Summer at the orphanage is usually a time of rest, of slow mornings and playful afternoons. But this year, for 18 of our kids, it’s a whirlwind of activity. Some are prepping for college. Some are working. Some are volunteering. Some are receiving medical treatment.
And all 18 of them, for the moment, are here in America.
So we thought we’d share some of what summer looks like for these infants, pre-teens, teens and young men and women, because the help you are providing does more than just feed, clothe and educate our precious children struggling in Haiti. It opens the path for dream fulfillment — at least for the moment — right here in the U.S.
Let’s begin with our youngest. Little Nadie, now 3, continues to thrive after her long bout with malnutrition. Doctors are amazed at how she has developed, after weighing just seven pounds at six months of age. She’s on to letters and sight words now, and can sing the entire soundtrack to “The Sound of Music.”
Likewise, young Bradley, now a rambunctious five-year-old, has astonished all of us with his dogged improvement. Although he weighed just 10 pounds at three years of age, he has blossomed from a child who could not stand up to a running boy whom we have nicknamed “Bam-Bam,” because, like the cartoon character, there is nothing he won’t dive into and nothing that doesn’t bring a smile.
Bradley is working all summer with therapists to try and develop speech. Although some wondered if he would ever communicate, Bradley clearly tells us when he’s hungry, when he’s tried, and, constantly, when he’s happy. God has rarely created a child who smiles or laughs more than this one. He waves hi and bye. He signals when he wants more food. He hugs and cuddles and experiences boundless joy. He needs many more years of attention, but there is a positive life awaiting him. This summer is helping steer him there.
Fediana (a.k.a. “Ziggy”) has, at 8 years of age, taken a quantum leap in maturity and health. Burdened with cerebral palsy, she has gone from a scared and tentative child who suffered multiple seizures a day to an expressive, confident and much healthier girl, who loves to dance and communicates terrifically in English. She receives regular therapy and medical attention. And she smiles all the time now. That’s what summer is about for kids, isn’t it?
On to the middles
Next comes Gaelson and Knox, 13 and 14, who I group together because, well, they are always together. They hang out, chit-chat, play, share a bedroom. Both receive therapy for neurological and respiratory issues, and Gaelson endures spinal challenges due the absence of one lung.
But this summer, in between their medical visits, they more than fill the hours. Knox is exploding with sports and study. And Gaelson is some kind of engineering savant. He can put together a complex Lego kit in an hour, can fix lights, strollers or small appliances moments after looking at them. He has also become a whiz in the kitchen, making chicken wings, rice, beans and sauce for our nightly dinners.
From a little boy who once weighed nine pounds after being abandoned at a medical clinic, he is simply a miracle.
Jumping up to our college-aged kids, I want to specifically mention J.U., Louvennson, and Bianka. All three were admitted with full scholarships to U.S. universities last year. But, as is our policy at the Have Faith Haiti orphanage, they had to first put in a year of public service in Haiti, as a way of giving back before they took.
So the three of them worked at the Haitian Health Foundation in Jérémie, which serves nearly a quarter of a million Haitians in 100 rural villages. Living away from the orphanage for the first time, in a town many hours from Port-au-Prince, our kids helped bring medical care to remote communities where seeing a doctor is otherwise unheard of.
They did this for nearly a year, with no pay, working often six days a week. Through this experience, they came to understand the plight of their countrymen and arrived here in the U.S. ready to begin college with a deeper maturity and direction.
Currently, Louvennson and J.U. work weekdays volunteering at a youth and recreation center in Detroit, and work weekends volunteering at the Detroit Water Ice Factory, which sells frozen desserts to raise money for charity, And they gain no weight! It drives us adults nuts!
Bianka and Edney are working at Wildwood Ranch, a summer camp that provides the camp experience for inner city kids. Their co-workers marvel at their natural ability to guide children. But we know they have been trained for this their whole lives at the orphanage, where our older kids have always watched over the younger ones.
And to the oldest
And then there’s the rest of our college kids. Junie-Anna, Djouna and Esterline are working for the summer at Hope College, where they are upperclassmen. Chivensky, entering his senior year, does as well, serving as a Resident Advisor.
J.J., who just completed a semester abroad in France, is doing an internship with Emagine Theaters in suburban Detroit, honing skills for his business degree. Nahoum is teaching children art. And Widley, a junior at Hillsdale College, is in Wisconsin, on a summer camp/study program, as he prepares for his upcoming semester in Washington, D.C.
Oh yes. And Jhonas, the commerncment speaker at his Madonna University graduation, is applying to medical school. And Manno just passed his medical boards and begins his rotations now as a third-year medical student.
Now if all this seems like a mountain of activity, it is. And when you consider that the typical child or teenager in Haiti passes the summer in stifling heat, often with no activities, no learning, and no access to medical care, well, the contrast is stunning.
Yet the best part of this whirlwind summer is when we all get together for dinner. We have to add chairs and extensions to the tables, but we manage to stuff everyone around. And we pray together, as we do for every meal at the orphanage in Haiti. And the kids talk, squeal, laugh, tease, shriek and enjoy each other in a joyous cacophony, proof that family comes in all forms, in all nations, and in all seasons.
It’s summer, and despite all the violence and poverty challenges in Haiti, our kids find a way to thrive, to laugh, to turn their faces to the sun and smile. To grow. Thank you for enabling them to do so.
Mitch You have done such a nice job and they all look so happy and healthy. Congrats on all your hard work.
You are doing Gods work, you are His hands and heart. God continue to bless you and yours xxoo
You are doing Gods work, you are His hands and heart. God continue to bless you and yours xxoo Amen Amen
This is truly God’s work! Bless you for taking care of these children and making their world and our world better! I’m crying happy tears—for a change and donating now!
Thank you for all the updates!! It gives me goosebumps to hear all that God is doing in their young lives, this is so encouraging. My prayers continue for all those still at the Haiti compound and those who serve the children there.
Thank you for this beautiful newsletter. The children’s stories are truly heartwarming and inspiring! I am praying for all of you.
Your orphanage is changing lives and the world!
Busy kids make successful afults
These children are so lucky to have you & Have Faith Haiti to be their guides in life. I enjoy reading the updates & seeing the pictures. God bless you for all the hard work.
Thank you so much for this update of your kids! I so enjoyed reading about their activities. May God bless you, Mitch. ♡♡♡
Thanks for doing God’s work here on earth. Those children are blessed and grateful to have someone like you in their life.
Thanks for doing God’s work here on earth. Those children are blessed and grateful to have someone like you in their lives.
Thank you so much for taking care of these precious children
Outstanding!
Congratulations to everyone!
With hard work, compassion and kindness, dreams indeed come true.
I think it is amazing that you and Janine are hosting the children of the orphanage here in America. From what we have heard on news reports it must be a blessing for them to be away from the stress and violence for a time. but you and your wife have done over the years has been so inspiring. I have followed.Have Faith Haiti ever since I read your beautiful book, Finding Chika. Of course I have read all of your books, but whenever I think of Haiti, I think of Chika… I hope that the A-Team boys and girls that are in your care. Find peace and joy for the summer. Blessings to you and to them.
Saying “just amazing” would be such an understatement Mitch. Reading this write-up about each child was beyond amazing! The love and support that you and Janine (and all those who help you two ) shower on these kids is just so heartfelt – it shows on your faces. Wishing each one all the best for the upcoming school year! Nadie is adorable and I am sure I will get to see her soon! Best wishes again to he kids here and in Haiti!
Mitch, you are a profound end truly enjoyable writer! I look forward to all your stories and so admire your love and caring for others! Thank you for always inspiring me to be a better person.
Mitch, Janine and the whole havefaithhaiti family, thank you for all you do for the dear children from Haiti! I enjoy all of the miracles you share with all of us. We appreciate all you do these dear children. I will continue to pray for all of you! Again, thank you for making a difference!
I pray and hope all the kids are safe away from pedophiles.
It appears that you are honest and sincere. Let’s dream that
these kids are taught how to protect themselves from money
hungry tendencies and evil.
This brings tears to my eyes. You have done so much to help the kids and change their lives. It makes me cry to see their old photos and how helpless and abandoned they were and how many others are still out there just like them I am praying for all kids and people to be saved. Thank you so much for your work and your love. God bless you
Mitch I so appreciate your sharing of the children’s progress. It’s truly miracles and blessings of the Lord. Praying God’s continued blessings upon Have Faith Haiti!
Thank you for sharing all about the children. I am amazed at your heart – and at the resilience of these children. God bless you all !!
So great to see the kids smiling faces. The love you show and share with the kids is so inspirational. Hopefully things in Haiti will turn around and improve someday soon and these children can become the leaders of tomorrow. It’s going to be a long road but I really think your helping build the foundation
Mitch, I listen to your program on WJR every afternoon and am just so amazed and impressed by your absolutely amazing charitable work. I’m smiling just reading this newsletter and so happy for all of the children you have helped in Haiti. Thank you so much for all you continue to do. I pray for your safety whenever you go to Haiti and that someday soon conditions will improve there.
Proverbs 3:7-8
New King James Version
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil.
8 It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones
In the Name of Jesus, we take our authority given to us by Jesus to heal the sick and command all sickness and disease leave now! We speak healing and wholeness into every child. Strength to their bones. Spines and lungs be healed and strengthened now. Every muscle, tendon, ligament, and nerve be healed now. We stand on Proverbs 3:7-8 and say Lord, release your ministering angels for the performance of Your Word. We give all glory and praise to Father God. Amen.