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Office: (519) 326-3138
E-mail: ruthven@x5ca.net
P.O. Box 370, 1907 Queen Boulevard
Ruthven, Ontario N0P 2G0

HAITI MISSION PROJECT

OTHER REPORTS
 
Thanks to all those who supported our Haiti Mission Project again this year. We sponsored a great Pasta Dinner in May which made over $1,000. We will have our Annual  Walk-a-Thon on Saturday October 6 starting in Harrow. 

We had a team consiting of three in December 2006 -  Jack Lecot, Dean Shoemaker and John Blair. They  traveled to Haiti spending serveral days at  God’s Littlest Angels Orphanage and visiting Callebasse Christian School. Christmas was celebrated at Callebasse Christian School. The children at the school were great! How wonderful to see their smiling faces as they opened the Christmas gifts you donated and wrapped. We had a wonderful time singing Christmas Carols and celebrating together. We were also able to give food packages to many families at the school. What a wonderful experience to reach out and help first hand!

The School is almost finished. Nixon and Marie-Ange have moved upstairs, so the whole lower part of the school is being used for classrooms.

The next project is to install a Solar System at the School so that they will have some electricity for light, refrigeration and maybe a computer.

HAITI MISSION PROJECT REPORT FOR 2005

Thanks to all those who supported our Haiti Mission Project again this year. We sponsored a great Chicken BBQ and Auction in July, and a Walk-a-Thon in October. These two events raised enough funds to continue our project throughout another year. THANKS FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT!

The highlight of 2005 was celebrating Christmas at Callebasse Christian School. The children at the school were great! How wonderful to see their smiling faces as they opened the Christmas gifts you donated and wrapped. We had a wonderful time singing Christmas Carols and celebrating together. We were also able to give food packages to 78 families at eh school. What a wonderful experience to reach out and help first hand!

The School is almost finished. Nixon and Marie-Ange have moved upstairs, so the whole lower part of the school is being used for classrooms. There are now 7 teachers plus Nixon, the principal, teaching 106 students. It was crowded, but all the children were happy to be there. They really enjoyed their Christmas Gifts and their Christmas Lunch. The upstairs still needs part of the roof completed and ceramic tiles on the floor, but it is looking great! My next project is to install a Solar System at the School so that they will have some electricity for light, refrigeration and maybe a computer.

Our team of four – Jack Lecot, Garry Cranston, Linda and myself – traveled to Haiti on November 29th. We spent 10 days a God’s Littlest Angels Orphanage and visiting Callebasse Christian School. Haiti is a beautiful country, the people are wonderful, but it’s so sad to see the poverty and the violence all around. My hope is that somehow we will be able to help the country find peace and stability. I also hope that we will be able to continue our Haiti Mission Project and keep up our friendship with so many in Haiti.

 

THANKS AGAIN FOR ALL YOUR
 PRAYERS AND SUPPORT.
GOD CALLS US TO SHARE OUR BLESSINGS!
LET’S REACH OUT TO HELP OUR SISTERS AND BROTHERS IN CHRIST!

 

John Blair


JANUARY 2003

This past year our support of Callebasse School in Haiti has grown into quite a project! We began by sponsoring the School with a Pasta Dinner, and now Haiti is an Official Outreach Project of Ruthven Pastoral Charge. Thanks to your kindness, we have been able to help young children at GLA (God’s Littlest Angels) Orphanage and Hospital, and the older children at Callebasse School. THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROUS SUPPORT! Special ‘THANKS!’ to those who walked with me in the Walk-a-thon on the Chrysler Greenway - Ann Dunmore, Debi Malley, Reenie Nash, Karen Kennedy, Harold Lapoint, and Linda. It was a great day, and we plan to do it again in 2003!
My first work trip to Haiti with Harold Lapoint, Karen Kennedy and Ann Walker was a terrific experience - an adventure I’ll never forget! The children of Haiti are just beautiful, and what a joy to be able to personally help so many! Your support of the Callebasse School has made such a difference in the lives of those children. Nixon & Marion Dorleus, who run the school, are a dedicated couple who have devoted their lives to educating the very poor mountain children of the area. They are so grateful for your love and support, and they send their heartfelt THANKS TO ALL OF YOU!
It was a privilege to be part of the Christian Community at GLA, where we stayed during our visit. John & Dixie Bickel, who run the orphanage, are a remarkable couple from Illinois, who put their faith into action. Your donations are greatly appreciated - especially the crib sheets!
I did return to Haiti February 11, 2003, and stayed at GLA. I also visited Callebasse School. This year our goal for the Ruthven Pastoral Charge is to raise $7,000 to support the completion of the School at Callebasse, I would also like to help them install a Solar Power System. It would be great to sign up more sponsors for the children at the School. The cost is only $30. per month and provides a uniform, school supplies, food and assistance for the school program. All the children benefit from your support! Our goal is to find 10 NEW SPONSORS this year!
I hope and pray that, in the future, some of you will be able to accompany me to Haiti, and have the privilege of meeting all the NEW FRIENDS that we’ve made there! THANKS FOR EVERYTHING - MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS US AS WE SHARE OUR BLESSINGS WITH THOSE AROUND THE WORLD! IT IS A SMALL WORLD AFTER ALL!

John Blair
Outreach Coordinator

HAITI, HERE I COME AGAIN!
Yes, on November 20/03 I head back to Haiti. It's been nine months since my last visit - how the time goes by! I wonder how the children at God's Littlest Angels Orphanage have grown - how many have been adopted - how many new little ones have arrived??? I wonder how Nixon & Marion are managing at the Callebasse School - how is their new little daughter - how is the school progressing - how many English songs can the children sing now??? I wonder what exciting adventures await me - who will I meet - where will I travel in the country - how will I be able to help - what will I learn???
I know that God goes with me and that I will be able to take your love to the people of Haiti. I want to THANK YOU for all your support! SPECIAL THANKS to the UCW for sponsoring the Pasta Dinner in June. We raised $1,640 to pay the teachers at Callebasse School and to help add the second floor to the school building. It's a wonderful project! SPECIAL THANKS to those who sponsor children at Callebasse - we have 13 New Sponosrs this year! All those who attend (approx 70 children) are supplied with a school uniform, learn to read and write, study the Bible, and are given a hot meal at lunch time every day! This gives the children and all their families HOPE! SPECIAL THANKS to all who donated sheets & supplies for God's Littlest Angels Orphanage. Those little children are very special and close to my heart. I will be staying at the Orphanage again this year, and I know how much John & Dixie Bickel appreciate your kindness.
THANKS TO ALL FOR CARING & SHARING!
Our Annual Walk-a-thon was held on Saturday, October 4th. We once again walked the Chrysler Greenway (approx 30 miles) and we all appreciate your support. You can still sponsor any of the walkers (Debi, Ann, Reenie, Harold, Linda & more) or make a donation for the walk. All the money raised will go to our Haiti Mission Project. We hope and pray that this year we will raise enough to complete the second level of the school.
Once again, THANK YOU! MAY GOD BLESS YOU! PLEASE KEEP ME IN YOUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS! I will be in Haiti November 20th to December 4th. HAITI, HERE I COME AGAIN!

CHRISTMAS IN CALLEBASSE, HAITI
  On November 26, 2003 two local men, Jack Lecot of Leamington and John Blair of Ruthven, celebrated Christmas with the children and teachers at Callebasse Christian School in the Kenskoff Mountains of Haiti. Each child was given a French Language Children's Bible supplied by the Gideons.
(Children at God's Littlest Angels)    
These children are from very poor families and this was the first book of their own that they had ever received - they were so excited! They were also each given a Christmas Gift Bag supplied by many in the area who gave generous donations. The children sang songs in Creole and in English. John had taught them a few simple English songs on his last visit. He said, "It was so inspiring to hear these children sing the songs I taught them. We sang together and laughed together and had a great time!"
On November 26, 2003 two local men, Jack Lecot of Leamington and John Blair of Ruthven, celebrated Christmas with the children and teachers at Callebasse Christian School in the Kenskoff Mountains of Haiti. Each child was given a French Language Children's Bible supplied by the Gideons. These children are from very poor families and this was the first book of their own that they had ever received - they were so excited! They were also each given a Christmas Gift Bag supplied by many in the area who gave generous donations. The children sang songs in Creole and in English. John had taught them a few simple English songs on his last visit. He said, "It was so inspiring to hear these children sing the songs I taught them. We sang together and laughed together and had a great time!"
The school is being sponsored by the Olinda-Ruthven United Church and is an official Outreach Program for the Ruthven Pastoral Charge. The construction of the first level of the school has now been completed. There are two classrooms where the children learn to read and write. The second level will be started in February which will be a residence for the principal, Nixon, and his family. There will also be a guest room and John is anxious to return to see the progress. The Haiti Mission Project Fund at Ruthven pay the six teachers at Callebasse School monthly, and also supply funds to complete the school building. There is also a Sponsorship Program for the children at the school. Jack and John took gifts from many sponsors and presented them to their sponsored child. They are so appreciative of all we do for them. John explains, "The mountain people of Haiti are so special. They are a warm, loving, handsome people who have a strong Christian faith and they need our help. Only 30 % of the children are given the opportunity of receiving an education, and that is being supplied by Mission Groups. I'm so glad that we can reach out and share our faith! It's so rewarding!"
John is thrilled about the support the local community has offered and invites anyone interested to contact him. He is available to supply information about Haiti or to speak to groups interested in sponsoring children at the Callebasse School. He challenges us all, "This is an opportunity to reach out and put our faith into action. God expects us to share our blessings so let's work together to help the children of Haiti!"
 
John Blair
Outreach Coordinator


JOHN'S REPORT FOR OUR ANNUAL REPORT
HAITI MISSION PROJECT REPORT - 2003
WOW! WHAT A YEAR! It has been my privilege to have travelled to Haiti twice in the past year. The first trip in February was to assist at GLA (God's Littlest Angels) Orphanage. It was three weeks of excitement learning more about the Haitian People and understanding how an orphanage operates. I spent my time operating and repairing generators, delivering drinking water, picking up diesel fuel, chauffeuring volunteers to various places and many other chores. It is quite an experience to drive in a 3rd World Country without road maps and to find your way to and from a destination!

I also visited the Callebasse Christian School and played with the children. I taught them a few little songs in English and they sang to me in Creole - what a great time we had! This year the school kitchen was completed and we are so pleased that the children now receive a hot meal every day at noon before they head for home.

My second trip in November was very special. A friend, Jack Lecot, accompanied me, and we had a very exciting time helping to operate the orphanage. Our time was spent with automobile repairs, general repairs and cleaning up around the orphanage. The highlight of our trip was our visit to the Callebasse Christian School in the Kenscoff Mountains. On November 26, 2003 we all celebrated CHRISTMAS AT CALLEBASSE! We presented each child with a Bible and a small Christmas Gift. It was an overwhelming experience. This was the first book of their own and the first Christmas Gift these children had ever received. They were so happy! We had a wonderful celebration! Together we sang those English songs I had taught them in February, and then shared some new ones. What a great day! I am so thankful for all your support. These poor but very wonderful mountain people of Haiti are so grateful for our friendship! They send a BIG THANK YOU from the bottom of their hearts! Nixon Dorleus, the school Principal, says: "THANK YOU! MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL!"

I hope to return to Haiti soon this year and watch the completion of the second level of the school. When the school is completed, my dream is to be able to supply them with a Solar System for power. I can not express my gratitude for your generous support. It is an honour to represent you all in Haiti. I have made so many friends there and that is such a privilege! THANK YOU for everything and may GOD BLESS US AS WE REACH OUT TO SHARE OUR BLESSINGS!
Respectfully submitted
John Blair
Project Coordinator
    CHRISTMAS IN HAITI - 04
Early in December Father Christmas came in the form of three visitors from Canada. John Blair, Jack Lecot, and Ian Panton came to God's Littlest Angels Orphanage for two weeks and worked very hard at the mission. They built tables and storage cabinets, fixed dryers and washing machines, etc. It was the BEST Christmas present we could have ever received. They did things for us that we find hard to get done ourselves. They also brought gifts for the children at Callebasse Christian School and God's Littlest Angels. Their Churches gave so much to make the children's Christmas very special this year. What a wonderful Christmas morning the children had when they all unwrapped a present! God has blessed us and we are so thankful!
 
Taken from the Kingsville Reporter before John went to Haiti in November 2004.
 
 
CALLEBASSE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL   SOME OF THE CHILDREN
ADDING THE SECOND STORY
Just a little update to let you know what's happening with our Haiti Mission Project. Since John & Lyle returned from Haiti in May, Nixon has been busy building the second story of Callebasse Christian School. Thanks to your generous support the walls are going up and soon there will be living quarters above the School for Nixon and Marion. This will leave more classroom space on the main floor. The second story will also provide accommodation for those visiting. (Nixon says the first room finished is for John) Above is a picture of the building in progress. Soon the second story will be complete and volunteers will be needed to paint the interior. SIGN UP ANYTIME! We also hope to install a Solar Electrical System so that the School will have hydro for lighting, refrigeration and operating a computer. IT IS A WORK IN PROGRESS!

Our PASTA DINNER AND AUCTION raise $4,000 - enough to pay the six teachers at the school for one year. What a wonderful accomplishment! We have also been able to help support the ministry at God's Littlest Angels Orphanage. It's so good to be a blessing to others, especially the children of Haiti. Our next project is our ANNUAL WALK-A-THON. It will be held on Sat Oct 2 beginning at 9am. This year walkers will meet at Harrow and walk to Colasanti's on the Chrysler Greenway. You are welcome to join them anywhere along the way! Sponsor sheets are available. If you are unable to walk, we would appreciate your support in sponsoring our walkers. For more info call John at 326-5923 or the Olinda-Ruthven United Church at 326-3138. THANKS for all your support! May God make us truly thankful for our blessings and fill us with joy as we share with others!
Love,
Linda & John Blair




Nixon Dorlus, Principal                 Dady & Darline
Callebasse Christian School Haiti            2 Graduates

GRADUATES IN HAITI - June 24/05
Many of you know that Ruthven Pastoral Charge sponsors Callebasse Christian School in Haiti. This sponsorship began in 2001, and John Blair, the Mission Coordinator, has been visiting Haiti each year to watch the progress. When John first visited in October of 2002, the first floor of the school had just been completed. John & his team were given the job of painting the interior walls a bright pink. What an exciting project!
John returned to Haiti for two visits in 2003. Because of your generous donations, he was able to help the Principal, Nixon Dorlus, begin work on a small kitchen so that the children could have a hot meal each day. In December John & Jack Lecot celebrated Christmas at Callebasse. They handed out Christmas gifts to all the children. Now the kitchen was completed and Nixon was ready to begin work on the second level of the school. In May 2004, John & Lyle Smith visited the school. They were able to present Nixon with a guitar to lead in singing. They had a great time singing and dancing with the teachers and the children! In December 2004 John, Jack Lecot & Ian Panton took over 200 Christmas Gifts and celebrated Christmas at Callebasse once again! Now the walls on the second level were up and Nixon was beginning to add a cement stairway. Although John was not able to travel to Haiti this spring, a team has just returned and reported that the stairway to the second level is completed, the walls are up and the roof is being added. It’s almost time for John to return to Haiti to paint the second level! John has his paint brush all ready to go!
We are happy to report that the first Graduation at the school took place on June 24, 2005. Two children have completed their first level (equivalent to our Grade 6) at the Callebasse Christian School. If they have sponsors, these two graduates will be able to continue their education at a nearby middle level school (the cost is approximately $200 per child). Our congratulations to Dady Beauzil & Darline Moise. Six children also graduated from Preschool into Grade 1. On Sunday, June 26, there was a big party at the school. Gifts were presented to the graduates and everyone in the area joined in the celebration. What an wonderful day for all of us!
John is hoping to return to Haiti this fall to visit the school. John’s dream is to add a Solar Electrical System so that the School will have hydro for lighting, refrigeration and for operating a computer. A CHICKEN BBQ and SILENT AUCTION will be held at the Olinda-Ruthven Church on Sunday, July 31st. All proceeds will go to the Haiti Mission Project to help the children of Haiti. John will also have updated pictures and information about sponsoring these beautiful children. THANKS for your generous support! TOGETHER WE ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE AND BRINGING HOPE TO HAITI! Please keep the people of Haiti in your prayers!

 

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