News and Blog
Here We “Grow” Again!
Darryl & Shelly De Ruiter continue their work in Haiti and in this blog post share about much “growth” that they are experiencing and witnessing, personally and with MH4H. Read about it here.
Christi Gabhart – A Testimony of Hope
“Wait for God. Wait with Hope. Hope now; hope always! Psalm 131:3”
Unchanging Changes!
Darryl & Shelly have been back in Haiti for a little over a month. Read about what they’ve encountered, the work they are doing, and the things that they are learning.
Christi Gabhart – Fulfilling a Promise
“When the kids go back to school in August, there will be no food for them, unless God provides a different way…We have to do something”
Return of the “jedi.”
Darryl & Shelly De Ruiter have returned to Haiti and are settling back into rhythms and routines (and the Creole language and Haitian culture). Read about what things look like in Haiti as well as what they have been doing since they got back.
Micah Aurand – An Unexpected Gift
“I found myself sitting on a grass airstrip seeking shade under the belly of a Douglas DC-3”
Gabhart’s – Triumph Because of God’s Love
“If you ask a Haitian how they are doing…You will hear responses such as, GREAT!, Good, Not too bad, or a shrug of the shoulders along with “Bondye konnen”, which means, GOD KNOWS.”
Gabhart’s – Humbly Received
“THE TIME HAS NOW COME …inviting us to return to humbly serve as we know we are called to do.”
Elince – Equipped to Lead in His Community
God has transformed Elince’s life, his family, and his marriage. Elince says God pulled him and his family from a bad road. “We’re not going back there. We can only go forward.”
Serving Through the Crisis
As things have become increasingly difficult with COVID-19 and economic downturns…we need to be the body of Christ now more than ever for each other.
The Nelson Twins – A Strong Foundation to Grow
“Mathias knows the foundation that is set today will shape his daughters’ lives tomorrow and, as their father, he takes his responsibility very seriously.”
Power to the Parents – Partnering for the Future
“’…we can educate people and we can feed people but what about sustainability? What about [the parents] being able to supply for their family and being able to take care of themselves?’”
Elvie’s Story – The Rallying Cry
“Elvie treasures her new independence giving thanks to God for His grace on her life.”
The Wooden Jungle
“Though the children had never seen such a game before they quickly mastered it. With a soft smile
Damingka asked, ‘Are they really making more games like that for us?'”
Liz Clarke – This Is Love In Action
“I once heard someone challenge a group of young people with this question: ‘How can we use physical hunger to impact spiritual hunger?'”
Unprecedented!
Darryl and Shelly are back in the States and experiencing life in never before experienced ways. Read about what they have been up to and how they are continuing to serve the people of Haiti from afar.
Many Hands Thrift Opening Clive Location
This store opening couldn’t come at a more needed time for our communities, both locally and abroad…When you walk into this store, we want you to know that you are valued, not just as a customer, but as a person…
Micah Aurand – God In the Unpredictability
“He is God in unpredictable times and will bring us through unpredictable times…Pause. Reflect. See what the Lord would say to you in this moment of tension.”
Christi Gabhart – Choose FAITH Over Fear
“Choose FAITH over fear…Don’t make the angel ask you, ‘What part of – fear not – are you not understanding?”
Update on Coronavirus in Haiti
An update on coronavirus in Haiti, and how Many Hands for Haiti is responding to the current situation.
Kraal Team – The Perfect Plan
“… through it all God has a perfect plan and the worst thing we could do is question His wisdom…”
Kraal Team – Community
The Kraal team writes about their experience in Haiti and a word they feel sums up their time there so far, community.
Cumberland University – Leadership Class
“What can you say about leadership to people who are already so much stronger than any of us?”
Cumberland – Inspiring Individuals
“We were provided opportunities to work alongside inspiring nurses that will impact our practice in the United States for a lifetime by keeping the idea of community close to heart and igniting our passion to fulfill our dreams of nursing.”
Update on Travel to Haiti
An update on US travel restrictions to Haiti, and how Many Hands for Haiti is responding to the current situation.
Denise Dent – The Keys
“Tom was handed the keys…we looked at each other and said, ‘What have we gotten ourselves in to?'”
Cumberland University – Nurses and Sexual Health Education
“As everyone shook hands, you could hear the laughter when they found glitter on their hands that had been passed around.”
Sunnybrook – Worthy of Love
“One by one, we can…remind them that they’re fearfully and wonderfully made and they’re worthy of this beautiful love that our Father in heaven so freely gives to us. “
Haven – Watch Tower
“the team was challenged to embrace the discomfort of stepping out of their comfort zones…”
Return to H(e)a(l)it(h)i!!!
Shelly is getting healthy again and Darryl is back in Haiti. Read about their past month home in the USA and about their plan which has them living apart for the next month.
Haven – Go With The Flow
“Moments that in the waiting or the unexpected, unplanned schedule, God is waiting for us.”
Haven – Blessing of God’s Love
“It was so awesome to be a part of God’s bigger plan for these families and on this Valentine’s Day…”
Mobility Worldwide – Loving with Eyes, Hands, and Hearts
It is so much more than just giving stuff, it’s giving yourself, building relationships, being Jesus with skin on.
Mobility Worldwide – God Provides
“The one that stuck out the most, was an elderly man who said God provides and I trust in him.”
Mobility Worldwide – Favorite Things
“A few of my favorite things about my Haiti experience so far…”
Mobility Worldwide – First Impressions
First impressions of Haiti from our first day is that Haiti has many beautiful features with the ocean and rugged mountains as well as beautiful people. But, Haiti is also a harsh, difficult, hard place to live.
Meeting Them Face to Face
Emily Van Gent, Event and Volunteer Coordinator, shares her encouragement at seeing how God is loving his people through the actions of everyday people.
Hope Spencer – Inside Out
“It’s very difficult to put it into words…If you’re interested, please ask. Grab a chair. It might take awhile.”
Hope Spencer – Measure of Our Success
“But that’s not how God measures success…He gave us precious gifts today, in the smiles on the faces, and seeing young people reading and sharing the Word.”
John O’Leary to Speak at Third Annual Business Breakfast
John O’Leary, #1 Bestselling Author and Speaker, is coming to Des Moines as the keynote speaker for the third annual Many Hands Business Breakfast.
Hope Spencer – Rainy Days and Mondays
“God’s amazing artistry is on full display in Haiti! “
Hope Spencer – Blessings For All
“The toddler’s eyes lit up when they gave him a small soccer ball, and his mother’s eyes lit up when she saw the Bible!”
Hope Spencer – A Colorful Day
“they responded that they were running “Pou Jezi” (For Jesus).”
Hope Spencer – First Big Day
“Pulling roots, blowing up balloons, painting and building, today we were living examples of Many Hands make light work!”
Hope Spencer – The Common Thread
“We each bring a unique set of skills and knowledge to the team. Like pieces of a puzzle, we don’t know yet how we will all fit together, or what the picture will look like when we’re finished.”
The Way – Delving Deeper
“Lucia taught us a song in Creole that helped us put together some new words and phrases in ways that we can remember, which has been very helpful when we attempt to communicate in the community.”
The Way – Forming Friendships
“The Way team has taken full advantage of all the opportunities to start forming friendships as they go about their activities. This group is open to learning and ask many wonderful questions about Haitian culture.”
The Way – Fellowship Around A Movie
“It was so fun to share this experience with them and at the same time learn about their culture and what is similar and different to ours.”
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.