Give This Christmas (Sample Tribute)
The Church in Action Part 2
Last week I shared about a portion of my trip to Haiti in July of 2020. Despite the circumstances surrounding COVID-19, I was able to spend time with Pastor Poyis and learn more about Haitian culture. Sunday, July 12, 2020 We continued our drive through Canaan and onward North just on the edge of the ocean north of Port-au-Prince. It was pretty and reminded me a little of the south side of the island of Maui where it is a little dryer inland and more lush toward the ocean. We traveled about 10 miles until we got to this [...]
The Church in Action Part 1
In July of 2020, I was able to visit the ministry compound despite COVID-19 circumstances. It was an incredible trip, and I’m excited to share some of my favorite stories on the Connect 2 Ministries blog. Sunday, July 12, 2020 After the service, I went and had breakfast. Poyis came and told me that he was going to drive to another town to pick up some men who wanted to help paint the new Children’s Home. Poyis gladly agreed to let me tag along. Poyis, Moto, and I got onto the school bus around 10AM. We were headed to a [...]
A Celebratory Sunday in Haiti
In July of 2020, I was able to visit the ministry compound despite COVID-19 circumstances. It was an incredible trip, and I’m excited to share some of my favorite stories on the Connect 2 Ministries blog. Sunday, July 12, 2020 I woke up at 6AM, got dressed and went out to the front of the compound where the church is by 6:30AM. A handful of people were already inside waiting for the service to start. I said hello to Poyis and the others and observed them as they greeted the people coming through the front gate. In the spirit of [...]
Poverty Encounter Interview with Greg Barshaw
Connect 2 Ministries partners with Children’s Hunger Fund to serve the local church in Haiti. We are honored to have our Founder, Greg Barshaw, featured in the Children’s Hunger Fund Poverty Encounter online series. Watch the video to learn more about what life is like as a child in Haiti and how you can pray for the Haitian people.
A Future Filled with Hope
Back in January, I traveled to Haiti to help with a team from the U.S. as they worked on a service project and ministered to the children at the Regency Children’s Home. I’m excited to share some excerpts from the journal I kept during my trip. Sunday, January 26th The team and I headed to the Children’s Home with two translators. When we got there, we went inside to see all the children. They were so excited to see us. We ended up hanging out with them and waiting for them to eat. It is unbelievable to see 100+ kids [...]
A Sunday Morning in Onaville
Back in January, I traveled to Haiti to help with a team from the U.S. as they worked on a service project and ministered to the children at the Regency Children’s Home. I hope these stories will encourage you and give you a better understanding of joining an Outreach Team trip. Sunday, January 26, 2020 I slept pretty good last night considering it only gets down to about 70° at night. I did wake up at 2:00 a.m., but fell back to sleep until 6. As I was getting ready, I heard the worship band next door at the church [...]
2020 World Day Against Trafficking in Persons
Today, the global movement to bring awareness on human trafficking touches the heart of each of as at Connect 2 Ministries closely. Over 100 children rescued from trafficking now call our Regency and Mercy Children's Homes their home, and they refer to Pastor Frandy Poyis as their Papi. One of these children is Johnny, and his testimony is incredible. Johnny was the oldest of 7 children, but his mother could not afford to keep him. A common and acceptable practice in Haiti is for a parent to try and secure a better life for their child by selling them. So [...]
What Is a Restavek?
I remember my first interaction with the children at Regency Children’s Home in Onaville, Haiti. My team and I drove up to the gates and heard a number of children singing and chanting things in Creole. Our team had been told of some of their backstories earlier that morning, so when I heard sounds of joy and laughter as we entered the home, it was the last thing I expected! The children who we were so sweetly greeted by had once been entitled a “restavek.” The title “restavek” has been used to describe an abused child that lives with and [...]
A Biblical Response to an Instagram Comment
This week, as I was scrolling through my same-old Instagram feed, I came across a rather triggering post. I follow a humorous account that posts different things sure to make the Christ-follower laugh. However, this post was anything but funny. The post read: “Most Short-Term Missions Trips Are Just Vacations That Make You Feel Better About Yourself.” This thought made me nervous. “Do people actually believe this? This must be entirely satirical.” Yet sadly, many people in the comment section entirely dismissed the importance of emotional human connection and even more importantly: the severity of the need to spread [...]