Hello family and friends,
Instead of writing this update from my muggy, mosquito-y living room in Jacmel, I am writing it wrapped up in cozy pajamas and a fleece bathrobe at Nick’s parents house in Raleigh, NC. The whole Mangine 5 is back in the States for our first regularly planned furlough of sorts. We arrived last Friday and we will be visiting different places here in the US until November 18. We’re very thankful to Mikey and Georgette Rigel (our team members in Haiti) who are watching our home, supervising our staff, and loving our three girls—Prisca, Wildarne, and Fritzie.
As I look over our past month, my head spins. It was easily our busiest month in Haiti so far.
October started off with us bringing Prisca, age 7, and Wildarne Pierre, age 6, in to our family. It was a good transition, but an emotional time of goodbyes to their aunt, uncle, grandmother, and cousins they left behind. They have settled in well. We’re loving discovering their personalities. Nia especially. She’s LOVING having three sisters.
The second week of October was our busiest to date—Nick lead his first official team. It was a really great week, and a very special time for us since the team was comprised of many of our old friends from Crosspointe church. The team was the first of its kind—they lead 2 day music camp in Jacmel, visited children at a local orphanage, held a free concert/community feeding event at a local night club, lead a pastor’s conference and took over Friday night English church for one night, giving leaders on the ground a night off! It was a whirlwind week that also included a trip to the beach, a trip to Basin Bleu, a walking tour of Jacmel, a night out at a local restaurant, and most of the team members going home with the flu!
The next week we had more down time and it was something of a time of refreshment for our family as my mother visited for a week. She brought down the first of a WHOLE bunch of the clothes/supplies you donated for our new children. It was SO exciting for our kids to get new clothes. THANK YOU! During that week we were also able to bring our whole family out to the land Joy in Hope owns in Raymond to show Prisca and Wildarne where they will be living once capital expenses are raised for houses. It’s a beautiful piece of land and such a joy to be able to share the dream.
The month closed with preparations for our trip to the states. We were blessed with smooth travel, and we even met some people in the airport who we have the inkling might become long-term friends!
We’re very much enjoying our time here in the States. We’ve enjoyed seeing our family and friends, and we’d be lying if we didn’t fess up that we’re also loving hot showers, machine-washed clothes, and American food. Even so, our hearts miss our home in Haiti… especially our three girls. Please pray for our entire family currently spread over two countries—that this time would pass well on both sides.
Here are some specific things you could be praying for our family over the next few weeks:
· Please pray that our time in the US, while busy, would be refreshing for us. Please pray that God would give us GOOD time with the people we need to catch up with.
· Please pray for safe travels as we drive all over the east coast visiting churches and families.
· Please pray that God would continue to call people to join us in prayer and financial support. Living as a missionary, this is an on-going journey.
· Please pray for our family and our team-members back in Haiti. This has been a challenging month for all of us on-the-ground in Haiti.
· Please pray for the current financial situation of Joy in Hope/Haitian Children’s Home.
We’re always thankful for your support. It’s been an on-going goal of ours to stay in touch on a personal level with you. We’re looking forward to being able to do that on a more one-on-one level. Thank you for all the ways you help us and provide for us.
Our hearts are grateful,
Gwenn for the Entire Mangine Clan
Nick, Gwenn
Nia, Nico, Josiah
Fritzie, Prisca, Wildarne
Nahomie and Esther
CONTACT INFO WHILE WE’RE IN THE STATES:
Phone: 919-412-0139
Email: nick@haitianchildrenshome.org
gwenn@haitianchildrenshome.org
Prisca and Wildarne saying goodbye to their aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Prisca and Wildarne's first night home-- pictured with all the Mangine kiddos.
(Left to Right: Nico, Wildarne, Josiah, Nia, Fritzie, Prisca.)
Preparing food for 600 during the team from Crosspointe.
My mom, Denise, visits and brings surprises for ALL the kids (and staff too!)
Fritzie is EXCITED about the new clothes!
Our whole family standing in front of where our house will be in Raymond one day. (Sorry for all the squinting-- it was REALLY sunny!)
Our whole family in our beach backyard on the Raymond land!
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