Haiti Orphan Foundation

Bringing Hope and Provision to Children in Haiti through the Gospel of Jesus Christ

Update

Haiti Orphan Foundation: Then, Now, & Tomorrow

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When we first stepped foot on Haitian soil in January 2010 to offer assistance in the wake of a catastrophic earthquake, we had no idea of the resulting chain of events that would change our lives and forever tie our hearts to Haiti.   In the months and years following that fateful trip, we have experienced things we never planned for or imagined: the challenges of starting an international non-profit organization, the anxiety of making a long-term commitment to fifteen vulnerable young children, the joy of bringing sponsors into the lives of these children, the pain of losing a ministry partner in war, the heart-break of experiencing tragedy within the walls of Grace Children’s Home, and the indescribable pride of watching our boys overcome challenges as they mature physically, spiritually, emotionally, and educationally in the warm environment of a loving home. 

While the challenges of the work have certainly been real, the rewards have been priceless.  As we finish our fifth year of ministry in Haiti, we currently have thirteen boys, ages 6-13, in the Grace Children’s Home.  We continue to partner with Pastor Lesly Bertrand to support his ministry in Croix-des-Bouquet and far beyond.  The children of GCH receive three meals a day, private education at Grace Christian School, after-school tutoring and discipleship, the influence of loving house parents, and heavy involvement in the ministry of Grace Assembly Church.  HOF has teamed with a partner ministry in an orphan prevention initiative that has helped to keep over 200 families together.  

“While the challenges of the work have certainly been real, the rewards have been priceless!” 

Dr. Bruce seeing sick children at PAP orphanage.

As we look forward, our attention goes to the future of our children beyond the Grace Children’s Home and beyond our day-school program.  Children typically age out of orphanages around 17 years old, and education / strong trade skills are vital to successful survival as an adult in Haiti.  We are currently seeking options for the best way to provide college education and trade school training for each of our children.  Our ministry partner organization in Croix-des-Bouquets, Global Orphan Project, has piloted an exciting “Pathways” program that is meeting this growing need in Haiti.

As we move forward, we also hope to get more involved in the local community of Croix-des-Bouquets.  We would like to bridge a partnership with a local medical clinic to better meet ongoing healthcare needs of not only our children but also the community at large.  On our most recent trip, we learned of the need for medical care at another local orphanage.  Dr. Bruce responded to the need by seeing and treating a number of very sick kids. 

Tiga & Widson are thankful for the help of sponsors.

Through the treatment of one particular child, we were able to connect with a local clinic that aided in the recovery of a life-threatening illness.  This new relationship with the local clinic has the potential to allow HOF to meet healthcare needs of the community on a larger scale.  

Thanks for partnering with the Haiti Orphan Foundation as we continue our mission of bringing hope and provision to the children of Haiti through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Know that you are making a difference that will impact eternity.

On behalf of Tiga, Widson, and all the children of Grace Children’s Home… “THANK YOU!”

GCH Update: Daniel & Watson

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We rejoice that two of our boys, Daniel and Watson, were recently reunited with family members who are now in the position to care for their needs.  While they are now with relatives, Haiti Orphan Foundation remains committed to ensuring their needs are met outside of the walls of Grace Children’s Home. Please pray for them as they adjust to a new environment and new challenges.

A huge THANK YOU to the sponsors who have invested in the lives of Daniel and Watson.  Know that your investment has made a difference and will continue to shape their lives and futures.  We pray that all they learned at GCH will be a lasting legacy that will impact countless through the lives of these extraordinary young men.  We can’t wait to see all that God does in them and through them!

Grace: More than the name of a home

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Lena’s story begins when the doors of the Grace Children’s Home opened.  Her mother, Jacqueline, is one of the house mothers for our boys.   Her presence rounded out our census of 15 boys and 1 girl.   Over the past few years, we have watched her grow from a little girl to a wonderful young lady. Now 17 years old, Lena has made some choices that has forced a change in her life.   On July 19, 2015 she gave birth to a beautiful little girl.

Dr Bruce & Pastor Tripp visit with Lena, her baby, & her mother.

The ordeal remains a strong reminder of the challenges Haitian culture places on females.  She became ostracized and shame fell at her feet.  Her mother sent her to live with a friend in Dumas, Port-au-Prince.  We visited her just 5 days after giving birth.  Through God’s grace both baby and mom are healthy.  Her living situation is crude and minimalistic.  The harsh reality of social pressures forced her to leave the only city she knew.

HOF felt called to show the love of Christ and not turn our back on her in this time of need.  With hopes of ensuring a safe environment for mother and child, we have arranged for 1 year’s rent on a room in PaP. ( the cost: $400 ). We remain committed to our children despite the choices they make.  Our promise is to help her become the person God has planned.  This help may take the course through education, the learning of a trade, or another path not yet revealed.  We feel compelled to offer the everlasting love God has for all His children.

We all need to experience the love and grace of God. We thank you for your support and ask for your continued prayer for Lena and her baby.

The Next Step

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HOF partners with Global Orphan Project in Orphan Prevention Initiative

As many have worked hard to care for the orphaned and vulnerable of Haiti, an increasing number of children with family have found themselves “orphaned.” A multitude of loving parents have willingly abandoned their children at the doorsteps of orphanages and ministries all across Haiti with the belief that their children will be provided food and education, which would otherwise not be guaranteed at home.  Concern for this widespread practice has led the Haiti Orphan Foundation to seek viable solutions for orphan prevention in the Croix-des-Bouquets community and beyond.  In seeking to make a difference in orphan prevention, HOF turned to our ministry partners at Global Orphan Project for consultation.  We learned that GOP was launching an orphan prevention initiative through a church and local private school. The Source de la Grace School is located in the Croix-des-Bouquets community and currently has 277 students and fifteen staff.  

Meeting with Pastor Laventure & Principal Wiggins.

Principal Wiggins came to the school four years ago, and since that time Source de la Grace has grown numerically and has excelled educationally.  It now boasts a 100% success rate in student graduate exit exams.  Principal Wiggins defines success not only by such academic achievements but by the character development of his students.  He stated, “We want to prepare students to be good citizens.”

Pastor Laventure leads the local church and provides spiritual oversight to the children of Source de la Grace. Speaking of the importance of the ministry of the school program, Pastor Laventure noted, “In this region, many parents cannot afford to send their children to school.” He stressed that this program meets needs that would otherwise go unmet.  Pastor Laventure’s desire is to develop children who affect change in Haiti.  He stated, “That’s what we are fighting for.”  

While vitally important in paving the way for the hope of a future, education is not the biggest need the program meets. In speaking of the meal initiative that is part of the school program, Amy Tenpenny (GOP staff) stated, “For most kids in this community, this is their only meal of the day.”  When they eat their meal at school, most students will not eat again until that same meal the next day.  This one meal is what allows desperate families to stay together. Amy stated, “Partnering with schools is keeping families together.” Something as simple as feeding one meal a day at a school is allowing nearly 300 students the opportunity to experience life with a family.

“Partnering with schools is keeping families together.” 

The Source de la Grace School.

As the physical needs of students are met, the door is opened to minister to students spiritually and teach them how to know Jesus Christ and grow in a personal relationship with him. This message and ministry is then carried home to the children’s families. 

Thanks to everyone who has generously given to make this orphan prevention program possible. Know that your support is making a difference not only in the lives of hundreds of children but also hundreds of moms, dads, aunts, uncles, and siblings who would otherwise not have the joy of experiencing life as a family with their loved ones.  Your support is rewriting the futures of children for generations to come.

Pathways

Next door to the Source-de-la-Grace school, Global Orphan Project has launched a trade school called Pathways for students who graduate out of high school.  One of the training areas of Pathways is GO Threads.  GO Threads is a two-year training program that teaches students how to sew, and works to place successful students into jobs in the workforce in Haiti.  Students at GO Threads learn by sewing school uniforms for each student in every school that GOP partners with.  Students that have family in the community commute to the training center each day.  Those students without family are housed in a dormitory facility across the street from the training center.  At HOF we are carefully studying the Pathways program of Global Orphan Project and hope to either be able to assimilate our children into this program when they graduate or offer a program with similar successful results.

GO Threads sewing training center.

Hope In the Midst of Adversity

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Friends, I want to first thank you for the gracious and loving support you have given to the Haiti Orphan Foundation this year.   Because of you, 15 vulnerable children were fed, given shelter, and shown the love of Christ.    Your willingness to think of others less fortunate truly has made an impact in their lives.  We at HOF did not seek this position, we feel our Lord has called each of us to reach out of our comfort zone and follow where He leads.  We have continued to pursue true obedience and hold steadfast in His provision for all we do.   I often marvel at what HOF has grown to and eagerly wait for what God has planned.   Our mission has never wavered.   We aim to share the love of Christ with vulnerable and abandoned children in a lost and harsh country.   Remembering the recent bible verses that were recited to us by the children at Grace Children’s Home on our most recent trip serves as a strong reminder of His involvement in this endeavor.  

Our year was met with an extraordinary turn of events.  Over the past 7 months we have endured violent acts that are almost unfathomable.  In March of 2012, the security of the Grace Home was breeched and met with a level of violence that reminded each of us of the danger one sees in a desperate third world country.   Our security guard was murdered and Pastor Lesly and his family were victimized all for money.  Praise God none of the children were harmed, but it served as a sobering reminder of the spiritual war we are involved in.   Not only did this prompt the displacement of the boys to a safer more rural area (Mirebalais), but it served notice that Haiti is continuing to become more dangerous.   Ensuring the safety for the children and all who reside at the Grace Home has become paramount.  Through much discussion and prayer, we have taken strides to meet this need.    From your support and the leadership from our sources in Haiti, we were able to raise our perimeter wall 3 more feet, add razor wire, and erect two elevated security guard shacks.  Unfortunately, this is only one aspect of the challenge we are facing with regards to security.  Cost for this much needed upgrade remains the biggest obstacle.    We have been told we will require at minimum 2-3 security guards (estimated cost is $900/mo… our initial costs currently are $125/mo. ).  Please pray for guidance and wisdom as we work to find a solution.  

Junot leading our team to Haiti in 2010.

As we struggled with the events of March, our organization was faced with another tragedy.   We lost one of our own.   PFC Junot Cochilus was a Haitian American serving with the United States Army in Afghanistan when he died tragically by an enemy IED.   I am unsure how to best describe my friend.  Junot was quite simply an angel who walked on this earth.  He was instrumental in the formation of HOF and remained the liaison between Pastor Lesly and our board.  He was the spark behind the formation of the Haiti Orphan Foundation.   If it weren’t for Junot’s connections, love for children and passion to dream big, HOF would have never been formed.  We owe so much to him and the vision God gave him.   I have seen Junot’s heart reach all walks of life.  From the pagan voodoo doctor he ministered and showed love for, to the desperate and homeless, to the orphaned and ill children, to strangers needing money or a shoulder to cry on, Junot was there for each of them.   I will miss my friend.  I will miss him very much.  I am only sad for myself however; for I know my brother is home.

 

Junot at HOF meeting in Columbia last Spring.

Satan’s actions over the last few months have attempted to disrupt, detract, and destroy HOF.   I must say it was difficult, but we have met each challenge with resolve, fervor, and most of all, prayer.   We remain resolute in our mission for we know God has a plan.  To that end, we are once again actively pursuing a location for a future girls home.   We are currently examining the possibility and implications of having it reside in the mountain foothills of Mirebalias.   Please pray for God’s direction to become clear to us.   Girls remain the most vulnerable in Haiti.  In a world where strength and brutality rules, women find themselves a consummate victim.  Our Lord beckons us to do something.   I sincerely ask for your prayers, not for HOF to be successful but that His Kingdom will be glorified.   We give honor and glory to our Heavenly Father for continued grace and provision. 

     Making a difference with you,

Bruce Cope

(for Daryl, Mike, Tommy, Tripp, & Wes)

A Rich Man…

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The following words were written by Daryl Nations (HOF Co-founder & Board member) , addressed to US Army Chaplain Jacob Golden.  They describe the character and “richness” of  Junot Cochilus, co-founder of HOF who was killed while serving the US Army in the Middle East.

Junot Mevs Legrand Cochilus

At 34 years old, Junot was rich – he was one of the richest people that I ever had the privilege of knowing.  I am qualified to comment on his riches because my father was rich also and he taught me how to recognize true wealth.

Junot, made the wages of a Specialist in the Army.  After taking care of his immediate family, and their needs were modest, he was a very wise investor.

Junot was a pretty sharp dresser – he always looked very nice.   He was conscious of who he was representing.  Not really fancy, but neat and what we would call sharp.  He had a keen eye to be able to spot really nice cloths for a good price at the Goodwill Industries.  He could have afforded brand new cloths, but he preferred his investments over spending money on expensive cloths.

Junot could afford and he did spend money on everything that he wanted for himself. This is quite an accomplishment for a man born of very modest means in Haiti .

Junot had everything that he wanted – he just did not want much – for himself.

One key to his riches was that he had a friend at an early age that taught him about investments.  She was a missionary that paid for his education at an English speaking Christian School .  Someone, perhaps the same lady, also made an investment in his college education in Charlotte , North Carolina .

Junot followed the example of the missionary that supported him by reinvesting according to her example.  He helped many people in Haiti.  I knew many of them by name, including the new Christians the prayed to receive Christ during our first trip after the earthquake.

Junot was a wise and conscientious investor.  When I asked him about someone that he had been helping to support, he told me that he did not need to send him money anymore as he was now able to support himself.  Junot told me the person new he was helping instead of the other one that I had met previously.

Junot and the other truly rich people that I know have invested in the lives of others.

When In Haiti, he would not negotiate a price – unless he was negotiating on my behalf. He would always pay more than the price that he could have negotiated.

While he was being generous with people, he was careful to be sure that God received the glory for his actions, but in subtle ways.  You could tell that he was different and people wanted to know what it was about him.

Junot helped start the Haiti Orphan Foundation.  Not only did he help found it, it would not have been possible without him.  At the Haiti Orphan Foundation, where Junot was our Haiti Coordinator, he wanted to be sure our children received a good secular AND Christian education.  To that end, he made sure we have someone to tutor after school for academics and the teachings of Christ.  He also spent hours on the phone every week from Afghanistan helping us coordinate things.

Junot made the wages of a Specialist in the Army.  He did not have any expenses or things that he wanted.  On a friendship basis, he would tell me how he was spending his money but never in a bragging way.  He would tell me, one friend talking to another, what families, friends and causes he was helping.

Junot was a humble man.
I have never heard him speak boastfully or brag – even once.

He had a “savings” that he had managed to put away, which is difficult when you are trying to invest as heavily as he was investing.  The “savings” was to go to start the ministry of another orphanage when he finished his tour with the Army.  He already had the property picked out and secured and persons selected that would be hired to handle it.

Junot was a man of God.  His goal for Haiti was to introduce them to the person of Jesus Christ and educate them.  To do this, he believed we had to take care of their physical needs of hunger and cloths.  While educating the little ones, he was also concerned that they learn about Jesus Christ.

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:19-21 NASB)

Junot was rich. He invested in the treasures of heaven.

I am proud to be considered his friend.

Daryl Nations

Soldier, a man of faith, gave all

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by Wes Church

Check out this article remembering my fallen friend (HOF co-founder Junot Cochilus) who gave the final full measure of devotion a couple of weeks ago in Afghanistan. We shared a lot of memories and fortunately a Savior. Thanks Charlotte Observer for such an honoring article.

http://www.pressreader.com/usa/the-charlotte-observer/20120527/282011849408346

 

Please continue to pray for Junot’s family and friends, as well as the Haiti Orphan Foundation family as we move forward with the vision and passion that Junot shared to make a difference in Haiti through the hope of Jesus Christ.

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Urgent Update: Sad News from HOF…

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It is with great sadness that we inform you that Junot Cochilus, Co-founder of HOF and dear friend, has passed away.

Junot, a Haitian-American, served in the US Army and was finishing a tour in Afghanistan.  On May 2nd, Spc. Junot Cochilus (along with Lt. David Rylander) died in Logar province, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained when insurgents attacked their unit with an improvised explosive device.  Junot was assigned to the 7th Engineer Battalion, 10th Sustainment Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y.

If you did not know Junot, let me share a little about the incredible man who helped make Haiti Orphan Foundation possible…

I first met Junot one week after the devastating earthquake that struck Haiti on Jan. 12, 2010.  He was one of an eight man team who traveled to Haiti as a relief team.  After working shoulder to shoulder with the man in the ravaged and desperate tent cities of Port au Prince, Haiti I came to know a remarkable man.  One truly felt blessed after having met Junot Cochilus.  He was a Haitian American soldier, an endearing friend to many, husband, father, big brother  ( to those blood related or not ), philanthropist / genuine giver, strong advocate for kids but most of all a devout servant to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Junot was the spark behind the formation of the Haiti Orphan Foundation.  A non-profit organization dedicated to the humanitarian, financial, educational and spiritual well being of vulnerable children of Haiti.  After the earthquake we all shared Junot’s love for his native country and felt a devine calling to do more.   For if it weren’t for Junot’s connections, love for children and passion to dream big, HOF would have never been formed.  We owe so much to him and his vision God gave him.

I have seen Junot’s heart reach all walks of life.   From the pagan voodoo doctor he ministered and showed love for, to the desperate and homeless, to the orphaned and ill children, to strangers needing money or a shoulder to cry on, Junot was there.   I will miss my friend.  I will miss him very much.  I am only sad for myself however; for I know my brother is home.  Thanks for listening.  We should thank all of those who fight for our freedom.  To me they all are our heroes.  May we celebrate them all.

God Bless,

Bruce Cope

Urgent Prayer Request!

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Dear Haiti Orphan Foundation Family,

       It is with great sadness that we share an urgent prayer request with you.  In the early hours of Sunday, March 18, the security of the Grace Children’s Home in Haiti was compromised by burglars who were apparently looking to take advantage of a slow time of activity at the home.  The security guard, Abela Elifete, was shot and killed during the robbery.  Pastor Lesly, his wife, his daughter, and a male employee were all assaulted in the process of the men demanding money that was not available. We are thankful that none of the children of the GCH were physically injured in any way.

    We have already offered to help Pastor Lesly greatly increase the perimeter security of the GCH and have helped pay for National Police to protect the home until a professional security company can be contracted.  Ensuring the safety to all at the Grace Children’s Home and all who visit is of paramount importance.   Please pray with us for Pastor Lesly and his family, the children, staff of the GCH, and the Elifete family.  We realize that wounds heal fairly quickly but the emotional strain remains far longer.  We have asked the church to provide additional spiritual and emotional support for the children as they attempt to restore a sense of normalcy.

    In no way does this senseless act deter our mission or work in Haiti.  In fact, it furthers our resolve and is a strong reminder of the harsh reality the children endure everyday.  We thank you for your continued support of the Haiti Orphan Foundation and the Grace Children’s Home.  May we all stand steadfast in the comfort of God’s love and grace as we endure this tragedy.

Under Christ’s Grace,

Board of Haiti Orphan Foundation

Prayer Request: Hurricane Emily

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Update:  Thanks for your prayers!  It appears Emily stalled off the south coast of Dominican Republic and Haiti. Then it simply dissolved and reformulated once it passed Haiti near Cuba. What an incredible blessing that this area was not by the storm.

 

Friends, please be in prayer for Haiti as Hurricane Emily approaches.  The people there are quite worried about this storm.