On Jan.12,2010, Lisa Van Sant, (co-owner of Grinnell Firestone),was in Fedja Haiti, struggling to keep her balance as the ground rippled beneath her feet. North of Port Au Prince approximatly 20 miles, Lisa and a team from Grace Fellowship Church,were scheduled to do mission work at an orphanage/deaf school. Their trip was cut short as locals recommended they evacuate as soon as possible due to the earthquake. One day w/ the children was enough to calm them and explain to the deaf what happened, as well as what to do in the event of it happening again.

After a short stay at the Embassy, our U.S. Air Force whisked them away to Mac Guire Air force base in New Jersey. From there a police escort brought them to Philadelphia, and a commercial flight back to Des Moines.

Lisa has two deaf children, and has developed a heart for the deaf, desiring to help them achieve better sign language skills, and tell them of God's love. Feeling shorted of their time there, Lisa has patiently waited for an opportunity to return. Presently, plans are in place to return March 13-20 to help the children, staff, and refugees who have migrated north out of PAP. Approximately 55 former PAP residents surround the orphanage, living in tents, getting aid from the "All God's Children Orphanage."

On March 13-20 Mike, Lisa and 6 others returned to All God's Children Orphanage.  The week was spent putting a new roof on the school for the deaf, teaching the children American Sign Language, and repairing/maintaining the orphanage vehicles.  Alot of work yet to be done, and the other teams are preparing for more projects on sight.  Presently, Lisa and Mike are working on bringing 3 of the Haiti children to the states to attend Iowa School for the Deaf in Council Bluffs for 1 school year.  The intention of this endeavor is to accelerate their ASL skills and take this knowledge back to share with other students.

   Lisa is Planning a return trip in the fall of 2010.

Grinnell Firestone is committed to supporting the residents of Haiti in this area.

If you would like to learn more about this ministry, or donate to help with relief go to http://www.gvcm.org/