Quarterly Newsletter Volume 3

February 2014

Emmaus House
Cap Haitien, Haiti

THE EMMAUS HOUSE VISION: ONE YEAR LATER

It was about a year ago that I received a phone call from the Kittrells in Haiti stating that Haitian laws were going to be enforced requiring 17 of the youth ages 18 and over to leave Cap Haitien Children s Home. What was going to happen to these young people we have grown to love and believe in over the years? Where would they go, and what would become of them? A vision was born that day, a vision to go beyond the orphanage and fully equip the youth of Haiti to become not only self sustained, but leaders in the church. To be honest, we were off to a rough start as far as these young people were concerned. Upon first discussions with them about Emmaus House, they were somewhat entitled and ungrateful. They were resistant to being held accountable by a behavioral management system, to being responsible for daily chores, and being responsible to take care of some of their own expenses. Most of all, they were upset that they were going to be involved in a work program to earn money to save for their future, whether higher education or starting their own business. Needless to say, along with the insurmountable challenges that come with the startup of a nonprofit organization, we had our work cut out for us. I hadnt seen the youth of Emmaus House since these discussions last summer. I headed back to Haiti in December/January with a small team to implement business classes and training on a new screen printing machine to be used for the work program. My objective, as a board member, among other things, was to check on the progress of the youth as well as staff training and communication. I came prepared to hear complaining, I wants, and the usual disregard that comes with being one in authority who holds these young people accountable. I am pleased to say that our youth surprised me beyond measure! In the 6 months of living at Emmaus House under the structure provided, they are thriving! As I spoke with all of them individually, I asked them to tell me honestly their concerns as well as what they liked about living at Emmaus House. Aside from a denied request for a microwave, not a single negative comment was made. Without exception, each of them shared how they loved Jonathan s devotionals (they have 2 per day at 7:00 AM and 7:00 PM) and how they are soaking up the knowledge about God s word. They love learning how to lead and teach. They shared how they loved having a role of responsibility in the house. Every morning when I showed up, I was greeted with smiling faces and the hum of busy youth sweeping, washing, cooking, mopping, and wiping; a rare scene in days past with these young people. These youth are also learning the vital role of God -given authority in their lives, and the importance of being grateful for and respecting that authority. Instead of being aloof and disinterested when spoken to, they now engage in conversation. They are learning to be held accountable. During one instance during my visit, the young men had gotten dressed up and planned an evening together on New Years Eve (a huge holiday in Haiti.) They were told it was too late and they needed to stay around home instead. Needless to say, they were disappointed. These young men prior would have held an angry grudge for days. Instead, they chose to cheerfully come by ten minutes later and pick me up for the all night worship service at the church building. It may seem small to you, but I see this as a great stride in these young mens journey to know our God. They are learning to accept consequences, boundaries, and most important, authority. Our vision had a rough start, but God is proving to all of us day by day that His will is being done through Emmaus House. He is showing us that the work, love, and time invested in these young people is not wasted. Thank you for being a part in their progress. Thank you for providing a better way for these young people. Thank you for sharing the vision.

Tanya Pirtle - Secretary on the Board for Emmaus House. She can be reached at tanya_pirtle@comcast.net

www.emmaushousehaiti.org

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www.emmaushousehaiti.org

MEET OUR YOUTH: JETRO

Unlike most of our youth, Jetro didnt move to the orphanage as a small child. He was twelve when his extended family made the decision for him to move. Also unlike most of our youth, Jetro has twelve years of memories growing up with His family. Although his father passed away before he was born, Jetro grew up surrounded by the loving care of his mom, sister, aunt, cousins, and other extended family. My life was not difficult, he remembers. My aunt worked and she could provide for us. We also had an uncle who could help finance us. Jetro also recalls a lot of memories of his mom. My mom was someone who was quiet and who always respected people. I took both of those traits from her, he said. When he was ten, his mom became ill and died, leaving Jetro orphaned. Shortly after, his aunt also got sick and their ability to survive as a family became a challenge. Our money went away and my possibilities were decreasing. Jetro recalls. After my mom died, my aunt was helping me out. It was really good, but I knew I was a strain on her and it was hurting our relationship. The decision for Jetro to move to the orphanage was a difficult one. My family never wanted our own people to grow up in an orphanage, but we werent working and we were struggling. We tried our best but we needed help. Jetro said. The decision was made for Jetro to move to the orphanage. For Jetro, he said he loved his life at the orphanage. He said he has a lot of happy memories from his time there. However, when he would visit his family, he would see their situation getting worse. When I asked him how that made him feel he replied, I knew I should be a good kid in the orphanage so I could become a good man. I needed to help myself and lend my family a hand someday because they once helped me so much. As he got older, however, he began to realize that an orphanage is not for mature people, but instead a place for kids without parents. It is not really good if you just count on people to help you with everything all the time, Jetro said. So as he matured into a young man, he began to realize the value in preparing for his future.

Preparing for his future- because he didnt want to rely on others his whole life.
Being so wise and all, I asked him what advice he would give to young boys in Haiti Specifically boys growing up in an orphanage. He said, I would tell them to study and to focus on their education. It is a blessing that they are going to school and they should not waste that time. Education is very important to Jetro. In the 11th grade, he is very committed to his studies, he loves school and does extremely well. He dreams of the day when he can help contribute to the education system in Haiti. More than anything though, Jetro dreams of being in a position where he can help others in the same way that people have helped him all his life. I want to help people that are in need, because it has been a long time that people have been helping me. So now I want to help others, he said. Whether that is working to better improve the Haitian education system or taking care of his family who once took care of him as a child, Jetro knows that serving others is what God has called him to do. I am truly honored to know Jetro and I am praying that God will use Jetro in BIG ways to help this country. I also pray that Emmaus House can be a stepping -stone into his future- a place for him to prepare for the greater things yet to come. If you would like to be a part of Jetros journey, he is still in need of partial sponsorship. Sponsoring Jetro would help provide for his food and medical needs, education, as well as his weekly salary based on our Level System program. But more than financial support, Jetro could use people rooting him on and praying specifically for him on a daily basis. Like I said, I believe that God is preparing Jetro to do BIG things.
Jetro is still in need of partial sponsorship at Emmaus House. If you are interested in becoming one of his sponsors, please contact Jillian Kittrell for more information at KittrellsinHaiti@gmail.com

www.emmaushousehaiti.org

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HOW YOU CAN HELP?

-GENERAL DONATIONS: We are not yet meeting our monthly budget. Our regular monthly expenses as well as surprise expenses are still in need of being funded. -AMAZON WISHLIST: We keep an up-to-date Amazon Wishlist you can access through our website that includes specific items we are in need of. Please look at the shipping instructions located on our website. -C:HANGE ONE CAMPAIGN- Justin Wright is wanting to sponsor Philius for one year by donating the cost of his Camera Camp, an online beginning photography course. If you or someone you know is an aspiring photographer, go to http://www.cameracamp.net/

change-one-life/
-CHOSEN MARATHON: Tanya Pirtle is organizing a team to run the half marathon in Salt Lake City, UT to raise funds and awareness for Emmaus House on Sept 27, 2014.. Registration opens March 1st. E-mail tanya_pirtle@comcast.net for details. www.chosenmarathon..com or on Facebook > Chosen SLC Marathon

Meet Trae Bailey

A special thank you to Trae who has graciously volunteered to help coordinate fundraising for Emmaus House. If he contacts you, please give him a moment of your time. He's a great guy with a big heart for our mission here in Haiti. He is also a close relative of the Kittrells.

Mail Donations to:

Northwest church of Christ

Emmaus House Contact Info:

www.emmaushousehaiti.org kittrellsinhaiti@gmail.com

Monthly Sponsor

$70 Education $40 Youth Allowance* $10 Medical Savings $130 Food, Water, & Toiletries

c/o Emmaus House

5255 West 98th Ave Broomfield, CO 80020 OR

$250 Total
Go to our website for www.emmaushousehaiti.org
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shipping instructions.

*Behavioral Management Program set in place to encourage work ethic, respect, and spiritual growth.

Thank you to Harris Research, Inc for printing this newsletter at your cost!