What We Have Been Doing in Haiti

As some of you have seen on our Facebook page, Haiti has been having a  lot of celebration for new beds coming! Here at Sweet Sleep we thought that you would like to know what we have been up to in Haiti:

Beds on Boats - A new Dr. Seuss Book

     A couple of weeks ago 105 beds were delivered BY BOAT to the orphans on the island of La Gonave, Haiti by Sandy Lake Wesleyan Church! The orphans are at the Okipe [Oh-kEE-pAy] Co-Op which is headed by Mme Soliette, who for the past 6 years has been caring for over 70 children. Okipe provides "hope for their future through loving care, food, clean water, shelter, clothing, and physical/spiritual/vocational training."

An Old Bed

      We also recently provided 16 beds for Source of Life Ministries! The orphans at Source of Life are provided with "a Christ-centered spiritual foundation, a good education and life-sustaining food, medical and emotional support." 

Group Picture!

      Please be praying for both Okipe Co-Op and Source of Life Ministries to continue to be able to care for the fatherless. Pray for strength for their leaders and that the children they care for are soon placed into loving homes.
     Speaking of a loving home, we have some great news! Ron, our Sweet Sleep Staff Member in Haiti, recently adopted a four year old girl into his family! Please be praying for Ron and his family as they integrate this little girl into their world.

     All of this is part of our 13in13 Movement where Sweet Sleep will provide beds, nets, and Bibles to 13,000 children around the world this year! Our total so far this year will be announced March 31st, so be sure to like our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter if you want to be the first to know! It is a very big goal and maybe even a little crazy, but God loves it when we give Him a chance to REALLY show His power!

Want to be a part of our 13in13 Movement? Head over to our DONATE page to help out a child in need!

Nickels for Nets

Did you know 1 in 5 childhood deaths are due to malaria? But that a single net can prevent malaria and help a child to sleep sweetly tonight?

Proverbs 22:6 “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.”

Both of these facts are what prompted Amanda and Erin to join together to teach their children about doing the “hard things.” As Erin says, “Serving, giving, making a difference for those who are in need.” They wanted their children to know to truly count their blessings, but to also bless others with the gifts God had given. So Amanda, Erin, and their kids researched our Nickels for Nets program, downloaded the resources, and made goals to raise money for the nets. They even created their own resources, like this poster that Amanda used:

Together and in unity with other friends/readers, they raised $166.31! WHOA!! Way to go!! That’s enough for 20 nets!

Here are links to Amanda's and Erin's blog posts about their experience with Nickels for Nets if you would like more information! If you would like to see Nickels for Nets resources then click this link!

The great thing about nets is especially seen in God’s work with us in Uganda. 90% of the childhood deaths due to malaria are in Africa. When Sweet Sleep is able to give beds to an orphanage we know that kids will be sleeping sweetly with their new bed, Bible, and mosquito net. But, what you may not know, is that there are kids who come out of HIDING to get registered for a bed! These kids usually are HIV/AIDS positive. When the kids come out of hiding, Sweet Sleep registers them with our partner Health Alert who is able to give them the medicine that they need for HIV/AIDS and they also receive A NET. In the past two years we have had over 1,000 children come out of hiding to be registered! That’s a lot of life saving nets! This wouldn’t be possible without the obedience and heart of people like Amanda, Erin, their kids, and YOU.

One Net = $8

What were you going to do with your change today? Why not create a lasting change for a child in need? Head over to our DONATE page and be sure to put “Nets” in the comment box when you make your gift!