Purpose of this blog

Personal missionary work as a coordinator for the college students who graduated from Institution Univers in Ouanaminthe, HAITI.

I act as a liaison for those currently in college and their sponsors, until the students have all graduated, whether in USA, Haiti or the Dominican Republic.
As well, I encourage those who have graduated from college but have not yet returned to Haiti, to return to fulfill the purpose of their education, for themselves, their families, their country and most importantly, for God.

Saturday, December 26, 2015

Happy, Joyous Christmas and New Year to you!



What a wondrous time of the year, reminding us of how much God loves us, to come to Earth from Heaven to show us how much He loves us. I am especially awestruck by this miracle this year. Not exactly sure why, but I just feel more thankful for this Truth than I can remember in past years.

With having completed my third year at Institution Univers I reflect on how much God is accomplishing in the life of our students and in the ministry organization. In the Spring of 2015 we celebrated 21 years of seeing God at work at Institution Univers in Ouanaminthe, Haiti. Institution Univers is a Christian school supported by donors, economic development and the Board of Trustees of C.O.C.I.N.A.  (www.haiticocina.org). My responsibilities as Director of the High School Graduate Placement Program include coordination of the English as a Second Language (ESL) immersion summer program which feeds into the High School Graduate Placement Program, administrative assistant duties for Hugues Bastien (the founder and executive director of Univers), health network coordination for Univers Medical Clinic, and mission team coordination assistance. When I returned to Haiti in January, after the holidays and meetings with colleges and churches in the U.S., I found myself not in optimum health. 2015 began to look quite different then I had anticipated and planned for.  But…God’s plan for our lives is always better for us than what we plan for!
I retuned to the states in late February to begin a very long process of treating health conditions that seemingly are the direct result of the environment of Haiti, and one health condition that finally was exacerbated from carrying 50 – 70 pound supply bags to Haiti over the years – a herniated disk in my neck. After two surgeries, one for the neck and one for the urinary tract, months of recovery and rehabilitation I got the “green light” from my surgeons to return to Haiti.  Labile hypertension is still a work in progress, as are some more recent diagnoses. I praise God for a cardiologist who believes in the work and service to the Lord and understands the passion.  For the foreseeable future though, I will need to work from the U.S. more than I have in the past three years.
One of the foremost principles of the school is to rise up a generation of fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ that will change the nation spiritually, socially and economically. We have undergraduate, graduate and vocational students studying in Haiti, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Senegal, Taiwan, and the United States. There is still much work to be done as the majority of our high school graduates are still falling back into the poverty cycle after graduation.
This letter serves as an update for those who know about the ministry, and an introduction of what I’m doing for those of you who I may have just met!
When opportunities are secured for students to further their education, they are required to return to Ouanaminthe, located in Northeast Haiti, to serve the various entities of C.O.C.I.N.A., equal to the number of years they studied post-secondary coursework. Every one of the students understands their responsibility, for they know it is up to them to be the leaders for change in their nation – the poorest nation in the western hemisphere.
To share with you one of our returning graduate’s thoughts: ‘I work as the mission team coordinator and co-administrator of extracurricular activities at the school. Also, I teach, along with two other returned grads, advanced English classes preparing the students for the TOEFL test. I am glad to say that I love my job. I realize that I rely on many different people to do my job and that it really is a learning process. It demands passion, patience, good communication skills, and a lot of understanding. I hope that with the good collaboration of others and with God’s help I will do a good job.’ ~ Marie Claire Charles
To summarize the Institution Univers High School Graduate Placement Program currently, Emmanuel Joseph, a returned graduate, and I are responsible for securing educational opportunities at one-year certification, two-year colleges, and four-year colleges and universities, as well as vocational education opportunities and apprenticeships.  Our responsibilities also include securing host family homes for at least the first year of the student’s residence, as well as ongoing financial sponsorship while students are completing their studies. As part of the placement program, we complete career assessments and counseling with each year’s Philo students (grade 13 “seniors”). This autumn we tested 70 students. These assessments are part of the evaluation process that the administration thoughtfully completes each year for potential educational opportunities.  Emmanuel Joseph, a college graduate who benefited from the college placement program, returned in 2014 to work alongside me, as well as teach biology, geology and English, and assist Hantz-Jerry, another returned grad, in the Supervision of Students department of the school. Additionally, ten other students have now returned to Univers and are on staff at the school or at the clinic. What a joy and inspiration these young adults are to me!
Currently we are seeking financial sponsorship for many students to attend college in Haiti and in the U.S. We have partial U.S. college scholarships available for many students but still have shortfalls financially for four students in particular. Alternatively, it is very cost effective to sponsor a student to attend college in Haiti: $7,500 for all costs including living expenses per year. If you are interested in more information about our needs, please contact me.
Because I am a full-time donor supported missionary I ask you to please prayerfully consider partnering with me in prayer as well as financially. In planning for 2016 I have been blessed by God with almost half of my annual budget raised for 2016 but still need to raise $25,000 in order to meet all my expenses for 2016. Thank you, again, so, so much to those who are already partnering with me. I trust the Lord and my partners for 100% of the necessary finances for all of the expenses associated with my ministry.  My financial support is processed through Christ Community Chapel in Hudson, Ohio so that it will be favorably treated as a tax deduction for donors.  To financially support me, you have the option of online or mailing your donations. If by mail, please use the form at the end of this post. Each time you submit a donation you will need to use the form, please. More copies are located in the Partners tab of this blog. (www.calledbacktohaiti.blogspot.com) The church’s address is on the form. To ensure that the donation is applied to my account at the church, this form must be included with every donation.  For online giving, you will find instructions for online giving and recurrent giving at the bottom of this letter. The church will mail you a receipt for your donations.
**Please make sure “HAITI-LEWIS” is written on all correspondence (except the check!) you send to the church, as there are other Haiti ministries connected with the church**
Additionally, the blog serves as my newsletter to you, due to not having any formal mail service in Haiti.  So check it regularly!
Thank you for your prayers and support as I serve the upcoming generation of Haitians, who will be equipped because of Jesus Christ and education to change their nation. I am forever grateful for your friendship and partnership.
All Glory to God,
Marylee 

To support Marylee through Online Giving, here are the instructions:
You can use this link www.ccchapel.com, In the upper right corner, click “GIVE” then choose “Give without an account”, or Log in/Register if you want. Then in the “Select a Campus” drop down menu choose “Designated Giving”, then choose “Haiti-Lewis”.


Please note, the 3% credit card and bank fee is passed to me by the church if you use a credit card to donate online, therefore if you want me to receive the amount you intend you will need to add the 3%. I am not charged a fee if you use a check and mail in a donation.
To support Marylee by Mail, here are the instructions:

Please use this form:

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SUPPORT FOR MARYLEE LEWIS, DIRECTOR OF HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE PLACEMENT PROGRAM - HAITI – LEWIS - INSTITUTION UNIVERS, OUANAMINTHE, HAITI
·      Please complete and return this form with your check payable to “Christ Community Chapel” Address: 750 West Streetsboro Street, Hudson, Ohio 44236
·      You will receive a receipt for your tax records
DonorName:____________________________________________________________
Address:_______________________________________________________________
City, State/Province______________________________________________________
Zip/PostalCode:__________________________________

Donation Enclosed: $________________
**Please make sure “HAITI-LEWIS” is written on all correspondence you send to the church, as there are other Haiti ministries connected with the church**
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Thank you so much for your consideration and care for Univers and me!

Thursday, November 19, 2015

Spreading the Hope for Haiti


Here's our Hugues' TED talk presentation, held at the University of Akron earlier this Fall:

Preview YouTube video Cultivating Hope in Haiti | Hugues Bastien | TEDxUniversityofAkronCultivating Hope in Haiti | Hugues Bastien | TEDxUniversityofAkron

Please feel free to copy the link and share with others on your social media and email.

All Glory to Our Great God,
Marylee


Wednesday, November 11, 2015

Beautiful Dancers

Here's our Institution Univers dance team performing for a visiting mission team. Most of the performers are in the Philo (Grade 13) class. Enjoy the video at the end, and please feel free to share with others.
Such a lovely evening of dancing, our musical band playing worship music, and ministry updates given by Hugues Bastien, Marie-Claire Charles, and myself. To God be the Glory!
Love,
Marylee











Friday, October 23, 2015

Prayer Request

Dear friends and family,
Please keep me in your prayers as I seek God's refuge and strength during another kidney infection. Because of the severity, I am departing earlier than planned from Haiti for medical treatment. Thank you so much for your prayers.
Because He Lives,
Marylee

Thursday, October 1, 2015

An blessed weekend with The Brown's!

What a blessing to have Randy and Janella Brown with us this past weekend! Randy preached at churches in Ouanaminthe, Cap Haitien, and Fort Liberte while he was here. He also held pastor conferences in Ouanaminthe and Cap Haitian.
I was blessed to be able to spend time with Janella while he was out of Ouanaminthe. They both were able to attend the Young Adult Bible Study at my apartment on Saturday and then we had a fun dinner with Marie-Claire Saturday night.
Sunday morning I was "chauffeur" for them: Pastor Arnold of the Ouanaminthe Baptist Church, Pastor Isaiah (Randy's translator) and Hebert (who shadowed Pastor Isaiah as a translator), Randy, Janella and me. Yes, we seated six in the five-seat Jeep - "Haitian style"! We drove to Fort Liberte for Randy to preach. A very humble yet Holy Spirit filled, precious church. I am so glad I have decided to have formal creole lessons again rather than self teaching myself. I look forward to learning at a quicker speed so that I will be able understand more creole, therefore will be able to gain more understanding from the church services.
Please Pray for Janella and Randy as they return to Columbia, KY to immediately have a revival week in their area. And please pray for the revival!
My lessons began Saturday with Ornica. Boy, am I mispronouncing a lot of words. Ornica has her work cut out, undoing my bad habits!

Friday was our first Chapel service for the school year. What a Joy! And Randy related so well to the student in his message to the students! Here are some photos and videos to enjoy:







Randy preaching at Ouanaminthe Baptist Church on Friday night:




And, here are photos from the service in Fort Liberte. I just love the small church setting! I surely plan to visit again.

Singing their Sunday School song:





Pastor Arnold leading the congregation with Pastor Isaiah translating:


Child Dedication (this meant a lot to me, because my son was about this little guy's size when I had Mark dedicated to the Lord):



This little girl was just precious! And I like the dress her mom made her -simply from a pillow case...a great idea for a mission team to do.




Monday, September 14, 2015

An event to be sure to attend!


Hugues Bastien, Institution Univers Founder and Executive Director will be participating in a 
TED Talk!
Be sure to purchase tickets for the event, make your calendar and attend!
YAY! We are so excited and grateful for this opportunity to tell the world about UNIVERS!






Sunday, September 13, 2015

A visit to Willy and Gimo's Orphanage

In 2014 my friends Willy and Gimo (both are translators for English language medical mission teams who serve at Univers Medical Centre) founded an orphanage for "truly orphaned" children. When they opened they only had enough funds to operate on weekends. Every Friday evening, they would go to the town square in Ouanaminthe and abandoned houses throughout Ouanaminthe where they would find the children living, bring them to the orphanage to have them sleep in the building that they rented until Sunday evening, when they would have to return the children "to the streets" of Ouanaminthe. 

When I visited the orphanage one Saturday morning when it first was opened, they had the maximum capacity of 42 children, ages 5 to 12. They fed the children, taught the children Bible and English, taught the children worship songs in Kreyol and English. They had mattresses that they laid down on the very clean cement floors at night, so the children could sleep safely and soundly; there are boys rooms and girls rooms. Dignity, integrity and safety are held in the highest standard for each and every child. 

They then asked me to help them with their business plan and Charter document. After reviewing what they had already written, there was no doubt that God's principles were the foundation of this orphanage. Again, I was impressed with the integrity within each section of the documents. I had a few suggestions, but truly overall, it was already written beyond anything I could have offered them to include. It was and remains very apparent that God had provided the direction and the foundation for this orphanage.

I returned to the orphanage this past week with an American pal of mine who came to Univers to have workshops with our 9th and 10th grade girls, as she requested to visit the orphanage. 
Progress has occurred in the last year and a half. The total number of children served remains at 42, although of those 42, 5 are now able to live all week at the orphanage. They have expanded their outreach to allow children who may have only one parent or parent(s) who is unable to provide in any way for their child. Of the 42 children, 18 remain "truly orphaned". 

The local Catholic and Baptist churches are now providing a little funding to help run the orphanage. This is so exciting! To give you an example of costs, it costs US $50 to provide for the food per week for all the children. 

Oh the faces...oh the precious spirits...oh the smiles...
enjoy these photos and their descriptions... 

A video from my first visit last year...


Photos from our recent visit - the children during their lessons and songs, in the main room. Everything is taught from a blackboard...




Here's the children during lunch time...




Willy talking with my friend Karen (from www.girlsfortheworld.org)...



One of the helpers, the cook of the orphanage, Karen, Willy, me and Gimo...


The kitchen of the orphanage...a cooking burner and pail...


It's very, very humbling,

Marylee

Monday, August 17, 2015

It's almost here...

Come one, come all! The SECOND Annual Purses & Pastries & Praise Event!
And if you are unable to make it, know that you will be dearly missed...

If you would like to directly donate financially please click on the Tab on this blog entitled "Partners (Financial Support)" and follow the instructions.

It has been a very challenging year, with having to be back in the states since the Spring due to having to have two surgeries. I do have additional medical out of pocket expenses that I did not budget for, so I appreciate any and all donations to help me be able to finish this year by returning in September to finish strong and go forward to serve Jesus and the students of Institution Univers. I received the "green light" from my neck surgeon that I can return for the new school year. I will depart September 1st from Ohio to arrive in Haiti on in September 2nd! YAY and a BIG praise to our Great God! He IS in Control!
Thank you so much for your partnership...I really do hope you and your family and friends can join us on August 26!
Love,
Marylee                            

"Purses & Pastries & Praise"

Fundraising Event for:

Marylee Lewis
Director of High School Graduate Placement Program
Institution Univers, Ouanaminthe, Haiti
AT
Christ Community Chapel
750 W. Streetsboro St., Hudson, Ohio 44236

Wednesday, August 26, 2015 from 7-9p.m.


Marylee’s responsibilities include securing educational opportunities at colleges and universities in Haiti as well as other countries; securing vocational education opportunities and apprenticeships, career assessment and counseling, ESL Student opportunities, and coordinating occupation opportunities. Marylee also secures host families and financial sponsors in and out of Haiti, as well as immigration coordination for the students. 
Tickets will be available at the door; a minimum donation of $5.00 each 

We are having a silent auction of donated purses that will have all kinds of great surprises inside, donated by the women of Christ Community Chapel as well as baskets donated by business and individuals.

If you would be interested in donating a purse, basket or gift certificate, please contact:
Jan Iannetta              330.962.7962
Kelly Gluntz               330.714.8203
Chris MacMillan       330.414.1617
Kim Spontarelli        330.256.0945


Monday, August 10, 2015

U.S. Embassy (State Department) Announcement for those traveling or in Haiti

The State Department alerts U.S. citizens residing in or traveling to Haiti to the upcoming elections scheduled for August 9, October 25, and December 27, 2015.We advise U.S. citizens to exercise caution and remain abreast of the security situation throughout the electoral period. This Travel Alert expires on January 4, 2016.
Haiti is holding municipal and legislative elections on August 9, 2015 and two rounds of mayoral and presidential elections on October 25 and December 27, 2015. You should maintain a high level of security awareness during the electoral period and avoid political rallies, demonstrations, and crowds of any kind. Instances of unrest related to the election are possible, and even peaceful gatherings and demonstrations can turn violent. Review your personal security plans, remain aware of your surroundings, including local events, and monitor local news stations for updates.

Local stores, including grocery stores, may be closed over the electoral weekends. As a general matter of emergency preparedness, you should maintain adequate supplies of food, water, essential medicines, and other supplies that will allow you to shelter in place for at least 72 hours. You can expect there to be restrictions on traffic circulation, either imposed by the authorities or caused by ad hoc political rallies. The Embassy Security Office has advised Embassy employees not involved in election monitoring to avoid unnecessary movement outside of their residences on the day of elections.

Monitor local media for any changes in the election schedule. The U.S. Embassy may update this Travel Alert as the schedule or circumstances change. For more information about security conditions in Haiti, please see the Country Specific Information page for Haiti or the Haiti Travel Warning.

The U.S. Embassy is located in Port-au-Prince at Boulevard du 15 Octobre, Tabarre 41, Tabarre, Haiti, telephone: (509) 2229-8000, facsimile: (509) 2229-8027, email: acspap@state.gov American Citizens Services (ACS) Unit office hours are 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The Consular Section is closed on U.S. and local holidays. After hours, on weekends and on holidays, please call (509) 2229-8000 and an automated attendant will connect you with the Embassy duty officer. U.S. citizens can also stay informed about conditions in Haiti by following the Embassy and ACS on Twitter and Facebook.

A wonderful photo of some of our U.S. college Haitian students...

Here's Starson (Berea College - KY), Evelyne (Lindsey Wilson College - KY), Ezechiel (University of Akron - OH), Bilou (Cuyahoga Community College - OH) and Pascal (Harrisburg Area Community College - PA):


Friday, July 10, 2015

Update on Hebert Johnson Elien

Please scroll down to June 24, 2015 post for the background on Hebert.

We have been granted additional aid and now have a remaining need for a sponsor or sponsors of a total of $5,500 ($4,000 for all college expenses and $1,500 Visa and travel expenses). Hebert will attend for one year, and then if God will's, can take a second coursework year in Ministry education. Check out Elim's one year program at:

http://www.elim.edu/programs/programs/year-in-the-son/

PLEASE share Hebert's story with others and pray how you to may want to be involved in Hebert's life.


Wednesday, July 8, 2015

Called Back to Haiti FUNDRAISER so I can return to Haiti!

Come one, come all! The SECOND Annual Purses & Pastries & Praise Event!
And if you are unable to make it, know that you will be dearly missed...

If you would like to directly donate financially please click on the Tab on this blog entitled "Partners (Financial Support)" and follow the instructions.

It has been a very challenging year, with having to be back in the states since the Spring due to having to have two surgeries. I do have additional medical out of pocket expenses that I did not budget for, so I appreciate any and all donations to help me be able to finish this year by returning in September to finish strong and go forward to serve Jesus and the students of Institution Univers. I received the "green light" just yesterday from my neck surgeon that I can return for the new school year in early September! YAY and a BIG praise to our Great God!
Thank you so much for your partnership...I really do hope you can join us on August 26!
Love,
Marylee

Purses & Pastries & Praise

Fundraising Event for:

Marylee Lewis
Director of High School Graduate Placement Program
Institution Univers, Ouanaminthe, Haiti
AT
Christ Community Chapel,
750 W. Streetsboro St., Hudson, Ohio 44236

Wednesday, August 26, 2015 from 7-9p.m.

Tickets are a minimum donation of $5.00 each

We are having a silent auction of donated purses that will have all kinds of great surprises inside, donated by the women of Christ Community Chapel as well as baskets donated by business and individuals.

If you would be interested in donating a purse, basket or gift certificate, please contact:
Jan Iannetta              330.962.7962
Kelly Gluntz               330.714.8203
Chris MacMillan       330.414.1617
Kim Spontarelli        330.256.0945

Marylee’s responsibilities include securing educational opportunities at colleges and universities in Haiti as well as other countries; securing vocational education opportunities and apprenticeships, career assessment and counseling, ESL Student opportunities, and coordinating occupation opportunities. Marylee also secures host families and financial sponsors in and out of Haiti, as well as immigration coordination for the students.