"FOR TOMORROW BELONGS TO THE PEOPLE WHO PREPARE FOR IT TODAY."

Top: ACY-IM leadership at refugee center they founded after earthquake
Bottom: ACY-IM leadership planning session Nov. 21, 2010

CASTING A VISION FOR THE YOUTH OF HAITI

It was just a year ago early Dec. that I set on the porch of my Borel home with Jasmine Garcon the Field Coordinator of GAP Ministry's "Feet Across the Mountains" ministry. During a 2 hour meeting I laid out my vision and plans for starting a new youth ministry that I wanted him to lead for GAP. It was based around a similar outreach I had started in 2002 for the young kids who lived in the Quiskeya Beach area where GAP ministry was headquartered at that time. In fact 16 year old Jasmine helped me organize that group of teenagers that met every Sat. afternoon in my front yard. When I relocated Gap 3.5 years later we disbanded the organization and several of the key leaders including Jasmine went off to University in Paup. When Jasmine graduated in 2009 I brought him back to oversee our work in the mountains.

The new organization we founded that afternoon would have a somewhat similar name as the original organization which was ACY-GAPI , Association of Christian Youth - Gap International. The new one would be ACY-IM , Association of Christian Youth - International Missions. My instructions to Jasmine at the end of the meeting was put a plan together that I can look at when I return in Jan. I returned to Haiti after a Christmas break on Jan. 10th and before I could meet with Jasmine the Earthquake struck on Jan 12th.

On Nov.1st of 2009 I had taken over the responsibilities of Director of Project Help-Haiti plus still remained as executive director of GAP. I thought at that time I could manage doing both jobs possibly, the earthquake took away any chance of that possibility. It was all I could do for the next 3 months to keep on top of the medical ministry and bring surgical teams and supplies in each week. About one week after the earthquake Jasmine came to see me at Pierre Payen to tell me he had relocated 250 people out to Montrouis and placed them in 2 school buildings , it seemed we were in the refugee camp business. Eventually we relocated them to a vacant property about 1/2 mile away and with tents supplied by YWAM, funding from several organizations including PH-H we kept the camp going for 6 months. On Aug. 1st we officially closed the camp as our population numbers dwindled when better housing options became available at other camps back close to Paup.

So this afternoon 11/21/10 in Montrouis I met for that first meeting I had thought I would have with the group possibly way back in Jan. Today I shared the same vision I shared with Jasmine nearly a year ago here at Borel. I won't go into a lot of details at this time but my vision is to build a volunteer national youth service group all across Haiti. This group of 18-28 year old men and women I believe can make a difference by transforming their world one city at a time. The organization will be based around 5 guiding points 1. evangelism 2. reconciliation 3. discipleship 4. integrity 5. community service and development. It is not by coincidence that the GAP logo is made up of 5 fingers that shape the branches of a tree that we hope "produce fruit that lasts" (John 15:16). If excitement and enthusiasm is any indicator I believe that my vision was well received this afternoon. The new director of GAP ministry Heather Elyse is flying in to join me this week and will be taking over the day to day operation of GAP. In Jan. when she moves here to oversee the ministry outreaches of GAP I hope we will already be implementing some of our vision. In God's love. SJM

We are thrilled to meet you!!

I am beyond excited that this is our first official posting on the GAP BLOG site. WOO HOO!! :) When Steve gave me my "job description" and I saw that I was in charge of updating the blog from time to time, I was thrilled. I want to start by introducing myself and my family.

Who are WE??? I was born in Santa Barbara, California to my parents Ken & Lauren Savage who are ministers in Tulsa, Oklahoma. I was originally Heather Savage but due to a fun story for another time, I go by the last name Elyse. My father planted over 40 churches in Mexico and various countries. He graduated from ORU with his doctorate in church planting, and is passionate about missions. He holds many Pastor's conferences in India, Bulgaria, Romania etc and I have had the opportunity of traveling with him to several countries while growing up. I have a twin brother who also is a Pastor, and I have a sister who has been a missionary to Peru. So YES MISSIONS is in my blood!! :) I am a very happy young single woman who has legally adopted seven children and welcome more!! :) Yes, you read that correctly... SEVEN adopted children!! Have I lost my mind.. you ask??? Yes, absolutely... I choose to die to myself daily, live the "not normal" life, and have learned what it means to truly be crucified with Christ!! :) I am head over heels in love with my best friend who happens to open blind eyes and through him we can move mountains. I am passionate about the orphans of America. I just don't want to be a hearer of God's word but a doer. I took the scripture James 1:27 literally. People ask me all the time, why I would adopt so many at such a young age. My answer is simply...How Could I Not? The majority of my children have all graced the papers nationally, due to their horrific physical and sexual abuse. I have changed all their names due to privacy and I have literally seen miracles happen in my home. I have seen God take ashes and turn them into beauty. I have seen him take what was broken and restore it. Our story is a story of forgiveness, restoration, and How God still HEALS today! I am honored to serve Haiti and the John 15:16 G.A.P ministry. If there is anything I can do for you or you would like to plan a trip to Haiti, please feel free to contact me. We have some really exciting fundraisers that will be happening in the next month, that I will be announcing to you in my future blogs. I look forward to hearing from you and meeting you as well! Feel free to leave me comments, or send us an email.

Let me introduce you to my heart beats, baseball team, choir, mini missionaries, aka children:

Mackenzie age 14

Victoria age 13

Annelysia age 10

My twins: Camden & Madison age 9

Ariana age 8

Mr.Alexander ~ age 5

My Contact info:

Email: heatherelyse7@gmail.com

Phone: 918.633.5820

Your Illustration for the week:

A young girl was walking along the beach early one morning. The tide was receding, leaving numerous starfish stranded on the beach. The girl began picking them up and tossing them back into the water.

Engrossed in her task, she didn't notice the crusty old fisherman sitting quietly watching her. He startled her with a gruff, "What are you doing?" to which she smiled and enthusiastically replied, "I'm saving the starfish."

He laughed at her and launched into a scoffing ridicule. "Look ahead of you down the beach," he said, pointing to the seemingly endless expanse of sand and surf. "There are thousands of starfish washed up on this beach. You can't hope to save them all. You're just wasting your time. What you're doing doesn't matter," he exclaimed in a dismissive tone.

The girl stopped, momentarily pondering his words. Then she picked up a starfish and threw it far into the water. She stood straight and looked him in the eye. "It matters to that one," she said, and continued down the beach.

Your scripture: Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. James 4:8

Prayer: Dear God, we humbly come to you and ask that you would help us draw closer and more intimate with you. Help us put you first in all that we do. May we be a reflection of your heart. May we be your eyes, voice, hands, and feet to everyone we come into contact with. We lift up our executive director Steve Mossburg and Project Help-Haiti. We pray for all the Haitian staff and all the missionaries that are in Haiti right now. We pray for a hedge of protection over their lives. Keep them safe and healthy. Protect them as they travel to and from Haiti. Be with their families while they are away. We lift up cross cultural ministries, be with Don Dennison as he leads, guides and sets the captives free. Give him favor, guidance and your divine wisdom. Be with Joy Reeves as her husband is away. Give her strength and grace to raise her children. May you continue to Bless their ministry. May everything that they touch prosper. I lift up the Snyder family to you God. I pray that you would supply all their needs according to your riches and glory. I lift up the board of directors for G.A.P ministries. Be with them this holiday season. Speak to their hearts, protect, give them guidance, and overwhelm them with your magnificent goodness. We give you our lives God. We know it is not about us, but all about you. Mold us into your image.