Happy New Year, everyone – Welcome to a new decade!
Without a doubt, 2019 was one of our most challenging years, personally and with the ministry.
The problems in Haiti continue into the new year. It seems there are always political problems, but these are like none we have ever seen. They just aren’t going away until their president does. Prices there are still so high it’s hard for anyone who has a little money, much less someone who has nothing. One of our challenges was keeping the nutrition programs operating. Fortunately, those churches who sponsor each program, gave more, and individuals gave for it as well, so even with increases — although it was close — we did not miss a day. Obviously going into 2020 those problems remain.
Your giving throughout the year gives us the means to do it. For example, our friends in Arkansas give first during the year, usually in May. That money is budgeted for the next year for that particular program. Then another in August, and in September four different churches give for “their” program, and so on. With giving at different times each year, each program runs out at different times.
All of the beans and rice are bought from the same woman each year (Beaubruns’s aunt). She cuts us a break on prices because we give her all our business. It’s the same with school uniforms — we buy the material and use the same women to make them each year. In fact, we bought them their sewing machines and they have their own businesses. The money to buy their machines was also a gift.
January 12 is the 10th anniversary of the 2010 earthquake; there are few days go by without that on our mind. There is a whole generation of children in Haiti, growing up without parents. Just in time for this anniversary, the University of Birmingham and Sabine Lee report that UN peacekeeperspeacekeepers, charged with protecting the population, have fathered hundreds of babies with local women. The women and girls (some as young as 11) reportedly were promised either money, food, or both. Haitian men also participate in this inexcusable behavior. It would be great to be able to establish a program to help these young mothers.
On a personal note, Terry is now on an every-other-week treatment plan. The number the doctors watch has dropped dramatically over the past six weeks — so the treatment seems to be working. On January 9th we choose from a schedule of transplant dates. Then, if her health stays good — no colds, etc. — the transplant should take place early to mid February.
Going into a new decade and a new year, we are so thankful for the help all of you provided us and our friends in Haiti during 2019. Terry and I hope you know just how much of a difference you make in the life of a child every single day. When they go to school, take a vitamin, eat a meal, or learn how to spell a new word, it’s because of you and your concern for the children we serve. Your generosity reminds us of Galatians 5:6b: “The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.”
Thank you for expressing that love through your giving for our kids in Haiti. We pray 2020 will be very good to you and your families and we are looking forward to What God has planned for the ministry as well.
