Hopital Bon Samaritain (HBS), in Limbe, Haiti, is where Marg and I first started our Mission work in 2004. HBS was originally a small clinic when Dr. Bill Hodges and his wife, Joanna, came in 1958 from California, with their 4 small children. The hospital grew under their direction and leadership into a fully operational hospital serving the Haitian people in Limbe and the surrounding valley. Bill died suddenly, in 1995, of a heart attack. Joanna, along with help from her family and Haitian staff, continued to operate this truly needed facility. Joanna passed away while living in Florida, in November of 2016. For a number of years now, HBS has been operated by Bill and Joanna’s youngest son, Paul, and his wife Rienke, from HBS foundation in Florida. Paul’s son, Shawn, has been in Haiti since 2007 running the day to day operations.
HBS has always had orphaned children and they were housed in the Pediatrics ward. These children would then always be around the sick children and with an increasing number of children being left abandoned, Paul Hodges felt they should not be exposed to this. HBS added a wing to its Pediatric ward in 1999 and opened up Kai Mira (Wonderful House) Orphanage.
In 2006, we met a wonderful little boy, Guivenson, who had come into Kai Mira. He was two years old. When Guivenson was approaching school age, our daughter, Jen, who had become quite attached to him, wanted to have him enrolled in school. So, in talking with Paul Hodges, we were given permission to look into schools for Guivenson. After the school, St Joseph LePrevidec Catholic, was chosen, there was a need to take Guivenson out of Kai Mira and have him in a foster home. There was an empty house on the HBS compound which the Hodges family lived in as they were raising their family. So, it was decided that this home would become the Hodges House Foster Home. Guivenson moved into the house, with a house mother, in the summer of 2008 and began school in September of that year. Hodges House came alive, once again!
As the years passed, the house was renovated to accommodate more children. Now there are eight children living in Hodges House with two house mothers. They are all attending this same school. They range in age from 7-16 years old.
This home is providing much needed HOPE for these precious children in getting education for a better life, in making Haiti a better place to live.
Guivenson was 2 years old when we met him in February of 2006. He was our first Haitian “grandson”. A fun little guy to be with.
Guivenson going to school in Jan. 2009. We were there for his 5th BDay in Jan. 2009. He had no idea of what to do with the candles on his cake.
Guivenson is now 16 and in grade 8. He has grown into a wonderful young man. He is quite good with his hands and a great big brother.
Louvens we met in February 2008 at the age of 6 months. A happy and easy going “little” guy.
Louvens is now 12 years old and in Grade 5. He is still an easy going young man. A thinker.
Chebanie came to the hospital in 2011. She is the only child to go directly into Hodges House.
We met Geralda in Feb. of 2013. She was very malnourished with “orange hair”. No smiles. So sad.
We met Wency in March of 2014. A happy little guy who would love to go for “walks” in the wagon.
Chebanie is now 13 and in Grade 7. She is a very loving “big” sister to her younger siblings.
Geralda will be 9 this summer and is in grade 3. She is full of beautiful smiles and loves to share them with everyone.
Wency is now 7 and in Preschool 3. He is a typical “little” brother always trying to keep up.
We met Reece in January 2009 at the age 15 months. He was a little shy at first, then all was good.
We met Vanessa as a baby in March of 2011. She has always been a very smiley & happy girl.
We met Jessica in the hospital in March of 2013. She also was very malnourished with very few smiles.
Reece is now 12 years old and in Grade 5. He is good at sports. He likes to play soccer and baseball.
Vanessa is now 9 and in Grade 3. Still loves to smile and share her free spirit with everyone.
Jessica is now in Grade 3 and will be 9 in the summer. She too has beautiful smiles, usually.
Well here is the whole “gang”. All 8 of our wonderful Haitian “Grand-kids”. The 2 house mothers are in the back with Marg. The girl in the blue uniform is a niece to the house mother with Marg.
It has been truly amazing watching these children grow and blossom into who they are today. Our Lord has blessed us with the support of so many wonderful people who have helped us in improving the lives of these precious children. It would not be possible without them. Project Precious Haiti pays for Guivenson and Reece’s school tuition, uniforms, books, supplies etc. The other 6 children are paid for by various volunteers and groups who come to the hospital to work.
We look forward to continuing to grow with them as they mature into young adults and to where ever the Lord leads them.
We thank you for your ongoing love, prayers and support of all our work in Haiti.