Lemuel Ministries

Monday, November 30, 2009

Returning to Canada

Today Scott and Lorne left to return to Canada. We are praying for a smooth, uneventful trip!

Sunday, November 29, 2009

This week we had two guests with us from Emmanuel Church in Canada. We have really enjoyed having Pastor Scott Stein and Lorne Pastorius, head of the missions committee, with us. Below are some pictures from their time here.

This poster was made by friends at Emmanuel so people here could see their church.

Wednesday

Some of the guys here took Scott and Lorne on a tour of the Plateau.

They discovered "kalbas"

And got to see the local homes.

Thursday

In the morning the men visited the primary school and passed out candy and school supplies that their church had collected.

Lorne hanging out with the pre-school students.

Scott with our gatekeeper, Regilien Emmanuel.

After seeing the school, Manis took them to see the nearby town of Anse-Rouge and to the salt-flats where sea water evaporates to make salt.

In the evening they visited the well and Lemuel garden.

Friday

They got to see where the livestock feed during the day and helped one of the young men with his chores.

They also visited one of the places where we often get water and helped fill a few gallons.

They even helped with the dishes!

Saturday

Scott helped lift buckets of water out of the cistern.

They were cleaning out the cistern because it was too low for the pump.
Now the cistern is all clean and waiting for rain!

Lorne working hard...

...and having fun!

Saturday

Scott spoke at Saturday evening prayer meeting and gave a very encouraging message on faith and why God sometimes does not give us what we pray for right away.

Around the table, ready for supper.

Sunday

Scott with the church musicians waiting for the service to start.

Lorne and the Plateau Church

The children looking at pictures of Emmanuel Church

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Port-au-Prince Orientation Center

We had a brief visit in P-au-P last week. When we visited the school the children were at recess. There are 50 children and two teachers. Jean Legagneur, the school director was part of the first group of students taken into Lemuel's "barefoot school" in 1996. Helping him is Marquise Merisse. She became involed in Lemuel through activities such as club and the girls' group. Both teach in the mornings and go to school themsleves in the afternoons.

Saturday, November 14, 2009

Update

Wow, I can't believe how fast a month can go by! It has been that long since I last posted!

I wanted to share an exciting thing that happened last night. About 2 weeks ago Manis decided to change the 4am Saturday prayer meetings to Friday night, and instead of doing it in the church to encourage people to have meetings in their homes and invite others. Last night was amazing. As we sat outside we could hear singing and prayer all around us. At least 6 homes that we know of had meetings, with some families joining together. Manis was overwhelmed to see the area he knew as a kid to only have voodoo ceremonies, now echoing with praise and prayer to God.

Please continue to pray for rain. Though we had one or two good ones in September and October the area is very very dry. The biggest problem is that is has not even rained in the mountains. When it does, water comes down in the ravines and waters the gardens. But there has been nothing at all. Gardens are basically dried up and the people cannot find food for their livestock. If we don't get water or rain soon there is going to be widespread famine in the coming months.

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Orientation School

This year 1st through 4th grade are meeting in the current church "building" (left in picture) while kindergarten and 5th grade meet in what will be church offices at the back of the church that is under construction (right). They have covered that part with tarps and palm fronds. A team is in the works to come put a roof on the church in February.

Fifth Grade

Our Fifth Grade teacher is Indy Fortune. Indy is from Port-au-Prince. He grew up in Lemuel Port-au-Prince - attending activities from a young age and being part of the original Our 12 group. He was also part of our music group, "Hosanna". Indy has a love for music and great musical talent. He plays the keyboard and guitar and bass all beautifully. He has studied music at a university level in addition to attending the Theological Seminary in Port-au-Prince. He decided to give this year as a year of service to God. While he is here with us, Indy will also be teaching music to some of our youth and helping with some of the church responsibilities. We are so grateful for his help!

Fourth Grade

Our Fourth Grade teacher is Richmond Lilite. He rides his bike 3 miles from the nearby town of Anse-Rouge each morning to be at school by 7:30. Then at 1:00, at the hottest part of the day, he rides 3 miles home.

Third Grade

Our Third Grade teacher is Belony Ponpilus. He is also from Anse-Rouge and also rides his bike to and from school.

Second Grade

Our Second Grade teacher is Jude Robert Edee. He is also from Anse Rouge. Jude is fortunate to have a small moped that he rides to school each morning.

First Grade

Our First Grade teacher is Mezilien (Mezou) Servius. He has been in Lemuel since he was a young boy. He teaches from 7:30-Noon and then quickly rides his bike 3 miles to go to school himself from 1:00-6:00. With the money he is earning as a teacher he is paying not only for his own education, but for his two younger sisters to go to school as well.

Kindergarten

Our Kindergarten teacher is Josiane Dumesle. Like Mezilien Lemuel sponsored her to go to school from a young age. I am daily amazed by her patience - working alone with 24 small children. She also goes to school in the afternoons.

School Kitchen

Progress and Progression

Dear Friends,

Thank you all for your faithful prayers for this ministry and for rain. Below you will see some pictures comparing the Plateau a year or more ago, with what it looks like today. We hope you are encouraged by the change!