December Newsletter

A Bumpy Reminder Jeremiah 29:11-14 “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord.  “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.  In those days when you pray, I will listen.  If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.  I will be found by you,” says the Lord.  “I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes.  I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land.” Well, this verse about sums up my last trip to Haiti.  The end. Just kidding! As I’ve been reflecting on my trip a few weeks ago, I keep summarizing it as “bumpy”.  Followed quickly with, “a lot of really great things happened, though.” I’d like to start by telling you about some of the really great things. We were able to bring 5 more music stands, and a music stand rack down for the GlobalFingerprints music program.  In addition to that, we brought a guitar (donated by Megan Rickenbach) and some guitar and bass guitar method books. The music classes that are part of the professional school have started, and we were privileged to have the opportunity to observe the instrumental music class that is learning recorder.  The other class will be learning piano and guitar.  Andy and I brought down a clarinet and a trumpet and played along with the students during the class time. We had time to meet with Adelcon, the GlobalFingerprints manager and also the instrumental music teacher, to talk about the music class.  We talked through his long-term plans and when he would like to start introducing other instruments.  He said they are working to build some storage space and gave me the go-ahead to start collecting whatever wind instruments I can find for the program. We were blessed with the opportunity to meet the two children that we sponsor through the program.  It was wonderful to have time to sit with them and color, meet their families, sing and pray for them.  It’s a nice thing to think about helping a child in some poor country far away, it’s a totally different story to meet them face-to-face and hear about the difference your sponsorship is making in their life, and the life of their families. Some of the bumpy things we went through were scary and frustrating, but ultimately they proved just how closely God was watching us, and protecting us.  I am thankful for all of the prayers that were lifted up on our behalf.  Thank you. The bumpier parts of the trip included the accident we were in on the day we arrived (I wrote about that in a previous blog post if you’d like to read about it).  The rest of the week was filled with small frustrations; a theft, a staffing issue, more car damage issues, etc.  The final frustration from this trip is that all my dirty clothes were stolen from my suitcase after it was checked in at the airport.  I don’t know who took them, or why.  I just pray that whoever has them really needed them.  I had travel insurance and am hopeful that I can recoup some of the loss and replace some of clothing I lost. The greatest joy of this particular trip is that I got to share it with Andy.  It was such a blessing to have him join me in Haiti.  It was fun for me to introduce him to my friends and colleagues.

Don't Stop Praying!!

Don't Stop Praying!! Thank you for praying for us, please keep it up. We are safe, and we are ok. Our van was involved in an accident today on the way from the airport in Port-au-Prince to the guesthouse in Gressier. We are safe, and we are ok, but at least one person lost their life. The driving in Haiti is crazy and to be quite honest, I’m surprised we haven’t been in an accident before.  Today, there was a vehicle parked in the middle of the road, headed in the opposite direction we were going.  Our very skilled, and capable driver, Miguel, slowed down to allow an elderly man with a walker and his adult son cross the road.  I think their plan was to load the vehicle in the middle of a VERY busy road.  We were not even passed this vehicle yet when a huge dump truck coming in the same direction of the parked car swung around to pass the car with no sign of breaking. Miguel saw what was coming and veered right just in time.  The dump truck barreled between our car, and the parked car.  He hit our rear end, knocking off the protective cage and cutting a huge gash into the side of the van.  At the same time, he hit the other car, pushing the open door fully back in the opposite direction and hitting the elder man, killing him.  I saw two pair of feet laying at the front of their vehicle and then didn’t turn around again.  I’m sure someone else was also hurt, but I know the elderly man died.  Then the giant dump truck just drove away. I was less than 10 feel away from a Haitian man that was killed today.  And yet, God protected us, and I am sitting here physically unharmed.   Please pray for this man’s family as they work through this sudden, tragic loss. Thank you for praying for us, please keep it up. We are safe, and we are ok. Please don't share this story with our children if you see them this week.  We will talk with them when we get home.

November Newsletter

News Flash!

Two weeks ago, I received some very exciting news.  The Haitians have decided to move ahead with the professional school!  If you've been following my story, you know that the Haitians have been very intentional with this process and have been moving along a little slower than I would have liked.
What this new information means, is that they will be finishing off the a classroom space where they will host English, Computer and TWO music classes for children that are sponsored by the program.  The children will be invited to come for free classes offered every weekend.  The hope is that by participating in these classes, they will gain more knowledge and greater skill set to prepare them for more success in adulthood.
The two music classes that will be offered are a piano and guitar/bass class, and a wind instrument class.  The wind instrument class will be taught by my friend, Adelcon.

Travel Plans

My next trip to Haiti is next week, November 11th - 15th.  I am especially excited about this trip for several reasons, but two of the biggest are that Andy is coming with me, and we will get to observe the Haitians teaching the music classes!
Andy's reasons for coming are three fold.  First, I want him to see where I'm working and meet the people I'm working with.  Secondly, he's a music teach and can add another prospective and some insight into building this program.  Third, because there is a small group of students from Edina High School that have voiced interest in coming next May to teach music lessons as a part of their school's May Term program.  Andy will be acting as a scout of sorts for EHS, and for these particular students.  
 

Prayer Requests and Praises

Praises

• For the launching of the professional school.
• For all of the support I've been receiving from various people and organizations while getting this program rolling.
• That Andy is able to come with me next week.

Requests

• Safe travel next week (November 11-15th).  There is a chance that due to the recent elections in Haiti, it will be unsafe for us to travel.  Please pray for peace in Haiti so that Andy and I can go on this trip.
• That our flights will go smoothly and as planned.  
• That we will stay healthy while we're there.  
• That we will have a productive time of planning with the team there.
• For our kids while we are gone.  
• For the GF program as they talk with the young women in the program this weekend (November 7th) about how God created their bodies and the changes they are facing/going through and what that means for them sexually and culturally as women.   

September Newsletter/Annual Report

Happy Anniversary!

I can hardly believe it has been one year since I started working with GlobalFingerprints.  In this newsletter, I'd like to give you a sort of annual report: highlights, goals for the next year, a note from my boss, and a financial snap shot.  Thanks for sticking with me!

Highlights

Travel/Spiritual Development

In the last year I have traveled to Haiti three times.  Each time I was there, I it was clear that this is exactly what God wants me to be doing at this stage of my life.  His provision and protection through a variety of situations has caused me to increase in faith and trust.  It's such a blessing to me.

Relationships

I am growing in my speaking and understanding of Creole which has allowed me to start building relationships with my Haitian co-workers/friends.

Progress

I love to building things/programs and watch them grow.  I have really enjoyed watching the music program in Haiti starting to take shape, and the interest and investment it's getting from others in the music education community.

Goals for the Next Year

In the next year, I would like to travel three or four times.  I would like to build on the musical master classes I started in July, expanding them to become more like a music class that can eventually be taught by the Haitian supervisors.  I would like to expand the variety of instruments included in this music class.  I would like to streamline the communication process for those that sponsor children in our program.

A Progress Report from My Boss

I don’t know if you can fully comprehend the level of joy on their faces.   Some 40 Globalfingerprints’ leaders and children, all learning for the very first time how to read music, how to play the recorder, how to make music together.  A year ago the idea of such a MusicCamp for these children was only a dream; last week Lynn Richter orchestrated (literally) this event from start to finish.  And her/our long-term goal for this music program has just begun.  That’s why I want to ask you personally to consider giving toward Lynn’s financial support.  In the last year she’s made 3 trips to Haiti, set the groundwork for an entire music program, organized last week’s MusicCamp and even taken on the coordination of our child-sponsor communication.  Her role is expanding, her influence growing, her impact multiplying.  Any investment in her support is in reality an incredible investment in the lives of these 286 kids! 

Financial Snap Shot

A year ago, I was working to build my financial support.  It was my goal to raise just over $3,000.00 in start-up costs plus $1,609.00 per month for 24 months.  I met that goal at about 97% last September and was approved to move forward and start “working”. 

Below is a snap shot of my monthly support income.  You can see that there is some variance from month to month, but over all, each month I fall short of that $1,609.00 mark. 

I am half way through my 24-month commitment with GlobalFingerprints.  As I move forward into the next year, I will need to make a decision about working with them in the future.  If I move forward, which I think I will do, I will need to secure long-term financial support.

08/15	07/15	06/15	05/15	4/15	3/15	2/15	1/15	12/14	11/14	10/14
$1,265	$1,440	$1,410	$2,390	$1,590	$1,290	$1,240	$1,390	$1,540	$1,430	$2,010

Would you please start to prayerfully consider your part in this?  If you feel so moved to help cover the immediate difference for the next 12 months, you can donate here (you will need to designate Richter – 2047).  If not, please pray that God would provide the difference.  Also, please know that in the next 6 to 9 months, I will be asking you to join my team long term.

Prayer Requests and Praises

Praises

• For God's faithfulness and blessing in all of the changes of the last year.
• For good health for my family and me.
• For a team of faithful supporters for me during this journey.
• That we had a productive time of planning with our entire team (International GF Meetings Sept 14-17).

Requests 

• That God will provide the financial resources I need to continue in this ministry.
• For safety and protection for Andy and I on our trip in November (11th-15th) and that God would supply the financial resources he needs to fund his trip.
• For wisdom in each situation I face while serving the Lord, both in Haiti with GlobalFingerprints, and at church.