Merry Christmas from the McGarveys!

Merry Christmas!

We want to take a few moments to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year! We want to encourage you to slow down through this typically busy season and reflect on the Christmas, celebrating the birth of Jesus.

It has been a busy season as we continue to deal with new challenges in Haiti, but we have taken the time to participate in 2 different Live Nativity events in our community. Denise and Randy filled the roles of Mary & Joseph at a cantata in our community, and Randy filled the role of King Herod for our church event. It was a meaningful time for us to pause and reflect, despite the added steps for costume fitting and rehearsals. We heard that the events were amazingly successful in helping others pause and reflect along with us.

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Season of Thanksgiving

As we wind down 2024, and move into this season of Thanksgiving, we want to express our deep appreciation to all of you who have supported us so generously. For over 20 years, Hands and Feet Project has been working in Haiti to change the lives of the least and the lost. We have been a part of that story since 2017. We serve in Haiti based on faith that God called us there and directed our attention and our hearts to help meet the physical and spiritual needs of Haitian people. And He has done just that. The partnerships we have with people, churches and businesses are the only way this is possible, and we are thankful for each and every one of you!

Rochester Visit

Our semi-annual trip to Rochester went well. We had a great time seeing friends, family and the faithful supporters of our ministry. Our time there always goes by so quickly, and there are always more people that we wish we could see. We will be back north again in April. We hope and pray that you all have a safe and warm winter!

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Late Summer Update

Yes, It’s Still Summertime in Haiti!

Can you believe it is still “summer” in Haiti? Okay, so it always feels like summer in Haiti! The schools across the United States have all started by now, but the official start of school year in Haiti is October 1st this year! I’m sure that would make many kids in the States jealous…until they find out that kids in Haiti will be in school through mid-July.

Thanks to everyone to contributed to the back to school fundraiser for books, backpacks, school supplies, and school shoes at the Lekol Marketplace. (“Lekol” means School in Haitian Kreyol.) It was a great success! Here’s a short video update from Will McGinniss and Mark Stuart about Lekol Marketplace. The kids are all prepared for school and lessons to begin. We appreciate all the help provided to prepare for another successful school year.

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Haiti Summer Plans and Haiti Made

Hands and Feet Project 20th Anniversary

Hands and Feet Project (HAFP) is celebrating their 20th anniversary this year! What a impact this organization has made in the Jacmel and Grand Goave communities of Haiti, and beyond. Here’s a short video that talks about the challenges and successes of the organization over the years.

As we look back on our history, it’s hard to believe that we joined HAFP over 7 years ago! We’re excited about continuing to serve the children and families in Haiti as God leads. Thanks to everyone who has participated in the ministry through prayer, financial support, and encouragement over the years. This is a ministry of many hands, and we are thankful for each one who has propped us up and supported the calling God has shared with us.

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Don’t Stop Praying for Haiti!

Have you ever been to a Matthew West concert? We were invited to go to see him several months ago. He puts on a great show and has some great songs. We had the chance to hear one of Matthew’s recent releases live, called “Don’t Stop Praying.” What an amazing song. Here are the lyrics of the chorus:

Don't stop praying
Don't stop calling on Jesus' name
Keep on pounding on heaven's door
Let your knees wear out the floor
Don't stop believing
'Cause mountains move with just a little faith
And your Father's heard every single word you're saying
So, don't stop praying
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Haiti Happenings & Visiting New York

Haiti in the News

You have probably seen Haiti in the news more than usual recently. The news is causing quite a stir as more people see the conditions around the Port au Prince capital region. We have heard many reports about people being evacuated from the country by various methods. This is giving us more opportunities to share about the work that we continue to do in Haiti with the Hands and Feet Project.

The current news you see and hear about Haiti is still primarily concentrating on the activities around the capital region, in and around Port au Prince. Outside that region it is still relatively peaceful, although it’s sometimes difficult to find fuel and supplies. In March 2024, inflation increased to an annual rate of 23%. Some sources report it as high as 34%. As a comparison, the US annual inflation rate is currently only 3.5%. Despite the ongoing challenges, we continue to find all the resources needed for the children in our care, and for the families we help in the community. Please continue to pray that peace will be restored across the country.

Road Trip to New York

It’s time for a trip to Rochester, New York again to see friends, family and our faithful supporters. On our way north over the weekend, we saw 92 degrees in Georgia. But it was cold and rainy for our layover in North Carolina, and it’s about the same in New York. We’re just hoping we don’t see snow!

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Haiti Adventures and Activities

Travel Plans to Haiti

Working in Haiti is always an adventure. There are unexpected things around every corner. For example, I expected to be writing this note from Haiti! We have shared that we were looking for opportunities to get back into Haiti for the last several months. Flights were booked to head in, only to be postponed and then rescheduled due to conditions within Haiti. Sadly, now the trip was canceled.

The day we were scheduled to fly in was a day the protests in Haiti ramped up. The small airport we were supposed to fly into was closed due to protests. We are so thankful we did not end up in the capital waiting to see when the small commuter planes would resume flights to Les Cayes!

The protests culminated in many roadblocks across the country, and people gathering to march in the streets. Some of the roadblocks were quite impressive!

So what were they protesting? Primarily, they want the current acting Prime Minister to step down. He’s been the sole, unelected government figure since the presidential assassination in June 2021. There have not been any elections since then. And frankly, fair elections would be difficult given the growing gang problem across the country.

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Happy New Year 2024

Bon Ane tout moun! Happy New Year everyone! How time seems to be flying by. It’s hard to believe we are ushering in 2024 already. It seems like the Y2K preparations were only a few short years ago. Do you remember that? But time marches on. As we look forward to 2024, we pray that you have a blessed and fruitful year. We also pray that our work in Haiti continues to be fruitful as we constantly adapt to changing conditions there, and as we follow God’s leading on how best to reach children and families for Christ.

God consistently provides for us in amazing ways. There are growing challenges of serving in Haiti. There is still the possibility that the United Nations will be coordinating a Kenyan-led multinational force to help with the gang problem. There is no specific plan for that yet. The gangs are continuing to expand their reach in and around the capital of Port au Prince. Despite these challenges, supplies we need to care for children and families continue to be available. Our Haitian staff do an amazing job finding everything that is needed.

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Merry Christmas from the McGarveys!

Merry Christmas from Denise & Randy McGarvey!

Merry Christmas!

O Holy Night!
The stars are brightly shining
It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth!
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Till he appeared and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary soul rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!

Fall on your knees
Oh hear the angel voices
Oh night divine
Oh night when Christ was born
Oh night divine
Oh night divine

Wishing you and your family a wonderful and healthy Christ-centered Christmas season.

Thank you for helping Hands and Feet Project show the love of Christ to those in need. We could not do it without you.

May God bless you and your family in the new year and beyond.

Serving Christ with you,

— Denise & Randy McGarvey

Fall 2023 Haiti Ministry & Travel Update

Here is an update on conditions in Haiti and about our Fall trip to Rochester. There are also some prayer requests at the end of our message.

Haiti Conditions Update

School started on time in Haiti this year! Isn’t that exciting? If you think back to the last several years, the Fall is often the time for organized protests across Haiti. Those protests were usually severe enough to close the schools for several months. Thankfully this year is different in that regard.

Boys in School Uniforms

Things in Haiti have not changed much recently. The gangs still control most of Port au Prince. We are grateful that has not had a big impact on our work in Jacmel and Grand Goave. We are so thankful to God for His ongoing faithfulness so we can provide for the children in our care and the families that we help in the communities around us. Thanks to the ongoing support of Hands and Feet Project, we are helping more and more families in our communities.

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