For questions about the contents of this newsletter or Seeds of Support’s work in general, contact Linnae Stole.
SPRING 2022: WE ARE AN EASTER PEOPLE
Hello everyone, and God's blessings to you all.
As I write this newsletter, the situation in Haiti continues to be difficult. The value of the gourde continues to fall, gangs continue to control large swaths of the country, and the “official” government remains wracked with instability. How do we find joy amidst such toil and suffering? What does our faith have to say about this uncertainty?
And then I remembered an article I read a number of years ago in Living Lutheran magazine that has stayed with me. Entitled “We are an Easter people in a Good Friday world,” it reminds me that even in the darkest hours, we can lean on the promise of the cross even as we wade through the grave. We have the hope and promise of light because Christ conquered death. Gangs, oppression, hunger, while these are all very real realities for those in Haiti and others around the world, they have nothing on the power of the resurrection. I pray our friends can lean on that power as we enter this Easter season, and into an uncertain future.
AN EVENING WITH JOREL CARTE
On a Wednesday evening in February, past Haiti mission participants and supporters gathered in the sanctuary and online to hear an update from the Seeds of Support board and Jorel Carte. Pastor Peter, Deb Hetherington, and Linnae Stole shared reflections on their experiences traveling to Haiti and hopes for the future. Jorel Carte, via pre-recorded video, shared updates on the current realities of life in Haiti and the importance of the continued work of Seeds of Support. Through pictures, stories, and songs, it was an uplifting night to come together, remember our friends, and continue imagining what our partnership can look like given the realities of our current time. A recording of the presentation is available here.
INTERVIEW WITH A MISSIONARY: JOAN MURPHY
Even though we can’t travel to Haiti right now, we know that the mission experience remains close to the hearts of many at St. Andrew and beyond. Joan Murphy reflected on her mission experience in 2016, and how she maintains contact with friends she made while there.
How many times have you traveled to Haiti with St. Andrew?
I traveled to Haiti once with my family, in April of 2016.
Why did you decide to go?
I remember sitting in church and either Pastor Peter or Pastor Matthew talking about a spring break with a purpose, hoping to get families involved. The wheels in my brain started turning, and for a good week or two, I kept going back and forth between “this would be a wonderful experience for my family” and “you can’t bring your family to Haiti – you must be crazy.” The deciding factor was talking to Pastor Christine Ruth (former St. Andrew pastor), who had gone to Haiti before; she assured me it would be a wonderful experience and that we would be safe!
What surprised you the most on the trip?
I knew Haiti was a poor country, but until you actually see this kind of poverty, it’s very disturbing. That being said, the Haitians we worked with were so welcoming and kind. I know that we got more out of the trip, than we were ever able to give.
Share a favorite memory from your trip.
I remember my children (then 15, 17, and 22) dancing with the Haitian children. Some of the kids were quite young, so my kids were holding them while dancing. It still warms my heart to this day. Micah, another young adult on the trip, brought the Haitian music, and it was so fun!
Tell us about one of the biggest challenges you experienced during your mission trip.
We are there to work alongside the Haitians, yet I’m a person who likes to “fix” things, and knowing you can’t fix hunger or poverty overnight is very difficult.
What would you tell someone who is thinking about going on an overseas mission trip for the first time?
I would tell them to weigh the pros and cons and make their best decision. I would tell them to talk to people who have gone on a mission trip. I know for me, this was one of the best trips of my life, and my whole family agrees with this statement.
How have you stayed engaged with Seeds of Support/our friends/ partners since your trip?
I still stay in contact with our interpreter, Kerlange, by texting on Messenger. She has since married, and she has a son. I have been worried about her especially lately, but she says they are OK. I pray for her and her family and all the people we met. We also went to a gathering with other people who had traveled to Haiti, when Jorel was in town, so it was nice to connect again.
KERLANGE TO LEAD HEALTH AND WELLNESS PROGRAM IN RURAL ST. MARC
Seeds of Support is grateful for the ongoing partnership with our interpreter, Kerlange. While we can’t travel to Haiti these days, she can make an impact on our behalf. Kerlange has put a plan in place to provide a staffed medical clinic with medicines combined with food supplies for up to 100 people in a local, rural community outside her hometown of St. Marc, Haiti. The project is partnered with a local church and pastor and will take place over a two-to-three day period in the coming months. Please pray that God will bless this project and all the people impacted. We look forward to sharing more about the project in our next newsletter.
CONTINUED PRAYERS FOR OUR FRIENDS
As always, keep the people of Haiti in your prayers. With rapid inflation, food shortages, and gang violence, daily life is a struggle. Pray for Jorel, Kerlange, Joseph, and their families, as well as the community of Pasquette. Pray that God’s hand will guide them, as well as us at St. Andrew as we discern how to continue supporting these people who have become so much a part of us.
Blessings,
Pastor Peter, Linnae Stole, and the Seeds of Support Board