Haiti human trafficking report

HAITI - HUMAN TRAFFICKING REPORT COUNTRY REPORT - U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE HAITI (Special Case) The massive physical destruction in the wake of the 2010 earthquake, including the destruction of governmental buildings, equipment, and loss of personnel, and the continued lack of fundamental infrastructure throughout the government, severely limited the government’s ability to function in many areas, including in areas of law enforcement, social services and border control. This had a similarly limiting effect upon the government’s ability to address trafficking in persons. For these reasons, Haiti remains a Special Case for the sixth consecutive year. The extreme impact of the earthquake on the operational capacity of the Haitian government persisted throughout 2010 and into 2011. Twelve out of the 13 ministries collapsed in the earthquake, none of which have been rebuilt. Hundreds of civil servants and technocrats were killed, taking with them institutional knowledge and experience, and files were lost or destroyed. The Haitian government’s ministries operated out of tents and in overcrowded makeshift buildings. Although Haiti has a significant child trafficking problem, the Haitian National Police Brigade for Protection of Minors (BPM), responsible for investigating crimes against children has a minimal staff of 35 for the entire country, and lacks vehicles or investigational materials to inspect childcare facilities around the country. Border patrol lacks capacity to monitor the four official border crossings effectively, let alone the entire territorial border. Finally, the justice system is largely non-functional, as detention backlogs go back years, and few cases advance without some form of bribes or political pressure. The slow pace of reconstruction after the earthquake and the lack of government infrastructure obstructed basic government efforts to address trafficking in the country. The following background and recommendations are provided to guide government officials and organizations working on anti-trafficking initiatives in Haiti. Scope and Magnitude: Haiti is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking. The Haitian National Police and local NGOs reported an increase in alleged cases of forced labor and sex trafficking of children and adults since the earthquake. Young children without family support or secure housing appear to be increasingly at risk. The majority of trafficking cases are found among the estimated 173,000 to 225,000 restaveks —the term for the practice of child domestic servitude—in Haiti. The majority of children become restaveks when recruiters arrange for them to live with families in other cities and towns in the hope of going to school. Restaveks are treated differently from other non-biological children living in households; in addition to involuntary servitude, restaveks are particularly vulnerable to beatings, sexual assaults, and other abuses by family members in the homes in which they are residing. Restaveks are often dismissed when they become teenagers or difficult to control. Dismissed and runaway restaveks make up a significant proportion of the large population of street children, who frequently are subjected to sex trafficking or street crime by violent criminal gangs. Since the earthquake, local shelters have received a record number of restaveks. Many are also living in internally displaced persons camps. Representatives from NGOs monitoring the Haitian-Dominican border reported that children frequently cross the border illegally, often in the company of an adult who is not the child’s parent or guardian. This adult is generally paid approximately three dollars to pretend to be the child’s parent until they get to the other side of the border. Some of these children are taken to be reunited with parents working in the Dominican Republic, but others are believed to be going to work in organized begging rings or in domestic servitude. Haitian men, women, and children also are subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking in the Dominican Republic, other Caribbean countries, the United States, and South America. Government Efforts: In a positive step, Haitian officials recognized that human trafficking, including the exploitation of restavek children, is a serious problem in the country; however, the lack of legislation prohibiting all forms of trafficking was a major obstacle to progress. The absence of legislation also contributed to confusion among elements of the Haitian government and some of its international donors among the crimes of human smuggling, human trafficking, and illegal adoption. Legislation criminalizing all forms of human trafficking has been pending in Parliament for several years. A draft bill on trafficking has been presented to Parliament for consideration in the next session, which is expected to occur near the end of the reporting period. The Haitian justice system did not make advances in prosecuting traffickers during the reporting period. The government did not report any investigations, prosecutions or convictions of trafficking offenders in Haiti. The BPM was severely understaffed and lacking in resources such as vehicles and computers, like many Haitian National Police units. The BPM, however, did refer cases, including cases of child domestic servitude, to the prosecutor’s office, where they often languished as part of Haiti’s large case backlog. The Haitian National Police provided a handbook for police cadets, written in collaboration with Interpol, on sex trafficking. The government lacked formal victim identification and assistance policies and resources. Shelter services for adult trafficking victims did not exist. The government’s social welfare agency worked well with NGOs to identify and refer some child victims to donor-funded NGOs who provided shelter, food, medical, and psychosocial support. One NGO, with international donor support, screened approximately 14,000 children during the reporting period and registered 200 of them as potential victims of child trafficking. The children were transferred into the social welfare agency’s custody, and over 100 of them were reunited with their families. Haiti’s border with the Dominican Republic was not well-monitored, but at the four designated border crossings, Haitian officers worked with NGO child protection officers (who have been seconded to the police) to screen children passing through the border for possible trafficking. In December 2010, police stopped a truck with four men and seven children in a suspected trafficking situation and worked with the NGO to reunite the children with their families. Prevention efforts have been largely NGO-driven. The government did not register all births immediately and did not keep statistics concerning the number of births unregistered each year, increasing children’s vulnerability to human trafficking. Haiti is not a popular destination for international child sex tourism; however, there were many foreign nationals in the country for non-tourist purposes, and there were some incidents of foreigners procuring child commercial sex acts. The government of Haiti worked with the Canadian government to deport a child rapist to Canada for prosecution. A divergent definition of trafficking in persons within the NGO community further hindered coordinated anti-trafficking strategies. There have been reports of duplication of anti-trafficking efforts by international organizations unaware of local mechanisms already in place. Recommendations for Haiti: Enact legislation criminalizing sex trafficking and all forms of forced labor, including domestic servitude, with penalties that are proportionate to the seriousness of the crime committed; in partnership with NGOs, adopt and employ formal procedures to guide officials in proactive victim identification and referral of victims to available services; provide in-kind support for victim services; consider partnerships with NGOs to establish and support community based social workers as protection and prevention measures; and improve access to quality education for all children.

Whew... Not lost in cyber space!

So that was scary..... In the last few days I have not been able to find my blog or even log in to blogger, which is so scary as I have had this blog since 2007. It would be like me losing a journal that spanned over almost 5 years long. This blog has videos and pictures that I lost on my old computer when it crashed in 2009 and has entries from my year in haiti to my thoughts after experiencing the Haiti earthquake... So much of my writings and thoughts so much of my life to be lost n cyber space.... However today I found it and hopefully it was just a random thing that will not happen again but it does have me thinking about taking my moms offer of getting this put into a book... Hard copies are always a good thing... Anyway glad it's back and this is encourages me to write on here more and check on it more often.... Grace and peace.

Artisans of Haiti

NATURALLY HAITI from David Belle on Vimeo.

happy day sis....

One more thing before i go to bed...this new job has me getting up super early...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMANDA (very soon to be Campbell)!!!!

LOVE YOU ANPIL!!!!!


 Weren't we cute!!And still cute today!!!!

lots of NEW

as always its been a bit... to be exact over 4 months...wow... sorry bout that. 

so MUCH has happened...

over 5 weeks in Haiti... 

a new Haiti experience for both Junior & I.... 

a new home (only by the grace of JESUS)... 

a new job (thanks Wake Up Coffee CO) ...

a new nephew (yes Wynn, we are excited to hold you).....

soon a new brother in law (yes Kenton welcome to the family) ....

there is MUCH to write about....

but one thing at a time.... 

to get you excited... a new picture....
my favorite shot from the 5 week stay...

25 recap

i am honored that i can say i have participated in every event IC has done....i am honored to say i was silent this day...and spoke LIFE & PEACE over this war...i was even more HONORED that the friends that joined me were only 12 years old.... this world really is a beautiful place.... when people come together and declare good things... i DO believe that this war is going to end in my life time... i will say that when i first started using my voice for this cause in 2005 i was not sure i would see it end as it was so overwhelming and no one seemed to even know about the crisis....but i have seen IC and the progress this group has made, not because of them, but because of a MOVEMENT of youth fighting for justice.... it puts such truth to my favorite quote....

A small group of thoughtful people could change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.

25 Recap Video from INVISIBLE CHILDREN on Vimeo.

recent poutch video

Saw this video of sweet poutchino recently....

its so good to see him... smiling....still trying to say words...listen carefully he is trying to say hello... its precious...

i cannot wait to see him....junior and i have less than 30 days until we head to haiti... we will only be at Dorothy's for a total of 4 days, but hopefully we will get to see the lovely people in that home more than that as we will be there for 5 weeks....

i can't believe it is coming so quickly.... well i can... and i am super excited.

well i just wanted to share this little video as i keep playing it over and over again...so excited to hug him and laugh with him... little brave boy full of miracles....continue to pray for a family to adopt him.....

flooding

Please pray....

Hurricane season has just begun and already some 17 lives have been lost in Haiti.... after all they have been through since the earthquake... still struggling to recover from that devastation and the the cholera outbreak and now floods...

please pray for courage, comfort, peace, restoration and good things... Haitians are a people with great faith and great strength, but please pray that the storms of this season will stop and pass over Haiti with much grace and no damage.

click here to read about what's happing....

CSA- goodies from local farms!

i have been wanting to do something like this FOR-EVER....

so i know right now is not the time for us as we are about to go to Haiti for 5 weeks, don't have a home officially yet and i need a new job....its already lots to focus on without starting something new...but i hope in the next year or so we do join a great CSA!

...but i wanted to share it to encourage others to look into it and also to have it to remind myself later of all the benefits!!!

I stared at the box brimming with vegetables, wondering what I'd gotten myself into. Unidentifiable greens, tiny round potatoes, a clutch of dirt-dusted, perfectly red radishes, a small container of wild strawberries — all this bounty was mine, if only I could figure out what to do with it.

Welcome to cooking from a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) share. You might not always recognize every item in your weekly box, but it's almost certain to inspire.

to read more CLICK HERE !

happy face...

OMG....

ONLY 35 DAYS!!!!

Psalm 23

the Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want,He makes me lie down in green pastures;

He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake.

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

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows.

Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Being strategic

so junior and i are doing this.... we are moving out of the cottage this month, the 3rd week to be exact... the Pelletier family (our dear friends) have a silver bullet and their shed to provide space to store all our stuff in those places...then we will house sit for a family on st. Simon's island for 2 weeks.... then we have a few days and we leave for Haiti...July 12Th!

then when we get back we are going to live in the pelletier's camper...hopefully only for 2 weeks...until we have a new place to stay....so thank you Lord...thank you Pelletier's we will NOT be homeless!

we are staying in the Brunswick/st. Simon's area...because we don't feel God leading us to go anywhere else and plus junior is already accepted and ready to register for classes in august here.

we started looking at houses and apartments for rent, but we wanted our rent to be max 500 and we went out looking.... all those are in the hood...and i am NOT against the hood, but junior does not want me living there and i feel like we should be called there with a mission and i just want a home.... if that makes sense

so we were super discouraged went to eat and this lady ended up telling us about this house on foreclosure...long story short...looked at it....looked into it...it was sold already...then that started us looking at houses talking to people that we know and now we are more focused on buying a foreclosure than we are renting....

but we don't really want to commit to anything until we get back from Haiti. so we are educating ourselves and looking into both buying and renting....but not getting too anxious...

we really feel that Satan could use all this unknown to distract us from what God has for us in Haiti those 5 weeks....people might associate us both so much with Haiti that they forget the huge details of this trip and how important it is!

this trip is huge for us....

• we will be celebrating our first year anniversary of marriage....
• i haven't been in over a year and it will be my first time back since leaving after the earthquake and i wont be going for missions, but to be with family....
• junior hasn't been home to his country in 3 years...has not seen his mom, sisters....in 3 years....he hasn't been since all the damage...
• he also has to figure out, as we both do how... to be there with a spouse....and i am not fluent in his language yet....
• HAITI is huge in each of our hearts...we feel God wants us back there eventually....this will be our first time to do Haiti TOGETHER....

we don't want to be temped to not be present there and walk in what God has for us because of all the unknown or for me even the known...

i know myself and if i knew where we were going to be living or where i would be working in the moments of difficulty...whether language or feeling out of place...or missing attention from junior...whatever it is...i am great at living in my head....i would start decorating....exploring.... creating our new life....i don't want to do that...i want to be present there with junior and my new family in Haiti.

so right now we are educating ourselves, but not making any final decisions....

We believe that after Haiti God will give us clarity and His strategic plan with be revealed. so we are waiting and trusting in HIM!!!

psalm 25

"turn to me and be gracious to me, for i am lonely and afflicted. the troubles of my heart are enlarged; bring me out of my distresses. look upon my affliction and my trouble, and forgive all my sin. "

"make me know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you i wait all day."

many words

God has been giving us many words...

words directly from Him to us

words of encouragement from others

words of prayer in the overwhelming moments

words of silence learning to trust in Him

words from HIM through others...

they have all been a blessing...

i believe they have all been surrounded by the theme trust.... the LORD is taking us through this to bring us out stronger in our marriage and stronger in our faith.

all this to prepare us and train us for what He has planned. something full of BEAUTY!!!

and we are NO doubt excited!!!

pre-curser

So too many things have happened as always before i get back on here and post....

but all good things...

the Market Place is officially closed.

Kathy & Rebecca left for Haiti...they will be there for the month of June and then come back in August to finalize the details before the permanent move in August.

Junior and i have been praying and seeking God's plan for what is next. the transition and ending of this season with MUCH at the Marketplace and living on the farm with GREAT (the brooks) neighbors is so bittersweet.

however bittersweet, the Lord continues to be faithful.

A phrase....

God keeps bringing this phrase back to me.... think i will need to paint it on something....

"a STORY to the TESTIMONY of HIS GLORY...."

Upside down with a GOOD GOD...

I am assuming that you have an idea of the changes going on with MUCH ministries... and how that is effecting mine & Junior's life....

but if not... its a lot.

God has finally told beaver & Kathy it is TIME... they will be moving to Haiti full time this August. Therefore they have made the decision to close down the stateside focuses...The Market Place businesses have closed and the Much Love Community (local ministry) has ended as well.

The main focus will be on the Trade School and Community of Jubilee in Gonaives, Haiti. Junior & I will no doubt stay connected as we believe in what MUCH is about and we are no doubt like family, we have walked through life together, been extremely blessed and will continue to invest in what Kathy & Beaver are doing...

By the grace of God Beaver and Kathy have already sold their home! They have also decided there will be no stateside office to MUCH as of right now, so our world is a little turned upside down as that means we need to find a new place to live and i need to find a new job, also junior starts school august and we are not sure that he will be able to keep his current job...so we don't know what is ahead, but we also know that we have a God who takes care of the birds, and WILL take care of us... a Father in heaven that is RICH and that has plans to prosper us with a HOPE & a FUTURE...

we believe that one day we will live and work in Haiti together, but God has not called Junior and i there yet... we will go for 5 weeks in July & August to celebrate our 1 year anniversary and see his family...it has been 3 years since Junior has been home. It also is the first time I will be back since the earthquake. we really feel like God is going to bring a lot of clarity and it will be a sweet sweet time in Haiti together. we do not want to miss the opportunity to be present by all the distractions of the unknown that is ahead of us stateside...so we want to focus on Haiti and say YES to the adventure and YES to walking it out in FAITH!

Thank you for the ways you have supported me in ministry, friendship and life! I am greatly blessed by each of you! Junior and I do not know much right now, but know that God is on the move and we believe that His plans our great...and so we wait upon the Lord...trust in HIM and welcome the adventure that is here now!

keep us in your prayers...

pray into this, thanks SB!

click HERE.... and read this post my dear friend sarah posted...not because she is my friend, not because it is something we should be aware of, but because we need to pray into....

thanks for sharing sarah!

it always amazes me the people God has put in my life...

the kindred spirits...

the beauty...

thanks sarah beth for the ways you expand my life...such truth and grace...a real gift from my FATHER in heaven is what you are to me.

thank you for your friendship.

Hafiz (The Gift)

Even

After

All this time

The sun never says to the earth,

"You owe

me."

Look

What happens

With a love like that,

It lights the

Whole Sky

the sweet moments...

Junior was so sweet today...he didn't work...so he did dishes, laundry and now he is making dinner.... i love how we share the daily tasks of life...

but my favorite part today was when he sang this song, while i was making us some salsa...

God will make a way

Where there seems to be no way

He works in ways we cannot see
He will make a way for me

He will be my guide

Hold me closely to His side

With love and strength

For each new day

He will make a way

He will make a way

By a roadway in the wilderness

He'll lead me

And rivers in the desert will I see

Heaven and earth will fade

But His Word will still remain

He will do something new today

Junior knew what a roller coaster of emotions i have been on today and how exhausted i am because of it all. i think he knew how much i needed to hear it. i think its the biggest smile i had all day, hearing him sang this song by Don Moen. What a good man God gave me....

in a funk...

So if you have read the previous post about the marketplace closing you might get why i am in a funk... click here read about it closing.

it's really draining all these different emotions raging throughout my spirit...going from, depressed, excited, full of visions for the possibilities ahead to confused, frustrated and a bit mad....

really feeling a lack of direction in all of it....as we believe God has plans for it and people have expressed interest in keeping it open...it seems everyday there is a new idea or plan for this place....and all my emotions are making me extremely exhausted.

i know Gods got this.... for He declares in Jer 29:11 the plans he has for me, not to harm but to prosper and give hope... He declares His goodness....working all things together for good to those that love Him... and OH how i LOVE Him!!!!

so i know good things are in store...but in being drained by all the emotions i often want to run away... specifically to Kansas City, where my family and closest of friends are...my home...my first home....don't get me wrong i love Georgia, i love Haiti, and i LOVE LOVE LOVE where ever i am and junior is there, but the idea of being in Kansas City makes me feel so safe and secure....but going there would not be going there out of obedience to God so I know its probably not the right idea...

as of right now the plan is for me to stay on MUCH staff as a missionary of course...doing things stateside somewhere in Georgia...

there will still be lots to do:

• communicating with all the donors that will still partner with much ministries
• fundraising and marketing the things that we will be doing (trade school, possible intern program and marketable products from Haiti)
• sending emails and updates on what's happening in the ministry
• keeping the website up to date (thanks to my webmaster- Jon)
• even moving forward with marketable Haiti good- delivery and relations with buyers/sellers of these products

however i will most likely need to start raising support to continue being a missionary for MUCH...not sure what this will look like, but we are pretty sure they will not be able to pay.

Granted we have been SUPER blessed and i have no doubt God will take care of this!

but not only is the market place going to be gone, but they will sell their property with their home, maybe rent it out...not really sure, but junior & i have been blessed to live their on the property in a SWEET cottage so we might have to find a new place to live...but all of it is up in the air...

the unknown, the transition, the in between... it is a hard place to be...

i do believe it is often where we learn and grow the most...but it is draining to be on a roller coaster ride... i have even felt a bit sick to my stomach at times...

but its a process and i pray that i am walking in grace...and the moments that i lack the grace to give, my Father in heaven has grace for me...and for that i am forever thankful... PRAISE THE LORD!

so there you have my heart and my funk... somehow it works together... and GOD will make it for the good... He's just that COOL!

Lots of changes ahead

Many things are about to change around here.... please keep us in your prayers....MUCH is about to restructure and change is so many ways, but has Kathy says..."God has a twinkle in her eyes"

here is a letter she has written to share with everyone that have walked this journey and been a part of it... i share it with you because you have walked with us as well.

Dear Friends,

We have been approaching this day for many years.

Over eight years ago we encountered the nation of Haiti and our hearts were taken captive by the Love of God for this place.

At that time we asked if we could sell everything we have and move. We thought we were ready. God clearly spoke to us and said, not now....in seven years. Seven years seemed like an eternity at that time ... but being a little bit seasoned in faith...we knew obedience even when we don't understand, is always smart!

What we did not know at that time was that GOd had much to do to prepare us , much to teach us, and many ways planned to s t r e t c h our faith. He has run a very good school! We are at a place now to believe Him for MUCh bigger things than ever before!

MUCH ministries was started to house this living community of comrades on this journey together: The Marketplace in Wayneville has been our base.

We began the Marketplace with a two-fold directive:

· Continue to support missions and raise awareness of the needs in Haiti

· and Use the Marketplace as a way to reach the community of Brantley County , and help those in need right here at home

What a B E A U T I F U L journey is has been. We wouldn't trade a single day !

Love has been painted all over the building, into every piece of plumbing, dry wall, air vent and concrete floor. We invested all that we are and have reaped a great reward..we have seen the King of glory walk through the doors and love the broken, hold the mourning, feed the hungry, supply the needs of the needy, listen to the lonely , teach the teachable, dance , sing , paint and strategize for nations! We have entertained some angels for certain and some angels have entertained us !

Now is the day. It is time for MUCH ministries to become a Haiti focused mission. It is time for Beaver and Kathy ( and Rebecca of course ! ) to make our home in Haiti. (the boys will join us at times as well! ) MUCH already has three missionaries serving in Gonaives, with more to follow this fall. And one, Casey Nichols, headed to Africa this summer. We will continue to operate as MUCH ministries with Natasha Jovin remaining here to run operations and continue to minister locally.

What this means for the Marketplace in Waynesville is that it is time for it to change hands. We feel like God has a new plan for this space that has been so carefully crafted in His presence. The actual building and land (2 acres) is up for sale...(our landlord has had it for sale pretty much the entire time we have been leasing from him ) but he has recently dropped the price significantly. So we are thinking GOd has something in the works to get the next right thing into this space.

We , along with our Board, our friends, our staff count it a privilege to have occupied this space and planted ( literally) so very many seeds here. So many good seeds have been planted INTO us as well.

Our plans as of right now are to take the month of May to wind down the Marketplace. We will remain open usual business hours through May 15^th and then we will post our OPEN hours as it becomes clear what they need to be.

June – August we will be gearing up to make our move to Haiti.

Thank you for the role you have played in our lives …friends! We will greatly appreciate your prayers as we walk out this next step in the journey. May GOd richly bless you !!!

Grace and Peace!

Beaver and Kathy Brooks

FYI

I realized something today and i feel like i must apologize...

i seriously take no care of the grammar i put forth on this blog....see i treat it like my journal....i don't do that as much as i used to now that our world is so full of this machine called a computer....

i started journaling in the 6th grade...lets think...that means for 17 years i have journaled, here is the thing....i never focused on spelling, grammar or punctuation...i just write...it may not make sense to anyone except me...but i am OK with that....its really just good for me to write it out.... helps me process the things God is doing through the seasons of my life....

so yes reading my blogs must be hilarious at times as words are misspelled and .... is a regular period, but it is what it is...i figure not many read it so it doesn't matter all that much anyway.... this blog really is for me... since my paper journals are mainly for taking notes in church, time i spend with the Father and of course doodling.....

thanks for your grace it often shows how Gods grace is forever abundant...

Natalie

This girls got it... full of the kingdom... watch this....



what a challenge to live by... may my acts be extraordinary...

i am constantly reminded how honored i am to be one of the many people standing with the invisible children. what a blessing to get to be one of the anonymous extraordinaries behind the scene fighting the battle to end Kony's war...

i am so excited to see what God does from the 25 event- speak out without speaking- for more on this event click here...

1 step closer

Junior & i went to Orlando to renew his passport at the Haitian consulate there...the ladies that worked there were so wonderful...we somehow got into our story with them and they were so amazed....started speaking creole with me, laughing and such....granted i still missed a lot when they started talking over each other as Haitians are known to do...but it was a good experience and they were very helpful.

junior's passport will arrive in 7-10 days!!!

it was also a blessing because junior was able to see an old friend that now lives in Orlando. his friend, Robenson, from the neighborhood where he grew up...they both couldn't remember the last time they saw each other... it was a sweet reunion, so beautiful to see junior in that moment...

and he took me out for sushi....and he doesn't even like sushi...he's such a sport, so good to me!

so we are 1 step closer to Haiti... PTL (praise the LORD)

25-speak out with out speaking

As many of you know I try to always take the opportunity to be an activist when i can...especially with things that pull on my hearts strings... slavery in our world today is something that continually pulls on my heart and i continue to be broken over this injustice in our world....it is completely unacceptable that children are forced into being wifes, sex slaves, soldiers, you name it... no one should be forced and held against their own will...

many of you have heard of the invisible children (www.invisiblechildren.com)... they are a group that has started a movement and i am honored to say i have been able to be a part of it in many ways....

they focus on ending Africa's longest running war, the Lords Resistance Army, a rebel group made up of 90% children that have been abducted and taken away from their families, forced to kill or be killed.... it is horrindous and invisible children has been working the last 8 years to fight for peace and an end to this war of 25 years and i believe they wont stop until they do.

in 2005 they had the global night communte, in 2006 they had the dispace me event, in 2009 they had the rescue me and this year they are going to have 25....this event is 25 hours of silence to speak out against 25 years of war.... i know sounds confussing...how can you speak out with out speaking.... but this is how...you buy a kit which has a t-shirt and a neclance with 50 cards to carry explaining why you arent speaking...you also get to letters to write to your senaters and government officials to encourage them to end the war. then you make a fundraising page...this is where YOU come in.... click here to see my fundraising page & donate a few bucks to help end this war!

they are asking each participate to raise $25 dollars to help fund the protection plan. click here to see more on the protection plan.

here are a few videos to give you more of an idea about this war and about who invisible children are....

who we are video

global night communte: i got soul video

rescue me aftermath video

25 event details video

thanks for reading this and thanks for the ways in which you might participate to be an activist yourself!

God Bless you!
Natasha Jovin

ps-feel free to pass this on!

Greencard Appointment

It will be 7 weeks tomorrow since when we did our green card appointment up in Atlanta, a 5 hour drive from where we are in Georgia. We were blessed to be able to stay with Beaver's parents right outside of Atlanta in Marietta. They were so sweet to us, showing us their beautiful land full of life...plants flowers, projects...reminded me much of Beaver & Kathy now. His parents have been married over 50 years with a beautiful story that we were blessed to hear!

We left Monday after I closed the shop a bit early and headed to Marietta, spent the night there and the next morning traveled to the immigration office...i know there is a much fancier word for this building, but i cannot remember. we took with us a huge portable file folder thing filled with stuff we had been working on with our lawyer since August- 6 months worth and that's actually making really good time. it was funny junior was a bit nervous, even though he wouldn't admit it...i didn't feel nervous, but as i realized during the earthquake apparently i am a nervous pooper- lol-sorry for the TMI, but its simply the truth....so i didn't feel nervous, but i did feel like i had to go to the bathroom, even though i knew i really didn't.

oh and here is the side story you must know... our lawyer was not going to come with us, would be an extra $500 for us to do that and it was too much for our budget but the week before when we met with him to finalize things to make sure we were prepared...he said "oh by the way i have to be in Atlanta for another case so if you would like me to come i will be available, and it will only cost you a little over $100" we talked it over and figured it was probably a God thing....praise the Lord!

so back to the story...nervous pooper and man in denial enter the building excited and so ready to see God at work...we believe in the FAVOR He has placed upon this....

finally after waiting a bit- we go in with our lawyer.... who has told us it could take anywhere from 15 minutes to 2 hours depending on how your interviewer feels and probably how his day has gone so far.... however ours only took 10 minutes....

and YES we were APPROVED!!!! Holy Holy Holy!!!

it was great having our lawyer because i seriously have never had somebody ask so many questions, turn pages so fast, and check things off so fast in my life....by the time i found what he asked he had already asked 4 more questions and i was flustered...in fact at one point i corrected him on my birthday and said the wrong date...junior then corrected me with the right date and then our lawyer said..."way to know your wife's birthday junior" it was hilarious.... but having our lawyer there seriously was a blessing because the guy would ask a question and then our lawyer would say its on page such and such of the packet we sent you...so HUGE.....

Anyway we were able to share with the interviewer about much ministries and Haiti and a tiny bit of our heart...when we where leaving Junior encouraged the guy to go to our website and get involved...the guy asked why junior felt lead to do so...junior said well you had compassion on us, you seem like a man that would want to help those around him struggling and that he seemed like a generous and caring man... the man said he REALLY appreciated that....

we left feeling blessed and full of favor and honored to maybe give that interviewer a moment of peace and rest and vulnerability and positivity...as he may often be lied to and experience a lot of negativity....

it was good....

HERE IS THE GOOD NEWS.....TODAY....

WE RECEIVED THE GREEN CARD IN HAND! HOLY HOLY HOLY.....we are totally done for now....

in DEC. 2012 we will reconnect with our lawyer and start the process to get the 10year green card...this one expires in 2013....

NOW WE CAN GO TO HAITI!!!!!! PRAISE GOD!!! i cannot begin to tell you how ready my husband is to see his family there...its been more than 3 years....

we are so so so so excited....thanks to our Lord who always takes care of us.

thanks also to those that prayed for this situation we are ever so grateful!!!

love the jovin's!

a rambling of ...

hey everybody...or mom, manda & sarah beth...i know i haven't written on here in forever...but as probably know...the brooks...aka beaver & kathy have been out of the country...which mean... my role steps up in the market place and its busy busy busy...and also...sometimes i don't exactly know how to write about the things that are going on...

hard things, but also beautiful things....

Poutchino went back to Haiti...still don't know how in the world to write about this... just keep telling myself...Gods plan is better than any plan i could ever make...HE is always good!

junior & i...had our green card appointment in ATL... i think i wrote about this but i cant even remember...but if i haven't i know i need too.... good stuff...

we finally have a countdown to Haiti...

we are trying to repair his moms house in Haiti...i definitely need to write about this too...okay...just rambling...

one day i will get on here... promise.

may is grace be evident all throughout your day... peace to you...

25 Hours

I know that i am not consistently active with invisible children as much these days with everything going on at the market place as i work with much ministries...but this is so my heart... a big piece of it anyway...

these children need a safe place, these families need peace...and this war must stop....justice is calling... lets spread the word.

i have been involved in every single one of their events

2006 i helped organize the global night communite in Kansas City
2007 i participated in displace me in Kansas City
2009 i organized with the help of many a group to communite to the Tallahassee Rescue Me with Much Ministries...it was amazing!

this year...i plan to participate as well. please watch the video and join me...stand up for those that need us...we are one human family!

25 Event Details from INVISIBLE CHILDREN on Vimeo.

Georgia Times Union

Check out this article that the GTU newspaper did on Poutchino... he's actually had a few stories written in newspapers already, but i think this one is the best so far...they did a really great job!

click HERE to read the story online!

on bended knee

So if you follow my blog at all you know the story of sweet joyful Poutchino...the boy of many miracles...

the last post i wrote about him was that we desperately were working to find a family for him...realizing the time of his visa was coming to an end...

we have worked hard...many people, especially Nancy Brickell... people have been making flyers...connecting with newspapers telling churches and friends, but most of all praying praying praying....


in the process there have been several families that have showed interest, but for the most part they arent procactive...or it wasnt a right fit...all probably God ordained...but it has been rough at times, wanting so desperately to find him a home so he can stay stateside where he will recieve the attention he needs...there have been times of discouragement, tears...praying together, trusting in God and deep breaths...but also moments of MUCH joy and laughter in it all...

Dorothy's is a great place, but even before the earthquake and his medical visa to get here we prayed one day he would find a home...

today i write this to say God has answered our crys for him to have a home...

a family has come forward and decided that they want Poutchino to be a part of their family.

we know they are commited...

check out the following:

they have contacted the hospital to extend his free medical care and the hospital has agreed
they have applied for a home study, which you need before you can adopt a child--- home studies usually cost at least $1,500
they are meeting with Nancy tomorrow night to meet him and to gather all his paper work
they have an appointment with an international adoption lawyer on friday to review and move forward on what needs to be done

God telling us He's got this:

THEY LOVE THE LORD....
the mother has medical experience and isnt afraid of his siezure condition
her & her husband have 3 boys, all of helping age...i think about 11years old and up
she is a stay at home mom and does homeschool... good for poutchino...

the bonus miracle:

the familiy literally lives 5-10minutes away from Nancy in Jacksonville florida. how amazing is that?!!!!

WE STILL NEED TO BE IN PRAYER

God has answered our prayer for a family to come forward...but here is the thing....his visa ends on the 12th of March and this is very soon....

it may not be likely for the family to have a home study done by then or to have his medical visa extended...there is much paper work that needs to happen for everything to be set in place....but again nothing is impossible with God....

so please continue to be on bended knee with us in prayer

pray for all the details to get worked out...

pray for Nancy and the brickells as they will have to transition and adjust to live without Poutchino there on a daily basis

pray for this new family as they create space for a new memeber of their family...for the paper work to the intimate day to day things

pray for Dorothy and her ministry as i have no doubt they miss poutchino on a daily basis still and as they might need to open up their home again to caring for him...they will do their very best....i have no doubt....

pray for the adoption agency and lawyer that will be involved that all the intericate details would fall right into place...


ps: this Sunday we are celebrating POUTCHINO at the Market Place here in Waynesville.... it will be a lovely day....and all are welcome!

a life is a life...

I don't know if you have heard, but there was an earthquake in new Zealand recently and the disaster was bad, as of right now 75 people have died and they have declared it one of the worst disasters to hit new Zealand. to read more on the quake there... click HERE

after watching the news about this and reading a few articles...i have come to realize something... i compare every disaster, natural disaster to Haiti's earthquake of January 2010 and comparison is never a good thing...because all things are relative...

see everything doesn't seem as bad beacuse i believe Haiti was probably the worst natural disaster of our time...how can loosing 75 lives compare to over 200,000...

then i think well maybe its because i was there...and that experience was so intense...but then i think why wouldn't i be more compassionate...because i understand what it is like to be there...to be in that state of crisis...to understand the earth moving beneath you and all the chaos that comes with that...

surely i would have more compassion and not comparison...

surely i would be more like my Father in heaven and LOVE....

surely i would be moved to pray harder because of the empathy in me literally knowing what that experience is like...

but i have found that i don't...

i do at moments, but generally i compare and then i am angry...

HOW COULD ANYONE FORGET HAITI...

do they realize the gravity of what is still going on in Haiti because of that earthquake...

do they realize the shape this country was even in before the disaster...

i want to say stop looking at this disaster and be reminded of Haiti's and that it is still struggling in ways most of us could never even fathom...

i know it is wrong of me to feel this way in a sense...for the Lord tells us to have compassion on one another, to pray and show HIS LOVE...

see whether it is 75 or 200,000.... 1 is 1 and a life is a life... i pray for more compassion...but at the same time i think it is okay for me to be angry...

of course, only if its a JUST anger for the nation of Haiti because the situation it is in...

most of it's struggle imposed on the country not because of Haitians, but the countries around them for years taking advantage of them...

despite their strength...

all this to say...sometimes i don't understand my inner reactions to the disasters i see in the world...

i miss Haiti...

i cry for Haiti...

i pray for Haiti...

my heart is for Haiti...

but...

A LIFE IS A LIFE...no matter how many....

God's timing

Check out this recent blog i wrote on the MUCH Ministries website....

its just some thoughts i wanted to share...

CLICK HERE

Prayer Requests

I have touched base with some of you, but know that lists & messages help me to remember things, so no doubt it is probably that way for you as well.

i know we all have things going on and junior and i pray for you daily...but i also know sometimes its great to know the specific needs. Feel free to tell us what is going on in your life...we would love to hear.

We thought we would tell you 4 specific things that Junior & I would love our family & friends to be in prayer with us about...

1. Junior & I will be in ATL tuesday for our interview with immigration at noon. It is the last step in the Greencard process that we have been working on since August of last year. Pray with us for FAVOR & the right person to interview us!!!

2. Junior's sister Marie runs an orphanage, school & church in Haiti and for the last several weeks has been getting phone calls threatening her that she will be kidnapped for ransom, $100,000 to be exact. She runs her ministry mainly through donation and definitely does not have that kind of money. pray with us for PROTECTION, PROVISION, & PEACE... no fear.

3. Poutchino- that the right family comes forward to adopt him and that he can get an extention on his visa for the process--- that he is completely healed from the brain damage that has happened because of the hydrocephalis. An interested family has come forward this week- pray for their descernment and clarity in the decision making to have him join their family. FAVOR & PROVISION in all of the things revolving around this situation.

4. Junior & I along with anyone willing are trying to rebuild his mothers home in haiti. it has been more than a year since the earthquake and his mother, in her 60's and living with arthrisis is still sleeping outside. We hope to fix her home before we go to visit this summer... hopefully even before. Pray with us for the FUNDS to be able to do this...

Okay- i could probably talk all day about each of these topics...so i hope i didnt give more information that you need...but would love for you to join us in prayer.

thank you for all you do and how you each have been a part of our lives...Junior & I are blessed to know you, call you our friends & family.

may LOVE & GRACE be abundant in you today.

Natasha & Junior Jovin

PRAY for a MIRACLE

Poutchino has less than 2 months left here...in Jacksonville Florida with the Brickell family and i have been meaning to write a blog for the last 2 weeks, but every time i sit down to write...i literally do NOT have the words to express the feelings going on inside... or even put into words how much i want a miracle to happen.

Poutchino was the main reason i extended my Haiti stay in January and ended up being there for the earthquake...he was the boy i ran inside to the top floor of a hospital to retrieve after the earthquake struck...he was the one i took care of and held for 24 hours straight while we were stuck in the hospital parking lot...he was the one that i had spent days, weeks and months doing physical therapy with years before...he was the little boy that stole my heart with out words...he was the one i prayed he would walk or at least stand on his own one day...he was the boy i hoped could make more noises and sounds...he was the boy i told everyone about... he was the boy that always NO MATTER what, made joy fill my heart....the boy i never really knew would get to where he is today...

today...in America...standing on his own, walking on his own, making more sounds...he has said two words... who has grown 8 inches in less than a year...who has gained 12 lbs in less than a year...who is going to school...who is comprehending...who is playing with toys and recognizing things he didn't before.... HE IS A MIRACLE.... still bringing JOY!

GOD did ALL this...but not without SO many praying and believing in what God had planned for him...hope, life, a future... Nancy who has done a better job than i can imagine anyone doing while he has been stateside continues to amaze me...i feel the bond between us and our love for poutchino is so deep now as we have watched him grow and continue to walk the days out in faith to see Gods plan unfold...

but somehow this less than 45 days...less than 2 months is starting to really creep up...and fighting doubt and heartbreak sets in.... i have realized i have done a horrible job at helping Nancy and the Brickells in promoting and spreading the word about his great need to find a family... i have been selfish in a since..."i get to see poutchi....i get to visit...i get to see his progress...i get to be part of the Brickells with poutchi"....but the thing is i should have been helping and working to bring a home and permanent family to him a long time ago and now i feel disappointed in myself and despair at times....

but like Nancy said it is past... focus on what we can do now...so i don't get down i remember how much GOD LOVES POUTCHINO and all the MIRACLES He has done already for this little man... and i remember who my GOD IS....a GOOD God...with plans not to harm, but to prosper and give hope and a future...so please join with me and spread the word of his story...pray for ANOTHER miracle.... and if you have a lead or any questions please let me know so Nancy and all involved can move forward to help him....

I know that going back to Haiti is not horrible as he will go to a place that loves him...but the thing is... he greatly needs more one on one attention than he can get there...and he also desperately needs the access to the resources available here...

PLEASE PRAY WITH US.... with a desperate and faith filled heart i write this today....

precious

i saw this with Junior a few days ago on the internet and seriously can't get over how cute it is!!!! what a beautiful thing for a father and daughter to share.... i believe its so important in our world today filled with movies, tv, wii, etc. to have these intimate moments of singin...dancing....playing cards...playing outside...things that connected us deeply together...plus i have to give props to this father...being a single daddy....not too many of them out there...and from the looks of it, hes doin a great job lovin on her...may blessings abound in their family.....

WAKA WAKA

So i know this song came out a long time ago around the world cup...but goodness i am really lovin on it right now. i took an african dance class twice and its one of the hardest things you can imagine. i know a girl who did dance her whole life, traveled all over, living in europe and other places, specifically spain...but she always said..."if you can dance african you can dance ANYTHING" i believe this is true....

so as i play this song...seriously on repeat... junior and i dance around the house....trying to dance african...the only reason i can keep up with him is because of my two classes i think...

but its beautiful as we laugh and embrace that we really are all african in some way or another... whether our heritage can be linked back to it or not...we are all connected and their story is our story...WE'RE ALL AFRICA!

news happening in Haiti

The last 3 days in Haiti have been a bit stressful, not that much of the journey this past year hasn't, but this past Sunday in Haiti former dictator "Baby Doc" returned to Haiti after 25 years in exile. It caused a lot of termoile for the people of Haiti as his supporters (more than likely people involved in his gangs and distruction) came out and uncertainy in the political arena grew...

click here to read a news article on the situation

click here to read a Much Ministries post on the situation

Then today...2 days after "Baby Docs" arrival and added protesting of the chances of even Aristede returning as well...Haitian authorities arrested Duvalier at his hotel. Praise God for this desicion.

click here to read a news article on the arrest

click here to read a MM post on the arrest

keep the situation in your prayers!!!

MUCH you tube channel!

Today i set Much Ministries up with a youtube channel...

i have to admit if it wasn't for Mollie Anna Taylor it probably wouldn't of happened... i really am confused a lot when it comes to technology things, but it helps to have youth around that do!!!

in fact my good friend Sarah Beth & her husband Jon know of my lack of skills when it comes to working with technology...

a story to help you understand....

Jon who is WAY fluent in the technology, computer language had done something funky with his TV and some computer towers...i asked him about it and literally about a minute into him explaining what he had done... my right eye started twitching...and it wouldn't stop...i had to tell him it was too much my brain couldn't handle it...so we joke that i have a techno twitch...too much techy talk, etc... my eyes might twitch...

the thing that makes it even more ironic and funny is that i am the one that is updating our website, working with people to help it improve, setting up things like you tube and doing all of our facebook PR & updating as well....

i ask myself how this happened often when i am praying not to hit whatever computer i may be working on... its quite funny...

all that to say...check out our new youtube channel and subscribe... click HERE

revisiting old posts

i was reading my dear friend sarah beth's blog and she had linked her postings from a year ago...it was really good for my soul to read some of them because i had never read them before....

i don't know if anyone will read mine to recap the things that went on in me during the aftermath of the earthquake.... but if you do, maybe God will use it in some sort of way to encourage, help, aid in the healing process or anything...

1/15/10

1/16/10

1/18/10

1/20/10

1/20/10

1/22/10

1/27/10

1/29/10

2/3/10

May God receive ALL the Glory.

Blessings.

staying positive

A positive article...CLICK HERE

i believe this is the year for progress....promises to come through...more people to invest....more rubble to be removed...more businesses to appear...and more secure homes to be lived in...

GROWTH & PROGRESS

LIFE & HOPE

PEACE & GOOD THINGS FROM ABOVE!!!!

remembering Haiti

today marks the year anniversary of the 2010 earthquake...it is 3:23pm...just an hour and a 1/2 until the exact minute that the ground shook all around and beneath me. i am emotional today....

i have been on the verge of tears all day.

i have missed the people i was with, especially my sister in ways i can't express.

i have been thankful to be alive.

i have been broken and sad.

i have remembered things i would rather have not.

i rejoiced in the miracles that have come out of it.

i have been silent.

i have felt honor.

i have felt humility.

i have declared restoration.

i have fasted.

i have prayed.

i have praised.

i have HOPE for HAITI!

i am alive, as well as so many that i love, some still are living in that nation...but over 200,000 died, over a million became homeless and the emotional and physical scars for some are permanent not just Haitians, but multitudes around the world.

however, our GOD IS BIG... and so MUCH goodness has come from it all...

my sister, along with so many, have their adoptive children with them NOW!

I have a nephew and he is healthy!

More people are involved in Haiti!

Miracles of people surviving that shouldn't of are alive TODAY!

New perspectives on life!

A deeper understanding of unity!

A deeper understanding of connectedness!

God's Kingdom growing!

i know this list goes on.... even when we can't quite set our eyes on it.

And YOU....who supported me through all of it...prayed when you didn't know if my sister, Dorothy or Poutchino were alive.... YOU...who sent money and helped cover my bills to stay in Haiti long enough to escort my nephew to my sister and to see Junior... WOW...You have no idea what you have done for me...it is BIG...KINGDOM BIG!!!!

there is an old African proverb that says... "I AM BECAUSE WE ARE."

this rains true over all of us...over Haiti...we cannot exist without the other...God created us to be communal and to take care of one another. thank you for taking care of me...for being JESUS with skin on....

lets continue to be His hands and feet...lets declare 2011 the year that rubble is removed, buildings and HOMES are rebuilt, that corruption ends and restoration flourishes....

that HAITI WILL RISE and be the PEARL of the islands it has always been.

Ayiti...m' renmen ou ANPIL....