Day 1 of Crew's work.

Yesterday the mason crew started to work again on the house.


Worked on finish up the lower walls, poured two columns, and worked on the foundation of the water cistern.

A few more supplies needed to support the composite floor deck, 'Q deck' were ordered.

School, cleaning, correspondence, cooking.....big thunderstorm in the late afternoon.

Thank you to the 37 people who let me know that they would join me in praying for the next 50 days for Cory specifically during the build. Anyone else who wants to join, we would greatly appreaciate hearing of your support.


Here's some of what I sent out...let me know if you want the details.

There are roughly 50 working weekdays left in the year. Last week we celebrated Cory’s 50th birthday and due to busyness the celebration was very low key, which Cory did not mind.

However, I would still like to recognize this wonderful man. He’s worked hard this summer on the house build and will continue to do so in the months to come. Building a house means lots of decisions, organization, learning, and dealing with work crews. Starting a new mission station and developing a farm is a huge undertaking. Watching over someone else’s house and employees is also stressful even while we benefit from the arrangement.

So I would like to ask if you would be willing to partner with us for 50 days of prayer for the development of Délice. I would like to present Cory with a list of at least 50 people joining us to pray for the advancement of this project. We need your help. The devil does not want the Lord’s love shared in this area and is/will fight the work. Life in Haiti is complicated, and living on a remote mountain top has new challenges for us. 

The next few weeks are very important ones for building the house. The masons ... prepare for the pouring of the floor. ... a new technique for the crew, and with limited supplies to build supports to hold up the cement floor during the drying/curing process things could get interesting.

We have a welder from the US prepared to come for one week to weld the roof and wall supports, Nov. 4-11. He will need to accomplish a lot in a short period of time. Pray that we will have all the needed supplies and stay on schedule for the pouring of the floor, so we are ready for his visit.

I know how encouraging it will be to Cory to have people praying for provision and protection during the building of the house. Every step closer to completing the house and getting the property fenced in will get Cory close to being able to focus on the trees and plants which are his passion and happy place.

Thank you.

Kris 

Praises.

A quiet morning for me full of prayers and praising.

Praises:

• Spending time with Eli. Getting to listen and watch him interact with our family and friends. Laughing at videos or discussing books, good-morning and good-night hugs.
• Getting a chance to Face Time with F on Sunday. Very special hearing his voice and giggles and seeing his expressions. Hearing him ask questions to each of us and his wanting to learn more about his new home. Seeing his small bag of possessions he packed last week..asking the Lord to continue to fill him with hope and joy while we continue to wait for paperwork to exit IBESR.
• Needed rain for the gardens.
• Anna's sprained thumb continues to improve.
• Speaking to about 50 people on Monday and 20+ adults yesterday while they wait to see the doctors or dentist. Very appreciative and listened well for close to two hours of health advice.
• Cory helped with the planting of some free cocoa trees for the campus from a Compassion group program on campus yesterday after they taught about the environment and demonstrated to young people how to plant the trees. Thankful as well he arrived in time to prevent a water line from being broken and being able to direct some from the large group to the best places to plant the trees.
• For many of the students in the adult literacy classes who were able to receive reading glasses so they don't have to share anymore during class.
• For the credit card company blocking an Air Canada ticket purchase that we didn't do on our card. That our card was not used for any other items and is now being changed and replaced.
• That Calvin let Eli know about a required class he needs in the fall and that he was able to sign up for it without trouble. 
• For having enough bananas to share with the children in Kids Club, volleyball and literacy programs. 
• That the generator for the clinic was fixed yesterday.
• For faithful supporters. 

Our family living apart.

Living while both our sons are not under the same roof means adjustment for the rest of us.

Throughout the day, I sometimes look at the clock and can know if Eli or F are supposed to be in class or likely eating a meal but other times I just wonder what each may be doing.

What are they talking about? What did they learn today? What concerns make them tense up? Did they laugh or cry today? Did they enjoy time with friends or sit alone questioning life?

I do not feel the same way about them. We enjoyed our 18 years with Eli and now delight in a different relationship with our young college man.

We hear about the growth in so many areas of his life as he matures and finds his way in the college life.

We smile at his stories of those 'weird' folks that he runs into during his day. We look forward to being asked for advice or finding small ways to help from a distance.

At the same time, we watch from a distance F's life and how he is also growing and changing.

Yearning for the day when he can know us as his family and start to add many days of memories to the 11 days that we now cherish.

Occasionally folks send us pictures of Eli or F, what a blessing to see each of their faces. [Or we see on a blog or FB]

Good news about our boys came on the same day this week. Eli and my folks do have tickets to come for a visit at Christmas. Two months and three days until they plan to arrive!! Yes, I am counting down.

Lord willing we will get to spend part of a day with F in only eight days!

Very thankful that God holds every member of our family in His hands. He can be with each of us at the same time, in different locations and even in different countries. He loves each of us. He has a plan for each, a good plan.

We may long to be together in one location and worship Him as a complete family. We do NOT need to ever be apart for the Lord. He can be reached by a simple thought, any time, any place.

Thank you Lord for being with our boys. Thank you for being with us. Thank you for making us a family. Thank you for making us part of Your family.

September's Haiti Challenge

Dear Team,

We would like to challenge you to join us in September concerning a critical need. This impacts thousands of Haitian children.

Just like in many North American communities, here in Haiti, families' thoughts this time of year revolve around school. Generally, school starts the first part of October but this year the government has set opening day as September 8. Starting school means paying school fees, purchasing uniforms, shoes and supplies. All this causes stress in the family. 

We would like to ask you to join us in September to pray especially for Haitian families. Like many countries, keeping family relationships healthy and family members together can cause emotional, spiritual and financial struggles.

Pray that the parents can unite strongly in marriage, providing support and encouraging their children.

Sadly, like in any country, some families cannot stay together. Some children undeniably have no one to care for them, perhaps being true orphans [both parents died] or maybe with special needs that overwhelmed the family making them place the children into an orphanage. We do not know all the stories, but we do know that there are families waiting to adopt.

Please pray specifically during September for Haiti's department of social services for children, IBESR. Mme. Arielle Villedrouin is the director at this time. Felyne is responsible for making adoption referrals. Because of many changes to the system that needed to occur when Haiti joined the Hauge Convention on Adoption April 1st, only a handful of adoption referrals occurred in the last 11 months. Some families now count their wait in years, since their charts entered the system.

Now Haitian families need to travel and see a children's judge 1-2 times to give up the rights to their children. For abandoned children to become adoptable, the mayor of the town needs to come sign the papers. After listening to explanations of what would occur, what adoption means, suggestions on how to stay together and meeting with a physiologist the family members need to think about everything they learned for one month before they can relinquish the rights to the child. At this point, IBESR may find a family for the child. This should help to reduce confusion about the process, reduce child trafficking and keep more families together. Prayers for families, this new department, the staff and  the new children's judge would be appreciated.

Now, instead of orphanages matching the children with families, this will be done by IBESR. This will likely mean that the parents start out working with one orphanage but may match with children from a second orphanage. No one yet knows how this will work or the complications that could arise but it will surely be more complicated.

Because of the hundreds [maybe over 1,000 ] of currently active charts in IBESR, the department reports they will not be accepting any additional cases during the month of September to deal with 'all current cases.' While we doubt they can deal with each case we pray for miraculous efficiency during the month so that the process can start to move waiting children toward the goal of joining their new families. Our chart's stay in IBESR waiting for a referral is now past the 7 month mark,

Because of the lack of referrals, many orphanages remain full and are forced to turn away new children requiring care. Without families matched with children, the funds for child care cannot be used and with the long delay, families who matched already continue to pay for monthly care while waiting for their children to come home.

The Haitian government may prioritize abandoned children, children with special needs, older children and sibling sets.

We believe that through prayer more of God's power is released.

Pray for:
• Spiritual health of Haitian families
• Financial and physical health
• Families can locate ways to stay together
• If they can't that good orphanages can be found
• IBESR to get the new system working well
• To get caught up on old cases
• To start referrals
• To implement the right process for matching children with families.
• To process cases in a timely fashion
• Work through the problems in the system
• The additional legal stages after IBESR. 

Thank you,
Cory & Kris Thede

Doctor again!?!?

Yesterday my children cooked for me, we worshiped together and overall enjoyed the day.

The one BAD spot occurred after the final hymn starting the final prayer when I looked down to my hands on the pew back and realized with shock NO wedding ring!!!

Thankfully this was the end of the service because I'm afraid my attention at that point only focused on trying to remember the last time I remembered my ring. [Tuesday in Cap Haitian.]

We walked slowing back up the hill looking in the grass and praying. Not in the living room. Not in my bed. On the floor beside the bed!! Thank you Lord.

Of course one of my dear children decided that this rated top billing as news to share with Cory when we talked to him on the phone before bed. [I took a plastic craft bead from Anna and used it to tighten up my ring a bit.]

Today started up as normal. I wrote out my to-do list and started in on it. We started our school day after breakfast with Bible and counting out the days to assure ourselves that we can complete the year a few days before heading to the USA in August.

Then I walked down to clinic to get a 'wish-list' and add a dosage change to a chart from Friday's clinic.

On the walk down Pastor Rigo called....to let me know that one doctor he could not reach and the second doctor needed to do a clinic out of town. So Monday clinic, generally the biggest of the week and no doctor.....so ???

Friday's 'Yes' and attitude came much easier because my students already completed the work and did not expect a school day.

Today I expected to focus on school. So I'm sad to admit I grumbled a bit. [Once again I'm forced to restart my personal challenge of going 21 days without grumbling. SIGH]

 I do not like feeling obligated to change my plans at the last minute.

I prayed a few times during the busy morning for the Lord to change my attitude, fill my cup with patience, joy, and love so I did not miss the opportunities in front of me to reflect His love.

I adjusted to the idea that my priority at this time is to school Eli and Anna but this causes a lot of tension when I push school aside to do non-emergency medicine.

I did not deal well when not just one but two nurses smirked at me when they added charts to my pile. Surprising how often in life I just would like to be a kid again and stomp my feet! Or pout.

And since I'm confessing poor attitudes today-I took a bit of pleasure of correcting one of the smirking nurses who's blood pressure readings were wrong most of the time. I did deal with her one-on-one away from others in a professional manner but did point out when she blamed the cuff that while that was possible that same cuff took accurate readings on Friday.

So please keep praying for me as the Lord is not finished and I still need some polishing. Thankful He forgives me. Thankful He helped to rapidly change my grumbling, poor-me attitude to a better one of praise. Thankful that only 4 of 17 patients needed laboratory testing. Thankful that Beth helped to get the wish list to LaGonave so perhaps we can get some donated supplies either tomorrow with Cory or next week. Thankful that my students work well independently moving on to what they can so we can work together when we can.

For those who asked-I do not have a follow up on the seriously ill child from Friday.

Road Protests Escalate. Pray

Details trickle up to our home as the morning moves on toward noon.

 Today the atmosphere on campus remains quiet due to the lack of school or any machines on the road. 

But the quiet does not mean peaceful as an underlining feel of tension comes with the updates.

And once the air filled with a distant chop of helicopter blades-likely the UN over by Port Margo.

Rice huller and corn grinder just down the road.

The road protests escalated last night. What we hear may or may not be true but surely parts would be.

Someone working with the police went around town identifying the homes of folks involved in the road protest.

This angered folks in Port Margot so they went after the man / group who then fled back to the police station.

The angry folks started fires around the brick building and vandalized a privet car.

Angry or fearful people fired guns.

Corn day.

Fights broke out.

One dead. Other's injured.

Mme. Rosemary showed up to work for Mme. Fanny today.

Mme. Fanny's oldest son, warned by family not to get involved in political issues is now missing.

Reportedly badly beat up it is unknown at this time if he's in hiding or been taken. The family wails in fear.

His wife too received some blows-I don't know how badly she's suffering.

Tomorrow Cory planned to pick up a two week visitor from the airport.

We reached him with the news that someone else may met him and to keep our phone numbers handy.

Please join us in praying for peace. That the Lord would work in lives, soften hearts, protect lives, open eyes and ears to His peace and freedom.

He does not mind the road conditions. 

How sad to have people die over a rough road.

The road is better than many in Haiti.

The real protest was that other areas of the road were being worked on first before Port Margot.

Lord give folks patience. Lord removed the need for revenge. Lord cool tempers. Lord grant peace. Lord protect people. Lord pour Your love on this situation.

Prayer Request. Cap Haitian Airport.

Just received the E-mail below concerning closing of the Cap Haitian airport. This is the second largest airport in Haiti. Cory was to pick up 1,700 small banana plants next week to forward on most to LaGonave. Our MFI flight is for the 25th of September. Know that Pastor Denord is also due back in the next couple of weeks. Please pray.

If the airport would be totally closed we would drive to Port-au-Prince in the 24th and arrange a flight out from there. Our truck could sit and wait for our return through Port in Dec. so other than an extra day of travel and changing flights it would not be a huge deal for us but many other people without transportation in country or connecting flights this could be a nightmare and very costly.

I bolded a couple parts in the E-mail below. Thank you for joining us in prayer for this situation. We know the Lord is in charge. Just heard that the reason is for 'runway repairs'. 

"Okay, we know word has spread and things look.... well, not good... right now at the CAP airport.   I will try to bring you up to date on what is happening.

First the word that went out is that the CAP airport would be totally closed from Friday night at 6 PM until October 15th.  Needless to say this caused quite a stir for EVERYONE, but especially MFI.  There are teams scheduled in over this 5+ week interval, and they have made airline reservations, etc...which would cause a lot of financial problems.  But... be that as it may, we have been working on trying to find out exactly what is going on and what can be done.

I have been talking to the airport director here in CAP.  He is VERY  upset by this whole situation.  (Please, keep him in prayer as he is right in the middle of all things, and none of them are his doing.)  The director is trying to get them to have the airport open in the mornings, so planes can still come in.

This has gone up and down with decisions.  But evidently a lot of pressure is being placed everywhere.  So...things have been put on hold until a firm decision can be made.  Prayerfully in the next day or two there will be a decision.

Now we all know the situation MFI was placed in with the US government.  And we know a TON of prayers went up for that. And we also know that GOD ANSWERED THOSE PRAYERS!!  So, as a mission community, let's do the same thing for this whole situation here.  Get everyone in your mission praying that the government will see that they need to at least open for a few hours each day, so airlines can still come in.  Yes, things could somehow work out if it isn't open, but it would be costly and very involved.  We believe that God will honor the fact that this is a mission and that MFI is serving missionaries here.  So, pray with us, and pray diligently, that God will move in hearts of those in charge to have favor with opening the airport for those few hours and allow MFI to come in.  WE CAN DO IT IF WE UNITE AND PRAY TOGETHER. 

We will keep you informed as things progress. "

WHEW! 'Unanswered' Homeschool Prayers

Endings and beginnings often trigger reflections for me. Tomorrow 'officially' our 2011-2012 school year will close and on Tuesday, September 4th the new one, 2012-2013 begin!

While it may sound very neatly, compartmentalized reality remains messier. We will finish up some loose ends while getting ahead start on other subjects during September, prior to our two month trip to the USA. Very few things in our lives can be neatly defined as they all tend to overlap and mash together.

Looking back I'm filled with gratitude for the Lord's wisdom and grace for NOT answering the prayers we and other faithful prayer supporters prayed for YEARS about our children's schooling--that is for NOT answering the way I thought would be best. *

He answered. He choose me. At the time I naively judged this answer to be a horrible mistake. Not only would I ruin our children's academic lives and our mother-child relationships but think of all the time 'wasted' at home while I could be doing 'real' ministry at the hospital.

Looking back now I shudder to think of what I would of missed. Thank you Lord for the privilege of learning with my children and the memories of our times together!

Tears and laughter [sometimes in the same day / hour] and every feeling in-between bonded our family closer together over our years of learning at home.

Flexibility!!! A project needing more hands, visitors, trips, unusual event or just need an afternoon off? No problem-we can do that. Great books causing begging for 'one more chapter'- ok. French teacher needs to change class time-sure. Want to continue school all summer so your children can be in Michigan for deer hunting in November with grandpa-why not?

Character Building! While the time together does allow for many hours of additional parenting I'm not talking about my kid's now but myself. I'm thankful not to be the person who started homeschooling many years ago. All my relationships in life benefit from the lessons and shaping that the Lord's done in my life by placing me in the roll of homeschool teacher.

Intellect. My students will tell you that learning now protects your brain from degenerative illnesses later in life therefore their our education benefits family health. Bible, history, literature, math, English, French, and even my previously area of focus, science all improve and expand as I review and learn with Eli and Anna.

Faith. So many times I still feel over my head and call out to the Lord for wisdom and help.
 Junior and Senior high school open up a new batch of challenges and opportunities for my character building. I know that my prayers now remain more open to His leading and contain less of my 'advice' [or how I think things should be!]

   Academically: Both Eli and Anna doing well. 

   Mother / child relationships: Strong, growing, maturing. 

   Ministry: Healthy. 

While my ministry looks nothing like what I envisioned years ago, I know I'm doing what the Lord planned for me for this season of life. 

Through the unknown future we can confidently push ahead knowing that our loving Father answers our prayers with the plan that is best for us, even if we cannot see how at the time.

*We remain dependent on our prayer team and very grateful for the powerful support that under-girths our homeschool.
   

Essay Perks! Glad I shared.

I will admit that I experience a tiny bit of doubt on publishing Eli's paper. One I did not want to be bragging on my son. Two I did not want folks to think that my student spends a lot of his time looking out the window during school.

 But these really reflected back to me and my feelings and so I shared it both on the blog and the Sonlight forums.

Thank you Allegan Wesleyan women for the dresses!

I believe that hearing the positive comments about how people enjoyed the essay as well as how it made them think encouraged Eli and will make him a better writer.

A unexpected perk came from a SL mom reading his essay and realizing that as a teenager, visiting her aunt in Haiti that she had met us and Eli. This occurred during our first year on the field therefore Eli was only 1 year old.

Not only did we reconnect with this past acquaintance, now a home schooling mom but she updated us on her aunt. Who likes to keep up with our lives on the blog but does not think we would be interested in hearing about hers. WRONG! We do want to hear from you so send an E-mail now and then, please....

I enjoy how I can connect not only with past acquaintance on line but new friends around the world. As mentioned in Eli's essay this life style allows and even encourages spending time with folks and strengthening relationships.

We act as a bridge between our Norther American and worldwide friends and our Haitian friends. A link in a world wide prayer chain.

Today parts of Haiti's capital reported "sporadic incidents of civil unrest occurring in various locations of Port-au-Prince. There have been reports that some of these incidents involve people setting up road blocks or firing shots into the air. This has caused traffic delays and congestion in various locations"  Please pray for safety for those needing to travel in Port.


A highlight of our school day: Eli, Anna and I all received 'very good' on our French lesson! We plan to celebrate with a mulberry pie. Freezing berries for over a month we finally collected enough for pie [minus a few that ended up in pancakes] Think this will inspire Cory to propagate a few more plants! Next we plan to try jam. 

LaGonave Accident Report from a treating nurse.

Received this report from a nurse who helped with some of the accident victems. Will share bits and pieces of Beth's e-mail to me as well as an E-mail they send to their supporters. I added the bold emphasis-while the LaGonave Wesleyan medical team does not have all the up-todate labs or equipment that other places may have they have some wonderful, skilled staff that daily make a difference in the lives of those they treat and interact. 

Roads and medical care in Haiti mean that rarely does an victim receive care in the first hour following an accident. The LaGonave staff helped to stabilize and give primary treatment to the patients while transportation to the mainland of Haiti was arranged. 

Pray for the folks who helped out yesterday as well as the Matènwa school, staff, accident victims and the families involved. 

Hi Dr. Kris...I’m sorry to not have sent this to you sooner.  Sent it out yesterday to our supporters asking for prayer.  Everyone here worked as a team and got these 12 folk to the mainland.  Seven went out with MAF and 4 via U.N. helicopter.  Not sure what the connection to the U.N. was or how they knew- but all of a sudden they were coming.  Landed on the saline.  [salt flats]

  Wish I could get word though on how they are doing.  If you know if anything would you please let me know.  The seven who went by MAF I didn’t have as much to do with.  They were banged up pretty good- but not all needed evacuation ( I believe they just wanted to stay together).  

 Dr. F was his usual wonderful self and Dr. Ali, Dr. Sam(Cuban),Vero and Mirium- everyone did a great job.  There also happened to be a group of North American docs around who showed up and helped out.But it was great to have them as there were so many people. 

  The one going by helicopter were going to the Argentinean Field Hospital.  The MAF folk – I don’t know where they went in the chaos. If I hear I’ll try to keep you informed.  Beth

Greetings Everyone.

    We have had quite a day here today.  A team of visitors to the Island of LaGonave(not a team of ours , but another group visiting in the mountains), had a Motor Vehicle Accident today and 12 people ( in the back of a pickup truck) were injured. Many of them very seriously( head injuries, multiple fractures, internal bleeding to name some). Some were Haitian, but many were Americans. They were stabilized here and prepared to travel to the mainland for more intensive medical care. We have attached a few photos so you can see some of the challenges here such as having to transport patients in the back of a truck.  Seven people( the least injured) flew to the mainland in a small aircraft (MAF which stands for Mission Aviation Fellowship).   The four most serious patients were evacuated by a U.N. helicopter, also going to Port-au-Prince.  The pictures attached show Beth in the back of the truck with a patient, at the back loading area of the helicopter, and speaking with the medical people on board.  This was an amazing team effort by all.  Not only the Haitian medical staff, but all the missionaries here, including non medical people.  Much was involved with  getting patients in and out of hospital, co-ordinating air flights, comforting frightened patients. 

  Please pray for all these folk.  Their ordeal is far from over as they face probable surgeries etc.  The Americans also have to deal with family coming here and eventually getting home. 

Thank you.

Barry and Beth Gould

G.P./ WISH Missionaries

Additional Prayer Request and Update.

News


Paola's family had been in contact with the kidnappers but no ransom demand as of last night. 


Yesterday afternoon received word from LaGonave about a serious accident. Thankful that Dr. Steve and the medical staff at the Wesleyan Hospital could help with initial treatment.


We know the lady who started this school and visited a couple times during our time on LaGonave. 


 Dr. Steve Edmondson wrote on Facebook last night the following:


"11 people injured, 4 quite seriously. 7 evacuated by MAF plane. 4 by UN helicopter. Most of them were from Boston, MA here to do teacher training up in the mountain village of Matenwa. They were riding in a truck along a treacherous mountain road. The truck capsized because they were top heavy. 2 pinned under truck for a bit before people could pull them out. Many broken bones (pelvises, ribs, arms, legs,etc.), head injuries, lacerations. Some were hemodynamically unstable and we were worried they could have internal bleed (ie from ruptured spleen). Pray for this group. They are not only traumatized physically but emotionally as well."


Dad and Mom's visit continues to go well. Will be celebrating Anna's birthday tomorrow. Enjoyed a quiet Sunday. Cory plans to leave Wednesday for an Agricultural conference in Pignon. 

Please pray for Paola, a nice lady who works imports and exports in Cap Haiti and sponsors both the Port Margot and Fauche volley ball teams. She was kidnapped outside her home last night. Two shots fired but did not hit anyone. No further news at this time. Will update when we hear any additional information. Thank you

Yesterday after a garden tour with Cory and looking at the empty tents to brainstorm how they could be used by reducing the heat, I remained down at clinic.

The original purpose for the tents, housing cholera patients, does not work because of the heat. Last week someone fainted causing everyone to be moved into the waiting room area. This room now holds 17 cholera patents.

Imagine- men and women, boys and girls each on a cot with a bucket and IV hanging on a pole. Less than two feet separate them from the next cot. Yesterday, prior to my visit, one of their number died. Now add to the crowded room at least one family member to care for each patient and a couple staff members. Personal belongings either sit on the bed or outside under the eaves.

The benches that once sat in rows in the waiting room now sit outside or under the eaves. Personal belongings or family members fill these benches.

Most of the people currently being treated come from a few mile radius.  I ask each patient before praying for permission. All accepted prayer. Those who wished to read Creole tracts could request one.

I realize that this must sound very primitive to most of you who receive medical care in a high-tech advanced medical setting. But let me point out a couple of things. One the room full of very sick people remained calm and orderly. The floor regularly receives a mopping with bleach-the only smell in the air.

These patients, in my opinion, receive good care. Each patient received appropriate care and thankfully, [through hard work on the part of the staff] received life saving IV fluids.

Cholera can kill fast, in hours through rapid dehydration. With adequate hydration, oral or occasionally IV's most people can survived the infection. Thankfully most people with Cholera do not get severely sick.

Thankfully those who get severely sick, with appropriate, rapid treatment start to recover in a few days [folks hospitalized with Typhoid can take weeks of treatment and weeks longer before recovery]. Thankfully the treatment and care for Cholera patients is relatively simple compared to some treatments.

But still for a small hospital with 6 rooms with a normal in-patient population of 3-4 the hospital load of closer to 20 remains a huge burden. Keeping enough IV fluids, medications and supplies on hand can be hard and requires many miles and hours of travel to Cap Haitian not to mention money. Cleaning and keeping the germs from spreading to other people and the staff takes vigilance and hard work.  Vital signs, charting and keeping all those IV's running at the correct rate keeps the nursing staff busier than normal. Educating people about the disease and prevention remains an important job as well.

While the staff feel a bit overwhelmed they continue to do great. I reminded them that if they need my help to let me know.

Pray that the increased patient load results in an increased impact for the Kingdom.
Praise for the staff [medical, cleaning, purchasing, and office] saving lives and treating suffering.

Sept. 17. Garden visit, bananas and Moringa garden

Kid's voices fill the air as they play soccer in the front lawn. Thankful Eli and Anna can play with friends in the afternoons. This morning both spent time finishing up some homework and helping to clean the house.

I worked on the computer, finishing up a children's lesson on Haiti/devotional, cleaning up my in-box, writing some E-mails as well as working on a 'about us' post as suggested by a fellow blogger. Hard to boil down one's family into a page but trying to capture the essence of our family and ministry.

Down loaded a few Kindle books..after not having access to a library for years it is nice to be able to read new books with just the push of a few buttons. I am learning to watch what I get as it is easy to waste my time on books that do not benefit my mind or life at all.  Goes back again to being intentional with the time that the Lord gives me on this earth.

Cory visited some gardens across the river yesterday and the community garden. He reports that down by the river many people were busy planting peanuts. Most of the donated banana plants continue to grow well and some are starting to produce large bunches of bananas. Genner's plants produced several big bunches [about 50+] pounds each] already and off shoots-which he gives away to others.

Some of the bamboo plants now top 20 foot tall while others remain small. Next week he plans to distribute more bamboo plants as they are taking over the nursery area with their rapid growth.

We spent some time as a family yesterday afternoon planting our Moringa trees near the house. Now 4 rows of 51 rescued baby Moringa trees can grow and hopefully thrive in their new home. The goal-easy access and enough Moringa trees to provide leaves to eat a few times a week even during team season.

Hand made truck.

Our growing season is just starting in Northern Haiti with the end of dry season and early start to rainy season.

Thankful for family this week and rapid communications.

Prayer Request: Last few business days in Port-au-Prince violent protests calling for the UN to leave. Pray for safety and wisdom for leaders.