Dear Friends,
A phone call from American Airlines at 7:00 AM last Tuesday started my day out great! The gal on the phone asked if I had lost a suitcase, to describe it, said she had it there in Texas, and Federal Express would have it on our doorstep in two days. What great news! The suitcase left with us on August 2, but never arrived in Haiti. It had 24 pair of new tennis shoes for our orphans in Tricotte and 8 new tablecloths for the tables in their new home. We’ve had luggage arrive a day or so late on past trips, but this was the first piece that never arrived and now here it is. I don’t understand God’s timing, but I trust Him. He is in control of all things including the little details in our lives.
One pair of the shoes was labeled for little 10 year old Moses. Moses was so disappointed when he didn’t have a new pair of shoes, he cried. One of our team members from California, took off her tennis shoes and gave them to Moses. And they fit! He was so happy! One week later, Moses went forward at an evangelistic crusade meeting and received Jesus as his Savior. Did God use this little act of selfless kindness to soften Moses’ heart? Could be. Is that why the suitcase didn’t make it to Haiti when we thought it should? Maybe – but I don’t know. What I do know is that our all-knowing, all-powerful God is in control of all things. When these little things happen, it increases my faith in Him and I thank Him and praise Him for His goodness.
Isaiah 40:26 says “Lift up your eyes on high and see who has created these stars, the One who leads forth their host by number, He calls them by name; because of the greatness of His might and the strength of His power not one of them is missing.” Our great God, who knows every star by name, also takes care of His little children in Haiti. He is so good!!
We are thankful for the response to sponsoring children in the school villages that we have just begun supporting. As of today, 48 children have been sponsored in this new ministry outreach. Our goal is to see about 100 children sponsored by December 31. If you are interested in being a part of this effort or know of someone who might be, please contact us or if you live in California, please contact our daughter, Krishelle Bridges at (707) 279-1009.
Pastor Diogene and Norius (the new director of our school ministry) have been meeting with the parents in the villages as the schools opened in September. Diogene reports to us that the people in these villages are very grateful. In fact, in the village of David, Diogene was presented with a gallon of fresh cow milk in appreciation for our decision to support their school. This is considered a luxurious gift that ranks at the top of Haitian gift lists.
We have a team of 20 going to Haiti in November from Sunrise Baptist Church in Custer, WA. We will be bringing the 100 quilts that the women of the church have been making and presenting one to each of the children in the orphanage. What a neat project this has been as many have been involved in cutting, sewing, ironing, and hemming, as others have been providing the finances. Thank you all for your part.
Many of you have asked about sending a gift to your sponsored child. The only way to accomplish this is for us to take it when we go. It is necessary for us to put limits on the size of packages due to the amount of space that we have available. So what we recommend is something very small that could include a short letter, a photo of you and your family, and possibly a small gift like barrettes for girls and marbles for boys. The package can be no larger than a 10 9/16” X 11” plastic Ziploc bag or a large manila envelope. For this trip we must have it no later than Friday, November 3. If it comes later than that, we will have already packed and will not be able to take it until our next trip.
Thanks again for all your prayer support. We have heard from some of you that you pray for us and this ministry God has called us to. Thanks for partnering with us in that way. God continues to provide financially as well, and we thank you for doing your part.
Serving our Lord together,
Bernie & Sheryl Bovenkamp
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