It is the end of the first month of 2011. My, how time flies....
Our year started off in full swing with a team from Guatemala here to serve. They were a team of 22 (way more than our normal size team). Guatemalans, or at least this group, are full of energy, they love the Lord, and love the people. This was evident in their daily actions. We did find the language barrier a bit challenging at times, but most could speak some English. This team helped paint a church that was damaged in the earthquake a year ago. They painted at the school inTiTanyen (our village). They also helped build temporary shelters with the North Carolina Baptist Men's Group that is staying here on our property. This group was here from Jan 4-11th and loads of fun.
On the 14th of January we welcomed a team from Virginia. This was a team of 9 members. This team helped build an addition on the generator house to shelter the fuel tanks from the weather. This was the part of the generator house that was badly damaged in the earthquake and since it was in need of repair, we took the opportunity to expand this building. This team also helped unload a 40 ft. container packed to the ceiling with supplies for Haiti. This team departed on January 23rd - thanks for the encouragement and words of wisdom.
We were blessed to have two (and sometimes three to five) friends join us here in Haiti from Dec. 30th through Jan. 19th. Kevin had the privilege of going to an island here in Haiti for the New Year's Eve/Day weekend with Bruce. They met the father of a Haitian friend there. This gentlemen is a pastor out on the island and led the church plant of three churches there on La Gonave. We are in prayer as to why the Lord has opened this door for ministry and how He would like us to minister to this group of people. The areas of interest are evangelism, discipleship, schools, and medical.
Bruce's wife, DeeAnn, and their daughter, Emilyann, joined us from the 30th - 19th. DeeAnn brought much needed supplies to Haiti in order to switch home school curriculum for Josiah. DeeAnn is a trained educator and she worked with Josiah and Emilyann in adjusting to the new curriculum as well as clarify some thoughts on how to teach Josiah best. This proved to be a huge blessing and schooling has resumed with Susan at the helm and is going well. DeeAnn must have left Haiti a few pounds lighter - we think Susan talked her ear off while she was here. Thanks Dee for a listening ear.
The two other friends that joined us for a long weekend were Carrie and her daughter Charis. When they came, we weren't sure what mission they might be on for the Lord. They were a huge encouragement to the Bruns' girls while the men went to La Gonave. Carrie, Charis, DeeAnn, Emilyann, and the Bruns' girls had the blessing of ministering in a local orphanage with Cody Whittaker (howcantheyhear.org). Making bracelets with twenty children can be difficult if you don't have enough hands to help. PTL - He provided. We had a blast. Later in the month we were able to go back with some coloring supplies and gifts.
Kevin continues to minister through Bible Study every Thursday in Arcahaie. The young man we work with, Israel, continues to seek the Lord in looking for work to provide for his basic needs (shelter, food, and clothing). He has asked us to purchase him a moto (motorcycle) so he can be a taxi driver in his village. We told him we would pray for him in this area. A moto in Haiti is about $1000 US dollars. We will watch and see what the Lord will do. Israel was hit by a passing vehicle the other day and although he has no serious injuries, he is still sore - please pray for him.
The children's program that we are a part of every Saturday, continues to meet. It is exciting to hear the children answer questions about the bible. This is an area that is not fluent in the bible and their excitement is refreshing. This is also one of the areas where the Jesus Film was shown when NWF was here in December. Thanks NWF for your willingness to come and be a part of the Lord's work here in Haiti. We are seeing more of an adult interest in the children's program. The adults gather out in back of where the children meet each week and listen. Pray that the message goes out clearly and that lives will be changed for the greater of the Kingdom!
Clinic has been busy this month. One of our diabetic patients had developed an infection in her foot. The Lord finally softened her husband's heart and he allowed her to go to the local hospital. She just had two toes removed this week at a hospital in Port-au-Prince. We praise the Lord that it was not worse and that she heals well. We have also been treating a 13 month old boy, Jensky. He was malnourished when he came to us with his burn. He crawled to and tumbled a pot of hot food/cereal onto himself. Jensky
To Finish off our first month of this new year, we are installing two new 100kw generators. We moved out our two 40kw's outside and are currently providing everyone's power with those until we get the new ones hooked up. We are drilling holes for fuel lines, hanging conduit from ceilings, and building forms to poor a new roof. pray we get this all finished with no hang-ups later on.
Well, that has been our crazy first 2011 month here in Haiti. There is much more, but we have already kept you long enough. God bless and have a great year!
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