We've had rain and overcast skies……has it officially started? The rainy season creates more problems than it solves and since 1/12/10, it's worse. We are working very hard to get Pastor Ceasor's church under roof so that the 20 members who lost their homes in the quake will have a dry place to sleep at night. Haitians are quite used to living on the outside of any dwelling during the day, but everyone wants a safe place at night. Sleeping on the floor isn't a new experience, for many it's the way life is. So, the church will make a wonderful place for these folks. The roof must go on soon because the rain has started. When it rained the other night, all our thoughts went toward Port au Prince. The news I read the next morning was horrible and Gary's trip in and back was the same, everything was a mess in Port. Living in a tent leaves a lot to be desired in wet weather, but what about four sticks with sheets for roof and sides….not a way to get a good nights' sleep.
Gary and I have been doing many things, but we are waiting for the influx of problems that will begin in a couple of months when homes here in St Marc get too crowded and people begin running out of food supplies and room. We continue to pray for a plan to receive these victims in a way conducive to real help and not just a handout. Right now, we are receiving new students at El Shaddai, and fall promises an influx. Our school will only hold so many. We are thinking about another building for the preschool which would create more room for more kids. Help us to pray in that regard. We come up with a lot of ideas but there are kinks in them. We need a God plan.
We've had a team here this week from Wisconsin. We had a team here last week from Wisconsin. I had no idea that Wisconsin folks were so mission minded but (what is the phrase?) a shout out to Wisconsin people. (Is it called a shout out or call out, oh dear, age showing again). Mark Grassman, his daughter, Anna, Mike Kees and Jim Weyers have been so wonderful. They have worked in very hot temperatures from morning until night. We thought Saturday would be a day off for them but NOT, they are out completing their goals. We will go to the beach this afternoon but we'll be taking the orphans with us, so it's sort of a last effort to get as much of Haiti as possible.
Cindy Rahl continues to be a blessing, giving of herself in the kindergarten room. She loves children, the children know it and love her in return. What she's accomplished with one very slow child (due to malnutrition his brain has been affected), should be one for the study books. I got a short video of Cindy working with Joel and it's priceless.
We also had Mike Harrawood with us this week, from Family Harvest/Tinley Park, IL. Mike was an incredible blessing as he taught the highschool kids and as we took time to get to know one another. Mike loves the Lord, it showed in every way as he reached out to our kids and staff. He worked with one girl all week on her math, when she tested she got a 95!! How many teachers know the victory of that kind of success. When a student does well, the teacher has done well. Pastor Robb Thompson has said many times, "Teaching requires learning." Mike experienced that statement this week. Thank you Mike for coming to see us!!
The Grassman group leaves on Sunday, Nancy leaves on Sunday for Cap Haitian to translate for a medical group for one week, Tasha Witherspoon comes in on Monday from FH church, to help at El Shaddai.
God has been incredibly good to us!!!! We are blessed and highly favored. We rejoice in His goodness. We thank you for your prayers and kindness.
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