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.