2017 Annual H(e)art Report

Delight - H(e)art - Trust

We delight in all of you who faithfully supported us with encouragement, prayers, and financial support.  Our h(e)arts are full with seeing the fruit of these projects come to life.   Our h(e)arts are committed and we will continue to trust in Him.  Each one of us - and each one of you - plays a continuing & vital role in "doing this"!
 

Delight In:

• 107 individuals donors
• 1 corporate sponsor - Granex Industries, Inc
• 2 local schools in Ohio fundraising for Guatemala
• 1 Catholic parish fundraising for Guatemala
• Rotary of Chagrin Valley fundraising for our cause
• 15 local volunteers helped set up the fundraiser
• Over 100 supporters attended the Rotary Fundraiser
• 3 incredibly supportive Spanish teachers and a PSR director with a huge heart led fundraising campaigns with their students

H(e)arts full with:

• 24 children sponsored to attend school in                         
• 20 families received Christmas Baskets
• 150 children will now have access to a functional kitchen at school
• 60 children will receive new school desks
• 3 classrooms will receive new white boards
• 3 teachers will receive new desks
• 150 children will have access to safe water and functional bathrooms at school
• 1 lifesaving vaccine was provided to a preterm infant who is thriving

Trust In

• God's hand and grace over all we do
• Partnerships developed here in US and Guatemala
• Habitat for Humanity, here in Cleveland and in Guatemala as partners
• Matching donations being pursued by local companies
• Each of your h(e)arts to continue to support our missions

Thankful & Hopeful H(e)arts...

As 2017 draws to a close, we want to take a moment with grateful h(e)arts to thank you all for the prayers, support, and encouragement you have provided us since we jumped into this project.  Your creativity, enthusiasm, and donations have helped us exceed all the goals we initially set - and have inspired us to continue!

Can you believe this all only started just over 1 year ago?? 

In 2017, our focus has been one of building connections & raising awareness.  These connections are bearing fruit both near and far - and we are now partnering with a local school in Mason's hometown, as well as Habitat for Humanity (both in Cleveland and in Guatemala)!

One highlight of the the year is that Rotary of Chagrin Valley chose us as a recipient of their fall fundraiser.  What an amazing night of celebrating Guatemala!  Rotary's incredible event completely funded the new kitchen at the local school.  This year also brought a bit of "paperwork success" as well - the IRS has officially approved us as a 501(c)(3)!

We are thankful for each one of you and every single penny you have entrusted to us to use for good.  Many of you have said to me - "Keep going forward, you are following your h(e)arts".  I agree with that & our prayer is that God is actually leading our hearts to where He wants us to work.

Please take a moment to scroll and look at all YOU have helped accomplish in 2017! Scroll through the "Impact" tab on our webpage!
And then learn about what our next steps are for 2018...

Salud,
Andy, Megan & Mason Hart

Please prayerfully consider partnering with us in 2018.  Make a year-end donation right now!

Merry Christmas from the Harts

Reflections...

"For I know the plans I have for you - declares the Lord - plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Jeremiah 29:11

2016

What a year for our family both here and in Guatemala! Setting out on this journey last summer, I had no real idea that it was going to lead us to this endeavor.  Jumping into this mission feels much like jumping off a cliff (or for me more like surfing - I wanted to try it, I did it, I loved it, but was still waiting for a shark to eat me)!  It is daunting, exciting, hopeful, and scary all at the same time.  In our family, life and spiritual lessons are experienced daily & are something we stumble over or celebrate (or a combo of both) as we work to discern our path. 

I admit, we made and continue to make mistakes and have a few successes as well - but my hope and prayer is that God will take all our humanness and use all the mistakes and successes for good and for His purpose.  I do know that I may never see the full effects of this work in fruition - but i know that many seeds are planted and I can already see the start of some sprouts beginning to grow! 

Jeremiah 29:11 is a favorite verse of mine that brings much comfort to me, both in highs and lows in my life.  The promise that God "has got this"!  Does he allow us to suffer, make mistakes, see the hurt in the world that breaks His heart too?  Yes! Yes - He does - but it is not because He is a mean spirited God - it is the world that is evil - and we are challenged to lean into Him with our own free choice - to choose Him, like He chooses us.  Every day.

Our path to each other, our family, our careers, our faith, and into this mission work, has never been a straight path for the H(e)art family -  it has dramatic twists and turns, highs and lows, and has taken a tremendous amount of faith and perseverance to get to where we are today!  This faith has only grown with each of these changes in direction.  Looking back, I can clearly see all those roads we traveled, got lost on, flat tires, missed flights, have led us to this exact place and all the right characters have showed up to help along this path - some for a short time, and some for a longer time - but all vital.  This is not accidental, it is providential.

In 2017, we will continue moving forward with a clearer vision and a hopeful path for H(e)arts 4 Guatemala!  We are looking to partner with other non-profits currently working in Guatemala to help sponsor projects in the area of Chiquimula.  We have also begun filing official paperwork for non-profit status so soon your generous gifts will be tax deductible!

Grateful, Thankful, Blessed...

In this week of Thanksgiving - it is easier to count our blessings and be mindful of the important things in life we most appreciate! Thanksgiving weekend in the US is where families gather and feast, pray, play games, relax, and reconnect - occasionally a little arguing as well - but that is also a family tradition.  It is not lost on me celebrating this holiday is a luxury - and one that bring great joys to many!

We have so much opportunity in this country to achieve our dreams, and that is one thing I am most thankful for this year - the ability to dream up a way to help and the fact that many of you jumped right on board with our crazy idea!  Our numbers are small but our influence has been great!  We have not made a huge difference to many people so far, but the people that we have impacted has been remarkable!

• Many children will now be able to go to school all year!
• An alley of 25 people have access to clean, safe, sanitary, and running water.
• Garbage service and electricity has been restored at 2 locations.
• A small orange cart business is thriving
• The tortilla shop can sell more tortillas
• Pride shining in these families h(e)arts is an impact beyond measure

The real impact that I see is not in the work that we have done in Guatemala - to me, that is the bonus work.  The real impact is the change in people's h(e)arts here at home.  The willingness of families here to sponsor families that are 1000s of miles away because of a connection to our family.

I see - Generosity that is overwhelming at times, children here understanding that life outside the bubble exists, the notion that "every penny counts" and it does!  Impacting people's h(e)arts and their vision for making a difference in this world is the true impact that I value.  By giving - we have learned much more than we have provided and for that I am truly grateful and humbled...