It was a cool Christmas evening 19 years ago, when little old Grandma Noel, came into our old, rented orphanage building in Bois Monquette, Haiti. She had been traveling over the rugged mountains of Bel Fontaine, with a male family member. Each one was carrying an infant, and both were close to death.

One had David in their arms and one had his brother Davidson (Jonathan). Since their mother had died, the grandma tried to keep them alive on sugar water, but soon, she ran out of sugar and had no money… so she began to feed them saltwater.

This almost killed the babies and their throats were nearly swollen shut. We hired a lady to come to our orphanage to care for them after the doctor released them. It took a long, long time for them to be able to eat anything.

When it came time to do their birth certificates, and since they had no names, we decided to call them “David and Jonathan.” But, I didn’t realize in Haiti that twins would have to be named “almost alike.” I had chosen “David and Jonathan,” but Haiti gave them, “David and Davidson.” I didn’t like the name, “Davidson,” but there was nothing I could do about it.

Both boys grew and were “a little on the lazy side!” I sent both of them to Pastor Claude for a summer for a “come to Jesus” learning experience! It helped a lot! Ha! The boys both graduated from high school (Philo), and in Haiti, that is a major accomplishment! David decided to learn civil engineering and Davidson choose cinematography. He has always been good at photography, but this will help him get a better job, if he passes and does well at KU Production. We always tell the children, “find something to make money, that you love you do. If you love what you are doing, it won’t seem like work… but if you go to college, just to make money, you will be miserable!” We now have 21 children in college; 20 here in Haiti and one in Italy, on a scholarship.

Running an orphanage in Haiti, with both boys and girls has its challenges. But, it is so rewarding! We are so, so proud of Davidson and of all the children God has sent us.

Sherry