Dear Loved Ones,

 

Greeting. A long time ago, a visiting team member asked us about the issues we confront when we receive a work team from the States. I did not know what to say and I still do not know what to say. Here is what I believe to be some of our challenges.

 

Transportation: This remains a nightmare as we struggle to find a vehicle that can fit all of them and be safe on our roads. We jeopardize their life in our transportation when we pack them in the back of our pick up. Once we rented the brand new airport taxis that have the reputation to fit 14 people but it could hardly fit 11 Americans. People were confined and some had to sit on the laps of those sitting down.

 

At one time, I tried to make a deal for a school bus but the deal fell through because of insufficient funds. What a disappointment!

 

The use of time: Our time is very elastic. In fact we make our time ourselves. To host people who are time oriented can be very challenging to all of us. Somebody asked the time for breakfast.  I told him that the breakfast is ready when it is ready. He was very confused about my answer but it was true and honest response I could come up with. We praise God that most of those who have visited us understand and are patient and try hard to understand our time concept.

 

Thank you to all the missionaries who have come to visit us, those preparing to visit us and who those sponsor those trips.

 

To all of you, thank you for your love and your support.

 

In Haiti,

 

Nzunga & Kihomi

 

Dear Supporters,

 

Haitians tell me I have a watch but they have time.  One of the cultural differences Americans have trouble with is the laid back attitude of Haitians (and Chileans and Peruvians).  Meeting times, length of a church service, lunch times, etc. are all very fluid.  A church I know in Chile was supposed to start at 10:30 but everyone showed up at 11.  So they changed the time to 11.  Now it starts at 11:30.  One of the great lessons when going to a developing country is to see how they do things.  Our job as visitors is to go along with their schedule and not impose ours. 

 

All missionaries I know have one thing in common which is lack of funds.  If you would like to travel in air conditioned Greyhound buses the giving will have to increase substantially. 

 

Pray that all these problems will seem small compared with the poverty and large problems a country like Haiti faces.  Pray also that teams will keep coming to get excited about International Missions and help us spread the word.  Despite the problems Nzunga and Kihomi love for you to visit them.

 

In His service,

 

Dennis Shewell

Mission Partnership Team Communications Advocate and Convener

Nzunga and Kihomi Ministry

E-mail: deshewell@gmail.com

Phone: 812-569-1352

 

Other team Members:

Les Roberson

Diana Peysha

Terry Bivens-Fry

Charles Newman