The Big Announcement!

Family and Friends,

Today we make the big announcement!  Nov. 9 our whole family will finally be on a flight to Port-au-Prince.  God is directing our path in ways we have not previously experienced, and it is an amazing adventure. 

Who are we to think we can make a difference in the lives of the people of that troubled country?  The answer is simple...we're nobodies...but if God chooses to use us when we are down there we are prepared to give Him all the glory.  We are going down there with very simple, and some might even say low, expectations.  This year we hope to begin to learn the language, develop a deeper dependence on God, grow closer as a family, and get to know the people of the community better.  That's about it.  Sure, we have enormous dreams for what could be done in the future, but those will largely remain dreams this first year.

You might be asking, "So did they sell their house?"  No we haven't sold it yet, so that remains an urgent prayer request.  However, we are confident God is leading us to move to Haiti in November.  This is what happened...Pam asked us if we could fill in at the orphanage starting on November 9 for about three weeks to give Fern a break.  We talked and prayed through that opportunity and made the decision to go.  But as we considered the situation further and continued praying, it made sense to us to stay there until next summer instead of going back and forth.  So we will work in the orphanage for a few weeks, a sort of missionary boot camp, and then transition to a more "normal" situation for several more months before coming back to the US next summer for rest, family visits, and fundraising. 

That is the short version of the story, but God has continued to confirm the decision in many ways.  Now the icing on the cake would be to see the house sell in the next couple of months.  This also makes our list of needed supplies a little bit more urgent as we prepare to go.  We will re-print those below and ask everyone to pray one more time about helping us out financially with this move.  Directions for giving can be found at the bottom of the list.

Thanks to everyone for everything you have done for us up to this point.  It is difficult to put into words how gratifying this moment is in our lives, and we hope each of you shares in that excitement as well.  Please continue to read this blog as we prepare to go and as we begin our new life in Haiti.  It should continue to be an adventure.  All glory to God!

       
Additional Expenses for Moving to Haiti


Homeschooling Curriculum- $962
Passports / Immunizations- $450
Plane tickets / in-country travel (one way)- $2500 (looks like this could be lower...not sure yet)
Table & chairs- $300
Beds (around $200 each)- $800
Other furniture (shelving, etc...)- $500
Generator- $1500
Stove- $250
Freezer- $350
House accessibility updates- (not sure yet)
Phone set-up- $100
Internet set-up- (not sure yet)


To help out with our moving expenses, please sent all gifts to the Mission Haiti office:

              Mission Haiti   PO Box 486   Tea, SD  57064

Checks should be made out to "Mission Hait" with "Grimm Family" in the memo.  If you want to designate the gift toward any of the items listed above, simply include a short note of explanation.  All gifts are tax deductible, and you will receive a receipt.  Thanks!