It's been a few busy weeks with no time on the computer. But, things are slowing down now. We had two weeks with our nurse friends, Diana and Sharon from WV and you can go to www.threerocksandapot.blogspot.com to see Diana's pictures of their time with us, although, i'll put some on as well. They left and so did Ed and Jan Reed, having completed their six months with us. What would we have done without them is beyond where my brain will go. They certainly did their share of work around here.
Now that they are all home safely our house is emptier by a few. We had Dr Norm Dobbs here for over a week while the nurses were here and with three other couples (us included) I was reminded of how well people can function in this house. Ed and Jan accompanied Diana and Sharon up the mountain (three hour hike) which was quite an experience, staying two nights. I was supposed to go but offered the trip to Ed and Jan and can I say this? I was so happy they said they'd go! Lots of pictures and lots of stories to be told over coffee and from church pulpits!
This has been a busy week at school trying to get the children through the last of their books so we can get grades recorded. Next week they have two school days which will be crafts and a movie, for those finished, then on Wednesday we go to the beach different from the one we take them to ordinarily. This is a beautiful place and we'll be able to eat dinner there as well. A nice treat for them and less work for us by getting food at the beach. No school Thursday, and our closing ceremony on Friday evening with our first graduate. Not sure how all that will work. We acquired a cap and gown, but having a single person will certainly give her plenty of attention! I hummed Pomp and Circumstance this morning as I asked our staff if she should process in and they looked at me like "What planet did you come from?" So, I quickly let that idea die, but they seemed not to have another. We'll get things planned before Friday of next week, surely.
I said last blog that I had an announcement to make. It is this: WE ARE STARTING AN ORPHANAGE IN SEPTEMBER! Everything is in place, we rented the house (which has to be completed). Al and Bev Carpenter are going to be the "parents". We will start with three very impoverished boys and add two more later in the year. This was such a God idea and the timing was incredible. Gary would walk away from me every time I mentioned "orphanage" in the past but this time he listened. It had been Al and Bev's vision. One morning about 2AM I was praying and God laid they whole thing out. As I shared it with Gary he said, "Sounds like God to me." And from there we began to put the pieces in place. Barbara Macleod had come under Touch Ministries umbrella and it will be the children she's watched and prayed over for a while now. With Al and Bev living next door to Barbara in an area called Macdonald here in St Marc, it puts more light and life in a very dark place. I have pictures of the boys and will put them on a separate post.
So we are growing! I don't mind saying we need a new vehicle and the funding to build. If anyone feels they'd like to be a part of this new venture and help us out, please send your tax deductible gifts to: Touch Ministries, 417 Rebecca Street, New Martinsville, WV 26155. Add a note as to where you'd like your gift to go. I checked on the price of a double cab KIA and it's $24,000 US dollars. If you've ever visited us and had to ride in the back of the KIA we now have, you'd know how nice it would be to transport several other people inside the cab. Our present vehicle is going on five years and due to the rough terrain, it's showing wear and tear, but Gary has taken such good care of it, it'll serve us a long time. Another vehicle is for the use of a growing staff. Our truck is on the road daily taking children home, driving up the mountain, going to Montrouis (once a week) and frequent trips to Port. If it breaks down, we will be in trouble.
We don't know how many people will be at El Shaddai in the fall. We have two people coming to help us: Dan Joshu from southern IL and Jessica Mauldin from southern IN. We know both and they are wonderful people. Al will work at the orphanage but also be the maintainance man for Barbara's needs and our needs. It should free Gary up trememdously as has Al this year. We will miss them at ESLC next fall but they are still a part of us and the ongoing ministry.
I'm going to close this out and try to get lots of pictures loaded. I thank God for each of you who take the time to read about what we are doing. If any of you would like to bring a team to Haiti, contact our US office.---Carolyn
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