Open Door School & Feeding Center

Fri, 20 Jul 2007 19:48:25 -0400

In 2007, Open Door School in Haiti has taken a significant step forward. The primary school (pre-k through grade 6) has grown steadily over the last few years, with enrollment for the 2007-08 school year nearing 250 students. In January of 2004, a 5 room school building was constructed for Open Door. Quickly, the enrollment grew, with the need great for quality education in the rural village of Bois de Lance. In January of 2007, additional class space was completed.

The greatest challenge these children face is getting the proper nutrition, giving them the needed energy and focus to learn and grow. In the Spring of 2007, an ambitious project was undertaken for Open Door School. Not only should we educate these wonderful children, but we must also feed them. The Open Door Haiti Child Sponsorship Program was initiated, seeking to have all 250 students at Open Door School educated and fed lunch every day they attend school. McKee Construction of Sanford, Florida has undertaken the task of building the brand new Open Door Feeding Center, which should be completed in time for the new school year. To date, nearly 170 students have been sponsored through Open Door Haiti!

In addition to the Feeding Center, Open Door School will also begin two new exciting programs for the students in the 2007-08 school year. The Open Door School of Music and the Open Door Computer Center will be resourced and staffed during the coming year, giving the students the opportunity to develop their God-given gifts and learn some marketable skills.

Open Door Clinic should open by the end of 2007, providing much-needed health care for the children of Open Door School as well as the community at large.

With all that God is doing at Open Door Haiti, what other miracles can we expect to see in the next year? How about Open Door Secondary School... in time for the 2008-09 school year!

Recent Trip Sees Much Fruit!

Wed, 30 Aug 2006 13:01:48 -0400

Open Door marched its twenty baptism candidates, dressed in white, down through the center of town, beyond the outskirts of the village, to the river where they would be baptized. A marching band led the parade, complete with bass and snare drums, cymbals, trumpets and trombones. It was a testimony to the entire community of lives changed by the power of God. Our team of six helped with construction as well as preparations for Open Door’s annual crusade, where a few thousand attended nightly and many trusted Christ as Savior.

The newly constructed ministry center is nearing completion. Two bathrooms (with running water from a 400 gallon storage tank on the roof) have been completed, floors have been tiled, beds have been made, windows and doors are installed. Eventually, a second story will be added to the 2000 sq. ft. facility, but for now, all that is needed to complete the first floor is the kitchen, paint and furnishings. The ministry center will house mission teams as well as provide space for offices, small leadership gatherings and other church functions.

School begins in just a few weeks, and additional classroom space is needed. The current 1500 sq. ft. school building is insufficient for the almost 250 students enrolled at Open Door School, so fundraising is under way to construct an additional 2000 sq. ft. of classroom space. To date, $15.000 of the $25,000 needed for the project has been raised. Next fall, plans are in place now to launch Open Door High School.

It now looks as if the long awaited medical clinic will be placed off-site, on a piece of land about a 1/4 mile from Open Door. A foundation from the US is providing substantial funding for the project, and partner ministry Soaring International will be assisting with day to day operations. By the end of 2006, the clinic should be up and operational.

Samson, a 17 year old young man with a third grade education, has been in need of a surgery. He is one of the hard-working young leaders at Open Door, and also plays bass in their worship band. Just this week, Open Door Church in Ohio was able to raise the needed funds for Samson to finally get his surgery. Pray all goes well and God heals him. As a big praise, enough extra was raised in these efforts to buy a motorcycle for Pastor Alexis Sony of Open Door.

We continue to pray for God to provide power to the ministry, as the city electric does not reach out to the rural village of Bois De Lance. Options being considered... a diesel generator, solar panels, or possibly even a windmill generator.

The next trip to Open Door is being planned now for October 18-24, 2006, with tentative plans for trips in 2007 in February, May, August and November.

In Christ,
Doug Holliday

Open Door Update

Open Door School & Feeding Center

Recent Trip Sees Much Fruit!