A little Canaan history for you! Pastor Henry and Sister Gladis have been the wheels that make Canaan Christian Orphanage go round. About 18 years ago Sister Gladis was living the life, according to the Haitians. She had beachfront property, running water and electricity 24/7. Then God called her elsewhere, He told her to buy some property and serve Him on it. She had no idea how that was to happen; she had no money to do so.
Long story short, they went searching and they came across 93 acres of land, but in her mind it was virtually impossible, a far-fetched dream. Although it only cost $60 USD, yes that’s right, she had no means to buy it, none at all. She felt the Lord tell her to do it though, so she leaped out on faith. She sold her home, Pastor Henry left His and the stocked up on all the mangos possible because they would have no means to buy food for sometime. God provided and they were able to buy this land miraculously. Keep in mind Haitians had been trying to use the land to grow crops and plant trees for years, but nobody was successful, the land would not produce a thing, not even a measly tree to provide shade.
So Sister Gladis, Pastor Henry and a couple other brothers and sisters who risked it all for this land walked on what they now called their very own, directed by the Lord they named it CANAAN. They had no idea what was going to happen, all they knew is that it was 100% the Lords work. As they walked the land praising God they came across a gentleman who told them to leave. He said, ” What are you doing here? This is my property, I have been praying for Christians to come and build for the Kingdom here for years and years, God told me I would know when they were here.” So Pastor Henry and Sister Gladis said, ” Well, stop praying because we are here, this is our land now, God has sent us.” The man did not believe them, so they figured that God would have told them the same name. They both wrote on a piece of paper what the land was to be called; low and behold both pieces of paper said CANAAN! Prayers were answered that very moment!
Trees began to grow and shacks were built for shelter from palm frawns. Canaan became a place for addicts to come and rely on Chris alone. As time went on, kids kept coming and Sister Gladis had to turn them away, as it was not a suitable environment for the two groups to be mixed. Sister Gladis could not figure out what was going on though, more and more kids continually came and that is when the Lord began to speak to her. Take this one in, take that one in, etc. Canaan was then transformed into and Orphange.
Now, 18 years later this place is blessed beyond belief. Pastor Henry and Sister Gladis are raising up a generation, a generation they believe will make a change in Haiti! Unfortunately, we are unable to meet Pastor Henry, but Sister Gladis is a true woman of God and the Lord is so alive here. They follow the Holy Spirit and nothing else, the vision of Canaan is actually perfectly inline with the vision of AIM. Housing 90 children from ages 3 to 24, Canaan is a school, a community and a home to kids in love with the Lord. Thank you all for your prayers, support and love. Please continue to pray for our health, relationships and that our ears would hear Gods words!
