Featured on Extreme Response International's "Stories of Change"

Any of you who have visited the Plateau by making the trip over the roads know the toll it takes not only on our bodies, but on our vehicles as well.  Not many people find vehicle or vehicle maintenance needs inspirational, and the never ending repairs and expenses are especially discouraging. Yet, they play a central role in Lemuel, and without them, we would be severely limited.

A few weeks ago, Lemuel was featured on Extreme Response International's spotlight "Changing Lives: Stories of Change."  Bonita wrote a poignant piece about the key role our vehicles play, including stories of how they affect the lives of those we serve.  Read about it by clicking the link below.

Stories of Change: Haitian Heroes

What the Rains Have Done

Notice anything amazing about this picture?

Take a look again....at the mountains in the background.  They are GREEN!  When I (Krischelle) walk down the airstrip these days, I let my eyes rest on those mountains and marvel, thanking God for the refreshing rains that we have had.  Looking at those mountains, I feel as though I am in the countryside, and not in the desert.

We've been talking a great deal about all the rain and the amazing growth of the trees.  Although it is often difficult to capture it in pictures, I thought I would at least try to give you a visual, so that you can know what all the excitement is about.

The flamboyant trees have created a lush background for our welcome sign.  

**Flashback to April, when this same sign was being set up (see below)**

Mèt Osselet walks from the direction of the basketball court, past the welcome sign, and down to the school kitchen.

Robenson stands outside the development office to give some perspective of height.

Can you guess where this is taken?  Its from the corner of the Lemuel House by Krischelle's office.  The focal point used to be cherry trees...now you cannot even see them.

the view from inside

the "secret" path to the school (behind the wringer washer area)

The environs of the guesthouse are a display of shade, light, and color.

And one finds secret havens of green...

You make springs gush forth in the valleys;

they flow between the hills;

they give drink to every beast of the field;

the wild donkeys quench their thirst.

Beside them the birds of the heavens dwell;

they sing among the branches.

(Just as a side note: one of the MAF pilots said they noticed the flocks of birds 

flying over the Plateau as the plane came in to land on the airstrip.)

From your lofty abode you water the mountains;

the earth is satisfied with the fruit of your work.

You cause the grass to grow for the livestock

and plants for man to cultivate,

that he may bring forth food from the earth

and wine to gladden the heart of man,

oil to make his face shine

and bread to strengthen man's heart.

Bless the LORD, O my soul!

O LORD my God, you are very great!

~from Psalm 104

As you praise the Lord for the gift of His rains, you may continue to pray that the people of the Plateau would have a harvest in their gardens this year.

Friday Morning Chapel and a Letter from the Director

A highlight of the week in the school is Friday morning chapel.  Not only does it create variety in the schedule, but it enables the children to come together to sing and hear from God's word every week. In addition, older children get the opportunity to develop leadership skills and confidence in public as they are given responsibilities in conducting the chapels.

In the future, a second story will be constructed over the offices and library (currently serving as the kindergarten) where events like chapel will take place.  But for now, squeezing under the school porch will have to do.

This morning, Bendji and Djanaïka led the chapel, and Jean-Thony read from the Scripture.

Widlika (not pictured) followed Jean-Thony with a prayer.  Nothing is precious quite like little ones squeezing their eyes tight shut (or leaving them wide open) in prayer.

As we begin the 2014-2015 work year, there are a few transitions taking place in Lemuel's administration.  Below you will find a letter from Manis explaining the changes:

Dear friends,  

The new school/work year has begun! We praise God for His goodness and provision shown and His wisdom given in the launching of another year. 

As we begin 2014-2015, I would like to inform you of some changes taking place in Lemuel’s administration. This month, my daughter Anya has begun her first year of school. She is being homeschooled, and although we tried to find a teacher for her, we were unable to do so. As a result, Judy will be teaching her. In order to devote her full attention and time to our daughter, Judy will be stepping out of her responsibilities as Lemuel’s General Secretary. We are very grateful for the many years she has faithfully and wisely served in this role.  

I have asked Krischelle Frost to assume Judy’s position. Up until now, Krischelle has been working as Lemuel’s bookkeeper and a member of the administrative staff. She has been living on the Plateau and serving with Lemuel for four years, and is developing a deeper understanding of the people and the ministry of Lemuel. We have confidence in her capacity to fill the responsibilities of Lemuel’s General Secretary.  

Although Krischelle, will no longer be engaged in the minutiae of Lemuel’s bookkeeping, she will maintain a role in the finance office, overseeing its functioning, handling large transactions, and generating the financial reports. Emmanuel Almaïs—one of Lemuel’s youth from Port-au-Prince who has studied accounting and helped us out in the finance office in the past—will be working in the finance office under Krischelle to maintain the daily record of cash flow. 

Judy will remain involved as a mentor for Krischelle in her new role. In addition, since she has always had a passion for quality education and a well-run school on the Plateau, she will serve as an advisor to the school and member of the school board that we plan to establish in the future. As a result of this decision, the majority of Lemuel communications once handled by Judy will now be passed on to Krischelle. This will take place as of this month, September 2014. Please feel free to continue to e-mail Judy with personal communications or questions you may have specifically for her, but all inquiries and exchanges regarding Lemuel can now be directed to Krischelle at krischelle.frost@lemuelministries.org. 

Thank you for your understanding, your support, and your friendship. We look forward to the things God will choose to do this year on the Plateau. 

Sincerely, 

Manis Dilus

Thank you, Bonita and Thony!

Lemuel would like to thank the Bonita/Thony team for keeping our blog up to date over the summer. We know that everyone greatly appreciated the frequent photos and updates.

Since the summer has ended, photographer Thony is now back in Port-au-Prince and has begun his second year of study in seminary, while blogger Bonita is currently in Canada.  As a result, their assignment to Lemuel's blog must come to an end.

Thank you, Bonita and Thony, for your good work!

First Day of School

School has officially begun!

The freshly painted and arranged school offices are ready to receive arriving parents and students.  

We are so thankful for the way God provides.  As the beginning of the school year approached, this room had no floor, windows, or doors, and the walls were unfinished cement block.  The classrooms had no floors either.  We did not know how we would get the school ready for the new school year.  God provided unexpectedly through a group from B.C. in Canada who came with project funds and willing hearts to help us get the school ready.

Mme Carlo started early in the morning to tidy up the grounds and classrooms.

As time got away, Mme Wisly came to giver her a hand....laughing, as usual.

We were elated to have around 70 students come on the very first day.  In Haiti, it is very common for students NOT to come on the first day of school for various reasons, whether economical or superstitious.  Seventy is a wonderful turn-out!

parents arrive to drop-off their children

Time for the first "raising of the flag" of the year.  Getting the little kids to all line up correctly required a lot of patience and assistance.

Ready, and waiting patiently.

Up it goes as everyone sings the Haitian national anthem.

 Now, a prayer to begin the day.

And they're off to the first day of classes!

As you may remember, kindergarten graduation is a big deal in Haiti.  Here, last year's graduates smile with the gift given to them by the school as they start first grade: a brand new backpack!

Class is in session!

The school director, Met Osselet, gives a motivational speech to the 2nd grade.

3rd grade

4th grade

Fifth grade is excited and ready to go....even Wawens, though he looks so serious.

6th grade

(Unfortunately, the morning lighting made good pictures difficult to get.)

The kindergarten rooms were gaily and colorfully decorated.

Despite that, the kindergarten teachers had their hands full with all the first-year children who were not too sure about this experience called "school."

The teachers tried to convince the kids that kindergarten was FUN by quickly starting off with some singing.

Some were not impressed.

But there were many happy faces as well.

By September 29, all kids are required to have and wear their uniforms.  Then, we will introduce you to each class and its teacher.

Until next time...

God's Timing Before the Storm.

Before last Friday's storm the gutters on the school roof were installed. When the rains came the cistern under the school filled with water! 

Clean up started right away after the storm. Trenches dug to direct further rains when they come. 

A new donated sign was put up at the entrance of the property.  Now you won't miss us when you come to visit!

Lots of work is being done at the school. 

Today parents came to the school to help with the clean up.

Some of the kids came to help too!

Our NEW addition to Lemuel is a bus that was donated and arrived on the Plateau last week! 

This bus will provide transportation for visitors to the Plateau AND will give rides to our school children who have to walk a great distance every morning.

Grateful to LORD for His many blessings!