Finally!

Despite the fact that I haven’t updated this blog in almost a year and a half, The Bridge Sponsorship Program is still going strong! We continue to support the school in Carrefour Poy so children can learn about Christ & get an education.

And… I am thrilled that I finally get to go visit the school and all the children in a little less than 3 weeks!

Joining me on this trip will be my youngest son, Caleb, and my mom.  It will be wonderful to share this adventure with both of them!  My main goal for this trip is to get updated pictures and information about the children since it has been two and a half years since my last visit. But, we have some other exciting things planned as well.

Caleb has been not-so-patiently waiting for his turn to go to Haiti with me for about 4 years.  He is so excited to finally get his chance!  And with his generous heart, he has been working hard to earn money so he could do something special for the school children.  He wants to bring them a new basketball and pump as well as soccer balls and goals.

I rememebered that the girls at the school were a bit disappointed when we built the basketball court.  In their minds, that was for the boys and they wondered why we didn’t bring anything for them, such as dolls.  So when I mentioned this to Caleb, he decided to get several dolls and maybe a dollhouse for the school girls to play with.

A couple years ago, the older students at the school in Carreour Poy learned to make paper beads out of cardboard cereal boxes.  They add other decorative beads to make necklaces, bracelets and earrings.  This teaches them a skill they can use later in life and also allows them to invest a little effort toward their own education, as any proceeds from the jewelry project go back to the school.

I was talking to my mom about the project a few months ago and jokingly asked her if she wanted to come to Haiti with me since I know she enjoys making jewelry as a hobby.  She surprised me with an enthusiastic “Yes”!  I know that her organizational skills (which I did not inherit) and her photography skills will be a huge asset on this trip, and I’m just really looking forward to spending the time with her.  One of our goals for the trip is to watch and learn how the paper beads are made and then my mom will hold a design class to help grow their skills.

Of course, our highest priority is always to share the good news of our Savior with these children who have so little in this life.  With that in mind, some of our generous sponsors donated money toward Gospel comic books in Haitian Creole, which  we will be bringing to the younger students, and Bibles for the older students.  We pray that God uses these gifts to reach the hearts of these children and their families.

 Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him?  James 2:5