2017 Medlin Haiti Trip
Donation protected
Dear family and friends,
For the past five years my brother (Stephen Medlin Jr.) and I have been traveling to Haiti, a country that is in great need of help. It all started in 2007 when our dad was asked to join his friend Sean Forrest along with a group of missionaries to look at a spot where they could potentially build an orphanage.
Haiti is a beautiful country but building an orphanage seemed impossible. The first obstacle was figuring out how to get supplies out to where the orphanage was planned…since there were only dirt roads full of bumps and potholes. But with the amazing team and lots of faith it was built.
Today we have 32 beautiful children that now call Kay Marie (house of Mary) home. Each child now has the care they need but most importantly they are loved. From the support of everyone that has helped, we have been able to be a part of these children’s lives. It is the most amazing feeling each time we go back, to have the kids tell us they've missed us.
In June 2015 and June 2016 we stayed a month at Kay Marie where each day brought something new. We had movie nights. Even if they were in English, they understood what the "force" was in Star Wars. Using sticks and running around acting like they were Jedi’s with light sabers, they had great fun. We did arts and crafts, played games in the hot sun, and enjoyed their company. Over the month there were 3 mission groups that came for a week, bringing in opportunities to help the community and other projects the mission has been able to create.
Today there is a school, a church, a chapel, two elderly homes, and the start of a medical clinic. Education is something we take for granted in the states. The schools in Haiti have given the kids opportunities that they didn't have before. The faith these people have is breathtaking, and to see it shine during mass shows what their community is really like.
The elderly homes we have been able to build have saved so many lives. Last June we hiked a mountain to find a man that we heard was in need of help. We found the elderly man in a small hut. Asking how he was, he told us he was waiting to die. We told him we have a house for him where he'll be fed and taken care of. Quickly and excitedly, he gathered a small bag and led us on the hike again. He was so thankful and couldn't stop smiling. With the limited food in Haiti families, the children eat, then the parents, and finally the elderly if there is any left. Kay Martina, the elderly home, is now home to those who were lost and forgotten.
This coming June Stephen and I are traveling back to Haiti from the 1st-25th. Our parents will meet us down there during the last two weeks with mission groups. Being able to share the experience with our family has been something I cannot explain. Around our house the walls are covered in family photos but our family is not just within our house. Pictures and paintings from Haiti hold spots on the walls as they do in our everyday life. Haiti is what we can share, we even taught our dog to come when we call her in Haitian Creole... their native language.
The money that is donated helps us serve the people we love in Haiti. Without your help over the past 9 years, these projects would not have been completed. Now 32 children have a place they can call home. 14 elderly have round the clock care and close to 200 kids have an actual school to attend. As our dad always says "the work is done here" and it is. Raising money is never easy. But this is what feeds the kids, pays the local staff, and keep s our mission strong.
We want to thank you as a family for giving us this opportunity to be a part of these people’s lives and to give them back the love they deserve. We are grateful for your donations and for what we will be able to do because of your generosity.
Thank you, again, from our family to yours,
The Medlin’s
Haiti 180 website
For the past five years my brother (Stephen Medlin Jr.) and I have been traveling to Haiti, a country that is in great need of help. It all started in 2007 when our dad was asked to join his friend Sean Forrest along with a group of missionaries to look at a spot where they could potentially build an orphanage.
Haiti is a beautiful country but building an orphanage seemed impossible. The first obstacle was figuring out how to get supplies out to where the orphanage was planned…since there were only dirt roads full of bumps and potholes. But with the amazing team and lots of faith it was built.
Today we have 32 beautiful children that now call Kay Marie (house of Mary) home. Each child now has the care they need but most importantly they are loved. From the support of everyone that has helped, we have been able to be a part of these children’s lives. It is the most amazing feeling each time we go back, to have the kids tell us they've missed us.
In June 2015 and June 2016 we stayed a month at Kay Marie where each day brought something new. We had movie nights. Even if they were in English, they understood what the "force" was in Star Wars. Using sticks and running around acting like they were Jedi’s with light sabers, they had great fun. We did arts and crafts, played games in the hot sun, and enjoyed their company. Over the month there were 3 mission groups that came for a week, bringing in opportunities to help the community and other projects the mission has been able to create.
Today there is a school, a church, a chapel, two elderly homes, and the start of a medical clinic. Education is something we take for granted in the states. The schools in Haiti have given the kids opportunities that they didn't have before. The faith these people have is breathtaking, and to see it shine during mass shows what their community is really like.
The elderly homes we have been able to build have saved so many lives. Last June we hiked a mountain to find a man that we heard was in need of help. We found the elderly man in a small hut. Asking how he was, he told us he was waiting to die. We told him we have a house for him where he'll be fed and taken care of. Quickly and excitedly, he gathered a small bag and led us on the hike again. He was so thankful and couldn't stop smiling. With the limited food in Haiti families, the children eat, then the parents, and finally the elderly if there is any left. Kay Martina, the elderly home, is now home to those who were lost and forgotten.
This coming June Stephen and I are traveling back to Haiti from the 1st-25th. Our parents will meet us down there during the last two weeks with mission groups. Being able to share the experience with our family has been something I cannot explain. Around our house the walls are covered in family photos but our family is not just within our house. Pictures and paintings from Haiti hold spots on the walls as they do in our everyday life. Haiti is what we can share, we even taught our dog to come when we call her in Haitian Creole... their native language.
The money that is donated helps us serve the people we love in Haiti. Without your help over the past 9 years, these projects would not have been completed. Now 32 children have a place they can call home. 14 elderly have round the clock care and close to 200 kids have an actual school to attend. As our dad always says "the work is done here" and it is. Raising money is never easy. But this is what feeds the kids, pays the local staff, and keep s our mission strong.
We want to thank you as a family for giving us this opportunity to be a part of these people’s lives and to give them back the love they deserve. We are grateful for your donations and for what we will be able to do because of your generosity.
Thank you, again, from our family to yours,
The Medlin’s
Haiti 180 website
Organizer and beneficiary
Samantha Medlin
Organizer
Kingston, MA
Stephen Medlin
Beneficiary