God Moves Us Around

Editor’s Note: Last month we shared God’s call upon Chris Surber and family to leave their ministry here in the states and move to Haiti to minister there. This month we share the Olssons’ family story as they leave Haiti after 16 years there to resettle here.

Hello from Elkton, Florida

by Karl and Ann Olsson

Karl and Ann Olsson

CHANGE — it is a big word when you are in the middle of it. Five weeks ago we left Haiti after 16 years of ministry there, and settling down in Elkton, very close to St. Augustine. Changes — new address, new phone numbers, learning how to live in the US again, and finding our way around. We are searching for a new church, meeting new people, learning new ways of doing things, unpacking our ‘stuff’ and trying to find a place for everything as we settle into our new home, and trying not get too overwhelmed!

We have watched God’s hand of guidance as He helped us move from Haiti to Florida, grateful for Missionary Flights International that flew all our totes and boxes with us to Florida, having a wonderful home to live in, and making connections with Ann’s niece and nephew who live in this area, getting to know them after 40 years. God is good all the time and all the time God is good.

We do however, love having 24/7 electricity, good roads, no dust, good water with no bleach, and an infrastructure that works. As we left Haiti, the Lord provided a wonderful couple to move into our home, good friends who are giving Mike our dog a good home, selling/giving our household goods to others, and wonderful, precious support from our Haitian brothers and sisters and fellow missionaries.

Another change is having new and different responsibilities with Convoy of Hope. We are still working within the Children Feeding Initiative as we were before, but in different ways. We would be the leaders taking pastor groups to Haiti to see what COH does (as opposed to when we lived in Haiti, and meeting these groups at the airport) and show them what COH is doing in the schools and orphanages. Also, Karl, formerly a soil scientist with the USDA, will work directly with COH’s professor of soil science and Haitian agronomists in the Agricultural Project. From time to time, also we will call donors and pastors who are interested in Haiti to encourage them to ‘come and see’ what’s happening. We will also participate what is called ‘One Day,’ a community outreach through the churches to receive help in various ways (fun times for the kids, haircuts, health and dental screening, job placement assistance, hot meals, etc.). Karl may have the opportunity to go to Haiti in May with the Agricultural Project, but this is not confirmed yet. But this gives you an idea of what our future holds with COH. But our leaders have also told us to get settled and rest some before we start again, and for that we’re very grateful.

Not changing — something that hasn’t changed is that Berean Mission Alliance, our 501(c)(3), will continue to receive our support funds, and their information is below. We are very grateful for this blessing.

As we close this chapter of our lives and open another, we want to highlight some of what the Lord enabled us to do in Haiti with your love, prayers, and financial support. Here is a short list of what YOU participated in with us:

1998 — Developed a guesthouse for adoptive parents, families, and work teams.
1999–2009 — Pastor of Quisqueya Chapel.
2010 onward —  Convoy of Hope:  guesthouse, pastor groups, donor groups, special events.

Also:
Karl — Taught Pastor Seminars for Haitian pastors.
Ann — Managed pharmacy for medical groups and teams; also assisted with LACC (Latin America Child Care, sponsorship for children in school).
And — Discipling Haitian young people and fellow missionaries with their needs.
Relief Funds — enabled us to help Haitians: build homes (even before the earthquake), send children to school, send young people to attend universities, find jobs, start businesses, meet medical needs, listen to dreams, and most special, pray with them.

Change and new beginnings need prayer, and your prayers are invaluable to us… thank you.

We will be going to New England in June, headquartered in Brattleboro, Vermont. Our purpose is to meet with as many of you as we can, to meet with pastors of churches who support us and answer any questions you may have. Thank you again for being a part of our work and ministry. Please note below, our new address and phone number.

In HIM,
Karl and Ann