Local residents visit Haiti on a support trip.

Avon, Connecticut

Robert and Maria Hodgson residents of Avon, owners of Continental Security Systems, Inc and members of Farmington Valley BNI had the privilege of leading a team of 14 from Valley Community Baptist Church on a trip to Haiti to partner with Kids Alive International. Farmington Valley BNI, supported their trip by donating $100. Here is the team report:

We witnessed Kids Alive in action as they carry out their stated mission in Haiti. Indeed they are: “… providing an education, nutritious meals, medical care and the love of Christ to these orphaned, abandoned, extremely poor, and hurting children….these young lives are being transformed from victims to Godly men and women who will be the future of Haiti.” We pray that the young men and women who are nurtured through this program will rise up and become change agents for their country that desperately needs righteous leaders.

Our construction team assisted in the finishing touches of the fourth family home in the Children’s Village, continuing the sidewalk connecting the homes and installing the cement skirting around the house. Ultimately there will be eight family homes and three transitional homes (for the older kids) on the compound. We stayed in the new house on the property which gave us a “front row seat” to witness the children’s daily lives. Our next door neighbors for the week were Adam and Edline Joseph who are parenting 14 children. They have adopted one, Alex, and the other 13 are foster children. They love each and every one as if they were their own. At 8pm every night the family gathers to sing hymns (in Creole), pray, read and study scripture together. We had the awesome privilege of joining them.

Our science camp team had a fun and rewarding week. Highlights of our time were: the kids learned about God’s creation, light, color and air – we played with big bubbles, magnets and Frisbees; we talked about weather, seasons, and chemistry – cloud pictures, winter clothes relay and snowflake ornaments were a hit; the kids made flowers and bird pictures and the older group was led through a series of exercises that foster team building and communication skills. The highlight of the week was joining all the families in a chapel service were we listened to their beautiful voices sing in Creole. We finished our last day with a carnival for the kids with face painting, balloon hats, and candy.
Our team traveled safely, there were no major illnesses or injuries, we were effective in completing the objectives, and during the trip there was team unity.

Farmington Valley BNI is a business minded networking group that meets weekly in Avon. More information can be found by visiting our website at www.FVBNI.com, we are currently recruiting new members in various business fields. In the past year our group has passed over $400,000 in business to one another. If you are interested in visiting one of our meetings please call our president Bryan Short at 860-404-2958.