One of the first things a person sees when living in the rural areas of Haiti is the great number of children. The United Nations estimates that more than 50% of the Haitian population is under the age of 20.
When our family moved the House of Blessings Orphanage form Port-au-Prince, Haiti into the mountains above the city, we were immediately aware of the needs of children. One of the reasons we had chosen to work with children in the first place was because we realized that they were key in order to impact the future of Haiti. Along with some friends, we set out some goals we wanted to obtain for the area over the next few years. One of those ideas was to have a summer science camp for children. The idea was that we would integrate science and conservation from a God centered perspective. We were not sure how well things would go and if people would even be interested.
The first year of camp we were only able to register around 160 students ages 4- 12. The camp itself was an incredible success utilizing local corporate sponsors and local helpers mixed with some North Americans that showed interest. By the time we left Haiti in 2007, camp had grown to the point that we had to cut it off at around 500. It had grown from one week to two weeks and children would walk for more than one hour to attend the camp.
Children were taught that everything God has created is good and we have been created as stewards and overseers of that creation. Each child was fed, learned hygiene, health care, given a tree and some seeds to plant and the good news that God loved them. By the time we left in 2007 we were turning away children and workers as people had grown to love and 
appreciate the education that was being shared. Many of those first campers are now young adults and as we visit them we see glimpses of different attitude towards one another, the environment and God.
One of my greatest encouragements this year here at h.e.a.r.t. is to have Isaac Adrien attending the program. Isaac is one of those young boys from the Orphanage where we served that attended camp and then helped with camp as he grew older. Isaac has been working in orphanages, hospitals and other ministries doing what he can to further the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Is it possible that the seeds we sowed are sprouting and taking root…? I like to think so.
Isaac Adrien harvests from his garden plot at h.e.a.r.t.
Post by Phil Murphy