Friends of Haiti,

Just as summer arrived, it seems it is gone…or most of it. Some of the schools in Haiti went through the third week of June and now they are already preparing to open for the new school year.

We want to introduce you to one of the students in our system. Mya is a girl some of you will remember or know. We met Mya a little over 14 years ago, when she was just three or four days old. She was one of two girls born to a Mother who died shortly after giving birth. The other girl died at six weeks old. The woman who is pictured brought Mya to our clinic, and said she would care for her but would need some help.

Our oldest son Joe, was the youth pastor at a church in Macon, Missouri, and they began giving a monthly offering for her. When he moved to Wentzville, the youth there started helping her and continue giving each month. To say youth groups have made a difference in her life is very much an understatement. We have no idea what would have happened to her if not for them helping.
The ministry has provided for her health care but the youth groups have supplied everything else, including, one time, paying their rent for a year ($300).

Mya is a beautiful 14-year-old girl, born just weeks before two of our granddaughters, so her birth date is very easy to remember, Each time we see her, we think of them and can’t wait for next summer when they will meet.

You too have helped Mya in your giving to the schools, feeding program, vitamins, or general giving. It has all helped children like Mya and now Kimberly (pictured with them) and countless others to grow into healthy young men and women. We and they can never thank you enough for all you do.

Serving HIM together,

Steve and Terry

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.