By Joe Fry, ACT Worldwide Consultant 

Picture the plight of a teenage mother living in one of the poorest sections of Port au Prince. In 2010 she gave birth at home to a baby girl. As it sadly happens too often in Haiti, the father abandoned them both when the child was born. The mother was so poor that she could not afford a birth certificate for her baby.  A birth certificate is required, however, in order to enroll children in a public school.  Each morning mom watched sadly as  neighbor children ran off playfully to school. The paperwork and expense involved in retroactively acquiring a birth certificate seemed beyond the reach of this powerless young mother. She had no hope that her precious daughter would ever go to school. 

Through the Kingdom Assignment initiative recently completed by Haiti Teen Challenge graduates, God showed this mother and daughter, along with hundreds of others who are living without hope, that He has not forgotten them. 

Eighty two graduates from the HTC Men's program accepted the Kingdom Assignment challenge.  The challenge began when they each received the equivalent of $80 USD to be used for advancing the kingdom of God in whatever way they chose. A condition for receiving the funds was that each recipient was required to give a report in three months' time on how the funds were used. 
The much anticipated day of Kingdom Assignment reporting finally arrived on December 20th.  At a festive, music-filled event organized by the staff, the hearts of two hundred friends of the ministry (including this writer) were touched by their compelling ministry stories.
 
It was an evening of celebration to remember!

Perhaps you or I might imagine that, in Haiti, these guys would have gone out and simply spent the money. We would have been wrong. Over half of them raised additional funds.
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Youbens Gay raised the USD equivalent of over $500 to launch a school for marginalized, pre-literate children and a literacy center for parents.

Daniel Daguste raised $200 USD to purchase a used motorcycle. Using his mechanical skills, he repaired it and now rents it out to gang members in his neighborhood to use as a taxi. They keep part of the earnings. In the process, Daniel is making friends and sharing the gospel with these guys. Other HTC students raised hundreds more for other creative projects. As these young servants regaled us with report after report it became evident that what God accomplished through them surpassed what the staff had imagined.

What God did in the hearts of these young men was equally transformational.
 
When students first enter the HTC program they see themselves as the objects ministry. How encouraging it is to now see the look of transformation in their eyes as they become the subjects of ministry, reaching out to others.

Daniel Daguste joyfully explained to the assembly that, two years ago he had no purpose in life. Since that time, with gratitude for all that God has poured into him at HTC, he is now helping others find the purpose and direction that God desires for them, also.  It's something Daniel had never imagined doing.

Perkens Delius, one of the Kingdom Assignment emissaries, had heard about the need of the young mother who dreamed of sending little Medjina to school. God moved his heart to help. When the bureaucratic process was finally completed and fees were paid, Perkins arrived at her humble home and presented mom with a birth certificate.

The young mother was overcome with joy. She broke down into tears.

Why, she must have wondered, would a tall, handsome young man be so profoundly kind to her and her child without demanding a favor in return? Perkins explained that God had been even more kind to him when he had also been without hope. "Be encouraged. God has not forgotten you,"were his comforting words. "He picked me up. He can pick you up, too!"

Little becomes much when God is in it. On December 20 this theme became reality as through the compelling testimonies of faithful young men who took part in HTC's first - but definitely not the last -- Kingdom Assignment project. 
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Well done, good and faithful servants!

As said in the words from Lamentations 3:22-23, Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his mercies never fail, they are new every morning. GREAT IS HIS FAITHFULNESS." We are witnessing firsthand how God keeps true to his promises at the HTC Women's Program. The young women are growing spiritually and learning to walk in their freedom in Christ and their families are being reconstructed.

Without a doubt, one of Haiti's deepest problems is "fatherlessness" and a broken family system. The family is the driving force behind every existing institution that holds society together including: churches, government, and businesses. When it falls apart, society falls apart. God is the designer of "family" and we know it is at the heart of the Father for every family to be rebuilt and restored. Through God's intervention, Haiti Teen Challenge is directing the young men and women of Haiti towards the Father and they are finding in Him redemption and restoration. They are bringing this joy and truth back to their families and they are breaking the cycle of broken families.

We know there is fruitful life ahead for every one of our young women and a hopeful assurance for a brighter future.  Here is one example of a life transformation from our student, Naftalie.


My name is Naftalie Bien Aimé, I was living with my dad and my stepmother because my biological mom had abandoned me.  At 13 years old, my father passed away. and my stepmother began to mistreat me. Being so tired of how she treated me I declared that I was an adult at 14 years old. As an adult, I needed to take care of myself. I started to beg on the streets and sell my body so I could eat and clothe myself. I used to go to clubs to dance as a showgirl, drink alcohol and smoke.

I started to come and go, and do as I pleased; which made my stepmom even more furious. I eventually became homeless because my stepmom kicked me out. I was forced to sleep on roofs, porches and the streets. I was arrogant. I used to insult people. I enjoyed doing these things and being on the streets because I did not know that I could be anything better.
 
Through HTC I've come to know God. I have buried all of my sinful ways and Jesus has changed my life.  I am SAVED! I am a new person. I no longer have the desire to insult people. I have stopped being arrogant. Everyday, I am learning how to let go of my painful past and embrace God's future for me.
 
There is a move of God in this nation like never before. The promise found in 2 Chronicles 7:14 is becoming more evident in Haiti. Young men and women are humbling themselves, they are praying, they are seeking God's face and we stand confident that God will heal our land! I began this year with the same spirit of gratitude that I ended it with last year. I am convinced that through the turmoil, political unrest and the noise of the world, Haiti stands Healed.

Knowing that you are on this journey with us makes it even more enjoyable. Our family, students and staff pray for you often. Without you there would be no HTC Women's Program.  We ask for your continued support to so that more young men and women will be empowered to transformed their lives and rebuild their nation for the glory of God.

Blessings,
Suzette

​Today it is my privilege to share about God's blessings in my life. I was rejected by society, but God redeemed me. He used Haiti Teen Challenge to restore my life.
 
I grew up in the community of Fort-Mercredi/Bolosse, a very difficult area where the population lives under the power of the wicked.  My mom worked very hard to pay for my education and to feed me and my brother and sisters.  But, sometimes it was not enough and we would miss school and were hungry. In our family it was an obligation to go to church, but at age 16, I declared to my mom that I was an adult and I had no interest in attending church.  I believed if God was so good, we would not be so poor. 

I joined a gang and with other young men abused alcohol and drugs as we gambled, stole and raped women. When I turned 18, I moved into the gang house, so I could have more freedom.   This led me to even darker places; more drinking, visiting brothels, participating in all sorts of bad carousing.

One night the police tried to arrested me when I was visiting a brothel, but I managed to escape in spite of gunfire.  Another time, after leaving a night club, another gang tried to shoot me, but thanks to God I was able to escaped again.  I had become very dangerous and did whatever I wanted to, whenever I wanted.  One night I broke the locks of a school, so my friends and I could use it a gathering base. I said that if the guard discovered us, I would shoot him.

The people of the town sought to capture me and the mayor sent a police force to take me down.  I was defiant, I wanted to declare war on the police.  My friends avoided me and they said they wouldn't go into hiding for me because they did not want anything to do with my actions. This led me to run away, but God had a plan for me. He found me while I was hiding. 

In my desperation, a graduate from Haiti Teen Challenge told me about the HTC program and what it could do to change my life. I told him they would never accept me because of my dirty habits, he said" The program is for people like you, because Christ has not come for the righteous".  I was surprised to see that Wilnès spoke to me about God, because I knew he used to a bad guy, but I could see that now there was something special about him.

I signed up and was selected as a HTC student. It was hard for me to be in one place for that long with no access to the outside world. Every day I was studying the Bible, going to chapel, having devotions.  Every Sunday I went to church, every day I did chores, and helped my neighbors. I created great trouble during my first three months in the program, but they never gave up on me.  Every day from morning until night I learned about who I was meant to be. 

I no longer wanted to joke or tease others. My new character was established at HTC, as I came to know what it meant to be a Christian. I know now that I am 
responsible to use my time and my talents to serve God and others.  The training I received at HTC in IT (Information Technology), leadership and the Bible is helping me to help others implement God in their lives.

I take this opportunity to apologize to all those I have offended by my hurtful words, and others, to whom I acted badly and the entire community of Fort-Mercredi/Borlosse.  I want to share with you this verse that helped me build my character,
 
"Because we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit. And let us work toward complete holiness because we fear God."  2 Corinthians 7: 1

Thank you.

Ilosier Wesley

A Message from Craig Sulentic, President of Haiti Teen Challenge

Psalm 96, one of my favorites, portrays the image of a restored earth at peace with the Creator. In this state man is at peace with God, himself, his neighbor and the environment. Indeed even the trees sing for joy when the true order is restored.

On occasion, the Lord entrusts us mortals with a glimpse into that glorious state. Several weeks ago, it was my joy to join in the celebration of HTC's 7th graduation class. The change taking place in the in the lives of these young men and in the nation is truly amazing. My role, as a visitor, with dozens of trips over the past six years affords me a unique perspective. Often on my pre earthquake visits I would say within myself "if this is not hell you can sure see it from here". A barren, brown, desolate landfill of a place with a heavy cloud of oppression hanging over the country and its inhabitants.

The change in the nation transcends the obvious changes in better roads, more orderly processes, cleaner neighborhoods, improved economic conditions and increased private investments. The transformation is much deeper at a level human hope... even the landscape seems greener as if the Lord himself is reviving the nation so that the trees sing for joy. 

The Lord is raising the poor nation of Haiti to be a witness to the world for His glory.
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We at Haiti Teen Challenge cherish our role in the transformation and the promise of the harvest to come. We marvel at the humble beginning of this ministry when we borrowed a 1986 Jeep to make calls on partners. The Lord has been so good to bring together the right people at the right time to serve students of hope. We heard with our ears the testimonies of young Haitians in brokenness telling others "I was blind but now I see". We sensed the power of the Holy Spirit as repentant captives were set free. Yes the Lord has transformed hopeless, homeless, lost, poor and angry young men into new creations preaching the gospel of Christ in their communities.

One such community is Borlosse. A blight in Port au Prince of crime and poverty. Twenty of our students call this home. And so Youbens, Jackson and Jonny, graduates of the program have energized the community with the gospel of Jesus and an appeal to the responsibility through the HTC Impact Club. Because of their efforts the community now has a well lit basketball court, soccer field, community center and showers. They are making the neighborhood a cleaner and safer place. Other business leaders from The Diesel Institute, Maxima, Haytrak, Universal Motors and Eko Depot have given solid testimony of how Haiti Teen Challenge students are honest, disciplined, hard working and responsible. They are lights in the market Place.

Another reason to celebrate is the launch of the Women's Center. The Lord provided the resources and assembled a staff of women under the leadership of Suzette Volcy to address the needs of young women. The Center opened in November and we are already hearing reports of incredible healing in the lives of women who have been objects of use through prostitution.

Thank You on behalf of Haiti Teen Challenge for your faithful support and prayers; we are looking forward with excitement to 2016 as He directs our steps and vision through the Leadership of Julio Volcy and His team. 

May the Lord richly bless you as a fellow laborer in this Ministry of Hope, 

Craig

"Se Le Nou Sa"- This is our time.  The women's program will officially launch this November in Haiti! Someone once said to me "find your strong voice to live your strong life."  "Voice" is defined as a sound made by a human being using the vocal folds for talking, singing, laughing, crying, and screaming.  According to this definition, the voice has the power to express many emotions.
 
For many years, the young women of Haiti have been voicing the need for a program to help them deal with their life-debilitating issues. They have been crying out for a place that would help them put together the remaining broken pieces of uncontrollable addictions and abuse.  They all hunger and thirst for the transformation and freedom that they have witnessed in the lives of the young men of HTC. And now, it is their turn to experience the same.
 
I am tickled by what God is doing through the ministry of Haiti Teen Challenge. As many of you already know, God is actively moving in Haiti. He has heard the voices of these young women who no longer want to feed their addictions, and has moved the hearts of many to take action.
 
Growing up, I have experienced pain and hardship in many ways but nothing compared to the abuse, shame, and brokenness that I have read in these young women's applications. Some things I will never understand to the fullest, but one thing I know is that God allowed me to go through painful experiences for the purpose of bringing me into the lives of these women-that His name is exalted and His voice be heard through me. The pain, hurts, brokenness and the healing process that I went through, are all tools God used to sharpen my voice.  My voice is my concealed weapon that God gave me to speak into the lives of these women, to tell them that I too was broken and hopeless but God healed me. If He did it for me, He will definitely do it for them. 
 
With no public announcement for the Haiti Teen Challenge women's program, about eighty young women have already applied to be part of this life-changing journey.  In a matter of time, ten of these beautiful young women will move in to embark on a journey with endless possibilities, and all with the hope of finding their voice and trading their sorrows for joy and receiving beauty for ashes.


The home has been secured. The staff is in place. The 10 women have been identified. We are ready to run. Prophet Elijah said it best in 1 Kings, "The rain is coming. The cloud is on the horizon." We are ready to run. It is through your partnership we are able to reach these men and women in Haiti. Thank you for running with us. Moreover, thank you for your continuous support and prayers.  Their story would not be the same without your partnership.  Please join me at one of the events in Minnesota to learn more about HTC's programs and how you can continue to partner with us.


Blessings,
Suzette Volcy
Women's Program Director