Visits to Dr. Marilyn and Gertrude & Updates from Haiti

Looking out the window I see Fritz working on a snowman in the bright sunlight, and know that Eli is enjoying some quiet time sitting in the woods on the old farm.

We received most of our snow on Monday and Tuesday but it remained too cold for the snow to pack which was good as Fritz and I needed to focus on school. We also worked on Newsletters [let us know if you would like to receive one but didn't]. 

Thursday morning Cory and I left with my mom and a couple of cousins and headed to Indiana to visit two dear friends who both served decades on the mission field in Haiti.

First we visited Dr. Marilyn [Aunt Marilyn] and enjoyed visiting and sharing lunch with her. Aunt Marilyn knew my dad before my folks knew each other. We reminisced over memories made both in the USA and in Haiti. 

Then we headed to see 'Aunt' Gertrude. While some of the questions were asked a few times, she remembers her Creole very well and conversed with me with a big smile. At the end of our visit we prayed in Creole together.

Both of these women have many spiritual children in the world whom the testimonies and examples of their lives helped shape as children, teens and adults.

While neither has been able to visit or phone those who love them in Haiti these days, the ripple effect of those they helped mature in the faith continues and will continue until the Lord's return. 

Never underestimate the impact you have on those around you who are watching how you live your life.

Cory talked with employees at Fauche and Delice this week and today. Both areas continue to have good rains. They say robberies remain very common and travel blocked along with food, so prices keep rising. Many people have died including some police.

Big protests are planned for November 18, which is a Haitian Holiday celebrating a major victory in the war for independence from France. Please keep praying!

Sunday morning we will be at the Kentwood Community Church Missions Fair before and after the 9 and 11 a.m. services. Cory will be heading to the ECHO agricultural conference in Florida on Monday, returning on Friday. 

Haiti News and Delice Garden Update by Cory

Violet sweet potato color as pretty as flowers!

News from Haiti continues to get worse. Global Partners would like a few weeks of calm in Haiti before we go back so we plan to be based in Michigan until at least the start of December.

Cory signed up to attend the ECHO Agriculture Conference in Florida Nov. 19-21. 

We are praying for direction on what to work on as we watch how the Haiti crisis develops.

Sweet potatoes looking good, we should have planted more
to help the food crisis. Now we have a good supply of
weevil-free plants available for planting larger fields.

 Money is used as a powerful weapon due to the poverty in Haiti. What is at stake is huge for Haiti.

 Much prayer is needed for this to be turned into something good.

Naranjilla - a tomato relative that makes orange fruits used for juice.

Nursery plants growing well. Cory was concerned after fertilizing that
the plants would grow too fast during the wait for the rainy season
arrival in March

Flat Stacys

A few days ago the government canceled the customs tax exemptions some of the big import businesses enjoyed and took action against the electric companies.

 The president also made a radio address, telling about the business corruption.

So the battle between business and government continues to escalate.

 The opposition continues to respond with bigger road blocks and on some main roads they are lasting days or weeks at a time.
 Motorbikes (which provide most of the taxi/public transport service in many areas) and pedestrians are being limited more. 

The protesters are threatening to stop all travel and close the airport. 

The police have shown impressive restraint, considering the rock throwing aimed at them and all they are up against, but they also started protesting this week, demanding better pay and benefits.

Some embassies, businesses and banks have been burned or damaged. 

Road travel is dangerous and often impossible. It is amazing how long this has gone on considering how little food most Haitians keep in their homes. 

The stress and suffering is intense.

Please continue to pray. 

Below is a link to a good explanation of the causes of the unrest in Haiti written by a missionary who has been in Haiti for over 40 years, with ministry to the business class and government, very familiar with both sides. Joel and Yvonne produce the “Good News” TV programs in Creole.

https://www.facebook.com/yvonne.m.trimble/posts/10157829512278166

My email response to the New York Time's Kirk Semple
‘There is no hope,’ Crisis pushes Haiti to brink of Collapse
21 October 2019