We want to tell you about an exceptional young lady. Her name is Jolina Desir. Jolina is 23 years old and lives in the community of Chambrun just a 1/2 mile from the NVM compound. She is one of the most cheerful people we know in Haiti. Jolina is actively working on her English and is currently in Jim's ESL class. She is learning quickly! Like many others in in Chambrun, she only has a 6
th grade level of education.
Jolina was born in this community and has lived there her entire life. In fact, she has only ventured out of the immediate area once. Port-au-Prince is only 15 miles from her home and she has only been there on one occasion. That was this summer when Pastor Pierre took a group of young people on a tour of the city and to his home for Cheryl’s birthday party.
Jolina lives with her mother, two brothers and two sisters. Her father was killed by robbers when she was only 12. So at her young age she is actively involved in caring for and supporting her family. Jolina is employed by NVM and serves as one of the staff cooks. She earns approximately $50.00 per month. She prepares meals for the Haitian staff, the US staff and for the mission teams who are visiting the compound. She has also gone through the jewelry making class taught by Cheryl and is doing very well making and selling beaded jewelry. She uses the income from these two opportunities to support her entire family. She also raises pigeons and goats so her family can eat the pigeon eggs and the pigeon and goat meat. Jolina receives Global Aid Network’s donations of rice and beans often which is a blessing for her, as it helps to supplement her need to buy food for her family. She says she knows God is watching over her family when she receives extra help.
Jolina accepted Jesus into her life when she was a young teen. Since then she has become a leader in the NVM church. She works with the youth, and helps with communion and offering in the church. She has come so far in her leadership abilities over the past two years. Currently her other family members are not Christians so we are praying with her for their salvation. Jolina just recently gave her testimony for the very first time to a group of ladies in the beading class. This was a great step of faith for her.
It has been a joy getting to know Jolina. We ask you to pray for her and her family. Pray that God uses her in a great way and that her family comes to know the Lord through her walk with Him.
Jim, Cheryl and the Girls