It is a blessing and a privilege to serve in Haiti, but it can also be a bit of an adjustment every time we return. What will we face? Storms or drought? Peace or lots of unrest with the prolonged presidential elections? Thankfully, we always find God is with us and He never changes. Great is Your Faithfulness!

School started last week for Grace at the missionary school as well as for all the Haitian kids. The first week of September is typically when school starts, but it doesn’t mean everyone is actually prepared! Because a Haitian child cannot attend school without a uniform or books, this is often a very difficult and stressful time for families. The difficulty isn’t limited to only those paying their own way…inflation has increased so much that even sponsored children struggle obtaining the needed items.

Since our return we have been busy helping Ricardine and Malaika order their uniforms and getting all their necessary school supplies. A week after we arrived they finally were ready to go! This was so good for us to experience…how one has to barter for every item in the marketplace, how one has to purchase the uniform material and contract with a tailor to sew them.

Getting Ricardine’s books was another event! It was quite an experience to be out in the beastly hot sun and chaotic market stalls all afternoon haggling over everything! One time we experienced such a mob of people in the street that we couldn’t move! And motorcyclists were trying to get through at the same time. “Let’s get out of here!” were our thoughts.

Sponsored kids are lined up at the Haiti Child Care office (where we work) getting their checks to go buy the needed items…or seeing how far they can stretch it at least. While they sit there waiting it is really a harvest field to give gospel tracts and speak to them about the gospel! They are served a hot meal of rice and beans while they wait. Next, they line up to receive health kits and school kits that are packed all year across the U.S. and distributed at this time. These are a great blessing to the families! Thanks to everyone who gives in any way…it is greatly appreciated here!

We are looking forward to upcoming school visits to make reports on existing schools and take information for new schools that will soon be available to sponsor. We are looking forward to getting out into the country, sharing the gospel and teaching God’s Word wherever we go, and then the upcoming cooler weather!