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Happy New Year!!! It is hard to believe that Bryce and I have been married for an entire year. The time has just flown by and we are already looking forward to 2004! At Christmas time last year Bryce and I introduced Mackindy Joseph as a new addition to our extended family. Mackindy, who is now ten years old, lives with his brother Fran and more than a hundred other children at the Beach Christian Orphanage in Port de Paix, Haiti. Beach Christian Orphanage is one of many programs developed and supported by the Northwest Haiti Christian Mission. We first heard of the children at Beach Christian Orphanage when some of our friends at New Life Christian Church returned from a mission trip in 2002. Our church built a playground for the children at the orphanage during their mission and from that project came many stories of the children’s sincere appreciation and love. When our friends told us that some of the children needed sponsorship we immediately contacted the mission to see if we could help. The volunteers at the Northwest Haiti Christian Mission sent us Mackindy’s information and an email address at the orphanage. Each month we received a letter from the Mission providing updates on the orphanage and the other programs sponsored by Northwest Haiti Christian Mission. We also heard from Mackindy occasionally through the American family that lives there. During the summer we received Mackindy’s Christmas wish list along with a disclaimer from the Mission that the list was only a ‘dream sheet’. The mission’s administrative offices located in Kentucky, collected Christmas donations for the children. The donations were then taken to Florida where they were included with the monthly supplies that were sent to Haiti via boat. Although Mackindy’s ‘dream sheet’ was pretty extensive we were able to send him most of the things he requested.
Being a small part of Mackindy’s life has brought a different kind of joy to us this year. Before coming to the orphanage Mackindy and his brother lived on the streets in Haiti where they fell asleep each evening to the sounds of voodoo drums playing in the background. Now because of the orphanage they are growing up in a Christian home where they know and love Jesus. Although they may still hear the sounds of voodoo drums as they sleep they no longer need to be afraid. Our monetary support of Mackindy this past year has provided for his basic living needs. It has truly touched our heart to help Mackindy and since the need for sponsorship still exists we would like to continue our financial support indefinitely. To that end, we are sending this “Mackindy Update” as our Christmas gift to you this year. As we mentioned last year, for each family member that we remember this holiday season, Mackindy will receive approximately two weeks of support contributions. We are so blessed to be a part of such a warm and loving family - a family that has taught us both throughout the years to give generously to those in need. May God’s love be with you always. Much Love, |
