Biographies

John and Dixie Bickel

Founders, John and Dixie Bickel, along with their children, came to Haiti in 1991. The Bickels are originally from Illinois, USA. In 1995, the Bickels adopted Steeve and Markenson, two of the babies from their nursery.

Before serving in Haiti, John worked for the GTE phone company. Today, John serves as Field Director for the mission. With his knowledge in electronics and maintenance, he also performs the much needed task of equipment maintenance and repair.

Dixie is a registered nurse and has 30 years of experience in pediatrics and intensive care nursing. She serves as the Orphanage Director.

The Bickels have 5 children (3 live with them in Haiti) and 6 grandchildren.

Laurie Bickel

Laurie went to the States to study Massage Therapy after she graduated from High School here in Haiti. She is now a licensed Massage Therapist. Laurie returned to Haiti in March of 2004 to help her parents with the ministry. When she returned, she took over all of the daily bookkeeping activities for the ministry. She is also our Visitor Coordinator and makes sure that people are picked up at the airport and have a place to sleep once they arrive at the orphanage.

Molly Little

Molly Little is the supervisor of our Toddler House. Molly first came to Haiti in June of 2002 as a volunteer. She is great with the children and has a huge heart for Haiti. Molly organizes children's parties and activities. Molly can do almost anything! She is a great cook, knows everything about plants and flowers, and can even sew! We are very thankful for her work at the orphanage.

Joyce Trainer

Joyce Trainer came to GLA in January of 2004 for a short-term stay and is still volunteering at GLA after 5 years! Joyce is responsible for our English as a Second Language program for the children going to English speaking families. Joyce also assists the older children with their homework and helps Molly in running the Toddler House. All of the children love Joyce because she is so much fun and likes to play around with them. She is a great asset to the orphanage.

Stephanie Yoder

Stephanie Yoder joined our staff in May of 2008. Stephanie came to us from northern Illinois. She is our adoption coordinator and works at putting all of the documents and dossiers together to send to IBESR. She keeps track of the dossiers as they move from one section of the government to another. She files for all visas and travels with the children to many of their appointments. We are very thankful that Stephanie came to GLA to serve.

Melanie Wright

Melanie Wright joined GLA in April 2008 as our Adoption Update Coordinator. She is from Indiana in the USA. Melanie has been to Haiti several times visiting other missions and even spent several long terms working at other orphanages. Melanie's job is to take photos of the children, write monthly updates to their adoptive parents, and is in charge of our Sponsorship program. We are thankful that she is part of our staff.

Susan Westwood

Susan is a registered nurse and works closely with our Haitian staff. She works mainly in our Intensive Care Unit, but is in charge of planning the care for all of the children at the main house.. Susan first came to us as a short term volunteer and returned as full-time staff. Susan loves the children and has learned lots of Creole since coming to GLA. She has a wonderful relationship with the other nurses and staff. She is from Scotland.

Melissa Friesen

Melissa recently joined the GLA staff in Haiti as our photojournalist, blogger, and communications assistant. She has volunteered at GLA several times and wanted to return as a full-time volunteer. Melissa documents happenings at the orphanage and then posts the photos and stories on her blog, "Tattle Tales at GLA". Melissa loves the children and enjoys documenting their funny photos and stories about all of our lives at the orphanage. Melissa is from Manitoba, Canad.

Jean Bell (USA Office)

We have 4 full-time workers in the Colorado office.and one part-time warehouse worker.

Jean Bell is a registered nurse who started volunteering her time doing the bookkeeping for GLA USA in 1999. She became a full-time employee of GLA in January of 2005. Jean is the Business Manager and Volunteer Coordinator. She is also responsible for sending adoption information to prospective parents. Her jobs are too numerous to list and she is a the driving force in our US office! She is married to Steve and has 3 children and 1 grandson.

Holli Bickel

Holli is married to John and Dixie's oldest son, Patrick. They live in Colorado Springs, Colorado and Holli works full-time in the USA office. Holli is in charge of communications with our donors, publicity, and newsletters.. She and Patrick have two children, Jaydrick (JJ) and Lilly June.

Maria Gutierrez

Maria works full-time in our Colorado office. She recently was promoted to warehouse supervisor. She receives all donations, packs them for Haiti, and sends them on containers to Haiti. She supervises all of the volunteers that come to help sort and pack donations. Maria is very organized and can pack lots of things in a small box! She has one son, Eric.

Kate Benson

Kate recently joined the office staff in Colorado. She has experience in management and fundraising. She is John and Dixie's oldest daughter. Kate works on receipts and recording all donations. She will also be responsible to help with newsletters and fundraising. Kate is married to Joshua and they have 4 children, Mikayla, Kiki, JThomas, and Xander.

Haitian Staff

Magaly Francois

Magaly Fran�ois has worked at GLA since February 2000. Through a GLA donor, Magaly was sponsored to attend school to become a registered nurse while working at the orphanage. She graduated in 2005 and became the Head Nurse for the orphanage. Magaly is now the Haitian Administrator for the Mission and does everything from hiring staff to getting medical visas for sick children. She has matured and grown a lot in her abilities and knowledge since coming to work at GLA. We are very proud of all she has accomplished. Magaly is from Kenscoff. Magaly is now married and has a baby girl named Ashley.

Terriot Simeon

Terriot Simeon is our adoption worker that takes the parents' dossier to all of the different departments for legalization and court work. He also works with Haitian Immigration to apply for the children's passports. Terriot is very good at his job and has developed a good comprehension of the process. He, along with his wife and son, lives in Kenscoff.

Ernst Beaublanc

Ernst Beaublanc is the purchase agent and driver for GLA. He picks up guests from the airport and also drives adoptive parents to visa appointments. Ernst's job is varied and every day brings something different for him to do. Ernst has worked with us for more than 5 years. Ernst is very good with the children and serious about his work. Ernst lives close to the Port-au-Prince airport. Ernst is now married and has a small son.

Guerda Fils Aime

Guerda Fils Aime (Mme Bernard) is our head nurse in the Intensive Care. She has worked at GLA since 2000. Since working at GLA, Guerda has gained a lot of pediatric experience and is a very competent nurse. Guerda becomes very attached to the children and treats all of the children as if they were her own. She and her husband live in Fort Jacques and have 2 children.

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