Constantino Donatien, known as Pastor Tino, was born in Port-de-Paix, Haiti. As a teenager he moved to the Bahamas, where he began an education in law, which he continued after moving to the United States. Upon completion of his degree, he began working in the court system in San Francisco, California. As Haitian immigrants were arriving by the boatload in Miami, several organizations in Northern California were becoming sponsors. Constantino became the liaison for the Haitians and also became involved in helping those still in Haiti. CONSTANTINO MEETS ESTHER Ester, known as Pastor Sue, grew up in Texas as a young woman with a heart's desire to help those less individuals in need. Even though she was not from a wealthy family, she had been taught to share what she had with others. As a child, her first mission started out with stray cats and dogs. God later transformed that compassionate heart toward people. Moving to California with her family, her desire remained the same — to help others, as God gave her a life-changing experience and instilled in her a desire to serve him. During the following years, she spent her time serving at missions, street meetings and in the parks. She eventually allowed her home to be open to those less fortunate than herself. She became a foster mom, hosted a Christian television program, and was elected honorary probation officer in Alameda County. Ester and her sisters founded and directed a group of Christian homes in the inner city of Oakland for women, with or without children, and for men who had alcohol or drug-abuse problems or were homeless. Ester met and ministered the love of God to Constantino and he heeded the call. God planted a desire in his heart to help others. And thus began the Haitian outreach ministry. MINISTRY BEGINS TOGETHER Later, Constantino and Ester married and began to work together in the Oakland inner city with extended ministry in Haiti. Some of their accomplishments have been to watch the school in Haiti to grow to over 2,000 students. The classes began under a street lamp; but they built a school, bought uniforms, and distributed hundreds of Bibles. Also, the 4 C's elementary school in Port-de-Paix became an adult night school. In order to defray the costs of the Haitian ministry, the Donatiens have been cheerful givers to the cause. In Oakland, California, the Donatiens have helped many people to get on their feet through their ministry in the inner city. Many women have been reunited with their children, and women and men have had job placement assistance. But the most important part is that many have come to accept Christ as their personal Savior and have been rehabilitated as productive individuals in their community. Should individuals or churches wish to invest in this ministry, please designate your gifts to "Haiti" and mail to: Open Your Heart to Haiti P.O. Box 27106 Oakland, CA 94602-9332 Or E-mail us at: missions@openyourheart2haiti.org