I thought it might be helpful to answer some of the questions we have been asked.
1. How are you doing?
Considering the events of the past few months, we are doing well, tired but good. Those last 3 weeks in Haiti were very difficult not just for Bill and I but also for the boys. They were very unsettled which mostly came out in fighting every 3 minutes and being very emotional and very tired as were Bill and I. It was hard to process leaving and covid complications and where to go and all the logistics but it was especially hard to say goodbye.
Haiti now feels a million miles away and a million years ago. We are trying to get into a good schooling / work routine but its definitely taken a few weeks to try and nail down a routine. We are still working on it.
2. What are you doing now?
Bill has been teaching a weekend course for Emmaus which finished last weekend now he has a lot of marking to do. He is also tying up some loose ends at Emmaus as well as helping out on the farm.
I am continuing with the communications / fundraising work which means keeping in close contact with staff at Bethesda, updating social media, monthly prayer emails, website updates and stewardship. I also meet weekly with Altidor and Echebert and am working on treatment plans for the kids at Bethesda. As well as trying to do some school work with the boys.
We are also going to take the opportunity while we are in Canada to visit people and churches who have supported us throughout our time in Haiti. So if that is you, you should hear from us soon!
Our life is still pretty busy and right now we are still very much involved in the ministries in Haiti.
3. How long will you spend in Canada?
Right now we don't know. Our main issue in going back to Northern Ireland is that we have someone living in our house and legally they are able to stay there until August. We would like to be back late March / Early April so the boys can get back to school and catch up on anything they have missed out on before a new school year in September. We will use the time we have here to visit supporters and churches and are working on getting that scheduled.
4. What are the boys doing for school?
Well they had an 'extended Christmas break' and hadn't done any school work since mid November. We have decided not to send them to school here because we do not know how long we will be here and we do not want to put them through another big transition. So I am trying to do some homeschooling....I can't say I am being very successful.
5. Will you go back to Haiti?
Bill and I would love to go back to visit and still be involved but we will not be moving back to Haiti to live. There are a few factors leading into this decision. One is that we returned to Haiti to finish up our time and leave. We firmly believe the role of a missionary is to do a job and train up nationals to continue that work when the missionary leaves. Throughout our time in Haiti we have seen so many people leave with no one to take over their role so it either gets thrown onto an already busy, tired, stressed out missionary or it falls apart and just doesn't get done.
Anyway we have been working ourselves out of a job as it were and we were just about there. Rujerry has been working alongside Bill for over a year and is taking over the registrar job. Bill is now available for Rujerry for any questions and help he may have. Bill is also working on a registrar handbook for him and anyone else who does the job in the future. In terms of teaching Emmaus has wonderful staff and very capable teachers. Emmaus also has students graduating every year with a masters in theology - the same level of education as Bill has. To be completely honest the biggest barrier Emmaus has to employing more teachers is finances. They need more financial support in order to employ more staff.
I have been working with Altidor for 4 years and Echebert for 3 years. Altidor has been running the PT department for the last two and they are both more than capable. I am continuing to meet with them weekly not only to catch up but to provide support. There was some more training I had hoped to do but unfortunately did not get the time to do that. I hope in the future I can go back for a week or two and do that training with them.
Secondly we felt strongly that we could not leave Haiti (again) for an extended, unknown period of time. We feel like we just did this in 2020 and half of 2021. It is very difficult to do with 3 kids especially trying to figure out all the logistics of where to go, where to live, school, car etc. Its hard to live in limbo and given that we were so close to finishing anyway it didn't make any sense to leave for who knows how long. No one knows when the security situation in Haiti is going to be any better.
The biggest factor playing into this was the boys, to be honest they have been moved around from pillar to post their whole lives, not what we planned but between adopting Jacob and covid that is what has happened and its time for them to have a home. Right now the kids feel like they have a home in 3 different countries which is pretty cool and they have had amazing experiences but we really feel its time for the boys to have a stable home - where they stay than more than a year!
6. What's next for you?
Honestly we don't know. We are exploring options and praying through what God has next for us. I hope to continue to be involved with Bethesda working on communications and fundraising and supporting Altidor and Echebert however I can for the immediate future.
Bill is exploring some options but just doesn't know yet. He more than likely will not stay in theological education so whatever comes next will be a totally new path. We would appreciate your prayers for guidance.
7. How are things in Haiti?
As far as we know the security situation is not any better. The 7th February would have been the day when a new president would have been inaugurated. Many people were expecting a lot of trouble as the current prime minister has not stepped down nor has his set a date for elections. Many people stayed home, schools and businesses closed but Cap Haitian was quiet. I don't know for Port au Prince.
The fuel situation is a little better - to be honest it could not have gotten any worse. When we left the only place to buy fuel was on the black market at a ridiculous price. Now it seems to be available at the pumps but its not consistent and many people are waiting hours to get some.
I hope and pray in our lifetime we will see Haiti change spiritually, economically, physically and politically. There is so much suffering which happens on a daily basis and life is so so hard for so so many.
8. How are you all coping with the cold?
Ha...Bill says my primary motivation for doing anything is whether I am going to be cold or not! The first few weeks were bitterly cold and averaged out at 30 below zero (celcius). Thankfully it has not been so cold and the last couple of weeks or so has been averaging around zero and it much more enjoyable. I am afraid staying inside with 3 energetic boys is just not an option, so we wrap up and get out and we are trying to make the most of it.
We are happy to answer any other questions you may have just email me (julieedler@hotmail.co.uk) or comment on the post.
On more thing - if you are able please pray for my dad who just had a quadruple bypass on Wednesday. He seems to be doing pretty well and will hopefully be home from hospital early next week. Jacob and I are travelling home to Northern Ireland on Tuesday (we arrive Wednesday) to go and see him and help my mum out at home. We will return to Canada on 25th February. Please pray for travels for Jacob and I, its a long journey and pray for Bill holding down the fort here in Canada.
