May Update: Multi-Coloured Pens, Projects & a Medal

It's been a while! 

I usually think that pre-Christmas season is the busiest work time for me, with it being the biggest fundraising season. But no. Busiest time of year is right now. So, sorry if you've missed us in the blogosphere! Hopefully, we're friends on Facebook so you know we're still alive.  

Here's why this is busy season: 

• Radio 4VEH's 65th Anniversary is 2 June. The anniversary is always a major event in Haiti and in Haitian communities in the USA. This year is a big one. So, the staff at the station, Storly and me here in Indiana, and our Haitian representatives in the USA are all busy preparing events, materials and special radio programs. I've been creating, designing, producing brochures and banners, as well as the design for a new CD. More on that later. All in Creole or French or some combination of the two.

• The ministry has expanded beyond radio, and so there's a minor name change and re-branding we're working on. Been re-designing logos, letterhead, etc, all in multiple languages. 

• I'm finalizing a fundraising appeal for the station, ahead of the usual trend in the nonprofit world of lower donations during the summer months. Got a great story to share, and am getting these materials prepared for use in a mailing, online, and to send to our partners (OMS offices in various countries, as well as other organizations who support the station).

• We're putting together projects for various needs at the station, including repairs and remodeling for the building which is now 15 years old; upgrading computer and broadcast equipment; replacing air conditioning throughout the building (mission-critical when it's 100 degrees outside!). Lots of details needed, costs for everything need to be figured out (including 'is it better or even possible to buy it in Haiti or buy in USA, ship to Haiti, and try and estimate shipping and customs charges'....yeh, fun.) And then I need to package all the info in a way that a donor will be inspired and excited to help get the job done. Need another marketing writer! 

• And we leave in two weeks' time to spend the summer in Haiti. So, there's packing, relocating my office (ok, just temporarily, but still thinking through what I might need there, and what I need to hand over to someone else while I'm gone from here), there are major deliveries arriving from Amazon (I always hope it's something for me, but nope - usually some cables, piece of equipment, office supplies, or other things we need to take down to the station). There's things to take care of (dental stuff, medical stuff, house stuff, end-of-school-year stuff). 

• And then there are our girls - two weeks left in school. The day after school's out, we head to the airport. They've been desperate to start packing, and now need serious monitoring so they don't just pack a suitcase full of stuffed animals :)

I've just finished one project, sent it to the printers. So, am taking a little breather with you (and a cup of afternoon tea, of course). Here's a few photos from the last few weeks: 

A gorgeous trip to local state park, Brown County, during Mum's visit at Easter.

For those of you who think Esther is the quiet one,
just check out that expression on her cheeky little face :)

Mum had bronchitis for the first few days here. So it was even more special
to enjoy the gorgeous sunshine once she recovered. 

Happy in sunglasses. 

Me and my mama.  

Weeeeeeeee!

Gorgeous!

Lots of printing of works-in-progress recently. This one is the new CD, the first in a series of Bible dramas written by Rachael Picazo, called Parole Vivante, translated into Creole and produced and aired on 4VEH during the 1960's (and still on the air, and much-loved by listeners of all ages). It's all about going in a Time Machine back to biblical times and hearing the stories unfold. Storly's been working on improving the quality of the audio (which was originally recorded on reel-to-reel), I did the design work. We'll have the CDs in our hands in Haiti for the Anniversary week ($10 a piece, if you're interested. Would make a great gift for any Haitian friends!). 

Esther wasn't too happy that I 'borrowed' her fantastic multi-coloured pen for editing the fundraising appeal I'm working on. But it brought a little more joy to the tough discipline of 'slash and burn' editing of your own stuff.  

Two weeks left in school. How is that possible? They start 2nd and 4th grades first week of August. 

Taken on (American) Mother's Day. These two are growing up quickly!

And the final photo for now. 

I finished my first-half marathon on May 2, the IndyMini. And LOVED it! More details in another post. For now, a BIG THANK YOU for all the support and encouragement! Seriously, I really appreciate it! 

My inspiration for running for 13.1 miles? Getting more Resounding Hope solar radios tuned to Radio 4VEH to bless families in Haiti every day. As founder of the Resounding Hope initiative, I know these radios are making a huge difference in people's lives in Haiti - reaching people with the Gospel, helping believers grow in their faith, building up the church and serving the people of Haiti in Jesus' name. With the help of generous friends, we exceeded my fundraising goal, raising a total of $4,410, to sponsor 73.5 radios (a donation of $30 will make it 74 radios, if you're interested. You can donate securely on my fundraising page: http://org.grouprev.com/katesrunforresoundinghope).

Thankfully, blisters have now healed and I'm preparing for running in Haiti's heat. Should be interesting! 

Well, cup of tea's finished. Back to it. Blessings to you wherever you are!