The Emmaus Connection Volume 3

8/12/2019 The Emmaus Connection Volume 3

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www.emmaushousehai.org

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It was about a year ago that I received a phone call from the Kirells in Hai stang that Haian laws were going to be enforced requ

ing 17 of the youth ages 18 and over to leave Cap Haien Childrens Home. What was going to happen to these young people we hav

grown to love and believe in over the years? Where would they go, and what would become of them? A vision was born that day,vision to go beyond the orphanage and fully equip the youth of Hai to become not only self sustained, but leaders in the church.

To be honest, we were o to a rough start as far as these young people were concerned. Upon rst discussions with them about Em

maus House, they were somewhat entled and ungrateful. They were resistant to being held accountable by a behavioral manag

ment system, to being responsible for daily chores, and being responsible to take care of some of their own expenses. Most of a

they were upset that they were going to be involved in a work program to earn money to save for their future, whether higher educ

on or starng their own business. Needless to say, along with the insurmountable challenges that come with the startup of a non

prot organizaon, we had our work cut out for us.

I hadnt seen the youth of Emmaus House since these discussions last summer. I headed back to Hai in December/January with

small team to implement business classes and training on a new screen prinng machine to be used for the work program. My obje

ve, as a board member, among other things, was to check on the progress of the youth as well as sta training and communicaon.

came prepared to hear complaining,I wants,

and the usual disregard that comes with being one in authority who holds these youn

people accountable.

I am pleased to say that our youth surprised me beyond measure! In the 6 months of living at Emmaus House under the structu

provided, they are thriving! As I spoke with all of them individually, I asked them to tell me honestly their concerns as well as wh

they liked about living at Emmaus House. Aside from a denied request for a microwave, not a single negave comment was mad

Without excepon, each of them shared how they loved Jonathan s devoonals (they have 2 per day at 7:00 AM and 7:00 PM) an

how they are soaking up the knowledge about God s word. They love learning how to lead and teach. They shared how they love

having a role of responsibility in the house. Every morning when I showed up, I was greeted with smiling faces and the hum of bu

youth sweeping, washing, cooking, mopping, and wiping; a rare scene in days past with these young people.

These youth are also learning the vital role of God -given authority in their lives, and the importance of being grateful for and r

specng that authority. Instead of being aloof and disinterested when spoken to, they now engage in conversaon. They are learni

to be held accountable. During one instance during my visit, the young men had goen dressed up and planned an evening togetheon New Years Eve (a huge holiday in Hai.) They were told it was too late and they needed to stay around home instead. Needless

say, they were disappointed. These young men prior would have held an angry grudge for days. Instead, they chose to cheerfu

come by ten minutes later and pick me up for the all night worship service at the church building. It may seem small to you, but I s

this as a great stride in these young men s journey to know our God. They are learning to accept consequences, boundaries, and mo

important, authority.

Our vision had a rough start, but God is proving to all of us day by day that His will is being done through Emmaus House. He

showing us that the work, love, and me invested in these young people is not wasted. Thank you for being a part in their progres

Thank you for providing a beer way for these young people. Thank you for sharing the vision.

Tanya Pirtle -Secretary on the Board for Emmaus House. She can be reached at [email protected]

Quarterly Newsletter Volume 3 February 201

Emmaus HouseCap Haitien HaitiTHE EMMAUS HOUSE VISION: ONE YEAR LATER


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Unlike most of our youth, Jetro didnt move to the orphanage as a smallchild. He was twelve when his extended family made the decision for himto move. Also unlike most of our youth, Jetro has twelve years of memo-ries growing up with His family. Although his father passed away beforehe was born Jetro grew up surrounded by the loving care of his momsister aunt cousins and other extended family.My life was not difficult, he remembers. My aunt worked and she couldprovide for us. We also had an uncle who could help finance us.Jetro alsorecalls a lot of memories of his mom. My mom was someone who wasquiet and who always respected people. I took both of those traits fromher, he said.

When he was ten his mom became ill and died leaving Jetro orphaned.Shortly after, his aunt also got sick and their ability to survive as a familybecame a challenge. Our money went away and my possibilities were de-creasing.Jetro recalls. After my mom died, my aunt was helping me out.It was really good, but I knew I was a strain on her and it was hurt-ing our relationship.

The decision for Jetro to move to the orphanage was a difficult one. Myfamily never wanted our own people to grow up in an orphanage, but wewerent working and we were struggling. We tried our best but weneeded help.Jetro said. The decision was made for Jetro to move to theorphanage.

For Jetro, he said he loved his life at the orphanage. He said he has a lot of happy memories from his time thereHowever, when he would visit his family, he would see their situation getting worse. When I asked him how thatmade him feel he replied, I knew I should be a good kid in the orphanage so I could become a good man. I neededto help myself and lend my family a hand someday because they once helped me so much.

As he got older, however, he began to realize that an orphanage is not for mature people, but instead a place for kidswithout parents. It is not really good if you just count on people to help you with everything all the time,Jetro saidSo as he matured into a young man, he began to realize the value in preparing for his future.

Preparing for his future-because he didn

t want to rely on others his whole life.

Being so wise and all, I asked him what advice he would give to young boys in HaitiSpecifically boys growing up in anorphanage. He said, I would tell them to study and to focus on their education. It is a blessing that they are going toschool and they should not waste that time.

Education is very important to Jetro. In the 11th grade, he is very committed to his studies, he loves school and doesextremely well. He dreams of the day when he can help contribute to the education system in Haiti.

More than anything though, Jetro dreams of being in a position where he can help others in the same way that peo-ple have helped him all his life. I want to help people that are in need because it has been a long time that peoplehave been helping me. So now I want to help others he said.Whether that is working to better improve the Haitian education system or taking care of his family who once tookcare of him as a child, Jetro knows that serving others is what God has called him to do.

I am truly honored to know Jetro and I am praying that God will use Jetro in BIG ways to help this country. Ialso pray that Emmaus House can be a stepping-stone into his future-a place for him to prepare for the greaterthings yet to come. If you would like to be a part of Jetro s journey, he is still in need of partial sponsorship. SponsorinJetro would help provide for his food and medical needs, education, as well as his weekly salary based on our Level Sys-tem program. But more than financial support, Jetro could use people rooting him on and praying specifically for him ona daily basis.

Like I said, I believe that God is preparing Jetro to do BIG things.

Jetro is sll in need of paral sponsorship at Emmaus House. If you are interested in becoming one of his sponsors, please contacJillian Kirell for more informaon at [email protected]


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MEET OUR YOUTH: JETRO


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Monthly Sponsor

$70 Educaon

$40 Youth Allowance*

$10 Medical Savings

$130 Food, Water, &

Toiletries

$250 Total

Page 4 Thank you to Harris Research, Inc for prinng this newsleer at your cost!

Meet Trae Bailey

A special thank you to Trae who has graciously volunteered

to help coordinate fundraising for Emmaus House. If he con-

tacts you, please give him a moment of your me. He's a

great guy with a big heart for our mission here in Hai. He is

also a close relave of the Kirells.

Mail Donaons to:

Northwest church of Christ

c/o Emmaus House

5255 West 98th Ave

Broomeld, CO 80020

OR


-GENERAL DONATIONS: We are not yet meeting our monthly budget. Our remonthly expenses as well as surprise expenses are still in need of being funded.

AMAZON WISHLIST: We keep an up-to-date Amazon Wishlist you can access throur website that includes specific items we are in need of. Please look at the shipping

structions located on our website.C:HANGE ONE CAMPAIGN Justin Wright is wanting to sponsor Philius for one yea

donating the cost of his Camera Camp, an online beginning photography course. If yo

someone you know is an aspiring photographer, go to http://www.cameracamp

change-one-life/

CHOSEN MARATHON: Tanya Pirtle is organizing a team to run the half marathoSalt Lake City, UT to raise funds and awareness for Emmaus House on Sept 27, 2

Registration opens March 1st. E-mail [email protected] for dewww.chosenmarathon..com or on Facebook > Chosen SLC Marathon

HOW YOU CAN HELP?

Emmaus House

Contact Info:


[email protected]

Go to our website for

shipping instrucons.*Behavioral Management Program set in pla

to encourage work ethic, respect, and spiritu

growth.

The Emmaus Connection Volume 3

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Transcript of The Emmaus Connection Volume 3