The Journey

Does Anybody have a Kleenex???

2012-01-13T18:46:00.000-08:00

Family has always been very important to me. I think perhaps my dad's illness and the fear of losing him sparked this long ago. I missed my Mom when she was gone caring for him and yet was never alone. My grandparents, aunts and uncles all stepped in to take care of my little sister and I. We were blessed to have a support team surrounding us.

Today I was reminded of the need for family. Our little Genese has often struggled feeling alone though surrounded by 17 brothers and sisters at My Heart's Home in Haiti. Some of our other children have relatives who visit once or twice a month. Genese has often cried because there's no one to visit her. Both of her parents are dead. A few months back, her uncle began making the journey to visit her at the home, which gave her a family link. But today...

Today an adorable little boy with the most precious smile was brought to our home. He was too thin and a bit hesitant UNTIL I brought Genese from school to see him. Then a grin exploded all over his face (there's no other way to describe it!) as he saw his SISTER! Genese was so delighted and shocked at the same time. They reconnected immediately and she tucked him under her wing all evening. He devoured his lunch, scraped the bowl and licked every drop of soup from his hands as if starved. He won't be thin very long! How good God is to have given Genese her own flesh and blood to grow up with right here at our home. If you're wondering if I cried, the answer is "Yes!" :)

Two five-year old twins were brought here today. Their mama is mentally ill and has been leaving them alone or on the street. Their dad can't take care of them. I can vouch for that. The little girl leaned on the chair and looked so tired and lost. Both had hair with a tinge of gold - which is a sign of malnourishment. They were dirty and listless. And the hardest part of the story? I had to send them back with their dad.

We now have 19 mouths to feed at My Heart's Home. Food in Haiti costs approximately the same or more than in the USA. Then there's baby formula, medicine, clothes and diapers...just keeping our home staffed and running costs almost $3,000 per month. And that doesn't include rent, which will be due again very soon. We just took in baby Emmanuello who has medical needs and Genese's brother. I knew I couldn't afford the twins at this time. I would have to build more beds, too...my stomach was in knots as they left.

I looked in their little eyes before they left and held their hands. I promised them I would go back to the states and raise the money to take care of them. Then I would send for them to come. They will be the last two we can fit at My Heart's Home and there is a place reserved for them.

Today I visited property that is being developed by our HCI Administrator, Edy Vassor. It's in the exact area I hoped to purchase land over a year ago. I couldn't afford it then. He is offering to rent his new home on this beautiful land near the mountains for the same rent we are paying here. There is room for a garden and chickens, goat and even a cow! Fresh veggies and milk and eggs! There is room to have a real soccer game and to put up a few sets of swings. The air is so fresh. The goal would be to rent this home while paying for our own land nearby. Then we would begin to build the Children's Village I dreamed of when we first began. It's not an overnight reality, but today it became a little more real. It was an emotional afternoon for me.

Tonight I was buried under children during our devotions with Mama Suzette. Watching them read their Bibles brought both Edy and I to tears. Yolette was so serious about reading the Scriptures. We remembered when she was too weak and sick to sit up by herself just two years ago. None of them could read when they came. Some of them had never learned about Jesus. Tonight they just wanted to ask more questions and talk about the verses. Our former street boy, Robaire, didn't want to stop!

I was putting one of the babies back to bed after some cuddle time tonight and saw a light in the girl's room. In the light from the bathroom, four of our older girls (ages 6-8) were laying on their tummies and taking turns reading Mama Suzette's Bible. Does anybody have a kleenex????

This has been a very busy week filled with so much joy and a few heartbreaking moments. That is the perfect picture of Haiti. I know the news media is filled with negative reports about this land. The world can't see that much has changed in Haiti...but they haven't been at My Heart's Home.

We're rebuilding Haiti through her children...the future looks bright!

So Thankful,
Carla Ives
HCI Founder

The Grandma Perspective

2012-01-11T06:53:00.000-08:00

Our children at My Heart's Home love the visitors, missionaries, and team members who come each year! They have a special bond with those who've given quantity time here on the field - like Jamie Archer, the HCI Missionary or Liz Szymanski, a former HCI Intern. When I mentioned in my last post about how much better the older children were doing now I've returned, it was truly no reflection on these who invested so much into their lives. I pray you all know this. It was simply...

These children have had so many losses in their lives. "Grandma Carla" is one of the constants and I was away for them the longest ever. Others come for seasons and leave...Grandma always comes back and will until the day she leaves for Heaven. And no matter how much the children love everyone else, Mom is Mom or Grandma is Grandma. It's not a more important relationship...it's just different. I was just sharing my joy in seeing how reassured and better they seemed by last night. For anyone who misunderstood my post, I pray you can now see my heart. This is the last comment I'll make on a post I hoped would bless my friends. I was just writing happy! :) As I said before - words are sometimes friends and sometimes...

Thank you for your patience,
Carla Ives
HCI Founder

A Quick Correction...

2012-01-10T19:37:00.000-08:00

I love how the blog connects me to all of you, BUT sometimes it's difficult to communicate clearly here. :) I was rereading my last post and wanted to make sure I clarified that the report about struggling children given to me by Jamie & Gina concerned emotional issues the children were having...some of the older ones who just weren't themselves. We've had some wonderful moments the past two days and I've seen so much progress - I'm so grateful to God. Any reports you may have read from Jamie concerning our sick baby, Youseline, were very true. BUT I have hope and am relieved to see things improving instead of getting worse right now. God is so faithful! Please keep all of the children in your prayers...

Playing Skippo with My Children...

2012-01-10T18:32:00.000-08:00

It sounds like such a normal phrase. Playing a card game with my children. But it means so much more when you consider the children are many, speak Creole & some can't count to 12 yet. :) Skippo is the card game I love to play to slow my mind down after a busy day. I've taken decks of these cards with me all over the world - literally! Some of my favorite memories in Nigeria are playing with Pastor Wole & Azuka's children by candlelight around the tiny table in the livingroom. Doing this "normal" thing makes anywhere in the world feel like home and family.

There's nothing normal about my life most days. A pastor's wife who is obsessed with her grandchildren back home, in love with her husband and is so deeply attached to her home church doesn't usually travel the globe every month or two. :) I like baking cookies with children from my church back home and leaving sprinkles all over the kitchen. I like movie nights with hubby or a pile of the grandkids with popcorn and juice. AND I like sweating on foreign soil with and kissing the faces of children I'm meeting for the first time...and who REALLY need a bath! :) What can I say? Normal means different things to different people.

I am so grateful for the life God's given me. It's not always easy. There are days I seriously consider retreat for at least a good five minutes. But then I see the children of Haiti, Uganda, Nigeria...and I can't wait to travel again. Maybe this short comment sent to my family earlier tonight will say it best:

The babies are so precious. I was so moved tonight playing with the children, helping them reclean the yard. Seeing the importance of my being here. The kids Jamie said were struggling (so did Gina) are fine now Grandma came back. You don't realize the impact of your love sometimes. I'm getting it. These are my children truly. And I looked at Yolette and Shilore - Yolette would have died. I look at Elizabeth who would have died or been shut away in shame her whole life. I look at the twin and know she would have died or been thrown away eventually - too shameful. I look at the new infant who is so hungry and know, despite all of the challenges, this is right.

Thanking God for my normal abnormal life,
Carla Ives
HCI Founder

My First Day Back HOME...

2012-01-09T17:54:00.000-08:00

My first day back at My Heart's Home...my heart almost burst when I saw the children. These are MY children. In minutes it was as if I'd never been away. I love them so much.

Today I evaluated our Youseline and devised a plan for moving forward with her care. When Youseline arrived, she was nearly dead. It is a miracle she is still with us. Though her twin is thriving, she continues to need help simply to hold up her sweet head. They are now 1 year old. I had a delightful time with Youseline. Her body may not be cooperating, but her smiles and joy at being loved were very real. I realized that this little girl will probably be with us forever. In Haiti, she would have been another throw-away child without God's wonderful intervention that brought her to us. I am so grateful!

Next I met with a father whose wife abandoned him with a 3 month old baby. She left a few days after his son was born. He's been feeding baby Theozil crushed crackers and water to keep him going. He's covered in a rash, malourished, but incredibly bright. We bonded instantly and I just came downstairs after calming his cries with some snuggles and songs. Though I offered to get a sponsor for Theozil so the father could keep his son, he begged for us to take him. With tears in his eyes, he admitted that he is without work and has no one to help. He wants his son to live.

I followed this emotional moment with a tender conversation with this man and another father who came to visit his daughter. His story was not much different. He brought his Kenlie to us shortly after she was born because he had no work, she was sick and starving, and the mother ran off. He has been faithfully coming on visitation days to see her ever since. Both of the father's are in their twenties...the same age as my middle son. I challenged both of them to stay in their children's lives. Their children need to know their father's care. They need their father's to influence them to follow after God. Their love with make their children healthy in soul and body. Both were very open and received my "mama lecture" with sincerity. It was a precious time.

When we first started our home in Haiti, I planned only to take "total orphans" whose parents had both died. But God brought us a mixture. We are the only parents to some of our children and foster parents to the rest. In both cases we have been allowed the privilege of providing a safe haven, healthy food, medical care, a quality education, and the knowledge of their incredible Savior. Tonight, my heart is so grateful.

"Mama Grandma Carla" in Haiti...

Too Many To Count...

2011-12-17T20:31:00.000-08:00

Tonight I was trying to list the reasons why people would want to give to Heart Cry. I have to admit I've been losing sleep over the $5,000 needed by Monday. We're $2,000 closer but one day away. I realize these are simply dollar amounts rolling past people who already give to many charities and who have Christmas packages to buy. I understand that it's another request from someone who seems to perpetually need money. (No, no one said that to me...I just know some must feel that way!) But the numbers are different for me.

The dollar amounts have faces. Over 400 faces at the school in Uganda who are mostly street kids or at the very least, live in horrible poverty. 100+ who gather at the street center that we can't afford to keep open as much as we did once. 50+ former street boys now living at My Heart's Home Uganda plus 3 other homes for needy children that we try to help there. Then there's the widows, teachers, pastors, and orphanage workers...and that's just one country. Start adding up the number of children and adults involved with HCI in Nigeria, Haiti, Guatemala, Myanmar, Pakistan, and beyond. I promise you, you'll lose count.

I know that if the money doesn't come in, people won't be paid which means they may want to quit. Children might not get food. We may lose homes. When I'm asking for money, it's not because I want to buy a new desk for my office or a pretty picture for my wall. It's for THEM...the faces I see in my waking hours and sleep. I've been praying and seeking God with all my heart. All I can do is throw myself on His goodness and mercy. He is so faithful. And I know He loves each one so much more than me.

So why am I losing sleep if I am praying? Do I trust God? Yes - I just need to trust a little more. (Smile) And I'm grateful for all those who have "seen" and genuinely care for our HCI children. Many DO give. Many DO pray. For those of you who DO...thank you so much. The women, children, teachers, pastors and workers who are blessed because of YOU are too many to count.

With Gratitude,
Carla Ives
HCI Founder

Remembering Pastor Solomon Rout...

2011-12-14T20:26:00.000-08:00

Many years ago, I met a couple from India who worked with needy boys in Orissa. Pastor Solomon Rout and his wife became fast friends and visited our home many times. We became very close in those early years. His wife Jumelia dressed me in beautiful Indian clothing and taught me about their culture. They truly loved on another and were very dear to me.

Years ago I decided to visit them at Happy Valley Children's Home. While I was still many miles away, flying over the ocean, another missionary in their area was attacked by militant Muslims. The man and his two young sons were burned alive in their jeep. I arrived in India to find a state of unrest and danger in the very area my friend and I were to visit.

After much prayer, Linda and I determined to proceed with the trip. We traveled hours by train to Orissa. Solomon and Jumelia greeted us with flower, jewelry and so much love. We spent the next three days driving from one Hindu village to another, starting feeding programs and loving the children. It was an amazing experience. In one village, we were the first white skinned people they had ever seen. They poked my blue eyes and rubbed my skin to see if the color would rub off. I danced with the children, bells on my ankles, celebrating because all of the children were able to eat during the famine. A chief of the village invited us to his home for dinner and put his head in my hands, inviting us to minister to his people.

But not everyone loved us. Several times we were hurried back into the vehicle as crowds gathered to throw rocks and insults. There was an air of tension everywhere we went. When we left, Jumelia put her head on my chest and wept, struggling with fear. I remember the ache I felt as the train pulled away. We were able to go back to safety, but this couple would continue to minister in a part of India that was very hard and even dangerous. My respect for them grew and I was challenged by their commitment to Christ.

A few years later Jumelia passed away, leaving her very lost husband behind. They were so close. Pastor Solomon missed her terribly. The next time he stayed in our home, the sparkle in his eye was not there. But not once did he consider giving up. He continued to love the children and work in Orissa until the day he died. He passed away this past Thanksgiving.

Pastor Solomon was invisible to most people. He was a humble man. He had few supporters. He wasn't famous in the USA and his thick accent made it difficult for American crowds to understand. But this man was a giant in the kingdom of God. He had a heart bigger than India. He carried the compassion of Christ. He gave himself to the call of God every day of his life. Ministry ended with his last breath.

Tonight I want to honor my beloved friend. He was a true man of God and I am so honored to have known him. May the seed sown by his faithfulness continue to bear fruit until Jesus returns!

Carla Ives
HCI Founder

A Motivating Quote...

2011-12-01T17:41:00.000-08:00

Right before leaving on a much needed vacation with my husband (to visit children & grandchildren in Maryland and North Carolina), I grabbed a book off my shelf to read on the way. It was "The Torch and the Sword" by Rick Joyner. We often read a book and discuss it to refresh our souls while driving. I knew within a few pages that our reading of this particular book was a timely word of encouragement from Jesus...

"I know an age is coming when all children will be able to play," the girl added. "I know they will be able to play with all creatures in peace and safety. Then love, joy, and peace will be the happy abode of all. I have seen this in my dreams, and I have read it in the Scriptures. I am fighting so this day will come. My reward will be to see that day come. That hope is more important to me than children's games. By fighting this fight, I will live a life full of more adventure and glory than any child who dwells in a life of play and fantasy." (Pg.146)

I am fighting for that day too...

Carla Ives

HCI Founder

Almost There...

2011-11-07T11:44:00.000-08:00

I feel like I live my life "almost there." As soon as one project is finished, a new one unfolds. As soon as I return from one trip, I'm planning and preparing for another. When all bills are paid & needs are met one month, new bills & needs are waiting in the next month. No matter how busy I may be, I'm still "almost there."

This could be a little discouraging if you thought of it in terms of never quite arriving at your goal. But instead, I am happy to be "almost there"...almost to Haiti (next week) where I'll kiss and cuddle my Haitian children and see dear friends...almost to the dates we'll send Christmas presents to our children in Nigeria, Uganda, and Haiti ( I LOVE giving presents!)...almost to the New Year when I'll be returning to my street children in Uganda and my wonderful team in Nigeria. Almost there is a good thing!

"Almost there" financially is a good thing too - it means that with a little help, we could reach every goal for 2011. We're so close! It also means that your financial gift could be the finishing touch on a project that is changing the life of needy children or widows overseas. It's fun to give when a project is just getting started, BUT there is a special joy when you get to be a part of the final victory!

This holiday I'm hoping you'll remember HCI and help us to "get there" - give a gift that will absolutely change lives.

Carla Ives
HCI Founder

* You can give via PayPal on our website at http://heartcryinternational.com

An Average Day for a Child of Poverty...

2011-09-29T15:59:00.001-07:00

The week isn't over yet, but the days seem long for the children I love. In Uganda, one of our sponsorship program girls, orphaned and living with a brother, is now pregnant. She is about 12 years old and lives in the slums of Kampala. There are no child protection laws enforced in the slums. Children here are survivors. Now a new small child is coming to live there. Though we couldn't protect the young girl from life, we are here to help. She and her coming baby are worth fighting for.

In Haiti, an absentee father who appears on the scene only when needing money or a few days with the mother tried to take 3 children from My Heart's Home. Not once in their young lives did he provide a crust of bread or loving care for his babies. He has never worked. His children were suffering from malnourishment and sleeping on the streets with their mom before coming to us. Now he needs money and wants to use his children to get some. They wept and were so afraid...but he saw only dollar signs. Praise God - our wonderful administrator and director in Haiti convinced him to leave the children with us for now. We will fight for their protection.

In the same house lives a pair of twin girls aged 7 months. The youngest just returned from a month stay in the hospital. The skin hangs from her little arms and she still cannot hold up her head. But finally she smiles and drinks every bit of the milk and smoothie prepared by the house mama. She will live and NOT die. She will be great!

In Nigeria, a boy with health issues lives in a one-room appartment with his siblings, cousins and widowed mother. The house holds only a bed and battered couch. There's no room for anything else. Cooking is done outside. The house leaks when it rains and the floor where the boy sleeps is flooded. Still he wakes up to go to school. He knows a quality education is the only hope for breaking this cycle of poverty.

These are the average days for the children of poverty. They are hard days. The stories above represent millions of children living on the streets, in shacks and cardboard boxes all over the world. I see them in my mind every time I pray. My goal is to help you see them. Together we can change their average days into something truly beautiful.

So grateful to know each one...
Carla Ives
HCI Founder

WITH VIDEO: Heart Cry International camps out during ‘Street Night’

2011-09-28T07:15:00.000-07:00

WITH VIDEO: Heart Cry International camps out during ‘Street Night’

Don't miss this awesome article, video and pics of HCI's Street Night last weekend. God is sooooo good!

Update on Youseline!

2011-09-27T12:46:00.000-07:00

Youseline is home! After weeks in the hospital, she has finally come back to us! It is *so* good to have her back!

She still needs prayer, and strength. She is on several medications, but she's having an easier time swallowing. Youseline is still a little bobble head... Though slowly is seems like she is making progress, she still doesn't have much control over her head, and she is skin and bones. Her thighs are literally bones with flabs of skin. However, she is eating. Sisi, one of the house moms here at My Heart's Home, has been making a drink out of potatoes, carrots, and vanilla that Youseline and Youselie both love (and actually, I do too! She shared some with me the other day...). Hopefully this will help to put some meat on her bones and help strengthen her a bit. We've also been doing exercises with her to build muscle in her arms, legs, and neck. There is noticeable difference between her and her sister Youselie. Youselie is doing very well here... She's a very happy baby, has begun to stand up on her own, and teeth have started to come in. She is a very loved addition at our home.

As soon as Youseline came back, I stole her away for a couple hours to pray for her, sing to her, and just love her. She smiled and laughed the whole time. Though she is still weak, there is a new life in her and willingness to fight, to live. She is going to do well here :-)

On another note, I met with Pastor Luc from the tent city this morning. School will finally be starting on Monday. I have come to learn that they have absolutely nothing. Even the benches in their church building are borrowed for Sundays, and so the children won't even have benches to sit on when school starts. Edy, our administrator, has stepped in and offered to build some benches and donate some chalkboards, but the school is still in such need. It seems a crime how expensive everything here is, especially at the poverty level they have. It's frustrating to know that a large pile of wood sits unused at my parents' house and my grandparents' house, yet it is so hard to come by here in Haiti. This tent city is full of children who need to go to school. The thing is, it is up to you and I to do something. It is our jobs. Because Haiti isn't going to do it. The United States isn't going to help. We have to help individually. I learned this from Edy last night. He was telling me that countries won't step in and give money because the government is corrupt, and the money won't be used except to make a few richer. It is up to non-profit organizations to step in and delegate, bringing the money and supplies and making sure they are being put to good use. "Someone else" isn't going to step in...we have to as individuals and as individual organizations. If you would like to help and be a part of this, please let us know. I will be heading back to Michigan for a week, and I would absolutely love to come back to Haiti with arms full of supplies for the school and children :-)

~Jamie

Update from Jamie...

2011-09-13T12:09:00.000-07:00

"And whosoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward." Matthew 10:42

This last May, I walked 75 miles through the Sonoran desert in Arizona. You learn the importance of water, and I gained a whole new perspective of the living water that Jesus gives, and what that means.

Today I met with Pastor Luc Lordéus of the tent city we're working with. After about 20 minutes I realized I was being a horrible host and asked him if he'd like some water. When I gave him a cup of cool water, he just held it in his hands for a moment, smiling, and closed his eyes, thanking Jesus for the water. It was a sight to see. It caused all the vain prayers I've prayed to race through my mind. Here was a man thanking Jesus for a cool cup of clean water.

He told me the story about how during the earthquake, they lost everything they had for the school. He is ecstatic that HCI is working with him and his school to finally allow children to attend again. School begins October 3rd, and they are still in need of many school supplies for the children such as pens, pencils, erasers, and notebooks. These are simple things that most of us have laying around the house. Anything you'd like to donate for the tent city school would be hugely appreciated and embraced with many smiles and hallelujahs from Pastor Luc :-) We are also trying to figure out how to help get food to the families here. Pastor Luc has ten children (many he's taken in) and a wife living with him. Twelve mouths to feed, and there are days when there just isn't money to buy food and eat a meal. And this is only one among many families in this specific tent city.

I'll be working at the school 1-2 days/week. I look forward to updating you on how that is going. It's a huge blessing to me that I'm able to do something that actually makes a difference. I'm not just an "extra helping hand." It's exciting to be a part of what God is wanting to do, and to see just how much He can do! I'm still in the process of raising support for my year here, so if you are interested in financially supporting a missionary in Haiti, Heart Cry and I would be very grateful. Prayer support is much needed as well, and in a place like this, it is easy to tell that prayers are making a difference! Many thanks from Haiti :-)

Ministry Has Many Faces...

2011-09-10T17:54:00.000-07:00

This weekend I drove 5 hours to minister at the Women of the Word Conference in Portland, Indiana. I was a little weary before the trip and spent much fo the drive praying and preparing my heart. After fellowshipping with the leaders while setting up the conference center, I followed my host home to her beautiful home. We sat around her kitchen table sharing testimonies and becoming fast friends. A few hours of HCI work and study before bed...morning came quickly!

The worship was sweet and the message flowed from deep within. I believe God's Word with my whole heart. I believe that there is power in His written Word to transform lives and renew minds. I am always honored to be allowed the privilege of sharing Bible truth with hungry people. These women were perhaps quieter than I'm used to overseas, but they were truly hungry. God came. I never laid a hand on anyone, never did an altar call. We just soaked in the message God gave and then allowed Him to minister individually to people while we worshipped at the end. I love standing on the stage and watching women experience a Divine touch. It proves that God IS all they need.

Ministry has many faces. My work usually puts me in front of noisy, dirty children, pastors on foreign soil or children's workers and teachers. This time it took me to a small town in Indiana to pour His love on His precious daughters. Regardless of the audience, Jesus is always what they need. His Word holds every answer. His heart has compassion. His power changes everything.

Sometimes the need of other nations can overwhelm me. I forget that there is so much to be done right here at home. Today was a good reminder that ministry has many faces - and I'm so blessed to see them all!

My Year of Jubilee

2011-09-02T10:42:00.000-07:00

As I neared my 50th birthday, many people told me that it meant this would be a season of new beginnings for me, with this being my year of jubilee. The year of jubilee meant the forgiving of all debt, natural and financial freedom! I'm all for that - it's a rarity in missionary work. :)

It came then as a bit of surprise to find my 50th year coming in like the perfect storm. In the week before and after my birthday, we were hit with financial set-backs like never before in our personal lives and ministry. Interesting. A test of faith? Maybe. An attack of the enemy? Probably. Either way, I'm finding it unacceptable.

When you're a missionary, your money and ministry money gets mingled together much of the time. This happens because you truly believe in the dream God has given and are committed to the people you're called to serve. It just happens. You realize that behind the needed repairs, bills, and payrolls are a sea of needy, beautiful, precious faces. Some are the faces of street children, orphans and malnourished babies. Some are the faces of tired pastors and workers giving their all in areas of extreme poverty. Some are the faces of your beloved ministry team and family. But all are impacted by the flow of finances that come from your base. It's a pretty big responsibility and can be a little overwhelming - UNLESS you know that God is your Source.

On behalf of the people touched by HCI and our own lives, I'm asking friends and family to pray. We need a quick financial breakthrough and are bombarding the heavens. We know the power of prayer. We trust in the faithfulness of God. We believe that no weapon formed can stand against us. We gain strength from the support and unity of the brethren.

Don't get me wrong - HCI is far from sinking! :) This ship has a long way to go and many adventures ahead. And my husband and I are still smiling and loving the life God has given. We just recognize when it's time to sound the alarm and get God's people praying. It's not about us - it's about those sea of faces. Thanks for praying, friends. This IS my year of jubilee!

Carla Ives
HCI Founder

Living Psalm 23

2011-08-30T07:13:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was my 50th birthday. I was completely exhausted and opted to spend the start of my day alone with Jesus. I was drawn to Psalm 23 and began to study this familiar passage. This time it was more real and meaningful to me than ever before. When I read verse 4, tears came to my eyes.

"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me."

I know this valley so well. In the original Hebrew, the phrase is defined as the trench or narrow gorge of the death-shadow/deep darkness/death shadow of distress or extreme danger/place of the dead. I've walked down dirt streets in the slums of Kampala and witnessed exploited children with STD's and malnourishment struggling to live. I've held too many babies as they breathed their last breath. I've walked through the rubble following an earthquake or comforted the homeless after the hurricane. My calling and passion requires that I live among the distressed. Right now, that includes baby Sophia her in American weighing in at just over 2 lbs and baby Youseline in Haiti fighting for her life.

But I have joy in this valley! I'm not afraid to see the need. I'm not astonished or intimidated by the suffering. I KNOW God is with me. I am comforted and encouraged daily, knowing that He has the Shepherd's heart and club ready to fight off disease, death, poverty, and abuse. I am reassured to know that He is leading and guiding us through the valley to a greener pasture where all of His little lambs can rest and eat safely.

We are bringers of light into the darkest valley. I am determined to give whatever years I have left to penetrating the death-shadow, bringing the LIFE and LOVE of Jesus. I'm committed to this path and am confidient of the One Who Leads. I will NOT fear because I KNOW He IS with me!

Rejoicing in Hope,
Carla Ives
HCI Founder

Update from Jamie in Haiti!

2011-08-26T17:04:00.000-07:00

Day 4 fully on my own. I'm alive. The babies are alive. The house is still here. And we are all doing exceedingly well.

I admit that when the babies were dropped off two hours before Pastor Carla left, I did panic a bit. I wasn't yet a mother. Now I'm mami to 17, and I wouldn't have it any other way. My transition here otherwise has been extremely smooth and feels natural. I'm as confident as ever that this is where I'm supposed to be, especially as I'm greeted by 15 sloppy kisses every morning and 15 sloppy kisses every night.

I attempted to wash my clothes by hand yesterday, which means I'll probably be wearing still-dirty clothes. I take cold showers. I eat the same lunch every day. I can't use the faucet to brush my teeth. I can't even leave my house by myself. But I love my life. Every little thing that is different to what I'm used to, that I "don't have" here, I find reason to be grateful for what is. I have clothes to wash, and more than one outfit. I have water to shower with, and I have privacy to do so. I have food to eat, and plenty of it. I have a toothbrush and paste to brush my teeth, and I have TEETH to brush too! I'm very grateful for that :-)

Our new twin girls are going to do very well here. They are Youselie and Youseline. Youseline is the one whom is quite malnourished. She was taken to the hospital a couple days ago and is now on medication, though I'm not sure what exactly. The mammas are doing physical therapy with her here to strengthen her arms, legs, and neck. This evening while outside playing with the kids I saw Renez, one of the mommas, holding one. I thought it was Youselie because the baby was holding her head up on her own. But it was Youseline! It was only for maybe 5-10 seconds, but it was more than I had seen since she's arrived. The mommas are taking excellent care of our little girls, and I think they fit perfectly here! It's been a blessing to spend time with Youselie and Youseline throughout the day, praying for them.

Presenting: Youselie

And Youseline.
Keep praying for our precious girls!!!

~Jamie

Last Day in Haiti...

2011-08-23T12:28:00.001-07:00

Sometimes I find that I pack ten days of work into one when I'm in Haiti. Awoke yesterday to the final organizational pieces of installing our new Director of Operations, Jamie Archer, and preparing the home for my departure. Then came the mother from the tent city with her twin 7 month old baby girls. We spent time evaluating the babies condition and talking with her. She was determined to give the severely malnourished girls away. She made it clear that she wouldn't keep them no matter what. The father is dead and she has 6 or 7 (can't remember now) other children to care for. Because the babies were so malnourished, we finally decided to keep them at My Heart's Home. Paperwork is being signed and the babies are our new family.

Joseline (spelling?) is the worst of the two. She cannot hold up her head and is as weak as a newborn. There is absolutely no meat on her tiny bones and she can barely suck. I made a quick run to the store to purchase baby formula, food and medicine. Then came the challenge of getting her to eat! I finally took the medicine dropper from an empty infant pain reliever bottle and we fed her that way. Heartbreaking. She and her sister are absolutely beautiful.

I'm so proud of our Haitian team. They rallied together to care for the babies, willingly taking on the extra work until the two new mamas can be hired and trained. I'm so grateful for their precious hearts. Our new Director of Operations, Jamie Archer, started her first day alone at the home with two sick babies - if she can do this, she can do anything! Go Jamie! :) She was awesome!

I'm so thankful for the two who volunteered to help with the $70 per month pledge we needed for the extra staff. Our budget is tight to say the least and we couldn't have done this without the help of God's people. Our next step will be to raise two sponsors at $30 per month to help with the feeding and care of the babies

I feel as if I'm always asking for money. Okay - I AM always asking for money. But it's because we're caring for so many needy children and stretching our hands to the poor. We're living the Bible and it's so rewarding! I hope that you will never feel pressured by the needs shared - I know some of you CAN'T give though you would love to. I totally understand. You can be our prayer partners as we become your hands and feet to the hurting children of Haiti, Uganda, Nigeria, and beyond. For those who DO give or WILL give to help them, know that the dollars you send are used to truly make a difference. I can't do this alone. I need the body of Christ. And I'm honored to be your loving arms to embrace the children of the world.

With Gratitude,
Carla Ives
HCI Co-Founder

My Heart is Bigger than My Pocketbook...

2011-08-21T19:08:00.000-07:00

No matter how hard I try to stop it, my heart keeps growing! I have a whole new understanding of the apostle Paul's reference to "our hearts are enlarged towards you." When you love deeply, your heart expands. There's always room for one more. And you love the new person as much as the those who've been in your heart forever. It's an overwhelming, supernatural thing.

Today my heart grew again. I felt it surge as I had church with our children at My Heart's Home and watched them cherish their new Bibles. We spent over an hour then coloring pictures and cuddling with the remaining Michigan team.

My heart inched a bit wider talking to Robaire, our former street boy. He didn't have a last name when he came to us, so I gave him mine. Today we were nose to nose, smiling and saying our last names. Is there anything more precious?

I met with Johnny, teacher of our school this afternoon and gave him clothing for the street children. He was so blessed! Thinking of the opportunity to love these new children stretched my heart even more.

Then it was off to the tent city where we interviewed 36 children for the Sponsorship Program. They were so beautiful and very thankful. Some were abandoned and living with relatives. Others were orphans. Most had at least one parent who lost everything in the earthquake and can't find the means to start over again. My heart swelled.

A little girl with orange-tipped hair and skinny body pulled at my heart even more. She was so malnourished. We learned that she is an orphan - both parents have died and relatives took her in. But the relatives can't feed themselves let alone this child. They will be coming to see us tomorrow and she may well be the newest little girl at My Heart's Home before the week is over.

Then there were the babies. The mother brought her 7 month (not 4 month) babies to me. They are malnourished to an extreme. She is nursing, but there is not much left. The one baby can't hold her head up, and is extremely sick. The mother will bring them here in the morning and we will make a final decision about keeping them. Our goal is usually to keep families together. This mother has 5 or 6 other children and may leave the babies with someone else if we don't take them. How can we turn them away? Thank God for the two Americans who volunteered to pay the $70 per month to hire the staff needed to care for the new babies if we do take them. I'm so blessed by the body of Christ!

Another exhausting day in Haiti. My heart is full. It may be bigger than my pocketbook, but so is God! Looking to Him every step of the way...

Carla Ives
HCI Co-Founder

Parting is such sweet sorrow...

2011-08-20T11:37:00.000-07:00

Today has been a hard day. While most of my training is being done on-scene, I don’t know how I could ever have prepared for it. After a very fruitful week, the Maryland team has left us, which also left the children a bit heartbroken. I was confident that I would be able to hold it together because I am not the one leaving. But hearing their sobs of grief and sadness broke my heart. I got a better understanding of what it means to love a child. These children were going to be fine. They are well fed, taken care of, and loved, but I wanted so badly to be able to do something to take their tears and sadness away. But everything I wish I could do for them makes me grateful for the things they do have. They were once abandoned, but never again. They have arms that love them to comfort them when they cry, in a safe home, with clean water to rehydrate. They are well.

I’m extremely proud to be a part of these children’s lives, and to be a part of My Heart’s Home. Extremely. The other day, four of the older girls were on their knees with their arms around each other in a line, singing a song together and laughing as they trodded from one end of their room to the next. It was so good to see these girls, who probably didn’t know each other before a year ago and have much to be broken about, so happy and having fun together. They love each other and they like each other too! It made me think about the horror stories you hear, fictional and fact, about children growing up in orphanages who were not at all treated well, and leave the orphanage bruised and battered beings. Our children will not have that experience. When, one day, they leave My Heart’s Home, they will have been and will forever be a part of a true family, loved and whole. I am so proud to be a part of that.

~Jamie

Mixed Emotions...

2011-08-20T10:25:00.001-07:00

I just returned from taking the Maryland team to the airport here in Haiti. Dr. John Galsterer and Emily from Michigan also left, leaving only five of us. The house seems quiet. What a week it was!

The team had mixed emotions as they left. There were tears as they said their good-byes. The children said their good-byes too as Edy Vassor, our Haitian Administrator translated. "Thank you that I am never hungry and can go to school...Thank you for making our home beautiful...Thank you for the clothes." The children realized that these precious people not only gave on this trip, but are also part of the reason we can have this home and care for them. They understand and are grateful.

Watching the team leave was difficult for me too, because part of me longed to be with them. My daughter, Nicole, was in a bad car accident yesterday with some of the youth from our church back home. Our youngest grandbaby was with her. Praise God, they all were released from the hospital and are home, but my girl has a bad case of whiplash. She's in pain, can't lift her babies (she has 5 children) and I'm here in Haiti. Last night I looked for a way to change my ticket, but all seats were taken. So, trusting that God knew and is in control, I stayed here. Mixed emotions...

When a team returns to the states, they are sad to leave the children behind but always happy to see their loved ones waiting at home. They have a bigger circle of friends and family waiting for them. For our children, that family shrinks to the HCI staff when the teams leave. I think that's why they cherish the visitors so much. They are so blessed to have enough adults to give each individual attention and hugs. They value the team members as a gift from God, even though they are young. They have lived enough hard experiences in life to know when they are blessed. It always touches my heart.

So to the Maryland team and our two Michigan friends who are now flying home: Thank you! You touched many lives and made a real difference. Our children will never forget you...

Giving God Praise,
Carla Ives
HCI Co-Founder

A Day of Beauty & Pain in Haiti...

2011-08-19T06:08:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was a blend of beauty and pain for the teams here in Haiti. Early in the afternoon, we learned that our new boy, David, was leaving us. The "throw-away" 2 year old had been given away by his mother multiple times - perhaps the highest bidder takes all. We surrendered him to distant relatives who came to our gate. We had no legal right to keep him. There were many tears. It's amazing how quickly your heart can bond. I hid away for 5 minutes of prayerful searching determined to trust Jesus in the midst of it all. A heaviness settled on the team, but they pressed on.

Meanwhile, our dental team tended over twenty very needy patients from the tent city church. Most had never been to the dentist or had only had the local barber pull a few of their teeth. I was so impressed with how patient the team was with each one. It was genuine ministry. This morning we received a report that the patients were amazed that though a few of them had a little bit of pain, most had none at all! Considering the extensive work some had done, this is a miracle! We rejoiced.

Jamie and I met with Pastor Luc and the Headmaster about the school he has in his church at the tent city. The needs are huge. The children in the tattered community cannot afford to go to school, meaning they will remain uneducated and continue the cycle of poverty - unless help comes. Help HAS come and we will begin by donating some needed supplies and enrolling 34 children into our Sponsorship Program. This will give YOU and opportunity to make a difference. I gave the pastor a tour of our home and explained things like nutrition, cleanliness, and restoring Haiti through her children. We are of one heart and mind. It was beautiful!

Later we loaded up into a truck and journeyed to where a local Haitian organization has started an outreach to street children. These are throw-away children who were never picked up...until now. When I asked the children what they would ask for if God only let them have one thing, they unitedly said, "I want to go to school." You would think they would ask for food, shelter, or clothes. No...they understand that an education is their only path out of poverty. We are meeting with the organization Saturday to plan a way forward in working together. God is so good!

Beauty and pain. Homesickness and excitement. This is a mission trip to Haiti. To all those traveling with me who will read this later on - thank you with all of my heart. To all who gave and will give to help the work of HCI here - you are an answer to prayer. Don't stop now. HCI will be your hands to touch the hurting children of Haiti.

Serving with Joy,
Carla Ives
HCI Co-Founder

I Am Amazed!

2011-08-18T08:04:00.000-07:00

I hope you've been following the posts Jamie and I have written while here in Haiti. If not, be sure to scroll down and enjoy the miracles. Today may be the most incredible day thus far!

Right now our school room (with new shelves and supplies on the wall) is being used as the dentist's office and a stream of people from the tent community church are being given care. They are a little afraid but so very, very grateful. Dental care is a rare privilege for the poor. It so blesses my heart to see this.

Upstairs the wonderful Maryland & Michigan team are entertaining our children at the orphanage. A few are playing soccer outside with our boys and a few boys from the tent city waiting for dental care. Our new little boy, David, is already adjusting and bonding with the other children. The team had him laughing, which may just be the most beautiful sound in the world. At this very minute he is smiling and playing ball.

Jamie and I had an awesome meeting with Pastor Luc from the tent city church and established an exciting plan for working together beginning now. You'll hear more in days to come, but it has to do with our Sponsorship Program, school development, and training that Jamie will bring. Yesterday another non-profit organization contacted me and is willing to help us launch a Widow's Hope business in the near future for single mom's living in the tent city. God is so good!

Tonight at 5 p.m. we will travel one hour to the site where the Haitian organization started a ministry for street kids. We will meet some of the children and do an evaluation to plan for future partnership with them. The leader is Johnny, our precious teacher at our school at the orphanage. How can we miss? The team has a very full day!

In a short while Elisabeth's grandfather is visiting, bringing a small child abandoned by her mother, born of another father. The mother is living a messy life and abandons her children at her father's each time. He cannot care for them. This may be our second new baby at My Heart's Home

I thought it would be impossible to top yesterday's joy at the tent city church as our team presented Pastor Luc with a new piano keyboard, laptop computer, and Bibles. I think today might just do it! I am amazed!

Carla Ives
HCI Co-Founder

Why I Am in Haiti...

2011-08-17T13:31:00.000-07:00

Today was a good reminder of why I am in Haiti. This trip has been eventful and filled with unexpected financial challenges along with a fair amount of spiritual warfare. Though the team has been amazing and we've accomplished more than I might have hoped, today I felt a little tired. My mind wandered across the waters to my family back at home.

Then he came...

A woman arrived today carrying a very serious little boy about age 2. She wanted us to take him. As I interviewed her, I realized that though the boy didn't fit the "Sick" or "Malnourished" categories, he definitely fit the last..."Throw-aways." Tiny David is a throw-away child. His mother begs and takes little jobs to survive on the street. She sleeps in someone's yard. She has no husband and was determined to leave the boy somewhere. She happily pushed him into my arms and walked out the gate. I quickly distracted him with toys but it wasn't long before David began searching the yard for his mama. He began to panic and cry as he realized that she was simply gone. She left without looking back. I scooped him up in my arms and held him as he grieved. For the next few hours he was plastered against me, clinging in fear and sadness. After I sang to him for a while, he fell asleep.

This afternoon my other wonderful children here slowly befriended their new brother and made a place for him in the house and their hearts. They have been so precious and loving. I don't have to tell them to do this...it's in their hearts. They remember what it feels like to be abandoned. They understand and compassion poured out of their sweet hearts.

I'm now trying to find out where the mother either gave or sold her 6 year old daughter so we can bring her to My Heart's Home. Throw-away children are often exploited, given or sold to people who will abuse or use them as slaves. It's usually very bad I'm told. She's heavy on my heart and I ask for your prayers.

I know why I'm in Haiti and why I'll stay...

Carla Ives
HCI Founder

2011-08-17T12:52:00.000-07:00

The other night the team was talking about others’ reactions to coming to Haiti. One common question in such circumstances seems to be: what can you do? Can you really change a country? No. Haiti will not change in a day because of one person. Unless you’re Jesus.

“Consider the ant, you sluggard!

Consider her ways and be wise,

Which, having no captain, overseer or ruler,

Provides her supplies in the summer

And gathers her food in the harvest.”

One by one, an army of ants can do a great amount of things.

Jesus didn’t fix the whole world. He healed one by one; he fed one by one. And soul by soul, he loves us, transforms us, and lets us know we’re valued.

One of the things I’ve been taking part in is helping translate while Dr. John is doing dental work on children and staff her at My Heart’s Home as well as those coming in from the tent communities. Now, I can watch those gross medical shows, but pulling a tooth is a whole other matter. Today Dr. John pulled 4 baby teeth from a 9-year-old girl from a tent community, and we gave her penicillin for her fever. It’s raining right now as I write this, so I can’t help but to be grateful that we could do something to make her day a little better. That we could do something to make her feel a little better.

One of the girls here, Yolette, has already stolen my heart. She is so full of joy. Pastor Carla told me that according to Haitian standards, she is not considered beautiful, and the way she was being dressed was markedly different from the other girls. The clothes she was wearing were not as pretty as the other girls. The Maryland team did an absolutely stellar job at collecting supplies, and so we had a large amount of clothes. I got to go through them and pick out some nice clothes for Yolette. So this morning when I saw her wearing her pink t-shirt and cute jean skirt, it gave me joy that it was something I had picked out. It’s the little things that make a difference…

Tonight we are headed to the tent community for church…for them, it’s the little things that they need…

Capturing the Moment...

2011-08-16T16:02:00.000-07:00

I arrived in Haiti last Thursday with a small team from Michigan. After a nightmare luggage hassle, tiring flights, and unexpected issues greeting us, I couldn't wait to get to My Heart's Home. The hugs and kisses waiting made the long trip soooooo worth it! :)

There's been a generator to repair and provide fuel for, no electricity, $1,000 unexpected bill to fix the inverter, and a series of surprises - lots to distract me from all God wants to do here. But the Michigan team, combined with the recently arrived Maryland team, are an inspiration. They've worked so hard, tolerated the heat with smiles, and loved lavishly. I am amazed by how many supplies were brought in - our cupboards are full! It's a beautiful sight if you pay the bills every month. (Smile)

Our teams have been painting, cleaning, ministering to our children, cooking, organizing, and providing dental care. Our dentist, Dr. John Galsterer, is like a walking miracle, helping so many of the Haitians outside our home, as well as all of our children and staff. It blesses my heart and I'm so grateful to everyone who came!

Below you'll find a post from our new Director of Operations here in Haiti, Jamie Archer. She and I will be posting here throughout the trip - a double blessing for you! :) Despite all of the unexpected issues and surprises, I am determined to capture every minute of this trip. I may not have tomorrow and I can't get yesterday back, but I have right now to pour love and ministry all over my beloved Haiti. Pray for us...

Carla Ives
HCI Founder

2011-08-16T12:54:00.000-07:00

I wrote this a couple nights ago, and am happy to have electricity and internet to be able to finally post this!

Hello you wonderful supporters of Heart Cry International! I am writing this on Sunday night, while we have ELECTRICITY! This is my fourth day in Haiti: fourth day that I have ever been to Haiti, and fourth day of about four hundred that I am about to embark on. I’m incredibly excited to be able to bring you news and updates as it is happening, and there is a lot happening!

As I was trekking from house to house in a last attempt to gather funds by collecting bottles, the most frequent response to why I was raising funds was, “Why would anyone go to Haiti?” I was quite surprised when I heard that the first time, and as equally surprised the third, fifth, and last time. Even hearing that I would be going to help, I was still asked, “why Haiti?” Not only was I surprised, but I even found myself hurt, and I realized that those responses were exactly a part of the reason why I had decided to go. Yes, there are people going to help. But compared with the need, there are too many who aren’t. There is so much to do that it can be overwhelming. Even a year and a half later, there is so much ruin. But before something can be made better that it was, it has to be ruined in a way. So this is my hope and expectation for Haiti: that the rebuilding that is happening now will result in a much better and beautiful Haiti. A Haiti that its people are proud to call their own and their home. Getting to know the children (and the staff) at My Heart’s Home, I am completely confident that this hope can become a reality. There is such a promising potential in these beautiful children. I am beyond excited and grateful that I get to take part in fostering that, and to be a part of what God is making beautiful.

Right now a team from Maryland is also taking part in it. They have truly been experiencing the mission life of discomfort, stretching, and having to be flexible with changes. They have been nothing but gracious and full of great attitude in serving in the big and small. They have set a great example and are hopefully the first of many teams that I will be serving alongside of during the next year.

I hope that you’ll choose to take part in what we are doing here as well. Big and exciting things are to come with the work that we are doing to continue to establish My Heart’s Home as well as we begin to really dive into working with one of the tent cities still greatly in need, and developing plans to work with the street children.

With a grateful heart,

Jamie

We're On Our Way!

2011-08-10T20:51:00.001-07:00

I'm sitting in a van driven by friends, Scott & Lisa Schlosser typing on my computer while some of our MI team rests. It's been a busy day filled with last minute details. It was an emotional day, too. Sad good-bye to my precious son, Caleb. He leaves for North Carolina at the same time we fly out to Haiti in the morning. Life is full of so many changes!

When we get to team member, Gina Wymore's home, I'll be opening the trailor to repack all of our supplies. It has to do with HEAVY bins! There may be no sleep for this old girl tonight.

Old girl...a week after I get home from this trip, I will turn 50. I've been thinking about that on and off all day. My 30th birthday was spent with missionary friends in beautiful Romania, eating an entire cake by myself! At 39 I was in the Republic of Benin, hiding in a tiny apartment at night while there was idol-worshipping going on outside. At 40 I was in Nigeria, celebrating with my wonderful African friends. As I begin this decade, I'll just be returning from Haiti. What an amazing adventure it has been!

Life is full of changes, but they are all part of a grand design when you let God take the lead. Nothing is accidental. Every experience has a purpose. I am so grateful for the incredible 50 years I've lived thus far. Can't imagine what this decade will hold! Watch out world, here I come!

Don't forget to pray for us!

Carla Ives
HCI Co-Founder

Preparing for Haiti...

2011-08-02T19:17:00.000-07:00

In just over a week, I will be headed back to My Heart's Home in Haiti. This time I will be taking a team of six from Michigan and be joined by a great team from Maryland. The Maryland team comes from my oldest son, Dustin Ive's church in Easton, MD where he has been pastoring for a number of years. What a delight to host his precious people on the mission field!

This particular trip is another one of those long-awaited answers to prayer. For years I have looked for, hoped and prayed for a dentist to care for the teeth of the children and widows we work with. If you know anything about poverty, you know that sugar cane is often used to supplement a small child's diet - when the child sucks or chews on the sugar cane, their tiny bellies feel full and they cry less for food. Malnutrition impacts all aspect of a child's health, causing teeth to rot in the child's mouth. Many of the children in our schools and orphanages overseas struggle with bad teeth. This can effect their apetite and become a gateway for other sicknesses.

New Life church in Saginaw, MI has been supporting HCI faithfully for a long time. This trip they are investing more than money...they're providing the dentist, John Galsterer! He has received many donated supplies that will allow us to provide dental care at My Heart's Home and at the Tent Community! I can hardly wait to see it happen! God has also provided two nurses on our team who will be a great help to him.

While in Haiti, our teams will be painting the house, building benches and shelves for the school and home, doing an early "fall cleaning" and teaching our cook to make a wider variety of healthy meals. They are bringing in suitcases filled with needed supplies, saving us much money in days to come. They will be doing VBS with our children at the home as well as at the Tent Church. We have some with counseling experience who will be ministering to our abused and traumatized children/women at the home and community. We will do a teacher's training, minister at the Tent Church, conduct an evangelistic crusade, and spend a day ministering to street children. All of this in just 10 days!

Some people wonder why it's necessary for teams to go overseas. They think it would be better if the teams just sent the money they would spend on tickets. The truth is that the man-power, expertise, training, skills, and supplies each team brings offer needed assistance to those living in poverty. I am so grateful for the incredible team God has given us for this particular trip! There's talk of an electrician joining us while we're there - I'm praying!

This trip is very significant in another way. Our new Director of Operations, Jamie Archer, will be going with us and then staying in Haiti for the next year. She will be overseeing all of HCI ministry outside the orphanage and assisting our Haitian teacher at the school, teaching English too. Jamie is a graduate of our VOH (Vessels of Honor School of Discipleship) and speaks French. What a gift she is to our ministry - another answer to prayer!

I appreciate all of you who regularly pray for HCI. Your prayers are bringing amazing results! This exciting trip is YOURS as well. Keep reading...we'll keep you up-to-date as the trip unfolds.

Blessings,
Carla Ives
HCI Founder

Lessons from Gideon

2011-05-18T14:47:00.000-07:00

As you begin reading chapter six of the Book of Judges, you find the enemy laying siege to and destroying the provision of God’s chosen people – His prince and princesses; His kingdom people on earth. The phrase that struck me most was found in verse 4, “and leave no sustenance for Israel…” The enemy tried to keep them needy, lacking, hungry, wanting, and without the resources needed to care for their own or others! This has been the struggle of the Church for far too long – and in truth, it’s been the struggle of Heart Cry International since birthing as Reach the Children eighteen years ago. The lack of finances, resources, and man-power has been one of our greatest challenges as a ministry.

In verses 6 & 7, it is the children of God’s people who begin crying out. They feel the lack and are hungry for help. Their cry reaches the ears of God, Who loves them and chose them to be His own. I believe this is why God changed our name three years ago. He hears the cry of the children of this generation. He is ready to deliver them! He wants them fully restored to pure faith, with idolatry and deception destroyed and removed from the Church. He wants them fed, sheltered, and cared for. Their hungry cry tears at His gentle heart and provokes a response. WE are His response! We hear the cry, too.

The first word sent to the people of God in response to the children’s cry is a rebuke. He rebukes their sin and disobedience. To read His speech in verses 8-10, you would think He was going to let them suffer the consequences of their wrong choices and ignore the cry of the children. But even as He issues their rebuke, He embarks on a plan of redemption. In the margin of my Bible I wrote, “Oh, the fathomless love of God!” It’s beyond understanding and so undeserved!

Gideon was an ordinary man who didn’t have the means, knowledge, anointing, support or resources to end the oppression. So he just stayed true to who he was and did what he could with what he had. I feel as if I spent the majority of my life and ministry doing the same, sad to say. But though I saw my humble efforts – OUR humble efforts – as making little difference and being very insignificant at times, God saw a hidden valor in us that prompted Him to choose US to bring deliverance to His children in this hour. I immediately thought of the parable of the talents in Matthew 25, when Jesus said, “To him who is faithful with a little, more shall be given.” God is so good!

I love that when we see Gideon using the question “IF” in verse 36, it’s based on the promise God made. It’s not spoken out of fear of the unknown or fear of man. It’s a testing of the word given by God. He’s rallied the troops, stayed in the process, and is getting closer to the day of battle. He’s looking for assurance that he REALLY did hear from God correctly. I noticed that when he first questioned God out of fear, he was alone. Now he’s asking for reassurance of God’s Word and will with 32,000 good men standing with him. I suddenly knew that he felt the weight I often feel…”Lord, I’m fine with risking all for You, but what about all of these standing with me? They trust me to hear from You. They’re laying their lives on the line for this mission.” My questions sometimes include, “God, there are so many young lives depending on me hearing right…” I’ll do anything God asks of me, but sometimes I still need reassurance that I’m hearing right.

I felt led to look up the names of the tribes the 32,000 men came from in the Strong’s Concordance. I started to laugh as I read their meanings. The Midianites and Amalekites were descendants of Esau, strong and warlike. They were brawlers, quarrelers, contentious people who lived in a state of war. Fighting was a part of their DNA! I can just imagine their sneers as they looked at Gideon’s 32,000. These men were simply “good” men. They were unseasoned and inexperienced at war.

They were descendants of Jacob, with a covenant right (due to the blessing of Isaac upon Jacob) to the land and provision the Midianites held. But like Jacob with Esau, they were a softer, gentler people. The Abiezerites were a helpful people; those who like to give a helping hand. The tribe of Manasseh were a mercy-oriented people, quick to forgive and remit the wrongs of others. The tribe of Asher were a happy people, level, straight, honest, and ready to move forward. The tribe of Zebulun were a committed people. They just liked to stay put. They dwelled in one place. The last tribe of Naphtali were a people struggling with moral or inner issues. In comparison to the warring tribes oppressing Israel, they must have appeared very weak and easy to defeat.

God next took Gideon through a thinning process. He slowly reduced the number of those standing with him to 300. His reasoning was simple. If they defeated the oppressor with 32,000 they might think they did it themselves. If they did it with 300, they and the world would KNOW it was God! All the glory would go to Him. And it happened just that way. God saved the children of that hour with 300 descendants of Jacob who were simply good men. They were 300 mercy-oriented, committed people willing to hear the cry and meet the need. They trusted Gideon to hear from God and supported him with integrity and joy. Wow – sounds like a small ministry team I know who is taking on a world of children’s needs!  What they had and who they were was enough!

God reminded me about the 31,700 who originally gathered around Gideon. They cared about the cry of the children too. They were willing to give their lives, though fearful and ill equipped. They believed in the call of God and the mission He had given Gideon. But God didn’t ask them to be a part of the tiny team that He would use to accomplish the mission. They were supporting them from afar. They supported them with their obedience to God. We must not forget that God has thousands who He will gather to support HCI from afar. They will believe in what we’re doing and support us with intercession and giving. They may even take one trip with us and give their gifts and ability to help one time. But they are not called to do more than that. What we have is enough.

This was especially encouraging to me. So many other ministries are so much larger than ours. Many have a greater number of workers/team members with a much smaller ministry or impact than HCI. Believe me, I’ve questioned God like Gideon about this many times. What am I doing wrong? I believe so much in this mission from God and the children we care for. Sometimes I am amazed that people aren’t lining up to join the team! What we’re doing is a God-idea and is bearing wonderful fruit. And what I have to offer in time, energy, and money seems so insufficient. I have been wary of asking too much of the team, for fear they would become overwhelmed and “abandon ship.”  Now I realize that if God called someone to be one of the 300, they won’t want to be anywhere else. The only way they’ll leave is if God tells them to! I have got to say, that’s a HUGE load off of my shoulders and I’m grateful to God for this fresh revelation.

So, as we look to the work ahead of us, who of you is called to be a part of the 300? Who will stand wit:h me? Who of you are being called to join the 31,700 who support HCI from afar? Who hears the cry of the children and knows they are to commit to the fight for them. They are so worth it! I pray you have been encouraged by this teaching as I have been. I feel renewed in Spirit and soul and ready to head to battle. And if I can judge what will happen by the end of Gideon’s story: We win, the children are set free and receive all of the provision/inheritance belonging to them, AND not one of us is lost in the battle. The odds are in our favor!

We are so grateful for and proud of the HCI Ministry Team!

Determined to Stand,
Carla Ives
HCI Founder

Why I Do What I Do...

2011-05-09T19:05:00.000-07:00

When Job struggled with his own difficulties, he began to question the goodness ...of God. He looked at the treatment of the poor, widowed and orphaned and wondered why God failed to intervene. He described the oppression they endured as they were exploited, used and abused by the wicked, left on the streets without clothing or covering. He witnessed their hunger and victimization and felt the injustice of it all. (Job 24) He comforted himself with the knowledge that he did what he could. (31:16-23) He believed that God saw the oppression...he just wasn't convinced God cared enough to act.

The psalmist, David, witnessed the same oppression of impoverished widows and orphans. He describes the wicked preying upon and murdering the innocent. (Ps 10) He describes their helplessness and bondage to the enemy. He again believed God saw the suffering: "But You have seen, for You observe trouble and grief, to repay it by Your hand. The helpless commits himself to You; You are the helper of the fatherless." (10:14) David believed God saw the need and was the answer to it. His hope for change was found in God.

He later wrote in Ps 68:5-6: "A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in His holy habitation. God sets the solitary in families..."

Today, I see this same suffering and exploitation of the widow and orphan on the streets of Nigeria, Uganda, and Haiti. They are used, abused, forgotten and ignored. They are lost in a jumble of statistics, debates, and overwhelming odds. Jesus is still their hope for change. But the question remains: How will He do it? How will He father the fatherless, defend the widow, and surround the lonely with family?

In Matthew 25, Jesus shares a parable about His return and the day of judgment. He reminds His followers that whatever they do for the least of His brethren, they do for Him. In this He reveals His strategy for change. Christ so identifies with the needs of the hungry, thirsty, homeless, captive, sick, and abandoned that He feels their pain as His own. Therefore, when we touch them, we touch Him. When we feed them, His hunger is satisfied. When we clothe them, His nakedness is covered. Loving Him requires loving the lost and broken world of the poor, the widow and orphan. In His goodness, He allows us to participate in bringing change!

In an hour when the church often seems more concerned with debating need than in meeting need; when people would rather be right than hear truth; when we seem more determined to talk Bible doctrine rather than live it, the suffering continues for the fatherless and widow. It's time to live what we believe! Let's rise to the challenge and embrace Christ's compassion for a hurting world. It's time to make a difference...

Carla Ives
HCI Co-Founder

The Redemption of a Child

2011-04-23T05:13:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow we will celebrate Easter in America and in many other parts of the world. This is when Christians remember the Savior Who gave His life for them. It is a reminder of the transforming power of the cross. Adults of every nationality will give thanks for the freedom they have experienced in salvation.

But, the Redeemer gave His life for children too...

So often we focus on the distracting tale of a giant rabbit that delivers baskets of goodies to children. We think it's more important for our children to have fun and treats than to know a Savior Who died for them. I have heard parents say that the message of the cross is too frightening and too sad for children to hear. Sad? How can the hope of salvation be sad at any age??? Yet every year, parents continue to tell their children stories that are truly lies while focusing their children on themselves rather than on the Savior. Later they wonder why their children are not following Jesus - why they are selfish and focused on themselves. I hear it almost every day. We need to rethink the message of Christianity for the rising generation.

Tomorrow I will hide Easter baskets in the woods surrounding our home for our grandchildren. They will have a wonderful time searching for them after dinner. They know the baskets come from Grandma and Grandpa in celebration of a Savior Who was hidden for three days and then "found" to be alive! The focus of our day will be Christ's redemption. We will be watching a cartoon version of His death and resurrection and will take time as a family to thank Him for His incredible sacrifice. I believe in using every opportunity to teach our children the love of Jesus. I've no regrets for the times I focused our children on the Word of God and the truth of the gospel as they were growing up. I only regret the opportunities I missed.

In a world filled with wars and rumors of war, natural disasters occurring weekly, with broken families, rising abuse, and economic struggles, our children need more than the Easter bunny. They need Jesus. They need to know that He is real and that He truly loves them. They need to know how to talk to Him (pray) and receive answers. They need the peace and hope His Word can bring. They need truth. They need a message of salvation that empowers them to live above it all. Many need the healing His sacrifice provided for them.

To all of those following Heart Cry International's blog, I issue a challenge. Make Christ the center of your Easter celebration with your children and grandchildren. This isn't about a religious ritual. It's about celebrating the LIFE of Jesus and His ability to transform your children's lives. We have a wonderful Savior! Before we can let the whole world hear, we must let those at home hear.

Happy Celebration of Christ's Resurrection, dear friends...

Carla Ives
HCI Co-Founder

Breakthrough in Haiti!

2011-04-11T19:44:00.000-07:00

The other day was sunny and bright as we took the children from My Heart's Home Haiti to the ocean for a picnic. HCI Intern, Liz Syzmanski and I were burned to a crisp from spending hours playing in the water with our Haitian family. The workers were as excited as the children!

On the way home, we drove past rows of tiny crosses marking the mass graves filled with thousands of Haitians from the earthquake last year. It was a somber reminder of why we are here. It was also a new motivation for remaining faithful. Every life counts!

On Sunday, Mama Suzette and I had church with the orphanage staff and children in the school room. We made a mess of the craft, but had a wonderful time. That evening, I traveled to the tent community to minister in the tiny church there. I took Liz, Mama Suzette, and our precious Mama Badette, who had yet to fully surrender to Christ. Eddy, our Haitian Administrator was dressed in his Sunday best and ready to translate.

This group of believers were amazing! They worshipped with all of their hearts. Loss was represented in each life. Scars remained from the earthquake. Half of the congregation was children, which confirmed to me that I was in the right place! I felt such freedom as I poured out the Word God had given for this incredible group of people. Their eyes grew wide as I cut out object lessons to enhance the teaching for the children. When I gave the altar call at the end, people all over the room of every age stood to their feet to receive Jesus! Tears flooded my eyes as I saw our beloved Badette rise too. Then there were those who stood outside the packed church and received Christ...I was in awe of God.

I feel much like the apostle Paul. A great, effectual door has been opened to HCI. There are 40,000 people in this tent community. Already God has provided opportunities to help through a medical mission of Hope Force International and LifeLine Ministries who have containers of food. The need is huge, but our God is able! I've already committed to return next month to hold a children's crusade for the community - which could mean hundreds or thousands of children. They are everywhere. You can't imagine the joy I felt as I saw the pastor's leaders distributing our child trauma booklets in Kreyol with the crayons. The children were captured by the booklets and devoured the message. Praise God for the thousands of booklets donated by The Paper in Goshen, IN which we'll be able to bring and distribute to every child here!

As the pastor closed in prayer, Eddy drew me to the front and stood between the pastor and I. He had one arm around of each of us - and this from a man who does not show affection easily. I felt God's Presence and knew it was a signifcant moment. We had a powerful conversation on the way home and Eddy will be the first student in our VOH when it begins here in Haiti. I actually gave him a course to begin even now. He's hungry to pastor our children and the people here. What a gift from God he is to us!

As we walked into the house, tired and sweaty, I slipped my arm around Badette. She hugged me in return and whispered, "I love God!" Mama Suzette prayed with her on the balcony to receive Jesus and she was a new woman today. I love my Haitian family!

Please consider becoming a monthly partner of HCI. We have been given so much favor and only need a little financial help to see God do miraculous things here in Haiti, the slums of Uganda, our much loved Nigeria and beyond. Make your pledge/donation at: http://heartcryinternational.com or send it to:

Heart Cry International
PO Box 207
Mt.Pleasant, MI 48804

Together, we ARE making a difference!

Carla Ives
HCI Co-Founder

The Perfect Day...

2011-04-08T17:41:00.000-07:00

Normally I wait for two days to write an update so that I don't overwhelm my good friends with too much information. But this time, I just couldn't wait!

Our day began with more hugs and laughter around the breakfast table. The main topic was our trip to the beach tomorrow. Some of our newer children have never been to the ocean and can hardly believe they're going. I felt a little sorry for the poor teacher trying to capture their attention today! It did my heart so much good to see the children eating scrambled eggs with healthy veggies and homemade bread, washed down with a cup of milk. They glow with good health!

Next we were off to the market to buy groceries. For the first time ever, I was a silent observer as our HCI Intern, Liz Syzmanski and Eddy Vassor, our Haitian Administator did all the shopping. I love when a plan works!

We met with a representative from another relief organization for lunch and had a good conversation that confirmed for me why we're here in Haiti. Our vision is truly a God-vision and I'm more committed than ever.

After dropping off the food, we headed for the tent community, which was just as needy as described. 40,000 people live here. The people are some of the most despondent and hopeless I've ever seen. Even the children are skeptical. These people have had lots of promises from visiting organizations and very little help. We represented another opportunity to be disappointed and the community didn't work too hard to make us welcome. But at the tiny church fixed in the center of it all...

Our sweet elderly Pastor Luke waited with his son and church leaders. His smile was huge! Our meeting was filled with outbursts of joy and renewed hope as we gave them the kreyol New Testaments and trauma booklets with crayons for the children. We also gave them what was left of the gospel booklets donated by World Missionary Press. They wouldn't stop thanking us. The plan is to minister to the community through this church so that Christ is glorified and we can be sure the donations are used correctly.

Before long, a crowd of childen gathered and I did a few object lessons and songs with them. I invited them all back to church on Sunday and all of a sudden, the walls were coming down! People began warming to us. I'll preach at the church on Sunday and reaffirm our commitment to return. These people need to experience faithfulness from those who offer help. They need to know God has not forgotten them. Liz and I love them already and Eddy came alive in a new way ministering to them.

Our final stop was at the new house for My Heart's Home. It's beyond what I could've asked and imagined. We'll have so much more room and it's absolutely beautiful. I could cry thinking of it. More children. A wonderful home to raise them in. The landlord is leaving me a real bed and lots of nice furniture. He's putting cupboards in the kitchen and a new refridgerator. He's a Christian and is thrilled to have us there. He brought the price of renting down to $18000 for the year, due in June when we move. That's nothing to God! Only 18 $1,000 gifts or 32 $500 gifts - what's that? The house is not too far from the tent community and in a very safe neighborhood. It's perfect.

Perfect...like our childen...like our God...like this day.

Home Again in Haiti...

2011-04-07T17:49:00.000-07:00

What an eventful two days it has been! I arrived at My Heart's Home yesterday afternoon and was met at the door with squeals of "Gramma Carla!" This was followed by so many hugs, kisses, and excitement that I was almost knocked off my feet. I love my job! :) We spent the evening looking at books, eating, and watching a new DVD. Dora is still a favorite!

The first thing I noticed was the peace between the team. No fighting or striving. The children glowed. Our HCI Intern, Liz Syzmanski was under a pile of them and has added so much joy to the children's lives. This is why internships are so important. These children can't get enough love. They missed the bonding of a maternal mother at infancy and the gentle touches as they grew. No one cared when they were hurt or sick. Now they are discovering "Family" and loving every minute! Tonight 8 year old Robert "Ives" laid in my arm like a baby to be held. He doesn't ever remember having parents and there's a longing for that attachment that we are more than happy to give! They are all so loveable!

This morning they were up early and preparing for school. They LOVE their school! After breakfast we piled at the kitchen table close together and they taught me how to read their book in French. They applauded when I got words right and patted me in sympathy when I was wrong. Good little teachers! They are so smart and several would rather read than play. Their reading books are already looking tattered and worn, which makes me so happy. I presented the teacher with some awesome teaching aids purchased with donations for the school. Thanks for all who help pay his wage and support the school each month!

After breakfast our Haitian Administrator, Eddy Vassor, loaded Liz, I and 6 of the children into his jeep and drove us to LifeLine Ministries. Their clinic treats our children for free and is such a blessing! They gave us free medicine and we only had to purchase one medication for the children. Their problems are simple childhood issues, but the doctor was thrilled by the good health and perfect weight of the children. He did encourage us to get Elizabeth (featured on our website) to the states for her heart surgery as soon as possible, but noticed that her crooked feet look improved. Her ankles are gaining strength and we rejoice!

Liz and I took the children to the grocery store for sodas on our way home. They loved the shopping carts. Some of them had never been a store before and were so excited!

Liz and I played with the children outside all afternoon and simply enjoyed them. Later came our team meeting with the staff here, which turned out to be a precious time. I've missed them and I think they missed me a little too! :) My favorite part of the evening was sitting at the kitchen table with my Haitian family who were all loud and happy, eating watermelon and sandwiches, laughing and teasing. How far we've come! I announced that we would be going to the beach on Saturday for a picnic and now I'm not sure we'll ever get the kids to bed tonight!

I so often share the sad stories with you. Tonight is how the sad stories should end every time. Each of these children has a sad story to tell...but you would never know it now. This is what the Father's love does for the hurting - He heals, frees and restores. I'm so honored to be able to love these children with Him!

Blessings,
Carla Ives
HCI Co-Founder

Caring for our Family

2011-03-29T17:20:00.000-07:00

Any parent can tell you that it is not easy to make a house a HOME. There must be food on the table and safe water to drink. There must be a secure shelter and a place to lay your head at night. There are clothes, shoes, and toothbrushes to buy. School supplies and tuition must be paid. There are medical expenses and vitamins to take. There are family meetings and consistent discipline. A family should worship together and pray for one another. And the house should be filled with such love and laughter!

We are making two houses on opposite sides of the world "home" for about 70 children. Fifty of these were former street boys in the slums of Kampala, Uganda. Approximately fifteen are young children orphaned by abandonment or death in Port au Prince, Haiti. Most had no concept of home before coming to us. Survival was all they knew.

It takes many hands to care for so many children. It takes much money too. If you will take a moment to scan the pictures on the right of this screen, you'll know that our children are worth any time, effort, or money. Each one is so precious!

Your monthly financial contribution to HCI will help us to create homes for more children in 2011. A line has formed outside the door and we need your help to bring new children "home." Will you help us?

http://heartcryinternational.com

The 100 Challenge...

2011-03-21T14:09:00.001-07:00

100 Caring Individuals, Businesses, or Churches
Giving a One-Time, Tax-Deductible Gift of $1,000
Equals Changed Lives

Heart Cry International needs your help. We know that there are many others to give to. We know that there are needs all over the world. We know that we have been given an opportunity to make a huge difference in children's lives.

Help us reach our goal of $100,000 in the HCI General Fund by April 1st, 2011. This amount will allow us to continue our work with the street children in the slums of Uganda, the orphans and devastated children of Haiti's orphanage and a local tent community, and among the forgotten handicapped single mothers and children of Nigeria. It will push forward the Bible School in Guatemala and enable us to record the HCI Children's Ministry Institute in various languages. It will help us to establish a better flow of help to an orphanage in Pakistan and Myanmar. It will give our USA team the funds needed to get the job done.

Some people say now is a bad time. They refer to the faltering economy and say they can't help. But still there are lines at the movie theaters, restaurants, and coffee shops. The clothing stores are still in business. The nail salons are busy. These things are great - but they also tell us that there is money to give.

If you can't give a $1,000 gift - just give. Give your quarters, dollars, or a bar of soap, tube of toothpaste, or jar of lotion. You can find a complete list of items needed for our schools and orphanages on our website. Everybody CAN do something - and together, we CAN make a difference.

HCI has a team of willing volunteers ready to help the hurting children - all we need is a little help from our friends. Send us! We're ready to go!

Send your offering via PAYPAL at http://heartcryinternational.com or to:

PO Box 207
Mt.Pleasant, MI 48804

Have Home; Will Travel!

2011-02-11T15:30:00.000-08:00

We are at a point of transition in Haiti once again. We first transitioned from disaster-relief focus to starting an orphanage. I spent four LONG days searching for houses that were safe and undamaged by the earthquake. It was a discouraging process. I remember standing outside the gate of a huge house, dreaming of what we could do for the children there. But it was far beyond our financial ability, so the search continued. Eventually we found the wonderful house My Heart's Home is currently using - what a blessing it has been!

Our beautiful house seems to be shrinking now! There is simply not enough room for our children to run and play. We are turning children away from My Heart's Home. This confirms the need for My Heart's Home Children's Village that we plan to build by 2015 - sooner if God provides. We are raising $55,000 to purchase land even now. On this land we will have gardens, animals for fresh meat, eggs, and milk, a school, dorms for visitors, large play areas, church, cafeteria and a series of small homes housing 20-25 children each. We can hardly wait!

But what do we do now? After much prayer, we believe it is time to relocate My Heart's Home. Our Haitian Administrator, Eddy Vassor, has been looking for potential houses. Our current landlord pushed the plan forward by refusing to rent next year - he wants to sell the home for more money. At first I was tempted to be discouraged, but now...

Remember the huge house I dreamed about nine months ago? Eddy made an agreement with the landlord to rent it to us for the same amount we are currently paying! And he has agreed to rent it month-to-month for as long as want to stay. This gives us time to build. The house has five bedrooms, a larger play area, and is MUCH nicer than our current home. The plan is to move our Haitian family to their new house in May of 2011.

We will need teams to help with the move. We will be taking everything we purchased thus far with us - every fan, appliance, furniture piece and the generator. It will be a great undertaking. This could be a wonderful time for you to take a trip to Haiti! :)

I encourage you to read the daily blog by HCI Intern, Liz Szymanski who is serving at My Heart's Home in Haiti until May 1st. You will see why we need the room to take in more children. We have an opportunity to make a difference in so many lives! Her blog is found at: http://www.lizszymanski.tumbir.com

It's time to travel!

Blessings,
Carla Ives
HCI Co-Founder

Waiting to Get In...

2011-01-27T09:33:00.000-08:00

When we first started My Heart's Home in Haiti, we went looking for the children. Today, we are turning them away. God has granted us great favor and brought us new childen each month. We are nearly at max capacity and therefore are forced to send children away. My heart aches to make a home for every child that comes or is brought to our door.

When I think of how near death our precious Yolette was when she come...of the three baths it took to get the dirt from the street off of our young Robert, who has no memory of his parents...of our developmentally challenged Elizabeth with her crooked feet and heart condition...I am overwhelmed. It is an honor to be entrusted with their lives. They are so dear. Seeing them loved, learning about Jesus, healthy and becoming a family is my greatest joy.

I believe in the vision God has for Haiti - and for the HCI My Heart's Home Children's Village we will establish there. Imagine if we had the property to house 120 to 200 children like these? As they grow to become well-educated, healthy, confident Christian adults, what impact will they have on their country? They are the best blocks we can rebuild Haiti with. I believe this with all of my heart.

When Yolette first came she was desperately ill and thin. Her blood tests were of great concern. Her five younger siblings were already dead. I and Mama Suzette held her, praying and singing over her often. Each time I returned, she looked better! Now she is a leader at the home. I smile remembering her on this last trip, helping me wash dishes, giggling and putting stickers on her face and eating other children's left-overs. What a change!

We had a new petite girl named Rose join our "family" while I was there. She was a little fearful and shy until Yolette took her by the hand and made her welcome. She showed her the new bed she would sleep in, where the toys were, never letting her hand go. There is no doubt in my mind that Yolette will be a leader and Christian influence for God in Haiti as she grows up. What a privilege to prepare her for God's plan for her life!

You can help us to help these children in the following ways:

Support the teacher for $10 per month.
Donate $475 to repair the inverter needed for constant electricity.
Make a donation toward the $50,000 still needed to purchase the new property.
Make a monthly pledge in any amount to HCI

It takes money to put food in their mouths, electricity to give them light in the darkness, and educate them. Your support makes it all possible. For whatever you have done or will decide to do...thank you! Please keep us in your prayers.

http://heartcryinternational.com

With Joy,
Carla Ives
HCI Co-Founder

A Haitian Boy Named "Ives"?

2011-01-05T20:57:00.000-08:00

When I'm in Haiti, everything else in life stops. All that exists are the children. And they are everywhere. On every road I see children who are malnourished, sick, or homeless. They pull on my heart-strings. As I cuddle the children back at My Heart's Home, I so want to offer this same opportunity to the other children I see. And there's a chance...

Yesterday I stood on property that could be ours. It's backdrop is the mountains and it's just beginning to build up around it. It's an easy drive to the airport or stores and there's a gas station less than a mile away. There's water for irrigation and room to grow. All I need is $55,000...and what's that to God? Just pocket change! :)

Leaving the children at the home is becoming more and more difficult for me. This time the children were more emotional. They've had so many losses. You can tell they feel more secure when we're all there together. Even my little Yolette who keeps all of the other children smiling was sad and avoided eye-contact. My babies broke my heart. The oldest boy, Junior, wrapped his arms tight around my waist and left tear-stains on my shirt. I was a mess as I drove away.

These are my children. I don't know how to describe what I feel for them. This is more than an orphanage - it's truly become my family. My loyalty to them goes deep. This trip I sensed God taking my relationship with the children and staff to another level of love and commitment. It was one of those times when you can feel God working inside, but you're not quite sure what He's doing. You just let God be God. I know I'm coming back to America a different person. I pray I will be a better person.

The highlight of today was meeting with Robert before we left. He was the street boy who has no remembrance of parents or family. The only name he has is Robert. We have to create a birth certificate for him to finish legal processes and therefore need a complete name for him. As we met with our Administrator, Eddy, today we told him that because he had no second name, I was going to give him mine. He will legally become Robert Ives. He lit up like the sunshine and threw his arms around me. I love these moments!

To all who make these moments possible, I say thank you. I pray you're encouraged to know that together, we ARE making a difference!

Blessings,
Carla Ives
HCI Co-Founder

Weeping for Haiti...

2011-01-03T17:44:00.000-08:00

Today was one of the easiest and yet most difficult days I've ever experienced in Haiti. Easy because I did little physical work. Difficult because I spent hours in a meeting with four parents and a grandfather signing papers that terminated their parental rights and released their children to our care.

This isn't why I started My Heart's Home. I originally planned to only take total orphans without living parents. Yet how could I turn away the children brought to me with severe malnourishment and health issues, some inches from death? Their stories would break your heart...Robert abandoned and living on the street for as long as he remembers, age 7 or 8. Elizabeth, born to a 13 year old mother who abandoned her with a grandfather who didn't want a crippled, "slow" grandchild. So many of the children's younger siblings are already dead. Their coming here was a last hope. As I prayed, God reminded me of the foster care system in the United States. The best is when you can keep the children with their parents, but sometimes it just isn't possible. My Heart's Home is house of refuge for all children who are oppressed.

The children were WIRED today...some because they were terrified their parents were going to take them away. These clung to me, burying their faces in my shirt or skirt. Two cried because they were afraid to go and felt bad for wanting to stay. The orphans were stressed because they didn't have parents to sign papers. It was one weepy, screaming, and tired day for the poor little guys. It broke my heart. I of course did the "Grandma thing" and fed them cake with lots of icing, showed thema Dora movie, and tickled them senseless. What else is a grandma for?

Yolette told our Administrator today that she didn't want to go home. She likes to be loved. She likes our food. (Smile - it shows!) And this has become her family. Today when Jocelyn's sister joined our group, as thin and sickly as he was when he came, she took her hand and made her part of the clan. I love my children!

Tomorrow another little 20 month orphan comes who is to be adopted by missionary friends in six months to a year. We're offering a safe haven in the process. With her comes our new cook and another Auntie to help our wonderful Suzette. When I'm finished with all of that, it's off to see a piece of property that we're seriously considering for Heart Cry...1/2 of what they call an acre, but what is actually much larger than we would think back home. The cost for this property is $55,000, which is way cheaper than the price I heard yesterday. Land is not cheap in Haiti.

Tonight I find myself constantly emotional and weeping over Haiti. She's so broken. She's so unloved. And I'm convinced once again that I was born to be here. Thanks to all who make our work possible...

Carla Ives
HCI Co-Founder

We're Out of Control in Haiti - Praise God!

2011-01-02T18:17:00.000-08:00

Somebody, please take a memo: NEVER let all but one of your caregivers in an orphanage have the holiday weekend off! Smile. I've never worked so hard in all my life. Despite the language barrier, Nickie Packer and I helped Mama Suzette cook, clean and care for the children. We even taught them how to play Bingo, Candyland, and Memory Game (well, sort of!). I think Suzette sometimes wonders if she inherited two more children rather than two sturdy helpers. Smile. She's a very patient woman!

Yesterday was our belated Christmas at My Heart's Home. Nickie and I hung lights and decorated the tree with Suzette's help. She was so proud of the red bows! We hung lights and lit a Christmas candle. When the children saw it with the gifts piled around the base of the table (holding our VERY small tree), they literally pressed their noses against the glass. They were so excited! When it was time for presents, we all piled into the main room. I told them the Christmas story and they sang me a few of their Christmas songs. They loved the small manger scene. Our little Robert, the former street boy, had never seen one before and was in awe of baby Jesus.

Their gifts were inside Christmas cloth bags provided by a homeschool group that meets at The Potter's House in Mt.Pleasant, MI. They bags were an instant hit! The beautiful dresses and wonderful boy's clothes came from a Wesleyan Church in Easton, MD. I wish you could have seen their faces! They were squealing. They may be the first children I've ever known to be ecstatic over underwear!

That afternoon, one of the older boys, Junior, was crying in his room. He was missing his mom. It broke my heart. Suddenly, he came running to me and said, "Tonight you sleep in our room, Grandma Carla? You sleep in our room!" The end of my day was spent cuddling with two tired boys in a lower bunk, while Junior held my hand from above and asked me to sing over and over again. It was a perfect day.

Today, Nickie left and Junior again dissolved into tears. Too much loss for a boy. I cooked up a storm to distract the children and prepared a Christmas dinner of beef stew, cornbread biscuits, watermelon, and a birthday cake for Jesus. They REALLY liked the food! It was the only time all week they've been quiet, except for the slurping of their soup. Smile. Afterwards, Yolette helped me with dishes. Then Suzette joined me in the kitchen and we sang worship songs together - her in Kreyol and me in my limited English. It was wonderful!

I left for several hours searching for property to build on. The first land cost $100,000 per acre! Okay, maybe that's not where God wants us. :) But God gave us favor with a lovely elderly woman with the perfect piece of property. I'll meet with her Tuesday afternoon to get all of the final details, but it looks so good. It's located just outside of Port au Prince, with an easy drive to the airport. It is fertile land with a backdrop of the mountains. It just feels so right. Please pray!

When I got home tonight, the children screamed and mobbed me in the driveway. They thought I left too. As I quickly ate a peanut-butter sandwich, they had a wild, out-of-control worship service in the kitchen! Yolette and Junior led the group as they danced, sang, shouted and circled around the room. It was VERY loud and VERY beautiful. Even 20 month old Kenley joined in the fun with hands raised, shouting Halleluiah! Yolette told our administrator today that she never had good food or home like this before. I've never had a Yolette before...or Junior, Shiloh, Ketchua...

We are definitely out-of-control at Heart Cry International. I will admit I'm not able to keep up with everything that is happening. There is more good news to share than can be written in one report. I hope the little glimpses into our world will encourage all of you to let go and let God this year. He is on the move!

Serving with TRUE Joy,

Carla Ives
HCI Co-Founder

A New Year in Haiti

2010-12-31T19:39:00.000-08:00

As I sat on the hard floor wrapping belated Christmas presents for the staff and children of My Heart's Home, I thought how amazing it is to be bringing in the New Year in Haiti. Who would have dreamed one year ago that I would be "Grandma" to 17 Haitian children? The earthquake changed all of our lives. We will never be the same.

It has been a busy time here as always. Yesterday we took the six new children to LifeLine Ministries to be evaluated by their medical staff. While we received good reports on most of the children, we heard one very serious concern. Our Elizabeth with her crooked little feet also has a serious heart murmur. We were told it was vitally important for her to be seen at St. Vincent's hospital in the near future. They also told us that she will need corrective shoes. All of this will cost approximately $1000. I nearly cried as I realized that if our thin orphan girl had not come to our home, she would have died an early death. God, in His incredible mercy, brought to her His heart's home. I am so grateful!

LifeLine Ministries blessed us with bags of rice and beans, food packets, diapers, medicine, bandages, and child-care products with the promise of more. They charged us nothing to see the children. What a gift they are! We are looking at sending needed supplies in a container coming to Haiti later in January. This would be a miracle! Haiti is one of the most difficult ports to ship to in the world...but that's another story.

More shopping for food, new table and bench ordered, new bunkbeds for one of our new little girls, new staff hired...and then a trip to see baby Maurice. It was a long emotional day. And though I prayed to bring him home in my arms, he will be staying with the house-mother. She is not open to releasing him. We did meet another help organization that is doing a little work with her and they also had a sincere burden for Maurice. He came to me right away and laid his sweet chin on my shoulder as always. He is doing okay physically and can stand a bit, but is still unable to walk. The hardest thing for me was to hear that he never smiles. He is the saddest little boy. I can't tell you how difficult it was to walk away. In the end, I trust God that He is working a better plan for Maurice than I could ever do. Thank you for your prayers...

Today was unusually busy, even for Haiti. My wonderful helper, Nickie Packer, watched the extremely active children while I did a few hours of training with the staff. God guided us through the meeting, directing us towards issues that needed to be addressed and taught. God's Word was so obviously working in their hearts. The most precious moment for me was with the housekeeper, Badette. She has received Jesus! When I shared thoughts God put on my heart for her, tears came to her eyes. When we prayed, she openly wept and then melted into my arms like one of the children. I'll cherish the memory.

We released several staff members for the New Year's weekend and are filling in with Suzette, the faithful house mother. She is amazing with the kids - way better than I am! Some of the new children lived on the streets and are still adapting to "family life." Smile. She can handle them all! But Nickie and I have a new appreciation for the staff as we mop floors, clean and cook AND help watch the children. Bless the My Heart's Home staff in your prayers tonight!

We just finished wrapping the belated Christmas presents and put them into the decorated room where the children's "church" will begin on Sunday. Tomorrow we make Christmas cookies (can you imagine the flour clouds that will burst from this kitchen with all those busy hands???) and I cook up the Christmas meal. We tried to explain what it will be like to celebrate tomorrow, but the children couldn't imagine. Their noses were pressed to the glass to look at the Christmas lights and tiny tree. I can't wait for tomorrow!

See you in 2011!

Carla Ives
HCI Co-Founder

Coming to My Heart's Home...

2010-12-29T19:13:00.001-08:00

When we first decided to name the HCI orphanages My Heart's Home, I had no idea how true the title would be. This is where a large part of my heart is every day. I think you'll understand why as you read...

I met with Nickie Packer in Miami last night. Nickie is a pastor's wife from Sesser, Illinois and an amazing young woman of God. I've loved her from a distance for several years, and have so enjoyed getting to know her in 2010. We were awake at 3:30 a.m. and off to the airport by 4:30 a.m. What a way to fly!

Our Haitian administrator, Eddy Vassor, picked us up at the airport. The ride to the house seemed to take forever. I could hardly wait to get there! When we pulled in, the children were playing upstairs and didn't hear us. But before I could get past the second stair I heard the most beautiful of sounds, "Grandma Carla!!!" This was followed by squeals of delight and words fast and furious in Kreyol. Then there were the hugs and kisses, laughter and joy of meeting again. I LOVE my "job"!!!

Four of our children from before were gone now. I wanted to cry as I heard of their departure. It is always best when families can be restored, but the children wept and begged to stay. They feared being sick or hungry again. We are believing that their families will experience the supernatural provision of God. They will always be our children, covered in our prayers and dear to our hearts. I ached because I never had an opportunity to say goodby. Someday, I hope to travel to their village and assure them that they will not be forgotten. But for today, there were six new children to love...

First came the four siblings who were the children of a woman who lives on the street with no husband and 10 children in all. Many of the other children have died and she slept outside on the side of the road with these. Could we take them so they can live? The two middle children were incredibly sad and listless. I help one on my lap and sang to him tonight until he fell asleep. They are so young to have suffered so much.

Then there is Robert, a boy our administrator found living all alone on the street with no mother or father. He is a total orphan. He was dirty and wild and very alone. After less than a month at the home, he is gaining weight and full of life. He is learning of the Savior for the first time. His manners will need a little polishing (smile) but I love the way he smiles and goes obediently to "time out" against the wall when he disobeys. He's so teachable! I already love him.

Next is Elizabeth, another total orphan. Her ankles are crooked and she is very thin. She seems to have blended into the family as if she was born here. Little Yolette had adopted her as a true sister and they play like normal little girls now.

To see the children who first came to our home so alive and healthy brought tears to my eyes. What a miracle! God is so good. Yolette was so ill and nearly died, but is now in perfect health and a leader in the home. Jocelyn was seriously thin and ill when he came, but now plays as a normal little boy. Ketura still covers her head in fear when she thinks you might discipline her and is uncomfortable with normal affection...the result of her life before My Heart's Home. Love will cover a multitude of wrongs.

The house is spotless, the children clean and happy, the food is good, and the staff is growing. Tomorrow we will hire a new "auntie" and meet a new little girl who is being adopted by missionary friends. We will shelter her here and help the severely malnourished little girl gain strength before her move. She has an incredible life ahead of her!

It's late and I have a full day tomorrow as we visit LifeLine Ministries and have the new children seen by their medical staff. We'll pick up food for the home and begin staff training. Much, much to do! But I am praying for an incredible miracle to take place tomorrow evening and my heart is very full. I wondered if you might pray with me.

Many of you who followed my Haiti trips this past year will remember little Maurice ("Moice")who may be the most malnourished baby I've ever seen. He was a tiny skeleton slowly dying in an impoverished orphanage. We hoped to bring the children into My Heart's Home, but the house-mother refused and we had to accept her decision. I grieved for Maurice in my prayer room at home and prayed for his healing. Eventually I was able to place him in God's hands and find some measure of peace. God loves that baby boy so much more than me. This has been my comfort.

Two weeks ago, God put Maurice back on my heart and I began to pray. A few days before the trip I sensed I was to visit the orphanage again and perhaps try to bring Maurice to My Heart's Home. It seemed impossible, BUT...today the house-mother called and begged for food. Like so many of the national orphanages, she gathered many children with no way of caring for them. She said that Maurice is still unable to walk at nearly two years of age. He is whisper-thin. My heart ached for him.

Tomorrow Eddy and I will take food to the orphanage and speak with the house-mother. We are asking God to make a way for Maurice to come to My Heart's Home. It would appear that unless he makes the move, he will either die or never walk. Will you please agree with me in prayer for baby Maurice to come home? He is already in my heart.

This is shaping up to be another breakthrough trip for HCI. We need your prayers. We also need your financial support. I once felt awkward asking for help, but no more. I believe in God's plan for helping these children. I am witnessing the impact of His love and provision. Little lives are being changed. It is money well spent. It is a life well spent...

http://heartcryinternational.com (PayPal available)

Serving with Joy,
Carla Ives
HCI Co-Founder

From a House to a Village...My Heart's Home in Haiti

2010-12-21T09:36:00.000-08:00

When we launched My Heart's Home in Port au Prince last May, I never dreamed we would grow so rapidly. It's been eight months of hard work, constant changing, and unending challenges. But in the cool of the evening, with my Haitian children leaning against me while others cuddle close on my lap, I know it is God. He loves these children with a steady, faithful passion that makes my own pale in comparison.

Haiti is hard on her children. Most of these strong people were shipped to the island from the Republic of Benin in Africa during the tragic days of slave-trade. They were a frightened people steeped in voodoo, tribal religions and wars. They fought long and hard for their independance, staying in subjection to foreign powers long after those in America and Europe found freedom. Our own nation ignored their plight for far too many years. Haitians are surviors, having overcome the horrible bondage of slavery, natural disasters many times over, and disease brought from other lands on several occasions. They have been at war with themselves...not one election or presidential term has been without controversy and/or violence. And the ones who suffer most in the midst of all this chaos are the innocent children.

In the past eight months, I have fallen in love with this land and her people. Haiti may be one of the most difficult nations I have ever worked in. People are not always what they seem. Christianity is often mingled still with the voodoo and tribal religions of generations. Their extreme pain and losses have created a quick temper easily provoked. They are tired, hungry, unprotected, neglected, and abused. Hurt people often hurt others...and the children have been hurt most of all.

In every tent community and on every street of Haiti, there are orphans. Our first administrator for the orphanage in Haiti brought us children with living family members who could not care for them. We saw their need and took them into our home. Others were what we call "total orphans", without parents and alone in the world. Within months, all of the children were healthy, happy, and growing once again. My Heart's Home became an oasis for them and a pocket of peace in the midst of a new cholera epidemic, outbreaks of violence, and heavy rains. What joy!

This Christmas, several of our children who we discovered had living relatives are being restored to their families. The living parent(s) will receive children who are healthy with a new foundation of faith in Jesus Christ in their hearts. I've shed tears over their departure, but am thrilled to know they will be with their families once again. This is as it should be. We believe in the family. It was never our intention to take in children who had a living parent. No matter how poor a parent may be, the child needs them. This is God's plan.

Amazingly, our numbers at the home are still increasing despite the changes. At last count, there were seven new children being brought to My Heart's Home. These children were found in devastating situations, alone and without living parents. They were too young to be on the streets, though some were surviving there. They are between the ages of 2 and 6. These are the children we started this home for. God sets the solitary in families...these children will have a home with us for life.

In addition to these children, we have accepted two children* who are being adopted by people in America. These children are sick and need special care while waiting for the adoption process to be completed. Though My Heart's Home does not do adoptions, we are happy to provide a safe haven for these children on their journey to their new homes. Every child matters to Jesus!

The house that seemed so big eight months ago is now beginning to feel crowded. The limited play area outside is becoming an issue. When I go next week, we'll be building a small playground of tires, ropes, slide and wood. It's so needed, but there will be even less room for running then. It's time to move...

Before I come home, I will be visiting property that my husband found on his last trip to Haiti. Our goal is to purchase this property and build the first children's home there as soon as possible. There will be enough land for running, gardening, caring for goats and chickens, and more. The plan is to build a large multi-purpose building in the center that will serve as a school,church, indoor play area, and cafeteria. Surrounding the building will eventually be multiple homes, each housing house-parents with no more than 20-25 children. This will be My Heart's Home Children's Village, operating by a family model so that our children will no longer be orphans.

We will need to raise money to do this. We will need your help. We MUST enlarge our financial base this year to meet the budget of My Heart's Homes in Haiti and Uganda, as well as our rapidly growing work in other nations. So, from my heart, I am asking you to make a monthly pledge to Heart Cry International. I believe in the gospel we preach. I believe in the children we are reaching. I know God's plan works! I'm asking you to believe with me...

Together, we ARE making a difference!

Serving with Joy,

Carla Ives
HCI Co-Founder

(*) One of the children has not been confirmed yet. Just want to be accurate! :)

My Heart's Home...Haiti.

2010-07-19T11:01:00.000-07:00

It's taken me a few weeks to process my last trip to Haiti. It was definitely one of the most intense, hard-working trips of my life. It was also one of the most rewarding.

I arrived to find the landlord's family still living in our rented home. My son-inlaw, Matthew, and I spent the first few days cleaning, painting, and shopping in record heat. There was no electricity, no fan, and we slept on thin mattresses on a tile floor. There were no screens on the windows, so we became food for the bugs each night - but, hey, somebody has to feed them! Smile.

On Sunday, we preached at our host pastor's small church. Then it was off to the school where he and his family were living with the eleven orphans since the earthquake. It was a hot, dirty little building with blankets and rugs for beds. It's hard to describe the emotion that flooded our hearts as we met these children for the first time. These were children found after the housemother for the orphans we originally met refused our help. Though it was extremely painful for me to let the other orphans go, I rejoiced in the new children God brought to us.

The children were between 1 and 6 years old. They were malnourished and most were sick. As we spent time with them, we realized that even the older children had never held a crayon, drawn a picture, or played with real toys. The squeals of delight that came with simple balloons brought tears to our eyes. We could hardly wait to bring them home!

The next evening, we moved the staff, children, and Pastor Magnus's four sons into "My Heart's Home." His own children were equally needy, having been homeless since the quake and without the usual support of their local church, which was destroyed with the people scattered. Pastor Magnus and his wife became parents to our children, with a special team helping to care for them.

So many highlights remain with me from the next few days...watching the tiny children discover their mattresses, rolling and giggling on them. They had never had beds before. Seeing their awe as they ate several times each day, with snacks and all the water and milk they needed between meals. My little flock followed me each time I went into the kitchen and quietly sat around the kitchen table, looking at me with excitement. I made a song for them that in french that declared, "I love you very much" with their names. Soon, we were all cuddling several times throughout the day and at night before bed, singing the song. Precious memories.

Saying good-bye was a tearful experience for Matt and I. I explained that "Grandma Carla" had to return to the states to raise money to buy more things for "our" new home. Then I promised they could keep their beds to sleep on, their toys to play with, their water to drink and bathe with, and food - they would not need to be hungry again. They cheered and clapped their hands with joy. Little things mean so much when you are a child of poverty.

In just over a week, I will return to my children, taking an American couple who will be staying for one month. Lonny and Peggy Phillips have worked stateside with Heart Cry from the beginning and will be building and making repairs at the home, as well as training the staff. Then in August, as I lead a team to Uganda, Pastor Ron will be taking our first team to Haiti to work at the orphanage and in Sous Savanne. I think our children will be spoiled very quickly! Smile. They are so easy to love.

What of Moise and the first orphans we met in Haiti? We hope to convince the housemother to allow us to take Moise so he can get the medical help he needs. Either way, we will provide some food each month to feed the children we came to love. We cannot forget them. Perhaps one day, the woman will have a change of heart. We appreciate your prayers for her and the children.

The paperwork is nearly finished - praise God! We will need to make the final payment of $2200 when I go. It will take approximately $10,000 to purchase/build the needed furniture and make repairs on the home, as well as to hire a driver/translator for one year. The monthly budget for maintaining the home will be approximately $3,000 for food, cleaning products, on-going maintenance and repairs, staff wages, and utilities. Your faithful giving helped the home begin...we are believing for many who will help us to maintain the home for the children.

So, what comes next? We plan to establish our ministry base and start a school for our children at the home this year as we "learn the ropes" of working in Haiti. By our second year, we will begin looking for property to purchase so we can establish a larger orphanage for the many, many more children in need of a place to call "home." We'll share more about this in the future. We'll also begin connecting with orphanages run by nationals this year to do training and hopefully bring the quality of care and discipleship of the children to a higher standard. Our dream is big, but our God is bigger!

We'll be taking teams for the next year...want to go? Contact us at: we.hear.the.cry@gmail.com or call (989)506-8993. You can make donations through PayPal on our website at http://heartcryinternational.com or mail them to:

Heart Cry International
PO Box 207
Mt.Pleasant, MI 48804

Together, we ARE making a difference!

Carla Ives
Founder

My Week in Haiti...

2010-06-08T20:34:00.000-07:00

My trip to Haiti was fast and furious. We were able to secure the house for the orphanage on day one by making an initial payment for the year. I was able to meet the pastor who will help oversee the orphanage. He and his wife are precious people who are laying down their lives for Christ. Last but not least I was able to see some of the children who will be in the orphanage. My heart broke for these precious little boys and girls. All of them were 5 and under in age. With some you could see signs of malnutrition. I couldn’t help but think of my beautiful grandson Abraham and how I wept as we drove from the airport after he had arrived from Liberia. I was overwhelmed that God had changed the whole course of that young boy’s (Abraham’s) life by having a couple in the United States adopt him. God is changing the course of these children in Haiti’s lives by people willing to help establish a home where they can be loved and taught the ways of God. I left humbled by the privilege God has given us to make a difference in these children’ lives.

On the second day I went to Sous Savanne. Sous Savanne is a village of 246 families I was told by the pastor of a neighboring village. My heart was gripped by how many young men were sitting with nothing to do. The church building was dilapidated and there were just remnants of sheets over sticks for tents. Many of the people have tried to find other places for shelter with it being the rainy season. This village desperately needs a well for water. They are presently carrying water quite a distance. This village needs someone to come along side and help rebuild the ruins. As I was there I began to ask God for ideas of how to create opportunities for these young men. Please pray for Sous Savanne.

On my last day I met with other potential staff members for the orphanage to share with them the vision and plan. Carla will return June 21st to complete this process and set up the house for the children. She will then bring the children home – what a day that will be! Thank you for helping us fulfill God’s dream for this children’s home.

I finished my last day in Haiti preaching in Pastor Magnus’ church and meeting four other pastors who will help plan some outreaches and a pastors conference when we take our team to Haiti in August. This was a wonderful evening. I so enjoyed the fellowship with our Haitian brethren.

Honored to be His servant,

Ron

Giving My Best to Haiti...

2010-05-23T19:36:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow I will send Haiti one of the best gifts I've ever given...I'll be sending my husband, Ron, to visit Haiti for the first time. He will continue the legal process for the HCI orphanage, "My Heart's Home" in Port au Prince. He'll go to Sous Savanne to evaluate the need and plan for the team's efforts there in August. Without a doubt, I know he will often have tears in his eyes and will spend time praying fervently for the people of Haiti. He is one of the most compassionate men I've ever known.

When I first started HCI over sixteen years ago, it was called "Reach the Children of the World." It was a God-dream given to me at a mission's conference in northern Michigan. The minute I shared the vision, Ron committed wholeheartedly to see it become a reality. Over the years he sacrificed time with me as he released me to travel the globe while he stayed home watching over the children still at home and our local church. He sacrificed financially, investing personal savings and properties to see the dream come to pass. He did it because he loves God, he loves people, and he loves me.

We will be blogging reportings of his journey this week to keep you informed. Much is happening with HCI and we are excited about this particular trip. But sometimes I think blogging can eliminate the human element of the work. We forget that the people in the stories - not only the suffering, but also the ones serving - are real. They get tired, get jet lag, and sweat in the heat like everyone else. This week that one serving will be my husband of nearly 30 years. I am so proud to say that he is definitely real in faith, commitment, and integrity.

I'm convinced that we don't say "thank you" enough in this world. So for the space of one blogspot, I wanted to honor the man I've loved and labored alongside in ministry for more than half my life. What an adventure! From street ministry to Teen Challenge to youth ministry to pioneering a church to launching a mission's organization, it's been quite a ride. And I would have missed it all without my man of God. There would've been no children or nine grandchildren, no Potter's House church family, and no RTC Africa. There would've been no orphanage in Haiti or boy's home in Uganda this year. For all we have shared, all he has given, and all he will do, this grateful wife sends sincere thanks. The future looks good with Ron Ives in it!

If this was a little personal for some of you - have patience! Smile. Ministry reports will be coming shortly!

God Bless,
Carla Ives
HCI Co-Founder

A Promise Fulfilled

2010-04-29T11:15:00.000-07:00

I visited Sous Savanne, a village of about 300 families in a remote village the other day. Despite the millions of dollars and aid sent to Haiti, this group of weary people have received very little help. They live under bent sticks and torn bedsheets. They've not had luxury items like soap or toothpaste since the quake. As I toured their community they shared stories of others who came and made promises to help. They challenged me with their eyes and touched my heart.

Then we unloaded enough health care kits, lovingly prepared in the states, for the entire village. We gave them medicine and I tried to play nurse, tending simple needs with the medicines we brought. We gave Pastor Joseph Christian literature from World Missionary Press and HCI's child trauma kits. A hush came over the people as they listened attentively to how to use the health care kit items correctly and fight the spread of disease for their children. I'm no nurse, but my "motherly counsel" was received with obvious gratefulness. I wanted to weep.

Instead I pulled out my craft bag and puppets! What a wonderful time. It so blessed my heart as mothers, fathers and children laughed and smiled. A little fun goes a long way. We became fast friends! The leader of the village will now work with the pastor to prepare for teams that will come in August from HCI and Hope Force International. My driver, Eddie and I have hunted down large tarps that can be purchased for only $12 each. I plan to use whatever cash I have left to buy some for them before I go. The need is so great! Before leaving, I shook hands, gave hugs, and promised to return in a month.

After much travel and hard work, we have found a home for "My Heart's Home." It will take time to process the legal papers to establish as an official orphanage, but we've started the ball rolling! Today I sign the contract for the house and meet with future staff. After finding the house with Camita, the house mother, Pastor Magnus, and Eddie we had an emotional prayer session. Wrapping my arms around Camita I found a new daughter to love. She's 33, but has won my heart. She's so good with the children!

This home will provide a base for HCI in Haiti, house the orphans, and host small teams from HCI and Hope Force in the next few years. I'll return next month to set up "home" and can't wait! The orphans may move in before I get back with the supplies they already have. It is safe, dry, and "home"!

Looking at the babies around me, I was reminded of God's faithfulness to keep His promises. When I was unable to have more children, I prayed so hard to be able to adopt. Over and over again, I received prophetic words and scripture promises that I would adopt - but every time I came close, the plan fell through. I eventually gave up on the dream and committed to give my life to God's children around the world.

Now, nearing 50 and a grandmother of nine, I am finally receiving my promise. It looks different than I expected, but it is no less fulfilling. I look forward to loving and watching these children grow up. They are the children of my heart, and a promise from God. I am so humbled and grateful!

Keeping promises is important to God. It should be important to us too. We have to do all we can to keep the promises made to Haiti at the time of the earthquake. How else will they know the beauty and love of God? To all who gave in various ways to help me keep promises made thus far to this ravaged nation, THANK YOU. Let's finish this together!

My Heart's Home

2010-04-26T17:30:00.000-07:00

I can't stop smiling. All I can see is the face of baby Maurice (who I think is actually named Moses - some things get lost in translation!)who I met the last time I was in Haiti. At that time he was slowly dying from lack of protein. He was skin over bones, too weak to cry. When I held him in my arms, he rested his head on my shoulder and sighed. We bonded and I've had him with me in heart and mind ever since.

You may remember that we purchased food for the orphans and taught the house mother to cook and mash the beans so Maurice could eat them. A wonderful lady from the states donated money to purchase more food a few weeks ago. It was well worth it!

When I walked into the room today, all the children squealed with excitement. The most beautiful sound of all was my little Maurice giggling and scooting on his tiny bottom across the floor to get to me! He remembered me! I almost cried as I looked at his clear eyes, growing hair and round cheeks. He's healing day by day. And he's sooooo alive! Thank You, Jesus! The other babies were much improved too.

Today we delvered some of the Health Care kits many of you prepared for the orphans, as well as bath towels, blankets, baby clothing and bottles, medicine and more. Your donations were received with big smiles! I wish you could see their happy faces. Your giving IS making a difference!

With the help of my driver, Eddie, we began the search for the orphanage. I am to see two homes tomorrow. There is much paperwork to do with government agencies and I covet your prayers. Right now the house mother and about a dozen orphans are sleeping in tattered tents because their current home is no longer safe. This is very unhealthy for the children and the rainy season is here. We need a home!

As I sat with the children my heart adopted one month ago, I told them about my precious grandchildren at home in the United States. I told them about my Lily Anna, age four, who did a lemonaide stand during the recent Maple Syrup Fest in my hometown to raise money for Haiti. It suddenly occurred to me that baby Maurice and the other orphans I love are not just "my" babies - they are a part of a growing family who sacrifices in countless ways to help them. They are "our" babies. That means that Maurice's saved life is your testimony too and for that, I am deeply grateful.

Today's Needs:

$200 to purchase another food portion for the orphans before I leave.
Children's clothing - boys and girls.
A good breeze - it's hotter than I ever remember here! (Smile)

Together, we ARE making a difference!

With Joy!

Carla Ives
HCI Co-Founder

The Strategy

2010-04-08T07:09:00.000-07:00

Proverbs 8 speaks of God's wisdom. Where wisdom meets understanding, we are able to take our stand. Reading this, I realize how rarely we wait on God for understanding. We pray until we have the wisdom of God and then try to interpret it according to OUR understanding. This leads to failure and disappointment. Proverbs 8 encourages us to seek understanding, discretion, prudence, and the counsel of God. Discretion and prudence speak of God's strategy, plans, and witty inventions. God not only has the answer for every question or situation - He has the strategy for making it happen!

Since Pastor Carla's return from Haiti in March, we have been praying for the wisdom and strategy for continued work there. We believe we have the strategy of God for moving forward and are excited about returning to Haiti the end of April. There is much we will be able to do!

The first part of the plan will be to look for a large, sturdy home to rent. This will become "My Heart's Home", the first official HCI orphanage in Haiti. Why start our own orphanage instead of rebuilding an existing Haitian home? Because it is important to provide these orphans with quality care, love, and good discipleship. These children will shape the future of Haiti in years to come. It is easier to start something right than to try to retrain and bring change to an existing orphanage. We will approach the orphanage featured in our last trip to see if we can combine efforts on behalf of the true orphans, like baby Maurice. We appreciate your prayers.

Our hope is to find a home large enough that we can maintain one small section for housing HCI teams. We have a wonderful host in Dottie's Guesthouse that we will continue to use, but the number of beds is limited. We need more room and many of the hotels and facilities were destroyed in the earthquake. This will give us a base for continued work there.

The second part of the plan will be to adopt a tent community. We cannot help everyone, but we CAN help some! We will be visiting a tent community that Hope Force International has also adopted and will probably join forces with them. This tent community is still using bed-sheets for shelter and is in extreme need. Many of these tent communities will become neighborhoods or small villages of their own as Haiti rebuilds. We can bring the influence of God's Word and love into a developing community, again helping to shape the future of Haiti.

We'll continue to work with Dottie Diehl's school in Port au Prince, which is one of the few schools still functioning and going strong since the earthquake. We're hoping to glean from her as we work with developing schools in the future. She's got a good thing going! Pastor Carla fell in love with the children there on her last visit and looks forward to her return.

How can you Help Haiti? We are listing a few financial needs in the space below that you may want to consider. These are immediate needs for moving forward. There is also a complete list of requested supplies on our website at http://heartcryinternational.com. Whether you give financially or in donated items, your giving makes a difference!

Estimated Cost of Home for Orphanage: $1200 per month
Estimated Cost of Food: $200 per month
Estimated Cost of Fuel for April Trip: $300
Estimated Cost of Transporation/Translator for April Trip: $500
Estimated Cost of Lodging for April Trip: $600
Estimated Cost of Flight for April Trip: $1000 (2 tickets)
Estimated Cost of Extra Baggage for April Trip: $600

*All donations are tax-deductible.

Let's do more than THINK about helping Haiti - let's DO it! Together, we ARE making a difference!

Serving with Joy,
The HCI Ministry Team

Jesus Rode in a Dump Truck!

2010-03-17T07:14:00.000-07:00

I hit the ground running from my trip to Haiti earlier this month. The schedule has been intense and there has been so much to do. The need I witnessed in Haiti was unbelievable. I had an unusual opportunity to see the extent of damage caused by the earthquake as I traveled to a coastal village over 100 miles from Port au Prince.

It was an amazing ride!

The pastor who introduced me to the orphanage written about in my previous post was a dear friend of missionaries Patrick & Barb Lataillade. Most of you remember that Patrick and Barb were buried in the rubble of their home during their earthquake and were seriously injured. HCI has committed to helping them re-establish their ministry base in Haiti and I wanted to visit the village where they had already built a ministry compound. The new pastor offered to arrange transportation for me, and I agreed. He has the most beautiful heart.

When my transportation arrived, it was in the form of a large dump truck. Not exactly what I expected, but workable! I assured the pastor it was fine and we began our ten hour journey to the village. It was hot and bumpy, but also a great opportunity to see the long-reaching effect of the recent earthquake.

Miles and miles of devastation. Hidden in the hills were more fallen buildings and tent communities. Most of these had received no aid and were still using bedsheets and cardboard for tents. Main roads were cracked and shifted. Large rocks had fallen to block still other roads. Even as the main mode of transportation changed from vehicles to donkeys, the far-reaching effects of the recent earthquake could be seen.

Yet when we reached the coastal village of Mayette, it was mostly untouched. It was an oasis from the storm. The compound built by the Lataillades with the church, school, and medical clinic remained intact. That night the congregation gathered at the church and we celebrated God's goodness. It was a precious time.

As I rode in the truck to Mayette that day, I was acutely aware of God's Presence. I knew He was with me in the front cab, allowing me to see my Haitian brethren in a new light. They use this same Dump Truck to transport large quantities of food to the villages we passed through. It is exhausting, hot, and very hard travel, but they never complain. I am believing that HCI will help them fill that truck with other supplies needed to help those impacted by the quake in the villages.

We sowed a small seed of food and ministry supplies that day. There is still much to be done. HCI will soon recruit a construction team to travel to this village to do work for the Lataillades. Patrick has returned to scope the situation and develop a plan for the future. Despite the loss of his arm, he is forward focused and committed to his call to Haiti. His life challenges me to greater commitment.

Thanks Patrick and Barb, for lives truly lived and testimony that is real.

"How did these children end up like this?"

2010-03-01T17:05:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I had a meeting with a Pastor Mones, a good friend of Patrick Lataillade who was injured in the earthquake. The goal was to plan a trip to Patrick's ministry base in Mayette to take food to his hungry people and determine how HCI can best help them as they rebuild their ministry. Pastor Mones was most helpful and eager to help his friend.

As we spoke, I was drawn to the kindness and humility of the man. He was without pretense and selfless in his desire to help Patrick's ministry. Not once did he mention himself or his own ministry needs. He would have ended the meeting and walked away without my knowing anything about him IF I had not asked. As he was pushing his chair away from the table I said, "What happened to you and your ministry in the earthquake?"

"Oh - my home is no more. My church is gone."

I asked if he could take me to see his church. Instead he offered to take me to a small orphanage started by a group of Haitian pastors before the earthquake. Since the earthquake, none of the pastors had been able to do anything for the orphanage and the children were suffering. New orphans had come. Within minutes we were on our way.

We arrived to find a group of children playing in a small area. The inside walls of the building were cracked and most of the house parent's belongings were broken. But it was the babies lying on cardboard on the cement floor that touched my heart. They were sick and thin, with the bloated bellies of malnourished bodies. Their hair was light fuzz and they wore a glazed expression. These were the babies of the quake.

Little Maurice had skin over bones and was unable to move. As I cradled him in my arms, my heart cried. I called Jack Minton of Hope Force International to see if any of his doctors would be willing to make a house call. In the background I heard all four doctors quickly assent. Their gentleness and kindness for these children was amazing to see. They emptied their private stashes of snacks and peanut butter for the children. They encouraged the house mother to bring the babies to the hospital the next day.

Today I spent the morning at "Dottie's" school and then went shopping in the open market with three Haitian men - only one spoke any English at all! We delivered our plunder to the orphanage this evening and were met with smiles. We were blessed to find a mobile medic unit that was there to tend the orphanage and surrounding neighborhood. I noticed the lead doctor following me as I talked to the house mother. When I was ready to leave, he took my hand and pulled me aside. "How did tese children end up like this?" He went on to say that these children were more serious and malnourished than those in the tent communities. He and his team were stunned by the need.

I explained to the doctor that these children were poor before the earthquake and even worse now. Sometimes parents will let a new baby starve to death if they have too many mouths to feed, though it breaks their heart. The orphanage children had not had anything but rice and emergency packs to share sparingly since the earthquake - no vitamins, protein, or fruit. They had been through trauma and it showed. None of my explanations made it okay for any of us.

This will be HCI's focus for orphans in Haiti. It is in the heart of Port-au-Prince. In time to come, we will have a building to repair, furniture and bedding to find, a school to begin, and more. But today, we simply fed some very hungry babies...and that was a sweet beginning.

"And Then I Run..."

2010-02-27T16:36:00.000-08:00

How many times have I heard that phrase? "I was at school...at my house...outside...and the ground shook. I fall down and then I run." The children of Haiti carry the same images and stories in their minds and hearts. And each wants to tell his or her experience, often for the first time.

Yesterday we began our day at what was a church compound that included a school and a boy's home. Today it is a pile of broken concrete and stones. The former two-story school is leveled. A makeshift shelter of sticks and tarp with battered benches is the new place of worship. There was no evidence of any relief agency anywhere. They were on their own.

While the Hope Force Medical team, Dr. Gorman and Tiffanie Robinson, tended the sick children and adults from the community surrounding the compound, I ministered to the orphans and neighborhood children. Again, I was amazed by their reaction to the booklets. Each one seemed eager to tell his/her story. Their stories gripped my heart. It was as if I could see what they were describing...the church filled with mourners as a funeral was being conducted suddenly collapsing and killing many of the church members...the teenage orphan who lay in the debris between two of his dead friends, waiting to be rescued...the boy who lost his hand when it was crushed as he escaped the school. And always, "I fell down. I run. I run and run."

Before the end of our time together there was much laughter and excitement. They met "Neetzel", my famous puppet and we made fast friends. It was very hard to leave them there and my heart wants so much to return.

But there were other children...

Our next stop was a tent city set up on a larger church compound. They have received very little help and were thrilled to receive us. Jack Minton of Hope Force International quickly set the medical team in motion and they were overwhelmed by those needing care. I was deeply touched to see a young man with a towel wrapped around him trying to learn how to use crutches now that his leg was gone. His mother held her hands at his waist to steady him and her love for her son was in her eyes. What a blessing the medical team was once again!

I found my place of service in a "room" created by sticks and rope. I have no idea how many children came! (The picture in the sidebar will give you some idea.) Soon a crowd of parents gathered at the rope and I couldn't stop looking at them. As my interpreter read the booklet to the children, their parent's hung on every word. It was as if years slipped away and they forgot to be sad. They received the ministry and laughed with the lessons just as the children did!

When the sharing time was over, the children swarmed to me, nearly knocking me over. One reached to tug at my hair and said, "I want to kiss you." What a sweet memory was made as I kissed little puckered lips and cheeks, dirty and sometimes covered with scabies, but so beautiful. Afterwards, as I toured the camp, I found many of the children sitting near their tents coloring their booklets with stickers on their little bags.

I pray that soon their running will be over.

Then the Ground Shook...

2010-02-25T09:27:00.000-08:00

When I first wrote the trauma booklet for Haiti, it was a sweet story of comfort for the children. It speaks of how good life was for the child of Haiti, with food to eat, a home to shelter them, and a grandma to sing to them.

Then the ground shook...

I did not realize what that one sentence meant until my first night in Haiti. In the midnight hour when all was dark, I awakened to the ground shaking. There's a sound that comes with it - a rumbling, intimidating, frightening sound. The floor shivers under your feet and you feel instantly disoriented. And this was only an aftershock.

Then I saw the flattened buildings and cars, with the homeless gathered in open fields and new tent communities springing up. For the first two days of my stay here, I met with children at a local Christian school as they began processing their experience. A loud sound could send them running. Each child spoke of falling down, being injured, afraid and feeling alone. They saw their homes become a pile of debris. They saw their neighbors dying.

Today I am at King's Hospital in Port au Prince. I spent some time with the children waiting to see the doctors. I introduced myself to each one, until I finally found someone to interpret for me. Then I began cutting animals out of paper and was quickly mobbed. As I spent time with them, they began smiling and even laughing. I distributed the trauma booklets and crayon packets. Their Mamas waited in line for their paper animals and booklets too. My heart was especially touched by an old man with white beard who waited patiently with hand outstretched for the booklet and crayons. Then he sat and began to read. I brought out my famous "story apron" and shared the Word of God with everyone standing in line.

There is no way to heal a nation in a day, but perhaps we can watch God do it one person at a time. This is a time for every person and relief agency to focus on what they CAN do rather than what they CANNOT do. We CAN make a difference! I have now witnessed the change of countenance in the child who is suddenly able to center their security in Christ. Peace comes to their eyes and there is a new smile of hope. God is so very, very good.

My love and appreciation for these precious people has grown in the past few days. I wanted to weep today when the mothers and then their children asked me to sign my name to the paper animals. As I walked away a mama yelled, "Carla, she love us!" Though my greatest hope is that they will know the love of Jesus, I was blessed to know they were also able to feel my love for them. It is a love that will stay.

Tomorrow I leave for an extremely poor tent community that has received no help from any other agencies. I will accompany Jack Minton of Hope Force International, who will take a medical team to tend the sick and wounded. I am to carry my "comfort" bag and sit on the ground with the children, doing art therapy and distributing the packets. I will go from tent to tent, child to child. I sense this may be one of the places Heart Cry will be working with in the future and covet your prayers.

Keep on praying, giving, and raising funds for Haiti. We have only begun...

With Love,
Pastor Carla

WHY "HELP HAITI"?

2010-01-25T05:46:00.000-08:00

I'm always am amazed by the reaction of God's people to disaster. The selfless, generous, and sacrificial giving of so many touches my heart. The determination to save the orphaned children, to get medical care to the survivors, and to put their hands to the work marks those with sensitive hearts. Friends from various organizations and ministries on the ground in Haiti reported of countless people who hopped on planes and landed in Haiti to help with nothing but the shirt on their backs. For these, their heart was in the right place, but their ability to actually help was very limited.

Some are frustrated by the outpouring of good deeds and financial contributions to the crisis. I remember that Hurricane Katrina was very similar. Those in other states with great need were frustrated by the millions given to New Orleans...but they had not been there. They did not see the devastation. These were not heartless, nor did they lack compassion. They simply didn't understand.

I understood the reaction to Katrina's crisis as I now do the Haiti crisis. I saw the aftermath of Katrina as I worked with Hope Force International's team at the Dome in Houston. 25,000 people crammed together with nothing but cots and a small pile of personal belongings. Everything else was gone. Memories of drowning loved ones. Trauma of emergency rescues. Children and parents desperate to find one another. So much sickness...the need was beyond comprehension.

The earthquake in Haiti brought a devastation to far more than Hurricane Katrina did. There are hundreds of thousands buried in mass graves that will never have a marker to remember their names. There are even more severely injured, orphaned, widowed, displaced, without the hope of work or escape. These are migrating anywhere in search of hope or being clustered in camps to survive while new homes are built. Though I haven't been there yet, I know from previous experience that there will not be enough water, enough latrines or adequate space for the thousands gathered. These are the "huddled masses" America promised to love with Lady Liberty near Ellis Island.

Should we help them? For the Christian,the answer is easy: "What would Jesus do?" The Heart Cry International HELP HAITI drive is a response to that important question. We are gathering basic health care supplies and sewing kits to be mass distributed; we are creating small "trauma kits" for the children so devastated by the tragedy; we are standing with our injured missionaries in their recovery of health and ministry; we are moving forward with plans to establish a new orphanage in Haiti. I will be leaving for Haiti in the next week or two.

The key in a crisis is to somehow respond to the urgent need without abandoning the day-to-day and very real needs of our own nation, as well as those we've committed to helping elsewhere. This is where the frustration for some enters in. But to our friends here in America and to our partners overseas: We will not forget you! This is why HCI will be starting new programs this week and advancing existing Impact Center efforts in the nations. We will continue to recruit sponsors for our widows and children. We will finish the discipleship curriculums being written for Guatemala, Nigeria, and the United States.

We invite you to join us. It's so easy to make a difference if you join hands with a quality organization that is doing what it claims to be doing. We're extending our hand to you today. With your support, more lives will be changed; more orphans sheltered and loved; more nations impacted with the gospel; more youth will be educated in schools and allowed a way out of poverty. It is our delight to be your representatives in Haiti and beyond. We are committed to this work and are so grateful for your support!

Heart Cry International
PO Box 207
Mt.Pleasant, MI 48804

* For a complete list of needed supplies, contact us at heartcry@live.com.

Serving Joyfully,

Pastor Carla Ives
HCI Co-Founder

They're Fighting in My Barn!

2010-01-09T20:10:00.000-08:00

Every Tuesday night, a group of energetic young men of various backgrounds, ages, and personal history gather in our barn to fight. If you would have asked me ten years ago, I would have told you that I didn't approve of such violence in the Name of Jesus. Today, I rejoice in it! I rejoice because it is changing lives once thought beyond salvation. I rejoice because every week, young men with various struggles and personal issues are finding hope!

In late fall of 2009, my husband and I felt led to open our barn to Faithfighting Ministries led by Jody Bass with spiritual support from Pastor Caleb Ives of The Potter's House Family Worship Center in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. They had a vision, an interested group of young men, and opportunity - all they needed was a place to meet. Faithfighting Ministries uses a combination of wrestling, boxing and marital arts with Christian evangelism and discipleship to bring transformation to at-risk and wounded young men. Some of these young men are brought from the local jail to participate in the program. Already the good reports are rolling in!

Many of today's youths are filled with pent-up pain and anger. They are explosive and apt to bring harm to themselves or others. The physical training and discipline of Faithfighting helps them to release negative energy and adrenalin and positions them to receive personal ministry. It is a powerful tool. These young men gain confidence, build healthy relationships and receive new mentors to speak into their lives. As they enter competitions, they develop positive goals and dreams to work towards. We are proud to host this ministry at our home!

Jody Bass was once a very active boy in my children's ministry. He had to overcome much woundedness and many obstacles to become the man of God he is today. He is passionate about this vision and hopes to see this ministry reproduced in other cities with other churches throughout the United States. It's a strategy that works, a God-idea for this troubled generation. I am incredibly proud of this young man, his lovely wife Danielle, and their three children. What a testimony of God's goodness!

Heart Cry International is partnering with Faithfighting Ministries to see young men impacted with the gospel of Jesus Christ. For more information or to book Jody to speak to your Youth Ministry or outreach, call 989-506-8993.

Together, we ARE making a difference!
Pastor Carla Ives
HCI Co-Founder

Why I Can't Stop Asking...

2009-12-01T11:55:00.000-08:00

I get piles of requests every single week from non-profit organizations and ministries doing incredible things. Though my heart is touched by their efforts, I cannot possibly give to each one. I have to prayerfully seek God for His direction, as I know you do.

I have never been good at fundraising. My mind just doesn't work that way. I'm passionate for the cause of Christ. I am committed to the vision of HCI. I love those we serve with my whole heart. I believe in what we do. I just have never figured out how to impart my passion to others. It has been my greatest challenge in missions.

In my own bumbling way, I continue to ask for your help week after week. I know you must weary of hearing of the need. I know our requests are one of many that come to you. You cannot possibly give to everyone. Some of you give faithfully despite my poor salesmanship - and I'm eternally grateful! More of you have never given at all. So why do I continue to ask???

Because I see the women and children in need of our help everyday. I carry their images in my heart. I lift them before the Father's throne each day. My heart aches for the children still on the streets, being exploited today. I weep for the woman with AIDS who has no food for her babies. I feel the burden of the children who can't go to school because they have no tuition. I hear the cry of the churches who want to reach the children,but have never learned how. They can't ask for your help - but I can.

Once again, on behalf of these precious ones, I ask for your help. We have come to the end of 2009. Many of these needs have gone unmet for yet another year. I am praying and believing that 2010 will be the year of breakthrough for them. Will you believe with me? More than that - will you give with me?

The HCI Annual Christmas Sponsorship Drive is in full swing. We are asking for donations in any amount for the HCI Sponsorship Fund. We will use this fund to provide the food, shelter and/or education needed. It's so very simple.

Why give to Heart Cry International? Because your donation will be stretched to provide both spiritual and physical care to those living in extreme poverty. It is more than humanitarian work. It is discipleship. It impacts. It transforms lives. Every compassionate deed is partnered with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Your dollars will bear fruit for eternity! It's so easy to make a difference!

Will you help us?

Heart Cry International
PO Box 207
Mt.Pleasant, MI 48804 USA

Giving All I Can,

Pastor Carla Ives
HCI Co-Founder

Prayer Changes Things!

2009-11-17T12:49:00.000-08:00

We believe in the power of prayer.

There have been so many miracles resulting from intercession for this ministry throughout the years. Without a doubt, lives have been preserved and protected, urgent needs cared for, and people saved because the sons and daughters of God took the time to pray.

As the darkness deepens in the earth, the need for sincere prayer grows. Prayer shuts out the darkness and prevents its forward progress. Prayer opens the heavens and releases provision,love, and life to the world. Prayer positions us behind the cross so that only Christ is glorified.

Prayer can go where we cannot. It can continue working overseas long after the mission team returns home. Prayerlessness stops the flow of blessing and provision. Prayerlessness eliminates the cross, leaving us with what is humanly possible.

On Wednesday nights at 9 p.m. there is a gathering of young and old believers at the HCI office at 221 Bellows Street in Mt.Pleasant, Michigan. We are gathering to pray for the nations. We pray for the will of God in and through Heart Cry International - but mostly we pray for the will of God to be done in the earth. HIS kingdom come; His will be done on EARTH as it is in HEAVEN! We invite you to join us! If you can't come, consider setting that hour aside for prayer for the nations. If God moves in response to two who agree together - what will He do when hundreds pray???

If you would like to pray with us, email: info@heartcryinternational.com. We will send you a weekly prayer focus.

If the Bible is true...and it IS...then when we pray, things shift in the spirit realm and the will of God is established. As it's established in the heavens, it then manifests on the earth. Let's pray and look for change!

Standing with you,

The HCI Ministry Team

Christmas Already????

2009-11-02T08:20:00.001-08:00

Five years ago, Pastor Ron and I had no grandchildren. Today we have nine! They are my only "hobby" now and the reward of this life. For the past year I have been shopping sales and storing away gifts for their Christmas at our home. I can hardly wait! Last week my four-year old Lily Anna and I were almost ready to put up the tree already! We're so excited! I exclaimed to my kids, "Is it Christmas yet?"

It is with this same sense of celebration that I look to our child sponsorship program this year. Five years ago, we had no sponsored children - only a dream of providing some kind of help to the precious, often wounded, hungry, sick, or homeless children we encountered on the mission field. Today loving sponsors support approximately 70 children in the slums of Uganda, the impoverished streets of Nigeria, remote villages in India and the mountains of Guatemala. It's amazing! It's a small beginning, but it's a beginning!

November 1st marked the launching of our Child Sponsorship Christmas Drive 2009. Until December 25th, we will be encouraging people to make a monthly pledge or one-time offering to our HCI Sponsorship Fund. This fund will allow us to provide support to the MANY children and women enrolled in the sponsorship programs who have not yet received a sponsor. Later, when the woman or child gains a sponsor, new children and women and can be enrolled in the program. This means that never again will there be any child in our sponsorship program who is not receiving the help he or she needs.

Why is this important? Because the children enrolled in our programs have no other place to go for help. We are the end of the line for them. The financial support given through Heart Cry International is their only hope for education, shelter, or food. We don't enroll children who have other means of support. We understand that God has made us aware of these children and given us the responsibility of caring for them. Every month they go without sponsorship can mean another month without education, food, or shelter. How can we ignore their need?

In America and the UK we are so blessed. Christmas is a time of family, celebration, pretty decorations and abundance. It's hard to imagine that at the same time there are countless children living on the streets, going without daily food, and having no clothes to wear. But they are there...and they are loved by our Father in heaven.

Would you consider making a montly pledge or one-time tax-deductible offering to the HCI Sponsorship Fund in honor of someone you love this Christmas? We will post their names on our website and send a special certificate to inform them of your gift of love this holiday season. Help us reach our goal of $5000 per month. It doesn't matter how small the gift may be - it makes a difference in the life of a child. Thank you for loving the children...

Pastor Carla Ives
HCI Co-Founder

The Boy I Can't Forget

2009-10-21T10:35:00.000-07:00

My first trip to Romania was many years ago. I went with two other women to do Children's Ministry training and to visit missionary friends, Ghiorghi & Cristina Cazacu. I fell in love with the old architecture and people right away. However, at first I struggled trying to see the need of the nation in comparison with the needs so obvious in the African and Asian countries we worked in. What could we do in Romania to make a difference?

We visited the oldest gypsy village where the people lived in small houses without running water or electricity. There was no doctor for their sick and not enough coats to protect the children from the cold. A tousled-haired girl with big brown eyes was wrapped in my oversized sweater when we drove away that day.

We went to the Orthodox Church where people lined up for hours to enter the lavishly decorated building. They waited with anticipation to touch the hand of a dead "saint" through a hole in the casket she was carried from church to church in, just to receive a blessing. They didn't know they had access to the throne of God to receive His blessing. My heart was heavy as I descended the stairs of the temple.

Then there was the boy. He was filthy, hungry, and too thin for his ragged clothes. His hair crawled with lice. The missionary was known as a friend to the street children and they came running whenever they saw him. This boy came but didn't leave with the others. He lingered.

That night I prayed with boy at the missionary's home before bed. His hair was clean, cut, and de-liced. His clothes were new. He looked very different after the long bath - three tubfulls of water and soap to get him clean. On his bedstand was the health care kit with his first toothbrush, comb, soap, and wash cloth. He treaured it. I wished with all my heart we could take him home. He ran away back to the street friends and life he'd always known a few days later. The change came too quick and frightened him. I cried for him in my bed that night.

Is there a need in Romania? Yes! And this time we are prepared to make a difference. I will be flying there in November and reviewing the incredible ministry of the Cazacus while evaluating the current needs of the children of Romania. We will also travel to Moldova and Ukraine to do the same. This time we will seek God and form His plan for working with the Cazacu's to make a difference. The needs are REAL and the opportunities endless.

This will be a work trip, too. I have been invited to do women's meetings and Children's Ministry training too in all three countries. God's Word brings true transformation and I'm expecting to see God move in a special way.

Maybe God wants you to make a difference in Romania, Moldova, and the Ukraine too! We need finances to fund this trip and to do the work needed to help the churches and children. Your tax-deductible donation can be sent to: Heart Cry International; PO Box 387; Shepherd, MI 48883. I'll be happy to represent you on the mission field!

Seeing the Need,
Pastor Carla Ives
HCI Co-Founder

A Personal Note from Chris Zeien - HCI Sponsorship Program Director

2009-10-07T13:17:00.000-07:00

"In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, I would have told you." (Jn 14:2) Imagine that! God so desires to have us with him in heaven that he has prepared a place for each of us in His eternal kingdom. Yet so many will never know of the Father's love unless we are willing to be about our "Father's business" - to share God's loving heart with people here at home and throughout the nations of the world.

As a child, it was easy for me to feel detached from the cares of the world. I grew up in a loving, Christian household during the fifties, surrounded by a cadre of supportive grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. We were not well-off, but I never knew the abject poverty faced by many of the children in this world (although some people would dispute this since I was one of ten siblings and we had only one bathroom!). When I married, my wonderful husband always saw to it that our family was well-provided for. Life was good. So good that, at times, I could become complacent, sometimes even forgetting to thank the real source of our provision, our Heavenly Father. Because I was very active with my family and in my church community, the problems of those beyond that inner circle seemed far removed.

In 2001, I traveled with Pastor Carla to Nigeria on my first ever mission trip and my eyes were opened to the many physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of children around the world. My heart ached for each and every one of them, yet how could I, as only one person, change their circumstances or mend their wounded bodies and hearts? How could I ensure that this one would get the education that she longs for? Or that receives at least one meal a day? How could it be arranged so the child who yearns to know more about Jesus can continue to be nurtured spiritually?

This year as I retired from teaching, God blessed me with an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of those children when I became the new acting director of Heart Cry International's sponsorship programs. Heart Cry's sponsorship program is an answer to prayer for many women and children around the world. We exist to show them God's love through men and women like you who help us provide others with education, food, shelter, and clothing, and the word of God to encourage their spirits.

Our work will not be done until the children of the nations know the love of Christ in their lives, and you are making that possible with the generous hearts and the consistent monthly support that so many of you provide. Bless you for your willingness to share your time, money, and talents. Some of you may still be asking the question, "What can I do?"

Listen to your hearts. Do you hear the cry?

The Ripple Effect

2009-09-30T07:34:00.000-07:00

Have you ever poked your finger into a pond and witnessed the ripples that slowly radiate out from your point of contact? This is called the ripple effect and it happens everyday.

Heart Cry International "poked a finger" in the nation of Nigeria years ago. The training and resources released into that nation have continued to spread to other nations of Africa to this day. Amazing!

Twenty-two years ago, Pastors Ron & Carla Ives "poked a finger" in Mt.Pleasant, Michigan in the USA to start a church. That connection continues to ripple into other Michigan cities and led to Heart Cry International's beginning!

The more fingers poked in the pond, the greater the ripple effect. We need more hands to create new points of contact between our heavenly Father and His world! You can impact the state of Michigan and/or the nations by connecting with HCI in the following ways:

Support HCI with a monthly pledge in any amount.

Sponsor a widow or child overseas for only $30 per month.

Participate in the Bingham School Project in Lansing, Michigan.

Participate in the Potter's House FWC Impact Center Programs and Development in Mt.Pleasant, MI.

Donate your services by sewing HCI Health-Care Kit bags and Story-Aprons, translating our resources into spanish, french, portuguese, swahilin or grantwriting.

Donate supplies for children's homes and schools overseas.

Participate in a short-term mission trip to Guatemala or Uganda in June of 2010.

One hour, day, or week of your time, effort, and/or finances can impact the world for Christ. Touch the nations through Heart Cry International today!

Gratefully,
The HCI Ministry Team

For more information: http://heartcryinternational/989-506-8993.

Ministry Continues in Uganda...

2009-09-14T20:34:00.000-07:00

We received a great report from our host pastor in Kampala, Uganda. Reverend Hosea Nelson Kyasooka pastors Grace Fellowship Church and oversees all HCI ministry projects there. Here are a few highlights from his report:

The Street Center located in the slums next door to the church is actually a shipping container! We purchased it while there in 2008. It is now stocked with food and ministry supplies for the approximately 60 youth who come regularly to wash their bodies and clothes, eat and hear more about Jesus. Some of the youth have started sleeping at the center, which means we will soon need to rent or purchase a home for them to begin life anew. God is good!

* $1500 is needed to renovate the container. $75 per month is needed to pay the salary for Abbey, the Street Center pastor. Additional funds are needed to purchase supplies. These are signs of a growing, fruitful work!

The Medical Center continues to bless those living in the slum area, but funds are urgently needed for medication and equipment,as well as salaries for the nurses. There is so much death caused by illnesses that could be treated. The poor adults and children using the center cannot pay for their care. What an opportunity to give life!

The school is blessed and the children being sponsored are so very grateful. There are still many children awaiting sponsorship (see http://heartcryinternational.com),but they are at least being fed and receiving an education. Heart Cry is currently preparing a shipment of books for the school and will need funds for shipping. The secondary (high) school is growing, but funds are again needed to pay teacher salaries and to create living quarters for children needing to board. Some of the street children are hoping to attend school. Education is a key to breaking the cycle of poverty.

The two Children's Homes are doing well. $50 per month is still needed to pay the "mother" at the boy's home who cooks, cleans, and cares for them each day. Children need a mother!

Heart Cry International will be taking a large team to Uganda in late summer 2010. This would be the perfect trip for a church, college or high school student, medical or dental professional, or educator to take! For more information, simply click on the spinning globe on the home page of our website. Come join us!

Pray for the needs listed here...then consider writing a check or pulling a few dollars from your wallet to meet a need. You and I really don't need that soda pop or new pair of shoes, do we?

In His Service,
The HCI Ministry Team

Heart Cry International
PO Box 387
Shepherd, MI 48883

The HCI Lansing, Michigan Project

2009-08-28T07:38:00.000-07:00

In a few weeks, the first HCI Impact Center Project in Lansing, Michigan will begin. Working with The Epicenter of Worship, we will be assisting with an after-school program at Bingham Schools. This school is located in a very needy area near the Capital. Funding for most programs at the school was cut this year due to the economy. It is an open door for the Church to impact the community in a positive way!

We need volunteers to help one, two, or three days per week. The program begins at approximately 3 p.m. and ends at 5 p.m. What an opportunity to change a child's life!

The following supplies are needed for the program: (75 each)

Backpacks
School Supplies
Kid's Gym Shorts and T-shirts (new)
Gym Socks
Toothpaste
Toothbrushes
Dental Floss
Hand Sanitizer
Soap
Shampoo
Conditioner
Washcloths
Hand Towels
Sports Equipment (misc)
Paint Canvas
Art Supplies

The after-school program is just the beginning. We are already planning a Christmas Outreach to the community surrounding the school, as well as several Impact Center programs for youth and children that carry the healing message of Jesus Christ. Together, we CAN make a difference.

To volunteer your time, contact Pastor Carla at 989-506-8993 a.s.a.p. There will be a special training meeting in Lansing, Michigan on September 6th. Donated supplies may be sent to: Heart Cry International; 9685 E. Deerfield Rd; Shepherd, MI 48883 OR dropped off at: The Potter's House Family Worship Center; 5436 Deerfield Rd.; Mt.Pleasant,MI 48858.

A Man Like Jesus

2009-08-24T13:12:00.000-07:00

I have been privileged to know many genuine, anointed men and women of God from all over the world. While here in Nigeria, my husband and I have been staying with the family of Reach the Children of Africa President, Pastor Wole & Azuka Gbogboade. Our friendship has deepened and our love for them has increased. It's been a precious time of ministering together.

The most impacting moment for Ron and I on this trip came yesterday. We visited the home of Pastor Wole Akintaro, who has worked with RTC since the beginning when I first came to this nation with the message of children's ministry. He started a Sunday School Fellowship and did everything and anything to further this message throughout Africa. Working with Pastor Wole Gbogboade and the rest of the African team, Pastor Akintaro has helped to take this important training to 15 African nations.

Pastor Akintaro is an assistant pastor at a local church near Lagos. Besides being a leader in RTC, he also has a discipleship school in a poor village miles away. This past year he took over a school in an extremely poor village miles away. He must travel on a rented motorcycle to get to it. To every commitment made he is found faithful and diligent.

Pastor Akintaro has never asked for recognition. He has avoided "taking the bow" after a successful event. He is happy to serve behind the scenes. He carries an anointing to teach and disciple but is willing to cut hundreds of stickers out of contact paper or run an errand for another pastor. He never complains. He always smiles. He is ever kind. I can and have trusted he and the other RTC brethren with my life over the years. I have always counted him a man worthy of respect.

Yesterday my husband and I had the honor of visiting Pastor Akintaro in his home. He lives in a Muslim neighborhood where he is the minority. They served us cool beverages in their home, and we enjoyed the sweetest fellowship. For the first time I was given an opportunity to see the man beyond the ministry events - a man who truly lives what he believes...a man willing to sacrifice anything for the cause of Christ. As we shared together and we heard of all he is so willingly doing and giving for the kingdom of God, our own commitment was challenged. He and his lovely wife, Funke, make our own Christianity seem shallow. To serve God so willingly with no expectation of personal gain...to be sincerely overjoyed when God uses someone else...to consider yourself blessed to serve another man's ministry...this is a picture of true faith.

My husband woke in the night with tears in his eyes, thinking of our brother. Today we renewed our commitment to honor and faithfully labor alongside these men and women of God who honestly and unswervingly live what they believe. We hope to be like them one day.

We would like to bless Pastor Akintaro and the rest of the RTC Team with much-needed support for this work. I will be returning in a few months to visit several schools run by the RTC Board Members; to visit the evangelistic work being done by an evangelist on our team here in remote villages; and much more. We see an opportunity to establish Impact Centers through the existing work of the RTC team. They are expanding and genuinely making a difference all over this nation, and spreading to the continent of Africa. What a joy to stand with them!

If you would like to send a one-time offering to be used for the work in Nigeria, or send finances needed for a specific project, please send it to: Heart Cry International; PO Box 387; Shepherd, MI 48883 and specify what you want the funds to be used for. Suggested projects: $4000 for a VAN for RTC (desperately needed!); $500 for craft supplies for RTC training; $4000 for a VAN for the village school (to pick up children from surrounding villages who must walk many miles).

Pray for Nigeria - Revival Has Come!

Pastor Carla
HCI Co-Founder

A Dream Comes True...

2009-08-15T05:47:00.000-07:00

Last night as my husband shared a few moments alone, tears rolled down my cheeks as I realized a dream had come true. I'm not sure how many of us are allowed to see the fulfillment of our God-given dreams, but I have witnessed one the past few days. My heart is overwhelmed.

Sixteen years ago I wrote the vision for Reach the Children of the World Ministries on the back of a paper placemat from a local restaurant in Harbor Springs, Michigan. I started writing the first few children's discipleship booklets at a tiny desk in our bedroom back home. I booked my first trip to Kenya and then the Philippines to implement the vision in small ways. Over the next fifteen years, the ministry touched 80 nations with discipleship training and/or materials for children. It was amazing!

Nigeria took hold of the RTC vision and ran with it. Soon an RTC Board was formed led by Pastor Wole Gbogboade. His wife, Azuka, became our chief instructor. Our training seminars evolved into a three-tier training institute for children's ministry. I spent two months at the Gbogboade's home in Alagbado, Nigeria as we launched the first institute several years ago. God "struck a match" and the training began to be requested in new parts of Africa. The African team took up the call and continued to grow the ministry in years to follow.

Two years ago, Reach the Children of the World was transitioned to Heart Cry International with an expanded vision. However, the move of God in Africa was so strong that we felt led of God to give the existing ministry of RTC to Pastor Wole and the African team. The ministry became Reach the Children of Africa (see the link to their website at http://heartcryinternational.com) and Pastor Wole now serves as President.

God has opened incredible doors to the team. The Children's Ministry Training Institute taught by Pastors Wole and Azuka Gbogboade, Pastor Wole Akintaro and the African team continues to move into new cities and villages, including Muslim nations of Africa. They have been invited to conduct this training for national organizations, such as Scripture Union, Four-Square Denomination, and the African Church of Nigeria. The passion for reaching the next generation is igniting in hearts all over this nation and spreading to the continent.

This is a dream come true.

We spend the first few days of our stay with RTC Africa at a special retreat. We encouraged, fellowshipped, and dreamed together once again for the future of HCI and RTC Africa. Greater days are ahead of us. We hope you will come along...

With A Full Heart,
Pastor Carla Ives
HCI Co-Founder

Nigeria - Here We Come!

2009-08-06T06:36:00.000-07:00

On Monday, August 10th, Pastors Ron & Carla Ives will fly to Nigeria for two weeks of intense ministry. While there they will conduct three conferences in different locations on "The Glorious Church." We believe that God IS restoring His Church to be a glorious representation of Him in the earth - a gate through which He can flow in demonstration, Word, and power!

This is not a time for God's people to retreat and focus on themselves. Despite the current economic crisis in the United States that is effecting the world's economy; despite the rise of AIDS and other diseases globally; despite the continued break-down of morality and the family unit across the nations and the horrible abuse of women and children - God's Word has not changed! God's Word WILL impact as it is preached with faith and purity. The Gospel of salvation can reverse the tide of evil and release the promised revival throughout the nations. We believe!

We invite you to pray with us for a new outbreak of revival wherever the Gospel is preached - especially in Nigeria over the next two weeks. Pastor Ron and Carla realize that LASTING change for the poor, the oppressed, and the children can come only through the gospel of Jesus Christ.

While in Nigeria, Pastors Ron and Carla will also conduct a three-day camp for the Reach the Children of Africa team led by Pastors Wole & Azuka Gbogboade, a seminar for pastor's children, teacher training at Christ-light Schools, updating of HCI Sponsorship Program children, and preaching in local churches. It will be a BUSY two weeks!

Only $2000 more is needed for the trip obligations. Pastor Ron has also shared that an additional $1000 would be a blessing and great help to help with their personal needs while there, as well as providing a fund for emergencies and special offerings or giving. Neither Pastor Ron or Carla receive a paycheck from HCI and the support is most appreciated. Please pray along with them for the needs to be met by Monday.

If you feel led to be a part of the answered prayer, donations may be sent to:
Heart Cry International
PO Box 387
Shepherd, MI 48883

You are also welcome to drop off your donation at The Potter's House Family Worship Center in Mt.Pleasant, MI no later than Sunday.

Watch for trip reports to come during their trip - we're anticipating GOD!

HCI Impact Center Pilot Projects

2009-07-16T07:27:00.000-07:00

We believe that God is restoring His glorious Church! He is awakening the Church around the world to be centers of impact in their communities, states, an nations! Best of all, we get to be a part of it! Read on to learn of ways HCI is partnering with other ministries to IMPACT the nations:

UGANDA: We will be doing a follow-up trip to Kampala in January of 2010 to lay groundwork for a HCI Short-term Trip Intensive next summer. We are working with Pastor Hosea Nelson Kyasooka to develop an Impact Center and will be advancing the work in 2010. Focuses of our efforts there: Street Center; School; Children's Homes; Sponsorship Program

MICHIGAN, USA: We are working with The Potter's House Family Worship Center in developing an Impact Center. Programs began this year and we are preparing the 3 year program launch in full scale in the fall. Focus: At-risk children and youth; abuse/addiction recovery; assisting the poor and more. We are also partnering with Epicenter of Worship in Lansing to develop an after-school program in a local school reaching needy children this fall and are looking at partnering with several other churches in Saginaw and Muskegon, Michigan. God is moving in Michigan!

GUATEMALA: We are in partnership with Larry and Marla Johnson of Flames of Fire Ministries working with their feeding programs and developing a Vessels of Honor Bible School there this year. We will also look at more ways to help the El Pato Potter's House churchplant impact their village.

NIGERIA: Pastor Ron and Carla will be going to Nigeria next month to determine the best ways to advance with HCI Impact Center ministry there. We are currently partnering with Pastors Wole & Azuka Gbogboade in a school, sponsorship program, and with Reach the Children of Africa.

Stay tuned for more!!! God doesn't want to be PRESENT but inactive...He is PRESENT to DO great things!

Praising Him,
The HCI Ministry Team

The HCI Bobby D Series

2009-07-04T07:36:00.000-07:00

It is not easy to be a child in today's world. Children today experience more abuse, exploitation and natural disasters than in any previous generation. Almost every child is touched by sickness or death in some way. Daily they hear of wars and rumors of war. Many are growing up with single parents or in foster homes.

We cannot minister to these children the same way we did fifty years ago. They have special needs and often very deep wounds. That is why Heart Cry International recently developed the new Bobby D Series for children.

These simple workbooks are a resource for parents, teachers, pastors,or counselors who are trying to help hurting children. Featuring coloring pages,an easy read story, and questions to open the door of communication, these workbooks can be used to begin the healing process in a child's life. Once the child knows how to communicate their fears, questions,and/or pain,they can receive the help they so desperately need.

Pastor Carla wrote the first Bobby D book the night before she flew to Houston, Texas to work with the survivors of Hurricane Katrina at the Dome. Hope Force International deployed her to work specifically with the children devastated by the disaster. Pastor Carla asked God for something to open the children's heart and sketched out the rough workbook by nightlight. A local printer, GraphX of Mt. Pleasant, MI, agreed to print two boxes of the workbook, sending it to her hotel in Texas.

The workbooks were a big success. One of the sweetest testimonies Pastor Carla brought home was of a little girl who had not spoken since the hurricane. She didn't smile anymore and always looked sad. After Pastor Carla read the book and discussed the questions while coloring with her, the little girl softly began to tell her story. When the water flooded their home in New Orleans, her mother laid her on a wooden door and swam, pushing her to safety. The girl was lying face-down, clinging to the door, when a man's swollen, dead face bobbed up in front of her. She said quietly, "I knew he was dead." Once she shared her painful memory, Pastor Carla was able to pray with her and minister to the wound. The little improved daily, laughing and playing once again.

May God grant you sucess as you help His hurting children...

Bobby D Series Workbooks cost $5 each plus shipping.

For a complete list of workbooks, contact us at: http://heartcryinternational.com.

Gratefully,
Pastors Ron & Carla Ives
HCI Founders

HCI Children's Ministry Guidebook - A Dream Fulfilled

2009-06-08T13:46:00.000-07:00

It was over fifteen years ago that Pastor Carla began the ministry of Reach the Children of the World, which eventually evolved into Heart Cry International. God gave a vision and strategy for discipling the next generation by training their parents, pastors and teachers. The plan was simple and it took off like wildfire! Soon the Children's Ministry Training Seminars were being conducted in the Philippines, Central America, India, and parts of Africa. Over time, RTC (HCI) was able to touch 80 nations with training seminars, curriculum, and/or resources. It has been an amazing journey.

On a trip to Nigeria in 2001, Pastors Ron and Carla were approached by a group of pastors who had been commissioned to request additional training from RTC (HCI). It was night when they arrived and sat in a circle in the dark living room. Only eyes and smiles could be seen until the candles were lit. The pastors shared their hunger for more training. "This is all new to us. We cannot train our people because we don't yet know enough ourselves. You are teaching us a new seminar of training this year and yet we still haven't learned all of last year. We need more. We are asking you to start a school for us." The dream of the RTC Children's Ministry Training Institute was born.

The following year, Pastor Carla returned for 2 months and launched the Institute with approximately 120 students - twelve of whom were pastors. After the closing session on Saturdays, the pastors would meet in the host pastor's office to ask questions and discuss the lessons. It was a precious time of discipleship that produced tremendous fruit. These men of influence continue to forward the message of discipling children today. Eventually, a team emerged to take the Institute to new parts of Africa, led by Pastors Wole & Azuka Gbogboade. They continue with this ministry now known as Reach the Children of Africa.

There are so many churches - so many pastors, parents and teachers in need of this training, that it soon became apparent that new methods of delivering the training would be needed. A dream arose for a complete Children's Ministry Guidebook that would be accompanied by DVD training. Several attempts were made to record the training at Institutes held in the USA over the next few years, but none were clear or quality enough to use. Due to a lack of finances, the dream was eventually put aside...until now!

This past year, Pastor Carla took the time to write the long-awaited Children's Ministry Guidebook. In January, she traveled to Tacoma, WA to film ten 30-minute training segments to accompany the guidebook. Then end result is a quality training resource for pastors, parents, and teachers that can be used over and over again! This is the perfect solution for churches needing training for parents and teachers; for those looking to begin a children's ministry; for those struggling with present children's ministry. The guidebook is complete and easy to follow. The DVD presentation is sharp and motivational. This is the dream fulfilled!

Producing the printed material and filming the DVD's professionally was costly. Yet Pastor Ron and Carla are doing their best to make this valuable resource available to all. The cost is $150, with $7.00 for shipping and handling. Permission is granted for reproducing the materials for your teachers and/or ministry team, so you'll only need one copy to train your entire team!

To order your copy today, contact: (989)506-8993 or email at heartcry@live.com Your children will thank you one day!

Reach the Children of Africa

2009-06-02T13:34:00.000-07:00

Reach the Children of Africa was originally founded as Reach the Children of the World by Pastor Carla Ives over 15 years ago. Almost two years ago, Pastor Ron and Carla released the ministry into the hands of the African Director, Pastor Wole Gbogboade. He and his African team, based in Nigeria, have taken the RTC Children's Ministry Training Seminars and Institute into surrounding African nations. The goal is to train national teachers, pastors, and parents to effectively disciple the next generation to walk with God.

Pastor Carla met Pastor Wole over eight years ago at a mission's conference in Fort Wayne, Indiana. God had put it upon her heart to offer a special Children's Ministry session during one of the breaks offered, giving the international audience resources that could be used in their countries. It was greatly attended and soon all of her supplies were gone.

For over an hour after the session, international pastors thronged Pastor Carla's table. Some asked questions and desire additional training. Others requested financial support and begged for her to visit their country. One aggressively pulled her to his ministry display to insist she help his native church! It was quite an experience!

Standing silently nearby was dear Pastor Wole. Quietly he offered gifts of gratitude to Pastor Carla's children, leaving a porcelain cup at her table. He asked only if he might write to her in the future. His humility touched her heart and a friendship was born for eternity. Since then, they have labored together to birth RTC of Africa and now Heart Cry International on behalf of the children of Africa. How good is God?!?

Pastor Wole is assisted by his wife, Pastor Azuka Gbogboade, along with wonderful Board Members in Nigeria. This year they received invitations to 10 African nations! However, they were able to minister in only four due to lack of funds. Their most recent trip took them the Muslim nation of Mali, where the Children's Ministry training was joyfully received. Praise God!

In August, Pastor Ron and Carla will be going to Nigeria to work with RTC of Africa. They will spend time ministering to the RTC team, conduct three "Glorious Church" seminars, update HCI sponsorship program information, train and minister at Christlight School, and do a special conference for pastor's children. They will also lay the foundation for future Impact Center development in cooperation with RTC. Please pray for this ministry and consider making a one-time tax-deductible donation to the trip. You are welcome to make a monthly financial commitment to RTC as well. You'll be investing in excellent soil!

HCI - Helping Women in Crisis

2009-05-06T10:08:00.001-07:00

In our travels we have often visited orphanages built in areas of extreme poverty. We once defined orphans as those whose biological parents died. Today orphans are created equally by abandonment, poverty, and exploitation. Children are put out of their homes to live on the streets at ages 8 or 9 because there is no food to feed them at home. Abandonment is not always the result of abusive, neglectful parents. It can also be a single mother's only option - she abandons the child thinking he or she will have better care without her.

In many of the orphanages visited through the years, the mothers were yet living and sometimes visited the children there. Their economic situation was so severe as to make it necessary for them to relinquish their parenting to others. These mothers loved their children. More importantly, the children loved their mothers. Their sorrow at their mother's leaving was evident and touched our hearts.

Children need their mothers. Mothers impart a sense of identiy and wholeness to a child's life. They belong to someone. They are validated. And though the mother may be sick with AIDS, a former prostitute, or painfully poor and uneducated, her love for her child is a powerful force. It is this belief that provoked HCI into action two years ago with the Woman-to-Woman Sponsorship Program.

Sponsoring a needy mother living in poverty allows her to put food on the table and perhaps keep her precious family together. It is not enough to meet every need, but it allows the the woman to keep her children close. When combined with the HCI Child Sponsorship Program, it is enough to keep her children in school, with additional food and basic medical care as well.

Some of the women featured on the HCI website are from Uganda. We personally interviewed each one of these and saw their passion to care for their children. Many of their husbands died of AIDS. Others were abandoned. A number of them have HIV themselves, infected by unfaithful husbands. There is no work to apply for. They are all doing the best they can to survive. Their children are malnourished and some have died. They need the help of caring people to keep their families together.

This Mother's Day, consider supporting one of these worthy women for only $30 per month. You will be able to write to her, pray for her, send gifts for her family, and perhaps even visit her one day. In honor of a mother you love, who has been blessed to be born in a nation where there are so many resources, consider sponsoring one of these precious women this year. A life lasts longer than a bouquet of roses...and the impact is eternal.

Go to http://heartcryinternational.com.

Thank you for sharing our love for these women!

Pastors Ron & Carla Ives
HCI Founders

HCI Short-Term Mission Trips & Overseas Activities

2009-04-27T12:35:00.000-07:00

HCI is working around the world every single day through the incredible men and women of God who host and volunteer in this work. Perhaps you aren't aware of all God is doing through HCI. If not, read on!

HCI Short-Term Mission Trip to Guatemala. June 21-29. Pastor Carla will be leading a team to work with Larry and Marla Johnson among the poorest of the poor of Guatemala. The focus will be the children...feeding programs, training, and more. Deadline for registration is May 1st, so contact us today!

HCI Short-Term Mission Trip to Nigeria. August 2009. Deadline for registration is June 1st. Go to http://heartcryinternational.com and click on the spinning globe for more details.

HCI Short-Term Mission Trip to Uganda & Rwanda. August/September 2009. A two-week trip that will change your life. To learn more, contact us at info@heartcryinternational.com.

We are currently rescheduling a short-term mission trip to Romania to work with Ghiorgi & Cristina Cazacu's ministry. If you are interested in updated information about this trip, email us at info@heartcryinternational.com or comment after this post!

Paul & Karen Whitley of Invading the Darkness will be taking HCI training and materials to Peru this year. We are honored to be working with missionaries making a difference in South America.

Pastor Wole Gbogboade & Pastor Wole Akintaro of RTC Africa, an affiliate of HCI, just returned from an incredible trip to Mali. Before that they were in Togo and Burkina Faso conducting children's ministry training. Changing children's lives one-by-one!

The Children's Ministry Guidebook & DVD Training is nearly finished! We will be previewing the draft of the 3-DVD set of 10, 30 minute sessions that accompany the complete guidebook this week. Plans are already in the works to film the same DVD portion in Guatemala in Spanish in 2009 so that we can put the training in the hands of as many Spanish-speaking churches as possible! $3000 is needed to complete the current DVD project. The Guidebook & DVD set will be available for purchase on our website by late summer!

We are currently preparing curriculum to be translated into spanish for our trip to Guatemala in June. This curriculum will provide the seven feeding programs with a year's worth of curriculum to disciple the children. It will also provide the churches with a separate, more advanced curriculum and supplies to use. Pray for a swift completion of this project.

God is moving all over the world and we are honored to be a part of it! You can participate by sending a monthly or one-time offering in any amount to: Heart Cry International; PO Box 387; Shepherd, MI 48883.

Thank you for loving the world Jesus loves!
Pastors Ron & Carla Ives

Curriculum that Impacts!

2009-04-20T06:15:00.000-07:00

Last week we shared the HCI vision of what the Church is to be - a center of impact! The Church was not meant to be a refuge or hiding place for the Christian, but rather an equipping and sending agency to transform the world. In our previous post, we highlighted the Impact Community Center being established in Mt.Pleasant, Michigan with The Potter's House Family Worship Center and the Impact Center launched last summer in the slums of Kampala, Uganda with Grace Fellowship Ministries. Both centers are in their beginning phases, yet are impacting their communities.

We believe the success of these efforts are due in part to the dedicated laborers as well as the curriculum being used to train and disciple children and youth. These materials address key issues for your young people today and assist them in establishing a healthy identity, purpose, and the life-skills necessary to succeed.

We want to make these materials available to you as well. There are youth all over the world in need of ministry and you may be the one God has chosen to rescue and disciple them. If so, these materials may be of service:

M.I.T.I. is a course designed to train teenagers in life skills necessary to succeed. We are currently using the course with the young men enrolled in our program along with a Faith Fighting Program. It has proved to be incredibly effective. To purchase the course, contact: http://molitortraining.com or http://www.molitorinternational.com. Author: Brian D. Molitor

To learn more about the use of Faith Fighting in our program, contact: http://pottershousefwc.org. Reference your inquiry to: Pastor Caleb Ives or
Jody Bass.

The Power of Choice is a devotional written produced by Heart Cry International that addresses the restoration of the power (ability) to make healthy choices after abuse or woundedness. The reader learns how to release shame, fear, anger, unforgiveness and more. We are currently using the course with the young women enrolled in our program with creative initiatives designed by Christina Shafer and Pastor Latoya Ives with great success. To order: Email info@heartcryinternational.com. The cost is $15.

The Story of Me is a workbook created by HCI for children overcoming sexual or physical abuse. The coloring book format allows the children to share their experiences in a non-confrontational way. It is designed to open doors of communicaion and begin the healing process and is to be used by pastors, teachers, counselors and trained professionals caring for children. To order: Email info@heartcryinternational.com. The cost is $10.

HCI has an untested new workbook for teens titled, The Hidden Story. This curriculum addresses issues afflicting youth today - sexual/physical abuse, shame, low self-esteem, abandonment, divorce, absentee parents, rejection, peer pressure, addiction, and promiscuity. The course leads them into four situations of imaginary youth, providing questions to provoke thought and develop decision-making skills. It is best used in counseling situations or small group settings. To order: Email info@heartcryinternational.com. The cost is $10.

Pastors Ron and Carla Ives are available to train your parents, leaders, pastors, or teachers in ministry to youth and/or children. Pastor Carla led Reach the Children of the World Ministries, conducting Children's Ministry Training in numerous countries of the world. Pastor Ron served as a Youth Pastor for years before pioneering The Potter's House Family Worship Center in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan and has 30 years of ministry experience to share. Inquiries may be sent to: info@heartcryinternational.com or call (989)506-8993.

Let's join Christ in changing the world one child, one youth at a time!

The Church: An Impact Center for Christ

2009-04-14T04:07:00.000-07:00

Inside every person is a sincere desire to make a difference. They want the world to know they were here. This desire was formed in us at creation by our Creator. Made in His image, we carry His world-changing DNA. Like Jesus, Who transformed every life He touched or spoke into, we have also received the power to transform the world today. The Church should be the greatest influencer of economy, community, environment, health, and crime-prevention in the world today!

There is no possible way for any government of any nation to solve the ills of society or remedy the destruction caused by sin. There will never be enough government funds or interventions to meet the need of the poor, oppressed, sick, or abused. Man cannot fix a broken world. There is only One Who can...and He is here!

Heart Cry International believes that JESUS is still the answer for a broken world. We believe that He continues to change lives by a touch and His spoken Word. We believe His heart still yearns to feed the hungry, heal the sick, and restore shattered minds. We believe He is accomplishing this through His Body, the Church.

This is why HCI is working in America and overseas to establish Impact Centers in areas of extreme need. Working with a local church and native pastor of long-standing relationship and reputation, we are developing Centers of change. The groundwork was laid for the Impact Center in the slums of Kampala, Uganda with the opening of a medical clinic and street center, the renovations to the Children's Home, and the resourcing, training, and feeding program established in the school. This was only a beginning. Through these outreaches and programs birthed through the local church, the gospel of Jesus Christ will spread, bringing transformation to countless lives.

Here in America, we are working with The Potter's House Family Worship Center in Michigan to establish the first USA Impact Center. Using materials written and produced by Brian Molitor of Molitor Incorporated and materials developed by HCI, programs for "on-the-edge" youth have begun. Pastor Caleb Ives, Jody Bass, Pastor Latoya Ives and Christina Shafer are using innovative methods, which include Faith-Fighting, Bible-based curriculum, and unconditional love. The changes to these young people have been dramatic and were featured in a front-page article of the local newspaper last month.

There is much more to be done. This summer we will build on the foundation established in Mt.Pleasant, MI and Kampala, Uganda with Pastor Hosea Nelson Kyasooka. We will lay a foundation for new Impact Centers in Nigeria, Rwanda, and new parts of Michigan. The world is in crisis and we have the answer! It is the gospel of Jesus Christ!

We invite you to partner with us. We are currently writing new grants to fund the ministries of HCI. Doors are swinging open and the finances are trickling in to fund the vision. God is so faithful! With ten or twenty monthly partners willing to stand with us in 2009, so much could be done!

To send your new tax-deductible monthly pledge or one-time donation, write to:

Heart Cry International
PO Box 387
Shepherd, MI 48883

I Will Give What I Can...

2009-03-22T21:40:00.000-07:00

People often tell us that they feel overwhelmed by the needs of people. The needs seem endless and the people feel that their donation cannot possibly make a difference. They focus on what they DON'T have to give..."If I had a million dollars, I'd start and orphanage...I'd dig a well...I'd go on a mission trip." They have wonderful intentions of what they would do if they had more money, but their minds are settled on what they cannot give. Because they cannot give enough to do what they would like to do, they do nothing at all.

When we were married so many years ago, we determined to give what we could. We were very poor ourselves in the beginning. My husband earned $75 per week IF donations came in for the Christian street ministry. Often, the donations did not come in. We dealt with the needs of the poor every single day. We often dreamed of what we do if only we had the funds. But in the end, we did what we COULD do - and watched God increase it day by day. As we gave the little we had, God provided more to give. And sometimes our little offering was all the person needed to position them for a greater miracle!

The world's economy is struggling and the needs of the poor have reached crisis level. You are bombarded with fear-provoking reports and tragic need every time you open a newspaper or watch the television...or look out your window. Few, if any of you, have enough money to meet all of the needs of even one child. BUT, you have something you CAN give. Here are some examples:

You CAN give your time and talent in the HCI Volunteer Corp.

You CAN give a one-time offering of any size towards the Street Center renovations in the slums of Kampala or the HCI Sponsorship Fund.

You CAN sponsor one child or woman from our Sponsorship Program for only $30 per month - that is only one less coke or coffee each day!

You CAN pray for the needs presented by HCI.

You can learn more about these opportunities and other options on our website at http://www.heartcryinternational.com. Be sure to note the upcoming Mission Trip opportunities - we are in great need of team members for the 2009 trips.

Let's ALL give what we CAN...and watch God multiply it to produce a miracle on behalf of the poor!

With Joy,
Pastors Ron & Carla Ives
HCI Founders

Clean Hearts and Dirty Hands

2009-03-14T15:26:00.000-07:00

One of the things we love best about Jesus is the way He lived among the people. He wore the same type of clothing, walked the same roads, ate the same food and slept in the same places. He had hands dirtied by hard work in his youth, and by touching the dusty bodies of the sick in his three years of ministry. He was God, but He was also a man just like any other man.

We have known days of "dust-covered" living - with our feet filthy from walking miles in flip-flops and our hands dirty from touching so many sick bodies and playing with so many children. This comes from living among the people you serve - getting close enough to connect with their lives, their joys and their pains. In our book, there is nothing that compares to the joy experienced in these dust-filled days.

We invite YOU to get a little dirty with us this summer on one of our HCI Mission Trip Intensives. Sign up TODAY to travel to Guatemala in June or to Nigeria in August to touch the lives of hundreds of people. You will definitely be hot, and get tired, dirty, and sweaty - but you will enjoy every minute of it! Check out our website for information...

We hope you'll also consider giving a one-time donation toward the $1500 needed for the Street Center in the slums of Kampala, Uganda. The container used for the Center is in desperate need of renovations. For the sake of the many boys and girls who count on this facility for their weekly bath, hygiene care, vitamins, food, and for getting their clothes washed - your tax-deductible donation is well worth it.

Take a peek at the pictures to the right of this post and open your heart to a woman or child in need of a sponsor. We have over 100 right now who need someone to care. For only $30 per month you can change their lives forever. You can select your child or widow to sponsor on our website at http://heartcryinternational.com.

If it's been a while since you "touched" someone who is hurting and in need, this is the perfect time. Join us in changing the world one child, one person at a time.

With Clean Heart and Dirty Hands,
Pastors Ron & Carla Ives
Heart Cry International Founders

Moving Forward...

2009-03-05T11:33:00.000-08:00

There are many things we don't understand in life. These are things that often cause people to question or challenge God, to fear or doubt. But the fact that we don't always understand things should instead confirm the awesomeness and supremecy of God to us...He IS God. He alone knows ALL. He is working in ways we cannot possibly always comprehend. His thoughts and ways are higher than ours.

Sometimes the things we don't understand hinder our progress - our giving, growing, trying, and doing. We don't understand something, so we distrust everything. Many in the body of Christ are struggling with this even now, as stocks plunge, jobs diminish, and the economy quakes. They are full of questions and hesitant to move forward; to believe.

This is when faith is tested and proven. It is our opportunity to demonstrate our confidence in God and His Word. If we stop pressing forward; stop giving, growing, trying, and doing, all that God desires to do in this season will be hindered. We will miss the miracle He planned for us. Without a doubt, He has planned for this hour and has made provision for each one of us. We don't need to understand why bad things happen...we simply need to know God's faithfulness. He makes ALL things work for good for those who believe!

So give...make a one-time donation to the Heart Cry International Child Sponsorship Fund and help provide basic care for women and children in far worse circumstances than we now face. Or give towards one of the special projects listed under "current needs" on our website.

And grow...read this month's promoted book on the website and study the scripture noted in the "My Father Speaks" blog.

Try...plan to take a short-term mission trip with Heart Cry International to Guatemala or Nigeria (see website).

Do...gather and send the requested craft supplies (on our website) to Heart Cry International for our schools and street center. Join the HCI Volunteer Corp - again found on the website.

As each of us do our part, the work of God will continue unhindered. And as we go, the answers will come. They always do...

Pressing On With You!

Pastors Ron & Carla Ives
Heart Cry International Founders

Love has Hands and Feet!

2009-02-16T11:39:00.000-08:00

Love is more than pretty words. Love has hands and feet! It is a compelling force of change. Love creates motion, begins movements, and finishes regardless of cost. Love expresses God in heart and deed. God IS Love!

We invite you to busy your hands and feet on the mission field this summer. Join a team going to Guatemala in June or Nigeria in August! You can come alone or with a team from your home, church, or business. We need builders, doctors, nurses, teachers, pastors, daycare experts, counselors, painters, children and youth ministry, and people who enjoy loving people! The cost is $75 per day plus your airfare. HCI will provide the short-term mission's manual, training , and will facilitate the entire trip for you! Learn more by clicking on the spinning globe on the website at www.heartcryinternational.com.

If you can't use your hands on the mission field, perhaps you could use them to bless the nations through a financial gift...whether the tax-deductible gift is given one time or each month, it will impact lives. To discover other ways you can financially support this ministry to the nations, look at the home page or under "Current Projects" in the "What We Do" portion of our website.

Loving others is so easy! You can love with words by breathing a prayer for the poor. You can love with your hands and feet by going on a short-term mission trip - one or two weeks out of the year given to help in an area of extreme poverty. You can bless with your hands by giving a financial donation of any size.

Let's love God's world together!

Pastors Ron & Carla Ives
Heart Cry International Founders

I Know What Love Looks Like...

2009-02-10T16:06:00.000-08:00

I know what love looks like. It is affectionate, giving, overflowing, tender, pure, and committed in relationship. It looks like Jesus silently allowing Himself to be unjustly beaten and murdered on a cross. It looks like Jesus restoring the one who denied him, betrayed him three times. It is a love that I can never give to others in my own strength.

The Bible teaches that love is a fruit of the Spirit. This means that it must come from, be taken from, pulled from the Spirit of God. It is His love that makes us affectionate when it is our human nature to pull away. It is His love that pulls the wallet from our pocket or purse to give when we planned to save. It is the love of God that remains committed when others are not.

I could tell you many, many sad stories of our precious widows and orphans. The stories might make you cry. But tears should never be the motivation for giving. It needs to come from a heart that says, "This is worth giving to, participating in, and fighting for." Like David, there should be something inside of us that declares, "Is there not a cause?"

As we begin this new year, Heart Cry International is poised to leap into new territory, bring life to nations, and establish Impact Centers that will truly make a difference for the poor and hurting of the world. We are writing grants and doing all we can to raise the funds. We know America's economy is hurting...but God's economy is strong! Therefore we are believing for 100 new HCI Partners who will join us in this cause worth living for.

You can find a list of our current needs on the website, as well as a list of needed supplies. The finances you give will help us to do the Christian discipleship, training, and humanitarian work of HCI in established sites and new areas of the world this year. Your gift will help us to increase our budget to the $5000 needed each month to provide basic care for the unsponsored women and children in our programs while they wait for their faithful sponsors to find them.

So today I am asking the Holy Spirit to manifest His fruit in your life...to give you His abounding love for the poor, the orphan, the widow, the hungry...your financial gift, monthly sponsorship, or help on the field on a short-term mission trip shows the lost world what LOVE really looks like. It doesn't exploit them, abuse them, or abandon them. Love gives, prays, and gets down in the mud where they live to help them stand upon their feet.

Heart Cry International

PO BOX 387

Shepherd, MI 48883 USA

Wanting LOVE to look like me...

Pastor Carla Ives

Participating in a Miracle!

2009-01-19T06:33:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I heard Pastor Chuck Allen, the Executive Pastor at The Potter's House in Mt.Pleasant, Michigan give his testimony. Although I knew Pastor Chuck before he became a Christian, I had forgotten the miracle of his salvation. It was good to be reminded.

Pastor Chuck was a former drug-using, drug-trafficking, hard-hearted, and bitter man before surrendering his life to Jesus. He was facing 80+ years in prison. He had been through a series of broken relationships. He had witnessed the violent death of those he loved. He seemed hopeless to ever change. Yet 21 years ago, God intervened and moved his family from Detroit to Mt.Pleasant, Michigan - across the road from a new pastor and his wife, named Ron & Carla Ives. Over time, God drew the two families together and the man was born-again.

Today Pastor Chuck has a growing prison ministry and is a leading influence for those being released from prison to graft into society. He is currently birthing a new Celebrate Recovery group at the local church where he continues to serve as both Executive and Mission's Pastor. He has two grown children that he sincerely loves and a beautiful wife who has been with him for 30 years.

It brings tears to my eyes when I realize the privilege we had in participating in his miracle. God could have used anyone - but He chose to use us. We had a part to play. We shared in Pastor's Chuck's suffering and now reap the joy of his salvation. What a gift from God!

You have an opportunity to particpate in a miracle today. There are about 200 children suffering in poverty who need a sponsor (see website) and many urgent needs that are waiting for miraculous intervention listed below. One quick prayer and donation makes you a part of their miracle. You share in their need and reap the joy of their breakthrough! Come...join us as we participate in the miracle of life God gives:

A one-time gift of $50 will purchase a mattress for a child living in an orphanage in Uganda. Their mattresses are so old and many are bug-infested due to the heat and poverty surrounding them. Your gift will give a child safe, healthy rest.

Be one of the 24 people/churches/businesses who give only $25 per month needed to feed the children at Grace Fellowship School in Kampala, Uganda. These children live in the slums. Many of them receive no other meal that day. Some of them live on the streets alone while others live with parents in extreme poverty, or mothers with AIDS. This is a gift of LIFE.

Donate any size offering for Pastor Carla's trip to Romania and Moldova in February. This trip is vital to future work being done on behalf of the street children and those living in poverty. Many do not realize that there are children sleeping in the sewers because they have no other shelter. God is with them in the sewer, but His Father's Heart longs to shelter them in a place safe and warm. We can be a part of that miracle. $1000 is needed.

Someday we hear the testimony of miraculous intervention in these varied situations and share the joy of having participated in them. One life is worth it all!

Thank you for caring,
Pastors Ron & Carla Ives
Heart Cry International

The Thrill of Adoption

2009-01-10T09:11:00.000-08:00

A few years ago an affiliate ministry sent a picture of a malnourished orphan in Liberia to our office. The minute my daughter and her husband saw his face, they knew he was to be their first child. We were all so excited! The adoption process became a family event. None of us minded the tedious detail and work required to make the adoption possible. We knew every effort took Matt and Nicole one step closer to adopting the precious boy.

When it was time to fly to Liberia, Matt's passport was lost in the mail! No passport and no visa meant no adoption! I can well remember driving with the two of them through the dark, snowy night, to get a new passport and the necessary visa's in Washinton, DC. All we had to do was look at his picture and no effort seemed too great.

The day Matt arrived at the airport with our new grandson, I was on a mission trip to Brazil. I ached to be there to see little "Abraham" meet his mama for the first time. As soon as I landed in Detroit, I was taken to meet him. My heart overflowed and I felt immediate love for Abraham. It was as if he had been born to us as any other grandchild. He has become one of the brightest lights of our life.

This is what I feel everyday for the children and women in our sponsorship program. They are ours to care for - ours to love. They are all beautiful and worthy of any finances or effort needed to sponsor them. Every time we receive a new sponsor, it feels the same as if there has been adoption...another child will be fed, cared for, sheltered, educated and be able to experience the reality of Christ. No wonder I love my job!

You can experience this joy, too! Click on the child's picture featured on the home page of our website and find a child you can sponsor today. Open your heart and embrace him or her as "your child" and allow God to use you to bless that life. You will find new joy!

Here are two other opportunities for you to discover the joy of giving:

Donate a one-time gift of any size towards the $1000 needed to assist Pastor Carla with her ticket to Romania and Moldova. This February trip is vital to HCI's future work with Ghiorghi and Cristina Cazacu on behalf of the children. Your help is most appreciated!

Give a one-time donation of any size to help us care for the hundreds of children enrolled in our program who have yet to find a sponsor. We are increasing our monthly budget to allow us to provide minimal care for these women and children while they wait for a sponsor. Their needs are too great to ignore while they wait. For some, the support they receive from HCI can mean the difference between life and death, as you can see from their bios. The new children from Guatemala who will be featured soon are in desperate need. Your donation will keep them going until a loving sponsor rises up to care for each one.

You are so faithful with your giving! Together we are making a difference in children's lives in different ways and various places all over the world.

You can give through Pay Pal on our website or send your donation to:

Heart Cry International
P.O. Box 387
Shepherd, MI 48883

God bless you!
Pastor Carla

Abandoned No More!

2008-11-25T08:06:00.000-08:00

When I was a child, I accidently locked myself in the garage. I have no idea how long I was there alone in the dark, but it seemed FOREVER! 40 years have passed, and I still remember how terribly "alone" felt. No one to see me...to hear me...to hold me.

I received a short testimony from Pastor Nelson Kyasooka - our partner working in the slums of Kampala, Uganda. His story took me back to that day.

"Yesterday I picked a younger boy of about 12 years, who was abandoned in the city by his father from the borders of Rwanda and this boy told that because his mother had separated from him. The boy had been in the city for two weeks. We have taken him to the boy's home and he is such a bright chap. They also left a boy of about two years in the bus and one of our teachers at Grace Fellowship Primary School brought him at church and one of the parents at the girl's home have taken him in..."

Two little boys, all alone in a big city. I can't imagine what they felt as they sat by themselves in the midst of such poverty. But I love to picture the day they were found! What joy to have someone see them, hear them, and hold them close. And here's what makes me happiest of all: If Pastor Kyasooka did not receive financial assistance from Heart Cry International, he couldn't care for the children as he does! In a very real sense, you and I were with him when he found and took those boys home. And this happy ending is being repeated in other countries of the world, too!

So what other miracles can we particpate in together?

HCI Child Sponsorship Program - Make it seem like Christmas all year long!
Check out our website or contact us for a picture of a child who needs a sponsor today. $30 per month will change their lives forever! We have approximately 100 children who need a sponsor.

THE LIBRARY Project.
We have boxes of books to send to Grace Fellowship School in Uganda for only $2 per pound. Send $10, $20, or more to show the children and faithful teachers you care. A volunteer team will be boxing them up and they'll be ready to go! Let's make it happen!

No More Hungry...
We need $600 to feed 500 children living in the slums of Kampala this Christmas. An additional $300 will feed street children attending the Street Center there. Nothing says, "I care about you" like a bowl of beans and rice!

Provide Training that can Transform Lives...
Pastor Carla will be recording 5 hours of DVD training to accompany the new Children's Ministry Training Manual in Washington in January. This training has been requested in countries all over the world. Cost: $5000 or 10 donations of $500. Time is running out and your support would be a great blessing.

Donate your Perk Miles...
Find out from your credit card or airline service how you can donate your perk miles to Pastor Carla for her 2009 international trips. Every perk mile given saves money that can be used to touch a life. We are ordering tickets for trips in 2009 - this is the perfect time to show you care.

Touch Romania & Moldova...
Send the remaining $1000 needed to purchase Pastor Carla's ticket for this important trip in February. Tickets must be ordered soon! We're half-way there! She will be leaving February 14th and return the 25th.

Be a part of changing AFRICA...
Pastor Wole Gbogoboade needs only $800 to finance his trip to the Republic of Benin and Togo in February. He's so close to his goal! This would be a great time to give in support of Children's Ministry Training and humanitarian aid in Africa.

Heart Cry International
P.O. Box 387
Shepherd, MI 48883 USA

Donations can also be made on the website through "pay pal."

May YOU never be alone...

God Bless You!

Pastor Carla and the HCI Team

His Home is a Garbage Bag

2008-11-17T11:02:00.000-08:00

He was tall, thin, and very nervous. He had attractive features despite his bouts of sickness and obvious malnutrition. Though he was a teenager, he was in a lower grade level in school. Poverty had forced him out of school years before. He couldn't afford the school fees. His mother couldn't afford to feed him either. He spent several years living on the dirty streets of the slums of Kampala, Uganda. His pastor found him and brought him back to attend school. The Headmaster showed me a picture of where the boy lived...a tattered, dirty, black plastic garbage bag. The boy laid on it in good weather, huddled under it in bad weather, and carried his few belongings in the bag during the day. His only sure meal was the one provided by the feeding program we started at the school. He spoke with longing for the hope of a sponsor.

You can muliply this story by the thousands. This very night, millions of children will go to sleep in back alleys, on city streets, in cardboard boxes, on a mountain of garbage in a local dump, or huddled under a tattered garbage bag. That's not a sad story - it is a reality. It is a reality that we can change! With the power of the Gospel, a little effort, and a bit of generosity, these children can attend school, get needed medical help, and have a Christian home to dwell in. A little goes a long way when God's blessing is in it!

Join Heart Cry International in the remaining weeks of November as we:

Sponsor the Feeding Program at Grace Fellowship School in the slums of Uganda. $600

Conduct our Child Sponsorship Drive to find sponsors for approximately 200 children from Nigeria, Uganda, Cameroon, Rwanda, and Guatemala. $30 per month.

Raise funds for the new Children's Ministry Training Manual & DVD Project. The manual awaits editing and publication; the DVD recording will happen in January. $5000

Send Library Books to Grace Fellowship Schools in Uganda - $2 per pound.

Raise funds for a trip to Romania/Moldova in February. $1000

Together we CAN make a difference!

Thank you for Reading...
Pastor Carla

(*) Donations may be made through PAY PAL on the website OR sent to:
Heart Cry International
PO Box 387
Shepherd, MI 48883

A New Campaign...for Christ!

2008-11-05T08:14:00.000-08:00

Last night America elected a new President who will provide leadership for our nation over the next four years. It was seemingly one of the longest presidential campaigns our country has known for many years. Believers and unbelievers alike were caught up in the importance and excitement of it all. Now, it is over...and it's time for us to focus on a new "campaign" for the future!

The cause of Christ has not been altered by the election. There is much to be done for the Kingdom of God! There are souls to be saved, bodies to be healed, homes to be restored, and economy and environment to be renewed, and rediscovered unity to come to the Body of Christ. This is the cause of Christ. This is the goal of His redemption. It is not only to impact an individual life, but to ultimately bring transformation to a nation. He is the true "Transformer" our world needs!

Heart Cry International is renewing its determination to "campaign" for Christ in this next year. There is much to be done. We are even now raising supporters and funds to help us promote the cause of Christ around the world. We are mobilizing the Body of Christ to get the Word out! We are generating opportunities for the use of man-power and resources to bring change to those living in the areas of extreme poverty here and abroad. We want Jesus to be the Name on everyone's lips.

Here are a few of our present "campaign" projects:

We are building our ministry team! Jessie Torskey, a former intern, is currently raising missionary support to work with us full-time as Pastor Carla's Administrative Assistant. Consider supporting Jessie for $25 per month...

We are finishing plans for filming the DVD training for the Children's Ministry Training Manual produced by Pastor Carla Ives. This will make over 60 pages of an exhaustive training manual and 10 hours of DVD training available to parents, teachers, and pastors worldwide.
Cost: $5000

We are booking a trip to Romania & Moldova for the first part of 2009 to plan for future ministry development in cooperation with Ghiorghi & Cristina Cazacu. $1000 more is needed for Pastor Carla's ticket.

We are launching a Child Sponsorship Drive on November 6th entitled, "Bring Life this Christmas." Children in need of sponsorship are available on our website and in local businesses/stores in the Mt.Pleasant, Michigan area. Cost: $30 per month.

We are planning a Benefit Concert for Heart Cry International on January 23rd, 7:00 p.m. The purpose of this concert is to raise awareness and funding for our international "campaign" for Christ! Tickets: $25

We are planning a three week intensive Short-Term Mission's Trip to Nigeria next summer. Volunteers are needed for building teams, medical clinics, teacher training, children's crusades, worship/prayer/ministry conference, pastor's family camp, and more! Cost: Your ticket + $75 per day - you choose how long you stay!

We are working with Education in a Box to send a library of books to a school located in the slums of Uganda! Consider paying for 25 lbs. of books to be shipped. Cost: $50

We are raising funds to continue a feeding program for 500 (many street children) in a school located in the slums of Kampala, Uganda; a feeding program for a Street Center for the homeless nearby; and money for renovations to the Street Center. Consider a one-time or monthly donation of $30.

Pastor Wole Gbogboade just returned with his team from conducting Children's Ministry Training in Mali and Burkina Faso. Read his full report on the website.

A school associated with Heart Cry International in Greece is in desperate need of qualified teachers willing to serve for 3 months to a year. This is a Christian school with an evangelistic mission. Pastor Carla will be visiting the ministry in early 2009. Consider going...

There is so much more! Keep reading the blog and we'll keep you informed. God is STILL in control and doing wonderful things all over the world!

We are ready to make a difference....are you?

All Tax-deductible Donations May be Sent to:
Heart Cry International
PO Box 387
Shepherd, MI 48883

Lessons Learned

2008-10-27T12:40:00.000-07:00

Lately I've been remembering my first experiences in missionary work in Guatemala. I was invited by leaders of our fellowship to conduct special services for pastor's children at a pastor's retreat in the mountains. The first time I went, the trip was perhaps more for me than the the children. I found myself there. I remember stepping off the plane unto the tarmack and thinking, "I'm coming home." The first full day of activity ended with me falling exhausted unto the bottom bunk with people all around and thinking, "This is what I was born to do." I cried on the flight home. I finally understood why God wired me so different than many of my friends. I was made for missions.

My husband accompanied me on that first trip. On one particular day, our host David Beam of Missionary Ventures, drove us into the mountains to a small village that grew up surrounding a set of train tracks. The church that had been sponsoring a feeding program there has withdrawn support a month before. Now there was no money to feed the starving children. David thought I could bring them some cheer and that perhaps we could help him find a new sponsor. God took me there for a lesson I needed to learn.

I wore a space costume that went with the theme of my children's ministry, "Operation Spaceship." The sight of me in that ridiculous costume should have had them rolling on the ground in laughter, but they didn't seem to even see me. They stood and stared with blank expression as I sang, performed, and teased them with my puppet. They looked down, but I remember few really praying as I closed the meeting. My first lesson - hungry children; dying children cannot hear the message we bring. Hunger shuts down their minds and hearts.

Afterward, we helped the workers serve the children their one meal of the day. It was a mixture of corn and tomatoes. No meat. No milk. Little nourishment. My heart ached as I watched some devour the food hungrily. Others in a more advanced state of starvation barely touched the food. Hopelessness filled the air and I felt trapped in the small room.

One little girl with long brown hair tinged with red (from malnourishment) followed me around the room. She never said a word. She just looked at me. I finally knelt down and wrapped my arms around her. I could feel her ribs beneath the shirt. I carefully peeked under the shirt and saw what a child's body looks like in starvation. I've never been able to erase the picture from my mind and it fuels what I do today.

We failed to do what David hoped for on that trip. We didn't cheer the children and we never found a sponsor for that work. I have no idea what happened to the children. We were a small church with so little funds. We were giving beyond our ability already and it seemed there was nothing to do. I learned the greatest lesson of all then...don't fret what you cannot change. Change what you CAN. Since then I have spent over 15 years bringing CHANGE through discipleship and demonstrations of God's love to His children. There's always more need than I can meet...more questions than I can answer....more financial need than I can pay. But I do not fret what I cannot do...I DO what God enables me to do. I know He will use others to do the rest.

What can YOU do? Have you ever considered this? So often we focus on our limitations and what we cannot change. You CAN make a difference in someone's life. Check out heartcryinternational.com to learn how!

REAL faith...

2008-09-23T09:12:00.000-07:00

"Be tenacious!"

Okay, I'll be honest enough to admit that I have no idea to spell the word - but it came straight from the heart of God to me this morning. I have been believing Him for so many things and heard so many negative reports that would make my faith seem foolish. Ever been there? Yet there is something new...something deep and living inside of me that refuses to let go. And this morning in prayer I could hear God firmly command, "Be tenacious!" Refuse to be moved by any experience or report that challenges His Word. Be completely given to the vision. Be bold and obstinate in my faith. Be (as a friend once described) like a "pit-bull" who refuses to let go of his bone...smile. Be DETERMINED.

When I look back through the years, I see seasons of great faith and "no faith." Ouch. I learned quickly how to hide the "no faith" under good "Christian-ese" lingo and at least SOUNDED full of faith. Sigh....God is so patient with us as we grow! Now I know that we are to live transparently in this world, hiding nothing from God or one another. Our transparency protects from us from secrets resulting in sin and bondage. Our honesty allows others into our struggle so we can receive the help we need. Our humility allows God to be magnified in us without our pride getting in the way. It is beautiful to Him.

In this season, I have learned to acknowledge my weaknesses without fear or condemnation. I have learned to soak in God's Presence and Word until my faith is REAL and His Word SURE. I have asked Him to help my areas of unbelief (as I discover them) and He has! I am comfortable with Him...I am comfortable with me...and therefore comfortable with others in a new way. I have nothing to hide. i have no need to "pretend" faith. I simply believe.

There is so much God wants to do in my city - in my world! Faith takes hold of His promises. Faith unlocks closed doors and obtains miracles! Faith pleases God. Faith allows us to fully embrace Him and His love for us. Faith is essential. But it must be REAL faith. Faith that is pure, passionate, and rooted in Him. Our faith MUST be rooted in His character, His ability, and His Word - it can have no roots in us because we will undoubtably fail ourselves. It has to be all about HIM.

So, where is your faith? Honestly...post a comment and let me know. I promise to pray for you...Let's grow together!

I Can Still SEE...

2008-09-15T21:20:00.000-07:00

I can still SEE them...

The dirty little faces, scarred by beatings, disease, or a day of hard play. Big brown eyes with heavy lashes staring bright - always looking with expectancy. Will I find a sponsor for them? Will I choose them? The sad faces with the vacant eyes that refuse to look at me because they are too ashamed. These I want to take home with me most of all. And then there are the too-thin faces, where the eyes and teeth seem too big because the cheeks are mere skin over bones. These are the children I'm trying to feed.

I see them every single day. I try not to speak of it often because it seems to depress other people. Some think I'm trying to manipulate them into giving when I remember a child. Some feel uncomfortable and turn the subject to "something happy." Still others don't want to cry...I understand. But what do I do with these sweet faces? How can I forget them?

I can't forget them because our Father sees them too. This is my comfort. He sees, He knows, and He can help them. Remembering them prompts me to pray and motivates me to do all I can to help. It's what keeps me up till 12:30 a.m. writing a blog. Smile. It's what makes me leave home so often to raise funds. All I have to do is close my eyes and remember...

What do you SEE? Perhaps you are one of those who don't like to think of people suffering. If it comes on television, you want to turn it off. If someone speaks of it, you like to change the subject. Seeing the pain of others is uncomfortable for many reasons - it reminds you of your own potential for suffering or makes you feel overwhelmed by the vast need. Yet seeing the pain of others is essential for bringing change.

Christ SAW the lost, harrassed, and helpless. He SAW and allowed Himself to enter into the suffering with them. He chose to feel their pain, as if it was His own. Whenever we read that Christ had "compassion" it means He felt their pain as if it was His. He embraced their suffering. Then He did something! Compassion "compelled" or motivated Him into action. He did what He could while He could. He focused on the one in front of Him. He didn't often focus on the ones He couldn't help. He focused on the need that was near enough to touch. That was enough. This compassion of Christ enabled Him to change the world!

I want to invite you to visit our website and read the children and women's biographies from the sponsorship program. You don't have to pledge support and no one will harrass you afterward - I promise! Just read and SEE them. Ask God to open your heart and allow you to FEEL what He feels when He sees them. God wants to use you to make a difference somewhere in the world - even in your own home, workplace, or community if not around the world. Don't avoid the suffering; embrace it! Bring it to the cross of Christ. Pray until the suffering is exchanged for joy! Do what you CAN do while you can. You were born to be a world-changer.

Life Lessons

2008-08-30T04:36:00.000-07:00

I celebrated age 30 yesterday...for the 17th time! Smile. It's still amazing to me that as you grow older outside, your inside stays young. My grandfather used to me tell me that when he was still up on roofs repairing things at 80 and now I understand. You gain knowledge and so much understanding about life, yourself, and God but your inner age-meter tells you not a day has gone by. If only the body would get the same message!

What a year 46 was - so full of changes. The end of the year looked nothing like the beginning. Thank God! He has done so many things inside my mind and heart. Let me share some of the learned lessons with you...maybe then you won't have to go through the painful process of learning them! Of if you do, perhaps this will confirm what God has been teaching you.

Lesson #1: This past year I made a huge transition in ministry as I passed Reach the Children of the World into the hands of our African Team and birthed Heart Cry International. In the past, I have always struggling with ministry changes - especially when it looked like they were over for good. I felt that somehow I had failed God and people; that I must have done something to "kill" the work; that I didn't have the ability or skills for the work after all. Recently I learned differently. As I was sitting on a hill overlooking the city of Kampala, Uganda and praying, God showed me how everything I have ever done, studied, prepared, or ministered had finally converged into the ministry I am called to do for the remainder of my days. Heart Cry International is a perfect blend of all I've ever researched and done...Children's Ministry, church-planting, Pressing On Family Services, Life-Changer Network, Congregational Care pastoring, and Reach the Children of the Word. The materials written over the years for these other ministries and responsibilities are perfect for what we're doing now. I can't tell you the joy I felt as old "support group" manuals like "The Power of Choice" and "Kid's Like Me" were dusted off and used at the school in Uganda...and they helped people! Young people - don't worry about the changes in life; the length of the path you're on; the mistakes or failures along the way - God redeems it all as He uses it to form your life and ministry!

Lesson #2: This year I experienced major "mind-shifts" about God and His ways. I realized that I had perceived God as more of a TAKER than a GIVER. Like the third servant in the parable in Matthew 25, I saw God as One Who gave with the ultimate intention of taking away...therefore I rarely expected to actually harvest the promises made in His Word. I had an expectation that life is hard and ministry is harder! God broke that mind-set this year and taught me how to truly RECEIVE what He GIVES and HAS GIVEN. It has been amazing and my ability to reap what I sow in a positive way has so increased! I now expect to RECEIVE so that I can GIVE! The Holy Spirit took me on a series of studies in the Word of God that helped me to see the truth...I studied the word "receive", then what God has already given, followed by a study on opening and closing doors/gates, and am now studying the concept of an "open heaven." They are all interconnected and I am being changed! Young people, never stop learning!!! No matter how much you have studied, how many classes you've taken, or how much you THINK you know - there's more!!!!!! Keep hungering for truth and you WILL be filled.

Lesson #3: I learned this year that you're never too old to dream. I don't know if I passed through and early "mid-life crisis" or not (smile) but I had stopped dreaming dreams. I listened to God and did whatever I sensed He was saying, but kept my "dreamer" instinct under control. I realized that I was on the downhill slide to 50 and thought that perhaps it was the younger generation's time to dream. I had set my heart to support the dreams of my children and others - with a sad feeling over dreams that seemed unfulfilled in my own life. I didn't dwell on it too much, but held it in my heart. Nothing is hidden from God's sight! He taught me that He never forgets dreams given as He fulfilled them suddenly in unexpected ways and at a time I never imagined! He reactivated the dreamer within and has renewed my passion and excitement for the future! I will still do all I can to support the dreams of the generation rising up just behind me...but I'm not finished pursuing the dreams God has given me either! Together we will see God's DREAM - the perfect blend of all dreams given - come to pass! Young people - never give up on a dream God gives you. Though you may wait for it...and wait for it...and wait for it...it WILL be fulfilled!

I hope your year is full of learned lessons too...feel free to share them with me. We're all a work in process!

How Do You Say Goodbye? Update from Uganda - Tuesday, August 19

2008-08-19T09:59:00.000-07:00

How do you say goodbye when your heart so wants to stay?

A part of my heart is ever home with my church and family in the USA...but there is a huge part of it that lives here in Africa. My mind is flooded tonight with images of the wonderful men and women of God I call friend and co-laborers like Pastors Wole and Azuka Gbogboade in Nigeria, Pastor Ezeka in South Africa, Pastors Godfrey and Peace in Rwanda, Pastor Wachu and May in Kenya, and so many more. I have found a dear and true friend in Pastor Nelson Kyasooka and his precious wife Sarah. The pastors and leaders here are bonded to my memory forever, And the children...

Yesterday our jeep was pulling away from the medical clinic when we heard a frantic, "Ja Ja, Carlo!" I asked Pastor to stop and climbed out to catch children from the neighborhood who were running as fast as they could for a final goodbye. Jessie and I wrapped our arms around them and help on tight. But I am learning that the children come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. Several of the youth from the youth conference have become beloved sons and daughters. I love these people so much. To leave here is not easy...

Today we took the supplies and trained the young man who will be the new Street Center pastor. He was once a boy on the street until God let Pastor Nelson to him. Today he is attending university and is an incredible man of God. He gave me a letter today that was addressed to "my beloved mum" - he has no idea how much he means to all of us. Last night we met three boys on the street and they were at the church today for the training session. They waited all day to see if the Street Center was ready to open. Before leaving, I was able to meet them and we pulled clean t-shirts out of the supplies. They changed right there! Their tattered clothes were put into plastic bags and they plan to return as soon as the Center is open so they can wash them. One boy names David told me how happy he was and held my hand. He said he would be at the church when I return next year...he wants to learn more about Jesus. How good of God to let me meet one of the first street boys saved at the Street Center - and the Center hasn't officially opened yet!

I could go on and on...but it's nearly time to pack. One more day of work and we fly out in the evening. Keep us in your prayers...and have a box of Kleenex waiting when I get home, okay?

Update from Uganda - Sunday, August 17

2008-08-17T09:34:00.000-07:00

Things have been busy since the team left for the USA! The happiest news is that we were able to make a sufficient down payment on the container needed to "house" the Street Center and have it moved to the church property in the slums! Everyone is so excited. Jessie and I went shopping to buy supplies and we will be setting it up before we leave on Wednesday. This is another dream come true for me and I can't seem to find the words to express what I feel. My heart just...overflows. We will be hiring a precious young man who once lived on the street himself to pastor the street children and will be meeting with him for training on Tuesday. Jessie was able to take him through the Mighty course offered by Molitor Inc. along with the Headmaster at the school and several youth leaders from the church, which was great! God loves these people so much!

We spent the last two days in Masaka conducting a pastor's conference. The area is heavy with oppression and Muslim strongholds. There is much witchcraft. Pastor Nelson pointed out the many abandoned houses, half-finished - the oppression drove them away from the area. In the center of all this is the church started by Pastor Nelson's brother in-law, a church plant of Grace Fellowship. Despite the many hardships, he and his congregation had persisted in ministry. There was a spirit of heaviness on the pastors who gathered, yet an anticipation that God would do something. They were so hungry for teaching! We felt led to preach much on how God fulfills dreams, is with them, how to pray and see Him bring the breakthrough. We placed much emphasis on personal relationship over works. You could see mindsets shifting and countenances changing! One -pastor testified that they were seen as failures because of their struggling churches, but they had a new fire for the work after the conference and realized God would give them victory. We loved these men and woman so much and look forward to encouraging them more in the future. One thing we noted that they all needed was Bibles. We would need about 5 cases of Bibles (20 each) to make sure every pastor had one. Each case costs about $140, so please pray for this. I watched one pastor's Bible lose pages as he read and it touched my heart. Not many American pastors I know would even consider trying to pastor in the areas where these precious people labor. Such dedication!

The swingset was being set up as we left for the conference. It is at the girl's home. They are so excited! We'll put the swings on it when we go to paint flowers on their freshly-painted house on Monday. The girls are glowing. The boys at the boy's home were pumped up about their new clothes and the basketball hoop too We will be hiring a women to cook and clean for them, also giving a mother's touch, before we leave. These orphaned, abandoned children are so dear to our Heavenly Father! We'll be bring each one home in our hearts.

I love the English language - Update from Uganda - Monday, August 11

2008-08-11T19:44:00.000-07:00

I love the English language because it has so many different words that can be used to express emotion and experience. Yet right now, it seems incredibly limiting to use our words to describe all God has accomplished in the past three days. It's been so wonderful! On Friday, two of our nurses evaluated the sponsorship children's health with the clinic's doctor so that we would be able to give an accurate report to our sponsors. Some of our new children are HIV positive or have sexually transmitted diseases that - thankfully - are being treated. Almost all of the children suffer from bouts of Malaria. This gives you a little insight into the world they live in here in the slums. Please pray God will supply sponsors for these children. Their stories are already posted on our website.

While the nurses labored at the clinic, the rest of our team ministered at the Men's/Women's Conference in Kampala. They testified, shared devotionals, preached and prayed for so many. About 300 were in attendance. The people were so hungry and God did an amazing work in their lives. You could see their faces change! Faith rose in their hearts. A delegation of pastors who work in an extremely poor area long the border of the Congo approached me. They were touched by the ministry and were in awe of all that had been done for the children in the slums. They begged me to come to their area to teach them how to help their children. They made promises of how they would work together and do anything if we would come there. I wanted to cry. They truly love their children and want them to have better lives than they have known. Pastor Ron, Jessie, and I will be with these pastors doing a Pastor's Conference in that area next weekend and will be evaluating the need for future work. Please pray God will give us wisdom.

In the evenings, we ministered at an outdoor crusade that was held in the center of the open market, where the crime has been very bad. Our team was so bold and testified, sang, preached, and prayed with all of their hearts. People were born again every night and there were some healings. I had a special moment with a deaf/mute young man who received Christ. As we prayed, he suddenly discovered he could hear a little. We prayed again but it did not increase. I felt God's promise to this young man. He was so happy! Pastor Ron ministered deliverance to a young man coming out of alcoholism. The conversions were real. And everywhere were the children, hanging on us, cuddling as close as they can. My favorite times are when we are able to be among the people.

Yesterday, we divided into two teams and traveled to Mwera and Katuso. Pastor Ron's team ministered at the first church Pastor Kyasooka planted ten years ago. It was about 20 miles out of the city. It was packed! They had a great time of ministry and people were touched by God. My team traveled up a mountain road through the bush to a second church plant. It was beautiful land. I could sense immediately the pastor's discouragement and God said the people had been through many disappointments. I later learned that a ministry that had supported them financially so that they could sponsor 45 total orphans (without mother or father) had decided to drop them and move to Gulu. In addition, a storm broke down one end of their school. Recently 3 people left the church to start a new church with some of the pastor's congregation. The people remaining were wounded and downhearted. Our hearts lit up with theirs as we ministered to them in the service! The area of Katuso was strongly hit during the genocide many years ago. When there is genocide, the effects are often felt in increasing measure for several generations. The rape and plunder that occurs spreads AIDS and kills in large numbers. This is the situation in Katuso. So many adults have now died of AIDS and there are so many - too many - orphans to be cared for. We took biographies and photos of six of the needy children to find sponsors for. I cannot take nay more until all of our children are sponsored. Pray that God will stretch budgets so that more godly people can spare $30 a month for this need.

Today our hard-working team gets a day off! We're traveling for a shopping day to Jinja on the coast of Lake Victoria. They have earned it. My heartfelt thanks goes to Claire Maurer; Jessie Torskey; Crystal Pestel; Alyse Babich; and Kamiel McMurray-Smith from our church in Michigan - to Jodi Engelhart of Brazilian Children's Outreach in California - and to Alesha Arevello and Tina Rodriguez of California. You have made a difference to so many lives! You were a dream-come-true for me and so many others. May God richly bless you! Please pray for these wonderful women of God as they travel home tomorrow evening - after one more day of hard work before they go, of course! Smile...

God Never Forgets - Update from Uganda - Friday - August 8th

2008-08-08T12:26:00.000-07:00

There have been so many dreams and hopes I have held in my heart for the nations. Over the years, I have been able to see several come to pass. Many have remained tucked away in my mind and have seemed at times to be impossible. But God never forgets...

When He gives you His dreams, He fulfills them. It seems as if all of the prophetic words, dreams, research, writings, studies, and preparation over the years are converging at this time and becoming reality. I have never experienced anything like it and am in awe of God. This week I watched as four nurses joined with a small medical team from Uganda to offer free care for the children in the school and surrounding area for four days. They used all their skills and developed new ones! They prayed and saw Jesus heal. It has been amazing. Yesterday they served 99 people and today will see each of the children from the sponsorship program to evaluate their health for Heart Cry International. what a team!

The nurses joined the rest of the team throughout the week in offering various types of training. The children and teachers were taught how to treat wounds, prevent sickness, and how to maintain health through good hygiene. Washtubs were provided for each classroom, and health care kits were given to each child to use each day as they come to school. They shouted with joy and were so excited about soap and toothbrushes!

The counseling team worked overtime for several days in a row. There are so many wounded children. Several of the teachers received ministry as well. The stories were heartbreaking, but the smiles on the faces as they left were beautiful. Pastor Ron spent much time with young men, speaking into their lives and praying blessings over them. You could see their countenance change. Members of the team continued teaching the Power of Choice small groups and had powerful times of personal ministry with the young people. God gave us new ideas for teaching the children AIDS prevention and they seemed to understand in a whole new way. We taught them of Jesus - how to know Him, hear Him, and receive His love. It was truly a wonderful week.

Some of our favorite times were play sessions outside as we leaned new games, taught them ones, and laughed hysterically! And always, there was the lavished love. Each team member with crowds of children nestled in as close as they can get...wanting to be loved. I don't think any of us will ever be the same.

As we finished our four days at the school yesterday, the precious Headmaster held my hand tightly and shared that this was the happiest week he or the children had ever known. We know this is only the beginning of what God will do for these people He loves so much.

Well, today we are off to begin the Men's and Women's Conference. They are estimating 300 in attendance. Please pray for us. In the evenings will be evangelistic crusades and we are believing for revival to break out among the people. May signs and wonders follow.

Today I saw a dream become reality - Monday August 4, from Uganda

2008-08-04T20:49:00.001-07:00

I was privileged to dedicate the new Grace Fellowship Medical Clinic with my husband. I had tears as I cut the ribbon and the door was opened for the poor to come in. And come in, they did! The kind doctor and our 4 committed nurses from Michigan and California were amazing. They tended to the sick all day, praying for people and seeing several healings. One shared about a very ill little girl with a high fever. The nurse crawled up on the table and cradled her in her arms, singing and speaking the Word of God over her and actually felt the fever leave! Soon the child was jumping down from the table with a huge smile. Jesus is the best Doctor!

Directly behind the clinic is the Primary School. I watched in awe as God poured out His goodness through the compassion and hard work of our team. Two gifted young women spent the day counseling abused and emotionally wounded children...like the child who watched her father beat her mother to death with an iron bar...or the one who thought the witch doctor took her brain. Every child - including the teacher who also came for counseling - left with a huge smile and bright countenance. Meanwhile, two of the nurses visited each classroom and taught on "no no zones" and sexual abuse. Most of the children in this school are street children or have been abused. It was powerful! One lovely lady from California did small group sessions with two sets of older children with the "Power of Choice" program, which is designed to help youth/adults regain things lost in difficult circumstances and experiences. Again- it flowed! Prayer was an integral part of everything done and had such impact. I visited each classroom and taught on self-esteem according to Jesus... and had such fun! It's so fun that sometimes I feel guilty - shouldn't work be hard?? Smile...

Pastor Ron was a huge hit when he preached Sunday. People were ministered to and lives literally changed. There were again several healings. One women declared she could see things she had never been able to see before - physically! Praise God! Our team divided up and ministered in four separate churches which were planted out of Grace Fellowship. Each place experienced incredible times of ministry. I was so proud of our team. Pastor Ron is a gift to us on this trip because he is the only male. The men here so desperately need to see REAL men of God. They all come around him and want his blessing and prayer. He is a father to the fatherless, representing THE Father to His sons and daughters. I love watching what happens when my husband prays!

God is moving here. There's almost too much to record. And I know there is much more ahead. I hope our friends are continuing to pray for us. Pray for souls to come into the Kingdom. Command the gates of hell to open and release those held in bondage here. Call the people out of darkness into light. God is here. How He loves these precious people!

Father, open the gates of heaven and pour Your life on this land! Update from Uganda, July 31, 2008

2008-07-31T19:17:00.000-07:00

What a week it has been. On Tuesday I traveled into a remote place on a very bumpy road to do a children's ministry training seminar at a school/orphanage that is a part of Lovie Phillip's ministry - God Loves Kids. There were perhaps 60 people there, with about six pastors from different churches. They were so hungry to learn and I had a wonderful time! They were eager to find new ways of communicating God's Word to the children and it was a joy to teach them. It was a long ride back to Kampala, but well worth it! I have the greatest respect for "Mama Lovie's" ministry there with Pastor David. I'm looking forward to doing more with them in the future.

Yesterday was a more serious day for me in some ways. I again spent the day at Grace Fellowship Primary School finishing the enrollment for the sponsorship program. My heart ached for the children as I heard story after story of abandonment, abuse, and AIDS. Without a miracle, some of these children will have a limited life span. They are all so beautiful, so bright, so worthy of life. I am believing God for many supernatural healings to take place that every child would be in good health. I left the school more convinced than ever of the importance of the sponsorship program. How can I ignore a boy whose home is a plastic garbage bag of sorts...or the sparkling-eyed six year old with AIDS...or the fragile, skinny bodies suffering from malnutrition. And they all smile. They all are normal children who want to be loved. They love to be cuddled close no matter how old they are. How Jesus loves them!

Today I met with Pastor Nelson who leads this ministry and the Headmaster Richard at the school. We discussed the program and I came away even more excited about the school. These men truly love these children. The children flock to them. They can tell me every detail about the children's lives. It is very impressive. We are of one heart and I know God is going to do great things here.

Jessie Torsky has been continuing the Mighty Course with the youth the past few days and it has been amazing! The youth are really responding. Jessie was overcome by the love shown her yesterday. They are really comprehending the truths. She had to adapt the materials quite a bit to fit the need here, but has done a great job. Tomorrow is the last day and then she'll begin a training for about six leaders of the youth so they can continue to offer the course when she leaves. Keep her in your prayers. I don't think she had any idea she'd be preaching/teaching this much! Surprise!

Tonight I ministered to the women's group at the church and it was precious. What a joy to see their faces light up. Afterwards I spent much time in personal ministry and was moved by the prayer requests. So many have AIDS. So many have been abandoned by husbands and have children to raise on the little money they earn cleaning houses, selling tea, or working in a small shop. It's not enough and they are crying out to God for their babies. Many were struggling with malaria too. I am believing God for miraculous healings of every disease. I hope all my friends will be praying with me.

A bit weary now and will rest...please continue to pray that will minister under an open heaven here. God is moving!

Update from Uganda - Monday, July 28, 2008

2008-07-28T11:02:00.000-07:00

Significance takes on different sounds and shapes when you leave America. It is no longer found in the things you acquire or the titles you wear. It has little to do with your accomplishments and power connections. Significance becomes embodied in the masses you encounter...in the lives of the widows and single mothers living in hovels, the faces of children fighting fever or AIDS, the addict passed out on the side of the road. Significance then equals only people. It is the people that matter. Suddenly you comprehend I Corinthians 13 in a whole new way. Without love for God and His people of every shape, race, and culture, nothing we do, acquire or accomplish means anything. Everything else fades away and all that is left are the precious faces...

Maybe that's why I love missions as I do. It always feels like coming home to the real me, stripped of everything that seemed incredibly important weeks before. Suddenly I understand why genuine Christianity is so difficult to live in the states. Genuine Christianity models the life of Christ. It is other-focused. It is free of performance, personal gratification, or any form of control. It is love freely expressed in spiritual and practical ways. There is a part of me that only feels alive in these moments of time. Jesus feels so very close. It's as if I can feel the beat of His heart. Tears are never far away - even in the midst of joy and laughter. My heart is soft and my focus amazingly clear.

Yesterday I preached at Grace Fellowship Church in Kampala. There is a hunger for revival and I am calling it from the heavens. Jessie Torskey, here with me, ministered to the children in the morning and to the young adults and teens in the evening. She spent today doing the mighty course of Malachi Global with them in two separate sessions. My heart was so touched by things these passionate young men and women shared. They realized that they have never known themselves and therefore have failed to truly share their lives with others. God began melting barriers. Numerous young men of God thanked me for bringing someone to minister to the youth. That is rare here and there are so excited. They soak in whatever Jessie shares with grateful hearts. What a delight!

I spent today at the primary school again. I interviewed, photographed and enrolled 56 new children for our sponsorship program. This time I was blessed to meet several of the children's mothers who had camped out in the pastor's office "just in case" their being there would make a difference in their child receiving sponsorship. These mothers so want a better life for their children. In those hours I sat in a tiny, hot office, I held, loved on, and heard the stories of children abandoned, orphaned by AIDS or infected with it themselves. This will be the first time I have ever had to put a disclaimer on the child sponsorship file that "we will be unable to guarantee the health of a child." Some of them will die without God's intervention. I am believing for miracles. Almost every child was weak from malnutrition, malaria, or the 'cough.' I am so happy that we will have the medical clinic on the school site where these children can receive the care they need.

We will be increasing the protein and rice in their diet. We're looking into other ways to promote health for these children as well. Please pray for wisdom and finances to keep these children growing and alive. I have fallen in love with them. They call me "ja ja" - not sure of the accurate spelling - Ja Ja Carla. It means "Grandma Carla." I am starting to know each face. Each life has taken on greater significance to me. They are what matters. I can never thank God enough for picking me for this life I live. I thank Him for each one of you who love and pray for me too. Thank you for sharing these significant moments....

Much love,
Pastor Carla

Update from Uganda - July 26, 2008

2008-07-26T10:45:00.000-07:00

Okay, so the first good news is that my suitcase with my clothes finally arrived today. This is especially good news to Jessie, my roomie for this trip, as she's probably getting weary of seeing me wear the same thing all day that I wore to bed the night before! Smile... That's missions!

We've been previewing the ministry sites for the teams that will soon be arriving. Yesterday we went to the primary school started by Pastor Kyasooka in the slums of Kampala. There are over 400 children who are either orphaned, living on the streets, or extremely poor attending. We interviewed five new children for the sponsorship program. They were so excited! We'll return Monday to finish. My heart ached when I learned that one of the little ones recently lost two siblings to a preventable, treatable illness. There was no medical care. The family was too poor. These stories happen everyday here. One of the children I interviewed was shaking with fever as I held her close. This is why I love the sponsorship program so much. It will save lives here.

I attended a parent's meeting at the school and explained the sponsorship program to those who attended. Though each one was hopeful that their child would be selected for sponsorship (we are going to try for 100 out of the over 400), they never pressured me in any way. They understood the situation and will support the program whether their child is selected or not. Precious, precious people....

As I drove away from the school, a young girl ran up to me with a desperate look on her face and begged me to take a note she had written. When I opened it, it was a plea for sponsorship - not for herself, but for her younger siblings attending the school. I wanted to weep...and yes, I will be finding a sponsor for her as well. One of the hardest things I have to do in this work is to disappoint the hundreds of children hoping for a sponsor. For them it is their only chance to attend school and perhaps rise up out of the poverty that eats away at their lives and loved ones every day.

Today we visited the children's homes started by Pastor Kyasooka. Our teams will be doing some "fixing up" at both sites and the children are so excited! The girls squealed when they heard there were a few swings coming for the yard and the boys lit up like Christmas trees when they heard a basketball hoop was going up. There's a ton of maintenance we'll be doing - but every child needs to be able to play sometimes, right? Our teams will have a blast playing with them too!

I've been reflecting on the promise God gave to Abraham...that his seed would possess the gates of his enemies. This means that the seed/descendants of Abraham, would take hold of every gate that the enemy had claimed. No longer would the enemy be able to dictate what came in and out of their lives. No longer could the enemy close them out of the promise of God. Neither could the enemy entrap them. Whoever controls the gates, controls the life/situation/nation. God assured Abraham that his seed would own the gates and be privileged to dictate what came in or not; to open the gate to the promise of God and to close the gate on the enemy once and for all. Romans 4 tells us that we are the seed of Abraham by faith, if we believe in Jesus Christ. This Abrahamic promise belongs to us!

In your place of prayer, will you help me to take the gates of Uganda? With one voice let us declare the gates of Uganda open to the presence, power, and promises of God. Let us decree the gates closed to witchcraft, addiction, exploitation, sex-trafficking, Aids, death, disease,abuse, incest, and the occult. Let us storm the enemy in pray, driving him out and his allies from the gates, reclaiming them for our King of Kings. Though we are on opposite sides of the world, our prayers can intertwine and create a life-changing shout in the heavens. Prayer changes everything.

Thank you for loving Uganda as Jesus does... Pastor Carla

Update from Uganda - July 25, 2008

2008-07-25T11:46:00.000-07:00

Today I spent the day with Pastor Kyasooka finishing details for the teams coming in. Then we went out to one of my favorite places - the primary school with over 400 children. I interviewed five new children for the child sponsorship program who were absolutely precious. One of the little ones lost a brother and sister recently to a "fever" that probably could have been avoided with medical help. I'm so thrilled about the medical clinic we'll be helping them launch for this poor area. Later I met with the parents of the needy children in the school and was deeply touched to see their longing to provide an education for their babies. I love my job! Anyway, none of this could be happening without my friends who support the vision. On behalf of all those who will be touched by your support, thank you so much....

Pastor Carla

I'm here in Uganda! July 24, 2008

2008-07-25T11:24:00.000-07:00

We arrived late last night minus the suitcase with MY clothes in it. I'm still smiling though and am excited about all God is going to do here. We met with Pastor Nelson Kyasooka today and began the process of finalizing details for the teams coming in. The need is so great! I also met with Pastor David of New Eden School which is one of Lovie Phillip's favorite sponsorship school/orphanages. I will be doing a children's ministry training seminar with them on the 29th so please pray for great success. Tomorrow we'll be previewing the sites where the teams will be working...the children's homes, school, church, and medical clinic. I feel bad calling this work because I love every minute of it!

Please pray for the gates of Kampala to be open to God's presence in a whole new way. I have been meditating on the story of Jacob in the desert in Genesis - I believe it's Chapter 22, in the story, Jacob is fleeing his brother's wrath and traveling to live with an uncle he has never met. He has been stripped of everything. He is lonely. He is divided from all he has ever known or loved. His dreams and the promise received as he kneeled before his father seem gone forever, Yet as he sleeps on the ground with a rock for a pillow, he has a dream. He sees a ladder going from earth to heaven with angels ascending and descending. God speaks to him and makes new promises while reassuring him of previous promises give to Abraham and Isaac. It's a beautiful dream for a man who has lost everything. Jacob awakens in awe and realizes that he was at the gate of heaven. God was there. Spiritual activity was still happening between earth and heaven. God was still speaking. The promise still belonged to him. In that moment, Jacob could see what he couldn't see before...he was standing at the gate of all God had promised and was doing. He could ignore it all and choose to walk away discouraged OR he could respond and open the gate wide to receive all he saw and heard that night. If you read his response, you see he chose to swing wide the gates so the King of Glory could come in!

I believe Uganda stands at the gates of heaven today. There is a spiritual activity taking place; God's Word going forth; promises being renewed. Pray that they will see/realize/understand that God is here for them waiting for them to open hearts, lives, and even ministries to him in a new and fresh way. God is moving in the earth!

What is He doing in your world?