We are home!

We have been stateside since Thursday evening, March 25th. The reason that this blog is so late, is that we did not have access to the internet until we got to this coast. We left Fauche at 8:30 Thursday morning and flew out of Cap Haitian at 2:15. We found out the night before that we would be flying on a single engine "Caravan". You really feel that you are in the hands of God flying for 4 1/2 hours over the ocean with only one engine. The flight was beautiful and uneventful. My sister and her husband, Carol and Craig Smith, met us at Fort Pierce. We were very happy to see each other again, especially since we arrived almost an hour later than expected. They took us right to a Steak and Shake on the way home, and we got burgers and ice cream.
We had a great few days with our family, and are now on the other coast of Florida with our friends - Graham and Billie Thoresen. Bill got to go grocery shopping for the first time last night. He had a great time buying a lot of fun things to eat - like lobster and shrimp. I just enjoy watching him when he is in that "shopping" mode. We will have a seafood feast tonight.
Thank you for your continued prayers while we were in Haiti. We feel very blessed to have been there - meeting so many people that are sold out to Jesus. Every person there has "gotten out of their boat" and trusted the Lord's leading.Many of the Haitian people have renewed faith in Jesus as the "only way" to heaven. We will pray for their country to be completely sold out to Him.

We are praising the Lord for his faithfulness. We were eating a dish for lunch yesterday that had chicken in it. Cory buys chicken legs in bulk and then they are frozen in gallon bags. When the cook wants chicken, she uses a knife to force the chicken apart - using only a portion of the bag at a time. The cook told Cory that she was sorry that she had broken a knife while separating the chicken. What she failed to say is that she didn’t find the broken tip. So, when we were in the middle of lunch Anna takes the tip of the knife out of her food. We are all so thankful that she was checking for bones. She actually licked it off and didn’t get cut. Thank you for your prayers for our safety.
Bill has gone planting bamboo with Cory and two Haitian men 3 times now. The last time - each carrying 2 - 5 gallon buckets of trees, they followed a dry creek bed almost to the top of the mountain. The men would climb out of the creek bed and plant the trees on the bank above, so that when the rains and high water come, the bank doesn’t erode further. The local Haitian families have gardens up there and they are threatened at that time. Bill was exhausted when he came back, but said the view was spectacular. They did find something interesting. Very large fresh water crabs live in the banks of the creek, with holes much like a beaver would make. The Haitians catch and eat them. You would think it would be a real treat for them. You don’t think about crabs living out of the water, but when they dug some holes in the creek bottom they found water very close to the surface. Last night we got several inches of rain. I’m sure the creek is running and the crabs are happy! Cory is happy too - his gardens and his tree plantings needed the moisture.
I visited with 3 Haitian high school students the other day down by the shop. They wanted to practice their English. They asked me all kinds of questions;, such as what is my name, do we have a computer at our house, is it billed to us, how much did it cost, do we live by the palace (meaning the White House), what is my occupation, and finally how old are you? When I told them 63 they just laughed and laughed. They had “thought” that I was an older person. But then one sweet boy said that I looked very young for my age!!! When Bill came back and they realized he was my husband, they were concerned that he might be angry that they were talking to me. When I told them that he wouldn’t mind at all, they decided that he was nice just like me. They were very polite and so happy and excited about life. It makes me wonder what will happen when they get out of school and there are no opportunities available for them. They are all Compassion Kids, so that might help them with their future too. I hope so. There is so much unemployment and hopelessness here.
We celebrated St. Patrick’s Day by going up to the Thede’s for supper. We had beef stew, soda bread, green macaroni and cheese, green Kool-Aid, cream puffs with green frosting, and Irish bread pudding. We had a fun evening of story telling and laughter. Dr. Kris said that they have to make a point of celebrating holidays so that they remember what month it is. I think that the internet and e-mail has changed the life of missionaries around the world. Without it, they would be totally isolated. The short time we have been here, I’ve been very thankful for friends and family that keep in touch with us.
Thank you again for your prayers for our protection. Please pray that the weather will be good on Thursday of next week. We are coming home!
“If the good Lord’s willin’ and the creek don’t rise!”

It is Sunday morning and we are alone in our house for the first time since January 22nd. We totally enjoyed Joel and saw him off yesterday morning for Port Au Prince. He is flying home to New Brunswick on Tuesday.
Chris and Kathleen came back yesterday. We expected them in the early afternoon, since Cory had to shop for groceries after they flew in to Cap Haitian. Trips in Haiti are rarely normal, and theirs was definitely one to remember. They landed in Cap Haitian on time, went out for lunch and then grocery shopping. So far, everything is on schedule. About halfway home, the highway was closed ahead. There had been a feeding station by the road - giving out rice and other foods to the local people. A young man tried to run in and grab a 50 lb. bag of rice - when a policeman shot and killed him. The only road between Cap Haitian and Port Au Prince was closed for several hours. It was very hot yesterday.
When we heard about this via cell phone, we began praying for their safety and that they would have enough water with them to keep hydrated. They were able to get out of the truck and stay in the shade and were safe with a UN vehicle close behind them. When they finally got on their way and just a few miles from home, a man jumped on the back of the pickup like he was going to get a free ride. Instead he grabbed a suitcase out of the back of the truck and some men on a motorcycle picked him up, turned around and went the other way. It all happened very fast. The really bad part, was that the suitcase had antibiotics and other medical supplies inside. It is a very big loss! Instances like this are so hard for us to understand. But we have to remember that God is in control, and as we praise Him, all things work together for our good and His glory.
Monday morning: As I sit at our dining room table - I can see hundreds of children playing and waiting for school to start this morning. They look so sweet in their matching uniforms. They have only had school a few days since the earthquake, and I know that they were very bored waiting for life to resume again. It seems like a long time to be off of school, but the leaders were very concerned about another earthquake and didn’t want to put these children in danger.
It looks like this is going to be a slow week for us with not much to write about. It is very hot, and with no teams here life has slowed down. We do have 10 or 11 people for Compassion International coming to stay with us the last few days we are in country. They are coming for a conference at the school on the compound arriving next Monday - March 22nd. We are in the process of getting sets of sheets and towels together for each of them.
We leave for the states on March 25th. I’ve started to pack those things that we will not be using anymore and am getting anxious to go home. Any groceries we leave will just be transferred to Kris and Cory’s house, so that is not a problem. It is hard to believe that our time here is almost finished. We have learned that to follow Jesus does not necessarily mean that we do the big or outstanding, whether we fix the generator or make tortillas for the teams. He just wants us to be open to His leading each day. That is our prayer as we begin each day - “Show us what you would have us do today”. The choices are so limited here, that it is much easier to follow Him. None of us are probably aware of the lives we touch just by our witness, or the love and compassion that we show others. Every person that comes to help or serve in Haiti has felt the call of the Lord - so witnessing of our love for God is very easy. It is much harder sharing that love at home with non-believers. This time here has been a gift to us - a place with few distractions, filled with beauty, and teams of people coming in and out that are sold out to Jesus. We’ve also gotten to appreciate the Haitian people: for their ability to praise the Lord in the midst of such great grief, their sharing with others when they have so little, and their gracious acceptance of us in their lives.
May the week ahead be as peaceful as ours “looks.” One never knows what the next minute will bring. May God bless you as you walk with Him.

It is Friday already. I just managed to forget our youngest grandson's birthday. Happy Birthday Adam - 2 years old yesterday. It has been a very quiet week and I have just been relaxing through it. Bill and Joel have been painting rooms in the hospital, mowing grass, and helping Cory plant bamboo and bananas along the river. Bamboo grows very fast and puts down deep roots. Hopefully that will help stop the erosion of the riverbanks during the rainy season.
Joel went up the mountain with Anna the other day - and just loved the trip and the view. He was in Port Au Prince during the earthquake, was not harmed but very shaken up. After that day he assisted doctors in makeshift hospitals (Joel is 21 years old, and not trained medically) and helped keep the guesthouse running. The cistern was damaged in the quake, so they had to haul water for all of the bathrooms, and for washing clothes by hand. Several teams came in and had to be taken care of in this way. He is going home to Canada on Tuesday, so he has come to the north of Haiti, to try to understand and enjoy another part of Haiti. We have enjoyed his company for the last few days.
We are making ourselves available to be used of God, and each day is a new day to bring glory to His name. Sometimes, he just lets us rest in His love and grace.
We pray for each of you to be at peace and walk in His presence.

Earthquake Pictures

I have some pictures of the damage in Port Au Prince. They do not come close to the reality or the immensity of the devastation. We drove around saddened to even ask the driver to see it all over again, but we needed to see to partially grasp the huge problems this country faces.

Friday morning was a cool rainy day in Port Au Prince. Carl’s brother Phoenix drove Bill and I around the area to see the earthquake damage for ourselves. The devastation is overwhelming. We saw building after building totally demolished. Many of those that are still standing are very dangerous to be in or near. People are living along the streets or in one of the many huge tent cities that have been put up. Some with real tents, others made of tarps and tablecloths. With the rainy season almost upon us, life will get several degrees harder for these brave people. The tour went on for over 3 hours. Every time I thought we were driving out of the worst of the destruction, it would begin all over again. We never did get to the epicenter - where there are huge boulders on the roads, and large cracks in the earth that have no bottom in sight. Our driver said that when the earthquake took place, he was waiting to play soccer. Suddenly the earth began moving like waves of the ocean, and the noise of the city falling was deafening. It took a few seconds to realize what was happening, since he had never experienced an earthquake before. He said, “it took just 30 seconds for life to be changed forever.”
When we got back to the guesthouse, we got everything ready for the medical team to come in on Friday evening for supper. They had just come in from spending the last 2 weeks in Petit Guave with Dr. Kris, Cory and the kids. We had 16 people come to stay, besides the 6 of us already there. Six men and the Thede family slept in tents outside, and the 6 women slept of the floor inside. It is quite an interesting job to plan the meals, make up the correct grocery list, have beds made up, and make each person feel at home.The stories these teams bring to us are priceless. Hosting a guesthouse is a very real way to share the love of Jesus with the body.
This morning, we left with the Thede’s and Joel, (a young man from Canada) to return to Cap Haitian and then home to Fauche. We left the house before 8 AM. Due to inclement weather, we flew out at about 11 AM. As the clouds were closing in, and the pilot couldn’t see the next ridge of mountains, we landed in Pignon, Haiti - about 25 air miles from Cap Haitian. This is called the “Central Plateau” of Haiti. We landed in a grassy airstrip, and stood by the plane for about an hour trying to decide what to do. Our choice was to fly back to Port Au Prince and try again another day, or find someone to drive us to Cap Haitian, 2 ½ hours by road. Cory and Kris knew the names of some people in Pignon. They eventually got in touch with a man who has a mission compound here with a brand new guest house. Two sweet men came and picked us up, and brought us to what they lovingly call “The Pignon Hilton” We have a good size room, 2 twin beds and our own bathroom with a shower. Supper is at 6!!!! They even have solar hot water and electricity. We feel totally blessed. By the way, we are out in the middle of nowhere!!! God is so good! We know that we are not here by accident and we are anxious to realize His purpose. They tell us that this is all part of the adventure!!!! Tomorrow will be a long day of driving, but we are looking forward to the trip.
Monday March 8: We woke up to breakfast of spaghetti, boiled eggs, and fried plantain, and toast. I cannot describe the beauty of the trip home - or how terrible the roads were. The entire road was rock - so the bouncing was constant and wild. We forded the river twice and there were large craters in the road 3 - 4 feet deep. They took up the whole road, so we were very thankful it was dry. We did have a very large Chevrolet truck that had been raised even higher than normal, just for the purpose of driving down these roads. Four of us were in the backseat, and 4 in the front. Joel was sitting by the window and Bill was beside him. After we had been driving awhile Joel said, “I feel like I’m between a rock and a hard place”. We all laughed - because those of us sitting in the middle had no place to hold on, so at times we were just bouncing uncontrollably. We picked up Cory’s truck in Cap Haitian - ate lunch - and then Joel rode in the back of the truck the last 1 ½ hours of the trip. He was tired from hanging on and bouncing back there, but could stretch his legs and had a beautiful view of the mountains and valleys. We are all very happy to be home - and to have had the chance to see parts of Haiti that we would never have seen if the flight had gone as planned. We even passed the “Citadel”.
Remember the people of Haiti in your prayers. They need to know Jesus as their Savior and Lord just like we do. Pray that they will have food to eat and water to drink. This is an immense problem right now.
Pictures are of the guesthouse and the "Kodiak".

Wednesday morning - another clear hot day in Port Au Prince. When we flew in on Monday afternoon we saw sporadic buildings down. One would be down and the next looked ok. Of course closer to the epicenter it is total destruction. The guesthouse is not far from the airport, so our views were very limited.
Before we left Fauche, I developed an infection and Chris went to the clinic and got some medication. By yesterday morning I realized that I was probably allergic to it. Not seriously allergic, but I wouldn’t be able to continue taking it. So, last night, about 4:30, Carl - the Haitian missionary on sight, and Joe - a guy from Canada, took me to several pharmacies looking for the right medicine. We drove all over, going to about 3 grocery stores and 5 pharmacies asking for the correct medicine. You can’t imagine the traffic and the tight spots these people drive in. Finally, we found it, getting home after 7 PM. I really didn’t think we would find it, but Carl and Joe would say, “It’s a hunt!” “We are out of the compound, let’s enjoy ourselves!” I think they said that so I wouldn’t feel that I was causing them problems. Anyway, we drove through so much devastation, and so many people on the street. Haitian drivers have to be so very good, aggressive, and still careful to miss the pedestrians, scooters, and vehicles. If a big truck is coming behind you or towards you, they honk their horn, and everyone just moves out of the way. Scooters are constantly zigzagging through the traffic. They use scooters as taxi’s hauling 3 or 4 people at a time. Carl said they are like death waiting to happen. Once it got dark - you could hardly see the hundreds of people on both sides of the street. I was just praying for their safety on the way home. At first, I couldn’t get my seatbelt to work, and then I realized I had to work harder at it. The possibility of an accident was very real. Anyway, we made it back, they were waiting supper for us, and I feel much better already!!! I’m thankful.
It doesn’t sound like there will be any teams in until Friday. Since we are leaving on Saturday, we will be only able to help a little bit with meals.
This morning before breakfast, Bill found a short in an electric line, and is studying the operating specs for the generator. His expertise is appreciated in this area. I’m not doing a whole lot at this time. They have a cook who cleans the kitchen, cooks lunch, and washes clothes. And a man who sweeps and keeps the rest of the house clean. At “home”, if it gets done, we do it ourselves. We do make breakfast each morning, and fix supper each night. Tonight there is just 7 of us. I might make a pie for dessert. We actually found a can of apples here.
Global Partners, the missions branch of the Wesleyan church, sent pallets of food to this guesthouse since so many teams stop here overnight. Bill has been having a great time looking at all of the cases of the America food stored in our bedroom. From Fauche, Cory has to drive the 1 ½ hours to Cap Haitian, and then sometimes spend hours in a store waiting for a small variety of canned goods to be checked out. The differences from here to there is amazing. Almost a culture shock for us.
I'm standing beside the refrigerator trying to finish this blog, since the battery is low in the computer and this is the only plug-in that works when the generator is off. I guess we are not in the USA!!!
Remember the courageous people of Haiti in your prayers.

Here we are in Port Au Prince in a beautiful guesthouse. It is hard to believe that we are in Haiti. The compound is walled - the house is all tiled, with jalousie windows, many bedrooms, large kitchen and dining area, and several bathrooms. It is all very clean and new looking. Some people slept outside last night - but we were in the master bedroom with a king size bed. It is an amazingly open, loving place.
The following is an example of that love: Two men arrived on Saturday morning from Kentucky. One of them had been supporting a young boy through Compassion International. They had not heard from him since the quake and the family was so concerned about him, that he and a pastor friend decided to come down to look for him. Many people told them it was a waste of time and money. They didn’t know if he was still alive or not. They came with pictures of the boy, a backpack each, 4 days worth of granola bars and water. They were prepared to walk to Petit Guave and back, if necessary - 38 miles one way. The chances were slim that they could even find out any information about one little boy in a city of 130,000 people. They arrived in PAP early Saturday morning. They were a little overwhelmed with the many Haitian’s trying to get their business. All of a sudden Carl and Lowell - from this guesthouse, motioned them over. After asking who they were traveling with ( just the two of them) and why they were in Haiti (looking for a little boy in Petit Guave) they told them that they would take them to Petit Guave that same day, and that they were welcome to stay at the guesthouse. They fed them breakfast, and took them to Petit Guave. They were directed to a young man at that compound who immediately recognized the picture. He told him that the boy was alive and he knew where he lived. All within 6 hours of landing. They are still praising the Lord. On Sunday morning at 10 AM the young boy, his mom, and 3 men from Compassion International came to the compound to meet them. He told the child, “I came all this way just to find out if you were alright. We all love you.” Can you imagine how much that will affect his life? God is so good!! Even amidst tragedy and sadness, the miracles keep coming.
We left our house at 6 AM yesterday morning, leaving early so the Grant Wesleyan team could get to the airport by 8 AM. We then spent the next 7+ hours in Cap Haitian waiting for our flight to PAP. We went to a restaurant for lunch and then waited at the airport for several hours. The food was great, the wait was quite interesting, and the flight was fun. I’d never flown in a single engine plane before, and felt much safer than in a big jet. We arrived about 5:30 and supper was basically prepared before we got here. We added to the sauce, set the table, sliced bread and served the meal for 9. It was fun to dig in and do something after sitting all day. Today is quite quiet. We made pancakes for breakfast, and now we are blogging and resting. Cory has come in from Petit Guave, so we were all very happy to see him. He is working with Relief International, assessing damage and helping them make long term plans for helping the Haitian’s agriculturally.
We’ve met several people who are here to help and love Jesus so much. We have brother’s and sister’s in Christ wherever we go. We are all parts of one body and can all be used to bring glory to God. All we need to do is listen and be willing to follow where He leads us. Keep praying for Haiti!!!

Compassion

While looking at my pictures from last week, I realized that I had forgotten our tour of the school on the compound. It is run by Compassion International, an organization that fights poverty by validating children from the time they are 3 or 4 years old. Children are taught that God loves them and that they are made in His image. They gain confidence and a sense of self worth that stays with them their entire lives and affects the whole family. People from all over the world sponsor the children, making it possible for them to go to school, eat a meal on school days, etc. The preschool program here at this compound is so successful that they are going to copy it to use in other countries. I wish school had been in session when we were there - the little boys and girls in their uniforms are so precious. The girls all have matching bows in their hair, jumpers, and socks.
The Grant team has been very busy. The electrician - Mike - has completely rewired the clinic, hospital, church, and is now working on the house the medical people live in. They only had one light in their home, so he gave them more lights, switches, and fixed the receptacles. They are thrilled!!!
Alan is a welder - but in Haiti he has replaced all of the screens in the clinic, hospital, and the medical house. They have had to rebuild some of the frames and paint screens to keep them from rusting. He has also helped Paul, the carpenter of the group, and Todd - the “jack of all trades” on carpenter and plumbing projects. Their first project, which was to be a 10-15 minute job, is still in process. When the last group was here, they pulled the only toilet in the clinic and replaced the base. In Haiti, they are cemented in place. When they put the back on and flushed it, they found that it was not flowing out fast enough. After digging up the pipes outside they have found a much bigger problem. A work in progress!! In the meantime, they have replaced a water tank at the Thede’s, tiled the counter tops in the clinic that the last team built, set a double sink into one of the new cupboards and hooked up the sewage. They also built a new counter-top in the medical house and set a sink in it. This afternoon they will tile the counter-tops at the Thede’s home and put gutters over the doors. I can not forget about Mikenson, a young Haitian man that came to help the team. He has put in long hours assisting Mike with the electrical work and translating. He has been an invaluable help to them.
They have all worked very hard, got the projects finished on the list and had time to help make lives easier for the medical staff. On top of that they are a group of men totally sold out to Jesus. We feel very blessed to get to spend time with them.
If all goes well we are planning to go to the Citadel on Saturday. Look it up on-line, it looks like an amazing part of the history of this country. On the way home we are planning to stop in Cap Haitian and eat at a restaurant. Hamburgers and fries for us!!!! It is the first time we have even talked about eating out since we’ve been here.
On Monday we are planning on flying to Port Au Prince to help run the Wesleyan guesthouse with the Sloans. It is a place where teams come and stay all night as they are coming and leaving Haiti. Everyone is sleeping on mattresses outside on the cement with their mosquito netting. I will try to blog from there. Please pray for our safety on the flights and that the earth will stay still while we are there. Always keep these precious people in your prayers.

Haiti Feb 22

Hello to you all,
It is Monday February 22nd - a cloudy day with a nice breeze. The week has been busy and eventful. The “His Hands” teams continued to work hard, getting many projects completed by the time they left on Friday. They repaired and scrubbed walls, ceilings, and cupboards in 4 rooms of the clinic, then gave everything 2 coats of white enamel paint. It was hard work with lots of paint fumes and no complaints. New cupboards were built - given 3 coats of varnish and hung on the walls, several tables were repainted and one lady spent several days making curtains for the clinic and hospital. We are very thankful for their wonderful contribution and those of the other people that have done their small part in making life better for the Haitian’s of Fauche. Imagine going to a clinic with only sporadic government power, - at that time their would be hot wires sticking out of the wall from half finished light fixtures. No water in the clinic at all and the ceiling had holes where rats would come down at night. The medical staff is so very thankful to have a safe, clean, environment to bring in patients. This clinic is not breaking even financially, so they have no extra money for the medications they need, let alone paint to make it look better, or for any of what we would consider essentials for a medical facility. One day, as Bill and I were working on the water system in the clinic, I was alone in a room for a few minutes. I started singing a song, and a rooster jumped unto the porch the right in front of the doorway and started crowing. I don’t know if he was calling his hens or competing with me. I sure wished that I would have had the camera ready to take a picture at that moment. How many times would that ever happen at one of our clinics?
On Wednesday of last week, Cory told us that many Haitians were going to be marching from the ocean past our compound to take back Haiti for Jesus. We all went out to the road to support them. We were amazed to see about 1500 people coming down the road dancing and singing praises to God. Our compound was the turn around point, so they all came by us, and then after a few minutes they went marching back toward Port Margot. It was such a blessing for us to see the people of Haiti choosing God and praising Him amidst the sorrow and grief of the last few weeks. I am including a picture of the parade - but it doesn't come close to capturing the event, and a picture of some of the new cupboards in the clinic.
On Friday both of the “His Hand” teams flew out together. We were busy all day Thursday and Friday, both getting the team ready to leave and getting our things ready to move to the Thede’s house. Because, Saturday morning Cory, Kris and the children flew to Petit Guave to spend the next two weeks, and another team arrived in Cap Haitian an hour later. We now have 4 men here from Grant Wesleyan in Michigan. We have an electrician, welder, carpenter, and jack of all trades. Most of them have been to Haiti before, and they are well suited to work here. A Haitian friend of theirs came from LaGonave to help and spend the week . He was in Port Au Prince during the earthquake and is very thankful for his life.
We are responsible for their meals and well being while they are here. We are finding out what the Thede’s do when visitors are here. They have been a great example to us of sharing and love. Please keep them in your prayers as they work in Petit Guave. Remember to pray for us as we pray for you.

Welcome home Chris and Kathleen

After much waiting and wondering whether the Sloan's would be able to fly in today, we finally received word that Cory had picked them up. We are very happy that they have returned safe and sound. They came back after 2 weeks; having been stretched and grown up in the Lord by their experiences,and happy to be back to their little house in the country.
We went to church here on the compound this Sunday. Since it had been raining all night long, there were very few people attending. Dr. Kris interprets for us, sitting behind us in the pew,so we get to understand the sermon quite well. They were planning to march to Port Margot, about 2 1/2 miles away, to reclaim the country of Haiti for God. They have told us that 200 people accepted Jesus in that service. Every sermon that we have heard since even before the earthquake was about "Loving the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. Be an example of His love, repent, turn your back on voo-doo, don't expect everyone else to take care of you, but be the light of Jesus yourself."We have been so touched by the messages.
On Sunday evening after eating supper and having devotions, the floor started shaking quite violently. We all ran outside - and the quake stopped before we even got to the doorway. Of course we kept going anyway. I felt that it was more violent than the original earthquake, but just a very fast few jolts. It was not mentioned on line, so Cory thinks it might have been a localized quake. The quake itself, being over quickly, was not too scary. The scary part was wondering if it would happen again in the middle of the night. Sleeping arrangements were changed for the sake of safety and speed in case we needed to evacuate the house quickly.
This seems to a time of decision for the people of Haiti. They need to choose God and Him alone to save them. Church services, when the weather cooperates, have been packed. On Sunday afternoon in Port Au Prince, Chris and Kathleen drove by the palace. There were approximately 500,000 people worshiping the Lord and singing praises to Him.That would normally have been one of the big celebrations of Mardi Gras.This experience has made me realize that as American's, we have that same decision to make AND that we can't depend on tomorrow coming. In a split second God could call us home - or - that friend or family member that does not claim Jesus as their Savior.
Keep the entire situation and the people of Haiti in their prayers. We have some upset stomachs and colds in the compound. We will keep you in our prayers too.

Feb 12th

Today is Friday Feb 12th,and the government has named this a “National Day of Mourning” in Haiti. They had a church service on the compound this morning and we will have a prayer service tonight after supper. The music coming from the church was beautiful. As the team worked at the clinic, they were blessed by the music.
Remember that I told you about climbing the mountain with Anna last Friday? On Saturday she took Dr. Kris and her dad, Eli, Gene and Bill up again. On the way back down Gene slipped and went off the path. It didn’t seem so bad, but when he grabbed for a root to keep from slipping further down the hill, he couldn’t grasp it, and tumbled backwards down the slope. Bill and Larry ran down and helped him up. His only serious injury was a cut on his arm that required 5 stitches, but he was bruised and scraped up from the fall. They spent about 20 minutes looking for his glasses, and Anna found them in one piece. We are so thankful that he wasn’t seriously injured, that his glasses were found and alright, and that the wasps in the nest that he tumbled over stayed in their nest.
On Sunday we went to Port Margot to church. It is the largest Wesleyan church in the Northern District of Haiti. The church was packed when we walked in, but they moved over and made room for us. They had a women’s choir, and a band that played for offering. A young men’s group got up and sang with a great lead singer, and the other 10 men singing a doo-wop background. It was an amazing sound and a very long song!!!! Since it was our first time to attend that church, Bill and I had to stand up and greet everyone.
That was a surprise!!!! Bill, Larry, and Eli road to the church in the back of the truck on a board. Gene got to ride in the front seat – since he had his tumble the day before. Anna will have her ninth birthday on Feb 21st, and wants the privilege of riding in the back for her birthday.
The team finally came in from Warsaw Indiana. Four women and two men have come to paint and help fix up the clinic on the compound. They brought lots of supplies and a lot of energy to work. We are at a standstill with the plumbing for lack of parts. Bill is not able to work in the fumes from the oil paint either.
The other day we were trying to re-plumb the drain pipe from one of the sinks. (Cory had used duct tape to tape the valve shut – so nobody could turn the water on.) We went to the shop to get some parts, and when we returned there was water all over the floor. Since Bill has to sit on the floor – I was not happy! There was a young man cleaning up the water with a big smile on his face. Evidently he wanted to wash his hands, and since he helped put in the water line, he felt that he had the right to turn on the water. He managed to turn the water on with the duct tape intact. These people are amazing.
Bill and I are trying to keep the house in shape, and helping with some of the cooking. Yesterday I made two piecrusts and 48 tortillas. Bill fried the tortillas up, while Gerda made the fixings for the tortillas and citron cream filling for the pie crusts. Bill said he went from “plumber” to “cooks helper.”
We are very happy that Chris and Kathleen are returning from Port Au Prince on Monday. Keep their travel plans in your prayers, and these precious people of Haiti. They are worshipping God amidst the sadness. Our hearts go out to them.

February 7

It is a hot Saturday in Haiti, with just a little breeze. Anna is going to lead everyone up the mountain to see the beautiful view from the top. I went up with Anna yesterday – took several pictures, but the camera cannot capture the beauty of God’s creation. I had to stop several times to catch my breath and wait for my heart to stop pounding, but eventually we made it to the top. 2 little boys followed us up. When Anna asked why they were following us, they told her they were coming along so I would take their picture. Of course I took a couple of pictures of them from the top. They literally ran down the steep parts on the trip back down; both to have fun and to show us what they could do. Anna ran down too, and then would come back to walk with me. She reminds me so much of my granddaughters.Unlike Anna – I will not be making the climb two days in a row.
Earlier in the week a few of us were varnishing furniture on the cement patio behind our house. A couple of little boys were standing in the bushes just outside the compound. They asked our names and tried to visit with us for a little while, then they started singing in Creole, “I Love you with the Love of the Lord.” After they finished, I sang it back to them in English. That made them laugh, then they sang it to us in English too. A few days later when I was cleaning a sink outside, one of those same little boys came up to talk. I didn’t recognize him as one of our new friends, so after a couple of minutes he started singing that same song to me in English so I would realize that I knew him already.
Since Chris and Kathleen have gone to work in PAP, I have become a “plumber’s helper.” I found that I am qualified to have that new title. I can measure, write, hold pipe, and go for parts. Most of my time is spent running back and forth from the shop to the clinic. I don’t really mind, since Bill is repeatedly getting up and down off of the cement floor. He is really doing a good job.
The Haitians dug a trench about 2 ft deep and 150 feet long from a pipe bringing water down from our cistern to the clinic. We laid PVC pipe in it and glued it altogether. Then we cut into the original pipe, put a T in it and hooked the whole thing up to the clinic. We have 3 different shut-off valves in place, so we can stop the flow. Otherwise, if there was a leak, we would have a serious problem. The first time we turned on the water, Bill and I were watching for leaks at the 4 sinks that we hooked up. For the most part it was uneventful, however when Bill turned on one of the sinks, the water pressure blew one of their fittings apart, and water was hitting Bill in the legs. As Cory ran up the hill to turn the water off, Bill got down and reconnected the elbow. Of course he got totally sprayed in the process. I was in another room, and missed all the fun. They realized that somehow that elbow had never gotten glued onto the pipe – that makes a big difference in the plumbing with PVC business! Of course that mistake happened before Bill got his new “plumbers helper.”!!!!!!
We are getting ready for the team of 6 to arrive on Wednesday. Gene and Larry have made beautiful cupboards for the people to put their clothes in. There is even an area to hang clothes. They also built a new set of bunk beds so there is room for everyone to sleep. Next week we will get the beds all made up. They have projects and painting to do at the clinic, to keep everyone busy for the 2 weeks the Warsaw team will be here.
There is more to write, but I have to get this blog posted. Keep praying for these people who have a deep love for Jesus that they will be witnesses of His love to those who are lost spiritually.

Sunday in Fauche

It is a beautiful Sunday in Haiti. We had an eventful week. I told you about Dr. Kris’ parents and the other couple who arrived on Tuesday. On Wednesday afternoon, Bill and I along with Chris and Kathleen walked to the market in Port Margot. We walked along the riverbank instead of on the road. Chris thought it would be shorter. I’m not sure about that, but it was a beautiful walk. We had to wade across the river twice to get there. We saw lots of people going to and from the market just like us. They have little plots of ground on the flood plain where people raise little gardens – about 20’ X 20’. There were rocks around each plot to mark the border. One little woman grabbed Bills arm and was calling him some name and pointing up in the hills. People were all around us, as she was almost yelling out to him. Since Chris knows some Creole, he came back to interpret. He said,” She’s calling you her papa.”He then told her in Creole that Bill was not her papa. When he said that she and everyone around just started laughing and went away. Bill thought they might be playing with him because of his white hair. It is VERY unusual!! The market was jammed with people selling goat, chicken, fish, and just about any vegetable available. Many more things too numerous to mention are sold there too.
Dr. Kris came home on Thursday afternoon and we all celebrated her return. It was wonderful to see Cory and the children so happy again. We are very thankful that Kris’ parents are here to be with her after the devastation and grief that she witnessed in Port Au Prince.
Bill fixed the electrical end of the generator on Friday. It was not putting out enough voltage. He opened up an area filled with a nest of wires, and as he tried to follow one he found several spots where there were bare wires causing shorts. He cut all the wires out and rewired it all. Just like that we had plenty of voltage and another problem was solved. He prays for wisdom when he is working on generators, since he hasn’t worked on them since he got out of the service in 1967.
Bill and Chris worked on plumbing in the clinic again. They have one building done; meaning everything is plumbed to the sinks. Water is not piped into the building yet, and they don’t know if they have sewage or not. The sinks are there with pipes attached, but they do not know where they go or if they go anywhere. I know that sounds strange, but you don’t take anything for granted in Haiti.
As I write this, it looks like I don’t do anything but journal. Actually, I keep fairly busy just trying to help out where I am needed. It just isn’t anything to write home about. On Saturday morning the Wesleyan's sent a small plane to Cap Haitian to pick up Chris and Kathleen. They are going to be at the Wesleyan Guesthouse in Port Au Prince. Dan and Joy Irvine are left to run the place without much help. They brought the Sloan’s in to help with the organization of food, clothes washing, etc. Hopefully, they will only be gone a couple of weeks. They will be greatly missed here in Fauche. I have just been named the new "plumbers helper."
On Feb 21st the rest of us are scheduled to go to Petit Guave. We will meet up with the team that was to come here, and we will all work together rebuilding a facility that was damaged in the earthquake. I’ll let you know more details as we find them out.
We are praying for you - please remember Haiti in your prayers. The people are so generous and giving that it is humbling to witness.

It is Thursday morning – another day of sunshine. Dr. Kris is coming home today! Her parents and their friends came in on Tuesday, so we are all getting ready to celebrate her return. She was supposed to fly in to Cap Haitian at 7:30 this morning. As of 10 AM she was still on the ground at Port Au Prince, but ready to fly out in a few minutes.
Larry and Carol (Dr. Kris’ Parents) and Gene and Gerda , are all hard workers. They brought supplies with them and have a list of projects that they want to accomplish while they are here. Gene and Larry are both carpenters. Gerda is a wonderful cook, sews and is going to trim my hair. (I was really concerned about getting that done here). Carol is the organizer/grandma – who helps with all the projects. Eli and Anna are so happy to have everyone here – and are so very happy that mom is coming home today. Gerda and I are working together to make a banana cream pie in honor of Kris returning home.
Bill and Chris are working on the plumbing in the clinic and hospital. Up until now, they had to go to the well to draw water in buckets. The medical staff is very excited that they are helping them out.
Yesterday I took my camera down to the clinic to take a picture of the guys working. After I got down the hill by the church, I realized that I had never walked to the clinic alone, and I didn’t really know exactly where it was. I finally got Anna to help me. As she led me into the clinic she went through a door and expected me to follow. I said, “Anna, you’re leading me through a bathroom!” As we went out the door at the other end we found Bill and Chris. The room we walked through was a line of examination rooms, where patients meet with the doctors. They were very tiny cubicles with a narrow hallway beside them. Life is certainly different here.
In the afternoon 4 of us walked to the market by taking a path to the river and walking on the flood plain to Port Margot. It was a beautiful walk (my camera was home), but we really enjoyed the mountain views. We walked on rocky paths and had to wade across the river 2 times both ways. The first time we took off our shoes, but it was way too rocky for me to be happy. After that I just waded through - it was much easier - although my shoes are still wet.The market was just jammed with people. It's an amazing place where they were roasting goat, selling lots of little fish, and fresh chickens. I held my breath through some of it. it's fun to watch the people, that just gather around as Chris Sloan tries to dicker with the women over the price. The girls just laugh and laugh at him. I told him it's because he is a good looking young white man trying to speak Creole.
May God continue to be with the suffering, the hungry, and the giving people of Haiti.

Jan 23rd

Hello to you all,
It is Saturday afternoon, and another beautiful day. We’ve gone several days now without rain, and I am enjoying the sunshine. We’ve had a busy week with Bill mowing lots of grass. Mowing is a slow process here as the ground is covered with mahogany nuts that are about the size of a goose egg, and the roots of mango trees sticking up far enough to catch the blade of the lawn mower. He has also fixed the generator and drawn out the plans for the gazebo. This morning they staked out the base.
I’ve been continuing to get ready for the first team to come. I’ve been cleaning this house and helping Anna and Eli with their cleaning for grandma and grandpa to come. They are very excited. They not only get to spend a month with grandparents visiting, but they get to celebrate a late Christmas with them too.
We did have some good news today. Haiti has a good supply of gasoline and diesel, so we should not have a shortage. Cory told us that we can begin to run our refrigerator again during the day, and just turn it off at night. Electric refrigerators run down the batteries quickly.
Dr. Kris is safe and working at a hospital about ¼ mile from the palace. We don’t know when she will be returning home, but she is definitely being used.
Remember me telling you about Chris and Kathleen Sloan that live next door to us?
Chris’ father,Ron,is a medical doctor too, and has just arrived in Port Au Prince to volunteer for 10 days. He’s working in an Amway field hospital. Please keep both of them in your prayers.
Bill did have something interesting happen the other night. We have been having small rats on our kitchen counter, their droppings let you know. Just so you know, I do all of my food preparation at the dining room table!! We had set out traps 2 nights in a row and caught a rat both nights. This particular evening , about 8:30, Bill went out in the kitchen for some water. There was a huge spider on the wall at the end of the kitchen. Wolf spiders get to be about the size of your fist, like a tarantula. They really aren’t dangerous, but anything that big shouldn’t be running around in your house. Anyway, Bill grabbed the bug spray and sprayed it good. It ran very fast into our bottom cupboards, which do not have doors on them. He got closer and sprayed a direct shot at it. It just went crazy – zipping all over the place. Just as Bill was jumping back, not knowing where the spider would go next, a rat ran right past him on the cupboard and went down a hole in the wood. He was shook. He decided that we wouldn’t go into that kitchen for pills or water for brushing teeth that night. We went to bed shortly after that. In the morning the rat was dead beside the trap, and the spider had crawled out to the doorway of the kitchen, and was not quite dead yet. Bill took care of that!!! Now we look closely around the room before entering. The rats and the wolf spiders seem to be only in the kitchen, and the rats only come out at night. For those of you that know me well, you know why I don’t stay in the kitchen long. Cory is coming over this afternoon to try to plug some holes in a closet ceiling.
Everything else is quite peaceful here. Almost everyone has family or friends that have moved in with them from the PAP area. With the fuel supply available we are seeing trucks filled with people going back and forth on the road. The neighborhood is a lot noisier with the extra population, and there has been no school here since the earthquake. I’m not sure why.
Please pray for these people as they bravely go on with their lives and share their bread with others.Pray for those in the outlying areas where there is no help available yet. Pray that the believers in this country of Haiti will live their lives in such a way, that it will make people think bigger, better, grander thoughts of our Lord and Savior. Thank you Pastor Ben for those words.
Happy Birthday to our grandson Doug. We love you.

We are fine after the earhquake

It is another warm humid day in Fauche. The weather seems to have made a change – the cold is gone!! We are all washing clothes again. We wash every day that is sunny, not knowing when the next sunny day will come. I am getting ready for the first team to come on Monday. I’m basically doing spring cleaning of the house, washing bedding, and curtains.
Bill worked on the big generator yesterday. He remembered how to fix the starter, changed the oil and had it running great by afternoon. Since the generator is a very important part of keeping this compound in electricity, (homes, church, clinic etc.) everyone was happy with the successful day.
Sunday evening we were serenaded by about 8 young Haitian teenage girls. They sat on our low stone wall and sang beautiful harmonies for at least 2 hours. Then when it started raining, they moved to the school building and sang on and on. While they were close to us, we just sat by the window and enjoyed the music, waiting to make supper until they left.
It is Wednesday afternoon, and there was another earthquake in the night. Our bed shook for at least 30 seconds, but the roof did not shake. We just laid in bed and calmly waited for it to end. If the roof had started rattling, I don’t think I would have stayed calm! It was a 6.1 quake or aftershock. Dr. Kris is close to the epicenter. We just got word that she is alright, and the people on LaGonave are ok too. LaGonave is an island just out in the bay from Port Au Prince. There is a big Wesleyan compound there.
The pictures I put on the blog on Sunday, were the view from our house, and a front view of our house “ The House of Hope.” It used to be a place where mothers and preschool children came to learn. Today I will insert pictures of the inside of our home.
I’m going to send this out soon, so you all don’t worry about us. Pray for us as we pray for you.

Sunday in Fauche

It is Sunday afternoon; an absolutely beautiful day in Fauche, with sunshine and a slight breeze to cool us off. It’s hard to believe that a devastating earthquake has taken place 100 miles away.
We have started to realize the difference this quake has made in other ways though. Dr. Kris is still gone, working in a hospital helping with surgeries. She is a unique individual; who is not only a medical doctor, but speaks fluent English and Creole. Cory went out to buy diesel and gasoline yesterday and the gas stations are all closed. This will soon present a problem with our generators. Since we have the only electric refrigerator here, we have converted it into an icebox. We only turn on lights when absolutely necessary, and have only one low energy light on at a time. This morning, Cory got up in church and loosened the light bulb that was on. It was not needed at all, just using electricity. Electricity also pumps the water into our cistern at the top of the hill. We are being careful with that too. Fortunately they do have a small solar system set up, so if it is sunny our batteries will charge.
This is such a place of saving everything. Today when I took the tissue paper off a new roll of toilet paper, Bill said he didn’t know what we could use it for, but to save it anyway. Even the empty cereal bag from inside the box, is saved. Haitians don’t save food, since they have no refrigeration; therefore they don’t sell much for plastic containers or bags.
Fauche is an area of lots of houses on either side of the road, while Port Margot is 2 miles away. I don’t remember the population, but it has brick streets and cross streets. It’s a pretty nice city. Between Cap Haitian and Port Margot there are houses along the road most of the way, at little towns like Fauche the homes are a little closer together.
Thank you for your prayers. This next week will be important for us to see how the Lord will lead us.
Pray that the borders will be opened up to the aid waiting to get in. May God be with the grieving, and those who hunger and thirst.

Working together

We’ve had a busy few days. With Dr. Kris gone to help in Port Au Prince, we have had to take up the slack. She home schools Eli and Anna every day from 7 -3:30. The Sloan’s have taken on that job. We are helping each other out with the wash, since the humidity and rain keep the clothes from drying outside, and working to make meals for each other.
Yesterday I made a coconut cream pie. One of the Haitian men climbed up a tree and knocked down a coconut and got it ready to crack. The cooks shredded it up and I toasted it in the oven with some powdered sugar. It looks nothing like our coconut from the bag, but tasted good. I have one more crust made, and it seems like most of them want a banana cream pie. We will never look at bananas the same again. They are absolutely wonderful here.
Today Bill is mowing grass,(there are acres to mow) and I washed and hung out clothes early this morning. Then I helped the cook by washing the dishes on the counter and washing all of the cooking pans as she dirtied them. Every once in awhile she would show me how to chop some vegetables and then motion for me to take over and help. I really wish I could communicate better. I know that she has family that is lost in Port Au Prince – just like everyone else here. I would love to tell he how very sorry I am, and give her a hug. A man came over last night to say that his brother and sister-in-law have come from there with just the clothes on their back. Most of them will never know about their family members. They will either find their way home or they are not ever coming. Please keep them in your prayers. We need to pray and something needs to be done – or 100’s of thousands of people will starve. We are praying for guidance to know what our next step will be. Keep Dr. Kris in your prayers too. She is away from her family and will come home when she feels the time is right - and can get a ride.

Earthquake 7.0

First of all I will tell you that everyone in our compound is safe. We definitely felt the quake. Bill was sitting and felt it much more than I did. I was cooking supper at the time. He felt the floor shaking and his chair started moving. When I came out of the kitchen it sounded like scratching in the attic. I thought about 100 rats were tearing around up there. It is one of my fears. Then we could hear the tin roof just shaking and what sounded like a helicopter overhead. Bill got up and just yelled "get out!" Dr. Kris and her family were coming out of their house at about the same time and she was just yelling at all of us "Get out of the house!"
We had no apparent damage - and had many aftershocks. Some lasting 30 seconds, some quite violent after we went to bed. These were short spurts, so we didn't go out. We had our clothes laid out and a flashlight so we could run.
The Port Au Prince area is devastated. Please pray for the thousands of people that are trapped and homeless. Bill read that every building over 2 stories has been severely damaged. Cory took Dr. Kris to a town near here, where she will hitch a ride in toward Port Au Prince. She has that need to work to save people. We would gladly go to help, and will wait for them to tell us if we can do anything. The children are both scared with their mom gone, so the 4 of us are here trying to help them through the time. They don't know when she will be able to come home. Cory should be back sometime today. It continues to rain here. It rained 2 1/2 inches just last night. Please pray for Cap Haitian too. They didn't feel the earthquake but are flooding from so much rain. Normally we have much more rainfall, but with this storm system, Cap Haitian, which is east of us, got lots more rain. That is hard to believe.
The most important thing you can do is pray for the hurting, lost, hungry people of Haiti. That even though we can't see it or understand it, God's purposes will be accomplished through this devastation.We'll keep you updated by e-mail, since all cell phone service is out.

January 12

It's Tuesday afternoon and it has been raining almost steadily since Sunday evening. We are thankful to be dry and have plenty to eat. The Haitians seem to go to bed at dark. They can't waste the fuel to just sit around a campfire. All the charcoal is used for cooking. I'll try to put a picture on here of men sawing boards from a log just above our house on the hillside.
We had our second Creole lesson yesterday. We are feeling very inadequate in the "learning a new language" department. Maybe it will come with time. While it continues to rain, we have nothing but time.
We made soup with potatoes, carrots, onions, and chicken bouillon cubes last night. I also made corn bread on the top of the stove. We really enjoyed it. Tonight we will have eggs, fried potatoes and toast. I'm running out of ideas, so we will have to sit down and figure out what we can make with our ingredients on hand. We are going to Limbe on Thursday to give away trees and possibly to market. "If the good Lord's willing and the creek don't rise." - and I mean that seriously!!
Keep us in your prayers and we pray for you. Our friends and family are very precious to us.

Jan 7th

Jan 7th
It's raining again in the rain forest, and we are praising God for all things. We just had lunch with the Thede's and Sloans. It brings us such joy to be able to fellowship and laugh together.
Yesterday morning beautiful singing drew me to the church on the compound, where a group of about 200 women were singing and praying. Haitian's sing beautifully. It always reminds me of how beautiful the singing will be in heaven. I walked in and was surrounded by their harmonies, and when they prayed you would have thought the roof was coming off the building. I was able to pray out loud too, knowing that my language difference would not bother them a bit.
After lunch we walked about 2 miles to the market with Chris and Kathleen. As we passed the bakery, the owner invited us in to see his operation. The oven is about 30ft long, 20 ft wide, and looked like a cement cave. Just as we walked in, they were removing many many loaves with a long poled tool. They brought out about 5 at a time. The baker gave us five loaves as a gift to take home. He is a friend of Chris and Kathleen.
Last night the voodoo people were chanting and playing drums almost all night. I was awake for most of the night. I was wishing to hear the dogs and roosters instead.Yesterday was a special day for them. Last year they kept up the drumming and all for 3 days. Please pray for the lost of Haiti.
Bill has been busy fixing up our house, before he begins his larger projects. Getting me water and a working drain in the kitchen is a priceless gift for me. Think of how many times you would have to walk back and forth from the bathroom if that was your only source of water and drain. I love that man!!

Jan 7th

It's raining again in the rain forest, and we are praising God for all things. We just had lunch with the Thede's and Sloans. It brings us such joy to be able to fellowship and laugh together.
Yesterday morning beautiful singing drew me to the church on the compound, where a group of about 200 women were singing and praying. Haitian's sing beautifully. It always reminds me of how beautiful the singing will be in heaven. I walked in and was surrounded by their harmonies, and when they prayed you would have thought the roof was coming off the building. I was able to pray out loud too, knowing that my language difference would not bother them a bit.
After lunch we walked about 2 miles to the market with Chris and Kathleen. As we passed the bakery, the owner invited us in to see his operation. The oven is about 30ft long, 20 ft wide, and looked like a cement cave. Just as we walked in, they were removing many many loaves with a long poled tool. They brought out about 5 at a time. The baker gave us five loaves as a gift to take home. He is a friend of Chris and Kathleen.
Last night the voodoo people were chanting and playing drums almost all night. I was awake for most of the night. I was wishing to hear the dogs and roosters instead.Yesterday was a special day for them. Last year they kept up the drumming and all for 3 days. Please pray for the lost of Haiti.
Bill has been busy fixing up our house, before he begins his larger projects. Getting me water and a working drain in the kitchen is a priceless gift for me. Think of how many times you would have to walk back and forth from the bathroom if that was your only source of water and drain. I love that man!!

January 2nd - market day

We went to the market for the first time today. Since it is actually still part of their Independence Day weekend, it was quieter than normal. Still there were many vendors sitting on the ground under blankets and tarps - or out in the open. They were selling many types of vegetables and fruits - also dried and fresh fish. They sell everything that a general store would sell - if you walk far enough. Cory took us and did the negotiating for price. I think he's a soft touch - and I mean that in a good way. He treats everyone with respect, and they appreciate that about him.
Bill has one more generator to work on. He's already given the clinic and the church a good amount of electricity to use when the government power goes off. Dr. Chris tells of being in the middle of stitching someone up, or delivering a baby, and suddenly they would be in the dark. They are thankful to have someone here that understands generators and electricity.
I have spent these few days learning how to help in the kitchen at the Thede's, cleaning the house, washing clothes - Thedes have a washing machine - and a clothesline outside our house,
and generally learning how to do things the Haiti way.
We'll have to see what next week brings. The teams won't start coming until January 22nd, and we are happy to have the time to get accustomed to life here before they arrive. I think I will offer to mow the lawn next week. It grows very slowly, but it is a big area.
Enough for today. Keep us in your prayers.