Friends of Haiti,
We are in that time of the year when all the kids are out of school and, if they are older, helping do things at home. Here in the US, you know what kids do – go to the pool, on vacation, sit around the house playing games or using their phone. Those of us who have grandkids know they use their phone for everything.
In Haiti it is a much different world. There are phones and iPhones, but those are just for what they call bourgeoisie (French), moun rich (Creole), or what we call rich. Flip phones, which Steve likes, are still the main phone there and the cheapest.
The phone company Digicel has connected Haiti to the world and brought country wide Internet there as well. By bringing this technology to the country, it also bought many jobs to the country. People sell the cards for those phones (and in many case, the phones themselves) on almost every busy street corner and in almost every town. Those who have laptops can buy a plug-in and anywhere they have a signal, they have access to the Internet. Of course there are few in the villages who have laptops.
We bought two refurbished laptops for those who work with us; we stay in touch as we would never have thought possible a few years ago. Beaubrun and Steve email back and forth almost every night. When sending money, we text the transaction number to Beaubrun. He goes to Western Union and Steve can watch it happen online. Then Beaubrun will text back telling us he picked up the money, just so we know it was him. Just a few years ago it took weeks to do what it takes minutes to do now.
Of course, as with anything we do, even this would not be possible without your involvement and help. The end of 2016 will mark 22 years since our first trip to Haiti, and only God knows how many you have helped spiritually, medically, educationally, or nutritionally in that time. Terry and I can never repay your kindness or the blessings you have provided for others. We wish you a great Fourth of July. God Bless America!
Serving HIM,
Steve and Terry
By the way…. several got on me for not saying anything about Terry last month…sorry! She is doing better. The change in medicine has helped the pain and some days, some, she feels much better. Some days, she hurts a lot and not very good at all. She hasn’t had a respiratory infection in several weeks and we are holding our breath on that. By the time you read this she will gone back for more shots and a checkup.
Shirlene is one of our teachers. She has worked with us for almost five years and lives in Caberet, north of Port Au Prince. Shirlene makes $50 a month (USD). If you remember the price list we sent last month you can kind of see what it takes for her to live and support herself and Kim.
