Update from Ken & Marla Drowley ---June 2015

We went to Michigan for a month, and were able to attend a wedding, our son's high school graduation, and take Dahicha in for surgery! First, we want to say "THANK YOU" to God for answers to prayer. Second, "Thank You" to Dr. Afman for his tenacity in getting all of this coordinated and organized so quickly; and for helping Dahicha to breathe better. Third, "Thank You" to the staff at Helen DeVoss Children's Hospital for their generosity in helping us out and for making Dahicha's surgery and post-op experience such a good one. And last to all of those who lifted Dahicha up in prayer - thank you for your faithfulness and intercession.

 

Double update! First from Don & Doris Peavey:

November 2014

Greetings, friends and loved ones!  Well, after eight months away, we are back in Haiti.  It’s good to be back home in our house that we have lived in for over 40 years.  We have been busy going through things any family would have—like a house cleaning—papers, pictures, clothes, old government papers, etc.  So many memories, some back when we first came and lived in the village in the small rented house.  When we remember some of the children, we could cry, and yet many happy memories, too.  Well it’s like a spring cleaning in October!

There are new babies….they seem to come in pairs…. We have quite a few sets of twins.  We don’t even know their names yet.  Some of the older children came to see us. We had good times together.  They said they came to see Mom & Dad.  Some are doing great, others are having hard times.

The night before we arrived, someone broke in our house and stole our TV. We really miss it because we use it for the children. But the kids came up anyway Friday night and we had Bible study and then some games and ended it with some treats we had brought with us.  Those who broke in knocked the front door apart.  It was an all-day job to put it back together again.  But it’s fixed and it works for us.

Ken got some fingerlings so we have fish in our fish tanks now.  Also our calf is getting close to 5 months old and the big bull is still here.  It’s time to butcher again. 

The school is doing well and Rachelle the administrator is doing a great work there. They have just finished exams.  Also the new steps look great.  Ken did a great job of finishing them before school started.  The Drowleys have been such a help and blessing!

Pastor John Pierre is our pastor in the Tabernacle that grew up here at the orphanage. They have a good worship time with lots of music. He is a great preacher and preaches under the anointing of the Holy Spirit.  In Haiti, November 2^nd is the day when they (non-believers) feed their dead.  Pastor John said he felt such a heavy demonic presence. He felt led of the Lord to call the youth up and when they came, he anointed them with oil and one after another they felt the power of the Holy Spirit on them. This morning after the service, we talked with some of our youth that had left EGO quite a while ago. When asked how they were doing, they said, “We are in it for real this time.”  It has been quite a struggle for them.  We just Praise God for answered prayer. Please remember our youth in your prayers.  Thanks.

We are still having a little rain, our lawn is still green. It won’t be long and we will have lots of mangos.  The rain is good for our garden.  We came with some seeds and they are all planted now.

We have a team in now from Michigan. They are putting in the foundation for a wood-shop.  Great people—we are enjoying them.  Their church has been here before.  They are a big help, giving supplies to God’s work.  We are thankful for all of God’s people that have sponsored us all these many years.  We know that God keeps the records.

We love the song, “THANK YOU FOR GIVING TO THE LORD. I AM A CHILD THAT HAS BEEN CHANGED.   THANK YOU FOR GIVING TO THE LORD,  I AM SO GLAD YOU GAVE.”

With sincere thanks,
Don & Doris Peavey"

And from Ken & Marla Drowley:

It has come to my attention that the last newsletter was dated July 4, 2014;  I’m only three months behind.  I am so sorry to our faithful followers and readers of the monthly newsletter.  I will try my best to do better in the future.  What has happened you ask?  Well, it is never a dull moment at EGO.  We have had some work teams come and help with summer vacation by doing Bible school and playing with the children; we have had medical personnel, and helpers – all who came just so they could help participate in the loving work of taking care of 60+ children.

During the months of July, August and one week into September, the children 12 years old and older got a chance to reunite with their extended families for a two week vacation. This is a new ruling the social affairs (IBESR) has asked the orphanages to do to help the children keep in contact with their families. So we had two of the children go at a time and it seemed to be well accepted.

At the end of August we had the privilege of helping reunite an adopted boy from EGO with his Haitian family after 27 years.  It was both exciting to witness and a joy to hear the story of his birth, and adoption as we saw him getting acquainted with his birth family.  During this same time we received twin baby girls only 3.5 and 3.9 pounds each.  Not sure if they were premature or mother malnourished, as she died within 12 hours after birth.  Their names are Bedna and Bediele.  In addition, while we were away in October, twins (a boy - Tchaly and a girl - Tchalene) born in July were brought to the orphanage.

Also during the month of August, Dahicha fell ill again with pneumonia and had to be hospitalized for several days.  Then on September 5^th , a doctor visiting Haiti from California was able to place a g-tube in her stomach to help us feed her.  Marla had been working on getting a medical visa for almost a year, but to no avail.  Then after the surgery she received word not only from one doctor, but from two doctors in the US that were willing to help. Thank you to Dr. V & Barb and also Dr. Deb.  It was amazing to see how God opened the doors and allowed for the medical visa to come at just the time Dahicha needed it.  She was able to go to the states and receive testing that confirmed the aspirated pneumonia was from liquids and not from reflux; so no further surgeries were necessary.  Praise the Lord!  Ken and Marla learned a lot in two weeks about how to take care of a g-tube and also how to do physical therapy on Dahicha.  Ken and Marla laugh at how God called a contractor and a secretary to work at an orphanage instead of a nurse and doctor; but when you are willing to go where He calls, He provides.

In September, the 7^th-12^th grades started their classes and so new uniforms, books, school supplies and hair all had to be taken care of.  However, a trip to the beach to close out the summer vacation with a special lunch on the road at Bon Jean restaurant in St. Marc was in order.  Then the weeks flew by quickly and all the children were back in school on October 6^th.  October 15^th through November 2^nd the Drowleys went to the US to take a small vacation and for Dahicha to get medical care.  Two days before they left, twin baby boys were brought to the gate; premature and needing lots of care.  A huge thank you to Elizabeth, Phillip, D.J. and Debbie for coming and helping out at EGO during our time away.

On October 16^th Don & Doris were able to make a trip back to EGO to spend time with the children and workers.  Everyone was excited to see them again, as it has been several months since they were here last and it is good to see them in good health once again.  Don’s birthday was November 6^th and we got a chance to help him celebrate this year.  For pictures of the birthday celebration like us on facebook – Ebenezer Glenn Orphanage.

Another team arrives today to begin the work on the new woodworking shop, to be completed in January by another team coming from Michigan.  There is lots of work in remodeling and new construction going on; so if you have not been to EGO in a couple of years you will be surprised by the changes.  The work that Don & Doris started over 42 years ago continues to expand and improve; thanks to all the generous supporters and volunteers.

Answers of prayer from last newsletter:

·         Talante had a baby girl on Saturday, November 1^st weighing 8 pounds 4 ounces.

·         Funds were received to help close the school year out in the black – thank you to all who gave above and beyond.

Continue praying for:

·         Over 18 year olds as they transition into their new roles away from EGO.  Additional sponsorship to help pay for their housing, schooling, food, etc.

·         Three sets of twins arrived in two months, in addition to three more young girls.  Need sponsorship for all of them.

·         Ken and Marla as they continue to learn the language and have discernment with decisions on a daily basis.

·         Health and safety for all the children – rainy season has finally come and with it several runny noses and lots of coughs.

EGO cannot thank all of you enough for your continued support in prayer and finances. It is only because of your obedience to God’s will that we are able to reach out and help so many.

Serving where God has called us,

The Drowleys – Ken, Marla & Max

Editor’s Note:  For information on sponsoring children or answers to how you can help, please visit our website at www.ebenezerglennorphanage.org

July 4, 2014

Summer vacation is upon us and report cards have been handed out. We have some pretty amazing children here at EGO. Marla had the chance to sit down with all of them and go over their report cards and talk with them about next year. (Of course, suckers were handed out to those who passed!)



Samantha is here on a summer internship and helping out at the clinic and with the teens. Saturday, July 5th starts the first day of their bakery. Samantha has been teaching the teens (12-17 year olds) how to handle money, what it takes to start a business, advertising, taking orders, selling, etc. She is doing an amazing job and it will be exciting to see which of the children grabs onto this opportunity for their future.

Max had an opportunity to travel to Florida and spend 15 days volunteering with Missionary Flights International. He loved his time there and was given the opportunity to fly a plane with one of the instructors from town. He had the privilege of staying with Larry Campbell and his wife and they said they would love to have him back again. Max is looking forward to it.

Ken has been busy in the shop working on various projects, one being a complete kitchen cabinet job for another orphanage in Pignon. He is grateful for the experience to teach the boys and girls.

Changes taking place around EGO:

• Playscape divided into four sections – two sections taken to the school yard, one sectionmoved to the baby dorm, and the last section moved back under the trees for more shade.
• Baby dorm bathroom progressing.
• Kitchen cabinets made by the teen boys and Ken for another orphanage in Pignon.
• Wisley turned 18 and moved out to the boys’ house in Port-au-Prince. (see photo of the amoire he made to take with him!)
• New security guards for the summer.
• Summer school for the ones who were unable to pass their class.

Prayer requests and needs:

• Talante is pregnant again, but having a difficult time. We are looking for a nurse or doctor to volunteer for Aug-Dec of this year.
• New budget for EGO due to ongoing cost increases and new government regulations, such as a recent one which nearly doubled the minimum wage for our workers. We are needing to increase the number of sponsors per child. If you know of anyone wanting to sponsor a child for $40 or $60 per month, please have them check out the website at http://ebenezerglennorphanage.org/#/get-involved
• Needing to raise funds for the school to finish out the year in the black, approximately $8,000 US will help to finish paying the staff and bills.
• Sponsorship for our over-18-year-olds. Continue to pray for foster families to rise up and take these teens in, while they continue their education.

Praises:

• Doris and Don are feeling better and were able to spend some time with friends.
• Dahicha had adenoid surgery and is on the road to recovery.
• Marla got a chance to travel back to Michigan for a family reunion.
• Safety and protection during many hours driving on the roads back and forth throughout the country.

Continuing the work the Lord has called us to do, we thank you for your faithfulness and obedience in prayer and giving.
Drowleys – Ken, Marla, Samantha & Max

Editor’s Note—If you have any questions about our financial needs or projects, etc., please call our office at 616-550-3469, or email Gwen at ego2haiti@gmail.com. Our website has many more pictures and information for donating electronically for your convenience. We appreciate you!