Work Team Update March 1st - 22nd, 2018

HAITI 2018 “WINTER” WORK TEAM INFORMATION

       

WORK TEAM GOALS:

Finish the metal roofing on 2 new group homes. Lay cement block on 2 additional group homes. Additional work to be painting in the baby, girls, and boys dorms. Trash control and teaching the kids to be responsible in their daily habits. Helping the day nannies with the many infants and babies is always needed. Whatever your skill set, we can use you!

Work Team # 1– March 1^stto March 13th (13 day trip – 9 work days) OPEN

Work Team # 2 – March 13^thto March 22^th(10 day trip – 7 work days) OPEN

If interested in going, call Steve & Sheila Scheib or email us as soon as possible!

319-365-3100office/319-431-3519cell/email at: HaitiWorkTeams@gmail.com

Est. costs per person: $1400to $1500 Total (Airfare $800.00; Food $150; Guest House $200; Transportation $50; Misc. $200 to $300)

DONATIONS NEEDED FOR:

Cement Blocks (3000 block @ $1.50 per block)

Cement for block & bond beam (300 bags @ $8.00 per bag)

Windows & Doors (20 windows at $200 each/8 doors at $150

2 Toilets at $125 each

Metal Roofing (200 sheets @ $18 each)

Paint $500

This totals $16,200. Please help us reach our goal of $20,000

for the Ebenezer Glenn  Orphanage in Marchand Dessalines, Haiti. If you have any fundraising ideas, let us know. We need your help!

THANKS FOR HELPING OUT ON THIS PROJECT. WE CAN’T DO IT WITHOUT YOU!

Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kindto the needyhonors God.Proverbs 14:30-32

November 2017 Trip

UPDATE ON EBENEZER GLENN ORPHANAGE: December 2017

On November 5^th, EGO hosted Dr. Paul Hantz Bernard, a native born Haitian who has lived in Grand Rapids, MI for the past 20 years, and is now an American citizen. Our purpose was to have him lead a strategic planning seminar over a 3-day period with the leaders of the 4 institutions at EGO, which include the orphanage, the medical clinic, the church, and the school. As many of you know, any mission without a plan to succeed will most likely fail. So, this seminar would be pivotal in redefining our purpose and mission.

We first met Dr. Bernard over 30 years ago when he was a student at STEP University in Port au Prince, which is a 4-year under graduate university associated with Dallas Seminary and Bob Jones University, here in the USA. Hantz graduated at the top of his class, was offered an academic scholarship to Bob Jones, and received his doctorate degree in Biblical Studies.  During a break from Bob Jones in his first year of studies, we met up with Hantz at the OMS Mission in PAP and introduced him to his future wife, Iguelle. They married 6 months later and after his graduation from Bob Jones, they returned to Haiti so that Hantz could teach at STEP and pastor a church. After 6 years, Hantz was offered a position of International Director of Bibles International, a worldwide translation ministry located in Grand Rapids. During this time, they raised 3 children. The oldest daughter is a missionary teacher in Guam, the middle daughter in graduate school at Columbia, and the youngest son, a high school senior. Hantz currently serves as Vice Chairman of the board of directors at Bob Jones University, does contractual consulting in personal and business effectiveness evaluation, strategic planning, succession planning, and emerging leader coaching, and travels worldwide consulting mission organizations in defining their purpose, their goals or visions, their mission, and their core values. We are privileged to count him as a supporter of EGO, and a brother in the great commission that Jesus commanded for us to do.

Day 1 at EGO brought together all leaders of the various institutions at EGO. The clinic, the church, the school, and the orphanage leaders were all present, along Ken & Marla, Steve Scheib, and Dr. Bernard. 18 participants in all spent the first day in defining what our priorities are and how each one of us would participate. Why do we exist? What is our purpose? We learned early on that we either do something because God is directing us or we do something for selfish reasons. Like 2 oxen pulling a cart. One cannot go right while the other goes left. One cannot go forward while the other goes backwards. We either work together, all going in the same direction with a plan and purpose, or we should go and find our own cart! All agreed, so we created a contractual agreement in that first day that we will have a plan. The strategic point is not our personality or our principles, but God’s strategic plan. We set out to define what we would accomplish and what we would all do to reach our goal. What character or personality traits will we display? Which guidelines for conduct will we adopt? Who will we be while we accomplish our mission? Which beliefs will guide us? Therefore, we created a motivational statement or slogan to tie us together during these 3 days which read:

WE WILL ALL DO STRATEGIC PLANNING BASED ON PRINCIPLES AND NOT PERSONALITIES. - OUR CONTRACT!

Day 2 brought group, break out sessions as we looked at 2 different questions that should be used in deciding and defining objectives for the different institutions at EGO. What work is EGO now doing that they should not be doing and what work is EGO not doing now that they should be doing. The first question only resulted in 3 objectives.  However, the second question listed over 20 + objectives. We then learned how to break down each objective into 4 categories that would then help us to make better decisions on principles. Using the following: THE STRENGTH of the objective; THE WEAKNESS of the objective; THE OPPORTUNITY of the objective: and THE THREAT of the objective. The formula is used in business classes worldwide and taught as; SWOT Analysis Template. And at the end of the day, we defined our Declarations of Fundamentals and listed them as: Our reason for being; what should EGO accomplish; what will our mission be; our values - what will be our personality; and a Slogan - what will motivate EGO? As an example, Bibles International uses as their slogan the following: A TRANSLATION IN EVERY LANGUAGE - A BIBLE IN EVERY HAND. Can EGO not do the same?

Day 3 was exciting as each invitee was motivated to begin this process. We worked very hard to create our foundational statements. We have attached it for you to read. We also sub-divided our groups to work on strategic planning for the following objectives that were created out of this seminar: 1) Education - 2) Health - 3) Spiritual - 4) Governance - 5) Operation - 6) Finance. We were given this assignment over the next 2 months to come up with strategic plans that will be implemented at the various institutions at EGO. Marla and Nicola were designated as the directors for strategic planning and to oversee the various committees. The session ended with a group photo, lots of hand shaking and hugs, and a new purpose in making decisions at EGO. WE WILL ALL DO STRATEGIC PLANNING BASED ON PRINCIPLES AND NOT PERSONALITIES.

Prayer request: Our board of directors has offered Dr. Bernard a one-year contact to help us restructure EGO and usher the mission into its 21-century potential. When we reached out and asked Dr. Bernard if this would be something he could help us with, he replied back that it would be a privilege to help us. He has given us a proposal with his deliverables, his responsibilities, and what EGO responsibilities would be financially. 

In total, this is a $50,000+ request to help us restructure EGO and it’s 4 distinct institutions. We know that this money must be not taken from the general fund that is used to operate EGO. This is a one-time need to help EGO in its restructuration. Please cover us prayer and ask if God would lead you to help us. Thank you in advance.

More to come in January about the work teams as we prepare to complete the construction on group homes 3 and 4. If you would be interested in participating in one of the many work teams scheduled to come to EGO in February, March and April, let us know and we can try to schedule you in.

The EGO Family (Ken, Marla, Samantha, Tim, and the Board of Directors)

www.EbenezerGlennOrphanage.org

Haiti Update – Monday – January 16^th, 2017

WORK TEAM UPDATE

Well, I woke up at my normal 4:30 am this morning, thinking about our upcoming trip to Haiti. Put the coffee pot on, watched the freezing rain come down and settled into writing this letter. 

Team 1 leaving Cedar Rapids on February 28^thwill be: Dave Soper, Morgan Soper, Tim Holderman, Brian Perry, Larry Shelley, Debbie Hopper, and myself. We will spend 2 weeks at EGO working on group homes.

Flying in on March 7^th, will be Tim & Koby Wesselink. Tim will return to CR with Team 1 on March 14^th, while Koby will stay over with myself to join Team 2.

Team 2 flying in on March 14 will be: Jason, Kara, Olivia, Jack and Ben Goslin, Bruce, Olivia, and Jake VanderSanden, and Abby Scheib Brown. All fly back on March 21^st.

Attached to this email is our work team packet. As you read through this 8-page document, please familiarize yourself with it. Most questions that you have are answered. Each team member must complete 2 forms: Individual Volunteer Application and Assumption of Risk, Release of Liability & Indemnification Agreement. Please sign and date, and return to me as soon as possible, so that I can send this packet off to our home office in Michigan. Our dress code is explained and estimated expenses to be incurred. Costs will vary, but generally, per person, they will be: Your flight, customs fee $10, transportation round-trip from Port au Prince to EGO and back $40, guest house charge per day $15, food for Team 1 approx. $80, Team 2 $40, optional Haitian meals are $10 per person, and eggs & bread are available at EGO. Plus, each team will purchase fresh produce and ice from the local market, which can run an additional $10 to $20 per person. Gifts or souvenirs for those back home are entirely what you want to spend. We will have access to 2 gift shops on this trip, as well as the local markets in the town square.

What to take? First of all, remember the weather is warm. Highs in March run mid 80’s, with nights occasionally dipping in the high 60’s. Girls wear shifts or loose fitting dresses (remember what Grandma wore on the farm way back when), skirts with tops. Guys typically wear jeans and tee shirts. I’m a short guy, so that’s my daily attire, along with a ball cap for sun protection. Straw hats are made in Haiti and are for sale everywhere. Here’s what I bring: 2 pairs of shorts for work, 1 pair for night, 1 pair pants for church (usually what I wear down) 4 tees for work, 1 tee to sleep in, 6 pair of underwear for work, 1 pair of boxers or gym shorts to sleep in, socks or peds are your choice but usually 6 pair will do it (if I miss the wash day, I do my own in a 5 gallon bucket/we have a clothes line on the porch of the guest house), tennis shoes to work in and another pair I wear on the trip down for church, and a pair of sandals or flip flops to wear in the guest house. The tile floors feel good on the feet but are usually pretty dusty unless it gets swept and mopped each day. Linens provided, but I do carry a small hand towel, a packet of baby wipes and hand sanitizer with me on the trip down, just in case!

Sleeping: most of the beds have mosquito nets on them. Some use them – some don’t. Since it’s wintertime in Haiti, the bugs are not as active. In my last update to you, I mentioned sleeping bag liners that are either cotton or polyester. I have both and either is fine, my point in using one is that it’s like a sheet made into a sleeping bag type form. Many backpackers use them as a liner inside their sleeping bags to keep it clean. On warmer nights, they slip into it and lie on top of their bags. Since you don’t need a sleeping bag in Haiti and your bedding is provided, why do I suggest a liner? As I mentioned before, sand fleas are everywhere in Haiti and for whatever reason they get carried into the guesthouse on your clothes, shoes and socks. And, those little buggers can get into your bedding, too. Usually they don’t. And, most teams are never aware of this issue. But, I have plumbers on the first team and plumbers sit in the sand when they rough in drain pipes. And, if we are grading sand and installing re-bar, the same. We can be prone to pick them up. So, I sleep in a liner at night. It’s only a suggestion. Most teams do not indulge in this extra expense. In case you want to, here is a link on a Cocoon Cotton liner for $27. https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias=sporting&field-keywords=cocoon+travel+sheets

Travel to Haiti: Each of you can check through 1 bag up to 50 lbs. Plus, you can take a carry-one and a personal item like a purse, brief case or camera bag. We are collecting items to take to Haiti are our home so that we can pack your check through bag for you. These are items for EGO, the kids, the clinic, and special plumbing fittings that you cannot buy in Haiti. Please limit yourself to your carry-on and personal item. We are still in need of: Boys Clothing: Sizes are small to medium. Most Haitian boys are lean and small in stature. Shirts in long or short sleeve, shorts, pants, belts, shoes, underwear, tee shirts; clothes for church and special events. Small waist sizes up to 30" max; black belts and black dress shoes. Best place to find good deals are Salvation Army or Goodwill. They do not have to be new.  Clothes for the girls.Pretty dresses for church, barrettes, bows, ribbons, frilly socks, shoes. Everyday clothes. Bedding: Cotton quilts. Crib sheets. Single bed sheets twin size). Blankets & lightweight throws.Painting Supplies: Paintbrushes for Oil Based paint, roller covers.

Money Donations:needed for cement, cement blocks, re-bar, wire mesh, sand, gravel, septic tank supplies, plumbing pipe, electrical, windows, doors, cabinets, angle iron for rafters, and roofing. For those friends of yours or churches who might want to help in any of the construction projects underway here at EGO, you can send your donations to any of the following. Thank you in advance for your help. We appreciate you!

Pray for Don & Doris Peavey as they travel back to Haiti on January 25^th. Pray for their health, their clarity of thought, and for their protection and safety! They are both 83 years old.

Work Team Trip February 2016

On February 1st, 2016 a team of 6 left Cedar Rapids, Iowa enroute to the Ebenezer Glenn Orphanage in Dessalines, Haiti. While there, this team worked on the beginning of 5 new group homes that will each be a duplex type arrangement. Each home will host a surrogate Mom & Dad along with 6 to 7 orphans, ages infant to 17 years old. The new footprint for orphanages worldwide is adapting existing dormitory style housing to one of a family structure. Way more personal and meaningful for the kids to have their "own family" so to speak. 

While there, this team formed and poured footings, graded sand, installed re-bar and roughed in all the plumbing for the bathrooms and kitchen, poured the cement floors over a 2 day period and began construction on the 2nd of 5 buildings. Please see the Shutterfly photo site for all the pictures. Thank you to all those who donated funds for this project. And, thanks go to all those who donated clothes for the kids, blankets, sheets, and more. Without you, we could not accomplish what was set out before us. Meci anpil means Thank you in Creole'.

SUMMER 2015 UPDATE

Well, February 2015 came and went, without me getting anything posted other than photos of the new John Deere Tractor that was donated to the orphanage. A lot of water over the dam, so to speak, but as active missionaries, Ken and Marla Drowley would say, another day of perfect weather in Haiti. 

In February, Dave & Iziek Soper, along with myself flew into Haiti and the Ebenezer Glenn Orphanage to work on the new bath addition for the baby dorm. A previous team has poured the footings; another team layed up the cement block; and another team built and installed the roof rafters. Our job was to button everything up, including the gable end closure, flashing the roof into the existing building, installing the roof cap and ventilations, running the 4" sewer line 130 feet from one of the septic tanks on the grounds, installing the showers and toilets, and finishing up installation of newly made metal shop doors, and starting on benches in the new wood working shop built earlier in December. A good 2 1/2 weeks with lots accomplished. Please click on the picture part of this site to see all the photos.

Ken & Marla returned to the states in May for a short visit to see graduations and visit friends and relatives. And, the big event was Beth McCormick's wedding to D.J, who had visited Haiti last October for the first time. Will they be returning? Only God knows. In the meantime, Beth is finishing up her Nurse Practitioners Degree and D.J is going to help start up an organic feed mill in the Fairfax, Iowa area owned by Frank & Shelly Kuenon, friends of ours for a long time.

Don & Doris are back in the states right now for an extended visit and will be returning to EGO sometime this fall. Randy & Linda Kucinski have been at the orphanage for about 3 months running and are contemplating returning in a full-time status. We wish them the best in what God has planned for their future.

More updates later this summer. The EGO Cycle Team will be riding across the state of Iowa in what is known as RAGBRAI,  an enormous event with up to 15,000 riders from all over the world riding their bicycles from 60 to 80 miles per day in a 7 day cross-country ride running from West to East. This years route runs from Sioux City, Storm Lake, Fort Dodge, Eldora, Cedar Falls, Hiawatha-Cedar Rapids, Coralville-Iowa City, and finishing up in Davenport. Have a great summer everyone!

New John Deere Tractor for EGO!

Praise the Lord! This brand new
John Deere tractor is in Florida,
awaiting shipment to Haiti. We
want to thank God for the parties
who donated the money for this
much needed piece of equipment!
Please pray for a safe delivery!

The Drowley Family - Missionaries at The Ebenezer Glenn Orphanage

          Ken Drowley, Max Drowley, Beth McCormick, Samantha Drowley, Marla Drowley