2, 4, 6, 8 Who Do We Appreciate?!?!

On October 4th, our field directors on the ground here in Haiti made the decision to leave COTP.  It was something that no one anticipated, I don't think even the Stolberg's anticipated it.  Here are a few excerpts of the email that Rob sent to our families.  

Family and Friends-

The past 2.5 days have been a roller coaster of things happening here at COTP.  I will try to explain simply and quickly...

Nick and Nikki Stolberg, our main field directors have decided to take a break from COTP.   

Here is the release from COTP's director of operations...

Children of the Promise has been in the process of growing and better supporting our staff on the ground in Haiti. Last month, were able to add two new families (the VanderPols and VandeLunes). Serving on the ground can be stressful, especially when we go through times of transition and low staffing. We are committed to creating a healthy environment for our staff to work and live, a task that 

is not easy in any mission context. Last week, Nick and Nikki decided to take a sabbatical from their work at COTP. We fully support them in taking this break. They have worked tirelessly for the last 2 years and have been an integral part of our ministry. They now have the chance to take a much needed breather. At this point, we are not sure how long this break will last. Our goal for now is to continue to support and love them, and help them find a time of rest in our Heavenly Father.

Jamie Groen, Director of Operations

So where does that leave us?  Yup, you guessed it, thrust into figuring things out and left hanging a lot in a whole new place.  As of last night Kirk Vander Pol and myself have been announced to the nannies and other staff at COTP as the new chief's (pronounced chef's here and the symbol of leader or director).  Some great things that have happened for us through this so far:

1. Jamie Groen, our director of stateside operations was down here already this whole past week so we didn't have to do this by phone or email and we have him till the morning to continue to catch Kirk and I up to speed as much as he can!

2. Nick and Nikki haven't left on bad terms at all with COTP and are happy to be a resource for any questions we might have in the coming days or weeks ahead.

3. There has been a couple here from Michigan as prospective house parents for our first family home and they have been a phenomenal support and helped wherever asked and whenever asked.

4. We also added a 3 month volunteer this week that is trying it out to see if a long-term commitment is something that she is interested in and her role fits well into another role that one of our current staff members will vacate out of and into one of Nikki's old roles.  (sorry that was confusing)

5. 2 is better than 1 which is what we have with Vander Pol's and us.  We are SO thankful that we can do this together instead of being alone as the new director!!!

The things that quite frankly freak us out a bit:

1. Have to be honest that this wasn't in the plan or according to plan like we had thought and feel a lot over our heads at this point.

2. We do NOT want the same things happening to us that happened to past staff-not just the Stolbergs-in terms of burnout.  While our marriages are much further down the road, it still doesn't mean it's going to be easy for us.

3. Did I mention just 5 weeks in and we are the new director's???

Ultimately, everything we do here is about serving, doing ministry, and being about ministry.  Some things we'll mess up and some things will be for the better, but we know and trust that for this season in time that there is definitely a reason that we were led to, pursued, and came to COTP.  Please pray for the Stolberg's.  In the short time we got to know them we care for them deeply and also know that they need some space for healing for a season.  And please play for us also as we dive into this new and crazy adventure even more than we initially thought we would.

We will keep you all posted in the coming days and weeks!

For the KINGdom!

Rob and Erin

10.05.12

The best part of the day...and the only part I am choosing to remember :) was watching the kids rally around their dads :)  Kids pick up on and know more than we give them credit for so often.  They knew Nick and Nikki had left, they knew their dads were now in charge and they knew that they would have to be patient and supportive.  So early in the day, after their short school hours, they began their planning.  They were going to throw a party to support their dads.  They made signs, baked brownies, wrote cards-they even made a card and took it around to as many ppl as they could find, Haitian and International, and had everyone sign it!

The kids are so proud of their dads...and they were the first to make a physical demonstration of, "We believe in you!  We appreciate you!  You can do this!"  This move on their part was SO great for all of us, but was especially special for Rob and Kirk.  Here are some pictures of the surprise party for them!  I wish I could upload the video I took of them doing their chant, "2...4...6...8 who do we appreciate?  OUR DADS!!!" and you could all see their smiles, them jumping out throwing balloons, and the guys faces at that time as well!  Oh, God!  Thank you for the encouragement that comes through our kids!

The door as they entered the party...

Karys reading the signs on the door to Rob

Kirk looking at Noah's very detailed drawing...Noah really did a GREAT job on it!

Karys was very descriptive to Rob as to why this party was taking place ;)

Everyone chimed in to show them all of the names they had gathered on the paper that everyone signed.  I think the guys were truly impressed to see even the Haitian names :)

Gracie, of course, poured her time into helping Brooke with the brownies.  Brooke was so great in playing a key role in helping them carry out their idea and get everything together and organized.  She even continued to perfect her homemade brownie recipe for the event :)

Love this picture!  The brownies just HAD to have candles!  I love the glow of the candles with all of the kiddos looking on to see :)

Look at that celebratory dessert!  and the proud little faces to go with it!

Hurry!  All of the wax is melting on the brownies :)

Alright...get ready to blow out the candles!

Gracie even had to put her head back there was so much hot air coming out of these two ;)

SOOOO Proud of our kids!  Love that they really care about their dads and wanted to show them how much they appreciate them!  And no adult, aside from Brooke :) was apart of their planning!  They did it all on their own :)  It was a GREAT end to a long day for our guys...but a GREAT way to start a new beginning at COTP!