Updates/Downloads

Matt 19:21 Jesus said...give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven

NEW!

Now you can download the Christmas Bags for Haiti Brochure and "Shopping List" into your computer and make changes to fit your church (i.e. collection date, shipping costs, etc.) by just clicking on one of the links below.

These forms are available in Microsoft Publisher and Adobe. You choose what's best for you.

Please contact Missy Goins at mgoins@ccrtc.com if you have any problems.

Brochure -- Publisher File

Shopping List -- Publisher File

Brochure -- Adobe File

Shopping List -- Adobe File

STAN AND GLORIA’S MISSION UPDATE

January—March 2008

Dear Friends,

Have you ever heard the phrase “Man plans, God laughs”? We have been planning, God has been laughing and we are so thankful that He does.

In early December Stan and Gloria took a small team into Haiti to unload the container with the Christmas Bags. Stan told the team that they should be able to help unload the container and then pass out some of the gifts, but he warned them to be flexible. As it turned out, the dock workers in Haiti were on strike and the container was put into storage. God had other plans and led the team to a home for “throwaways” instead. This home is for the handicapped, elderly, orphaned children and others who have nowhere to go. The people who run the home show such amazing love and care.

We also met precious baby Christine at an orphanage in Haiti. She was 8 months old at the time and weighed only seven pounds. Both of her parents were dead and she had been cared for by an aunt who was trying to care for her and her brother, but could only afford to feed her bean juice. We were able to help get MUCH needed formula to Christine, and as you can see, she is getting healthy. Our plan was to pass out Christmas bags...God’s plan was for us to meet little Christine.

“For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD. Jeremiah 29:11

In January Stan was to lead a dental team into Haiti. The only problem with Stan’s plan was that the supplies for the dental team were in the container (with the Christmas Bags) which still had not been released. Stan went in a week early anticipating the release of the container (I don’t know how many times we heard “tomorrow”). By Friday it was determined that the container would not be released and the team would not have any supplies. Cancellation seemed imminent, but God had other plans. Stan called the team and told them the situation. They prayed and within 24 hours three dental chairs and three assistants chairs were provided. The team brought their supplies with them and during the course of the week only ran out of two things. Both of which were made available by Haitian physicians. Over 300 people were seen and no one was turned away.

Plans were also made to visit a village in the “back country.” But God had other plans. As a result of God’s change of plans among others, the kids from three orphanages (one was Christine’s home) were seen.

I’ll let Cheron Rose Hardy who runs one of the orphanages tell the story in her words...

“...the team decided not to cancel and came in on Tuesday. They had to cancel their rural clinics. So I received a call on Tuesday and the missionary said they decided they would see ALL of the children on their first day. So on Thursday of that week, all the children and the director were seen, they had their first cleanings, cavities filled (which you can’t get done), teeth pulled with numbing and gentle care. It was a great day for us, and no money could have made this happen for us. We had one little boy who had already had a fistula and they said he would have had an infection spread through the bloodstream if they hadn’t gotten to it!!

How humbled I was again in spite of all my trials, that my Shepherd had heard my cry and given favor to the needs of the children above all those in the rural area in great need. The stress and blocking of the container had been a means for good for these children who are precious to the Lord.”

God laughed and as a result, these precious children, as you can see, are smiling. This team was so willing to do and go wherever God led, it was an awesome week.

In March Stan led in a medical team. The container had been released (finally and at great cost!), so this team had all the supplies they needed. With a total of 18 people (including two doctors and six nurses) we traveled to the back country to help people who had very likely never seen a doctor before. The team was very committed to making sure the Haitian people of this remote village received medical care. One of the doctors was in Haiti when his new baby from Korea arrived in the States. An average of 250 people were seen EACH DAY for the four days. That means that roughly 1000 people were helped who otherwise would not have received medical care had this team not gone where God led. They were even able to perform minor operations, including stitching up Stan’s thumb. Thank you Dr. Jimmy!

As I said before, the Christmas Bags container was finally released in February, just in time for Valentine's Day. So, while we here in the States were receiving cards, flowers, and candy from our Valentines, the kids in Haiti were receiving "valentines" from Christ. God's timing is always perfect!

It is so much more fun to follow God's plans than to try to "fix" the "problems" that arise. Please pray we always remember that, and we'll pray that you do too!

Stan leaves on Friday to head to Florida to lead in two construction teams. The first team, from Alabama, has plans to work on the dorm roof, put a roof over the area where the containers are staged, and put a roof on the night watchman's home...unless God has other plans.

The second team, from Pennsylvania, plans to get a roof on one of the churches for which they have been raising money. This project started out costing about $10,000, but as of right now, the final cost is around $16,000.

The cost of living has incresaed enormously in Haiti. It is only by the grace of God, and with your help, that the Haitians survive. Do you realize that President Bush's economic stimulus plan rebate for one child in the States is more than most people in Haiti earn for an entire year's wage? What an amazingly prosperous country we live in. What a devastatingly poor country and people you help support. You may never know this side of Heaven what your support does to help sustain these people, but I promise you that you will meet many Haitians when we get to Heaven who otherwise may not have heard the Gospel without your prayers and support.

Luke 6:38 reminds us:

Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over...

We so appreciate your prayers on our behalf. Please continue to pray that…

- we will follow where God leads.

- God will continue to provide the necessary funds to send teams and supplies into Haiti. We serve a great God who promises to take care of the sparrows. How much more will He take care of the people of Haiti.

- God will continue to keep the teams safe while they are traveling to and from, and in the country of Haiti.

Thank you for giving and continuing to give. We truly cannot wait to one day show you the impact you’ve made.

I dreamed I went to heaven

And you were there with me;

We walked upon the streets of gold,

Beside the crystal sea.

We heard the angels singing

Then someone called your name.

We turned and saw a young man

And he was smiling as he came…

Then another man stood before you

And said, “Remember the time,

A missionary came to your church

And his pictures made you cry?

You didn’t have much money,

But you gave it anyway.

Jesus took that gift you gave

And that’s why I’m in Heaven today”…

Thank you for giving to the Lord.

I am a life that was changed.

Thank you for giving to the Lord.

I am so glad you gave.

Thank you by Ray Boltz

Following God’s plan,

Stan and Gloria Curtis