The Lazarus Project's October 2007 Trip

July 2007 Program Info - October 2007 Program Info - July 2008 Program Info

Patrice and Little Children of Jesus

The October 16-21 Photo Team, consisting of Darrell Pfeffer, Ron, Marni and Patrice Maree, Liz Schuch and Sandra Hughes arrived in Haiti on a 'surprise' school Holiday. At first we were worried that it meant one less day to take all of the photos we needed. But God had bigger plans for us! We used that day to paint the Village of Hope sign on the main road. Christoph had very skillfully built it out of concrete before our arrival. It is bright and colorful and after trimming some vines from a nearby tree, it is very visible from the road.

The team arrived at VOH very early on Thursday to begin photographing by 8 am. Because of the wonderful organization of Darrell's class lists, the previous experience of a few of the team members who did it last year, the cooperation of the teachers and staff at VOH, and by God's grace, we finished photographing all of the 600 present students by 1 pm! We think that is a world record that cannot be broken. Sponsors will be very happy to receive an updated photo of their child by Christmas.

The Photo team continued clicking away at Grace Mission Orphanage, better known as Marie's Girls. There are now 30 girls living at Marie' s school. After the girls were photographed, the women on the team treated them to a pedicure while the men did some manly errands. We washed their feet and painted their toenails. They enjoyed the treat and we experienced the joy of serving those special girls.

Sedrac, University Student

We also had the privilege of visiting and photographing the 7 University students in their new home! By our standards, their living conditions seem very undesirable, but to them, this is the nicest home they have ever lived in. They have concrete floors, a roof, 2 bedrooms (6 boys in one and 1 girl in the other), a kitchen (a room with a charcoal grill on the floor), occasional electricity, a door with a lock, and an indoor bathroom (no running water, but there is a cistern right next to the house). The students are proud of this place and are studying very hard at their schools. Although this house is much closer to their schools, they must still take 2 tap taps to get to school. They attend 4 different Universities and are studying Electrical Engineering, Computer Science and Medicine. They are the first of many students from VOH who will change Haiti.

Next on our list to photograph was the children at the Little Children of Jesus Orphanage. We had a chance to photograph and visit with 19 of the children who came from Notre Maison as well as meet many of the other children and staff there. While there we ran into Carole Stufflebeam and her friend, Karen, a medical needs coordinator (by accident?). Later that day, God showed us just how important the meeting of Larry and Karen was. Larry was able to help one of the VOH gardeners whose baby is ill by connecting with Karen. It is very comforting to once again see God's plan unfold in front of our eyes with this chance meeting!

University Students in new place

Not only did we photograph all of the children who are sponsored through the Lazarus Project, but we also had many other wonderful experiences: interacted with Marie's girls 3 different days, visited Food for the Poor during the Feeding Program, visited with Roberta's girls who translated for the July Enrichment Program, drove to the Dominican Republic border, visited Bilan, one of the poorest villages in Haiti, had lunch at the Visa Lodge, shopped at the Metal Artists' shops in Croix des Bouquet and continued to build relationships with many special people. It was a blessed spirit-filled week. God bless Larry and Margaret and the people of Haiti.

For more information about the Lazarus Project, check out the Lazarus Project website.

Ron painting sign

Team painting sign

Patrice and Glennis

University students

Water sistern right outside thier home!