Erntz in Wisconsin

Click here toCourtois Erntz moved in at my place when he was in 7 th grade or so. He took over for Celian who flew to
Brazil. Erntz finished 12 th grade and got himself into a university in Cayes studying agriculture. As a third
year student, every door opened for him to spend a year in the USA in an agricultural exchange
program. Today, he’s raising flowers in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
He flew into Green Bay in February. It was appropriately snowing as he left the airport to go to his new
home for 9 months. He embraced the cold mid-west winter and didn’t complain…or get sick. I had found
a Green Bay Packers winter coat at a local thrift store. I gave it to him thinking it might open some doors
as he flew into a new culture. It did. Within a week or two Erntz had met a man who works at the
stadium. He’s visited it already…has pictures with the big trophy! (They even parked in the player
parking lot!)
One thing that has NOT worked out quickly is church. Erntz has worked in the hothouses on several
Sunday mornings. A month and a half have gone by now, and he has yet to attend a service. I’m praying
for him to be connected to a group of sincere brothers and sisters where he can find protection from
American culture–and the lure of the US dollar at the expense of everything else.
Erntz is quick. He is friendly. God opens doors for him at every turn. His English is very good and
improving rapidly. (He’s listening to Talk Radio.) According to Erntz, he has risen quickly in the work at
the flower shop. Administrators trust him with extra tasks and privileges. I’m not surprised. I can’t
foresee anything that will stop this kid’s upward trajectory.
Erntz will be free to visit Pennsylvania in October and/or November before he comes home to Haiti. I
hope that YOU will get a chance to meet him. We’ll be available for dinner every day!  If you want
to get an up close and personal taste of what ASAPH Teaching Ministry has done in the lives of real
humans, make plans to visit with Erntz Courtois. You’ll be glad you did. edit.