The classic Christmas hymn shouts, “Go tell it on the mountain, that Jesus Christ is born!” The name “Haiti” means “mountains beyond mountains”. You are doing just what the song commands… spreading the news of his birth and His saving power throughout the mountains of Haiti… one child at a time.
We want to take this opportunity to thank you. Your faithful support and prayers allow the mission to grow and thrive. It is you who brings health and hope to a generation of Haitian children. It is our hope and prayer that these children will grow into strong men and women of God, who will lead their families and their nation to the Lord.
The orphanage is now home to 50 children. Fritzon and Emily are our two newest additions. Fritzon is a 2-year-old boy brought in just a week ago. Emily is 18 months and was brought to us in January after being abandoned in Cabaret. She was severely malnourished, weighing just 6 pounds at 8 months old. Our good friend Dorothy gave her the intensive care she needed for the last 10 months and she just returned to us in October. She is now a healthy, happy toddler who babbles and blows kisses. Marie Joe, who turned 18 this year, is our oldest child. We are so proud of the young, Christian woman she is growing to be.
We feed and educate another 170 children through the school. We have 7 classes of children, pre-K through grade 5. We are improving the quality of education at our school through stateside volunteers who are working to develop appropriate curriculum. We have implemented the new curriculum in the three youngest classes. Our school children are fed a nutritious breakfast and lunch and given vitamins daily. They are also provided with school uniforms and shoes in addition to all of their schoolbooks and supplies.
You make all of this possible. You give these children the necessities that most of them would not otherwise have. You give them hope. Hope for a better, healthy life. And above all, they have heard about Jesus and can put their hope in Him, because of you.
Thank you for answering God’s call to give and serve.
Merry Christmas,
Rusty & Cheryl Merritt
