From The Children

The rescue helicopter.

Hello,

We wanted to thank you for your prayer support. Your prayers made it possible to rescue the children from the Bercey orphanage. Some of the older children that were rescued were able to share a little bit about their experience. We wanted you to hear some of their stories. 

My name is Natacha. I am 14 years old. I am in 6th grade. I am came from the Bercey orphanage, running from gangs with big guns.

I was among the first group of kids that the staff  brought out before the gangs surrounded and attacked the orphanage. At first we were put at the top of a mountain, but we couldn't resist from all the gun sounds, we were so afraid that the staff went to hide us in a house before the helicopter brought us here to the Good Shepherd Children's Village.

When asked how she felt when she was rescued, she replied, I felt happy and okay, because there was no longer noise and sounds of gun shots. I am eating and sleeping very well. I go to church and to school here.

She said that she loves God and her favorite verse is James 4:6 “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” Natacha said she appreciates your support and will pray for you.

My name is Leonel. I am 14 years. I was in the Bercey orphanage when the guys surrounded it and attacked us. The director saw how bad things were, so he rescued us to the top of a mountain to find temporary peace, while we waited for the helicopter to fly with us here to this orphanage.

When asked how he felt when he was in the Helicopter being brought to Gonaives? He said, I felt good and different because we were delivered from the calamity and the bad news that the bandits or gangs would come to kill us at the top of the mountain.
When asked how he is doing now, living in the Good Shepherd's Children's Village, he replied, I feel good. We have enough food to eat, clothes to wear, sandals to put on and we go to school and church without any problem.

When asked about his family he states that he is here with a sister and that his parents are dead.

My name is Jacob. I am 17 years old. I am from the Bercey orphanage and was taken to the Good Shepherd Children's Village.

The Bercey orphanage was surrounded and attacked by gangs with big guns. The responsible men and staff had already brought the first group of children out of the orphanage to rescue their lives. But, we were still there and had not been taken out yet, because the staff was waiting for a few minutes of temporary peace to escape with us to the mountain to save our lives.

When asked how do you feel after being rescued, he shares that he feels relieved, at peace, and happy. We were so scared at the top of the mountain with the sounds of guns, bandits and the bad rumors (news). He says he feels peaceful and healthy here in comparison to Bercey, where gangs and guys with guns are killing people, abusing people, and making them suffer a lot.

In the Good Shepherds Children's Village we eat on time and good, we are provided with clothes, shoes, and we go to school. Jacob says he has one brother and one sister with him and that he would be happy to stay here for ever? He would like to become a medical doctor.

Thank you for continuing to pray for these children, we appreciate the support very much. You are an important and vital part of this ministry.

Blessings, Chris

 Follow Up

Some of the children that were rescued.

Hello,

We wanted to send a follow up on the children that were rescued. We are trying to return some sort of normalcy to the children's lives. We have been bathing them and feeding them, also finding bedding for them and clothing, as they ran with just what they were wearing.

Our children in the Children's Village have been very welcoming and are playing and sharing well. On Monday, we will also be fitting the ones of school age into our classrooms. All of this is a bit difficult logistically, but everyone is cooperating.

So many of you have said that you are praying. We appreciate your continued faithful prayers. We also ask that you would please pray about helping financially, as this has increased our financial burden drastically. Again thank you so much for coming along side and helping the Haitian people.

Blessings, Chris