“A Game Changer”
Over the past 17 years I have had the privilege of taking thousands of people into Haiti. For many the experience was the first time on the mission field. For others, Haiti was one of many mission trips around the world. Either way, a statement heard often is, “Haiti is a game changer.” Though there are similarities with other third world countries, Haiti tends to make an everlasting impact on those who get to experience serving the Haitian people. At one time or another people experience something so impactful it literally changes their lives. “A game changer” is an experience that takes you from ordinary to extraordinary. I have had several game changing moments in my life, but the most recent and significant was the day I went to a little village called Bon Repos, Haiti. We went at the request of someone to visit an existing orphanage and against my own preferences. I showed up thinking, “Let’s make this quick.” I was met by a Haitian pastor and his wife in one of the dirtiest, least desirable areas and escorted to a make-shift tent. There was no grass and the two trees provided very little shade. As I entered the tent I saw 63 children sitting in perfect order and smiling up at me eager to break out in a song of greeting. When the children began to sing I experienced it – a game changer. Wow! I needed to know everything about the place – where did they come from, where did they sleep, how many had families? In life there are things that we would rather just not do. Going to this place in Haiti was definitely one of those things for me. But sometimes in those moments a game changer takes place. At the very least I needed to let the board of SMI know we needed to get some ongoing support for these children.
A few months passed by and during that time every trip to Haiti included a day trip to the Bon Repos orphanage. It has had the same impact on everyone. Every group has expressed a great desire to provide help. I researched the history and the land where they were living and found they had very little support and were leasing the property. Several SMI board members then met with the landlord to negotiate a long term lease that would allow us to build a new structure on the property to provide better sleeping conditions as well as a gathering place for meals, church, and indoor activities. So much for negotiating skills — we walked away buying the entire orphanage! We couldn’t help it; this was a game changer. SMI agreed to buy the property by faith and we have begun building a much needed facility. God is always faithful to complete what He starts, and there is no question God led us there and opened the door to loving these 63 children.
My wife recently went to Haiti with me, and as she sat in the hot sun at the orphanage with one child on her lap and others surrounding her, she never complained or asked them to get down. She just smiled and cried. A game changer. There is no way to convey the impact on the hundreds who have gone to this little undeveloped, dirty, undesirable area, but everyone agrees that we have to help these children. On September 8, SMI has to pay the balance on the purchase of the property in the amount of $7,000. The foundation of a two story 4,320 square foot facility is complete. The existing facility where the children as well as the pastor and his wife sleep is approximately 720 square feet! The overall project will cost approximately $100,000. SMI is asking you to pray and consider helping us complete this facility as well as partnering with us to continue to provide food, clothing and education for these precious children. Your prayers and financial support may or may not be a game changer for you, but I guarantee it will be a game changer for the children.
Frank Williams, President
A few months passed by and during that time every trip to Haiti included a day trip to the Bon Repos orphanage. It has had the same impact on everyone. Every group has expressed a great desire to provide help. I researched the history and the land where they were living and found they had very little support and were leasing the property. Several SMI board members then met with the landlord to negotiate a long term lease that would allow us to build a new structure on the property to provide better sleeping conditions as well as a gathering place for meals, church, and indoor activities. So much for negotiating skills — we walked away buying the entire orphanage! We couldn’t help it; this was a game changer. SMI agreed to buy the property by faith and we have begun building a much needed facility. God is always faithful to complete what He starts, and there is no question God led us there and opened the door to loving these 63 children.
My wife recently went to Haiti with me, and as she sat in the hot sun at the orphanage with one child on her lap and others surrounding her, she never complained or asked them to get down. She just smiled and cried. A game changer. There is no way to convey the impact on the hundreds who have gone to this little undeveloped, dirty, undesirable area, but everyone agrees that we have to help these children. On September 8, SMI has to pay the balance on the purchase of the property in the amount of $7,000. The foundation of a two story 4,320 square foot facility is complete. The existing facility where the children as well as the pastor and his wife sleep is approximately 720 square feet! The overall project will cost approximately $100,000. SMI is asking you to pray and consider helping us complete this facility as well as partnering with us to continue to provide food, clothing and education for these precious children. Your prayers and financial support may or may not be a game changer for you, but I guarantee it will be a game changer for the children.
Frank Williams, President
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