This month’s guest writer is Kaden Kimple. Kaden submitted the following essay last fall to Power of the Pen, Ohio’s Interscholastic Creative Writing Program for Middle Schools, while her mom was on a mission trip with Back2Back Ministries. When I think of super powers, I think of strength, speed, flight, brains, and maybe the ability… Read more
“Now show me how we should cough!” The smiling children raised their arms, play-coughing into their elbows, demonstrating their understanding to not spread more germs. It’s Healthy Kids Day in Haiti and everyone is learning. Back2Back Haiti staff member, Holly Ravenhorst, recently connected with Blessings International – a ministry who administers health assessments. “We wanted… Read more
The first week of March brought light to Jesus Name Children’s Home. Jesus Name Children’s Home used a generator for electricity, but only for special occasions. It lacks access to city power sources. In the beginning of March, a team visited Back2Back Haiti with SonLight Power, located in Cincinnati, Ohio. Together, they installed a solar… Read more
She opens the door and walks to her seat. As she walks by, people take in her pink and white dress, smiling and complimenting her work. As she takes her seat, Wideline grins confidently. Not only is she wearing a new dress, she’s wearing a new dress she made herself. It’s Sunday in Haiti. “About a year ago,… Read more
It’s a sunny day in Haiti. As Dan Ravenhorst, Back2Back Haiti staff, walks towards Lighthouse Children’s Home, he can hear a clear, confident voice pierce the air. He smiles to himself. He may not understand every world to this song, but he recognizes the voice who is sharing it with the neighboring homes. Anne Marie… Read more
Ansouby’s eyebrows knit together as he looks down at his fingers, strumming across the strings of the guitar. To anyone watching, it might look like he is deeply concentrating, but his stature has become a release for him. A year ago, seven children from Harvest Care Children’s Home began taking music lessons from a local… Read more
Haiti can be a hard place. Amidst stories of corruption, devastation, and crippling natural disasters are statistics that almost defy belief. Seventy-seven percent unemployment. Over 300 orphanages in the city of Port-au-Prince alone. The poorest country in the entire western hemisphere. However, there is also breathtaking natural beauty in the mountains and emerald green ocean… Read more
Fednia came to Harvest Care Children’s Home confused and afraid. She was unexpectedly transferred from another children’s home and wasn’t told why. Being uprooted once again created another painful rip in her heart. She arrived at Harvest Care wounded and angry, with thick emotional walls around her small frame. For the first few months, Fednia… Read more
Square blankets lie on the floor as carefully folded clothing is stacked in the center. The children gather the goods they possess and set them down carefully around the folded clothing and then slowly gather the corners of the blanket and tie a knot. Today is moving day. New, freshly painted bunk-beds await their sleeping… Read more
Gravel crunches against the backdrop of squeals of delight. Children run freely, laughing loudly. An open box, the “mobile library,” is being sorted through by eager hands and watchful eyes; books in English, French, and Creole are snagged quickly – Oh! The Places You Will Go and others of Dr. Seuss’ best picked up jovially… Read more