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.