Nehemiah Vision Ministries

NVM Garden Update

2009-07-10T07:00:00.001-04:00

Check out the photos of the garden.

2009 NCA Kindergarten Graduation

2009-06-21T12:00:00.004-04:00

Sunday, June 21, 2009 was the first graduation ceremony held in the new school building. This ceremony was for the kindergartner’s promotion to First grade; which is a huge deal even in the impoverished country of Haiti.

The families in Chambrun know how important education is and they will go all out to make the day a memorable one. They invited family and friends from all over to come and celebrate with them. There was barely any room in the school as the people packed in to participate in this great day.

There were three children that shared the title of Valedictorian (Widley, Mitania and Wednelson). These children also live in the Nehemiah Children’s Home (NCH). During the ceremony Pastor Pierre emphasized the importance of parents making sure their children studied hard and did all their school work; which is exactly what the house mom’s do in the NCH.

It was a great day in Chambrun, Haiti yesterday to see the future leaders of this country being honored for all of their hard work.

Preschool Building Construction Continues

2009-06-03T19:58:00.003-04:00

The slab to the preschool building is being poured. Check back soon to see the walls going up.

Sweet, Pure and Unashamed Worship

2009-05-19T09:02:00.004-04:00

[ Nehemiah Worship Chapel - Bible Distribution ]

My husband Doug and I visited Nehemiah Worship Chapel on Sunday, April 26, 2009. Our experience will not soon be forgotten. Looking back, I find it hard to describe how we felt and what we experienced. I guess you could say we probably felt a bit like Moses when the Lord spoke to him:

“Then He said, ‘Do not draw near this place. Take your sandals off your
feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground.’” (Exodus 3:5)

The sweet, pure and unashamed worship stirred our souls. Neither of us understood the words to the songs, but the music transcended spoken language. We were caught up; we could have listened to the singing all day. The presence of the Holy Spirit was so strong the sanctuary seemed filled to overflowing. All of this we experienced within the first half hour of our visit.

We were struck with the number of children in attendance and how attentive they were through the entire service. They blessed us. We watched them recite memory verses and present the message of salvation through a colored glove where each color represented a piece of the story. They humbled us with their innocence.

It’s not a stretch to say that both of us were changed by the experience. It’s hard to put into words how the Lord spoke to our hearts that day. He reminded us that He wants us—our entire being. He wants us to praise him in complete surrender. It’s that simple.

Doug & Terri Brown

( NVM Guest Bloggers )

Bible Distribution in Haiti

2009-05-14T09:46:00.006-04:00

The Nehemiah Worship Chapel has received a generous donation to purchase bibles for the congregation. On Sunday, May 3rd, Pastor Pierre was able to distribute bibles to those who were in need of one.

Thank you very much to those who have helped spread the Gospel in Chambrun, Haiti.

2 Thessalonians 3:1-5 (New International Version)

¹Finally, brothers, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you. ²And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men, for not everyone has faith. ³But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. ⁴We have confidence in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command. ⁵May the Lord direct your hearts into God's love and Christ's perseverance.

Preschool Building Construction Begins

2009-05-11T11:30:00.006-04:00

[ April 2009]

[ May 2009]

The foundation for the new preschool building has begun. Pastor Pierre is hoping to have it completed by next school year.

We made it home...

2009-04-11T23:31:00.003-04:00

[ April Mission Team ]

Well I'm back from Haiti and had a great nights sleep in my own bed. The HOT shower was fabulous too! I miss waking up and having breakfast with the team, but I don't miss the rooster calls all night long! Monday we had a great day at the resort. We drove 2 hours to the resort we went to last year and found out the pool was broken, so we decided to go to one a little further down the road. It was a great decision...the food was much better and I got to go snorkeling for the first time. It didn't have all the bright colors you see on TV in places like the Bahamas, but cool none the less!

I was kind of weary from the week, so I pulled up a lounge chair pool side and finished a great book called "Starving Jesus." I highly recommend it. Also tried to get a few scenic pics. I'm working on getting my pics posted so every one can get a glimpse of the great experience I had. I do get to enjoy a few days more of vacation then its back to work...but I'm feeling reenergized so bring it on!

Sheri N.

(Guest NVM Blogger)

Sunday, Sunday...

2009-04-05T22:00:00.003-04:00

Sundays have to be one of my favorite days on my mission trips. I might not be able to understand the words, but you can definitely feel the passion. I always sit and look at those kids and wonder who might be the next Pastor Pierre or the next world changer. I just see all those faces, and think what great potential!

After the service I got to meet the parents of the little girl that my parents sponsor. How great is that. Then Kesnal, the little boy I sponsor, saw me sitting on one of the benches and plopped down next to me. I had another kid sitting on my lap, but as soon as he got up, Kesnal jumped up into my lap and didn't get up until it was time to go. I'll miss hanging out with those kids every day. But I will be back soon enough.

We then took a quick driving tour of Haiti for all those who hadn't seen downtown yet. It started raining and it was quite refreshing to say the least! Well tomorrow we head to the resort for a little down time. I always enjoy it, but wish we had time to do more clinics too. It never seems like enough...

Sheri N.

(Guest NVM Blogger)

All things Haitian...

2009-04-04T22:00:00.001-04:00

Well the trip is winding down...just church tomorrow and the resort on Monday...and then back to the States we come. Hard to believe its time to head back already.

The last 24 hours has included a few Haitian first for me. Last night when we got home a few of the guys were killing goats for dinner...so of course us city Americans had to go watch. I missed when they slit the throat, but got to see the rest of it. The nurses were giving anatomy lessons on the internal organs! I think the high school kids liked it the most! And I bet in the next day or two we will eat the aforementioned goat for dinner!

Then today at the school I got to see my first tarantula...the kids came running in and said there was a HUGE spider outside. I was expecting this little spider but I have to admit they were right! It had to have been the size of my palm! I'll have pics later to prove it!

The garden got finished today and looked amazing. Now the kids just have to worry about keeping it watered. They also started setting up the ground for the foundation for the new preschool. It is amazing to see the progress that has developed since I was here in October. God is really allowing his work to be accomplished...and I'm excited he's let me have a little part in it!

Sheri N.
(Guest NVM Blogger)

Another day, but not just any clinic...

2009-04-03T22:00:00.000-04:00

Well the community clinic was in full swing today. And the second patient that we saw was an 80 year old woman who was using a stick as a cane. We were able to get her fitted with a 4 prong cane to make her journey a little easier...it was awesome. She was so grateful and just kept saying "Merci, merci!" (thank you, thank you!) Got a few hugs out of that one. :) Had to be one of the highlights of my day.

Yesterday, one of the teens from the Crossing wasn't feeling well so we kept him home...he was back today, but then started feeling bad again so I got to start an IV on him! Gotta love those ER nurses! Thankfully he is on the mend now!

Today was also the first day I got to meet the two children I sponsor through Nehemiah Vision Ministries. It was fun to see the excitement in their eyes when I gave them their boxes! Kesnal is all boy, while Syliana is shy, but such a cute girl!

The guys were finishing up fencing the garden in today so the goats won't eat the kids newly planted treasures...we'll see how that goes! Can't wait to share all my new pics...

Sheri N.
(Guest NVM Blogger)

Chambrun and lots of little kids...

2009-04-02T22:00:00.002-04:00

[ Sheri N. - October 2008 ]

Well it was back to the school for another clinic today. We finished up the kids from NCA and then started seeing the community. They mostly told people not to show up yet so the clinic wasn't crazy...YET! Tomorrow will be a whole new day!

[ Widley and Peterson - 2009]

It did give me a chance to hang out with the kids a little more. I don't think I went more than 5 minutes without one of the kids grabbing my hands or pulling on my arms...but I love it! Two of the boys (Widley and Davidson) from the Children's Home were my buddies today. I think my arms are warn out from pushing them on the tire swing!

I also got to watch the school kids planting seeds for the garden. The soccer field got done and was already put to good use. I would have to say the highlight for the kids today had to be PLAYDOH! They made things with it and a few even starting wearing it on their heads...kids!!

[ Chambrun, Haiti - 2009 ]

Then we took our tour of Chambrun which is the small town that quite a few of the school kids are from. It gives a small glimpse into how they live. It's one of those things you have to see to even imagine.

We actually finished a little early today so now we are all trying to get cleaned up and catch a little rest. Until later...

Sheri N.
(Guest NVM Blogger)

Ready for a new adventure...

2009-04-01T22:00:00.002-04:00

Well the trip down was pretty uneventful! Pastor Pierre has the 2nd story almost finished and so the females without kids had the "privilege" of sleeping basically outdoors. Wasn't too bad either. I think people taking showers at 11pm and falling shower curtains were the worst part of the evening. And when I get home, I can't ever seem to remember why I don't take cold showers every morning! LOL! Actually its kinda refreshing as long as you are expecting it!

So we started seeing the school kids at the clinic today. It was so much fun seeing all the kids again and getting our pharmacy setup. Tomorrow we will finish seeing the school kids and start the community clinic if we have time.

The Construction guys started getting the soccer fields setup and I can't wait to get out there...I'll show those kids a thing or too! (Or at least give em a good laugh!) Later...

Sheri N.
(Guest NVM Blogger)

Second Mission Team Traveling to Haiti

2009-04-01T21:57:00.000-04:00

From March 31 to April 7 there will be a Medical/Construction team in Chambrun, Haiti. The medical team will be providing another round of health check-ups for the students and staff of the Nehemiah Christian Academy; afterwords they will open up the clinic to the public.

The construction team has several projects to work on but the main focus will be to complete the new soccer field. We have also planned to start a very large garden of watermelons and fruit trees. The education team will help to train the students on how to take care of the garden.

Come back soon to see photos and other updates on this trip.

Documentary/Vision Trip - Chambrun, Haiti

2009-03-18T21:42:00.000-04:00

The team of John and Steve Moon of Northernlight Filmworks traveled to Haiti to capture and document how NVM is working in Chambrun, Haiti. Although it was only for a couple days, they were able to film the beauty that is among the poverty in Haiti. We are looking forward to seeing the finished piece of art and hope to be able to share it with you by this summer when the Pierre's are traveling in the states.

Photo Courtesy of Northernlight Filmworks

Vision Trip

Medical/Dental Team Traveling to Haiti

2009-02-20T11:58:00.004-05:00

The team from Seymour, IN and Bangor, ME our on their way to Florida for their trip to Haiti. They will be focusing maining on medical and dental aid for the community. The students in the NCA will also be receiving their first dental check-up; hopefully Dr. B will not have to pull too many teeth.

Chambrun, Haiti Being Served

2009-02-16T15:09:00.005-05:00

Over the next three weeks, Pastor Pierre will have three different teams in to serve in Chambrun. The first team is coming with World Wide Village and they will be working on a couple different construction projects. The goals will be to roof the new latrines and to ventilate the ends of the new roof that will help block the wind, rain and sun.

The second team will be a medical/dental team. This will be the first time a dentist has been in Chambrun so they will have their work cut out for them. The individuals will be traveling from Indiana and Maine.

The last team will be coming down from March 31st to April 7th. We are still accepting applications for this trip so if you are interested please download an application and get it to us as soon as possible. We are planning medical, construction, environmental and educational projects.

From March 2008 Mission Trip

Nehemiah Worship Chapel

2009-02-04T13:34:00.004-05:00

The Nehemiah Worship Chapel (NWC) was birthed just like the Nehemiah Children's Home (NCH), to fill a real need. As you may know the Nehemiah Christian Academy (NCA) started in 2005 with 30 students to respond to a crucial need of education, health care, feeding and to share the good news of Jesus.

Today the NCA is providing a biblical education to over 240 students along with a hot meal daily. It occurred to me several months ago that on Sunday mornings the children were just sitting around playing in the polluted dust and doing nothing. Many of their parents were in the brush cutting up thorn trees to make charcoal – one of the only sources of income in the community. I have prayed and thought for a long time about having Sunday morning worship for them.

Then on Sunday January 4th 2009, we had our first church service in the new school building with nearly 100 in attendance. There were at least eighty children and twenty adults. Since then, the crowd has grown and I believe will continue to grow. It blesses me to see the eagerness of the children to learn new songs, stories and bible verses.

I am very delighted to share this good news with you because the Lord is doing great things in the lives of those children and adults. We have been able to serve them kool-aid and biscuit after each service, that is also a blast. They just love it and will not leave until every drop of the kool-aid is gone.

Dianne having had a special training on Child Evangelism in Bible school is enjoying herself as she shares with them the word of God with the limited visual aid we have. I am persuaded that God will transform the lives of those children as we continue to offer them good Christian based education and the word of God at the NWC.

Please pray that:

The word of God will have a hold of their hearts and the Holy Spirit will fill their lives at an early age

Our need of puppets, flannel graph board materials, CD's, DVD's in any language and any visual aid that can help the children learn the word of God.

That the Lord will provide for the kool-aid and biscuit we serve after church every Sunday

Pray that in the near future we can have a real place of worship, since it looks as though we will soon outgrow the current chapel.

That the Lord will send short term teachers to help teach or train our older kids on how to be teachers of the Word.

In one word, God is doing "Amazing" things in Chambrun and we are excited to be a part of this.

Pray, Give, Come or Go, would you be a part of it?

Be a surfer, here is a high wave just jump on it; you can surely surf with God in Haiti.

Esperandieu L. Pierre
NVM Haiti

From Nehemiah Christian Academy (2006-2008)

Feeding Families in Chambrun, Haiti

2009-01-14T10:30:00.002-05:00

Several children and their families were given a little more hope by receiving a month's worth of food. These large bags were filled with speghetti, rice, tomato sauce and cooking oil. We got the idea of doing this after providing help to many families in the north part of Haiti after the hurricanes hit in September and October.

Thank You FMSC!

2008-11-24T13:54:00.005-05:00

In early September, Feed My Starving Children (FMSC) donated a 40 foot container of food to us. It has been a long process to have the food in hand but it has finally happened. We were able to clear the container from customs in early November and now the Nehemiah Christian Academy has enough food to last the entire school year.

We can't thank FMSC enough for their generous donation and all those who helped pay for the shipping cost to have the container delivered to us in Chambrun, Haiti.

Click on the album below to view more pictures of the container.

FMSC Food Container

Another Successful Mission

2008-11-18T09:28:00.004-05:00

We had a great week with the team from Oak Creek Church in Mishawaka, IN. It was wonderful to see two groups come together and accomplish the same goal - to glorify God.

There were several different teams on this trip - medical, construction, teaching and environmental. The medical team first saw over 230 students and staff members of the NCA. Then an open clinic for the community brought in another 500 people to be seen. The four men on the construction team put a roof over the open area above the courtyard of the new school building. The teaching team came to share a little english with the students, along with some art and music - the Thorpe Creek Kids Care Club (kidscare.org) donated and packages the art/music kits for the children.

Kids Care Gift Bags

The environmental team did lots of different things from picking up trash to painting the interior walls of the school courtyard. These teams did a wonderful job and we are so happy they joined us.

On Sunday, we held a ceremony at the school. Dianne Pierre cut the ribbon for the grand opening of the new school building. We also had our first official church service as we sang together and received a message from the Lord through Darin Garton, the pastor of Oak Creek. Afterwords, we shared a meal with over 700 men, women and children in the area of Chambrun.

At the end of the week, we took a little trip for R and R to see more of the beauty that lies within Haiti.

* Photos courtesy of S. Nater and J. Brumley

Nehemiah Campus Project - Construction Complete

2008-11-06T12:15:00.004-05:00

The final project for the new school was to build a roof over the court yard between the classrooms. Our team from Mishawaka and central Indiana helped to complete this piece of the building. A cross was attached to the roof and now Pastor Pierre is looking to start a church in the building.

The opening of the school was delayed nearly a month because of the 4 hurricanes that came through this impoverished nation. Although no damage was done to the building; the Haitian government postponed the start of school in all of Haiti.

With this new building we are capable of holding over 300 students and right now we have about 220 registered for classes. Below is a photo of the flag raising and singing of the Haitian national anthem. What an amazing testimony of how God is working in the community of Chambrun, Haiti.

Update: Haiti Hurricane Relief

2008-09-29T14:37:00.002-04:00

Dear Friends,

Last week Pastor Pierre and his team traveled to Cabaret for the hurricane aid distribution. Below are some of the statistics just in Cabaret: Cabaret's populations is approximately 300,000 people. After the series of four hurricanes, the undermentioned damages were noted.

Families that have lost everything - 4,212
Dead - 66 including 35 children
Injured - 309
Missing - 19
Houses destroyed - 410
Houses damaged - 1,250
Persons left homeless - 20,356

By God's grace we have received help from GAiN Canada and donors in the US to take some supplies to the needs of the people in Haiti. On Friday items were bought and Saturday the team of 13 headed to the Cabaret area where 215 people were given supplies for a week.

They worked with the Christian church in Desca, Cabaret, the church of God in Messailler, the Lutherian church in Messailler and the church of God Eben Ezer in Guiton Cabaret. In Desca they passed out 65 packages, in Mesailler church of God- 50 packages, in The Lutheran Church of Messailler- 30 packages and in Guiton- 70 packages. Packages included: a full bag of: rice, beans, sphagetti, cooking oil, canned fish, toothbrushes, toothpaste, bath soap, washing soap deodorant, (sanitary napkin for the women)

Now we were called to notice the people that have been relocated in Haut Damier, mostly those who lost love ones and every thing they ever owned. Over 83 families have been relocated in a temporary shelter (tent) and are there hoping to get some kind of help. Sunday night was the "wake" which is a traditional way of mourning the dead. This precedes the funeral of all those who were killed by the huricanne.

This upcoming Saturday (September 27th) we have scheduled another trip to another affected area. We continue to covet your prayers as we travel armed with supplies and open to minister the love of God to so many hurting people. Also another community called Cazale has been neglected and very much hurt by the huricanne but acces to that area for now is almost impossible. Please pray that we can have means to take help to them as soon as the authorities open up the roads. There are over 500 familes in dire need there.

Note: Those who have lost loved ones were more concerned to be prayed for than just the food and toiletries. Please find the pictures of our first distribution to Cabaret in the album below.

Huricanne Relief

Blessings,

Aaron Sherrick, on behalf of Pastor Pierre

Kids Against Hunger Volunteer Opportunity

2008-08-11T12:27:00.007-04:00

To volunteer, contact Stephanie Mueller with NVM at (317) 896-1742.

On Saturday, August 16, a meal packaging event will take place to benefit school children in the country of Haiti, one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere. Volunteers are needed to help package over 7,000 nutritious meals at the local Kids Against Hunger headquarters for the children of Nehemiah Christian Academy in Haiti.

Kids Against Hunger is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fully nutritious food to impoverished children around the world. Each Kids Against Hunger packaged meal contains six servings of food. The food is a rice-soy casserole fortified with 21 essential vitamins and minerals, six dehydrated vegetables, and chicken flavoring. This protein and nutrient-rich formula reverses the starvation process at the cost of less than 23 cents a meal.

This is the second year that Kids Against Hunger has partnered with Nehemiah Christian Academy, based in Chambrun, Haiti. The academy was founded by Esperandieu Pierre, the National Director of Campus Crusade for Christ in Haiti. Pierre founded Nehemiah Vision Ministries (NVM) in 1995 and started the school in 2005. They currently educate over 120 children in Chambrun and are looking to expand those numbers to over 300.

According to the United Nations, two-thirds of Haiti's population lives on less than one dollar a day, and half of Haitians are undernourished. Many children at Nehemiah Christian Academy sometimes go without food at home, but through the school they receive a meal three times a week consisting of rice and beans. Through this organized packaging event, each child will receive one fully nutritious meal each day for five months.

Photo of NCA Feeding Program

NVM is looking for approximately 50 volunteers to help package food on August 16 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The packaging event will take place at the American Red Cross in Noblesville, located at 15325 Herriman Blvd. Organizations such as youth groups, church groups, girls and boys scout troops, even individual families are welcome to participate in the packaging event. In addition to their time, volunteers are asked to bring a tax-deductible donation of $25 to help offset the cost of the food they will package. Each donation provides over 120 meals to hungry children.

For more information on Kids Against Hunger, contact Dan Hintz, President at (317) 513-9296 (day) or (317) 843-8373 (eve), or visit http://www.kidsagainsthunger.net/. For more information on Nehemiah Vision Ministries, visit http://www.nehemiahvisionministries.org/.

Life Story: No One Else Cares

2008-06-04T09:16:00.002-04:00

This disabled single mom of three beautiful little girls was in church last sunday. At the end of the service, they were pryaing for those in need and she moved her wheelchair forward and started screaming about her hard life.

She said God has sent NVM to help her; to find food for her family and to help take care of her little girls.

Myrta said, "No one else cares about me and I am very grateful for all God has done for me through NVM."

Nehemiah Children's Home Opens

2008-05-18T18:00:00.003-04:00

The grand opening of the children's home happened over the weekend of May 18th. Nine children from Chambrun have been brought into our rented home where they will be cared for by our loving staff.

Nehemiah Children's Home

Many of these children already attend the Nehemiah Christian Academy and that is why we feel the need to take care of them. Some have been abandoned by their parents while others just can't get the care needed by family.

Click on the albums below to see more pictures of the NCH children.

The Children of the NCH

Nehemiah Children's Home Grand Opening