In addition to paying the men with food at the end of each week, one of the women in the community cooks them a meal while they work.Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Work continues on the water hole
This week we were able to hire 24 men to work in the water hole. The woman in the jeans, red shirt and white hat on the far right is Marenn. She came up with the plan for the water hole herself and has been responsible for the project.
In addition to paying the men with food at the end of each week, one of the women in the community cooks them a meal while they work.
In addition to paying the men with food at the end of each week, one of the women in the community cooks them a meal while they work.
A Surprise!
We were so blessed by a huge surprise on Saturday. Two MAF pilots flew up with a plane full of water filtration systems and protein enriched rice for our community! The amazing thing is we were going to have to stop work on the water hole because we were out of food to pay the workers. They arrived just in time to allow us to expand the program for at least another week! It was like God dropped this gift, literally out of the sky!
MAF pilot, Jason talking with Ginger Muchmore and Marenn while Manis and John unload the food and buckets from the plane.
Unloading 150 bucket filtration systems.
MAF pilot, Harry showing us how to put the systems together.
Sticker on each of the filtration systems.
Ginger Muchmore explaining the filtration systems to the men working in the water hole.
Ginger demonstrating how it works.
Workers gather around to receive oil after receiving their buckets and food.
Marenn distributing oil.
The workers leaving with their food and buckets.
Manis, Marenn and Regilien with the filtration buckets.
One lady who received her filtration bucket and behind her the line of people waiting for theirs.
Interns, John and Anna, with their filtration buckets. They live with families in the community so these buckets will provide them with filtered water in their rooms.
MAF pilot, Jason talking with Ginger Muchmore and Marenn while Manis and John unload the food and buckets from the plane.
Unloading 150 bucket filtration systems.
MAF pilot, Harry showing us how to put the systems together.
Sticker on each of the filtration systems.
Ginger Muchmore explaining the filtration systems to the men working in the water hole.
Ginger demonstrating how it works.
Workers gather around to receive oil after receiving their buckets and food.
Marenn distributing oil.
The workers leaving with their food and buckets.
Manis, Marenn and Regilien with the filtration buckets.
One lady who received her filtration bucket and behind her the line of people waiting for theirs.
Interns, John and Anna, with their filtration buckets. They live with families in the community so these buckets will provide them with filtered water in their rooms.Update
Below is an email update that was sent out to those who have signed up on our website.
Dear Friends,
We apologize for the long delay in communication since our last email update letter. We have been prayerfully considering how Lemuel should respond to the devastation of the Haiti earthquake. Since you have been a part in supporting our mission in Haiti, we would like to share with you what has happened in the past weeks and what we hope for and are planning to do in the future.
Last Saturday, three of our North American volunteers arrived in Haiti. It was a long process of excitement and disappointment as different contacts kept falling through, but doors finally opened at just the right time. We met on the Plateau to talk through what the next steps would be and how Lemuel would be involved. It is important for us to assist those in need without changing the direction that Lemuel is already committed to here on the Plateau. With the resources we were generously given by Empower Ministries, and other individuals, to help those with immediate needs, our goal was to come up with a plan that will not only be effective in immediate relief but will further the overall mission of Lemuel.
After discussing our options, we agreed to send some of our team, including two of our young leaders, into Port-au-Prince to address the immediate needs within the communities we serve. To work in Haiti you have to be flexible in your plans. There are so many hoops that one must maneuver through in order to make any headway. It takes time to assess, plan and execute.
When we arrived in Port-au-Prince we were not sure exactly what we were going to be able to provide or do. We held another meeting with trusted leaders from the community to talk about the possible plans of receiving food aid from larger NGO’s and how we would distribute this help without jeopardizing the security of Lemuel. While we were discussing the “possibility” of receiving aid, World Vision called in the middle of our meeting and offered to help us with food that would feed five hundred families. This would be able to help every child in Lemuel plus many others.
World Vision personally delivered five hundred sacs of food to our location and from there we distributed the food amongst the five leaders to pass out to their communities. While World Vision was generously working with us to process this request for food, we met with other organizations in Haiti to continue getting aid to people. Samaritans Purse generously gave us tarps to use for shelter as well as food that we were able to bring up to the Plateau to help aid the Port-au-Prince refugees who are now in the homes of extended family here.
A goal we have in Lemuel in regard to our children is that “as they grow older and enter adulthood we hope to continue to be an encouragement to them as they reach back into their communities and their country.” It was encouraging to be able to help in a time of need, but what was even more beautiful to see was how God used the first generation of leaders that grew up in Lemuel to reach out to help their community in a time of crisis. With obedience to God, maturity and wisdom, Lemuel’s first generation leaders were able to distribute food to their communities and be a light in time of darkness.
While we are happy to be able to help relieve some of the urgent need, Lemuel is focused more on the long-term needs that will arise. We know that once the dust has settled the immediate investment in Haiti by the international world may not be there. That is where we feel our place will be. We will be here for the long-haul to work with people to rebuild their lives.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your love and support. We cannot do any of this without you.
Respectfully,
Lemuel Ministries
Lemuel volunteers Bonita and Bryon Sparling along with Lara Berry (not pictured) arrived on the Plateau January 29th. There they met up with Samuel (left) and Abdonel (center), two of our Lemuel youth, and other Lemuel leaders to determine a plan.
MAF (Missionary Aviation Fellowship) has been so kind to make flights for us. They flew Lara and Bryon into Port-au-Prince where they met up with Lemuel staff.
The Louis family was kind enough to receive Lara and Bryon in their home and host the meetings.
The Louis' home which they had been slowly building for 25 years collapsed in the earthquake. They could have built it faster but they preferred to help people who were in need with most of their incomes.
Mr. Armand Louis in front of his home.
The Louis family, some of the most kind and generous people we know, in front of their home.
Lemuel staff and young leaders, Mr. and Mrs. Armand, Bryon and Lara in the Port-au-Prince meeting.
Meeting with World Vision.
World Vision truck arrives to drop off 500 sacks of food.
People from the Louis Family's community, including two policemen (one at left in picture) help unload the sacks.
Abdonel, one of Lemuel youth and Lara take a break on the sacks of food. Abdonel received 75 sacks to share with his community.
Leon Cameus, one of the Lemuel Staff in Port-au-Prince brought a truck to pick up 200 sacks for Lemuel students and others in the community.
Samuel, another of our youth picked up 75 sacks to share with his community.
Dear Friends,
We apologize for the long delay in communication since our last email update letter. We have been prayerfully considering how Lemuel should respond to the devastation of the Haiti earthquake. Since you have been a part in supporting our mission in Haiti, we would like to share with you what has happened in the past weeks and what we hope for and are planning to do in the future.
Last Saturday, three of our North American volunteers arrived in Haiti. It was a long process of excitement and disappointment as different contacts kept falling through, but doors finally opened at just the right time. We met on the Plateau to talk through what the next steps would be and how Lemuel would be involved. It is important for us to assist those in need without changing the direction that Lemuel is already committed to here on the Plateau. With the resources we were generously given by Empower Ministries, and other individuals, to help those with immediate needs, our goal was to come up with a plan that will not only be effective in immediate relief but will further the overall mission of Lemuel.
After discussing our options, we agreed to send some of our team, including two of our young leaders, into Port-au-Prince to address the immediate needs within the communities we serve. To work in Haiti you have to be flexible in your plans. There are so many hoops that one must maneuver through in order to make any headway. It takes time to assess, plan and execute.
When we arrived in Port-au-Prince we were not sure exactly what we were going to be able to provide or do. We held another meeting with trusted leaders from the community to talk about the possible plans of receiving food aid from larger NGO’s and how we would distribute this help without jeopardizing the security of Lemuel. While we were discussing the “possibility” of receiving aid, World Vision called in the middle of our meeting and offered to help us with food that would feed five hundred families. This would be able to help every child in Lemuel plus many others.
World Vision personally delivered five hundred sacs of food to our location and from there we distributed the food amongst the five leaders to pass out to their communities. While World Vision was generously working with us to process this request for food, we met with other organizations in Haiti to continue getting aid to people. Samaritans Purse generously gave us tarps to use for shelter as well as food that we were able to bring up to the Plateau to help aid the Port-au-Prince refugees who are now in the homes of extended family here.
A goal we have in Lemuel in regard to our children is that “as they grow older and enter adulthood we hope to continue to be an encouragement to them as they reach back into their communities and their country.” It was encouraging to be able to help in a time of need, but what was even more beautiful to see was how God used the first generation of leaders that grew up in Lemuel to reach out to help their community in a time of crisis. With obedience to God, maturity and wisdom, Lemuel’s first generation leaders were able to distribute food to their communities and be a light in time of darkness.
While we are happy to be able to help relieve some of the urgent need, Lemuel is focused more on the long-term needs that will arise. We know that once the dust has settled the immediate investment in Haiti by the international world may not be there. That is where we feel our place will be. We will be here for the long-haul to work with people to rebuild their lives.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your love and support. We cannot do any of this without you.
Respectfully,
Lemuel Ministries
Lemuel volunteers Bonita and Bryon Sparling along with Lara Berry (not pictured) arrived on the Plateau January 29th. There they met up with Samuel (left) and Abdonel (center), two of our Lemuel youth, and other Lemuel leaders to determine a plan.
MAF (Missionary Aviation Fellowship) has been so kind to make flights for us. They flew Lara and Bryon into Port-au-Prince where they met up with Lemuel staff.
The Louis family was kind enough to receive Lara and Bryon in their home and host the meetings. 
The Louis' home which they had been slowly building for 25 years collapsed in the earthquake. They could have built it faster but they preferred to help people who were in need with most of their incomes. 
Mr. Armand Louis in front of his home.
The Louis family, some of the most kind and generous people we know, in front of their home.
Lemuel staff and young leaders, Mr. and Mrs. Armand, Bryon and Lara in the Port-au-Prince meeting.
Meeting with World Vision.
World Vision truck arrives to drop off 500 sacks of food.
People from the Louis Family's community, including two policemen (one at left in picture) help unload the sacks.
Abdonel, one of Lemuel youth and Lara take a break on the sacks of food. Abdonel received 75 sacks to share with his community.
Leon Cameus, one of the Lemuel Staff in Port-au-Prince brought a truck to pick up 200 sacks for Lemuel students and others in the community.
Samuel, another of our youth picked up 75 sacks to share with his community.Monday, February 8, 2010
Update from Phyllis Schmid
I am so sorry that it has again been a long time since I have written. We have been having a lot of trouble with our internet. I wanted to pass along this most recent update from Phyllis Schmid on the Bolosse campus (adjacent to the Lemuel House).
Well, I know it is time for another update and what better time than a quiet
Saturday afternoon. You would be surprised at how quiet it actually is
during the day when many of the thousands who sleep on campus are out and
about. The campus is a "sea of blue" tarps that is and things are going as
well as you could hope for under these conditions. I've come to realize
that I'm adjusting to the "new normal" as Cindy says.
Every Monday and Wednesday some of the STEP wives have been having
children's club in the afternoons and then on Friday's they have been
showing a film outside. People though tired, discouraged and grieving in
various degrees are handling things well. Having drinking water available
through the water filtration system given us by Samaritan's Purse has
encouraged people. We are not seeing medical needs on campus anymore from
the quake itself. Pray that other diseases that can come from such tight
living conditions will not become a reality.
We are hoping to be able to have running water to the houses before too
long. An organization has offered us a temporary "bladder" to use at the
top of the hill to hold water until we can build a new cistern or repair the
old one which is leaking from the quake. It hasn't arrived on campus yet so
that is on hold right now.
Most every evening a group gathers for singing in the evenings and I love to
hear the voices joined in beautiful hymns. This Sunday we will again have a
service on campus. People are still concerned about being inside buildings
so churches are meeting outdoors. Maybe I can attach a picture of last
Sunday's service with this email.
David has been working on his home office as much as he could today. He
hasn't been able to get in there since the quake with everything else going
on. He needs to get it cleaned up and functioning again. The Bible School
offices of David, Bruce and all the other professors especially on the lower
floors where most of them are still are too dangerous to try to get into.
Like David was saying today many of his and Bruce's books are out of print
anymore. Many of the profs had French theological books which are also very
hard to replace. But the STEP library did not sustain damage other than
bookcases falling over - the building is fine.
I worked on regular CrossWorld finances this morning and am relieved to have
that done for a while. Not everything came out as it should have but after
the month we've had I'd have been shocked if it did.
This afternoon I was rather self centered and took a nap, washed my hair,
and am now soaking my feet in a bubbling foot spa (a Christmas gift from my
son several years ago that I much appreciate from time to time) as I write
to you. McMartins are showing a movie (not sure what is showing) at their
wide screen living room theater (they project it on their wall) tonight so
Roger, David and I will join them for a little "down" time, a movie and
popcorn!
Right now David, Roger and Bruce are working to put up razor wire across the
areas where our wall fell. People in the "tent city" have had things stolen
and we know it is mostly from that area of the campus where the wall is
down. These people have so little so having thieves take advantage of the
situation is sad.
We do not know of another food shipment coming our way but we are
researching where and how people can get some of the aid food coming in. We
have received fuel shipments which have been a big help. Also a huge
surprise yesterday was that a neighborhood near us got city electricity
back. We don't have it but just to know that one small section has received
service back is such an encouragement.
Jehu and the boys are doing well. Still sleeping in "camp" like conditions
but working to salvage what they can from the debris of their rented home.
Once the new building is judged to be stable work will continue so that they
can begin using it.
We are receiving some people from CrossWorld this week - to do some
debriefing and evaluating the situation on the campus and in the country.
This update sounds a little dry to me but just want you to know that we are
"hanging in there" and thankful beyond words for your prayers,
encouragement, uplifting emails and generous giving to meet the many needs
in this country at this time. This is sure not how we saw ministry
unfolding for us in 2010 in Haiti but God had other plans. Pray we can be
sensitive to His leading and guidance in all areas of our lives as we seek
to be used by Him in Haiti "at such a time as this".
Well, I know it is time for another update and what better time than a quiet
Saturday afternoon. You would be surprised at how quiet it actually is
during the day when many of the thousands who sleep on campus are out and
about. The campus is a "sea of blue" tarps that is and things are going as
well as you could hope for under these conditions. I've come to realize
that I'm adjusting to the "new normal" as Cindy says.
Every Monday and Wednesday some of the STEP wives have been having
children's club in the afternoons and then on Friday's they have been
showing a film outside. People though tired, discouraged and grieving in
various degrees are handling things well. Having drinking water available
through the water filtration system given us by Samaritan's Purse has
encouraged people. We are not seeing medical needs on campus anymore from
the quake itself. Pray that other diseases that can come from such tight
living conditions will not become a reality.
We are hoping to be able to have running water to the houses before too
long. An organization has offered us a temporary "bladder" to use at the
top of the hill to hold water until we can build a new cistern or repair the
old one which is leaking from the quake. It hasn't arrived on campus yet so
that is on hold right now.
Most every evening a group gathers for singing in the evenings and I love to
hear the voices joined in beautiful hymns. This Sunday we will again have a
service on campus. People are still concerned about being inside buildings
so churches are meeting outdoors. Maybe I can attach a picture of last
Sunday's service with this email.
David has been working on his home office as much as he could today. He
hasn't been able to get in there since the quake with everything else going
on. He needs to get it cleaned up and functioning again. The Bible School
offices of David, Bruce and all the other professors especially on the lower
floors where most of them are still are too dangerous to try to get into.
Like David was saying today many of his and Bruce's books are out of print
anymore. Many of the profs had French theological books which are also very
hard to replace. But the STEP library did not sustain damage other than
bookcases falling over - the building is fine.
I worked on regular CrossWorld finances this morning and am relieved to have
that done for a while. Not everything came out as it should have but after
the month we've had I'd have been shocked if it did.
This afternoon I was rather self centered and took a nap, washed my hair,
and am now soaking my feet in a bubbling foot spa (a Christmas gift from my
son several years ago that I much appreciate from time to time) as I write
to you. McMartins are showing a movie (not sure what is showing) at their
wide screen living room theater (they project it on their wall) tonight so
Roger, David and I will join them for a little "down" time, a movie and
popcorn!
Right now David, Roger and Bruce are working to put up razor wire across the
areas where our wall fell. People in the "tent city" have had things stolen
and we know it is mostly from that area of the campus where the wall is
down. These people have so little so having thieves take advantage of the
situation is sad.
We do not know of another food shipment coming our way but we are
researching where and how people can get some of the aid food coming in. We
have received fuel shipments which have been a big help. Also a huge
surprise yesterday was that a neighborhood near us got city electricity
back. We don't have it but just to know that one small section has received
service back is such an encouragement.
Jehu and the boys are doing well. Still sleeping in "camp" like conditions
but working to salvage what they can from the debris of their rented home.
Once the new building is judged to be stable work will continue so that they
can begin using it.
We are receiving some people from CrossWorld this week - to do some
debriefing and evaluating the situation on the campus and in the country.
This update sounds a little dry to me but just want you to know that we are
"hanging in there" and thankful beyond words for your prayers,
encouragement, uplifting emails and generous giving to meet the many needs
in this country at this time. This is sure not how we saw ministry
unfolding for us in 2010 in Haiti but God had other plans. Pray we can be
sensitive to His leading and guidance in all areas of our lives as we seek
to be used by Him in Haiti "at such a time as this".
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