Quarterly Newsletter Volume 6

March 2015

Emmaus House
Cap Haitien, Haiti

A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT - SAM PACE

It was nearly two years ago when we were scrambling to
organize a ministry response in Cap Haitian, Haiti. The governing
authorities in Haiti insisted on the removal of young people in
orphanages who were eighteen and older. As the day ap-
proached for compliance many were concerned as to what might
happen with the seventeen young people from the Cap Haitian
Childrens Home who were eighteen and older.
Hunter and Jillian Kittrell and Tanya Pirtle were passion-
ate about helping these seventeen young people transition from
orphanage life to real life in Haiti. Their enthusiasm and my love
for the children I had known since 2007 drew me into the ministry
of Emmaus House. We formed a board that presently includes
myself, Tanya Pirtle, Tom Crampton and Tom Cromie and Susan
Bryner.
We spent hours discussing what to do and how to or-
ganize a ministry response that would truly bless these young
ones with life skills, education, and spiritual training for their fu-
ture . . . and the future of Haiti. The vision of Emmaus House
was born and advancing, but not without doubts, questions, and
obstacles. These issues were to be expected. After all, we had
never done anything like this before.

God said no. God said something we need to hear in moments of

weakness, He said, My grace is enough. For the past two years
Ive been challenged by God to learn this lesson. I can be a slow
learner, but I think Im getting this lesson.
What I have seen from God over the past two years is
an amazing outpouring of love, compassion, support, prayer, and
encouragement from brothers and sisters in Christ who love the
Lord and have partnered with the work of Emmaus House. This
has not been without tense moments where we had to discern the
right course of action or tough times where we didnt know where
funds would come from to meet the ministry needs. No doubt,
there have been many challenges. But in every hour the needs
have been met. As it turns out, God has all the money and He
will provide.
We have a very loving and supportive community of
supporters for Emmaus House today. Our budget is being met
each month. We regularly have new partnerships forming with
individuals and churches. God has provided resources for Em-
maus House through His people. And as a result, the youth of
Emmaus House are growing and maturing. They are receiving
life skills, education, and spiritual training. Our vision for Emmaus
House is becoming a reality. Praise the Lord!

Along with the questions of what to do to bless and train

these precious young ones, we had to answer some other ques-
As Emmaus House continues to develop we are routine-
tions as well. How would we gather funds to support this minis- ly faced with new obstacles and new opportunities. Our monthly
try? Who would partner with us financially to make this happen? budget is being met and for that we are grateful. However, unex-
We had to count the costs and calculate the needs. We came up pected expenses come up routinely and present real financial
with a plan and some numbers and moved forward. I wont speak challenges. Some of our youth have developed so well that they
for the faith of the other board members, but my faith was chal- are ready to move on to the next phase of their development.
That means special training and con-
lenged.
tinuing educational opportunities are
I remember saying in those uncertain hours of this minis- being set before them.
try, God has all the money and He will provide. That was much
easier said than done. Saying that in an affluent ministry context
Continuing needs and devel-
is not so much a faith calculation as it is a common expectation. opmental opportunities at Emmaus
But Emmaus House was different. It was far away. It was a new House call for continued support. We
kind of ministry for that area of the world. And we hadnt done need your continued financial support,
anything like this before. My statement in those early days was prayers, encouragement, and partici-
true, but my faith was weak. In the back of my mind I wondered if pation in the lives of these incredible
God would provide people and the means to serve the youth of young people at Emmaus House. We
Emmaus House.
are grateful to the Lord for making
provision and grateful to you for part-
The apostle Paul had a thorn to endure. We dont real- nering with us in this ministry.
ly know what it was, but it was painful enough that he pleaded
with God to remove it repeatedly. He wanted to be released, but

Sam Pace - President on the Board for Emmaus House. He can be reached at samhpace@me.com

www.emmaushousehai .org

Page 1

JOB SHADOW OPPORTUNITIES

Kencia and Jenny spent two days

shadowing and assisting the nurses
and midwives at MamaBaby, a birthing center, in Northern Haiti. Both
girls have one more year of secondary school left Kencia hopes to become a midwife and Jenny a nurse.

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www.emmaushousehai .org

MEET WILLEY

By Jillian Kittrell

I often call Willey my honest friend. If ever I need a brutally honest opinion on a
matter, he is typically the one I go to. From new outfits to cultural advice, Willey is
right there ready to share his thoughts. For example, a few weeks before we went
public with my pregnancy, Willey pulled me aside and told me I was looking fatter
than normal, so either I was eating a lot of rice or I was pregnant. I told him it
was the later, happily, but went on to explain that although honest, it probably isnt
appropriate to tell a girl her she looks larger than normal. He laughed.
Willey moved to the orphanage when he was a young boy following the death of his
parents. A woman in his neighborhood attempted to care for him as her own, but
was unable to make ends meet.
A funny and outgoing boy, Willey remembers a few different families expressing interest in adopting him when he was younger. I had people who wanted me before,
he said, but nobody ever followed through. I dont know why. Now, on the breach
of adulthood, Willey has begun processing his individual story and how God can use him
to impact his country because of it.
Recently Willey has been observant of the boys living
on the streets downtown. Acknowledging he could easily be in their shoes, he realizes that God chose to
protect and care for him as a child despite his situation. And because of this he has been given a great
responsibility to help others the same with God has helped him.
Willey thrives in leadership positions. From helping around Emmaus House to teaching devotionals, translating for visitors to organizing service opportunities for mission groups, he is a natural leader. He is
trustworthy and handles responsibility like a mature, young adult.
Tom Cromie, Emmaus House Board Member, has had the opportunity to develop a relationship with
Willey through the years. He says, Willey is a young man that is a delight to be around. He is very
direct and honest with you. He will just tell you how he sees it. The way he carries himself demonstrates the potential to become a great leader. He has worked really hard to prepare himself for
achieve his goals given the opportunity.
Currently Willey is in the 10th grade and after
completing this year hopes to enter a trade program to learn how to work on
various cruise lines. His goal is to work and save money to start a family and give
back to Emmaus House.
It has been an absolute privilege to witness Willey grow over the past few
years. His faith continues to develop, his character is constantly maturing, and his
heart keeps getting bigger. He is a wise young man with so much potential and his
attitude and hard work ethic is an example to all the youth at Emmaus House.
We are very excited to see what God will do in Willeys future. As we plan and
prepare, we ask that you join us in prayer over Willey. May God continue to
care and protect him as he always has and may Willeys talents be used to further Gods kingdom in Haiti.
Sponsorship is a valuable tool for our youth, however, as you might guess, Emmaus House also provides housing, utilities, fuel, directors
and mentors to provide guidance, etc. required to provide a safe, comfortable living environment. Currently we are also seeking ongoing support to meet those needs so we can keep the individual youth sponsorship levels at a reasonable level. Please help us reach out
to individual donors and/or take this cause to your congregation so this important work can continue.

If you are interested in full or par al sponsorship of one of our youth please contact Jillian at ki rellsinhai @gmail.com

www.emmaushousehai .org

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In order for us to keep accurate records of your generous contributions, please update your address book with
our new address.
Donations are no longer going through Northwest church of
Christ. Please send your contributions to:

Make a Dona on
Online:

Recurring payments
Now available!

HOW YOU CAN HELP?

-AMAZON WISHLIST: We keep an up-to-date Amazon Wishlist you can access through
our website that includes specific items we are in need of. Please look at the shipping instructions located on our website.
-CHOSEN MARATHON: Tanya Pirtle is organizing a team to run the half marathon in

Salt Lake City, UT to raise funds and awareness for Emmaus House on Sept 26 2015..
Register today to run with Team Emmaus House Haiti.. E-mail tanya_pirtle@comcast.net
for details.

www.chosenmarathon..com or on Facebook > Chosen SLC Marathon

Emmaus House
Contact Info:
www.emmaushousehai .org
ki rellsinhai @gmail.com

WWW.ETSY.COM/SHOP/EMMAUSWORKSHAITI

Go to our website for

shipping instruc ons.
Page 4 Thank you to Harris Research, Inc for prin ng this newsle er at cost!