By God's Design

     In the summer of 2010, following the January 12 earthquake in Haiti,Crystal Funk was serving with a missions organization for the summer- working with short term groups who came to minister to the people of Carrefour (a suburb of Port au Prince) and the surrounding area.During that time, she was blessed to meet and befriend the Arris family.Pastor Duval shared his dream/vision of starting a school in Chaveneau and when she returned to visit the family (social visit) in August of 2010, they had time to sit down and actually look at the plans for the school, the paperwork, etc... She immediately became excited at this prospect! A chance to directly impact a group of children and adults who had NEVER had the chance at formal education, local health care, etc...
She prayed and asked God to send individuals and/or groups who would also entertain the vision Pastor Duval had for this community and be able to support him in his ministry.Another trip in September/October gave her the opportunity (with a close friend) to actually travel to Chaveneau and see the location where theschool would meet and to help Pastor Duval prepare the church building for school which began classes the day she flew back to the USA- October 4, 2010.  At that time, she was asked by Pastor Duval to officially become part of his project and accept the title of "International Relations Coordinator". This site and organization is a direct result of that offer since it opened the door for Crystal to travel to Haiti many more times since that initial trip. As she seeks to follow God and His work Hearts United with Haiti has grown and it's vision has developed. See more about Crystal under "People to Know".

God used Chaveneau as His "carrot" -- to continue to draw Crystal back to Haiti, but during that time He was always at work directing the ministry to meet and join with others in the process.In the fall of 2011 God led us to Life is Wealth Orphanage in Port au Prince through a series of divine appointments/intervention.  We now partner with them through a sponsorship program and by bringing short term mission groups to the orphanage.

During 2012 God opened even more doors so that we are now able to work with a doctor in Carrefour by helping him set up a medical clinic in his home. We have also been led by God to people (potential new ministry partners) who share our vision of sustainable programs in Haiti. Over time we have come to realize how much damage touch-and-go ministry can do to an area and the people they are trying to help just by being insensitive to both the people and the local community.  Read more about our philosophy on ministry in Haiti here.  We are so blessed and excited as we move through 2013 and get to develop these plans, work with the people we have befriended and watch Him at work building back up the Haitian people and their beautiful country.  Our prayer is that when people see us they see Jesus at work and when we leave that we leave Him behind as well as a hunger and desire for more of Him, not more of us!  

It is a blessing to be His vessel and to watch Him at work in Haiti.