An Update

It’s time for the Beehns to spill the beans.


It’s four days into 2020 and there have been major changes for our family already in this new year.  We just wanted to update you on what’s happening here.


When we left Haiti on October 4, our intention was to return in 3-4 weeks, once the country cooled off from the political protests.  Though it had become quite unsafe, our hearts did not WANT to leave (we have so much work to do!), yet something within us urged us on.  Less than 24 hours after we landed back in the United States, my dad had a medical emergency, and was back in the hospital—then, I realized part of God’s purpose for our return.  Being with my dad during that time was a gift for me, because four weeks later, my dad passed away.    I will always cherish those few days that we had together, and am thankful to the Lord for giving them to me.  


As things in Haiti did NOT cool down as we anticipated, we began to once again feel a familiar tug in our hearts.  The internal war went something like this:

***

(still small voice):  You are where you’re supposed to be.

Me:  I don’t think so.  I want to go home.

(still small voice):  I’ve brought you back to America for a reason.

Me:  No, Lord.  I want to be in Haiti. I’m not done.

(still small voice):  Stop fighting me.

Me:  I don’t want to leave Haiti.  I’m not ready.

(small voice):  I didn’t ask you what you want.

Me:  I don’t understand.

(small voice):  Trust me.

***

Over time and multiple conversations with the Lord like this, MY will has worn down and become surrender, and my white-knuckled fists have finally started to release.  It has become clear that we are supposed to be in the United States.  Jeremy and I are 100% united in this decision.  We don’t understand God’s reasons WHY, but we do have one simple answer:  though it is not our will, it IS God’s will.  We are sure of it, but it will take some time for our hearts to catch up.  Our desire and plan all along has been to return to Haiti and continue our work—but we now see that God’s plan is for good, for our family AND for our ministry in Haiti (see below).
  

I want to make it clear that the decision we have made to stay stateside has NOT been made in fear.  Though we have been afraid at times, it is not what dictates our decision-making. As followers of Jesus, fear does not get to decide.  If fear steered the rudder of our lives, we would have never gone to Haiti in the first place.  Our decisions are made in faith that God is still sovereign even when we don’t understand.  That is what is holding me together right now as I type these words.  Honestly, I think that this decision to return stateside is stretching my faith even more than when we moved to Haiti.


As we have sought him over these few months, He has gently guided us and shown us the way to go.  I will admit that He hasn’t always given us the answers we wanted or brought clarity in the quick pace that we’ve desired…but just within the past couple of weeks, He has made it clear where we are to be.  


So this is where we are:


Leve Kanpe continues.  We have poured years into that work and now the day-to-day operations will shift to the very capable hands of our dedicated Haitian staff.   When we began five years ago, at the front of our minds was to identify and train local staff to continue the work, because we believe they can reach their own people far more effectively than we can.  In 2019, God made this goal a reality as He brought three extremely talented and trusted Haitian nationals to work alongside us.  They are the long-term future of Leve Kanpe and we are proud to partner with them.  Jeremy and I will continue traveling to Haiti regularly to continue training and encouragement, to bring supplies and resources, and just to reconnect to the hearts of the people we love.  The community center and malnutrition program have remained ongoing, day after day, week after week.  With the crisis of hunger growing, the incidence of childhood malnutrition is rising, and therefore our reach with the malnutrition program is becoming ever broader.  During these three months that we have been stateside, our nurse Shella and leadership team have continued the care of our 40+ nutrition patients, and together they have grown the program to include new children who need care.  (see photos below) My nursing partner and dear friend Sally and I will stay connected to the nutrition staff through weekly video conferences made possible by telemedicine equipment that was donated this year, as well as frequent visits to Haiti for further staff development and education.   Awana is BOOMING and growing as we shift more leadership to the Gospel-focused Haitian coordinator, Baby.   The OneEgg farm continues with Haitian employees according to plan, and Jeremy continues his consulting work with the tilapia farm from here.  Our leadership team is expertly maintaining several sustainability/small business projects, such as the sale of Farmer John’s meat, ice, and leather gloves, as we continue to work toward total in-country sustainability while helping boost local economy. Additionally, Leve Kanpe leadership helps us partner with local churches to serve our community through work days, food distributions, and special projects.  We firmly believe that as we step back and shift into more of a guidance role, this gives the national leadership the opportunity to RISE UP, which from the beginning—and the very naming of our ministry—has been our goal.  “Leve Kanpe” MEANS “rise up” in Kreyòl.  And God has done it.  We can look back and see God’s faithfulness, and look forward with hope to what’s next for this ministry as it grows and changes.  The work will never be done because the need is too great.  

 

Our family has returned to Northwest Arkansas.  Since October, we have hopped back and forth between Arkansas and Indiana, and cherished sweet time with family following the loss of my dad.  Though we have grieved deeply, our hearts are full of gratitude for the generosity of others and we stand amazed at how God has provided for us during this time.  However, once we knew we were supposed to stay in the US, we began seeking God to know exactly WHERE He wanted us to plant ourselves.  As Jesus has make crooked paths straight, He has led us back to where we left 3 ½ years ago.  Since the beginning of November, Jeremy has been consulting for JoyHouse Coffee Company and providing management at their Cave Springs (Arkansas) coffee shop to help grow the business.  It has been a blessing because it keeps his hands busy doing what he loves, which is providing jobs for the Haitian people.  That work has led to other opportunities to help support the needs of our family, and we are thankful for this.  We are renting a house in Rogers and the younger four kids will be going to school starting next week.  This is a major change for them:  from a one room co-op  with less than a dozen students with whom they are all friends, to giant buildings with lockers and changing classrooms and no friends (yet!).  This is ALSO a huge change for me, as homeschooling has been both a joy and a lot of work for me over these years.  Julie is a junior in High School and is very close to finishing her requirements to graduate, so she has decided to finish her work at home using a combination of traditional homeschool curriculum and online classes through Liberty University.  She will also be working at the coffee shop and although she never expected to be called a “barista”, she is really excited to work and meet people.  Jared is beginning his 2^nd semester of his freshman year at Ouachita Baptist University, and we are all thankful to be back in the same state as him.  All of the kids are being very brave and have approached this change with great attitudes although they all REEEEEALY miss Haiti.  They miss their home and their friends and their school and their pets and the beauty of the country.  They love our life there, even despite the difficulties.  One truth that brings me comfort is that the kids are coming off that mission field with tender hearts (rather than wounded, hard hearts), and I’m confident that they will be eager to obey if God calls them somewhere else (or even back to Haiti) one day.   I am forever thankful for this.


So, here it is, January 4^th, and so far I’ve cried 4 out of 4 days this year.  The grief has been great, but Jesus’ presence has been greater.    Please continue to pray for Haiti, her people and the leadership of Leve Kanpe.  We are trusting God for goodness, because He is our hope and our strength.