The Children of Haiti: A Cry of Desperation!

There are so many incredible stories and so much of God’s activity in the children and in our team. But I think what struck me most profoundly was the alarming contrast between  the streets of Haiti vs. behind the walls of Open Door Haiti.  I dont mean the lack of crime, but rather the haven from evil that it embodies. I saw the spiritual battle up close and it tore at my heart.

Since I think in pictures, I’ve attached two images that visualize this spiritual warfare better than any words could conjure. I was snapping candids from the truck and this little boy startled me as I froze his anger in this image. He was screaming and clawing at me as if he hated us: yet we have never had the chance to meet him, hug him and share the peace of Jesus.  So much hatred and anger in such a small child!

Children of Open Door: Hope is in their eyes!

Now contrast that with the close-up of one of our Open Door Haiti boys. See the peace in his eyes, feel the gratitude in his smile, and absorb Jesus’ Love on his visage. I think of these two boys as symbols of how Open Door Haiti is on the frontline of Haiti’s spiritual war.

Once we get them inside our walls the victory has been won and Jesus gets a hold of their soul, changing them for eternity. This is serious stuff and all we have to do is take our positions… the victory has been won!

As Americans we can get get lulled into complacency, but this trip jolted me into a higher awareness. It is both gratifying and disturbing at the same time and will spur me into action both in Haiti and here at home. There is no time to be timid about our faith.  People need Jesus and God has allowed us to tell them about His peace and His Love for each of them. I hope I see that same boy on the side of the road on our next trip.  If I do we are stopping the truck, so I can meet him and show him a small sampling of the love that our Open Door Haiti kids are comforted by every day.

2 Chronicles 20:17
“You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.’

Blessings, Todd M.

Pastor Wiljean shares from his heart on the importance of the mountain!

Since he was a student in seminary, Wiljean Compere has been going to the mountain to meet God and pray.  On the mountain, God speaks.  On the mountain, the vision becomes clear.  On the mountain, power is found.

Early in his ministry, Open Door Church needed some Coleman Lanterns to light the church at night.  There was no electricity.  There was no generator.  Wiljean went up on the mountain, along with some friends, to bring this need before God.  They would sing and pray together.  After spending some time in worship, God spoke.  “Wiljean, you are done here.  You have the Coleman.  Now go.”  Hearing God, Wiljean began to leave.  They had not even prayed yet.  His friends asked, “Wiljean, where are you going?  We have not even prayed yet.”  Wiljean told them they could stay if they wanted, but God had told him it was done and he could leave.

As Wiljean descended from the mountain, he came to the road leading to the city.  When he got to the road, he met an acquaintence and they began to talk.  The man asked about the church.  He asked where Wiljean was coming from.  When WIljean shared about the need for a Coleman lantern, the man reached into his pocket, pulled out money, and said, “Don’t you worry about that Wiljean.  Here, let me help you.  Go buy that Coleman.”

God told Wiljean to go.  You have your answer.  He hadn’t even prayed, but he did listen.  His answer was waiting at the bottom of the mountain.  If he didn’t listen, he would have missed it.

What answers are waiting for us at the bottom of our mountain?  Are we listening?  Our Father wants to meet us, speak to us, show up big in our lives.  Next time you see a Coleman lantern, in Walmart or on a camping trip or in your garage, just remember this…  your miracle is waiting.  Are you listening?

Todd with one of the precious orphans at Open Door Children's Home

One of the hardest things to do when you return back from a trip to Open Door Haiti, is answering the question, “How was it?”  I mean, how can you put into words the awesomeness of our God and the incredible ministry that God has birthed through Pastor Wiljean and how Open Door Haiti is growing and changing so many lives through the heart and leadership of Doug Holliday.  Wow… just doesn’t quite do it! The one thing I learned after my first trip to Haiti was that you might think you’re going to minister but you leave having been ministered to. Pastor Wiljean’s faith and his closeness with the Father is so REAL and I find myself hanging on every word and watching his example. Then seeing the children of the Orphanage and the School reminds me of God’s great BIG heart of love for all His children. The young men of the School of Youth Ministry challenge you in your faith and walk with the Lord as you hear them out praying and worshiping at 4 in the morning. I was so blessed to once again be a part of this incredible journey to Open Door Haiti and I look forward to many trips to come!

Todd Kritzwiser

Our team of 26 for Vision Trip 2012

Our team of 26 for our Vision Trip 2012 came from Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Ohio, New Jersey and Brazil. Our entire Open Door Haiti US Board was on the trip, the first time we had all been in Haiti together at the same time. Seven members of the Board for Doug Holliday Ministries, my evangelistic speaking & training ministry, were on the trip.  Representatives from two foundations, the Hope Foundation and the James 1:27 Foundation, joined us on the trip. Pastors representing eight different partner churches were on the trip.  What an amazing 48 hours in Haiti, the highlight of which was the dedication of our orphanage and meeting the 28 precious children who now call it their home.

Encouraging Sustainability in Haiti

A team from Lighthouse Church in Iowa recently returned from a mission trip to Haiti. Their church had come together to raise funds to contribute to our poultry project. During their visit, the team from Lighthouse Church worked together to add a second chicken coop, including a cage for layers. The new layers’ cage is located on the orphanage property. This new development will give the children an opportunity to become actively involved in the poultry project by allowing them to care for the chickens and collect eggs.

The expansion of the chicken coops is a great way to provide for the orphanage, as eggs can be collected and sold in the market. The new chicken coop houses 500 chicks that will also be ready for the market within six weeks.

This project is dedicated to facilitate the growth of the orphanage by providing for the children today and for the future, and ultimately, helping the people of Haiti help themselves. Perhaps your church would like to build a chicken coop or layer cage to help support the orphanage.

Container Loaded with Christmas Shoeboxes & Orphanage Supplies

On Saturday, December 10th, we had a packing party, loading our shipping container headed to Haiti with over 700 Christmas Shoeboxes, bunk beds & mattresses, chairs, cribs, bedroom furniture, clothes, food and other supplies for Open Door Children’s Home.

Our disappointment in our late arriving container turned to concern when our 20 foot container was actually a 40 foot container.  We hadn’t ordered a 40 foot container and weren’t prepared to pay the extra charges for one either…  but this would become our first Christmas miracle.  The shipping company’s mistake became our blessing, and we were able to load lots of extra items on the container that we hadn’t intended on shipping at this time.

After the container was loaded, we gathered around, laid our hands on the precious cargo, and prayed for another miracle.  “Lord, will you please help this container to get on the boat next Wednesday, and then arrive in Haiti on Monday, December 19th.  And will you please do the miraculous and help the container to clear customs quickly so that it can reach the village and the children before Christmas.”

Word of miracle number two came yesterday afternoon.  Our container has safely arrived in Cap Haitien.  Yes, it arrived, as we had prayed for, on Monday, December 19th!  Now it is time to pray for maybe the biggest miracle yet.  Will you join us in praying that our container will clear customs and be delivered to Open Door Church by this Friday, December 23rd.

God loves to work miracles at Christmas!

Serving Christ together,

Doug Holliday

President, Open Door Haiti / USA

Sponsor An Orphan

Maudeline is the youngest of 7 children.  Her father died and her mother is unable to care for all 7 children. Both Maudeline and her older brother, 8 year old Evens, moved into Open Door Children’s Home this week.  They have been given to us to provide the love, care, nurture and hope that they need… but we need your help.

For only $50 a month, about the cost of taking your family out to dinner at Chili’s, you can sponsor one of the orphans at Open Door Children’s Home.  Simply visit our Orphan Sponsorship page, select a child you would like to sponsor, and then go to our Donate menu to begin your sponsorship today.

Jennifer and I are sponsoring two of the children at ODCH.  Will you join us?

For the children,

Doug Holliday

President, Open Door Haiti / USA

The First Supper

The children have arrived at Open Door Children’s Home.  They are happy and excited.  Most children in Haiti don’t have their “own” bed.  They have to share a bed with several other children.  Most children in Haiti don’t get to eat their meals at a table. When they do get to eat, they often stand or sit on the ground.  Many homes in rural Haiti have dirt floors, walls made out of mud and sticks, and no light.  None of these children have ever been in a home that had running water, toilets, showers or other things that we would consider necessities.  Their new home is spacious with lots of room to run and play and laugh and grow.  Their new home has a kitchen filled with nutritious food.  Their new home is bright and colorful, with stuffed animals for each of their beds and toys to play with.  Their new home is a place filled with love and hope.

Thank you to all the special friends of the children at Open Door who have helped to make this a wonderful place these children can call home!  What a wonderful Christmas this will be for 26 special children in Bois De Lance, Haiti.

For the children,

Doug Holliday

President, Open Door Haiti / USA

Children arrive at their new home...

What an exciting day!  After months of raising funds from churches, organizations and individuals across the country and almost 18 months of construction, Open Door Children’s Home is now open!

Today, 26 children are moving into their new home.  This will be a place where they find love, acceptance and hope.  This will be a place where they can play, learn, laugh and grow.  This will be a place of healing for all the brokenness and lost dreams they have suffered.  This will be a place where they discover that they matter to God more than they could have ever imagined!

We still need you to pray.  We still need you to give.  We still need you to go.

We are now looking for sponsors for all of these children.  For only $50 a month, you can provide the love, acceptance and hope that these children hunger for.  We will soon have a sponsorship page on our website where you can select an orphan to sponsor.  The children will also be enrolled in Open Door School and their school sponsorship is $25 a month.

We have many fun projects for teams that want to go and help with our orphanage in 2012.  Would you like to bring a team to build a playground, do landscaping, paint children’s murals on walls, set up a computer lab, build out the closets, etc.

Come on a trip with us.  Meet these precious children.  Share the love of God with them.

For the children,

Doug Holliday

President / ODH-USA