I hope that this newsletter finds you well. I am writing to tell you of both the troubles and joys of our work in Haiti. At this time of year, with as much turmoil as the Haitians are facing, we should all be thankful for having our basic needs covered—most of us have so much more than that.
I have just returned from a couple of weeks in Bohoc. The country is still, after several months, more or less in a lock down. This means the transportation of food has come to a standstill and many places are faced with insanely high food prices. By now most of you will understand that the Haitians cannot fall back on savings and are now able to eat just a few times per week—if that. Compared to last spring, the rice prices in town are up 300% and fuel as much as 500%. Taking a motorcycle to town is so expensive that most local traffic has come to a halt.
It has severely affected our operations as well. Just the last food transport from Croix-de Bouquets took us three tries to accomplish. The first two times the road was blocked close to the destination, and the truck had to return without food. It is so frustrating and every time that happens, we lose $500.
Thankfully, we did receive a generous supply from the Midwest Food Bank. We have enough to cover a few months if the local market were to dry up. At the same time the needs are so staggering. Just the other day we visited a family some three miles away from the orphanage—a pregnant mother, a husband without a job, and six children. They live in a tiny little house made of branches and dirt, and their belongings fit in two buckets. No food! It left me speechless and in tears. Another four families, not too far from there, were pretty much in the same situation. No food!
Thankfully, although temporary, we were able to make some improvements to their situations.
Depending on which statistics you believe, the country currently has three and a half to eight million people who are severely food insecure. These are just fancy words for crazy hungry and unsure when to expect their next meal. For some it might be tomorrow, for many it may be in a few days.
The roads are currently unsafe for travel; luckily, we have been able to come and go through the Pignon airport. The road problems are caused largely by groups of young, unemployed and uneducated men who are easy targets for politicians in the opposition. These men agree to mobilize for a meal or a couple of dollars. The politicians use them to get their way and try to make the current president give up his position.
Thankfully, our area of the countryside has rarely been affected by these movements directly. Only its effect on the food supply becomes a major issue. There is no telling how long this situation will last, though it is clear that the people need a resolution soon.
Despite all this tragedy, there are things for which to be thankful. I would like to share those with you.
Our children are doing very well. As you can see, Djoudmika, our youngest found some stickers!
They have not missed a day in our school yet—while most of the schools in the country have been closed since the beginning of the summer vacation. So far, the bulk of the Haitian students have missed 50 days of school. We have stayed open! For the teachers among you, imagine the setback of not having school for a total of 5 months!
We were able to do a medical check for the children since Lala was able to fly in and come to Bohoc. Thankfully, there were only a few minor problems. Thanks be to God.
In addition, we have been able to feed not only the 33 children in the orphanage plus the staff and their dependents, but also, without interruption, the 1150 children in the feeding centers. What a blessing! We also continue to feed some 50 to 60 students in the school as well as the teachers and staff. This means so much! Children should be able to grow up without the stress of hunger wherever they are in this world. I am so thankful that you agree with and support this mission!
Our responsibility on God’s earth is not limited to the borders of countries. Last week, when I watched a mother hen hide her chicks under her wings in the courtyard, I was reminded that God shows us these things to guide us in our actions—to be an example of his unconditional love. The parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30) shows how we have been given, all at our own level, a choice: to make this world a better place or to just leave it and throw up our hands and give the problems back to God.
Now more than ever we need your prayers and support for the people of Haiti.
In the future, we would like you to consider coming to Bohoc and to help us with the education or medical care for the many entrusted to us. The current problems are great, but we have been able to continue our work flying in on Mission Flights International to Pignon. If you feel called to come help, please let me know, and we’ll plan you in.
We have made some great advances despite these difficult times. We just recently flushed the first toilet in the Matthew 28 courtyard! This is no joke! We are moving up in the world, be it slowly, and I hope to go back soon to finish it all.
Below: Berlinda making the First Flush!
Below: Kerby and Tenor "Watching papa putting in the new toilet"
We are currently looking to fund several exciting projects that would greatly increase the quality of life at the orphanage. Solar Electricity. We have dealt long enough with the unreliable power from the state and need to move on to greener ways by installing solar panels. A Well for the School. We need to drill a well on the school property. We have spent too much time and resources trying to keep the water flow going but enough is enough. The plan is to drill a well, close in the water tower, and to make a secure room for the well and a generator. Water Purification System. We are also going to install a water purification system to provide the school with ample potable water. Currently, our guards walk two miles every day with a wheel barrel of drinking water. Classrooms and Library. In May, we plan to construct two more classrooms and a library.
Finally, I must share with you the importance of being there for the children and, believe it or not, even more for the adults. They surely know what is going on in the country and, although it has not yet been a problem in our area, they realize that, due to the current political climate, many missionaries are choosing not to return to Haiti. In many of the conversations I have had these past weeks, the Haitians have expressed their fear that we all would be leaving them. They are a very vulnerable people and we need to stand by them as we have in all the years up to now. This is what I talked about when I told the more than 150 of you who came with me to Bohoc that your life would be forever changed. We are counting on you!
Thank you for the love you expressed in your support for our work,
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