We always knew that having an American presence in Haiti would be helpful with the day to day, month to month, activities, but Sophia’s first month in Haiti has gone above any of the expectations!
Is it because she has been going to Haiti since 2012? Is it because God placed this calling on her when she was only 15? Is it because she knows Joseph’s family so well that he refers to her as “his daughter”? Is it because she is so acquainted with the people and area that her comfort level is beyond the normal missionary? I believe all of the above and more!
One of my hearts desires since joining SOFM in 2007 has been to help raise up future missionaries. Little did I know that it would begin in a gymnastics class with an eleven year old student named Sophia!
As SOFM and Aslan Youth Ministry began to partner more and more in Haiti, the desire for future missionaries turned into more of a reality. Waiting on God to do His work in and through Sophia as He was developing her and preparing her to be sent has become one of the highlights of my personal Christian walk.
Sophia has only been in Haiti for one month and the amount of information she has gathered, communicated and prepared for both ministries to better understand and move forward is priceless!
With this in mind, I would like to share a few areas of need that Sophia has brought to our attention to help better the mission house, where Sophia lives (upstairs), where Joseph’s family resides (downstairs) and where our teams stay when in Haiti. If after reading it you would like to contribute, please do so through the paypal link on our blog and in the memo area put: Haiti Mission House OR you can send a check to: SOFM / PO Box 805 / BRICK, NJ 08723 and in the memo put: Haiti Mission House
SOLAR
The mission house is run on a generator. With the cost of diesel on the rise and the cost to repair it becoming a constant, Sophia and Joseph have been working on the expense to put solar on the roof. There is currently two panels that do help to run the lights and fans a few hours a day. However, for $3000, the entire house can run on solar 24/7 leaving the generator to be used as a back up.
FANS
It is very hot in Haiti, especially in the summer months when most teams are down. While there are fans in the rooms upstairs, more are needed to push the air around at night. We are looking to purchase another 5 fans that can be hung on the walls upstairs to generate air flow. Each fan is about $175 (available in the Haiti “Home Depot” in Cap).
CHAIRS
Chairs at the mission house break easily, unfortunately. They are currently the plastic chairs that we have here in the states. There are stronger chairs that Joseph and Sophia have priced out (available in the Haiti “Home Depot” in Cap) that are about $25 each. They are reinforced with metal and will last a long time.
Please continue to pray for Sophia and the work that the Lord has for her to do. As our dear friend Danita has said…
“If you are called to Haiti it is like living a dream, if you are not called, it is like living a nightmare.” Sophia, you are living your dream, your desires and your purpose. SOFM is so proud of you!!