We're Here!

Who we are:

As most of you know, we are Rachel and Christa. Also known, by the Haitians, as Beyonce & Gibs. Yes, we wear our names proudly! We are from Los Angeles, but living in Haiti for the next 11 beautiful weeks! (June 1-August 18.)

Where we are:

We are in Port-Au-Prince, Haiti interning for Child Hope International. Child Hope is a non-profit Christian organization dedicated to providing orphaned, abandoned and needy children with care in all areas through homes, programs and ministries that are centered on the love and knowledge of Christ Jesus. Their vision is to raise these children up to be the next generation of leaders and Disciples of Christ to impact their own home country. 

What we're doing:

With our background in the fashion world and business industry, we desired to motivate, encourage, and equip the young girls of Child Hope to be self-sufficient and run a business on their own to provide for themselves when they graduate. We both will be interning at the organization's Transition Program that is already in place with this goal.

Rachel-

I will be using my degree in Merchandise Product Development and almost obtained Business Administration and Marketing degree to teach specific sewing skills and apparel manufacturing.

Christa-

My desire is to take their already learned basic jewelry skills and add to them with new concepts and techniques using the materials easily found around them. I want to foster a safe environment for them to think outside the box and encourage them to use their God given creativity to create something beautiful from their surroundings.

Together, we will also be teaching practical business concepts that one would need to know to run a small business.

Above all of these things, our hearts are really set on being in relationship with the girls at Child Hope. We want to get to know them and love them like Jesus does. We hope that the classes we are teaching and the time spent with them will provide opportunities to bond with them. 

Why we are doing it:

First and foremost, for the glory of God! The Lord has put a deep and specific burden for the people and children for Haiti on both of our hearts and we want to be obedient and respond to that call.

 Isaiah 61:1-3 "The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning,and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor."

What you can be praying for:

Thank you for all of your prayer and support thus far and we appreciate ahead of time your prayers while we are here! Please pray for physical health and safety while we are here. We want to be with the kids and working as much as possible and that would allow us to do so. We pray for the hearts of the girls to soften and walls to be broken down so we can really pour into them. We want the Lord to use us in whatever way they need. WISDOM!... in relationship and teaching, but above all, we pray that Jesus be glorified.