Our Orphanage

Two of our three children currently reside in an orphanage. It was our wish that they would have been long home by now, but because of many factors in the adoption process, they are not yet home. We hope and pray that the Lord will bring them home to us very soon. In the meantime, they live in an orphanage.

The orphanage’s name is Maison des Enfants de Dieu, and is located in Port Au Prince, Haiti. The orphanage is overseen by For His Glory Outreach, a non-profit, 501c3 organization here in the United States.

The orphanage provides phenomenal care for my children and many others (approximately 130). I’m thankful for these wonderful women, who work tirelessly day in and day out to make sure my children and many others are well cared for.

The orphanage clothes my children and many others. Several women work all day most days of the week hand-washing clothing and bedding for the many children that live at the orphanage. I’ve “helped” them - it’s a tough job! They do it with a smile and a song.

The orphanage feeds my children and many others, three meals per day, plus snacks. This is a privilege that most children in Haiti can only dream of - if they even can dream of such a thing. Several women work all day in the blistering Caribbean heat over open fires to prepare meals for the always-hungry children.

The orphanage provides my children with clean drinking water, a rarity in a country such as Haiti. This helps prevent many illnesses (parasitic and otherwise) that are rampant in Haiti.

The orphanage provides medical care to my children and many others, in a place where medical care is severely lacking and impossibly expensive compared to the average wages of less than $2 per day. A doctor makes rounds at the orphanage a few times each week, and there is a nurse on hand 24/7.

The orphanage provides for my children and many others, a place safe from the sometimes deadly voodoo practices of local society; a place where they can come to know the Lord, and be treated as the precious children of God that they are. The orphanage director and at least one of the school teachers (for the older children) are Christian pastors. The babies’ and toddlers’ nannies stop at set times during the day to sing and chant in prayer over the children. Women from local churches visit the orphanage regularly to pray over the staff and children

The orphanage provides safety for my children and many others, in a country and city where danger looms. The orphanage walls and 24/7 security guards secure the buildings and grounds from a world of uncertainty.

The orphanage has countless other staff that work behind-the-scenes to make life better for my children and many others - cleaning crews, maintenance staff, drivers, parent liaisons, adoption processors, management staff, and probably many others that I am forgetting.

The orphanage management work tirelessly to make life for my children and many others, a little better each day. They have a heart for these children, and for their families. But they cannot do it without support.

The orphanage is struggling financially right now, along with many other orphanages and missions in Haiti and around the world. Prices of food, water (both clean drinking/cooking water and wash water), diesel (for transportation and generator power) have skyrocketed in Haiti in the last couple of years. The adoption processes have slowed down tremendously, making adoption funds having to spread thinner to cover both processing and childcare costs. The slowdown of worldwide economies has caused donations to drop off.

The orphanage where my children and many others reside is facing a six-figure deficit this year. They are in need of donations and sponsorships to continue, and possibly expand, their ministry to the children of Haiti.

If you are in a position to help defray some of these costs, please consider a one-time donation or on-going support. There are countless ways to donate, many of which are listed on FHG's website. There is some information on the homepage, or click on the “catalogue” link for more information about the costs of maintaining the orphanage.

If you are a coffee drinker, CoffeeXperts has an offer to donate 50% of the proceeds to FHG to support the orphanage. If you make a purchase, be sure to specify this on your order.

If you live near Colorado Springs, where FHG is based, they are collecting monetary donations and donations of clothing, food, baby formula, etc, the next two weekends at Mountain Springs Church, where both the FHG director and many adoptive families attend services.

Another mom recently shared this Bible verse, with regards to the financial needs of the orphanage:

“And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, and laid them at the
apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone has need.” Acts 4:33-35.

I’m not asking you to sell your land and homes, but consider giving of your excess. Maybe sell that old furniture in your basement on Craigslist, ask your friends to donate items for a garage sale, go out to eat one less time this month, or fire up your at-home coffee maker in lieu of the $4 Starbucks cup. If you are not able, please share this with your friends and family.

If you have any questions at all, please ask me. Leave a comment here or send me an email. My anonymous email address is at the bottom of my sidebar… Although I don’t check that address very often, so if you email me there, please leave a comment here to let me know to read it - or if you know my personal email, email me there - or leave me a message on Facebook.

I pray today this message to be spread, to touch the hearts of many, and for cheerful givers to come forward to support this great ministry to a country and a people in need.