We returned to the property at Mission Haiti on December 31. The first morning we woke up in our house in
Haiti was January 1, 2015, what a way to start a new year!
Our trip from US to Haiti went pretty well, just a few minor
glitches along the way, always good to reach the property after a few flights
and overnight stay in Miami.
We returned with a team made up of 5 people representing
Docutap company out of Sioux Falls, along with 3 others; Kim Brands (a dear
friend of our family,) Gene Vande Griend
(an acquaintance of a few of ours through a MH board member,) and Heidi
DeWall (a Dordt College student who was looking to potentially teach at the new
Christian Academy.)
The first few days on the property were a bit of a blur with
making sure our team was well taken care of, as well as our own family finding
a rhythm again. The girls did so well in
this adjustment time because they had to only become reacquainted with friends
instead of establish relationships (as we pulled onto the property they all
literally squealed with excitement to see their friends). They also enjoyed just simply doing and
seeing all that is so different in this country in comparison to where they had
just been.
Our first week was spent showing the team what they wanted
to see in regards to many areas of the ministry here. We also enjoyed just “doing life”
together. Our friend Kim was such a
blessing to us as she is a familiar face from the states that we loved being able
to share what our world here looks like.
I will add that having a friend around to simply chat with during
laundry duty or after the girls went to bed was also a huge bright spot in my
adjusting to life here again!!!
After we said goodbye to the team, the next few days were
lots of meetings and just getting caught up to speed with the ministry of
Mission Haiti. Great things are in store
for the ministry both here and what is happening on the US side of things, so
right now communication and accountability have been the two biggest buzzwords.
Some of the other things going on in the ministry right now
are 3 constructions projects (Christian academy, block plant, and just this
morning new housing on our property for American teachers began.) School
sponsorship for the 15-16 school year is underway, headed up by Bethany Perissian. Paul Perissian continues his contact with the
schools MH supports each day, in hopes of seeing a continued greater standard
for education to take hold. And plans
are continually being considered for
ways we as a ministry can maintain or improve our relationships with all whom
MH deals with; from those who work on the property, to those who live in the
surrounding villages, and all of our supporters in America.
A couple other big changes that have come about are that of
our office manager in Amercia, Tate, has decided to step away from MH and
pursue his desire to go back to school for nursing. His role in the ministry is so valuable and
his tireless work ethic and integrity will be greatly missed, but we pray a
blessing on this next chapter for him.
Our team in Haiti will also experience some change as Pam, our
Exectutive Director, is taking some time off to be with her family, as well as
spending a few months at a Bible school in Africa. She too will be greatly missed, and it is our
prayer for her as well that God blesses this time in her life.
So with these big changes, I will say it again, things have
been busy. Busy in preparation for
hiring personnel to fill Tate’s position, as well as preparing ourselves here
in Haiti to function well without Pam here for a bit, and in the day-to-day
life here on the property. Prayers again
are welcome for this season of change within MH to be fruitful in every part of
the ministry.
We want to thank you for the prayers that have been said on
our family’s behalf as we have again transitioned to life in Haiti. Two weeks ago the Mulder family had to lay to
rest Tim’s grandfather, Rolly Mulder. It
is times like these that it makes being far away difficult. Aubrey commented to me that it seemed whenever
we are in Haiti, bad things happen in America.
This makes our hearts hurt as parents, but also gives us a huge
responsibility and opportunity to explain some pretty big perspective topics
with our girls. We are thankful we are
here, we know our time and abilities are being used, and we will continue to
listen and see those God puts in front of us wherever we are.
Thanks for reading this summery of our time thus far. I hope in the weeks to come to share more
about specific stories and examples of life here.
