your commitment to a monthly gift will allow us to budget for our on-going construction and get us closer to our goal of getting the Wings of Hope children into their new home as soon as possible. Online giving through Hearts with Haiti is secure and signing up for automatic monthly payments is easy. Go to heartswithhaiti.org to make a donation, and be sure to choose the option of making your donation recurring on a monthly basis. There is a Haitian proverb that says, "Little, by little, the bird makes its nest". We are challenging you, our friends, family and fans, to help us make that new nest for the Wings of Hope children. The St. Joseph Family has 4,000 fans on Facebook. If each of those fans makes a resolution to make a monthly donation to the Wings reconstruction fund every month in 2013 we would be so thankful and we would be able to work on the new Wings of Hope facility all year. Thank you for your on-going support, friendship and love! We wish you all the excitement, blessings and joy that 2013 will bring.
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