The Haiti Home of Hope Children: Their Stories

By Kristin & Kari Hutson

1. Alina 

Born: May 2003

Arrived at the Haiti Home of Hope: May 24, 2003     

Soon after the Campbells’ arrival in Haiti, God brought a four pound, four day-old blessing to them. This baby girl became the first “child” in the "boys’" orphanage. When her mother died two days after Alina’s six weeks premature birth, the father walked the dying baby twenty miles to the Pignon clinic. There, the missionary nurse entrusted her to the Campbell's care. Although Alina, close to death many times, had to be carefully nursed with an eyedropper for three weeks, she is currently a chunky 3 year-old who loves to chatter and dance.

Pray that Alina will come to personally know the God who saved her.

2. Loubenson Bien Aimie (Louie)

Born: May 1999

Arrived: May 26, 2003                                 

The youngest of eight children in his family, Louie could not fend for himself and became malnourished when his mother died giving birth to her ninth child. A four year diet of mangoes and sugarcane left his baby teeth rotted. 

Louie relishes his special status as the first boy at the Haiti Home of Hope. He also attracts attention by dramatics. Even so, he has a sensitive nature. Pray that this sensitivity will expand into a compassionate spirit for the needs of his fellow Haitians.

3. Jackenson Louis

Born: May 1997

Arrived: August 15, 2003                                 

This fun-loving, people-person wears a mischievous smile. Whether pumping water or pushing the merry-go-round, Jackenson meets every task with all his might.

 Pray that he will mature into a passionate follower of El Shaddia, the All Sufficient One.

4. Wisnes Lucien (Wisley)

Born: March 1995

Arrived: August 15, 2003                     

Wisley possesses the qualities of a natural leader.  Reminding his caretakers which child needs medicine or new shoes, he keeps any confusion from becoming chaos! He quickly catches on to new concepts – whether English, gardening, or Bible training. God has given him a heart to know His ways.

May Wisley lead Haitians out of the darkness of witchcraft to the Light of the World.

5. Estivenn Forisma (Stephen)

Born: May 2001

Arrived: September 2003               

With his pitiable aura, Stephen easily attracts hugs from soft-hearted Americans.  His sorrowful face and soulful eyes could be featured in a "Feed Me" advertisement. However, simply declaring, "Ou pa genyen mwen!" (You can't get me) transforms him into a normal, energetic boy, running around with squeals of laughter. 

Before arriving at this refuge of hope, his mother was dying of tuberculosis, and his father allowed Voodoo. By the grace of God, both parents accepted Christ. Stephen's father now attends a local church, and his mother is no longer sick. She is in heaven with Jesus.

Pray that Stephens's loving spirit will draw hearts to the Gospel.

6. Christianette Borgella (Chrissi)

Born: November 2002

Arrived: November 2003   

One would never guess that Chrissi, now blossoming into a dramatic actress, was rescued from a Voodoo home when she was one year old and just nine pounds. Chrissi's mother, who was dying of tuberculosis, and her father accepted Jesus outside their rickety hut.  Nicknamed "Prissy Chrissi" by Mommie and Poppie Campbell, she now laughs, smiles, and even screams heartily! Give her a rag, and she'll clean the house for hours!

Pray that Chrissi will possess a great faith in the goodness of God which overcomes fear and distrust.

7. Ronald Bernard (Wanell)

Born: November 1995

Arrived: November 2003               

Wanell's grandmother, who had raised him most of his life, shed some tears when she kissed him goodbye, but she knew he would have a better chance at the Haiti Home of Hope. When offered food the second day after his arrival, he declined, saying it was not his turn to eat. Several weeks of unconditional love and acceptance passed before he adjusted to his new family. Months passed, nonetheless, before he could keep up with his brothers, and a year went by before he looked healthy.

He now likes to carefully color, and he smiles bashfully when praised. Recently, his high grades placed him 2^nd in his class of 40!

Pray that Wanell's God-given desire for solid, one-on-one relationships will enable him to disciple many believers.

8. Harry Geffrard (Arri)

Born: September 1998

Arrived: December 2003                        

Arri enjoys playing quietly by himself or in small groups. Grinning often, he invites laughter with funny faces and goofy tricks. Still, precision matters to him; he keeps his clothes tucked in, shoes on the correct feet, and belongings carefully stored.

Pray that Arri's heart at peace will develop as he keeps his mind steadfastly focused on Christ.

9. Fricot Geffrard (Frico)

Born: October 1999

Arrived: December 2003   

Unlike his brother, Arri, Frico adjusted slowly at the Haiti Home of Hope. He refused to make eye-contact and drooled constantly. The Campbells feared he had sustained brain damage from his impoverished, previous home. But with TLC and Jehovah Rapha, the God who heals, Frico now runs about – even getting in his share of trouble!

Pray that Frico will grow in wisdom that will direct his path.

10. Devenel Joseph (Davenel)

Born: February 1995

Arrived: January 2004               

Davenel’s sole provider, his grandmother, raised him well, despite being a widow in poor health. Davenel became the oldest boy at the Haiti Home of Hope. As a dutiful "firstborn," he thoughtfully cares for his younger “siblings” in the Home. He readily accepts each newcomer while helping them adjust and develop. A careful listener, Davenel absorbs information as a sponge during school and devotional times. 

May Davenel provide a godly example for his younger siblings to follow. Pray that his servant spirit will aid the Body of Christ.

11. Leemanez

Born: January 1996

Arrived: January 2004                           

Leemanez and his brother Jackson came from Pastor Francois' orphanage because their severe malnourishment rendered them beyond the pastor's help. Although Leemanez was especially emaciated when he arrived, Mrs. Campbell's attentive care brought healthiness and happiness.

He currently thrives as an athletic, curious attention-lover. He learned several English responses to the question "How are you?", but favors the answer "I'm sad" because it gets him a pat on the back and a sympathetic "It’s O.K."

Pray that Leemanez will develop self-confidence while still maintaining his humble spirit.

12. Jackson

Born: January 1998

Arrived: January 2004                          

While Jackson appears much smaller than his older brother, Leemanez, he is a bundle of energy and fun. Outgoing and thrilled to live life to its fullest, he loves to sing, spin around, and chase people. He is also a tough kid who did not shed a tear when Mrs. Campbell gave him his vaccinations.

Pray that Jackson's joy in the Lord will continue to be his strength and gift to others.

13. Daviluz Olizar

Born: March 1997

Arrived: March 2004               

Daviluz arrived with his brother, Simonvill, after their family’s hut burned down. The infected sores covering his body healed with healthy meals and regular baths. Daviluz enjoys hanging out with his best buddy Frico and eating home-grown grapefruits.

Pray that Daviluz will grow in grace: the power and desire God gives to accomplish His will.

14. Simonvill Olizar

Born: March 1998

Arrived: March 2004                             

Simonvill, the adorable little brother of Daviluz, enjoys playing with his new brothers and sisters at Haiti Home of Hope. His sweet smile and undemanding spirit bless his new family. Simonvill sometimes separates himself from others – possibly the result of previous emotional wounds.

Pray that God will heal his soul and continue to develop his contentedness.

15. Philomey Olizar

Born: April 2001

Arrived: April 2004                                       

One month after Deviluz and Simonvill came to the Haiti Home of Hope, the Campbells took in their littlest brother, three year-old Philomey, who weighed only twelve pounds.  For months, the doctors feared he would never walk or develop normally due to brain damage. Today, he runs around the preschool house.

Pray that he will mature completely despite malnourishment in his critical first years of life.

16. Geordani Augustin

Born: March 2001

Arrived May 2004                                         

When this playful little boy arrived, he was affectionately dubbed "Pigpen" because he seemed attracted to the plentiful dust in Haiti. Coming to the Home after his father died and his mother abandoned him, he has now found a home of hope and love. Geordani succeeded in rousing lifeless Stephen, and the two preschoolers have become playmates.

Pray that Geordani will learn the complete acceptance of His Heavenly Father who has promised that He will "take up those whose father and mother have forsaken them."

17. Marilyn

Born: October 1997

Arrived: October 2004                                                   

Marilyn bounces off the walls of the Girls’ Home with enthusiasm for life, despite arriving at 7 years of age and only nineteen pounds. She had short, blonde-highlighted hair which revealed her severe malnourishment. The dramatic queen, Marilyn was either jumping with joy, sulking with pitiful grunts, smothering any attention-giver with love, or collapsing in a heap with exhaustion. Since coming to the states for medical care, she has demonstrated the joy of the Lord in her effervescent personality.

Pray that God will grant her a quiet spirit and enable her to reach many hurting people with the sociable personality He has given her.

18. Island (Eezlan)

Born: October 2000

Arrived: October 2004                           

After her father deserted his family, Eezlan lived alone with her mentally-disabled mother. Eventually rescued, Eezlan is still shy and quiet, rarely smiling. But she shows loyalty and affection to those she trusts. Characterized by focused attention on one task at a time, Eezlan finishes what she starts.

Pray that she will open up to God and her adoptive family. 

19. Raynald Bell (Delson)

Born: November 1995

Arrived: November 2004               

Delson looked like a skin-and-bones skeleton when his mother unexpectedly dropped him off at the Campbells’ front door. His twenty-four pound frame belied the fact that he would turn nine in a few days. While white strangers bathed, clothed, and fed him, he cooperated without emotion. Little by little he opened up, responded to love, and then amazed everyone with his dazzling smile and contagious laugh. The extent of his involvement in Voodoo is unknown, but scars on his back from the cult's ceremonies revealed injustice.

Today, Delson looks nothing like his former frail self. He’s filled out and quick to smile. Even the scars on his back have disappeared while a growing faith in Christ is evidenced. Pray for his mental and emotional health.

20. Darivel St. Amour

Born: 1996

Arrived: May 2005

After his sickly mother died in childbirth with her 8^th child, Darivel and his sister Esther came to HHH. Like his mother, Darivel has health problems. His liver, spleen, and heart are enlarged. He has a heart murmur, anemia, and possibly sickle cell disease.

Despite poor health, he never complains and always wears a smile. He happily completes responsibilities – little 'jobs' so as not to tax him. Because he does not have enough energy to keep up with the other boys, Darivel prefers quiet activities like coloring and playing with toy cars. In 2005, at 9 years-old, he did well in his first year of school.

Pray for Darivel’s health. But if God wills to be this boy’s strength through life-long weakness, may Darivel still live life to the fullest for God’s glory. “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever” (Psalm 73:26).

21. Esther St. Amour 

Born: 2001

Arrived: May 2005

When their mother died in childbirth, Esther and her brother Darivel found a home and new hope at Haiti Home of Hope. Like her brother, Esther is calm, friendly, and quick to learn in her first year of school. Unlike Darivel, she is blessed with good health. She likes to read in school and sing “Allum Conta Jesu Remen Mwen” (“I Am Happy Because Jesus Loves Me”).  Her favorite food is diri ole (rice with milk sugar, and cinnamon).

Pray that Esther would follow the example of the Biblical Esther who was also orphaned at a young age. Similarly, may our Haitian Esther influence her nation to embrace the power of God over evil.

22. Lovelie

Born: 2002

Arrived: September 2005

Lovelie is a brand plucked from the fire. In February of 2005, Lovelie was living an impoverished, yet normal Haitian life with her mom and siblings. Then, a nightmare became reality. An unknown, cruel person locked the family in their hut and set it on fire. While the other kids quickly escaped, little Lovelie remained trapped inside the burning hut. Before her mother could pull her out, Lovelie was severely burned. After 7 months in a Haitian hospital, her mom, without the physical and medical means to care for her, brought Lovelie to the Home of Hope.

Despite her horrific ordeal, Lovelie is playful and likes to tease. The other children have accepted her as a sister. Her loveliness is undiminished by the deforming scars because her spirit is truly beautiful.

Lovelie’s arms, frozen at a 45 degree angle, have only limited use (Update: successful surgery freed her left arm). The scar tissue on her face pulls her mouth down into a permanent frown. Because the scar tissue covering her body will tear as she grows, she will need extensive and continuing surgery.

God must have a special plan for this little girl delivered from the fire. Pray for Lovelie’s physical and emotional recovery. “[God] heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” (Psalm 147:3).

23. Otenel

Born: April 19, 2005

Arrived: September 2005

At 3 months old, Otenel was orphaned. His grandmother sought help through the Haiti Home of Hope milk program. The baby began to thrive, but then his grandmother also passed away. While Otenel’s grandfather was loving and hard-working, he could not care for the baby. Would Lakay Lespwa Ayiti take his grandson? The HHH couldn’t reject this baby’s cry for help. When the Campbells went to pick up Otenel, they found him all alone in a dark hut, sitting on the dirt floor. Even though he had double pneumonia, he was contentedly playing.

The weekend after Otenel was welcomed to the HHH, a tropical storm blew through Haiti. Because the grandfather’s hut was full of holes, Otenel would have been soaked, and his weak health would have worsened. God had perfect timing in saving him.

Otenel has bounced back from pneumonia and now toddles around. Always smiling and laughing, he brings joy to his new family.

Pray that Otenel would come to know the Lord, who saved him as a baby, as his Savior from sin.