We have just returned from our week long trip in Ouanaminthe, Haiti. So much to write about. In fact the day before flying home, I sat with my journal in the Dominican Republic writing down all of the topics I have yet to write about. This process alone took up two pages, so you can only imagine how much needs to make its way to this blog. Check in often over the next few weeks for updates and personal testimonies from this amazing trip! The most important thing I want to share with everyone is how much was accomplished during our time with the children. Due to a anonymous donation we were able to rent a temporary school for the upcoming year. Last year due to the school closure mid-year, the orphanage was turned into a temporary school displacing all 32 children into homes throughout the community. With no time to think this process through, this displacement was extremely difficult for the children. Now they are assured a familiar home for at least a year! The six of us paid a visit to the temporary school to approve the building as being safe before allowing the payment to be secured. This was truly a joyful moment as we all agreed on renting the building! We were also able to open a bank account directly in Haiti. With your donations, we also opened a separate account for all 26 teachers and staff of the school who we hope to gain sponsorship for. This allows us to directly deposit sponsored salaries of $70 per month to all staff who are working for the school. This was precisely the accountability direction we were looking for. We had the amazing opportunity to meet all teachers of College Sur Le Rocher. Each of them have faithfully worked the last 5 months of the school year without any pay. They told us it was their faith in God which keeps them strong. They were so eager to see this sponsorship program put into place as it was an answer to prayer for them. Our hope is to connect families in the US with an individual teacher not only for sponsorship but for prayer, support and communication. It's even likely many of these sponsors may wish to meet the teacher they support on one of our upcoming trips. We currently have 9 teachers sponsored and need just 17 more to be complete. If you are interested in sponsoring a teacher please contact me at: www.restorehaiti@yahoo.com With your donations, we were able to purchase school uniforms for all 32 orphans as well as school books for the upcoming year. We were also able to purchase just about one months supply of food for the orphanage. What a blessing! Kim Cochran (seen in the photo above with KiKi) has agreed to partner with me in setting the parameters for "Restore Haiti." Our main goal now is to finalize the "non-profit-- 501C3" status which we are still working on. Any advice is welcomed! While this is pending, we are able to run donations through our church. Be assured, every penny donated will make its way to the children in Haiti. You have my personal word on that... Again, check in regularly for some amazing stories related to this last trip. I can't wait to share how these kids have changed not only my life but the life of 5 other women as well!