Dear Family and Friends -

I want to take a moment to share what God has been doing in my life over the last year.   In April of 2012, I went on a mission trip to Nicaragua with my church and absolutely loved it!  So many things impacted me on this trip.  Two verses, from my personal devotions, that greatly touched me/spoke to me were:  “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.  Ask the Lord of the harvest,
therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”  (Matthew 9:37-38)  

After I came home from Nicaragua, I had a hard time getting back into the routine
of things here since my heart was still back in Nicaragua.  At first I thought it was due
to being on a “spiritual high” that always comes after going on a mission trip.  I figured
eventually I would get back into the normal routine and life would go on like always. 
However, I never got back into the normal routine and life just wasn’t the same.  Early
on, I could sense that God was nudging me to do something different but what that was, I didn’t know.   After a few weeks of praying, listening, and spending time in God’s Word; I felt God was placing it on my heart and calling me to go overseas                
somewhere.   God was using sermons, songs, and a number of different ways to speak
to me.   God definitely had my attention!   I thought about it daily and then one night
I couldn’t handle processing it anymore so as I was lying in bed, I said – “Alright Lord,
I’ll go wherever you want me to go and do what you want me to do – just show me
where.”  Well, not too long after that God started showing me/leading me in the way
He wanted me to go.                                                                                                                                    

In May, some friends of mine went to Children of the Promise (COTP)                  
which is in Haiti.  I decided to check out COTP’s website since I’ve always
thought it would be fun to work in an orphanage.  They had a preschool opening
and immediately I thought that looked like fun especially since it was teaching kids
English so they could adjust easier when they were adopted.  I thought how hard
can that be since I LOVE working with kids?  I started to look into that position which      
also led into finding out there was an accounting position there as well.   Throughout
this time, I continued to pray that God would show me what I should do or where I        
should go.  One night driving home from work, I saw a big sign that said “Bless the
Orphans” on it.  I never saw it before but I felt like that was God’s way of telling me
what I should be doing.   In September of 2012, I went to COTP to check it out since
I felt like God was leading me in that direction.   While at COTP, I had the opportunity
to love on these precious kids!   These kids stole my heart!!!   After coming home, spending time in prayer, and seeing God open so many doors, I knew that God was calling me to go to COTP.  God continues to open doors and confirm my decision to be part of the mission at COTP.  He even provided a Creole (Haitian language) class in Grand Rapids!  God is so good!!

In response to God’s call, in May of 2013, I will be moving to Haiti to COTP.   My job with COTP will be doing their accounting part time and helping in their preschool the other part of the time.   I will be teaching English to the kids so they will be able to adjust easier when they get adopted.  Per God’s leading, I have committed to being there for 1 year.

Children of the Promise is located in the small village of Lagosette which is in northern Haiti, about 8 miles from Cap Haitien.  Currently they have about 60 infants/kids in their care.  Children come with a variety of needs that may include malnutrition, serious illness or family difficulties.  The main goal is to reunite the children with their biological families and if that is not possible then they start the adoption process.  COTP is the largest employer in the area providing work for 80+ local residents.  COTP also has other programs that assist the community.  These programs include:  prenatal classes, formula program, nutritional supplement program, school sponsorship program and water filtration.  If you are interested in learning more, check out their website at www.childrenofthepromise.org. 

I’ve already been blessed by your encouragement, prayers and support!  I would appreciate your prayerful consideration to continue to support me with your prayers and finances.  My goal is to raise $13,000 for the year since that is what it will cost to live there for one year.  This amount covers the cost of health insurance, travel, lodging and food while I’m down there.   If you feel led to give, you may do so by doing a one time gift or a monthly gift.  As with most charitable giving, my name should not appear anywhere on the check.   Simply write a note or include a post-it note with my name on it and/or how you want it to be used.   You can donate online by going to COTP’s website at www.childrenofthepromise.org or by mailing a check to:  Children of the Promise   PO Box 123  Prinsburg, MN 56281.  

THANK YOU to all who have walked beside me on this incredible journey and all who have encouraged me and prayed for me.  Thanks for allowing me to share how God has been leading me over the last year.  While I am at COTP, I plan on sending out updates through email or facebook.   If you don’t have either one of those, let me know and I will make sure you get updates.  J  My email address is vavink@juno.com and my cell phone number is 616-403-5143.   I would LOVE to share this journey with you! 

Blessings,
Val Avink