Ariana Manassero, had a
prayer. Her prayer was that she could do something to help the suffering
kids in Haiti. Her interest in Haiti began when she started supporting
a child from the northern region of Haiti through Compassion
International.
One day, Ariana's father
noticed that she (age 9 at the time) had a jar of coins sitting on
her desk. He asked her if she was saving for something. She said,
"yes." She was saving money to build an orphanage, church,
school and hospital in Haiti. It so touched his heart that he started
collecting his extra coins and change into putting them in her jar.
He also started telling others about her dream. Before long, people
responded by sending her their extra change, dollars and checks. Little
by little, her jar overflowed and she eventually opened a bank account
and established a Haiti Fund through Child
Hope International.
In September 2003, Ariana
and eleven others traveled to Haiti (see
pictures). It was on that missions trip that Ariana confirmed
God's calling on her life. She saw and experienced the plight of the
children of Haiti, especially the homeless children, and she grew
in her determination to see that dream come true.
Ariana and her family now
live in Haiti and are running the orphange Ari dreamed about. They
call it Maison de Lumiere (The Light House). And it is just the beginning...
See the layout for the homeless
children home she hopes to one day build in Haiti.
It's going to take a lot of
work, but Ariana is not worried. She knows God can do anything -- and
that He is especially good at miracles. So now, Ariana and family are
working harder than ever to make Maison de Lumiere into a place where
the forgotten children of Haiti can grow up to become "light houses"
for their country and the world -- shining the light of Jesus Christ.
If you are interested in
finding out more about Ariana's orphanage, contributing to her project
or even visiting Maison de Lumiere, you can contact Ari at:
