News and Blog
Serving Together
2019 was a great year full of many exciting events and activities for Many Hands. We are thankful for the many people who serve as volunteers stateside for our organization and allow us to accomplish all that we do.
Survival!
Darryl & Shelly have returned to the United States. Read about their latest journey of battling workload, illness, and travel in order to get back for their next furlough.
Pella Christian Winterim – Investment
“…enjoyed their day in Haiti with three unique families as they invested time, manpower, and relationships to create lasting memories…”
Pella Christian Winterim – Different Struggles
“These young people were caring and respectful as they momentarily entered the lives of those with struggles much different from their own.”
Pella Christian Winterim – Hands On
“The young people participated in several hands-on culture experiences to understand more of life in Haiti.”
Pella Christian Winterim – A Foretaste of Heaven
“These students participated in a foretaste of heaven as they worshipped and prayed to the Creator of All alongside others of a different tongue and background”
Pella Christian Winterim – Seeing Culture
“From mountain views to water plants to games of duck, duck, goose, this team has shown an amazingly positive attitude towards seeing other ways of life.”
Pella Christian Winterim – Hidden Treasures
The Pella Christian High School team enter each new experience excited to help out and willing to learn about the Haitian culture.
Pella Christian Winterim – Introductions into the Culture
Grant Alsum and Trenton Keuning share a quick update on the team’s first experiences on the ground in Haiti.
Anaika – The Brave Girl Fighting for Her Life
Be inspired by the story of Anaika, who has been fighting for life and limb for over 2 years.
Time Change(s)!
A year later, Darryl & Shelly De Ruiter continue to learn and adapt to life in Haiti. Read about their recent work and experiences in this month’s update.
Steadfast in Multiplication – Year in Review
Executive Leader, Tim Brand, provides a wrap-up for 2019, looking back at the things God multiplied through us.
Our Staff – Love in Action Story
Eighteen Haitian staff make up the First Thousand Days team and they are recognizing that their contributions are transforming lives.
Special Update: Gabhart Sabbatical in 2020
“Our work is not possible without Craig and Christi’s obedience to God’s call on their lives and humbly submitting to the work of Many Hands.”
Tout bagay anfòm!
In the midst of unrest, Darryl & Shelly are fine and continue to live and serve in the greater Pignon area of north central Haiti. Read about their experiences here.
Denise Dent – Meeting Jesus in Haiti
“For sure there are unsaved people in Haiti… I would contend that Jesus is already in Haiti and they don’t need us to show them that. “
Reforestation – Touching the Heart of Haiti
The Agriculture department is excited to see the tree shade-nursery sprout leaves, developing into a tool to reforest a land that has been abused and a catalyst for the Good News of God’s love to touch the heart of Haiti.
Shelly DeRuiter – Unrecognized Sacred Space
“But getting to the heart of God without the most direct logical path is often how we grow in faith and humility.”
Soul Care!!!
Read the latest update from Darryl & Shelly De Ruiter as they share about their travels and experiences during their most recent stateside furlough.
Greetings and An Update From Pastor Lumanes
“Featured here is a greeting and general update from our Head Chaplain, Pastor Lumanes. Read and enjoy.”
Bev Brand – Foundation to Succeed
“When these students graduate to the Foundational Level in Haiti, they are ready and prepared, socially and academically, to succeed at any school they choose to attend and they have foundational skills to succeed in life!”
Christi Gabhart – Ongoing Transformation
“We see God working here EVERY day in tough situations, just as he is working EVERY day in tough situations in the US and around the world.”
Meet the Dent’s
“Being here for longer periods has allowed us to dig deeper in to the Haitian culture. People have welcomed us in to their homes and lives.”
The Dreams of a Community
In short, the beauty of the American Dream is not the dream itself but the freedom each man has to pursue his dream. This begs the question, is the American Dream limited to American soil?
Learn Something New Today!
Journey with Darryl & Shelly De Ruiter as they share this month about all of the learning that takes place for them and for those they work with in Haiti.
Meet The Campus Security Team
These are the men that often go unseen but they are not unappreciated! Many Hands is thankful for each one of them and the dedication they show in their work of keeping our teams, staff, program participants, and school children safe.
Christi Gabhart – How Do You Live?
“’How do you LIVE?’ Seated in her home with this group of visitors surrounding her, she replied without hesitation…. ‘by faith.'”
Tis the Season…
Read about what Darryl & Shelly are up to in the heat of the rainy season as they navigate the seasons of life in Haiti.
Tom Johnson – Reaching the Majority
“These Pocket wifi units are small enough that our Spiritual Shepherds can carry them on their persons as they visit Haitian homes and communities. Wherever they go, they can share Gospel music, teaching and biblical content through wifi transfer!”
The PET Cart Dream
“What I see PET carts doing for Haiti, aside from giving people mobility, hope, and confidence, is giving us the opportunity to share Jesus with them. It’s not about mobility – it’s about eternity.”
Sarah Ripperger – Shine For “Jezi”
“You don’t have to be a perfect Christian or a Pastor or a Missionary to shine for Jesus and share His love with others.”
Laura Nicholson – Navigating the IMPACT
“IMPACT” provides us with the framework to further pour into our trip participants on a deeper level.
Mobility Worldwide – The “Get-To’s”
“To know that it is life changing for those who receive the mobility carts makes the efforts of the volunteers who construct the carts all worthwhile.”
Mobility Worldwide – Do The Hard Thing
“We all can learn a lesson in going from our comfortable place and “do the hard thing’.”
Mobility Worldwide – Big Distribution
“One 14 year old boy particularly touched our hearts…When he got on that cart every one clapped and cheered. That was an amazing experience. “
Mobility Worldwide – Familiar Faces
“We visited Jocelyn Daniel who was the first person to receive a cart on our Mobility Worldwide trip in 2016… He told us, ‘My PET is my life.'”
Mobility Worldwide – A Goat Named Angel
“First stop – to buy a pregnant goat for one of the families being helped by MH4H. “
Mobility Worldwide – It’s About Eternity
“Our goal is not only about mobility but more importantly it’s about eternity.”
Des Moines team – Lending Hands Through Christ
“Through the fear of not knowing what’s on the other side of both the water and life, Christ lends us a hand that we will always be able to count on. “
Marcena Schwab – Connections
“What a God we serve! It’s incomprehensible that He would grant such a gift to us…”
Des Moines Team – MH4H 101
“Through education, agronomy, economic development, safe homes, leadership development, and medical assistance – the organization fosters life transformations through Christ.”
Brand Family – Twelve Days of Transformation
“For myself as I reflect on the past 12 days…we witnessed God moving in such a way, it reshaped us as a family. We were reoriented in how we perceive the world.”
Des Moines Team – Three Generations
“We have the privilege and joy of serving and experiencing Haiti with three generations.”
Des Moines Team – How to Stay Cool in Haiti
“We learned melons are melons the whole world round, and people are people, Pignon and Pella, Haiti and the U.S.A. “
Brand Family – Family Ties
“Visiting these people made me feel really grateful for all that I have, including a family that helps me.”
Recalculating!
We’re back in Haiti and adjusting back into the routines and culture that are life on our Caribbean Island. This is the third time returning and it seems, as it should, that the adjustment back is faster and easier than the previous one. This is a good...
Brand Family – Defeating the Mountain
Nine-year-old, AJ Brand, tells of the adventures he shared with his team climbing up Mt. Pignon.
Brand Family – Through a Mother’s Eyes
“For years we have wanted to the kids to come to Haiti… Haiti isn’t just a place on a map for them anymore— it is something much, much bigger. “
Brand Family – Experiencing Together
“…it is in the struggle, when we face success, failure, and audacious challenges, we grow as people. We grow in our faith. And we grow together as a family.”
Levo International – Next Steps
“Levo was launched out of a commitment to faith and service, and a passion for Christian social justice”