The last two weeks we have been experimenting with a weekly update type email to the many many people who support our work here. There are certainly emails of people who are interested in getting this update who are not on our email list, so if you would like to receive it and you have not yet, send us a quick email and we will add you to the list!
gerrittvw@hotmail.com and julievw@hotmail.com
Here are our first two examples......
Hi everyone, Oct.
7, 2012
So it’s been
10 months now since Julie and I got down here to Haiti. While we were the ones
to actually pick up and go, it takes a whole lot more people than just us to
make it happen. You are receiving this email because you have played an
integral part in our being able to serve here. In 10 months we have learned
LOTS of things. Some things we are really proud of, and some things we wish we
did better. One thing we wish we did better was communicate more often and more
meaningfully with those who have given and done so much to allow us to be on
this adventure. This email will be the first in what we are hoping will be a
weekly occurrence. Nothing too big or profound, just a regular communication of
the weekly high points and low points as we live out daily our passion for
serving in Haiti. If for any reason you do not wish to receive these
mini-updates just let us know, and if you can think of someone who would be
interested in receiving them, just have them email us.
So the big event from this last week was the
start of school for both the secondary school girls (in blue) and the
primary school girls (in red). The transition from summer fun to school
year discipline has been difficult for some of the girls to accept. Pray
they are diligent in their studies.
 
We had a quiet week here at the guesthouse
which allowed us to tackle a couple of cleaning projects, and restock the
house. Plus, we got a “pool day” getaway, and a chance to go to a cook out
gathering and meet new people in our area. Much needed time reenergizing
and socializing.
Gerritt also made a trip to Leogane (small city
about 90 minutes from PAP) with Nancy Turner (one of Haiti Under God’s
board members) to meet with a pastor who runs an orphanage with 110
children and needs help repairing the security wall after tropical storm
Isaac blew a portion of it down.
Tomorrow a team of 17 people arrive for the
week working at another orphanage in the neighborhood. They are returning
guests and a great group we enjoy having at the house. We also get a substitute
head cook tomorrow as Sophie officially begins her maternity leave. (she is
due in two weeks or so with baby #2)
Next week we add a “weekly spotlight” on one of
the girls so you can get to know them better
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FOR MR. BROWN FANS
Mr Brown (our
4-legged security guard) seems to have a bunch of fans out there. Yesterday he
got his monthly bath and is looking (and smelling) much better. He sends his
regards.
We love you
all and miss you a whole lot, but please know that we are still so thoroughly
convinced that this is exactly where we are supposed to be. Thanks to each of
you for your partnership.
Gerritt and Julie
Hi everyone, Oct.
14, 2012
Well the team
of 17 went back to the states this morning, and we need to say a big thank you
to Geoff VanBerkel for bringing down such a great team from Michigan to work at
the HIS Home for Children orphanages nearby. No news from Sophie yet on the new
baby arriving, but Madame Serge, her sister, is doing a fantastic job as a
substitute, and having 17 houseguests her first week solo was no problem for
her. The team spent 15 minutes at dinner Saturday night thanking her and Louise
for all their work and even singing a blessing for them! We had some
interesting difficulties with EDH – the local electric utility – getting our
payments recognized, and we ended up getting our service disconnected, but
Bossman Emil rode to the rescue on his moto and not only reconnected the power
lines, he cleared up everything with the utility bills too!
This is Camsuze. She is 10 years old and one of
our “five little ones”. But whatever she lacks in size she more than makes
up for with spirit and energy. This
girl is the definition of spitfire. Sometimes Camsuze has a little trouble
maintaining self-discipline and her curiosity gets her into trouble
occasionally. She can be so strong and tough that it’s easy to forget she
is 10 years old, and still a little girl who will cry when her feelings get
hurt. Camsuze has a fierce sense of justice and will complain vigorously if
she feels she is being treated unfairly.
Camsuze does above average in school but as you
can imagine from one of our most active girls it is hard to get her to sit
still long enough to get her homework finished and done well. We are
working on being neater with our homework and getting it done right the first
time so she can go play as soon as it is finished. Getting a turn playing
Angry Birds on the iPod touch is a big motivator for her. (that’s Zwazo Fache
in Creole)
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This next
week we have “only” 3 guests in house and are hoping to get back out to Leogane
to check back in with Pastor Jean-Claude ( he runs an orphanage with 110 boys
and girls!) who Westgate Church is helping rebuild/repair his security wall
which was damaged in TS Isaac.
The girls’
home is in the process of officially registering with the Haitian Ministry of
Social Affairs. All the paperwork has been submitted and accepted; now we wait
for one final unannounced inspection of the home. This has been one of our top
priorities since we got here and we are excited to see it come to fruition –
hopefully soon.
We miss you
all, and are so grateful for the partners we have in this ministry.
Gerritt and Julie
