Eden Garden Fall 2000 Newsletter
It has been a good deal of time--and many trips to the orphanage in Haiti, since we have written to you. We hope that you will forgive us for being tardy, 
but life is a whirl of gathering goods, funds, and American Airline flights into the chaos of Haiti. We keep struggling against the odds, in our often inadequate efforts to save and protect the children that God has thrust upon us. Gigi and I recently returned from Haiti. A planned week sojourn at the orphanage turned into two weeks, because of the revolution that is fomenting there. We were detained from returning home by roadblocks of burning tires, reckless armed bandits and canceled American Airline flights. We mention American Airlines by name, for they have been a Godsend: the airline has shipped goods for us and carried Gigi and I back and forth as an act of mercy to our children.
Well, where to begin? We have again lost our lease and again moved the orphanage to a house near the beach exactly a year ago (our second move). That house was a relatively satisfactory situation for all. As always seems to be the case with our commitment to our Haitian orphans. God gives us a step or two forward and then tests us with a plunge backward.
Our test this time was the loss of our leased house near the beach. The house we were forced to move into, and the orphanage now occupies, is too small. It is in an impoverished area--cruel and harsh--even by Haitian standards. We had no choice, but that doesn't calm our constant fear for the safety of my charges--the little ones--we have promised to protect and support.
The truth is obvious. Our only hope for long-term stability and security of the orphanage is to construct and control our own buildings.
Over the past year, we have been able to replace the roof, doors and complete the wall around a tiny Seventh-day Adventist church near our former orphanage house. This was accomplished with a generous donation from a person in one of our local Virginia churches. Partially as a result of that kind contribution and the material benefits it provided that small house of God, we have secured the right to construct our orphanage on five acres of church land.
This is a blessing, for it will enable us to construct small single gender dormitories, a small staff house, a kitchen structure and one for toilets and showers. Such a large piece of ground will also allow us to construct a clinic, to be staffed with volunteer doctors and dentists from the U.S. and Europe. We will also have enough space to provide adequate recreation for the children. Securing the land, however, is only the beginning of the journey to a permanent and safe home for our children.
Now we must, with the help of God, produce the necessary funds to buy the materials and construct equip the buildings. With the minimal cost of labor in Haiti, we estimate that $75,000.00 in construction money will provide basic shelter. So little money to do so much, but it is far more than I can contribute. We must ask you for additional assistance in our ongoing quest to provide the necessities of life for a few of God's children, in the most God forsaken of places.
Will you send a check now, in order that we can begin construction within two months? We are not very good at begging,
but we are asking from the depths of our hearts and souls. We are in a position to bring critical assistance to so many. In addition to our residential children, one hundred and fifty (150) swarmed to us when the word was spread that we would soon have a school open to all the children who could find their way to us. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we had the resources to fill those young minds with the basic knowledge needed to be a craftsman, to read a newspaper, to be a mother who can read to her child. These are the small steps forward that challenge and stimulate Gigi and I. If only we could tell those needy children, "Come forward, God and we will help you. Together we will give you hope for the future and nurture your soul, your body today. We will give you the ability to learn to accept God's love." If only we could provide tha clarion call.
There is so much that could be done for the children of Haiti. We wish that you would come there with us, so that you could see, understand the problems--THE OPPORTUNITIES which God has placed before us.
Pastor John Glass journeyed to our Haitian orphanage. Now, he is the greatest of supporters for efforts to help feed, cloth, house and educate the children cast out into the most wretched of worlds. Call us and come with us to Haiti tomorrow. But today, please send a check as generous as you can write.
So you see, we make a step or two forward, and certainly followed by one backward. But if you do the math, you'll understand that we will not be defeated. We will not be denied. We will go forward. We will, with God's help, do what we have set out to do: help as many of the impoverished children as He and our meager efforts will allow.
In His Name, with love,
Charles and Gigi Le-Morzellec
If you feel impressed to help, send your contributions to:
Eden Garden Orphanage
10117 Lauran Pl, Nokesville, VA 20181.
To call Charles and Gigi personally dial 703-591-9123.
