by Steve Haddix | Mar 10, 2022 | Top 5
1. New Solar System Installed at Alex’s House
We recently completed the installation of the new solar systems for each of the cottages located at Alex’s House. This is such a blessing, and we are so thankful to our very generous donors who gave during our end of year wish list fundraiser! These gifts have made it possible for our staff and children to have access to permanent electricity all through the night! Click on the link for a special thank you from Alex’s House!
2. New Roof in Mayard
The roof at the church/school in the Village of Mayard has been replaced! The project was funded by donations made through FBC Loretto and Summerville Baptist Church. This is an answer to prayer for those who utilize this space regularly. Over the last couple of years, students have attended school while experiencing a leaky roof and muddy floors every single time it rains. Additionally, a portion of the materials from the old church/school roof were recycled making it possible to build a new roof over the kitchen area that would provide shade from the sun and shelter from the rain for the cooks. Our deepest gratitude goes out to those who generously donated to this project!
3. Verna Started a New Business Training
Verna started a business training in his neighborhood of Saintard located approximately 10 minutes away from Kaliko. Verna is a trained agronomist, tailor, teacher, iron worker, and has worked with micro finance in the past. This has allowed him to continue helping people and minister to his neighbors while decreasing the amount of travel during times when road conditions are unsafe. He also oversees the micro finance for Shersty as travel conditions allow. He visits past micro-loan ladies in Kaliko and Cadanette to follow up and see how things are going as well as brainstorm new ideas for better solutions to problems as they arise. Verna teaches business training in our partnering villages, and we do micro loans with follow up trainings. We use the business training as a tool to share more about the life of Christ, honoring god through our work, and using our work to share God’s love with others.
4. Students in the Village of Mayard Almost Fully Sponsored
Steve and Vickie Haddix were able to travel to Summerville, South Carolina in February for a sponsorship Sunday hosted by Summerville Baptist Church. They were able to meet with existing sponsors and those who were interested in becoming sponsors. Upon arrival, there was a need for 36 sponsorships to have our students in Mayard fully sponsored. We are proud to share that we have 33 of the students sponsored leaving only 3 more to go! We expect to have Mayard Village fully sponsored very soon. A big thank you to Summerville Baptist Church, Pastor Randy and our sponsorship coordinator for Summerville, Jo Rayburn.
5. Continued Need for Sponsorships
We are still in need of several sponsorships for our kids at Alex’s House as well as some of our schools in partnering villages. Disciples’ Village President, Steve Haddix will be traveling around to visit with churches doing sponsorship Sundays in the coming months. If your church is not partnering with one of our villages and you would like to give your congregation an opportunity to join us in ministry and invest in our Alex’s House children, please contact steve@disciplesvillage.org or call (502) 680-4135.
by Steve Haddix | Feb 10, 2022 | Top 5, Uncategorized
1. Graduation Ceremony for Jerry Jean
After a long delay due to unrest in Haiti, Jerry was finally able to have a much-deserved graduation ceremony! Jerry earned his degree in business administration, and we are proud to announce he has accepted a position with Disciples’ Village where he will be helping in several areas of the ministry. Jerry is now the Director of our boy’s transition house and will be working closely with Steve to help with communication and oversight of our schools and villages. We are so proud of Jerry’s accomplishment and blessed to have him on staff with DV.
2. Big Thank You to Ganaud and Rose
It’s with excitement and some sadness that we report Ganaud and Rose is no longer serving as house parents at Alex’s House. Ganaud has been called to do more speaking and training with his fellow Haitians. They informed us in June that they would be transitioning out at the end of the year. Ganaud and Rose have loved our Alex’s House kids as if they were their own. Ganaud has also served in the position of Field Director for Disciples’ Village. They have been a great blessing to us and we wish them well in their new adventure. With all the turmoil in Haiti and the fact that we can’t safely travel to Haiti currently, Ganaud has offered to continue to serve with Disciples’ Village until things stabilize in the country. Ganaud, Rose and their girls have moved into Steve’s house temporarily.
3. Welcome to Our New House Parents
We are excited to announce that Pastor William Pierre and his wife Fabiola have joined our Alex’s House family! They have accepted the position as house parents to the older boy’s cottage. William and Fabiola have two children of their own as well. Pastor William has worked as a teacher in two of our DV schools and he currently teaches 5th grade in the village of Dahl. Pastor William also serves as pastor of our Church at Fontana located next door to Alex’s House. The Church at Fontana is where our staff and kids attend weekly services. We are so thrilled to extend a warm welcome as they join the Alex’s House family!
4. Welcome to Our Newest DV Staff Member, Jonathan Elicier
Jonathan will be working in Santiago, Dominican Republic with the Davis Family! He arrived in the DR on January 13th and has already started serving the people of Santiago. Jonathan took the lead on our first Children’s Community Outreach, was able to share the gospel at another ministry, and was invited to a school to teach a physical education class! He was also able to bring his first sermon at IBRB Church, the same church he is living in! We are excited to see how God continues to glorify Himself through Jonathan.
Jonathan’s path crossed with Disciples Village in 2018. He came with Newberry College for a weeklong mission trip to Haiti. When he left, he knew that a seed was planted in his heart. He returned in 2021 for another weeklong mission trip and the Lord began to fully reveal what that seed meant during that week. A couple of days later, Jonathan reached out to our Founder, Bill Howard about joining the staff at DV because he knew God was calling him to serve on the mission field. Over the last 5 months, we have worked to get him ready to join our staff. We are so thankful God continues to send the right people at the right time to serve the needs of His Kingdom!
5. 2022 Opportunities to Serve in the Dominican Republic
The Davis family is making great strides settling into the DR as God continues to open doors of opportunity to serve! Jamey and Elizabeth are preparing to start hosting our first Disciples’ Village mission teams this summer! If you have not reached out to Jamey about scheduling your vision trip or mission trip, you’ll want to do that soon! You can reach Jamey directly at Jamey@disciplesvillage.org and you can view the available schedule on our website at the following link. We’d love to see you in the DR this summer!
by Steve Haddix | Jan 10, 2022 | Top 5
1. End of Year Fundraiser Wrapping Up
We are close to wrapping up our end of the year fundraiser. We are thankful for the generous gifts that have already been received. Please prayerfully consider giving to one of our fundraisers. Click this link if you would like to make an online donation. If you would rather mail in a check, you can send it to Disciples’ Village PO Box 2101, Lexington, SC 29071.
2. Alex’s House Christmas Celebration
Christmas looked a little different this year at Alex’s House. Our house parents and staff did a great job planning the Christmas dinner as well as the gift distribution. While our US staff couldn’t be there in person, we were able to visit with them via a zoom call. There was lots of food and joy for all and we look forward to being with them next Christmas!
3. Vision Trips for Teams in the Dominican Republic
We are currently scheduling mission teams for the DR. Pastor Jamey and his family have been in the DR making wonderful connections to help understand the needs and organize how we can best serve the people there. They have been working on finding lodging and transportation to accommodate future teams. Contact Jamey Davis at jamey@disciplesvillage.org if you have questions or would like to schedule a vision trip or book a team trip.
4. Missionaries Escape
We give praise to our Lord Jesus that the last of the kidnapped missionaries are home safe after they escaped in the middle of the night. If you have not heard the story of their escape, I encourage you to do so. Here’s the link where you can listen (audio only).
Image source: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-59736726
5. Update of Conditions in Haiti
The conditions seem to have stabilized to some degree in our local area. The Haitian police have been more visible around Route National 1 leading to the resorts, but it still isn’t safe for our American Staff to return currently. We ask that you join us in prayer as the Senate terms are scheduled to end January 10, 2022, and the President’s term is scheduled to end February 7, 2022. However, with all the turmoil in the Country and within the government no election has taken place resulting in extended terms. There are concerns this could lead to more uncertain times. Please continue to keep Haiti in your prayers along with our Haitian staff, pastors, and children.
by Steve Haddix | Dec 10, 2021 | Top 5
1. 2021 Disciples’ Village Wish List
While you’re preparing your Christmas gift list, we’d love for you to consider adding Disciples’ Village to it.
Here’s our Christmas wish list this year:
Full Time Electricity for Kids’ Cottages ~ $30,000
Did you know that our children and houseparents only have electricity for about 5 hours a day? Please give to provide 24/7 electricity for fans and lights.
Girls’ Cottage $7,000
Older Boys’ Cottage $7,000
Younger Boys’ Cottage $7,000
Kubota Lowboy Generator $9,000
Vehicle for Jamey Davis family in D.R. ~ $8,000
Did you know that Pastor Jamey Davis and family are moving to the D.R. to start a DV ministry? Please donate to provide them with dependable transportation.
Running Water for DV and AH Campus ~ $4,500
Did you know that for the last few years we have no running water at Alex’s House? We have a well and pump, but still need a pump house and solar system to get the water from the ground.
Dunlap Missionary House ~ $7,500
The Dunlap Missionary House houses both staff and volunteer missionaries. Please give to help purchase 16 batteries to bring this system back to working order.
AH College Fund ~ $15,000
Jeff and Jerry Jean are our first two (young men) to graduate from college, however we have many more nearing high school graduation. Please give to help our children have a successful future.
Our Christmas wish is to reach these goals!
To donate, use this online link:
https://disciplesvillage.org/give/
You may also mail to P.O. Box 2101, Lexington, SC 29071
For ease, scan the QR code on the image with your phone camera and it will take you directly to the donation link!
As always, we want to thank our generous supporters! If it were not for those who give, we would not be able to do the work God has called us to do in Haiti and now the DR! Thank you!
2. Hostage Update in Haiti
We are happy to hear that five of the hostages have been released and in good condition. The 12 remaining hostages are now approaching 2-months in captivity. Please continue to pray for these missionaries and their families. We also ask that you pray for the gang members involved.
3. Davis Family Serving in the Dominican Republic
Jamey and Elizabeth Davis along with their 3 children arrived in the Dominican Republic nearly one month ago to expand the ministry of Disciples’ Village and they are settling in quite well! God has surrounded the Davis family with other believers in Santiago and provided an apartment for housing in this same area as well as a vehicle for transportation! Jamey has been given opportunities to preach in a couple of churches that led to exciting outreach activities with new friends. The Davis’s are preparing to host DV mission teams in the Dominican Republic this summer and fall. To schedule a mission trip or a vision trip contact jamey@disciplesvillage.org!
4. Ganaud Gives Update from Haiti
Due to fuel shortages, the transportation sector has been hit hard resulting in negative effects on almost every other sector. The price of gasoline on the black market shot up to 3,000 Gourdes, about $30 US Dollars over the past month. It has been difficult to find food – especially meat, and propane! Our staff in Haiti have driven countless miles to find the needed food and supplies. Thankfully, DV has been able to purchase approximately 500 gallons of diesel enabling staff to drive to the market for supplies. Roadblocks and protests have presented some challenges preventing our kids at Alex’s House from attending school for about a week. The Alex’s House kids are getting super excited for the Christmas celebration party and can’t wait to receive their gifts that have already been picked up from MFI!
5. Corporate Sponsor Giving is Up!
We cannot thank our corporate sponsors enough for their generous support through giving! In the midst of a global pandemic, our total this year is the most it’s ever been! Only God! We’ve asked our current corporate sponsors to recommit for next year! If anyone would like information about becoming a corporate sponsor for 2022 e-mail marilyn@disciplesvillage.org.
by Steve Haddix | Nov 10, 2021 | Top 5
1. Pray for Haiti
We ask for continued prayers for the Country of Haiti, our Disciples’ Village families, missionaries still on the ground and for those still being held hostage. Doing ministry in Haiti is a difficult task under the best of circumstances. During times like this with all the civil unrest, gang activities as well as supply and fuel shortages, doing ministry becomes even more difficult. Our staff faces daily struggles to find the supplies needed and due to the lack of propane, they are now cooking with charcoal. There is a month’s worth of food supply on hand with plans to buy another month’s supply in the coming days. Additionally, gasoline and diesel are nearly impossible to find, but we are so thankful to have diesel in our storage tanks that allows for travel when needed.
2. The Gospel is Still Going Forward
Despite hindered travel for the American staff, ministry efforts at DV are still moving forward daily! We are 100% committed to the call God has laid before us and work diligently to see that our staff in Haiti are well equipped. The following are highlights of what’s happening in Haiti over the last month: 1) Alex’s House and DV staff are handling the day-to-day operations of the ministry. In particular, the house parents at Alex’s House continue to do an amazing job of loving, protecting and raising our Alex’s House kids. 2) DV schools are open and continue to educate and feed our students. The only exception is our School in Dahl. Due to conflict, Dahl is not in session until this gets resolved. 3) DV pastors continue to conduct their weekly Wednesday meetings, however, most of the time that’s done virtually. 4)The Gospel continues to be proclaimed in our churches and throughout our villages. 5) Sewing lessons continue in Shersty’s absence. 5) Bible studies are on-going. We’re seeing people grow in their faith and others receiving God’s gift of salvation!
3. Remote Bible Study Underway
Our Pastoral Training Director, Greg Estes got creative when he realized traveling to Haiti was going to have extended delays. In an effort to stay connected, Greg kicked off a remote Bible study on Zoom with the young men who reside in the transition house. The guys chose Thursday at 8 p.m. EST to be the meeting day and time to meet regularly. The first meeting involved a series of questions: 1) What Is My Calling? 2) What is my purpose? 3) Why am I even on the earth? The group talked about their “General Calling” and “Specific Callings”. This is a time Greg can touch base weekly to encourage the guys and help keep them in God’s Word!
Pictured Left to Right: Mickey, Remy, LP and Wilkins
4. Alex’s House Sponsorships Needed
We are still in need of sponsors for our Alex’s House Children. Each child needs a total of 5 sponsors: 1 daily bread, 1 education and 3 life skill (college/professional education) sponsors. With the circumstances being as they are in Haiti; child sponsorships are so important, and it is one way that you can make a huge difference in the life of our AH children! The following link will take you directly to the children in need of sponsorships. You may also reach out directly to Steve Haddix at Steve@disciplesvillage.org with questions.
5. 2021 Corporate Sponsors
We would like to give special recognition to our 2021 corporate sponsors for their generous support to the ministry at Disciples’ Village! Without the donations of these businesses, it would be impossible to do all that God has called us to do here in Haiti! If you can utilize the services of our partnering sponsors, please support them as they continue to support the work we are doing here in Haiti!
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