Dawn and Brian met at Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato, MN. Dawn graduated with a Bachelor’s in Communication and they got married while Brian went on to Seminary. They moved to Cottage Grove, WI for his vicarship and then to Sebring, FL for his first call. He then went to UCF to get a second master’s degree and Michigan State for a PhD in Communication. Dawn kept everything together and had their two daughters, Brynn (11) and Madison (8).
Now 21 years and 9 moves later they live back in Mankato where Brian teaches at both Bethany and the Seminary. Dawn is a substitute teacher at several schools and an active volunteer at Mount Olive Lutheran Church. In her spare time between car pooling, activities, homework and events, she loves to read and garden and is always growing something odd, dragging Brian along with her. Both Brian and Dawn are passionate about mission work, from helping set up a video ministry to the Hmong people and underserved areas of the U.S. to raising money and awareness of Branch Lutheran Schools of Haiti. They both feel very blessed and humbled to serve the Lord
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Haitians are in the midst of trying times, especially in the Port-au-Prince region; a state of emergency has been declared and a curfew has been issued for 72 hours as order is restored to the nation's capital.
We are blessed at Branch Schools with skilled and formidable directors and teachers who have lions' hearts when it comes to adversity; keeping the safety and hope ablaze in the eyes of the children and the surrounding communities. They truly hold the fort. All public administration, businesses, and schools will be closed as this state of emergency has been issued from 5:00 a.m. Monday until 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 6th. The curfew does not include police enforcement, fire fighters, or first responders. We are confident in the skills and commitment of our directors and teachers in the Port-au-Prince region and across Haiti. We pray that, if it is God's will, all the citizens, directors, teachers, and children will be kept safe. Heavenly Father, please give strength and resolve to all who restore order and determination to the citizens who have been affected by the disruption. -Lauren Frey In 2010, a historic and catastrophic earthquake rocked Haiti, killing over 220,000 people. Shortly after, Hurricane Sandy plowed through.
The WELS Christian Aid & Relief organization immediately responded. These WELS members had an opportunity to support our Caribbean neighbors, seeing how many children, families and communities were left in need after the natural disasters. But, relief funding is only intended to be temporary, to help get a community back on its feet post-disaster. When the time came for WELS funding to end, congregation members from St. Paul, MN worked hard to set up a registered charity. They would continue to raise and channel the funding required for the Lord's work in Port-au-Prince and across Haiti. Lee & Linda Petersen and Rev. Terry Schultz & Mary Schultz, along with Darryl & Pam Folkens, Tom & Judy Kuster, Michael & Jas Klebig, and Kathleen Menke were instrumental in the founding of Branch Lutheran Schools as a stand-alone charity. The registered nonprofit, “Branch Lutheran Schools of Haiti,” was born. The work at Branch Schools has been blessed; the grassroots project continues. Thirteen years later, there are now over 1,100 children in six schools that are eating nutritious meals & learning crucial numeracy and literacy skills, and growing daily in the knowledge of their Savior Jesus Christ. Amidst high inflation & difficult times, political corruption, floods, earthquakes, poverty, and gang-related crime roiling through Haiti, children are grateful for the opportunity to go to school. And teachers and academic staff are paid competitive salaries. All of this is encouraging for the next generation of courageous Haitians. All because of the generous givers to Branch Schools. This #GivingTuesday raised over $48,000 for our Haitian neighbors in Christ. The work continues and is blessed. Thank you! --Lauren Frey, guest blog author. The directors and teachers at Branch Lutheran Schools of Haiti candidly answered what they were up to in the summertime in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Director Boursiquot shared: “Firstly, for the children, the summertime represents a moment of respite; they are always happy after a long period of study to go on vacation. For teachers, this represents a “phew”. With vacation, it’s rest and time for other things, like visiting with family. For me as Director, it represents a reset, the charges are deposited for a short time, [then] time to take stock and time for major calculations for the new year."
Director Yvette in Smyrne shared that “the summer represents a moment of rest [for the children], some of them were always tired during the school time”. Play is equally important as rest: the boys at Branch Schools are usually found kicking a soccer ball around, for hours lost in their own goal-keeping and trick-playing. The girls prefer mostly board games. Rest and restoration was the resounding answer given for all. Consequently, the Branch Schools leaders are now refreshed and ready to tackle the new school year. Summer sessions were held to keep the children engaged and connected. Director Boursiquot confirmed: “This started August 7th.” Director Jeanot stated that after the teachers' summer break, they get ready for the upcoming year with a seminar. Director Boursiquot detailed that during the training seminar, held by the Branch Schools Academic Dean, teachers prepare the course book and review classroom strategies. It’s an exciting time at Branch Schools! The bustle of school is ringing with energy and drive after a restorative break for all throughout the summer. Lauren What are the board members of Branch Schools doing today? How have things changed since they joined Branch Schools? We checked in with the board members and, in this blog series, we'll share the answers with you! Up next is Emily Helmen, the Senior Development Coordinator for Branch Schools. Emily has been part of Branch Schools since May 2020. Find Emily's updated bio below! "Emily grew up in Mankato, MN, and graduated from Bethany Lutheran College with a Bachelor's degree in English in 2020. In August 2023, Emily will graduate with a Creative Writing MFA (Master's of Fine Arts) from Emerson College. In her spare time, Emily is likely found writing fiction or playing board games. She is married to Caleb, who was ordained as a pastor in the ELS in July 2023. Emily and Caleb spent the last year living in Naples, Florida for Caleb's vicarage, and now reside in Thornton, Iowa for Caleb's first call as a pastor. A trip to Haiti in 2016 created a deep love for the Haitian children there, and she has been truly blessed by the last three years serving Branch Schools." Gangs and corrupt government. And now comes the rain. God in his infinite wisdom has a much bigger vision than my feeble human mind can possibly comprehend. "Dozens of people have died as heavy rain is flooding the country, last count was 42 [as of Monday, June 5]. 13,300 have lost their homes, 11 people missing after heavy rain has devastated the country." "The World Food Program and the United Nations food assistance agency has said it will start providing displaced people with hot meals, for up to 15,000 people." Please Lord, make the ground high of the orphanages and Lutheran schools in Haiti. Let them be a ray of light and a beacon of hope for weary eyes and tired souls. Dear God in Heaven, please protect the directors. Keep the teachers and students safe. Amen. In Jesus name, Lauren Frey & family Info and quotes taken from: Al Jazeera & News Agency and Haitian Ladies Network. The video below was sent by Director Boursiquot on June 4. What are the board members of Branch Schools doing today? How have things changed since they joined Branch Schools? We checked in with the board members and, in this blog series, we'll share the answers with you! Up next is Darryl Folkens, the secretary for the board. Darryl has been part of Branch Schools since it began in 2015. Find Darryl's updated bio below! "Darryl Folkens is the current secretary of the board of directors of Branch Lutheran Schools of Haiti, Inc. He received a Bachelor of Art’s degree in Math and Economics from the University of Minnesota, Morris. He also attended Control Data Institute and University of Minnesota. Darryl served in the US Air Force as an officer with the Strategic Air Command. He retired from the State of Minnesota after 41 years in the Information Technology field. Darryl and his wife Pamela have two children and six grandchildren. He has been an active member of Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in St. Paul, MN since 1979. He has served in various church council positions and volunteered on many committees. In retirement, he continues to volunteer for church and Branch Lutheran Schools. He enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, fishing, photography and spending time at the lake." What are the board members of Branch Schools doing today? How have things changed since they joined Branch Schools? We checked in with the board members and, in this blog series, we'll share the answers with you! Up first is Lee Petersen, the chair of the board. Lee has been part of Branch Schools since it began in 2015. Find Lee's updated bio below! Lee is a member of Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Saint Paul, MN, where he serves as Personnel Committee Chair on the church council. He is married to Linda (Special Projects Coordinator for Branch Schools), has two grown children and two grandchildren. Professionally, Lee is a Principal Engineer at Itasca Consulting, has a Ph.D. in geoengineering, is a registered professional engineer in several states, and has 40 years of experience in the design and construction of civil and mining projects. Now in partial retirement, Lee uses his free time on Branch Schools, Mount Olive, and several hobbies including fishing, boating, cycling, photography and woodworking. Sharing the knowledge of our Savior is tremendous and important work - it is going on both at home here in Texas, on a national level and internationally.
Our attention was first drawn to Branch Lutheran Schools of Haiti when we heard the numbers of children supported there, including orphans. Children receive the opportunity to go to school, be in a safe place and hear the truth and love of their savior, Jesus Christ. The challenges that called workers face daily are great, which is what makes pastors, teachers, staff ministers and others such special people; they are able to look past the worldly towards a divine call. And still volunteer their hand: choose me. In Haiti, that is an understatement. A quick search on the US travel advisory site informs briefly and succinctly of the challenges of daily living in Haiti; the political instability; the gang violence - murders and rape and kidnapping run rampant in neighborhood streets. The most recent press shows that Doctors Without Borders had to temporarily close a hospital in Cite Soleil due to gang violence, which has left dozens dead in a number of weeks. What more can be done for our brothers and sisters in Christ in Haiti? Donations help; to help pay for capital on buildings, to the extremely inflated fuel, to salaries for the teachers and meals for the children. And prayer. There is grit and resilience marching forward daily in the Lord's work that is done to sustain life despite the conditions. It will be the Haitian people who will overcome their obstacles in God's time. We, as our small family of 5 will continue to tithe and to pray for these Caribbean neighbors of ours. I respectfully request if you can too, please do. Lauren Frey is a guest author, stay at home mother of three, homeschooling family, business owner and currently living in South Texas. This blog series takes a closer look at some of the Bible verses used in past newsletters, posts on Facebook, and more. Read on to learn more about these verses, why they were chosen, and what they mean to Branch Schools!
Psalm 33:11 - "The plans of the Lord stand firm forever." This verse was used in a Facebook post on September 5 as Branch Schools shared the difficult news that schools have been delayed in Haiti, from the original starting date of Sept. 5 to the new date of Oct. 3. This decision from Haiti's government came as protests are rising and travel is unsafe. Many of these protests in the last week have occurred due to an announcement that gas will no longer be subsidized by the government. Fuel is currently scarce in Haiti, which enables a thriving black market that can charge upwards of $20/gallon. Psalm 33 is a strong reminder of God's steadfast love. Verse 4 says that "For the word of the Lord is upright, and all His work is done in faithfulness." God's plan is not subject to human whims or mistakes. His word will always endure. This is especially comforting when the plans of humans falter and fail. When our lives seem to be derailing and we see no hope for improvement, we know that God's plan is still in motion. The situation in Haiti is desperate. Director Boursiquot shared that a pack of white paper that recently would cost $2 is now up to $20 for the same item. According to CNN, Haiti "saw a 30.7% inflation rate increase in July this year compared to 2021." Inflation is now the highest it has been in Haiti for the last ten years. God has a plan for Haiti, just like He has a plan for the whole world--just like He had a plan to save the world from sin. His plan sent Jesus to take our sins and win us eternal life on the cross. That means we can know with certainty that not only do we have the hope of heaven, but that God's plans are for our good. We pray that God's will be done in Haiti and everywhere. Thank you for your support and prayers! www.cnn.com/.../haiti-gas-hike-intl-latam/index.html |
AuthorBranch Lutheran Schools of Haiti, Inc. Archives
May 2024
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