Revived!!

GBGM in Lagonave: Revival.

It has been so long since I posted I hope some still remember our time on Lagonave AND the projects and people who became such special friends. 

Our graduates have moved ahead with life and experience, several married and have children, some have moved and several have started a business. 

It has been two years since we worked on a church building in the community of Nan Zeb which is still not completed. Joe had health issues that restricted our travels but not our connection with our friends and graduates. Joe is now much healthier and both of us are a bit older.

Concerns for Haiti and our friends is hard to address now that we no longer have the support of our UMC Conference through RoundUP.  We have kept our GBGM Advance Special and appreciate and rely on the continued support of friends in the US. 

The situation in Haiti has become critical with schools and markets closed due to rioting and political upheaval! Food, water and fuel is not available to many and those who have businesses are unable to get supplies or safely travel. 

Historically, Haiti has never really been able to lead their country out of poverty as other, developed countries, including the USA keep strong control of  finances and politics in Haiti. We pray this recent situation will somehow manage to let Haitian's actually take control and develop a country they want to live in and will allow them to move toward a more sustainable life situation for all Haitians. 

I have retired from appointed preaching positions but fill the pulpit by request. Those honorariums provide some funds for graduates in Haiti.  

I am posting in the hope that friends will research the issues that keep our graduates from a good life in their country. My hope is also that the graduates will have caring and supportive contacts and communication until some serious issues are resolved. Communication is not difficult using messenger and other phone connections.  

Although we no longer have a web site we appreciate calls, texts and emails. We are in touch with many of the graduates, some on a daily basis. Other mission folks share information also.  We still have some prayer angels and lots of sea shells to share (for a donation). 

Pastor Shirley and Joe Edgerton

2047 SW Lincoln St. Topeka Kansas

Phone: 785 979 4495

GBGM Advance # 982465--6  

So Long!

 It has been so long since i posted...but it has been so long since we were in Haiti! These photos have collected this last year. Enickson is building a home with one room for his business. Gamaniel is stocking supplies to sell in his construction business that he hope to grow up into a big business in time with construction workers and teaching building skills. Fedner has his business making and selling soft drinks until he can expand to use his engineering skills. Dorvil and Enickson are both papa's and Gamaniel is caring for his niece since his brother died in an accident. Louis and his wife have their daughter who is growing up and also his 3 adopted girls following the death of his brother and a cousin. Wesner is living in Chili now attempting to learn Spanish and earn enough money to come to the US with a five year visa..to work as a nurse, using his skills to go back home. As Haiti seems to always have more barriers to well being than good each are beset by need for funding to move forward. What they don't have they work until they find it or have a windfall. Joe and I are using the last of our grant money to finish the educations of our last 2 students in High School. AND we are thinking of ways and means of finding sponsors to assist the students who worked so hard for the educations they received. They are patient and trust that God knows their need and eventually good things happen to those with faith in God. They raise us up when we are down. 

S

So Long

Gratitude to Round Up and Friends

Shirley Edgerton

1 m

As many / some of you know, this Saturday will be the last meeting for Round Up for Hunger, the Conference committee that has provided grants for the Haiti Scholarship program since ..I think..2010 or 11, without looking. The stack of financial transactions is very high. Close to 100,000 dollars in scholarships and Conference collections. That does not include individual congregations and faithful individuals, UMW groups and VBS programs..plus, plus. Losing Round Up sort of puts and end to a program we thought would end when the last student graduates. We still have 2 graduating now from High School and 2 younger ones we will support through their current phase.

A "Haitian Thing" we ..nor the students anticipated was that with a license AND diploma they ... like med students have to work a year before they are hired. Med students can work of the government and some nurses can work for public hospitals without pay. Otherwise they are on their own and poor until than year goes by AND then either find the money to begin their own business or with luck be hired in their field.

Currently we have two in business, one working this year building a school for small wages and experience and others trying to find food and funds for living and looking.

We are being protective of funds for the young ones still in school and we have helped "out of pocket" for those with emergencies and special needs. We still have one very faithful person with a monthly donation that really helps.

I have no real idea of how long or how much help they will need or for how long. Mostly it is smaller expenses to help them "get started"....Enickson has a good business but purchased property and is slowly building a 3 room home to house family and business.

This small grant from Round Up will be the last. A few months ago Enickson had a video conversation with the committee as it met and expressed the students appreciation for all the money and encouragement from Round UP. The graduates are all now professionals and understand that we didn't provide the money; that there were hundreds of people who care about education for those from La Gonave.

Our GBGN Advance Special is still active but no longer handled through Central UMC. Sid eventually retired as treasurer. He was responsible for many increased donations due to his skill and dedication to depositing funds and record keeping and correspondence when we were on the island and could not.

Now donations are to be sent to Edgerton Haiti Mission and sent to our home address. The money still goes to the National Bank in Harveyville that can make bank transfers when needed.

Since we are STILL SPONSORING EDUCATION IN HAITI we appreciate those who live far away; Judy Atwood in California and others who remember the need. We continue to do presentations and find very generous people in UMW units and special church collections ...like Olathe Grace and many small rural congregations and individuals.

Haiti is a small country; young people desire education and seek to improve life for their families and their country; AND, they depend on their faith in a powerful God, and caring and sharing people like all who have supported our efforts.  With great gratitude for the past and hope for the future. Thank you all. 

Pastor shirley and Joe Edgerton ...Better known in Haiti as Madam & Boss Joe Edgerton

GBGM on La Gonave: the End& the BeginningIn 2008, w...

GBGM on La Gonave:                   the End& the BeginningIn 2008, w...:                   the End & the Beginning In 2008, we were living in Haiti, on the island of La Gonave about 35 miles off shore of ...

                  the End & the Beginning

In 2008, we were living in Haiti, on the island of La Gonave about 35 miles off shore of mainland Haiti. For us this was the experience of our lifetime. An island populated by Haitian farmers, fishermen, live-stock owners, artisans, pastors & priests, nearly all extremely poor.

Geography, laws of nature, location, bureaucracy all creating a haven from the militancy of the mainland but additional hardship of life with high percentage of illiteracy, malnutrition and isolation.

Approached by a small group of young adults associated with the churches on the island, and representing a larger group of organized young Christians we were challenged to help them find a way to change their future.

A scholarship program was established, using grants and funding from our UMC Advance Special. Requests were received for tuition grants for vocational training and university enrollment in schools and universities in Port a Prince.

During the period from 2008 to 2016 there were 20 students who received Vocational Training in computer, language, diesel mechanics, chauffeuring and nursing. Nine young adults were enrolled in university to study Civil Engineering, Nursing Science and Computer Science.

January of 2010 massive destruction caused by a 7.0 earthquake interrupted some of the programs and raised expenses for education significantly. Students were not discouraged, only delayed.

A medical student sponsored by a church in S Dakota transferred to a medical program in the Dominican Republic and the other students returned to classes in large tents or other facilities with a significant increase in cost.

Kansas East Conference agreed to add significant funds to our Advance through Round Up for Hunger proceeds previously designated for children on La Gonave.  VoTech students began to graduate and find employment and eventually two young women graduated with Nursing Science degrees and were employed on La Gonave.

As university students graduated, some receiving very high honors, issues of concern were encountered. The universities extended programs with additional expense before issuing license to practice.   The Haitian practice of nepotism, requiring an applicant for employment have a certain background, or be related to or know well someone already working for a business, has kept all the students from La Gonave “un employable” in their field. Several have returned to lesser jobs or have developed small jobs unrelated to their degree and provided very little income.

The graduates have formed a  group that pray daily and trust that God will eventually open the door of opportunity for them to practice their chosen professions.

Most have written plans for beginning a private business that will allow them to support a family and hire Haitian employees at a reasonable living wage. None have the funds to begin a formal business.

The Haiti Advance Special used for tuition produces very little income now and we act only as prayer partners, planning advisers, and provide minimal funding for their small enterprises and some assistance for food and housing.  
We continue to seek groups, churches, or individuals who would sponsor an entrepreneurial project for these highly motivated licensed professional young adults.
 S Dakota fully funds Dr William Hippolyte with a clinic on La Gonave, and send teams on a regualar basis. 
Enickson Villiere, runs a small business out of his home to repair phones, cameras and computers but has not the funds to purchase soft ware or other expensive equipment needed for his business. 
Louis has started a store in Petit Guave and Wesner a Nursing Science graduate has done all the homework to open a small clinic in an isolated area near Petit Guave. Others are working on plans for business while the either teach school for little pay or sell water or make items to sell.  

Matthew Hits Haiti…and I was not there. Darn!  October 6, 2016

When the earthquake hit Haiti we were there and our family did not think it cool. For us it was easier to be there than to wander and stew about those I could not contact and things I could not see.  This time it tough. Matthew was the biggest cyclone that has hit the island in maybe forever!  Without trees, with homes poorly constructed and people who have very little, losing anything is tough. Remember Luke’s story of the lost coin?  Well. Many have lost a lot. So far over a hundred deaths have been reported…worst damage on the south side cutting off traffic at the downed big bridge at Petit Guave and devastating things at Jeremie and much of south arm of Haiti.

We have contacted, heard from OR about nearly all of our students. Some had to vacate homes for safety. Patrick was flooded out and lost all he had and is sleeping in a garage. Fedner had to leave his place and go to a friends. Now he is just ready to pay for his last project and prepare for graduation in Nov. Enickson, at Petit Guave, badly hit, lost part of his roof but house stood firm. They are cut off by the downed bridge.

Wesner, a newly graduated nurse is our contact and has delivered money for food and clothing to others for us.

Interesting when Joe went to Western Union to send money this morning they did not charge the fee to send money as it was going to Haiti. Cool.

I have posted some photos and CNN has a great video of the devastation at Jeremie, east of Petit Guave on the coast.

Several have asked for our home address so they can assist with some funding for the students. This is the easiest way to do that. We try not to use the money set for education for issues like this so we welcome the assist with personal needs.

Send to: Edgerton Advance, 2047 SW Lincoln Ave. Topeka KS 66604.  It will be deposited in the Mission Acct in the National Bank of Harveyville and we will send to the students in need. If you wish to send to someone special put their name in the memo slot. We are in constant contact…so no problem. No matter the amount, they will know that I was true when I told them before the storm that so many of our friends were praying for them.

We still have not been able to contact Louis Dufrene…our special helper. Translator and much loved friend. He may have been on La Gonave and the tower went down there so no communication except from Mr. B and Dr. William. His phone just goes to message. I will breathe again, when he answers me.   

Shirley & Joe Edgerton