A Letter from H.O.P.E. Mission (Badgeros) in Haiti

Jeff is doing a great job getting the plane repaired and teaching. The taxiway for the airport in Gonaives is also moving forward. The owner of the airport, Michal, found us a room above an orphanage by the airport to stay in for the rest of our stay here.

What a blessing to be settled! We have a room with a private bathroom, another blessing and a large room connected to it where Jeff could repair the wing for the plane. The first week we were here we stayed in town and had a 20 minute motorcycle ride one way to the airport so it made for some long days.

The orphanage has 22 children and I have gotten to know most of them now by name. There are three older girls 14-16 years old who go to school just in the afternoon so I meet with them every morning to teach them English. They are very eager to learn and are always taking notes. l also meet with Blandine a couple days a week to work on her English. The younger kids wanted to learn some English too so I divided them uo into 4 groups. They just go to school in the mornings so I meet with them in the afternoon.

I had my heart so set on teaching at the primary school in Cap-Haitian and the director was excited about me coming, he even had a reading area set up for me, where one class at a time could come for storytime. But, the doors were just not open for that to happen this year. I must admit I have loved my time here at the orphanage,  especially with the older girls. They are so excited about our granddaughter coming to Haiti the end of March. She is the same age as them.

We have also enjoyed helping out at the little country church in Pont Gaudin, which is also close to where we are staying. See attachment.  Jeff told you in the last letter about Antonia, who used to be the daughter of a witch doctor but is now the daughter of Jesus. It is so encouraging to study with her and see her desire to follow her heavenly Father.

So all in all we really can’t complain. We have electricity about 4 hours a day. If we were to complain about the electricity going out, most Haitians would say, “you mean you have electricity?” Because of the shortage of electricity the water does not always get pumped up to the cistern on the roof. But, we do always have running water in one way or another. (The kids run and get water for us) haha. I have to give Jeff credit for that funny.

Again, if we were to complain that the water was not running in the shower most Haitians would say, “Wow! You just turn that valve and water comes out of the wall.” Most of them only know getting water in a bucket. We have had many candlelight dinners. We have no A.C. but God provides a nice breeze almost everyday, which really makes my clothes dryer work great. Dont get me wrong I enjoy the modern conveniences of home and I miss them a lot and I’m still working on that secret of learning to be content in every situation.

Brian Archer, a paramedic,  from Ohio is comimg to join us next week. He will do some medical training and teach how to give IV’s at some of the clinics in the area. I’m excited for Blandine to get some more training.

A week after he leaves our daughter Lisa, her husband Justin, their daughter, Madyson and son Jonah are coming in during their spring break. We all fly out together April 2nd. Our April is already filled up so we won’t be back to our to house in Kalkaska till the first of May.

Thank you for your prayers. Please continue

Jeff and Carol Badgero