Author: bryan@bmeyers.net (Page 56 of 101)

Hi everyone,

Terry and I hope everyone had a great Christmas and a good holiday season. We did, but with some of our family several miles away we can only thank Apple for Facetime and being able to see them that way.

This time of the year our thoughts are always on Steve’s first trip to Haiti, since he was gone during the holiday season. That was 22 years ago (hard to believe). At the time, we were not considering anything like we have been doing in the time since.  We would like to think we have another 22 years, but we feel it’s best to take it one year at a time; we certainly are looking forward to our 23rd.

On a personal note, all the blood tests done on Terry during December were good to fair; fair being in the normal but low normal range. The most important tests show there are still no detectable cancer cells. We are almost at the 2-year mark since the transplant, so that is very good news. These tests will be redone in March.

In March, she may have an implant placed in her lower back, attached to the nerves in her spine that will help or stop the pain she has in her legs and feet. If that works, she will be “weaned” off all the medicine, including pain medicine, which will help in several different areas. The pills are also affecting her memory, so we are looking forward to not having to take them.

On Haiti, Lutheran World Relief published their 2017 Early Warning Forecast,  a paper on some of the countries facing a crisis during 2017. Haiti is number 6 on their list, with Syria and Northern Iraq being first for the obvious reason. Word for word on Haiti from the report:

Hurricane Matthew hit Haiti on October 4, 2016, killing hundreds, DESTROYING TENS OF THOUSANDS OF HOMES and ruining life-sustaining crops. It was a tragic setback for a country that was still recovering from the January 2010 earthquake. As the rebuilding commences, the international humanitarian community faces an opportunity to make lasting progress in building resilience and reducing poverty. Failure to do so will reinforce a tragic pattern in Haiti: when disaster hits, aid pours in, but provides largely unsustainable, short-term relief. In the coming months, cholera will continue to be a threat. The loss of crops and livestock may lead to food shortages or a spike in prices, and a hunger crisis is a looming possibility. People who already lived in abject poverty have been left with little to no food to eat, because their minimal stocks and seed sources were destroyed.

So, our work is cut out for us. As in years past, we know God will provide through those who help us, to help them. Terry and I thank you for that help and for all your prayers during the past 22 years and especially this last year. Our prayer is that 2017 will be very good to all of you.

Steve and Terry

Hi everyone,

Terry and I hope all of you had a great Thanksgiving. Ours was a little more subdued than usual, being away from part of the family, and with Terry just getting over one respiratory infection and going into another.

Still, there is a lot we have to be thankful for —the undying love of God, family and friends, and the fact you continue to offer prayers and financial help for our friends in Haiti. The help received in the aftermath of the hurricane has been great. To date almost $12,000 has been received; this goes to supplement existing programs to serve others who are coming to eat in addition to the school children. Thanksgiving isn’t celebrated in Haiti, but if it were this would be one of the things they would be very thankful for.

Haiti’s presidential election finally took place and with very few problems. The biggest one was that people in the areas hit hardest by the hurricane had to travel long distances to find a place to vote. Everything is hand counted so there are no results yet. One person needs at least fifty percent of the vote or there will be a run-off election between the top candidates in January.

We are consolidating two of our schools — one which we have always called Joe’s school and the other the school just across “the bridge” we talked about after the hurricane. It is operated by Prophet (his first name) Remy, who several of you know. He has worked with us for years. In fact, his wife is a nurse who worked with Steve when he first began doing clinic in Port Au Prince in 1998. Combining the schools will make it much easier for most of the kids from Joe’s school. It will also eliminate the need to pay someone we don’t know almost $2000 a year for rental and even more for repairs.

The year 2016 ends our 22nd year working in Haiti. It has gone by so quickly but at the same time it seems we still have much to do. We don’t think that feeling will ever go away, though. Another feeling is the one of thanks for all of you who do all the things you do and give — vitamins, cough and cold medicine, belly bands, bottles, VBS offerings, monthly or yearly giving, time and prayers. These things and more make it all work and we are so thankful God directed our paths to cross.

Merry Christmas, we love you.

Steve & Terry

P.S. Terry’s next “big” appointment is December 8. Everything will be checked along with all blood levels. I know she appreciates everyone’s prayers.