February 17 , 2010

The Voice of Children mission team will be leaving for Haiti on May 24th and returning to the U.S. on May 31st. There are approx. 22 volunteer missionaries going on this trip. The team will conduct medical clinics each day, along with church services each night. Needs will be evaluated and decisions made on what types of construction activities can also be accomplished by the team during this time. Those going on the trip will be meeting on March 6th and a packing date will be set then. Supplies will be shipped to Haiti from Miami by the end of March. George and James are going to Haiti next week to see first hand the extent of the damage done to Pastor Fritz's church and determine whether the church at Encolline can be repaired. Please pray for the team, that God will use them to His will, and for their safety while in Haiti.

January 31, 2010

LATEST UPDATES ON OUR CHRISTIAN BROTHERS & SISTERS IN HAITI: The school and house at Anjebo were flattened in the earthquake. The back wall was damaged at the church in Oncolene. VOC interpreter Max and his family are okay, but he has over 20 children staying with him after the earthquake. Pastor Martin and his family are safe. Sadly, interpreter Menis reports that his daughter was killed in the earthquake. Please remember to pray for Menis and his family. Pastor Hebert was killed by a falling wall at the orphanage where he worked. As previously reported, Martina and Beliot's house/orphanage in Port-au-Prince is okay, and everyone is safe there. However, the children are sleeping outside due to the numerous and powerful after-shocks that continue. Diana Whaley is working with the Red Cross in Miami. Brother George Harris has been in recent contact with Pastor Martin, and he is working with him to plan a trip to Haiti in February or March, depending on how quickly arrangements can be made.

Please continue to pray for the people of Haiti.

January 20, 2010

UPDATE: News from Haiti continues to be heartbreaking. The death toll may reach 200,000 people. Other estimates are that 250,000 people have been injured, and 1.5 Million people left homeless. We praise God, though, that news reports continue to show people being pulled from the collapsed buildings. Many of these survivors are singing praises to God and thanking Him for their rescue. What a powerful testimony from these Haitian Christians, as they "hold fast the profession of their faith without wavering"! (Heb. 10:23) Please continue to pray for the people of Haiti.

January 17, 2010

HAITI EARTHQUAKE UPDATE: The news coming out of Haiti in general has not been good. The magnitude of the destruction is unbelievable. The BBC is reporting that up to 200,000 people may have died in the earthquake. What little infrastructure existed in Haiti now lies in ruins.

Praise God, though, that today Ruth Ann and Doyle received a call from Beliot Louis Juste stating that their home & orphanage in Port-au-Prince is still standing! We thank God for his protection of the Haitian family and the VOC team there. Martina, Beliot and the others in Port-au-Prince are safe.

However, the orphanage building on the mountain has significant damage, and Pastor Hebert was killed when a wall of the orphanage collapsed. With the tragedy in Haiti we are faced with monumental problems with our schools and churches. Reports from our friends in the Voice of Children ministry are of much destruction. We are now trying to assess all of the damage. This damage makes it impossible to have church services or school for the children. We are trying to raise as much money as possible so we can have the churches and schools repaired so that the Haitian lives can get back to normal. The US team has been planning a trip at the end of May. We ask that you prayfully give to this need. You may send donations to:
Voice of Children
c/o Ruth Ann Shultz
207 Oak Rd
Powell, TN 37849

Note: The Voice of Children ministry was on the local Knoxville NBC news January 17th. Diana Whaley was featured in an interview. To view the article, Click Here

January 12, 2010

BREAKING NEWS ON HAITI EARTHQUAKE: Today at approximately 5PM local time, Haiti was hit by a catastrophic magnatude 7 earthquake. Reports of massive casualties are being reported. No one here in the states have yet been able to contact our friends in Haiti to find out if they are OK. Please pray for them and for all the people of Haiti!

July 2009

Tom Berry, Arnold Smallin and George Harris visited Haiti this month on a fact-finding trip to find out the current needs. Since we have adopted Pastor Martin, we have so much more that needs to be done. We are excited about this new ministry. Pastor Martin takes care of 25 orphans and has about 125 sudents in the school. Our ministry is to pay 5 teachers and provide enough food to feed all the orphans at least one meal a day. God has blessed us with this new and exciting work.

God bless you, Doyle & Ruth Ann

June 2008

Our mission trip was a great success. We repaired the gutters on the church at Anjebo, had revival services nightly, and a medical clinic daily seeing about 1600 patients during the week. The roof on the church is greatly in need of repair. We were able to buy over a ton of food for the orphans and we are sending monthly donations for the upkeep (school, feed, and clothing) of the orphans.

God bless you, Doyle & Ruth Ann

July 3, 2007

The mission team arrived home safely from Haiti after a terrific trip this June 4th – 11th. God was gracious to allow the team to successfully finish the tasks of completing the church roof, as well as 4 days of medical clinics and VBS with the kids.

Hundreds of children and adults were seen in the clinic this year. Medicines, vitamins and bread were distributed to all the families that attended the clinic. God is working miracles through the health care efforts, as the team is now seeing the children of kids that were treated many years ago.

The church roof that was blown off by the hurricane was replaced by a team of missionaries and Haitian workers. The replacement roof is built very sturdy, out of true 2x4’s and has hurricane clips on all the rafters. After completion of the roof, God sent a strong rainstorm overnight that revealed leaks along the ridge of the roof. The next day, the team was able to re-design and re-work the ridge cap. That night, another rain storm proved the roof would not leak.

The team also brought money to provide rice, beans, vegetables and other foods for the children at the orphanage. During the week, a meeting was held with the teachers at the school, and, God willing, we will have support for another year’s salary for each of them. They are doing a fine job with the children, under difficult circumstances and conditions. 

Another team of mission volunteers will be traveling to the orphanage in November to continue our work there. Please continue to keep the Voice of Children ministries in your prayers.

May 2, 2007

June 4-11, 2007 we will be taking our yearly trip to Haiti.

This year we will have a group of twenty-two.  We can already see God working.

Since our trip last year, the roof of the church at Angebo was blown off in a hurricane.  God was gracious that no one was hurt.  We will be taking roofers and others to build a hurricane proof roof.

We are also blessed to have four nurses this year for the clinic.

Please pray for God to provide for building and medical funds to fulfill the needs in this destitute area.

October 26, 2006

Currently in need:  

Since the last mission team returning home to the U.S. , there have been many storms in Haiti .  A Hurricane caused significant local damage and the church/school building lost approximately half of its new roof.  We are in need of $6,000 to rebuild the roof.

Medical funds are needed for the upcoming clinics to be held at the orphanage.

Donations are needed for the ongoing construction of the church schools. 

June  2006 

The mission team has returned safely from a successful trip to Haiti .  Seventeen people from the U.S. spent the week of May 29 - June 6 working with Martina, Beliot and the Voice of Children ministries.  We saw God's hand in this trip, with 7 people saved, 25 benches built for the church/school building, revivals held every night, and over 1500 people treated in the clinics. 

The clinic transported one person to the emergency room due to a serious construction injury and paid for a boy to have hernia repair surgery.  Both are doing well now.  

A group from the mission team was able to visit the very first church that the VOC built, and then hiked even further into the mountains to check on a school that the VOC is supporting.  Literacy is great need in Haiti , especially in the mountain area, so the Voice of Children is sponsoring the salaries of the Haitian teachers. The mission team heard less Voodoo this trip; we praise God that He is moving mightily among the people.  

Martina and Beliot Louis Juste are doing well. They are doing a great work since the loss of their husband and father, Bethonne.  

God Bless,  

Doyle and Ruth Ann Shultz

May 3, 2006

Mission Trip:

Our next mission trip to Haiti is planned for May 30 thru June 6, 2006. There will be 17 people in the mission group.  The church beside the orphanage at Anjebou is nearly complete, and will be dedicated to the Lord on June 4th.  The mission team will be hard at work this week, building benches for the new church and school, running a lengthy medical clinic each day, and conducting revivals nightly.  We ask for your prayers for the team’s safety and for God's will to be accomplished during our trip.

March 7, 2006

From Beliot:

Dear Christian friend Sis. Ruth Ann.

Greetings in Jesus' Precious name, Our Lord and Savior. I hope by the grace of God this email will find you in good health.

About the Church's construction on the mountain, please below notice the information that Deacon Oselin has transmitted to me.

The total cost covers the materials, labor, to complete (that is macon work) the walls, the floor, electricity and bathroom. Total cost $ 9529 USD.

Please also Brother Tom and Bro. Martin Lee asked me a few photos of the church in Anjubo, I've already sent them the photos. Equally, Bro. Martin need the cost to complete the church, please could you give him the cost? When I'm sending you pictures, please let me know if it's best to send photos by mail or to your email? We keep you in prayers, please don't forget us in your prayers.

God bless

Beliot

February 15, 2006

Voice of Children
207 Oak Road
Powell, TN 37849

I hope everyone had a wonderful 2005.  As we begin a new year, I want to thank everyone for their faithful support to Voice of Children Ministries.  Because of your support we have been able to accomplish many things.

In our medical clinic we saw approximately 1500-1700 people.  Those we were unable to treat (those with severe problems) we sent to the hospital and paid for their medications and treatment.  Pastor Herbert, who oversees the orphanage, is in the process of an evaluation for his eyes.  He has been blind for many years and we are hoping to have them treated if possible.  We have paid for a child to have a severe hernia surgically repaired.  We have built a rood over a patio at the orphanage.  Now, they are able to sit in the shade while they drink fresh water from a cistern we built the previous year.

We now have 600 children enrolled in school, and our new project is a church/school at the orphanage.  At this time, the walls and roof are complete.  We are still trying to raise funds to complete the inside walls, floor, windows (metal bar-type) and doors.  When this is completed, this will enable 125 more children to attend school.  One day this are of the mountain will have a high literacy rate.  And more exciting, their reading material is the Bible.  Many are saved before they graduate.  We hope to have this completed by the next school year.  Please pray for God to supply the funds for this project.

As always, we are able to feed and clothe 100 orphans.  At Christmas, we were able to send extra money for them to have a party.  They usually buy a cow, sometimes a goat, candy, and vegetables.  This is a special treat for them, and they can eat until they are full.  During our last trip, there were extra donations of money given and we were able to buy extra food and meat.

This ministry is only possible because of people like you who faithfully give financially.  I want to reaffirm the fact that 100% of every penny given goes to the ministry.  There are no administration fees.  We are committed to this ministry because of love for God's people in Haiti.

I want to thank you again for your support.  God bless you in this new year.  Financial statements are available on request.

In Christ's Name,

Doyle and Ruth Ann Shultz

January 15, 2006

A letter from Beliot Louis Juste

"Dear Christian friend Sis. Ruth Ann Shultz

"We greet you in Jesus' precious name, our Lord and Savior.  We hope by the grace of God this letter will find you in good health.  It's with a great joy and honor we are writing you this letter.  We feel very glad to hear from you and so glad to receive that donation you sent these poor children.

Please we tell you a great thankful for your help.  Grace to your help we could take care of them at the viewpoint of nutritional, educational and clothing.   It's a great blessing for us and our ministry here in Haiti.

We keep you often in our prayers.  We pray God so that you'll be blessed abundantly through this new year, as well your family and your people.   Please don't forget us in your prayers.  We love you and we hope to hear from you soon

In His love,

P.S.  Please to that you so much for that special gift you sent the children.  On December 26th of 2005, we organized a Christmas party for them.  (ed. - see photo at top of page)  They were very much happy.

With this letter, please find enclosed some pictures of the church building, a cow we've bought, the Christmas party and the cistern lid.

We keep you often in prayers, please don't forget us in your prayers.   Please we hope to hear from you soon.

God bless,

Beliot Louis Juste"

June 17, 2005

The mission volunteers returned safely Tuesday, from their trip to the Voice of Children orphanages in Haiti.  Martina and Beliot Louis Juste and the other Haitians that operate the VOC orphanages are healthy and doing a great work in Haiti.

The mission team conducted multi-day medical clinics in two areas: the mountain-top orphanage at Léogâne, and in the village of Santos.  God truly blessed this effort, and over 1600 Haitians were seen and treated during the clinics.  Ailments of many kinds were treated during the clinics, and all the clinic attendees were sent home with vitamins, medicines, analgesics and bread.

The week was a rainy and windy one in Haiti, which made the dirt road leading to the mountain orphanage impassable for construction delivery trucks.  The mission team didn't know it until returning to Miami, but this was due to effects from hurricane Arlene.  Travel during the week was accomplished in the back of a large truck, but had to be interrupted repeatedly in order for the mission team and local Haitians to push it out of large and slick mud holes.  With God's protection, no one hurt themselves pushing or was hurt by the sliding truck.  Pushing was often necessary even on level ground throughout the week.

Due to the muddy road, construction on the new church near the mountain orphanage had to be delayed since the concrete blocks could not be transported up the mountain.  The team was able to perform many repairs and upgrades on the orphanage, however.  One was to re-work the roof gutters on the orphanage.  Water running into the gutters is routed in the water cistern and used for drinking water.  A broken guttering system meant that much of this precious water was being lost.  The new gutters should fill the cistern to an ample capacity.  A local metal worker was hired to construct a lockable door for the cistern as well, which should be finished soon.  This will eliminate a serious safety hazard.

Before leaving Haiti, arrangements were made by the team to have Haitian workers complete the block walls and then construct the tin roof on the church building.  Our next goals after these items are complete will be to have a concrete floor poured and then put metal louvers in the window openings. 

The mission team thanks all  the VOC supporters for your prayers and contributions.  Together, we are spreading the good news of Christ to the people of Haiti!

June 6, 2005

Thirteen mission volunteers will be leaving Tennessee and four from California tomorrow morning, for the Voice of Children orphanage in Haiti.

The team's flights will merge in Atlanta for the second leg of the trip, and we'll arrive in Port-au-Prince at 1:30PM EST. The team will be in Haiti from June 7th to June 14th. Please remember the VOC ministry in your prayers during this time.

During this trip, the mission team will operate multi-day medical clinics in two areas: the mountain-top orphanage at Léogâne, and in the village of Santos. The duffel bags are packed as heavily as possible (the airlines allow 70 lbs per bag), and with the large group, the team will be able to transport all 700 lbs (approx) of medicines and medical supplies that have been purchased and donated for the trip.

God has also blessed the church-building project greatly. Adequate funds were received to have the block walls constructed, and the workers should complete the project at any time. The team was to help construct the roof, but there were no funds to do so - until two weeks ago when someone contributed all the money needed for it! So, the other mission team members will purchase and transport the building supplies and then work with the local Haitians to put a roof on the church/school building. Construction tools are packed and ready to go, and will be left with the local workers when we leave - giving them tools to help them provide for their families.

The team will also conduct revival services at night, and look forward to worshiping the Lord with the Haitians. We pray that many will be led to Christ. Please pray for the VOC staff, mission team, interpreters and children. Also pray that God will bless the work done in his name, and that the people of Haiti will see God's love and come to know the Lord.

Doyle and Ruth Ann Shultz

April 4, 2005

We will be returning to Haiti the summer of 2005, June 7th - 14th, for another mission trip. The mission team will work a the top of the mountain in the Léogâne region of Haiti, where Bethonne Louis Juste built an orphanage for the children.

For many years, Bethonne had a vision to build a combination church/school on this spot for the many children in this area who were not able to travel the long distance to get to the nearest church or school. He selected a location and laid a foundation for the building itself. The Voice of Children team shares his vision, and prays to complete it with God's help. During a revival in this area last year, God called a local pastor for this church and a temporary pole building was erected. The plan is to construct a block building in its place.

We praise God that he has raised people up to contribute to this project. We will be taking 17 people this year, which will include carpenters, roofers, block layers, and others. The ladies on the team will conduct a medical clinic while the men work to complete the church structure.

The mission team covets your prayers during this time. God calls some to go, some to give, and some to pray. We can all be a part of God's work.

Doyle and Ruth Ann Shultz

January 12, 2005

Hello,

We are so excited to see all the blessings being poured out on the Voice of Children ministry.  Thanks to everyone for your prayers and support.

We are currently organizing a mission trip to Haiti, for the summer of 2005.  There are already a number of people that feel led to join the effort.  Some are new to VOC, and some have been on many trips in the past.   If you are interested in joining the mission team this summer, please contact us at the link provided on the "Contact Us" page of the VOC website.  

In Jesus' Name,

Doyle and Ruth Ann Shultz

June 19, 2004

Greetings,

Doyle and the group has just returned from another trip to Haiti.  Martina and Beliot (Bethonne's widow and son) are doing well and continue the ministry that Bethonne so lovingly began. God is doing a great work in Haiti right now. More specifically in the area around the middle orphanage.

Many exciting projects are ongoing and I would like to tell you what is happening so you will be able to effectively pray for these things. God bless you for your faithful support of this ministry.

Martina continues to feed the children. She has made them all a new shirt for school. We have contracted out for a roof to be built over the patio/porch at the orphanage and also for 3 outhouses to be built at Pastor Fritz's church / school. 

Revival was conducted every night seeing 37 souls come to love and accept the Lord. These revivals were held on the grounds at the middle orphanage. Bethonne had a vision for years for a church/school to be built here because there is not a church anywhere in this area. After revival , Pastor Fritz also saw the vision for this church so the new souls would have a place to worship and grow in their faith.

A man accepted the call to preach here and now we are going to raise the funds necessary to build a church building. Pastor Fritz is putting up a "pole building" until such time that we are able to complete this project.

The nurses saw 1500+ people in the clinic over the time of 4 days. There is a great need for continuing medical care. Bonny, the little girl that had surgery for her bowels, is doing very well but requires another surgery to complete the process of the first surgery. We also saw 3 young boys with severe hernias. One child had a hernia that was so large it hung down. We are sending these 4 children to the hospital for very needed surgery as the funds become available. 

There continues to be sadness over the loss of Bethonne but the Lord is strengthening Martina
daily and with the help of their son, the work of the Lord continues. Please remember them in your
prayers. And we gratefully ask that you continue your financial support of this ministry. Without you,
none of this would be possible. 

There are special needs at this time for ongoing monthly support. Voice of Children's support is
doing well for now. The school at the top of the mountain (where the original orphanage was) needs
$60 a month for the support of 2 school teachers, Pastor Fritz is in need of $100 month for the children
in his school, and much money is needed at this time to help in the construction of a church at the middle
orphanage. Much money is also needed for the urgent surgeries for these children. We ask that you please 
give to these needs. God bless and keep you. 

In Jesus' Name,

Doyle and Ruth Ann Shultz

May 25, 2004

Greetings,

It's time again for the quarterly report. We are praying that everyone is well. 

God has been blessing the ministry through various people. Bethonne's widow and son continue the Voice of Children ministry. Beliot, Bethonne's son, writes frequently with updates of what is happening right now in Haiti.  There is much sadness at the middle orphanage. Pastor Hebert who has pastored and overseen the children has just lost his wife to death. She was a young woman, and stayed very busy caring of the children and cooking their meals. She will be greatly missed. Pastor Hebert is blind and has many health problems himself, so we ask that you please keep this family in your prayers. They have several children and the youngest two are only 1 year and 2 years old.

There are ongoing construction projects in Haiti. The cistern at the middle orphanage continues to work very well, so the children now have fresh water every day. We have added a new concrete area in front of the porch at the orphanage. In the future, we want to build a roof over it, plus a church/school. There are no churches or schools in this area for miles, so this is badly needed. Other needs recently met includes surgery for a baby we saw in the clinic during our last trip. She was born with her intestines on the outside of her body. God raised up a man to pay for the little girls surgery. She is doing very well, but is still in the recovery phase. 

Pastor Fritz, the pastor that Bethonne placed at the church at the bottom orphanage, has started another new church down the road in a new area. Many have been saved since this has been started. We have been raising funds to build him a new church because his old one was a "stick" building and during a storm it collapsed. Pastor Fritz has since started a school 
there also. The Voice of Children ministry plans to build a 4 stall outhouse for the church and school. There is still a need for windows, doors, and a cement floor in the building (the floor is now just gravel). We pray for God to supply the money needed to complete this project. 

As you can see, the ministry keeps growing. Bethonne Louis Juste was a Godly man with a heart for his people and a vision. With God, the vision goes on to reach many souls for Christ. Our next mission trip is planned for June 8-15, 2004. We ask that you please keep us in your prayers during this time. We will see much sickness, as we were unable to go with our usual medical clinic this spring due to the unrest there.

Thank you, and may God bless you richly for your continuing and faithful support. We are God's hand in this world and you surely play a big part in this. Please feel free to call, write, or email us for any reason.

Greetings,

We are looking forward to a new year for the Voice of Children ministry. 

There is still much sadness at the loss of the founder, Bethonne Louis Juste, but his son and wife are doing a great job with the children.

This past year we have been able to do several building projects with the Lord's blessing through his many supporters. We have built a much-needed cistern for water at the middle orphanage. We have started the building of a new church at Santos. This building is not complete, but is close to being complete. The church at the top of the mountain has been totally remodeled with new roof, foundation, benches, and doors.

Other projects the ministry has been able to do with your support is to feed the orphans good meals once and sometimes twice a day. The school is still doing well with 450 students being educated. A very generous man has paid for surgery on a year-old toddler who was born with her intestines on the outside of her body. The ministry has also been paying for housing for a homeless woman with two small children.

We want to take this opportunity to thank everyone for your generous and faithful support of this ministry. Without each and every one of you, the working of this ministry would not be possible. May God bless and keep everyone.

P.S. Thank you to all who contributed to Bethonne's funeral expenses. The funeral is paid for and we also paid part on a monument at the school and orphanage in honor of its founder, Bethonne Louis Juste.