Wednesday, February 2, 2011

January edition of the Haiti Gazette

Hello,

This weather is something else! Cold doesn’t truly describe it. Minus what???? I heard from a friend in Haiti who says it’s very cold there. It’s “down” to 80-85… Guess we’d better take our winter coats with us, lol. We are looking forward to not bundling up before stepping outside. Can’t wait to see the green landscape of Haiti..

It’s hard to believe that 5 days from now we’ll be in Haiti. The day we arrive a team from NY lands so we will hit the ground running. David and I are looking forward to getting back into “action”. He’s off to build a school in a mountain village, Bon Berger, outside of Jacmel. It’s the first village we visited when we arrived there last year and we are anxious to see what has happened there in the last year. Great story to share with you…I opened our email to find a message from Marcelin, one of the men that works with David, he speaks very little English and writes even less but he took the time to find someone (not to mention a internet café/tent) who put together a message that simply said “We r missing u Mr. David and pray you will be returning to us”. The message – touching… Davids’ face – priceless.

What fun (spoiling) we have had with our granddaughter Mia, she is such a joy. We now understand all that fawning grandparents do… she is, of course, the smartest, cutest and funniest

More excitement, oldest son Chad has proposed to his girlfriend Amanda and they will be married in Colorado on September 16th. Newest wedding dilemma… how to find the “perfect” mother of the groom dress while in Haiti?? I’m sure God has the perfect dress waiting .. and my sister is just the person to find it for me. Thank you Connie! She flew back to Ohio for a week this month and we had a great time together with her children and grandchildren. What a blessing and a gift God gives us in our families!

My girlfriends threw a “kids” shower for the children of Haiti a few weeks ago. So blessed with such wonderful, caring and loving friends. We had a great time (wonderful food, of course, what’s a shower without food?) and they were so generous in all the items they contributed for kids and adults in Haiti. Over half of our luggage is comprised of items to be dispersed to people. Medications, underwear, clothing, handmade shorts and dresses(thanks Kingston ladies!!!), knitting needles and yarn (thank you Virginia) and even some toys. Mia has been around us enough now to ask… “are those things for me or your kids in Haiti”?

We have had a wonderful visit with all our friends and family, it re-energizes us. For those of you we didn’t get the opportunity to see, we apologize even though we didn’t see you doesn’t mean we don’t think of you and pray for you. No matter how much time we have in the states, there is never enough time for everyone and everything we’d like to see and do. God continues to use others to bless us in so many ways, we have gotten to meet and spend time with the people behind all those powerful prayers, the churches that stand by us and those who have made the decision to donate to our support in these rough economic times. For those who took a moment of their time to call, drop a note, approach us at church or at home to say Hi we are grateful for your time and attention. Many of us may not realize that our mere presence, word or smile are blessings to those we come in contact with daily. What a gift!

Please continue to pray for the election of a new Haitian president. We have been hearing so many things, re-count isn’t correct, possible complete new election… A strong and honest government is so crucial to rebuilding Haiti. Thank you for your continued prayers.

Blessings,
Beth and David

P.S. Have the new “weapons” locked and loaded, the ants don’t stand a chance!!! (I hope) Maybe they will be hiding from the cold weather

P.P.S. We are still short on our funding which means it may not be possible for us to stay in Haiti through the end of 2011. If you are able and feel led to make a financial contribution
you can check our website www.thewattersfamily.blogspot.com for information or you may send your contribution to
World Hope International
Attn: Contributions Lockbox
P O Box 17151
Baltimore, MD 21297-1151

Please remember to enter our name and constituent number 28163 on the memo line of your check. You may also donate by credit/debit card and if you have questions please call
1-888-466-4673 and ask for donor services. The quickest way to donate directly to our account is on-line at
https://giving.wesupport.org/gift2/designation.php?GUID=0A797C5B-2B8A-4686-AB22-A52383315A6B&id=7327 . Thank you!

No comments: