March 2012
Thank you so much for your continued support of Calvary Christian Family. I had the privilege of leading a small missions trip to the orphanage at the beginning of March. We had a wonderful time with the kids and the workers.
As you might imagine, with 12 active boys, regular maintenance work is a must in the orphanage. We did a fair amount of cleaning, painting, and some carpentry work to improve the existing structure and furniture to make them more functional for the needs of CCF. The kids were most excited about a basketball goal that was erected outside in their play area. It is really amazing to see the skill these kids have even at such a young age.
Each night we were able to joint the devotional time of the workers with the help of a translator. It was so encouraging to hear how God was creating a deeper and deeper love for the children in their hearts and a deeper love for each other. CCF is truly a discipleship house not only for the kids but also for the women and men who work there.
Eric Burks
February 2012
Thank you for your continued support! I have included a report from
Mary Kate DeFranca who spent a week at CCF in February. I hope you enjoy her report.
I had the privilege of traveling to Haiti in February and staying at Calvary Christian Family. This was my third trip to Haiti but my first trip alone. I was excited to see the eight boys I had met on my previous trip and meet the four newest boys in the CCF family. They had all grown up so much in the last year, but I was most surprised by the transformation in Moses and Ricky! Both of these boys have transformed into little boys with huge personalities and can easily keep up with the older boys. What a joy to hug each of them and see their beautiful smiles.
I was quickly thrown into daily life at CCF and all the fun that comes with 12 boys in one home. I was never without a child in my arms or two in my lap. They really loved to hug and cuddle and play with my hair. Each day was filled with laughter and fun and games. The boys can make a game out of anything and easily entertained each other and me. We played with balloons, Legos, cars, colored pictures, and drew with chalk. I was able to teach them tic-tac-toe, hot potato, and freeze dance. My favorite part of each day was watching an English worship DVD and dancing with the workers and children. They especially loved the song “Every move I make” and dancing around the room. Some of the boys have some great dancing rhythm and others made drums out of toys to keep the beat. There is a verse in the song that says “everywhere I look, I see your face”. That was so true for me in Haiti- everywhere I looked I saw God at work: in the lives of these children, in the lives of the CCF staff and at the church.
The highlight of my trip was on Friday, when I had the privilege of joining the CCF kids at a children’s event hosted by the church. They had an all day celebration as an alternative to the carnival parties that were being held at the public schools throughout the city. Over 150 children attended the event at the church. They sang songs and listened to a very engaging story about a little girl who learned to trust God as a child and teenager. They also had a special craft, recreational games, snacks, prizes, and ate lunch. This children’s event was like none I had ever experienced and it was such a joy to witness the impact the church is having on the young lives in Port-au-Prince. What a blessing that all these children can know Him from such a young age!
It was also a joy to see some familiar CCF workers and meet those who are new. I was very blessed to witness the hard work of everyone at CCF. They all have such a vital role in making CCF a home and nurturing environment for the boys and as well as each other. At the end of the day, all the staff still at CCF would gather for a Bible study. They would pour over scripture, encouraging each other and asking questions. Each night I wasn’t sure I could stay awake, but was so blessed by this time. Another highlight was singing worship songs in English and Creole with my Haitian brothers and sisters. Their love for the Lord was such an encouragement for me.
I look forward to the next time I can visit CCF and “everywhere I look, see HIS face.” – Mary Kate
In Christ,
Eric Burks
January 2012
Happy New Year!
We hope that you enjoyed the Christmas cards sent out earlier this month.
New Year’s is a special holiday in Haiti because it is also the Haitian Independence day. On January 1, 1804, Haiti made history by being the first Black Country to gain its independence. Up until this time, Haiti was under French control. One peculiar French law prohibited slaves from eating soup. Since Haiti’s independence from France, it is a tradition that Haitians cook and eat a special soup as part of the New Year celebration. Unfortunately slavery did not completely end in 1804. Child slavery remains a major problem in Haiti and we praise God that the kids at CCF have been spared from this bondage.
We thank you for your support in 2011. We will be sending out year-end donation receipts in the next month. Please keep Pastor Steve in prayer as he travels to Haiti this month with his son Sam.
In Christ,
Eric Burks
October 2011
In mid-September I travelled down to Haiti and stayed at the Calvary Christian Family house in Port au Prince. My fifteen year old daughter Elise accompanied me. It brings me so much joy seeing these kids; they are so happy and full of life. The first night we gave them each a LEGO pack. They were fascinated with this. Each of them was able to build a truck, plane, car, etc. They had never done anything like this.
There are twelve boys now; it was great to see the new kids Anderson (about seven years old) and Emerson (about six years old) who have arrived in the last couple of months. Both of them seem to be adjusting well. Anderson is still getting used to the big crowds at church, and prefers the nurturing environment at the CCF house. Emerson still seems a little shy, but my daughter Elise was really able to get him "out of his shell" and fell in love with his smile.
The boys get along with each other remarkably well. They live in close quarters but there is very little quarreling among them, and they seem to love each other's company. The two older boys are protective of the smaller kids. One distinctive thing about the boys is the love to be hugged, any time you walk in the room all of them cry out -- "pote m" -- which is Creole for pick me up. In the evenings I like to sit in the upper veranda overlooking the street, and just hold the kids. It can be kind of tough on me, as usually four of them are sitting on me at the same time!! Some times the kids get into my room on the first floor and raid my suitcase! The kids like to sing Christian songs, and church is an integral part of their life.
While we were there ,the kids participated in a two day baseball clinic put on by Pastor Scott from our church in Boston. Baseball is a virtual unknown in Haiti, but no longer with the CCF kids! We brought down a lot of equipment, including aluminum bats, but decided to replace them with wiffle ball bats because things got a little crazy with all those bats swinging!
The onsite school is going well. I personally know both of the teachers -- Carlene and Guilen. They really are outstanding professionals, and the kids seem to be progressing well. I've also gotten to know all the workers, including the child care workers, the cooks, the janitors, and the washing ladies. There are about 12 full time employees (one shift during the week; another shift on the weekend). It is a pretty amazing operation. Cooking is a big deal, so there is more or less always someone in the kitchen. The cooks are first class Haitian cooks who could just as well be employed at any Haitian restaurant in the States. I especially like goat, baked plantains, rice and beans, and spicy cole slaw. In the evening, the kids are typically treated with a dessert, which is sort of like a sweetened oatmeal with condensed milk. The home is kept "spic and span"; the floors are literally "pristine" as there is constantly someone mopping and cleaning.
We are taking a missions team down in February to conduct some minor repairs to the home, and to do some painting. Since the earthquake, the front yard has been more or less unusable, so we would like to clear the yard for more play space. Also, we'd like to put up a basketball pole in the back driveway.
As anytime you have 12 boys, there are medical issues. In August Ricky, one of our four year olds, needed surgery because of an undescended testicle. We praise the Lord for a successful surgery! Ricky is doing great now. Emerson came to us with two medical issues which will need attention; he has a crossed eye, and a slight handicap with his leg which causes him to limp. We will keep you updated on how those issues are addressed. While medical treatment is less expensive in Haiti, it still can be considerable (Ricky's surgery was $1,950). We are thankful to all the donors for making it possible for these children to have medical care.
Thanks again for all your interest and support, please pray for the kids, the workers, and Pastor Serge and his wife Dinette.
Grace,
Pastor Steve Cole
September 2011
Last month assistant Pastor Scott Richardson from Calvary Chapel in the City, Boston, traveled to Haiti with his son John to conduct a baseball clinic for the orphanage. Baseball is not a commonly played sport in Haiti but it is fun and was also a means for engaging with the children in an activity which teaches teamwork.
John, age 10, wrote a short essay for a grade school project describing his trip with his dad this past September. We have included some excerpts below:
My dad and I traveled from Boston to Haiti to teach the kids at the church and the orphans at CCF about baseball. The orphans who lived there were sometimes found on the street. The people brought them in and took care of them. So now were teaching them baseball. Let’s learn about how teaching the kids worked.
On the first day, my dad and I flew into Haiti. There were so many people! Now let me tell you, it is not as safe in Haiti as it is here in Boston. Going through the airport is like being mobbed. When we got to CCF, the orphans were asleep for a nap. When they got up, we taught them some basic lessons about catching and throwing baseballs. After that we got out the Legos. The kids jumped and grabbed and traded Legos. We were having so much fun already!
On the second day and the third day, we did a lot more. We taught the kids baseball. We were really tired at the end. We worked on throwing, catching, and batting. We even played a one-inning game. At the end of the day, we played with more Legos. There were a lot more Legos built! Even though these were difficult days, I still had a great time.
The next day was Sunday, church day itself. After church we got on the plane and flew back to Boston.
Pastors and other designees from Calvary Chapel in the City make routine visits to CCF throughout the year ranging from 3-days to a month or longer. We are dedicated to building and maintaining relationships with both children and the workers. Both Pastors Steve and Scott make it a point to bring one of their children on their visits to CCF which serves as an example of what it means to be a parent to the workers in the orphanage. It is great to see our kids in Boston and our CCF kids in Haiti playing and getting to know God together.
Eric Burks,
CCF Coordinator
July 20, 2011 – CCF Update
Hello all,
I had a blessed time on my most recent trip to Calvary Christian Family in
Port-au-Prince Haiti. The children are strong and full of excitement. When
I walked in the door, within minutes I had ten kids all trying to climb on
me at once and I thought I was going to collapse to the floor with the
weight of them all.
School ended in June for the kids and I was able to see the kids in some of
their final classes. The boys all seem to love school and love learning.
When I visit they enjoy practicing English with me.
They like to count in English and name different parts of their bodies in
English.
On this particular trip, I made it a point to sit down with each of the
workers and talk to them about their jobs. It was such a privilege to see
how God has been working in their lives since they accepted Jesus Christ as
their Lord. As a general rule, the workers all began by simply learning the
word of God through teachings and personal Bible studies. Within a few
months they began to serve in different ministries in the church and were
discipled. Those who were faithful and seemed to have a particularly
calling and joy in working in the children’s ministries were chosen to work
at CCF in the capacities of caregivers. Others were chosen to serve in
logistics type ministries including cooking, cleaning, and maintenance
tasks.
As I asked the workers what they liked most about their jobs, the most
common answer was “I like to play with the kids”. It is wonderful to see
Christians serve in the areas where God has called them. When I asked the
workers what God has been teaching them in their jobs at CCF, the following
answers were given: humility, patience, to love others more and kindness.
One of the workers whom I have known for years now and have grown very close
to has the testimony of being orphaned as a child. Both his parents died
and by the time he was about 10-years old he was put in an orphanage where
he was abused. After some time he ran away and lived on the streets until
he came to Christ as a young man. He has lived and served in the church for
many years now and has served in CCF for the past year. He is a very godly
hardworking young man.
When I asked him what he was learning at CCF, he said God is teaching him
how children are supposed to be raised.
I hope you can see that CCF is not just a home for the children but it is a
home for the workers as well. As in all ministries, the overflow of love
and healing that God is giving the workers is being poured out into the
children the serve. Please keep these workers in your prayers as they serve
in this wonderful ministry.
Also, there are two additional boys who are in the process of being
“adopted” into CCF. We will follow up with more details.
In Christ,
Eric Burks
Answered Prayer!
Dear all,
Thank you for your prayers for Ricky. He is back at CCF and is already up
and playing with the other children.
God is good!
Eric
Pray for Ricky
Hi all,
Please pray for Ricky who is one of the orphans at CCF. Ricky was found to
have a fairly large kidney stone which had to be removed by emergency
surgery. Ricky is is about 3 or 4 years old. He will be in the hospital
until Monday. Apparently the surgery was delayed due to a storm. Please
pray for a swift recovery.
In Christ,
Eric Burks
