January 2017 update

PRAISE

Our new non-profit, NouKod Foundation was approved as a 501c3 tax deductible organization on Dec 30th! 

PRAY

- We are in the depths of the weight of transition to new ministry and roles - pray for our courage and strength.

- We are working tirelessly at this stage of a "tent-making" ministry model, to get the new Haitian IT outsourcing business functioning without profit-seeking investors, it is taking longer than we hoped and requiring Rebecca to continue working a few weeks at a time in CA. 

- Pray for her refreshment as she travels back and forth and works in both countries to her maximum capacity and for Ted as he works under challenging circumstances in Haiti at the moment. 

- Pray for our first "intern" - he is a young German man, named Kenneth, who is in Haiti presently. He is interested in helping with the company devlopment and in serving to create jobs in Haiti. 

- Rebecca's neice (well cousin actually, but she calls us aunt & uncle) who is also named Becca, has been on several trips to Haiti with missionaries from her home town in Rhode Island. She was with us in Haiti this month and is feeling God calling her to be there more full-time. She is prayerfully planning to return in a month to help with Syndie's homeschooling and however else she might minister. 

- Pray for Tynan as he continues his programming studies and works toward being able to help with the future training and projects that will be starting up this spring. 

- Emma is doing well and helping hold down the fort in northern CA for now. She has a couple of jobs and is taking her first college course this spring! Pray as she seeks God's direction in her studies and future. 

- Rebecca and her midwifery partner Brooke finally were able to meet up in Haiti and spend some time planning and their ministry calling has taken them in an unexpected direction. They are now working on a partnership with Global Birthing Home Foundation to open the first birth home in all of Haiti specifically to serve missionary and expatriate women. The need for this non-existent ministry came when Rebecca returned to Haiti in December weeks after graduation, to multiple pregnant women looking for maternity and delivery care in-country. Proceeds will also be used to provide maternity care for Haitian women in need.

- Rebecca will be delivering her FIRST baby as a CNM in Haiti next month for a sweet Mennonite family. Pray for this MAMA, who is due soon. They will be traveling up to Port Au Prince from the provinces this week. Pray for a safe and blessed arrival of their new baby and for Rebecca as she attends their birth. This family has been instrumental in bringing this unmet need to light.

- Rebecca will also be taking a part time faculty teaching position on Friday & Saturdays starting in March, down at a brand new Haitian nurse midwifery program in Leogane, Haiti at a school called FSIL. 

- Ted has multiple projects going on as well. He is overseeing the 5 young people that are currently working on entry level IT services. He also is training another group to provide services to NGOs through a CommCare service line and preparing for a boot camp this spring to get some programmers working soon. 

We are resting in God's goodness and strength at the end of each weary day and looking forward seeing all that He will bring about here in Haiti. 

Ted & Rebecca

May 2016 - Prayer & Praise updates / Ministry Needs

PRAISE

- Rebecca is halfway through the clinical portion of her studies.

- She attended a crucial birth center symposium in Haiti and met with other midwives who are either working in the country or supporting work here.

- The president of Rebecca's school, Frontier Nursing University, was here in Haiti in March and offered to work on credentialing a local private hospital as a potential clinical setting so that she can complete her clinicals here in Haiti!

- She has at least TWO incredible Nurse-Midwives that have committed to traveling to Haiti for several weeks each in order to pour into her learning and help her complete her midwifery requirements here.

- There have been some great conversations about improving maternity care in Haiti through developing more birth centers throughout the country. Several current ministries and national leaders gathered to try to work together recently.

- Syndie just completed FIRST grade! We are constantly reminded of the miracle of her life, her health and the privilege of watching her grow and thrive and learn.

PRAYER

- Ted has passed one and been diagnosed with at least five more kidney stones. He is not in much pain currently, but pray for this condition to resolve quickly and without any complications.

- Ted's overall health has been challenging, pray for physical strength and reserve as we enter the ruggedly hot summer months here.

- Pray that he will be able to find adequate breaks from immediate needs and responsibilities in order to recuperate. He has been regularly working 6 day weeks.

- Pray for Rebecca as she continues to acclimate back to HOT weather after being in the cold of MN for the spring months. It's been a physical struggle.

- Pray for the clinical site in Haiti to be approved this week - so that she can get started with her preceptor that is ready and waiting to travel down next weekend.

- Continue lifting up our adoption process, every time we meet with the adoption agency representative here we are given different instructions. Now we are told that we have additional paperwork to do before moving forward with Syndie's dossier.

- We are also STILL waiting for news from social services about receiving custody of Kervensley, who is deteriorating in the orphanage.

- Spiritual stamina and refreshment.

- Encouragement from family and friends in the US, hopefully some visitors to come visit and give us a much needed emotional boost in the next few months.

- Lastly, clear guidance as we have decisions to consider and make on life and ministry here over the second half of the year and into next year, once Rebecca finishes up her studies and we move into a completely new phase.

As always we thank God for all who are faithful in lifting up prayers on our behalf...we could not do much here without that.

MINISTRY NEEDS: 

One more CNM preceptor willing to travel down in late July or August. There may also be a longer term 3-12 mo position starting in fall/winter.

We are STILL searching for a qualified individual, interested in administrating/overseeing a computer programming training center here for 3-12 months. Programming skills preferred, but not absolutely necessary as most of the training can be supported from the US. 

ROOM, BOARD and travel provided for both of these opportunities to serve. Small stipend is negotiable for those committed to >3 months.

CNM needed in HAITI next spring...

We are ACTIVELY looking for a CNM (certified nurse midwife) willing to commit to 6-12 weeks in Haiti next spring (Jan-May)

Willing and able to serve as Rebecca's clinical preceptor (through Frontier Nursing University)​ in a local community hospital setting here.

Previous international travel preferred, but not necessary. Needs to have completed 1 year of experience post CNM graduation and carry own malpractice insurance.

Interested? Contact and send CV to: rebecca.barlow@frontier.edu or tenmilliontoes@gmail.com