Lemuel Ministries

Blocks for the New School

2012-01-31T09:15:00.002-08:00

With the foundation and footer done on the school, the next step is the block walls! We were encouraged to find out that at the Parents' Meeting last week the school director and administrator had told the parents that each child must give one block for the new school! We didn't tell them to say that, they thought of it and are implementing it all by themselves! This was encouraging because it shows that they have captured the vision of having the people participate in what is, in the end, for their own benefit.

Work Continuing on New School!

2012-01-19T06:40:00.001-08:00

Thanks to a fundraiser done by friends in Canada we have been able, this past week, to continue work on the school building!

Men digging the foundation for the porches.

One side of the porch foundation finished!

Adding additional pillars.

A group has also been working on digging out the holes for the underground cisterns.

We are still a long way from a completed school building but little by little we're getting closer!

Food Baskets and New Years Eve

2012-01-01T10:08:00.000-08:00

On Friday the Church Committee and some other helpers got together to put the food baskets together.

After measuring out rice, sugar, juice, spaghetti, oil, and tomato paste and milk...

...the dried herring was placed in bags...

...bouillon cubes were counted and added...

... and flour was measured out.

Inside the food baskets: Rice, Flour (not pictured here), Sugar, Spaghetti, Tomato paste, Oil, Bouillon cubes, Juice, and Milk

The New Years Eve service went well. A lot of people from the community that we rarely see were there. Please pray that God will use the things they heard last night to effect change in their lives and to cause them to seek Him. At the end of the program they announced the names of the families that were to come this morning for the food baskets.

114 food baskets were distributed this morning! The Church Committee distributed them by family. Through the many generous gifts we received we were able to provide not only the families in our community with this gift but also many families in our two neighboring communities.

Some ladies leaving with their food baskets while others wait in line.

Carrying their baskets home.

Although we do not usually like to give out food, we, along with the Church Committee, decided that for Christmas/New Years it would be an appropriate way of sharing Christ's love and reminding people of the Gift God gave us in this season. Thank you to everyone who gave so generously to make this possible. A portion of the remaining funds will be given to the church to help families that are in particularly difficult situations. The remainder will go toward the Food-for-Work program.

May God bless you and give a very Happy New Year!

Blog Makeover

2011-12-29T17:46:00.000-08:00

As you can see, our blog has a new look! It also has more information.

We are currently unable to update our website so we have transferred most of the basic information from it to here on the blog. Within the next few days our website will begin forwarding directly to this blog. There are a few pages I am not quite finished with yet... I appreciate your patience!

If you have any comments or suggestions we'd love to hear them!

Christmas Program

2011-12-28T11:07:00.000-08:00

On the 24th the school held its annual Christmas Program. Here are some photos...

The church was packed!

Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus, the Shepherds and the Wisemen.

The School Choir singing Angels We Have Heard on High (in French)

Reciting a Christmas Poem

The Literacy Class students and their teachers singing a song

The Girls' Group presenting cookies they made to the lucky winners who found a yellow piece of paper under their seat!

The Winners!

At the end of the program the teachers passed out report cards and gifts to the children.

Christmas Presence

2011-12-19T16:31:00.003-08:00

My uncle, Jim Beerley, is an amazingly talented musician, singer and songwriter. Although he rarely talks about it himself and most people don't even know how gifted he is, we in his family are very proud of him. He wrote a song called Christmas Presence that I would like to share with you all.

Uncle Jim speaking at Lemuel's 2011 Leadership Retreat

CHRISTMAS PRESENCE
by Jim Beerley

I’ve never met a shepherd or wise men from afar.
I’ve never been to Bethlehem or followed shining stars.

I’ve never heard a heavenly choir of angels as they sing,
or heard the world rejoicing at the tidings that they bring.

Who’s ever known a virgin rock her baby off to sleep?
And who’d believe a King would make His bed among the sheep?

And I fear that somehow Christmas will get lost in lullaby,
unless we are committed to share it with our lives.

So with a warm smile, a gentle touch, with a cup of water given in His name;

With a word of hope, an extra mile, give the presence of Christmas every day.

For I do know broken people and their dreams that slipped away;
Those who fear the darkness, those who curse the break of day;

And I’ve heard the cry of hunger that still haunts my memory,
and I’ve seen great injustice that drives me to my knees;

And I know a greater mystery than can never be explained;
the poverty of riches, the loneliness of fame.

Yet to one and all, whether great or small, we’re called to enter in,
and be the light of Jesus, make it Christmas once again.

So with a warm smile, a gentle touch, with a cup of water given in His name;
With a word of hope, an extra mile, give the presence of Christmas every day.

They will never find the Savior in their gifts beneath a tree;
When we help someone in need, then Jesus they will see.

So with a warm smile, a gentle touch, with a cup of water given in His name;
With a word of hope, an extra mile, give the presence of Christmas every day.

Let’s give the Presence of Christmas every day.

Catching Up and Introductions

2011-12-10T07:26:00.000-08:00

Well I am really behind so get ready... this is going to be a long one! Our internet has been on again/off again for the last few weeks which makes it a little difficult to get the blog updated! (My apologies for the inconsistencies in font size and type, I have tried repeatedly to fix it but "blogger" has decided to do everything in its power to drive me crazy today and just won't change it!)

First, the promised pictures from the Lake Tomahawk Team!

The majority of the team put on an English Camp for our primary school students. It was wonderful to watch the kids learning English and having lots of fun while also learning Biblical truths.

While the rest of the team did the English Camp, Marcus, Rick and Alan worked with some of our guys on putting in a kitchen at Dadithe’s house. This kitchen will be used for the Women’s Professional School that she plans to open. More importantly than just putting in the kitchen though, these men spent time with some of our men, teaching them new skills (cabinetry) and how to use the new tools they brought down... including a table saw! Yes, they get a table saw in their suitcases!

Second, I want to FINALLY officially introduce you to our two “new” team members here on the Plateau!

Krischelle Frost

Krischelle Frost is not exactly new, she has been here multiple times and was actually here last year teaching English. She has returned this time in a different role though... drum roll please... Krischelle is taking over the bookkeeping!!! YAY!!! She is doing a wonderful job and we are infinitely grateful for her willingness to accept the position.

In addition to the bookkeeping, Krischelle is also teaching a Bible Study in the church, helping me with the girls group (more on that coming soon), tending her garden, working with the Church Chorale, and a million other helpful things.

Samuel Schafer

Samuel Schafer has come to us all the way from Germany and we are so excited to have him here! Sam first came to the Plateau with Bonita Sparling in 2007 to help with a summer camp. He was spending the year working with a German couple in the south of Haiti for his civil service. He then came back the next summer to help again with camp before returning to Germany. He had been interested from that point in coming back to the Plateau to work with Lemuel, and Manis could see what a huge help he would be, but the timing was in God’s hands.

After meeting up with Sam again in Pennsylvania this past summer and talking through the possibilities, it finally worked out for him to come! He is currently learning the ropes and will soon be taking over the bulk of the day to day maintenance and development projects from Manis. He is a huge help and we are so grateful to have him here.

Thanks to Sam, Lemuel also, for the first time, has literature in German! Sam went into Port-au-Prince this past week to visit the German Embassy and some other offices to look into finding assistance for the Food-for-Work program we hope to start in the New Year. He felt it would be awkward for him, as a German, to take English literature to the German Embassy so he translated the brochure!

Lake Tomahawk Bible Church Team

2011-11-25T15:36:00.000-08:00

This week we had a team from Lake Tomahawk Bible Church here doing an English Camp with the children and putting in a kitchen that will be used to teach cuisine to young ladies. They were a great team and we very much enjoyed their time here with us. For more about their trip you can check out their blog www.thanksgivinginhaiti.blogspot.com. I'll post some pictures soon too.

Psalm 91 seemed to be a theme this week. On Monday Mom sent me an email with this picture...

and Psalm 91:4 which says "He will cover you with His feathers and under His wings you will find refuge." On Tuesday morning Pastor Marcus from LTBC read it before breakfast. Then on Wednesday night, without knowing that Marcus had read it the day before, Manis read it again in the special service we had at church! I have copied it below from The Message. Sometimes when we read verses that are so familiar we cease to think about what the verses are saying. May this passage bring you comfort, encouragement and boldness as you remember that God is our security, our protection and our strength.

Psalm 91

You who sit down in the High God's presence, spend the night in Shaddai's shadow,
Say this: "God, you're my refuge.
I trust in you and I'm safe!"
That's right—he rescues you from hidden traps,
shields you from deadly hazards.
His huge outstretched arms protect you—
under them you're perfectly safe;
his arms fend off all harm.
Fear nothing—not wild wolves in the night,
not flying arrows in the day,
Not disease that prowls through the darkness,
not disaster that erupts at high noon.
Even though others succumb all around,
drop like flies right and left,
no harm will even graze you.
You'll stand untouched, watch it all from a distance,
watch the wicked turn into corpses.
Yes, because God's your refuge,
the High God your very own home,
Evil can't get close to you,
harm can't get through the door.
He ordered his angels
to guard you wherever you go.
If you stumble, they'll catch you;
their job is to keep you from falling.
You'll walk unharmed among lions and snakes,
and kick young lions and serpents from the path.

^14-16 "If you'll hold on to me for dear life," says God,
"I'll get you out of any trouble.
I'll give you the best of care
if you'll only get to know and trust me.
Call me and I'll answer, be at your side in bad times;
I'll rescue you, then throw you a party.
I'll give you a long life,
give you a long drink of salvation!"

Plateau School

2011-10-10T08:54:00.002-07:00

Meet our staff and students for the 2011-2012 school year!

Osselet Lilite
School Director

*****

Lidmy Pierre
Pre-Kindergarten Teacher

Pre-Kindergarten Class

Pre-K learning the parts of their bodies in French.

*****

Nehemie Saint-Preux
Kindergarten Teacher

Kindergarten Class

Kindergarten class learning and reciting poems.

*****

Andiose Saint-Ange
First Grade Teacher

First Grade Class

The first grade class doing role play to practice their French phrases.

*****

Jinel Fertilien
2nd Grade Teacher

Second Grade Class

Second grade listening intently to their teacher.

*****

Thony Amady
3rd Grade Teacher

Third Grade Class

The third grade during math class.

*****

Lenique Tima
Fourth Grade Teacher
School Administrator

Fourth Grade Class

The fourth grade class following their lesson.

*****

Guillaume Oltin
Fifth Grade Teacher

Fifth Grade Class

The fifth grade class copying notes off the board.

*****

Kattia Amazan
Receptionist and Secretary

Regilien Emmanuel
Gatekeeper

Mme Wisly
Food, Water, and Hygiene

Quick Trip to Port-au-Prince

2011-10-07T06:50:00.000-07:00

On Sunday I left for Port-au-Prince for a few days to take care of some things and also pick up Krischelle Frost who is back for another year or more (more on that next week). Maranatha, the school our students attend, starts at 7am so I left the camera with someone to get some pictures of them on their first day of school!

Billy's face cracks me up in this one!

Oh how I miss them!

On my way back to the Plateau I stopped in to get a few pictures of the primary school in Port-au-Prince. My camera battery was dying and I had a long trip ahead of me so I just got a few quick shots of some of the younger classes. A lot of students will wait until the second week to go to school (a frustrating tradition based on a mix of superstition, procrastination, and sometimes legitimate problems), so the classes aren't full yet.

School Starts Monday! Teacher Seminar going on now...

2011-10-01T13:07:00.000-07:00

Monday is the big day!!! The past three days have been training for the teachers. Yesterday Gela Cupidon (wife of Wilson Cupidon who has been with Lemuel for years) came all the way out here from Port-au-Prince to spend the entire day today teaching the teachers. We have a few teachers who have taught for years but we also have some fresh out of high-school! These days of training have been great review and challenge to excellence for our experienced teachers while being an important time of learning for those who have never taught before. It looks like we have a great staff - I am excited to see what this year will hold!

I won't be here for the beginning of next week but I will post pictures of the school as soon as I can after I get back.

Port-au-Prince Boarding Program

2011-09-18T18:29:00.000-07:00

One of the big problems we face here on the Plateau is the incredibly low standard of education. In Port-au-Prince we can focus on strictly non-scholastic formation and discipleship knowing that our students are getting quality educations at the schools they attend. On the Plateau, however, the schools leave a gaping hole in the area of scholastic formation. If we hope to make a difference in this area we must find a way to ensure a quality education for at least some of those who will be the area's future leaders. For this reason today the following students left to go to Port-au-Prince to continue their schooling there.

They will live in the Lemuel House under the care of Leon Cameus and his wife and will go to school at a Christian school only about a 5 minute walk away. Every night Leon has devotions with the students and they rotate who is responsible to lead them. We have already seen the positive impact of these times in Mezilien who was there last year.

It was hard to see them go and they will all be greatly missed, but their parents have chosen to send them because they know this is the best thing for them long-term.

The cost to send each of these students to Port-au-Prince is $100 a month on top of their school tuition of approximately $50 a month (including entrance fee). Below I have marked those students who are already being sponsored. If you are interested in sponsoring one of these students, even in part, please contact me at judy.dilus@lemuelministries.org.

Jeffson Belias

Jeffson's mom was only 14 when he was born in 1999. He has been her little "man" ever since. He helps her with his younger siblings, the garden, the livestock and even making food. He is so bright that he almost single-handedly won a competition at church of what family could answer the most questions regarding sermons and studies from the week. The prize was a ferro-cement cistern for his family so that they can now catch rain water off their new metal roof.
Jeffson is sponsored.

Jeffson and his mom, Wilda.

Billy Brutus

Billy (pictured with his mom, Suzette) also just passed his 6th grade state exams. He grew up in Gonaives but came to join his mother on the Plateau after hurricanes Ike and Hannah caused massive destruction there. He is a bright, sweet kid who helps his mom a lot with his baby sister Isabelle.
Billy is partially sponsored.

Olinda Louis-Juste

Olinda is 17 years old. She will also be going into 7th grade. Although somewhat behind for her age, Olinda is passionate about school and learning. She is always eager to learn anything you can teach her. Olinda's mom died when she was eight and her dad died 4 years later. Since that time she has been the responsibility of her older brothers and sisters. For a while we thought she wouldn't be able to go because her oldest brother, who is her primary caretaker, just couldn't afford to cover her expenses. But within the past week it has been amazing to see her whole family rally around her, each giving what they could, so that she could continue her studies. Her little 13 year old brother even sold his goat so that he could help send her to school too. Tears came to my eyes when Manis told me her brother asked if we would buy the goat because this time of year it is hard to find buyers. We are now the proud owners of another goat :)
Olinda is not yet sponsored.

Olinda and her oldest brother, Gilbert.

Obed Metayer

Obed will be going into "Segonde" which is the 11th of 13 grades in Haiti. No matter what school Obed attends he is always first in his class. He is so bright he helps students in higher grades do their homework. Obed hopes to study agronomy after high-school and plans to some day return to the Plateau to work.
Obed is partially sponsored.

Obed and his mom, Dadithe.

Josiane Dumesle

Josiane will also be going into "segonde". She has been a huge help to us here on the Plateau for many years now and we will miss her terribly! Josiane struggles with school but is determined to get as far as she can. The Haitian school system is not designed to encourage everyone to complete high-school, but rather to weed out as many potential university candidates as possible. However, if she can complete segonde and possibly Rheto (the 12th of 13 grades) it will open up many more opportunities than if she stops where she is.
Josiane is not yet sponsored.

Josiane and her father, Obert.

Mezilien Servius

Mezilien, or Mezou as he is known here on the Plateau, will be going into Rheto. He was in Port-au-Prince last year and, despite starting out behind, was able to excel. Mezou is incredibly bright but also has a heart for his home. He is not interested in going to live in the big city, but rather to learn as much as he can there that he can bring back and use to improve his home town.
Mezilien is not yet sponsored.

I took this picture this morning before they left (Mezou not pictured as he had left in another vehicle earlier in the morning). No, Ani is not going to Port-au-Prince. She was crying so hard because Josiane was leaving that she got Josiane all red eyed and crying too. I let her go to Josiane for a few more minutes while I took the picture... hence Ani looks perfectly happy and Josiane is in tears.

GREEN!

2011-08-23T11:49:00.000-07:00

Throughout the Old Testament God often used water and green as a picture of His blessing and drought and desolation as a picture of what happens when He withdraws that blessing. Take this passage from Isaiah 44 for example...

“But now listen, Jacob, my servant, Israel, whom I have chosen.
This is what the LORD says—he who made you,
who formed you in the womb, and who will help you:
Do not be afraid, Jacob, my servant, Jeshurun,whom I have chosen.

For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground;
I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants.
They will spring up like grass in a meadow, like poplar trees by flowing streams.
Some will say, ‘I belong to the LORD’; others will call themselves by the name of Jacob;
still others will write on their hand, ‘The LORD’s,’ and will take the name Israel.

...in comparison to this passage regarding the Babylon in Jeremiah 50:

A drought on her waters! They will dry up.

For it is a land of idols, idols that will go mad with terror.

“So desert creatures and hyenas will live there, and there the owl will dwell.

It will never again be inhabited or lived in from generation to generation

In an area like the Plateau trees cause passerby to stop and ask, "What is going on here?" It forces people of the Plateau to compare what Satan has offered them for generations with the beauty and life that Jesus Christ can bring.

Over the last two months we have had more rain than I have ever seen here and the result is breathtaking. Does this mean there will never be a drought here again? Probably not. But one can hardly walk away from the striking beauty of God's creation that they see here, especially in stark contrast to the desolation that has been Satan's signature on this area for so long, without marveling at the grandeur of God.

I know I have posted some of these old pictures before but it is always amazing to me to look back at the way things were not too long ago in comparison to today.

2005

2008

Manis in front of the trees today.

When Manis graduated from high school his dream was to become an agronomist. But he could not even afford to pay the bus fare to get him to where the entrance exam was to be taken - let alone pay for university. Several years later Manis dedicated his life to God's service and now God has given him the joy doing the agronomist type work he had always wanted to do.

2006

2008

Today

2005

Today

2007

Today

2008

Today

2008

Today

2008

Today

Other pictures from today:
I had trouble getting some of these pictures because it was drizzling off and on!
What a great problem to have!

Key Limes

Acerola Cherries

The rains this summer have allowed hundreds of saplings to take root so that when drought comes they will be able to withstand it. May we so root ourselves in Christ that no matter what life brings our way we may stand firm in Him. And may the fruit that we bear draw others to Him.

They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.
Jeremiah 17:8

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness,

goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Galatians 5:22-23a

The Dunk Family

2011-08-23T09:48:00.000-07:00

I realized I never did get a picture up of the Dunk family that was here for a month this summer! They were a great help in getting lots of little projects done and Bruce was able to help us with a BIG project... the school foundation. I got a quick picture before they left here to go to Port-au-Prince...

Mission Accomplished!

2011-08-20T14:06:00.000-07:00

Four different projects have been completed in the last week...

Putting in the footers where the classroom dividing walls will be

FINISHED!!! After a lot of very hard work in the very hot sun the foundation and footer project is complete!

The team from Emmanuel got all the doors put in the church.

While doing the Obert family's house a piece of roofing cut Russ' leg pretty deep.

Thankfully mom was here and knew what to do. He had to keep it up for a while but he had lots of company to keep him from getting too bored :)

The next day mom let him do some work that didn't require too much walking, climbing, or other exertion. After that there was no keeping him down.

Allen worked with some of the guys here on putting the trusses together. It was such a joy to watch him interact and joke around with them. Unfortunately he got a sinus infection toward the end of his time and felt pretty awful for the last few days. Despite the intense heat this summer (it was hotter than I have ever experienced here) the team really kept good attitudes and persevered. Thank you Mark, Russ, Allan, Daniel and Mikhayla!!!

Dad setting up the forms for a ferro-cement cistern for Wilda.

Gilbert, who had helped Dad, Nathan and Glenn build the cistern for the wind pump, did most of the work on the cistern himself. He now understands the process well enough that he can build them on his own and therefore has an opportunity for added income for his family.

Dad preaching on Sunday

Mikhayla taught English to a group of children in the mornings. Unfortunately I never got a picture of her teaching but here she is at church :)

Getting ready to put the trusses up on the last house. This house will be used as a sewing and cooking school for young women.

James, Wisnik, Gilbert and Lucson taking a break on the roof of the last house.

Two of the houses that were covered in the last two weeks. The team left Gilbert to do the gable ends which he just finished yesterday!

Roofs... Doors... Footer...

2011-08-10T16:04:00.001-07:00

Well, work has begun on the roofs and doors and continues on the school. Please pray for health and safety for all those working!

Monday: Mme Tiferne's House

Daniel marking the plate before the last truss goes on

Mark bending the rebar while Russ marks his side

Lifting the last truss into place

Lucson, Gilbert, Daniel, Russ, Mark, Allen and Bruce

Bendji brought Russ a melon to thank him for the gifts Russ brought his family.

Tuesday: Doors and Footer
They also started on Mme Obert's house but I didn't get any pictures

Mark, Daniel and Jean Robert putting in a frame to hold the doors

Russ and some of the guys working on another door

One door almost in!

School Footer (I finally learned the right term!):

This PVC will go into the underground cistern

Wednesday: Mme Obert's House

Daniel on Mme Obert's house

Getting ready for the last truss

Pulling the back truss into place

Bendji up in the rafters :)

My Favorite Tropical Storm Ever

2011-08-10T15:50:00.003-07:00

Thank you all for you prayers regarding TS Emily. We got about 4 hours of nice light rain, no wind, no flooding rains! Emily was definitely my favorite storm ever! We also heard that Port-au-Prince had only a little wind - no rain! This is a wonderful things as so many people are still in tents.

School Foundation Progress

2011-08-03T15:54:00.000-07:00

Monday:

The plan for the day was just to clean out the water from the foundation - for the second time!

There was a LOT of water!

Lots of people from the church showed up to help.

After several hours they had all the water out.

Then they decided with all the rains and a hurricane coming they didn't want it filling up with water for a third time! So the same day they started laying rock in the foundation.

Some mixed cement...

..some hauled rocks.

...some carried the cement to the foundation...

...and others laid the rock and poured the cement in layers.

They left holes for where the pillars will go.

Tuesday:

Tuesday morning about 40 people showed up at 6am and worked till 6pm. Mezou and his group were responsible for hauling water and sacks of cement to the work site.

While others continued mixing cement and layering it with the rocks, another group began work on the rebar for the pillars.

Wednesday:

Today they put in all the pillars.

The masons put in a pillar while others look on, taking a break from mixing and hauling.

They also began work on the base. Please forgive my lack of knowledge of the correct terms... I know them in Creole but I don't think that would do much good here.

They finished one whole side of the school... that's 100 feet!

Tonight or tomorrow tropical storm Emily is due to hit Haiti. Please pray for this country that it will be spared the strong winds and flooding rains and the destruction they bring.

Update

2011-07-28T09:10:00.000-07:00

It has been way too long since I last updated the blog!

Here is a bit of what is going on these days:

The School Foundation!

I can hardly believe it! The school that we have hoped and planned to build for so long is finally under way! Through the generosity of one man, the cost of the foundation and underground cisterns has been covered and work has begun! Last week the men dug the foundation. Then on Sunday we had the heaviest rain I have ever seen here. For a little over half an hour it poured. And when I say poured I mean seriously POURED. Everyone is so excited about the rain, though it dig do some damage to the foundation that had just been dug. At least the foundation collected water that can be used to mix the cement! Construction of the foundation will probably start on Monday.

The Dunk Family

Bruce and Cathy Dunk and their children, Russell and Athena, are here for a month. Bruce has already fixed a bunch of things (including the diesel generator- yay!), laid out the foundation for the school building, and is working on the gable ends of the church and the drop ceiling in the offices. Needless to say he has been busy! Cathy has helped out with various projects including cleaning out and sorting everything in the big steel container/depot. She and Russell are also teaching English to some children in the area each morning. Athena has been getting to know a lot of the young people around here and has been busy visiting families, talking with new friends and playing soccer. The main reason they are here, however, is to see if it would work for them to come long term. Please be in prayer for the Dunk family as they decide where God is leading them for the next 10-15 years.

Roofing Team

Three of the guys who came back in January to put roofs on three houses are coming back next week to do the remaining three houses. We are so excited to have them back again! David and Ginger Muchmore will also be coming to help out with various projects.

Wind Pump!

2011-05-11T06:26:00.000-07:00

So much has happened over the past month that I have not had time to write about all of it! One of the most exciting things that has happened is that the wind pump is working!

You may remember that a group came last year to built the cistern which would collect the water pumped by the wind pump. They had also intended to get the wind pump installed but too much wind had prevented them from putting the head on. The well that we had originally intended to put it on was also blocked from a pipe that dropped down in it... so everything was on hold.

In the meantime we were able to get an older, better well cleaned out. The man who sold us the wind pump also agreed to come down and finish the installation!

So, last month Ed Leid (from whom we bought the wind pump), his wife Renae, their son Justin, and Vince and Bruce from Rotary (who financed the project) came down to see to project completed.

In preparation for the group the guys built the wall where the people would come to get water.

Ed, Justin, and men from the community first moved the tower to the new well.

They then put the head together...

...and lifted it up with a pulley system.

Justin was willing to be the one to climb all the way to the top!

And VOILA! Our new, functioning wind pump!

Prayer dedication service

The wind pump pumps the water into this cistern.

From there it goes to these spigots where the people can get water without pumping by hand!

There was much joy the first day as people filled the first buckets from the new system.

Manis with the Leid family.

Manis with Vince and Bruce from the Rotary Club that financed the project. While on the Plateau Bruce (an electrician) and Vince also finished installing an electrical system in the guest house and fixed the system to the Lemuel house.

Fete Moisson and Leadership Retreat

2011-04-05T13:42:00.001-07:00

Well, it has been a whole month since the Church here had its annual Harvest Festival (Fete Moisson) and Lemuel had it's Leadership Retreat, but I finally got some pictures so I will post them even if they are a little late!

Fete Moisson

The church was packed with visitors from churches nearby and as far as Monaco! About 40 of our youth and staff from Port-au-Prince were here on the Leadership Retreat and were able to participate in the Harvest Festival. My Uncle and Aunt we also here from Monaco with a team of 4 people.

Another view of the full church.

The school children did a dance to bring in baskets of fruits and vegetables.

For a few months we had been having a competition going on Sunday nights between the families in the church. They got points for having their whole family there and for answering questions about the Sunday morning message, Wednesday Bible study and other things that had happened during the week. The family with the most points by the time of Fete Moisson would receive a water cistern to catch rain water from their roof or a latrine if they did not yet have one. These children won the prize for their mom (who was in the kitchen) all by themselves. The oldest, Jeffson, answered more questions than anyone else in the church!

Krischelle Frost who is here for the year teaching English, has also been directing the church "choir". They sang two special songs for Fete Moisson.

Wadestrant (Wawa) JnBaptiste, who graduated from Dallas Theological Seminary and currently teaches in the seminary in Port-au-Prince, preached for the Fete Moisson service. He also was one of our speakers for the Leadership Retreat.

After the service the Harvest auction began. These are a few of the things that were brought to sell. All proceeds went to the church building project.

A whole "regime" of plantains was sold...

... and bought by Charles Rubens from Port-au-Prince.

We had encouraged the ladies in the church to make different sweets to sell. Here they are auctioning "Chanmchanm" which is ground up peanuts, dried corn and sugar. It is REALLY good!

The rooster caused quite a flurry of bids...

...but was eventually won by Wawa's wife Josette who was bidding for Aunt Mary. Aunt Mary then gave the rooster to a family in the church to care for.

The biggest sale of the day though was this goat that Christophe Sosso bought for, very generously, way more than a goat would normally sell for! This goat is also being taken care of by a family in the church.

Leadership Retreat

Our theme for Leadership Retreat this year was "L'Union Fait La Force" (Unity Makes Strength). This is written on the Haitian Flag as the country's motto but in reality is very rarely practiced.

The group of about 70 youth and adults were split up into pairs, each person with someone they did not already know well, if at all.

Pastor Jim Beerley (my uncle) did the Bible study based on the theme while Wawa looked at the subject of Leadership and personal Christian growth.

There were so many questions we never had time for them all but it was so good to see our youth and staff participating and interacting with what they were learning.

In addition to the studies we had some amazingly fun times of singing. At one point everyone left their seats and started running around the benches. It was hilarious!

We also had some other activities based on our theme. In this one a group of 3 with different limitations had to work together to save a "baby" that had fallen in the water. One of the other activities that had a big impact was when we discussed different quotes. Four groups each discussed a quote, decided if they agreed or disagreed and had to determine what it had to do with our theme. One of the quotes that seemed to resonate a lot with everyone was this quote by Mother Teresa "We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop."

The table seating arrangements were made so that people had to sit with, and get to know, people they wouldn't normally interact with.

On the last night a group of guys improvised a song for staff member Wilson Cupidon who will be getting married in June.

The group was split into two teams based on which side of the church they were sitting on. One was responsible for the Monday night program and the other for Tuesday night. Here the second team sings Haiti's national anthem on the last night of retreat. It was so touching to see them both proud of their country and also singing with a new sense of understanding of the words.

From One Island to Another

2011-03-31T10:29:00.000-07:00

Wow, it has been a long time since I posted any news! I am sorry! A lot has happened over the past month and I will try to get some posts up over the weekend (I am waiting on some pictures).

Over a year ago my uncle, Jim Beerley, was planning to come to Haiti with a man by the name of Christophe Sosso. Christophe is a prominent lawyer in Monaco where my uncle lives and is also President of International Needs Network's Monaco branch. At that time Christophe asked if there was anything he could collect to bring with him. I mentioned that some French school books would be nice to give the teachers some different ideas for teaching their classes and give the students some more stimulating books to learn from. In the end Christophe ended up with hundreds of books!

Most of the books donated were given from a school in Corsica. They entitled their program "From one Island to Another" and were even in the news! Others were donated from the parents association in Monaco.

Then the January 12 earthquake hit and Christophe was no longer able to come.

Finally, on March 5th my uncle, aunt, Christophe and 3 others from Monaco arrived! My uncle came to speak at our annual leadership retreat (post about that to come soon) and the others came to see our ministry here are the ministry of the House of Hope. They came with VERY heavy bags full of BOOKS!

The teachers are loving the new books and there are enough of most of them that the students can each work out of their own!

photoglobe.info
Monaco and Corsica where the books came from - that's a long way!

Christophe talking to our two school directors.
(Jean from Port-au-Prince and Indy from the Plateau)

The team from Monaco and some of our staff with the books.

Fifth Grade class with their books and their teacher, Williamso.

Fourth Grade and teacher, Rechemond

Third Grade class and teacher, Indy

Second Grade class and teacher, Jinel

Thank You!!!

In the Newspaper!

2011-02-18T16:09:00.000-08:00

The team that was just here from Exeter, ON in Canada was featured in their newspaper! If you click on the picture it should open large enough for you to read the article.

RAIN!!!!

2011-01-15T13:54:00.000-08:00

This morning the team left to head back to Canada. Only a few hours later God tested their work! It POURED here for about an hour. The three families whose houses were covered were so excited to get water from their new gutter systems!

Wilda SO excited for the rain!

Bendji waving from his porch while water pours out of the gutter.

Collecting water at Naderge's house

Drums filling at Marenn's house

Three Houses Covered!

2011-01-14T14:42:00.000-08:00

Wednesday:

Bert making sure the work is being done right :)

Putting up the steel.

Thursday:

Finishing the back gable on Marenn's house

Marenn's house all covered!

Group photo in front of Marenn's house with the team, the 3 families and some of the guys who worked with the team.

After taking a group pictures Mark prayed with Marenn to dedicate her house to God.

We then crossed the street to Naderge's where Russ prayed for her family...

...and then we went on the Wilda's where Allen prayed with her and her children.

Afterward Jeffson and Bendji wanted a picture with Russ, Josh and their little houses.

Allen with some of the guys he enjoyed teasing :)

To read more about these houses please click here: http://lemuelministries.blogspot.com/2010/03/update.html

Emmanuel Team Update

2011-01-12T06:23:00.002-08:00

Friday:

Lorne helping with one of the many odd jobs that we have... putting the cd player out of reach in Ani's room

The mechanical team making a tool to fix the 4-wheeler

Putting the trusses up on Naderge's house

Trusses on Naderge's house done, putting perlins up

A very interested audience watching the perlins go on

Saturday:

Prepping Wilda's house

Completing the last truss for Wilda's house

Working on Wilda's house

The kids helping to pass needed materials from the dump truck to those on the roof.

Wilda's family below and those who put on the roof above.

Sunday:

Singing "Amazing Grace" in church

Monday:

Harold and our staff working on the dreaded black pick-up

Cutting steel for Naderge's house

Starting to put the steel up on Naderge's house

Tuesday:

Cutting steel for gables

Naderge's house covered... putting the gutters up

Putting the gutters up on Wilda's house.
The little boy helping is Jeffson, her son.

Josh showing the kids pictures on his camera

Prepping Marenn's (the 3rd) house!

Wednesday Morning:

Wilda's house with roof and gutters!

Naderge's house with roof and gutters!

Unloading steel for Marenn's house

Working on Marenn's roof

Emmanuel Team is Here!

2011-01-07T07:57:00.000-08:00

Christmas and New Years Activities

2011-01-07T06:22:00.000-08:00

Decorating Christmas Cookies

We invited some of the girls from the community to come decorate Christmas cookies with us. They had never done anything like that before and had so much fun.

Christmas Program

Indy, the school director and the other teachers put on a Christmas program on the 24th

The school children, their parents and people from the community gathered till almost 2AM!

New Years Eve Program

Our Musicians: Manis, Mezou, and Krischelle

Manis shared a message of hope for the new year

We had fun singing and dancing and also in times of thanksgiving and prayer.

Road Work, a Clean Well, and more!

2010-12-10T15:14:00.000-08:00

My goodness, how time flies! I cannot believe it has been a month since I posted!

Well, here is a bit of what has been going on...

1. Indy and Williamso, two of our teachers, came up with a plan to do a census in the area. This was exciting because not even the government really know how many people really live in this area. They put together a seminar to teach some youth in the area how to do the census as well as other important things like how to share the importance of planting trees and other environmental and hygienic issues.

Youth at the Census Seminar

2. There is a part of the road between us and the nearest town of Anse-Rouge that always causes problems when it rains or when water comes down from the mountains in the ravine. It becomes a deep mud pool and has caused problems for trucks and motorcycles as well as for pedestrians and donkeys. A group of young men from the area decided they were not going to wait any longer for the government or anyone else to fix the road so they got together, borrowed some shovels, pick-axes and wheelbarrows and got started.

We also lent them our dump truck and driver so that they could haul rocks and sand.

Trucks will no longer get stuck in this part of the road!

3. Many years ago a CrossWorld missionary, Bruce Robinson, almost lost his life providing water for the Grand Diable (Plateau) community. Unfortunately the man on whose land the well was dug did not appreciate people and animals traipsing through his garden to get to the well. Finally, he got so angry he filled in in with rocks and dirt and whatever else he could find.

When Lemuel began working on the Plateau in 1999 we looked into cleaning out this well but the man we contacted said it would be easier for him to dig a whole new one and he did.

Through a series of events an organization called Action Against Hunger decided to pay a local man who digs wells by hand to clean out the old well. Manis had considered this option before but didn't feel comfortable with the risk this man would have to take.

The man and his team were AMAZING! I don't know how they dug so fast! This was after just a two or three days.

They got down to where they found the pipes that had fallen in and began to pull them out. Then the pipes got stuck on something and they had to dig deeper. By the end they dug almost to the water. I don't know how deep that is but I know our other well is 200 feet!

They finally got out the piece of pipe that was stuck. They then put the casing back down in and soldered it together again. They dropped a bottle down in on a rope and it came up with water!!!. The hole is now filled in and the well covered. Hopefully soon we will be able to get pipes put in and a pump put on!

4. Praise the LORD! Not all of the harvest was lost! After hurricane Tomas a wind in the other direction stood some of the millet and corn stalks back up! The people still lost a lot but at least they did not lose everything!

Millet stalks almost ready for harvest!

Aftermath of Thomas

2010-11-06T08:14:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

Thank you for praying. By God's grace Port-au-Prince was spared the strong winds and torrential rains that were forecasted. We praise Him for His hand of protection there.

Unfortunately the Plateau wasn't so fortunate. This morning as Manis took stock of the extent of the damage, young and old alike said they have never witnessed winds so strong - and this is not the first hurricane they have seen. Most of the houses were stripped of their mud, leaving gaping holes in the sides. But more seriously, people lost their livelihoods - their gardens.

Though we did get rain, by God's grace, it was not enough to swell the ravine and wipe out the gardens and the soil, as happened during Ike and Hannah. But this time the wind destroyed almost as much. Almost everything that had begun to grow in the gardens was destroyed. Plantains and unripened corn and millet stalks lay on the ground... the fruit, too young to be eaten, is of no use.

Please continue to pray. The people here are so used to setbacks and difficulties, they just shake their heads sadly and prepare to start over. I know God is in control and we are never out of His gracious grip, but it is hard to fight discouragement. Our own garden that was destroyed in the last hurricanes was finally beginning to bear fruit again. It was just beautiful. Now it has once again been flattened. If I feel such discouragement, when I don't depend on it for food and income, how must so many others feel as they see their months and years of work, their hope for feeding their family and sending their children to school - destroyed.

Though we don't understand why or how, we pray and trust that God will use this, as He does all circumstances, to bring glory to Himself. Please pray with us.

This almond tree was planted almost 5 years ago.

Another almond tree, bent over by the wind.

The men try to save the trees by propping them up. We don't know yet if it will work.

Plantain garden just one week ago...

The same garden this morning.

Uprooted Plantain trees.

A truck load of plantains and bananas was lost in just one garden.

Most of the papaya trees were blown over.

Kicked While Down?

2010-11-04T13:03:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

Most of you have probably seen on the news already that Hurricane Thomas is due to hit Haiti early tomorrow morning. The thought of a hurricane hitting the many "tent cities" is frightening when people you know and love are in those tents; it is terrifying when you are in them yourself. Such is the case of many of our students in Port-au-Prince.

This tent city is on top of hill that used to be a military fort. It is the center of the slum area where most of our students come from. Can you imagine being in one of these "tents" when torrential rains and 50-80mph winds hit?

This is the family of one of our students who is currently living in one of those tents. With donations given through Extreme Response we are working on helping families like this one rebuild their homes. If Hurricane Thomas hits as hard as forecasted, families who are still trying to rebuild their lives will be kicked down once again.

PLEASE PRAY!!!

Pray for protection for the families under those tents, especially the young children.
Pray that if God wills He will spare Haiti from the hurricane, and if not that He will use this to draw more people to Himself
Pray that we will have wisdom to know how to respond.

Wind Pump and Cistern Team

2010-10-27T14:43:00.000-07:00

My dad, brother, and Glen Eitemiller, from Indonesia, arrived last Monday to install a wind pump on the well and build a cistern using techniques that Glen has used in Indonesia. (Mom also came but not for the same reason:))

That same Monday they prepped the area for the cistern.

Gilbert, a local mason and a good friend helped with everything.

While participating in the work, Nathan also translated for Glen so the he could communicate with the local workers.

Since the wind pump had not yet arrived Dad helped with the cistern too.

The team with Nathan and Glen.

The team with Nathan and Dad.

The parts for the wind pump (minus one important part) arrived at 1AM Saturday morning.
By that point the cistern was done so everyone focused on putting it up.

Glen and Gilbert climbed to the top! They were strapped in but it still made me nervous!

There is still work to do to finish the wind pump but they were able to lay all the pipe to the cistern so when everything is installed it will just need to be connected and the water will start pumping into the cistern!

Our Teachers and Students

2010-10-21T10:02:00.000-07:00

Introducing...

Adline Dorvil
Pre-K Teacher

Adline Dorvil, the Pre-K class, and Lucson Luc (school receptionist)

Leonord Jasmain
Kindergarten Teacher

Leonord Jasmain and the Kindergarten class

Ginel Fertilien
First Grade Teacher

Ginel Fertilien and the First Grade Class

Indy Fortune
School Director
Second Grade Teacher

Indy Fortune, the Second Grade Class and Lucson Luc

Sergina Honore
Third Grade Teacher

Sergina Honore and the Third Grade Class

Rechmond Lilite
Fourth Grade Teacher

Rechmond Lilite and the Fourth Grade Class

Williamso Almonord
Fifth and Sixth Grade Teacher

Williamso Almonord and the Fifith and Sixth Grade Classes

Lucson Luc
School Receptionist

Up and Running

2010-10-19T12:11:00.000-07:00

School started up last Monday...

The children came the week before to clean up the yard around their school.

School Director, Indy Fortune, goes over the rules on the first day of school.

Precious school children

Our two wonderful cooks!

More pictures and info on the teachers coming soon!

Home Again at Long Last!

2010-09-02T07:05:00.000-07:00

January 19, 2010
You may remember this picture of our dump truck heading into Port-au-Prince after the earthquake to take in food and supplies. Well, it arrived in P-au-P and made its delivery but it never made it back home. It broke down outside the city and had been sitting at the CAM (Christian Aid Ministries) campus since. Bryon Sparling and others in Canada found a way to get a new engine to Haiti and an American mechanic in Port-au-Prince put it in for us.

We were so excited when it finally arrived back here on the Plateau earlier this week!

Church Roof Finally FINISHED

2010-09-02T06:45:00.000-07:00

When the roofing team was here from Canada they were disappointed not to be able to finish the last quarter of the church roof. A miscalculation had caused a shortage in 2x8s and since there is no Home Depot down the road, they had to leave it like that. We were grateful to be able to use the church anyway - we just avoided sitting at the very back! :)

Last week the container arrived with all the 2x8s plus some! Because the roofing team had taken the time to work with men in the community and to teach them, some of those men were able to complete the roof.

David Muchmore, whose two weeks here ends tomorrow, was able to put up the gutters on the church as well. Now we can capture rain water in the underground cistern. Along with some of the men, he was also able to put in the doors and windows in the offices at the back of the church.

Gulbert and Mezou putting up the rest of the metal roofing.

Three other guys carry the sheets of roofing to the church.

Using the method the Canadian team used to get the sheets up on the roof.

All finished!

The offices in the back of the church.

Day Camp in Port-au-Prince

2010-08-17T07:15:00.001-07:00

Singing outside the Lemuel House

The kids always enjoy what we call "chofe" - singing, dancing, jumping...

Samuel leads the closing program

Dance-off between top two dance competitors

Jean watches as the dance champion is chosen

The winning team, Agape, celebrated their victory.
Teams earned points through discipline, participation, and answering questions regarding the Bible lessons and the day's events.

Last week Samuel (responsible for extra-curricular activities) and Jean (director of the Orientation Center), directed a day camp for 100 children. They had originally planned on 75 but after the first day, kids just kept coming. Two Lemuel staff members did Bible studies based on the theme "Shine for Jesus." Other Lemuel youth helped with everything from music and singing, to controlling the gate and discipline.

We cannot express how proud we are of all of them. They had only $150US to do the whole thing and though they had to cut back on some things, they still made a fun camp happen. We were so touched to learn that they even put their own money into it.

The camp was from 8:00-12:30 Monday-Thursday. On Friday the children returned in the afternoon for the closing program and a hot meal. Besides a Bible lesson and singing, the children also were taught how to make paper flowers and decorations by two of the ladies who teach in the adult literacy class. They did all the decorations for the closing program themselves.

We praise God that one young boy accepted Christ. His name is Donaldson. Please pray that he will grow in his new faith and that he will continue in a lifetime of following and serving Christ.

Port-au-Prince Orientation Center

2010-06-14T20:01:00.000-07:00

Jean Legagneur was part of the first group of kids taken into the original "Barefoot School" in 1996. He immediately stood out as one of the brightest students and was one of the first to be sent to an outside school (the Barefoot School, or Orientation Center, prepared children to enter the 3rd grade in an already established school).

When Jean dropped out of school in high-school and made some other poor choices, we were deeply saddened. Though he was put out of the program several times, Manis kept taking him back because he knew the potential Jean had. Manis gave him a job in the Port-au-Prince house - cleaning, running errands, doing odd jobs... but he would always remind him of how much more he could do if he set his mind to it.

Today Jean is a teacher in, and director of, Lemuel's new Orientation Center. Modeled after the original, students whose parents could not afford to send them to school are given the chance of an education. Jean has poured his heart into the school this year and looks forward to developing it further in the 2010-2011 school year.

One development that we had not foreseen was that many children whose schools were destroyed in the earthquake have ended up coming to our school. The number of students has almost doubled! This has been a great opportunity to reach out not only to these children but to their families as well (more on that soon!).

Please pray for Jean as he invests in these young lives that he will have wisdom and that God will use this role in his own life to mature him and bring him closer to Himself.

Jean (back row behind little girl in denim dress) in 1996 with the original "Barefoot School" children.

Abdonel, Jean, Auguste, and Seremond in their school uniforms after they were sent to continue their education in established schools.

Jean today, in front of his office, with students form the Orientation Center.

English Classes

2010-05-24T18:56:00.000-07:00

One of our outreaches here on the Plateau has been through English classes. Krischelle Frost, a long-time friend of Lemuel, and the interns, Jon and Anna, have been teaching the classes. We have classes 4 times a week and then a 3.5 hour class on Saturday for professionals that can't come during the week. Not only are students able to learn a valuable skill (speaking English), but the teachers have an opportunity to share Christ with them as well.

Jon Stitt playing a game with his Beginner 1 English class.

English students trying to be the first to touch the fruits Jon called out.

Krischelle Frost discussing the weather with her Beginner 2 English Class.

Krischelle holds up a picture of a thermometer to explain temperatures.

Sammy's Testimony PAP January 12,2010

2010-05-24T18:48:00.000-07:00

This is a video Bonita Sparling took of one of our youth, Samuel Bernard, sharing his testimony of how he survived the earthquake.

One of our students in Reader's Digest

2010-05-22T10:06:00.000-07:00

One of our students, Auguste Joseph, was pictured in April's Reader's Digest! He is in medical school and was helping out at the general hospital after the earthquake. Several of our youth helped with relief after the earthquake. We are so proud of them for stepping up and helping.

Roads for Food!

2010-05-13T20:39:00.000-07:00

The newest food for work project is a road! People from a nearby community recognized the need for a road that will pass through their area and connect two main roads. They approached us about sponsoring this project. Together with CAM (Christian Aid Ministries) we have been able to provide food as payment for work on this road.

Church Roof Pictures

2010-05-13T12:56:00.000-07:00

I realize these pictures are way over due but better late than never!

The Roof Team!
Back: Steve, Toby, Bruce
Front: Ronnie, Bryon, Norman

The young men were put to work painting all the steel with anti-rust paint.

Many hands make light work.

Bars are arranged to slide the toll on .

The toll is finally in place.

The first screw goes in!

One of our youth from Port-au-Prince who came to help with the church and Norman Sparling. We so appreciated the team members taking time to teach our young men.

The Church Roof is On!

2010-04-12T08:21:00.000-07:00

The beginning of this month we had a team come down from Canada to put on the church roof. They had planned to come back in February but the earthquake had made that impossible. Six men, Bryon, Ronnie, Steve, Bruce, Norman, and Toby worked with men from the church and the community to put 3/4 of the roof on. They were disappointed to not be able to finish but there were not enough 2x8s and they don't sell them anywhere here in Haiti. We so appreciated their very hard work in the sun, strong winds, and dust, to not only get as much of the roof on as they could, but also complete many other odd jobs.

We have been able to begin using the new building and are SO grateful for it! In fact our very first Sunday to use it was Easter Sunday! It was a day of double rejoicing! We have also been able to spread out the school classes during the week.

More pictures to come when I can get them from those who took them...

Update

2010-03-26T15:06:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

It has been a while since we last posted! I (Judy) was in the US for a very full few weeks. I returned on Tuesday and am working on getting caught up on everything. So much happened while I was gone! The day before I left we were rushing to finish plans for four families who were ready to begin building brick homes (as opposed to mud). When I returned just three weeks later all the walls were up in every house!

When Manis first came to live here over four years ago he told the community that if they wanted to build brick houses, Lemuel would help them, but first they had to take the initial steps of saving money and collecting the majority of the materials. When they were ready, Lemuel would give them a boost to help them get started and then once the house was complete, would help them with the roof. Four families took Manis up on that offer and have been saving and gathering materials since then. It is so amazing to see what has taken so long for them to prepare for, actually coming to fruition.

Marenn's new house in front of her old mud houses.

Mme Tiferne, her father and oldest daughter (holding Ani)
in front of their new home.

Obert and his brother-in-law working to complete their walls.

Wilda and her daughter Widlika in front of their new brick home.
Wilda also has 3 young boys whom she is raising on her own.

Wilda and Widlika in 2006 in front of their old home.

I was also amazed to see the progress on the guest houses. For some time we had been planning to build a few rooms that could be used for guests, teachers, work teams, whoever…! But after the earthquake, when we heard of some of the elderly moms of our kids in Port-au-Prince sleeping on the ground outside, we wanted to get them built as soon as possible. I have been so touched by how hard the men have worked to get the rooms to a point where they can be used. One group from Trinidad has already used them as have some of our youth from Port-au-Prince. Today they are working on “plastering” or covering the cinder blocks with a layer of cement in preparation for yet another work team!

Guest House!!!

Tomorrow a team of six men is coming from Canada to put the roof on the church! You may remember that this team was planned for January/February, but that we had to postpone it due to the earthquake. In a sense, it was a good thing, because in that time they have actually found an even better way to do it! Please pray for their health and safety while they are here. On Tuesday when I arrived I found a huge group from the church all working together to get the floor poured and the walls plastered in preparation for the team. It was so touching to see women carrying heavy buckets of cement from where they were mixing it to where they were pouring the floor. They are so excited for the team to arrive and we are thrilled with the level of participation and ownership that the community has shown for this project.

The church building, ready for a roof!

Church committee members cleaning up around the church in preparation for the team.

It has also been exciting to see the “food for work” idea catch on in surrounding areas as three other communities have begun digging water holes. We have been able to pay them using food that MAF has provided. There was also a fair amount of discouragement to find that the huge water hole this community has been working on for so long has some technical problems. After one small rain they realized that the dirt that was so hard when they were trying to dig through it, turned grainy and just crumbled. The sides that crumbled then fell into the hole and partially filled up what they had worked so hard to dig out. We are not sure that it will hold up through any larger rains. We are looking into some possibilities for making it stronger but are also willing to move on if the soil is simply incapable of making a good water hole. Another, smaller hole that was dug before actually held up well and captured a lot of water so we may be looking at making that one deeper.

Manis talking with one of the Metsiyen community leaders.

Working on the water hole in Plateau Atea.

Manis surveys the work at Grand Plateau.

We have been greatly encouraged by the reports we are getting from our staff in Port-au-Prince. They, and some of the youth, have been providing activities for the children as schools have been closed since January 12. They have also held meetings with the parents and have been able to address some of the immediate needs. Any schools that are still standing will be opening April 6, and our orientation school is one of the few that fall under that category. We have been overwhelmed with parents wanting to put their children in our school, so our staff has been working hard in preparations to accommodate many more students. We are still awaiting news from the government regarding when reconstruction can begin.

Thank you all so much for your prayers and support, especially over the past 3 very difficult months. We have been privileged to see God’s hand at work and are excited to see all that He has in store for us and for this country.

Work continues on the water hole

2010-02-09T13:17:00.000-08:00

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.

A Surprise!

2010-02-09T12:21:00.000-08:00

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.