Jacksonville Volunteer Reflects on Trip to Haiti
Below is a few thoughts from a local Jacksonville woman who recently traveled to Haiti through HOPE worldwide.

Almost 6 months ago, an earthquake hit Haiti and left many parts of the poorest country in the western hemisphere in rubble. My trip to Haiti allowed me the opportunity of catch a glimpse of the aftermath of this disaster. I never knew that volunteering for the orphanage would turn in to such a life changing experience for me. I went to Ganthier to teach, but I found every day I was the student. I learned to be strong and stand firm in the Lord. I was humbled by the spirit of the children who continued to give their smiles and hearts after losing the parents, family, and so much more. What do I have to complain about? These kids have lost everything and yet acted as if they gained the world and were overjoyed by a group of volunteers that came to just visit them, Luke 18:16-17.

Although many of you may never go and visit a third world country in your lifetime and experience the heartache and pain that these children have endured, you can give them so much more through a simple prayer. Let us not forget the orphans in Haiti and displaced children, let us not forget those living in unsanitary conditions in the tent cities and, most of all, let us all show compassion and love towards the people and your brothers and sisters in Haiti through prayer.

Click here to read more about what HOPE worldwide is doing in Haiti.

2010 Saturday Academy Almost Here!
Saturday Academy will be here soon and the kids are excited. The children even produced a special video to promote the program. This fall we will expand to 8 weeks as a part of the Jacksonville Jaguars Foundation Honor Rows Program. Both children and their parents have the opportunity to earn a trip to a December Jaguars game for their achievements. We are thankful to the Jaguars Foundation for their support of our Saturday Academy Program and this has been a great partnership with a wonderful community organization.

In reading some thank you notes from the children, one in particular moved my heart as it said:

Hi HOPE worldwide. Thank you for doing all the things you have done. You make me feel different inside than what it was. I just wanted to tell you guys, thank you. Bye See you Later. Nautika.

She is one of our loyal students that has come for nearly 4 years & brings her Brothers and Sisters too. Magic Johnson Center Director Glen Mills, beams as he talks about the impact that our volunteers have on the children, their character, report cards and FCAT scores which are improving all the time. He is proud that we have a good reputation with the elementary school next door as well as in the Hilltop Apartment Community.

The children look forward to the visits from HOPE worldwide volunteers as their smiles greet us at every opportunity.

Saturday Academy begins September 11 through October 30th from 9:30 am - 12 noon. Sign up to volunteer at www.handsonjacksonville.org.

Bringing Hope from Jacksonville to Paraguay
Recently seven volunteers from the Jacksonville Chapter travelled to Asunción, Paraguay as part the Jacksonville Church of Christ's annual missions trip. While on the trip, the following story was shared by Guy & Loretta Berndt, volunteers and ministers who led a HOPE worldwide service program at a local orphanage in Paraguay.

Reflecting on the service trip to Asunción, Paraguay, by Guy & Loretta Berndt:

"The Iglesia Internacional de Cristo Asunción in Asunción, Paraguay partnered with us and rented a bus for $60 (U.S) round trip for the volunteers to go visit an orphanage. It was about an hour trip there. The bus was full of young and old ready to go to interact and play with the children. We brought snacks, a pinata, cookies and a cake. This is how the people celebrate a birthday in Paraguay. So we decided to make it a birthday party for all the children there. We played frisbee, soccer, colored and gave lots of hugs. The children could only speak Spanish, but the love was felt in all languages.

Facts about the orphanage: There were 7 girls who all share one room with bunk beds, a "Mama" who is the Orphanage Director, and her daughter. All nine share one bathroom and one tiny living room. This is their home. There are also 5 boys who share bunk beds in another area and they have no director. The kitchen is one tiny walkway with no running water and an old wood burning stove. That's it. 12 street children in the last weeks or so have asked to please live there. "Mama" had to say no because there is no room.

Mama, a young lady herself, has laid down her life to live here and has dreams to build a library for the children. The good news is they have a lot of land on which to build. Please keep the children in the orphanage in your prayers and pray for a way for the children to learn English, which will give them more hope for their future.

The Iglesia Internacional de Cristo Asunción plans to make this library their HOPE worldwide project and want to do all they can to give hope to these children."

~ Loretta and Guy Berndt, Jacksonville Chapter

• Saturday April 24th we participated in Global Youth Services Day at the Peaches NA Basket Adult Day Care Center where volunteers worked on exterior painting & property beautification. They replaced steps, planted flowers, painted walkway ramp railings and window trim
• Our Saturday Academy kids participated in the Walk for the Planet Earth Day Conservation Walk and morning at the Jacksonville Zoo on that day. 21 kids and volunteers had a great time enjoying the beautiful day and highly recognized zoo and exhibits. The children also spent time Jacksonville Mayor John Peyton at the new Penguin exhibit. Our Spring Saturday Academy funded through a grant from the Jaguars Foundation was again a great success.
• Saturday, May 1st, we again participated with the Taylor Home Assisted Living facility Annual Spring Fling. This is a fun affair consisting of classic cars, serving an outdoor picnic, music from our own Shamar Entertainment and visiting with the residents.

Casey's Story
Casey, Is a part of a family of 5 siblings, 4 of which attend the Saturday Academy. This is Casey’s first opportunity to attend because of his age. His first week he was very timid & shy, afraid and unwilling to read with the other children.

He returned the next week and was encouraged by Loreen Mobley to participate in everything we do and it will be ok. He did a little better that day. At the end of each day’s session we present an award to the best boy / best girl. When it came time to give them out you could see Casey on his knees, hands folded, eyes closed praying very hard to receive the award. He did not and you could see a few tears.

His third week, Loreen encouraged him even more and Loretta Berndt took special time individually with Casey to help him work through his math and reading skills. When it came time for the ceremony, he was the winner and you could see the beaming smile on his face, he was so proud and grateful for the award, the encouragement and love he received.

It makes it all worth it to see the impact that our volunteers make each week in their service to these children.

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