The instability of Haiti has disrupted life for our missionary kids are Real Hope Academy. Ameyah Betor left Haiti in May 2023 and will be starting her second year at Indiana Christian Academy. The three Zachary kids evacuated Haiti in March of 2024 with their teacher Miss Anna and finished their school year in Washington State. Due to Miss Anna’s unexpected passing away this summer, our kids are having to process more difficult realities. We are grateful for their resilience and would covet your prayers for God to comfort and sustain them during these challenging times.
Ameyah is in 9th grade in Indiana. Grace (11th), Isaiah (9th) and Gretchen (7th) will remain in Washington State with their grandparents doing homeschool until Haiti stabilizes.
Here are the summer memories they would like to share with you.
Ameyah Betor
This summer was my first opportunity to travel to Minnesota and spend time with many different family members. I spent six weeks with my uncle and his family, which was fun because two of my cousins were there. We had a blast visiting lakes, malls, and pools. It was exciting to meet new people and explore an area I hadn’t been to before. I also enjoyed running a lemonade stand and doing a car wash. One of the highlights was visiting the Mall of America and getting my hair braided before school started. I’m really glad I had the chance to meet new family members and see new places.
Grace Zachary
This summer I made a lot of memories and did a lot of new things. Summer is one of my favorite seasons, and I am so glad I got to experience all its blessings. I got my permit this summer, and have been experiencing driving. It is a bit scary, as all new things are, but I am getting used to it. I started community college at Pierce this summer, although I only took one class to start with. I am beginning my fall term on the 23 of September, so wish me luck! Some of the activities that preoccupied my summer included: baking, reading, watching movies, swimming, hiking, and going on long car trips. I am grateful for the vacations we took this summer to Ocean Shores and Lake Chelan. Both places hold many memories for me and my family.
Some other things I did are: I helped in my church’s Sports camp, which was a lot of fun and I am sure I’ll be doing it next year. I helped my aunt and uncle in their Kettle Corn business that they do at festivals and fairs. I also enjoyed doing that. Some hard things happened during this summer, and I would be lying if I didn’t say there were some rough patches for me. But I am grateful for God’s grace for me and the many memories and blessings He has gifted me, including my loving family.
Isaiah Zachary
My favorite memory this summer was the week I spend with my mom’s big family at the beach in Ocean Shores, Washington. We had great food and fun in the pool. I had my grandparents, aunts, uncles, my own family, and 12 cousins there. We had a blast. We played a lot of games, and I got to beat my dad in cribbage on the largest cribbage board I’ve ever seen. I also enjoyed the excitement of riding the waves body-surfing and boogie boarding.
I also had my thyroid removed on August 2nd due to complications from Grave’s disease. I am grateful to God that there were no complications, and I did not even have much pain. I am healed up and feel healthy heading into high school.
Gretchen Zachary
My favorite memory this summer was going to a dad’s club campout at our church with my dad, brother, and sister. We learned wilderness safety, how to start a fire, and I got to shoot a b.b. gun. We made smores and slept in a tent, and I got to stay up until 12:30am playing with my friends from church. We also studied the Bible and memorized a verse, Romans 8:37, “In all these things we are more than conquerors through Jesus Christ who loved us.”