Typical Haitian school children!
The arrival of the second week of September meant that another year of school started for some…the ones that are privileged enough to go, that is. Families have to scrape the first payment together. Many will not be able to pay subsequent payments, so the schools know this and make the first payment a lot more than the rest. The other kids sit in their houses and watch the lucky ones leave for school each morning. They cry, they don’t look forward to another long day with nothing to do or another long day of helping out in the fields.
In Haiti, there isn’t education for all. Only for those whose parents have a job (80% are unemployed) or those that are fortunate enough to have their education sponsored by someone outside Haiti. With luck, a family will be able to get enough money together to send one of their children to school. They are banking on that child doing well and then helping the rest of the family in the future. Without major governmental change, this is the situation that most families find themselves in…and it is not going to change soon without God’s help.
Our yardman and his wife (our cleaning/laundry lady) with two of their kids in their school uniforms. All our workers kids are privileged to have sponsors.
Many parents come to the missionaries (“the white distraction”) to ask if we will pay for their children’s tuition, books, uniforms, shoes, book bags…why not just ask and see? Some only see us as $$$. We pray for patience and wisdom to respond appropriately every time, every day we get hit up. And what we have learned in getting all our wisdom? 1) Stay in the States on furlough until the last possible minute before school starts. 2) Keep promoting child sponsorship whenever possible.
These aren’t your typical school kids! They are Jean’s children (our office manager at Child Care).
Sponsoring even one child makes a huge difference for that child! Who can put a price on an education or being able to read the Bible? Costs start at $30 per month and increase some depending on the education level. If God has been speaking to you about sponsoring a child, please go to this link for more information: http://www.acworldrelief.org/sponsorships/
“And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.”
The last part of Colossians 3:23 has really stood out a lot lately. We do love being here and we are happy to help where we can, but we are learning that desperate people aren’t always thankful people. But who are we trying to please? The Lord reminded us – that we must do it heartily unto Him, not men! And how would we handle ourselves if we were in their situation? Always thankful? How did Jesus feel when the crowds pressed around him? Did they love him and His words or did they just want his healing? The Bible says he had compassion on them after all.
This month the back porch at Child Care has turned into three dental check-up/teeth cleaning stations!
Our Update! Grace loves her new 4th grade class and her teacher, Mrs. Ferris, at the Cite Lumiere Christian School. The 4th graders share the room with the 5th graders so she enjoys having most of her friends in one room! Trinity has resumed her home school studies her junior year, Grant is entering his junior year of college, and Evan is deep in his last year of nursing school already!
Grace’s 4th grade teacher, Mrs. Ferris, lives nearby us. Grace will have her two years.
Trinity’s Junior photo
Grant, taking a break from school, to help babysit Bessakina, our cook’s baby!
The farewell potluck at Bonne Fin for the Hartzler’s!
Saying good-bye to a special family, Eric & Jami Hartzler and kids (the girls are not in the photo).
Sharing a meal with lots of locals and visitors after the English service at our home this month!
His Heart for Haiti 