CHARLES' CHILDREN
Charles and Gigi LeMorzellec are as French as their name sounds. Members of the Warrenton church, they've taken on the responsibility of caring for orphans - in Haiti, of all places! Since Haitians speak Creole (very close to French) their language stands them in good stead these days. But, just how did they acquire an orphanage?
"I would have never gone to Haiti had it not been for Anne Marie," Charles says. She attended Warrenton while a student at Hartland; when asked to help at an orphanage she went. "When we didn't hear from her we got worried," Gigi says, "so Charles flew down to see if she was all right." Anne Marie was fine - but the children weren't. "Their condition was desperate," Charles explains. "No electricity or adequate sanitation, and rats everywhere; their only food was beans and rice. I knew the Lord had called me there."
That was two years ago. Orphanage director Max Church has since stepped down, asking Charles to assume directorship and responsibility for the orphanage. Charles has moved the orphanage twice. Today, Eden Garden Orphanage is located in a leased home at Montrouis, 70 km from Port au Prince. "No more trash; no more rats!" Charles says. The children are well cared for and eat more than beans and rice now. Since the orphanage is right on the beach they can even swim; that would have been impossible in Port au Prince.
However, the present location is at best only temporary. "Every time I negotiate another year's lease the owner ups the amount!" Charles says. "We need a permanent home for the children, one adequate for more than the 17 we are caring for now." He thinks he has found the solution. "The members of our church in Montrouis have a nice lot big enough for the church, a clinic and school, and the orphanage. They have asked me to bring the orphanage to their property." The church is 200 yards from the beach; the children could still swim.
Charles is a roofer and has a good idea of what building costs will be. "The church needs a roof which will cost $10,000,and guest rooms and the rest will be an additional $20,000. A building to house the children will cost around $25,000, a clinic $15,000, well $5,000, and the wall finished and gates added will cost around $9,000." Someone has already donated dental equipment for the clinic.
Fortunately Charles and Gigi have not been alone in this project. When Charles met a representative of American Airlines he had an opportunity to share the need for a cost-effective way of shipping things to the orphanage. American now flies all his boxes to Haiti without charge! Airline Ambassadors and members of Patch Adams' Gesundheit helped with a belated Christmas party in January, as did Charles' pastor, Dr. John Glass. "Haiti makes Mexico seem rich in comparison," Pastor Glass comments. "It is the poorest nation in this hemisphere, but many of the people seem happy anyway. When you see the little they have compared to the typical American, and you see the joy our gifts put on the faces of those children at that party - well, you just want to keep on giving." Monthly costs run close to $2,000. Food for the Poor, an organization that feeds hundreds throughout the Caribbean is also helping.
"I asked Charles what he was going to do when the orphanage was completed," Pastor Glass related. "'Build another…and another…' he said. I am amazed at Charles and Gigi's taking on such a large project, but his vision is larger than Eden." Charles projects that with the church completed (at least roofed) the members can begin more aggressive evangelism and baptize a lot of people. "He's right," Pastor Glass affirms. "Having been there and seen the situation, Eden Garden Orphanage and the Montrouis Church will make a large difference in our work in Haiti."
To become better acquainted with Eden and the children visit Eden's web site at www.Edenchildren.org. 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.
