by Steve Haddix | Jun 4, 2021 | Uncategorized
Hello D.V. Family,
I hope you are all doing well. I wanted to bring you an update on some important news with Disciples’ Village.
As I have shared with you previously, since the beginning of the pandemic, we have been experiencing a challenging financial situation. We have been watching and praying over our finances, trusting in the Lord’s guidance. We had hoped that 2021 would be a better year for us financially, but due to Haiti’s civil unrest in 2019, then the pandemic in ‘20 and ’21, and the greatly fluctuation of the Haitian dollar, our income has not kept up with our expenses.
Because of this, and after much prayer and discussion with our Trustees and Financial team, we are making some significant reductions in our budget, to ensure that our ministry can continue to grow and thrive in the years ahead.
Here are a few things I would like you to know about:
- Our American missionaries are making great sacrifices in their salaries in order to continue to minister in Haiti. Most of them will no longer receive any salary from Disciples’ Village and will be responsible for raising their own support. Others are having to make great reductions in their salary. We are so grateful for their Christ-like attitude. Their love for the Lord and the Haitian people is an inspiration to us all. If you feel led to support them personally, I encourage you to do so at https://disciplesvillage.org/missionary-support/
- Because of the great sacrifices made by our American missionaries, we are only having to make minor reductions to our Haitian salaries and ministry expenses. Our house parents and school workers are all taking temporary reductions until we are able to return to their full salaries. We are making a great effort to keep our financial resources in Haiti – where they are needed the most.
- In an effort to ensure that we do not get into this challenging situation again, I will transition my efforts to chairing the Trustees and working with the Financial Oversight team. Specifically, I will be:
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- recruiting more American churches to partner with Disciples’ Village
- working with our Financial Oversight Team to ensure that we continue to have adequate tracking of all revenue and expenses
- working with our Board of Trustees to ensure that we continue to make wise financial and ministerial decisions
- working with our Fund-Raising team to ensure we have adequate funding for our ministries
Even though my responsibilities at DV are changing, my time spent in Haiti will not change. I will continue to be there to encourage and guide and will continue to help raise our Alex’s House children. My role will change only with my duties, not with my commitment to Haiti and our ministry.
Lastly, but certainly not least,
- We have promoted Pastor Steve Haddix to the role of President of Disciples’ Village. Steve has already been doing an excellent job fulfilling many of these duties. As you know, he was previously serving as Vice President over all Haiti operations. Now, he will have the title to match his responsibilities. He is a great blessing and source of stability for all of us. I have great faith in his leadership and look forward to continuing our close work together.
We must make these changes to ensure that Disciples’ Village continues to shine the Light of Jesus for years to come. I have full faith that the Lord will continue to bless us and look forward to more great years ahead!
Thank you for your support and understanding. You are a great blessing to me and I’m grateful for your friendship and support.
Blessings,
~ Bill
by Steve Haddix | May 5, 2021 | Top 5
1. Please Pray and Give
Many people have been under a financial strain through the pandemic. Our ministry has suffered as well. Due to the stress of the pandemic, the lack of voluntary missionaries coming to minister and the fluctuation of the Haitian dollar, Disciples’ Village is in a difficult position financially. Please pray for this ministry we all love and make a donation today! Donate here, OR send a check to Disciples’ Village – PO Box 2101, Lexington, SC 29071
2. Sponsorships Needed for Sonson
Sonson Cherideson is in the first grade and is 7 years old. He loves the color yellow and like any typical boy, he loves riding his bike and playing with other kids! Over the last year, Sonson is also learning to play soccer. He has an incredible smile, but don’t let your guard down, he also enjoys playing a good prank when he gets the chance! Click here to set up sponsorship payments for Sonson. You may also contact Steve Haddix at steve@disciplesvillage.org if you have questions.
3. Lougens “Lou Lou” Jean was Baptized
On ApriI 21st many of the Alex’s House guys gathered at the ocean to support Lou Lou in his decision to follow through with baptism. Lou Lou has been living in Port au Prince for some time now but made the decision to come back home so he could share among friends and family his decision to be baptized and surrender his life to Jesus. It was awesome to see the support our boys offered Lou Lou as they shared their hearts about how proud they are of him. It was such a great day!
4. New Next Generation Group Started
The Next Generation group originated with some young people meeting every Monday who are considered up and coming church leaders. Due to growing interest in this group and availability challenges, a new Next Generation group was started on Tuesdays to accommodate the schedules of more people. It has absolutely exploded! The new group has met 5 times so far and our most recent meeting had 17 young leaders in attendance! This group travels a bit farther than our original Monday group. A good number of participants are from St. Marc and the outskirts of Arcahaie. It is so neat to watch these groups grow and mature. We definitely see growth in biblical understanding from our original Next Generation group that has been meeting for well over a year now.
5. Funds Raised to Meet Needs in Mayard
We give God all the praise, honor and glory for working through the wonderful people of Summerville Baptist Church led by Pastor Randy. In March, a group from this church did ministry in the village of Mayard where they partner. They noticed the church was in need of a new roof and immediately knew they were committed to raising the funds to replace it! Additionally, they also saw the need for a kitchen to be built and inquired about the cost to have both projects completed. Upon returning to the states, a lady from the group, Ms. Jo took the lead on raising the needed funds and in 3 short weeks they had enough money to replace the roof and build a new kitchen area. Ms. Joe was able to contact and partner with DoTerra Healing Hands, an organization that offers matching funds for approved projects.
by Steve Haddix | Apr 5, 2021 | Top 5
1. Sponsorships Needed for Woody
Woody is in the 6th grade and wants to become a mechanic. He enjoys playing soccer and running foot races! Woody is a typical 13-year-old mischievous and funny boy, but he also enjoys helping our younger kids at Alex’s House. His favorite subject in school is mathematics. Would you prayerfully consider sponsoring Woody? Click here to set up sponsorship payments. You may also contact Steve Haddix at steve@disciplesvillage.org if you have questions.
2. 2021 Pastor’s Conference was Awesome
It is mind-blowing to watch how God continues to grow the DV Pastor’s Conference each year! A huge highlight was watching our partnering Haitian Pastors take ownership in serving the guests! Each day of the conference we hosted approximately 105-110 pastors. This year’s theme was centered on the miracles of Jesus and the American Pastoral Team did an outstanding job preaching and teaching throughout the week. At the end of the conference each attendee was presented with a certificate of completion for their training.
3. Announcing New Hires
We are so excited to share that Lenick has accepted a new position at The York House! He is assuming Jean Claude’s prior responsibilities as grounds keeper and will also work with our older Alex’s House boys to help with chores as their school schedule allows. We are so excited about this new opportunity for Lenick! Additionally, Bill and Steve hired a gentleman affectionately known as TuTu from the Village of Dahl to be the guard replacement for Lenick at Alex’s House.
4. Exciting Moves Happening
As a result of the new hires, we’ve had several housing relocations happening in order to accommodate everyone God has led to serve at DV! Lenick moved to Jean Claude’s newly built room and TuTu moved his family of four from the Village of Dahl to Lenick’s small one-room space located at Alex’s House. It’s hard to believe that moving into Lenick’s tiny house would be a step up, but the reality is, it was a giant move forward for this family! Brooke also moved and will occupy the house where Jimmy previously lived. This will allow her to be near the Alex’s House kids as she steps into her new role as the DV Children’s Advancement Director. We are so excited to welcome everyone into their new roles and cannot wait to see the many blessings to come!
5. Learning to Develop Good Sanitation Practices
Beginning in March, all DV School Directors were encouraged by DV School Superintendent, Ernso, as well School Board President, Ganaud Milien to begin talking with students about the importance of taking care of the land where they live and go to school. Each week, time is spent talking about the negative effects of trash and poor sanitation as well as the effects deforestation has on their country. Every Friday, two classes stay after school to pick up trash around the school and throughout the village. We’ve already seen less trash being thrown down as a result of this intentional effort to educate the kids!
by Steve Haddix | Mar 8, 2021 | Top 5
1. New Children’s Advancement Director at Alex’s House
We are excited to announce that Brooke Carson will be transitioning from the York House to Alex’s House filling the role of Children’s Advancement Director! Brooke will be moving across the street to live with the kids and house parents at Alex’s House very soon. Brooke will continue leading weekly Bible studies and group/individual activities. She hopes to get the kids out into the community more and serving with mission teams during the summertime. Brooke has been investing in the AH kids in some capacity over the last 9 years and is over the moon with excitement about this unique opportunity God has provided!
2. Leadership Conference in Viello
We are very excited and encouraged by the leadership shown by Pastor Job in the Village of Viello! He worked alongside Ganaud to host a 2-day leadership conference for the men and women that will be taking leadership roles in the church. Those in attendance will serve in various roles such as Deacons, Evangelists, Jr. Pastor and Secretary. Ganaud did an outstanding job teaching on the characteristics of a great leader to include topics of honesty, integrity, courage, commitment, ability to inspire other leaders, and good communication skills. We are so thankful to have opportunities to pour into our partnering villages in this way!
3. Water Filtration System Installed in Cadanette
Brushy Creek Church from South Carolina spent the last week of February installing a water filtration system at the church/school in Cadanette. Currently, the majority of the people drink unfiltered water that causes sickness throughout the village. However, the school buys filtered water weekly from a delivery truck to be used for clean drinking water at the school. The installation of this new system will provide access to very low-cost drinking water for the entire village. The DV nurse, Andremene, will be conducting several training sessions on the medical benefits of drinking filtered water. Thank you, Brushy Creek, for helping us provide a means for clean drinking water to the people of Cadanette!
4. Sponsorships Still Needed for Alex’s House Children
Though we have filled some of our AH sponsorships over the last 6 months, we still have children who are not fully funded. From the very beginning of Alex’s House, we have been blessed with sponsors who have been faithful and generous in their giving. Each of our children need a total of 5 sponsors: 1 for education, 1 for daily bread and 3 for life skills (college or trade school). As time has gone by and situations have changed, we now have opportunities for new sponsors to partner our AH Kids! Please prayerfully consider partnering with us to love and disciple our children. Click here to set up sponsorship donations online.
5. 2021 Opportunities to Serve in Dominican Republic
It’s official! We have 2-weeks on the calendar to serve in the DR. The scheduled dates will be August 12-26, 2021. The ministry opportunities will mirror what we do currently in Haiti. Our goal is always to build relationships through serving and we will do that by connecting with churches in the Dominican Republic. If you have a group that is interested in serving in the DR, please reach out to Jamey and Elizabeth Davis, Mission Directors at Jamey@disciplesvillage.org.
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