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"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." Ephesians 2:10 NASB We understand the necessity of having a page "about us", but we write this with some degree of reluctance. We do not seek any praise or recognition for what we are doing and we are uncomfortable when we receive it. This ministry is not "about us". We are nothing special - only His simple clay pots who are willing, available, and are trying to be obedient to God and walk in the good works He has prepared for us beforehand. But we know that many of you do not know us and would like to know something about the people behind these good works. That being said, here's a little info "about us".
We strive to promote unity within the body of Christ - HHSM recognizes the need for unity in the body of believers who all share the common bond of faith in Jesus Christ and have experienced His saving grace. Our fellowship is made up of believers from many different denominations including Baptist, Evangelical Free, Assembly of God, etc. and we have joined together with our brothers and sisters in Guatemala to try to make a difference in the lives of impoverished people in that country. Our purpose is not to start an American work in Guatemala, but to come alongside our Guatemalan brothers and sisters to support and encourage them in the work they are already doing. We are a faith-based ministry – We do not and will not actively solicit support for the operational needs of the ministry, only for the children or other special projects. 100% of the sponsorship fee we collect will ALWAYS go to the children, not to the running of the ministry itself. When the ministry has a need for funding, we go to God with that need, and not to man, for we know that God is the one who provides for all of our needs. Our Board of Directors -  left - Philip Charles with one of his little Guatemalan friends, Nery. Philip Charles, president, and Jamie Charles, secretary, met while attending Barrington College, where Jamie received a B.S. in Youth Ministries in 1980, the same year in which they were married. Philip is a PK (pastor's kid) as well as an MK (missionary's kid), having spent 3 years as a child in the city of Lima, Peru. Philip is also a self-employed carpenter  in the western mountains of Maine where the Charles family currently resides. God has blessed them with 6 children and 2 sons-in-law, as well as 3 grandsons. They have experienced the tremendous blessing of being able to take all of their children and both of their sons-in-law to Haiti or Africa with them at different times, some of them more than once. They have been working with Pastor Merari Rodriguez in San Lucas since August of 2009. Philip and Jamie attend First Baptist Church of Kingfield, Maine.right - Jamie Charles with some of her little Guatemalan friends, Karen and Maria.  left - Matt Lenfestey and his wife, Carlyn, with one of their Haitian sponsored children, Dimy. Matt Lenfestey, vice president, has been going to Haiti since June/July of 2006. His wife, Carlyn, also visited Haiti in March of 2007. Matt and Carlyn met in college where they received their Masters degrees in Physical Therapy and were married in August of 2002. They recently adopted their first child, a little boy named Reggie, from Haiti. They sponsor several children through HH4H. Matt and Carlyn are members of Fayette Baptist Church in Fayette, Maine.  right - Lorraine Mitchell with her Guatemalan "grandson", Hugo. Lorraine Mitchell, treasurer, has been married to her husband, Brud, since 1958. They have 4 grown children, Nadine, Doreen, Stephanie & Stephen, and 11 grandchildren. Lorraine has gained experience being treasurer for her church, Living Waters Assembly of God in Strong, Maine, as well as two other Christian organizations. She has made several trips to Haiti, her first trip being in 2004, and has formed strong relationships with many of her sponsored children as well as with many of her Christian brothers and sisters in Haiti. She has also had the blessing of visiting her brothers and sisters in Guatemala who have all become like family to her. Lorraine currently works giving in-home care to the elderly.  left - Kathy Farmer with one of her Haitian sponsored children, Ketsy.Kathy Farmer, director, is a wife and mother of three children and a grandmother of four. She is a trained Medical Assistant but is currently working as an Operations Specialist. Her first trip to Haiti was in 2000. She fell in love with the country and the people and knew that God had been working on her for the mission field and this was the place. She has been to Haiti a total of nine times as of October 2009 and, God willing, will go many more times. Kathy and her family attend Faith Evangelical Free Church in Waterville, Maine.  right - Bea Otte with one of her Haitian sponsored children, Patricia. Bea Otte, director, is a mother of 3 adult children (Phyllis, John & Joshua) and recently adopted Matthew from overseas. She works as a CRMA/CNA and is also known as “the Christian Herb Lady”. God has blessed Bea with visits to China, Thailand, Laos, Burma, the Philippines, and 2 trips to Haiti in 2005, where she visited with Christian brothers and sisters. Romans 12:15 was heartfelt in these countries. Bea attends Mt. View Bible Church in New Vineyard, Maine and Fayette Baptist Church in Fayette, Maine. She finds it an honor to be a part of His Hands Support Ministries and watch God at work.  left - Dean Stanley with his youngest son. Dean Stanley, director, was born and raised in the Western Mountains of Maine, and still makes his home there, along with his wife, whom he married in 1989, and their five children. Dean has been actively walking in faith in Christ for about 30 years. His walk of faith in Christ has led him to serve in the past in the following capacities: Elder/Deacon, Sunday School teacher, Vacation Bible School teacher, and occasionally preaching at a few churches in the area. The Lord provides for Dean and his family through his work as a manager in government public service. Dean spends his recreation time with his family and offers his unique perspective to this board as someone who has not yet had the blessing of visiting his Christian brethren overseas. "Not to us, O Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness." Psalm 115:1 NIV His Hands Support Ministries 2009 - Year in Review video |
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