Erntz About to Travel

​Years ago the young man living at my house was a good soccer player. He had a ‘groupie’ who carried
his soccer shoes for him. That young boy was Courtois Erntz. Today he is a university student in Cayes
studying agriculture. He applied for a program to spend time in the USA working in an exchange
program (CAEP – Communication for Agriculture Exchange Program). Since the end of summer he has
been jumping over hurdles and through hoops.
Erntz is headed to Wisconsin. Green Bay. In February! From Haiti to Green Bay in February…during a
Polar Vortex…or whatever they call cold weather now. I can’t imagine the shock his system will
encounter.
Erntz will work with many other exchange workers to prepare, plant, care for, and sell flowers for 8
months. It’s an exciting time for me. He is the only student of mine who has ever come to the USA. I
have students in Brazil, France, French Guyana, and Chile.
If it becomes possible, my dream plan is to visit Erntz while he is in Wisconsin. I have some free trips
coming to me via a special credit card and lots of flights to and from Haiti. AND, if the program allows, I
hope to have Erntz visit PA. The exchange program has cultural experiences and travel listed as part of
its focus. We’ll see if that works.
Erntz spent a few years living here at my place full time while he attended schools nearby. But for the
past seven years or so his has only been here for weekends and summer vacation…while his education
took him other places. Everybody likes Erntz. His brother cried at the going-away party Erntz decided to
have. The party was more of a program in which Erntz gathered people he knew had helped him make it
to where his is today. He detailed many of their contributions. It was a powerful thing. Gratitude is
always powerful, I think.