Haiti Update

We are so thankful that things have calmed down in Haiti significantly.  Most roads are open and have been cleaned up, stores are open for business and schools are open.  Our faithful Hope for Kidz team have been going to as many schools as possible to get kids’ pictures and updates.  Everywhere they went they could see the excitement of the kids as they are in school.    Where else do you see kids so happy about school?  Food is being delivered for the Hot Lunch Program and to individual families and several construction projects have been resumed. 

In addition, a Spiritual Leadership Training is being given throughout December for the RMI staff.  It is being taught by Lee Nunemaker and Joslynn Stakes.

We are praying that this period of peace and quiet continues!  It is tenuous but we are cautiously optimistic.  In the meantime, the Lord’s ministry is happening.

In addition to this...Jim and April Starkey have been in Haiti for 3 months.  They were able to paint and get their household set up, making their house their own.  The boys started school at the missionary children’s school while Jim and April started their language lessons.  They are starting to integrate into the ministry even though the country’s political issues have caused RMI to close the office from time to time and they were a bit homebound until things calmed down. 

They experienced their first Thanksgiving in Haiti and enjoyed all the expatriates who gathered for real US turkeys and many dishes from home.  It’s great to have such a large community to share life with.

They’ve decorated and are looking forward to their first Christmas in their new home, too.  While they miss family quite a bit, they are adjusting well to their “new normal”, making new memories and establishing new traditions. 

Some of their family news is that Jim passed his RMI driving test (to drive RMI vehicles) and they’ve adopted a little puppy named Reesie.  April is using her music and worship talents with the mission body and is involved with helping in the Hope for Kidz Program.