FFP Announces Director of Global Missions

We are delighted to announce that Wendy Patchin is joining the Foundation for Peace staff full-time as of July 1, 2014! As Director of Global Missions, she will be responsible for working with our in-country staff and mission teams to continue enhancing the quality and efficiency of our mission programs in the Dominican Republic, Haiti and Kenya.

Wendy went on her first mission trip with Foundation for Peace in 2004 and has been on countless trips since. Since 2010, Wendy has served as Associate Director, working in various aspects of the ministry in the US and abroad, including education, personnel, and team preparation. She also serves as the Chair of the Board of Missions.

Wendy is currently an elder on session at her home church, United Presbyterian Church, Flanders, NJ. Upon her retirement in June from the Andover School District, where she is teaching mathematics to middle school students, she will dedicate herself to the FFP full-time in the US and abroad.

We hope her addition to our staff in this capacity will enable us to more completely address the needs of a growing organization and allow us to expand and improve our service to those in need.

Please join us in congratulating Wendy!

Bright Idea and Joint Partnerships Bring Power to Haiti

This story comes from the Montgomery News 

A Joint Project with Local Independent Schools to Build and Install Solar Suitcases in Haiti 

Stone Hill Church of Princeton (formerly Westerly Road Church) has long had a fruitful partnership with churches and ministries in Haiti. After the devastating earthquake in 2010, Stone Hill increased its commitment to its partner ministries in Haiti, with regular short- and long-term service trips and volunteer efforts.

This spring, Stone Hill is partnering with a number of local independent schools and nonprofit organizations to bring portable solar energy units to key sites in Haiti. The Stone Hill missions team has coordinated efforts with KONEKTE (an educational nonprofit implementing initiatives in partnership between Princeton and Fond Parisien, Haiti), Foundation for Peace (a NJ-based nongovernmental organization with an office based in Haiti), and We Share Solar (a nonprofit dedicated to supporting collective solar-energy education and initiatives). Together, these organizations brought curriculum and materials to enable students from Princeton Day School and Stuart Country Day School of the Sacred Heart to learn about the engineering involved in generating solar power and build four solar suitcases to be installed in Haiti.

This is an example of a solar suitcase.

A single solar suitcase can be used to provide highly efficient lighting and power for mobile communications, e-readers, and small electronic devices. Each suitcase is a fully integrated system, with lighting appliances and power production components delivered as a single unit, designed for daily use. The system is designed to be low-maintenance, with no fuses to replace and very simple battery replacement every 2-3 years. The system is plug-and-play and can be installed without need for an experienced solar technician, but is also designed for future expansion.

Installing the solar suitcase on the roof of the church in La Hatte Cotin

The strategic partnerships in Haiti already developed by Stone Hill and KONEKTE helped to inform the decisions of where to deploy these solar suitcases. Two suitcases built by the Princeton Day School were delivered to Haiti in March by a team from Stone Hill Church, comprised of local residents and University students. Two more suitcases, built by Stuart Country Day School, will be delivered in June by a team sponsored by KONEKTE – a team comprised of local residents and students from the Princeton area Upper Schools. These suitcases will be installed in schools and churches (whose facilities are also used as schools and community centers) in Fond Parisien, Haiti.

The suitcases themselves will provide sorely-needed power reserves to these sites, and Stone Hill Church and KONEKTE will continue to support training and education initiatives that will enable the staff and students at these sites to maintain and expand these solar energy systems.

Seeing is Believing!

Even the snowy, blustery, icy grasp of winter storm Titan couldn't stop FFP's February 13-18 review trip to the Dominican Republic and Haiti! (Although taking off at JFK in the midst of the storm was nothing short of a miracle and an experience we won't soon forget!)

Yeah, we took off in this!
If God makes a way, it's going to happen!

Twice a year Foundation for Peace leaders, prospective trip participants, donors and anyone interested in FFP are invited to join us on a review trip in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. For six days we travel between the two countries visiting many current FFP projects, meeting with community leaders and scoping out prospective projects.

Meeting with Pastor Jackie and visiting Batey Algodon

Time and again trip participants express amazement that FFP has done—and is doing—so much in the two countries. Said one February trip participant, "I've been on a mission trip and thought I knew all about FFP. But seeing the scope and reach of FFP completely blew me away. I am so proud to be part of an organization that is truly making a difference!"

Said another participant, "Usually when I give money to an organization I'm never sure if the money will actually used the way I hope. Going on the FFP review trip and seeing with my own eyes how much Foundation Peace has accomplished, how communities are literally being transformed and how much hope is being shared ... I can see every single penny I donated is being put to amazing use!"

Linet Madeja was so inspired by the experience that she created a video of the February review trip. Watch it, and we promise it will be the most uplifting and inspiring 15 minutes of your day! Click and see for yourself . . .

The next FFP review trip will be November 6-11, 2014. Contact Wendy Patchin if you're interested or would like more information. The cost less than $300 (plus airfare)!

If you're interested in going on a Foundation for Peace mission trip, click to see the calendar of upcoming trips. Or contact Ken Culver if you'd like to lead a mission group from your church, organization or school. 

From Ashes to Glory

Going on a Foundation for Peace mission trip is a life-changing experience, but sometimes God opens doors for opportunities to serve that cause us to stand in awe at His provision and love.

Last summer the mission team from Long Valley Presbyterian Church went to La Victoria to continue building a church. Community and church members Kenia, Fernando and their five children were excited to reconnect with their American friends.

As the walls of the church rose, members of the community, including Kenia’s family, worked hand in hand with the LVPC team. Dominicans and Americans were one big, happy family.

On Thursday tragedy struck.

Kenia and Fernando’s house caught on fire. The group saw smoke and ran to the house. Powerless to stop the fire, they watched the house and all its contents burn to the ground.

Says Meghan Sullivan, “It had been raining all day and we think a power line sparked over the house and caught the gas tank on fire. Normally the kids would’ve been in the house, but they were helping at the worksite—even the three-year-old who’d been napping in the house 30 minutes before the fire started. I don’t want to think about what would have happened to the kids if we weren’t there. Our entire team was really shaken and upset.”

After the fire—the remains of Kenia and Fernando's house

The group quit working for the day and reflected on the tragedy. They quickly agreed on what needed to be done. “That same day our group of 24 committed enough money to rebuild Kenia and Fernando’s house. Since they are part of our family we invited them to stay with us for the rest of the week. Every day they had showers and meals. And they were surrounded by the love of family,” says Meghan.

On Friday, the day after the fire, rebuilding started. The group cleared debris and prepared the site for reconstruction. They bought the family shoes and a few days’ worth of clothes. The church community in La Victoria also rallied together and got bags of clothes for each family member.

Within a few days a new house started taking shape!

As if this wasn’t enough tragedy, Kenia and Fernando were supposed to be married on Saturday but their papers were destroyed in the fire. “So we threw them a wedding! We worked with the church to arrange decorations, flowers, tuxes and a wedding gown. We even had a reception! For a wedding gift our group gave them a new stove, gas tank and some kitchen items. A few members also sent them on a one night honeymoon!” recounts Meghan.

Wedding day! Kenia, Fernando and their children: Kevin, Derlis, Denzel, Keidel and Enmanuel.

The happy couple!

What seemed like a tragedy on Thursday was such an overwhelming joy by Monday. It was certainly not the trip they expected, but everyone from LVPC will never forget the experience and the tremendous joy that comes from giving. 

Today Kenia and her family live in their new home. Her eyes fill with tears of gratitude as she recounts the blessings from her Dominican and American families – and a loving God who is her Great Provider.

Kenia with sons Denzel and Keidel, and FFP staff members Alenny and Maura, stand in front of their new house 

God is good. All the time.

Bringing Health and Hope to Haiti

Latrines.

It’s a topic so basic most of us never think about it. But it’s a problem Hank Belusa and his mission team from the Presbyterian Church of Chatham Township (PCCT) talked about when they distributed hygiene kits in the impoverished community of Despizo, Haiti. They saw the lack of proper sanitation in the village and knew that properly constructed latrines could transform the health of the community.

The village of Despizo in eastern Haiti

In Haiti, latrines are almost as important as food and shelter. Without them, unsanitary conditions spread diseases like typhoid, malaria, and dysentery. According to the World Health Organization, “2.4 billion people do not have access to any type of improved sanitation facility. About 2 million people die every year due to diarrheal diseases; most of them are children less than 5 years of age.”

The PCCT team talked to the community leaders of Despizo and promised they’d build latrines. Back at home in Chatham, Hank planned to raise $1,500 for two latrines, but was surprised he raised enough for four.

One set of the latrines built by Foundation for Peace

Pastor Valentin asked if they’d consider building enough latrines for the entire village -- which meant raising another $5,000. “I thought, we now have a proactive effort in Despizo where we’re impacting the lives of 200 people who pretty much felt nobody cared about them,” Hank recalled. He gave Valentin his word and trusted God to provide, “We’re giving them hope. I couldn't let this fail.”

In June 2013, he began fundraising again. Thanks to a significant donation from a church member's employer, the goal was within reach. “It was amazing how we all came together. By mid-August we’d raised the funds,” said Hank.

“We told the villagers we’d build more latrines if they properly maintained the first four---and they have,” Hank said. “What this means is that while they can’t pay for it, the community members have a stake in it and they can say, ‘I actually made an impact on my village.’”

Pastor Valentin and Ken Culver lead the dedication ceremony.
CLICK TO VIEW VIDEO OF CEREMONY.

In November, Foundation for Peace leaders dedicated the latrines and presented them to the community.

It might not seem like much to us, but to the people in Despizo these beautiful new latrines mean improved health, renewed hope and evidence that they are cared about and loved.

Consider going on a mission trip to Haiti or the Dominican Republic to see for yourself how lives are being changed and communities transformed. 

Would you like to help Foundation for Peace bring hope, health, education and transformation to communities in the Dominican Republic and Haiti? 

FFP Leaders Return from Review Trip in DR and Haiti

Last week Foundation for Peace leaders spent six days visiting current FFP projects and partner communities in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. During the trip we reviewed the progress of current projects, met with pastors and community leaders to assess future needs, and looked for new projects to bring into the FFP family.

At every community we saw the story of FFP — doing the work of God hand in hand" told over and over again. Because of the work of our tremendous short term missionaries, nursing groups and in-country staff live have been changes and communities transformed.

• At Complexe Educatif Men Nan Men in Ganthier, the local government and FFP have worked together to establish a vision that is transforming a region. Today over 500 men, women and teens are learning English and Spanish. They have hope for a better life. 

• At Despizo, nine families received keys to their brand-new FFP-built latrines, vastly improving sanitation in this remote village. 

• In La Javilla de la Cruz a pastor and his wife envisioned a church in the wilderness. God led them to FFP and together have built a church and school. This wilderness has become an oasis.  

• In Pantoja, one of FFP's first projects, the community sent their children to school in a shack. With FFP's help a beautiful. mulit-level school now educates over 500 students. A vibrant church is a beacon of light, clean water vastly improves health and soon a medical clinic help save lives. Property values have even increased because of the revitalization of this community.  

• In El Cachon, one of our newest communities, a partially finished church has become a spiritual center for the community. Children attend weekly Bible school classes ... and we were blessed to witness one of them!

• In Batey San Joaquin, one of the poorest communities in the DR, young women desperate for money prostituted themselves at a nightly disco. FFP helped the pastor and today, a community center stands where the disco once stood and the women are being trained in skills like furniture making. 

• Last year in La Victoria, one of FFP's groups were working there when a house in the village burned down, leaving one of the church's families without a possession or place to live. Responding immediately the FFP group had extra funds wired to the DR and started to build her a new house. Today this woman has a lovely new home and gives tearful, heartfelt thanks God for the blessings He has provided to her and her children through FFP. 

These are only a handful of the dozens of stories we experienced last week. We were all inspired and encouraged that the work FFP is doing really and truly is making a difference. 

Said one trip participant, "Before I came on this trip I had no idea about all of the things FFP is doing in the DR and Haiti. To see it for myself makes me feel so blessed to be part of this organization and makes me want to do all I can to help. Working hand and hand isn't just something you say, it's something you do!"

To learn more about FFP and the work we're doing, go to our website.

The next review trip is scheduled for February 13-18, 2014. You can sign up here. 

Mission Trip Participants Give FFP Highest Marks