Day 107

Day 107 of the coronavirus restrictions.

Planting sweet potato cuttings, also tomato and corn

Hot sunny days [up to 95˚ or so in the house] and cooler nights [down in the 70's] Most nights this week with at least a brief thunder shower makes for rapidly growing trees and plants.


Last week with the airport opening we started to hear and see more jets flying overhead but not as many as before.

Other restrictions remain in place as the number of cases continue to increase.

We may do a blog someday of the cool reef fossils here at 4,500' elevation

The guys weeded and fertilized trees, and made a terrace above the first part of the path that leads from the house to the other ridge.

Cory found a fossilized shark's tooth. The guys say there are lots in some areas, we will see if they bring any.

The local beans are being harvested to sell fresh-shelled without drying.

Fritz and I finished up month number two of fourth grade.

We celebrated along with our "family night" roasting hot dogs.

Black and butter beans and some of the plants they came from

I think the Fritz collects a new monarch caterpillar every time he collects food for the rest of them.


We continue to enjoy releasing the butterflies.

For the 4th we enjoyed some small ears of sweet corn and vanilla puddling pie with berries.

We'd collected and froze strawberries, mulberries, and blackberries for a week or so..to add a bit of flavor.

Count changes daily: losses, additions, crysalises.

Sunday we enjoyed listening to a sermon by my brother and talked on the phone to our older two.

We remain very thankful for our in-house internet. 

Unplugging during most thunderstorms as we pray not to lose any equipment. 

Seen a few rainbows to the east. 

Always reminding us of the Lord's faithfulness to His promises. 

So much pain the world.

So many hurting people: physically, mentally, emotionally. 

So much fear, anger, hopelessness.

So many needing to be comforted with the Lord's love, through His people.

So many voices, crying loudly: this and that; for and against; one thing now and then another, constantly changing 'facts', swirling confusion.

So many tired, hurting people

 Pslam 40: 1-5, 11-12, 17

Thunderheads over the fort and coffee plantation ruins

I waited patiently for the Lord;

He turned to me and heard my cry.

He lifted me out of the slimy pit, 

out of the mud and mire;

He set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.
He put a new song in  my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear
and put their trust in the Lord.
Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust,
who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods.

Many, O Lord my God,
are the wonders you have done.
The things You planned for us
no one can recount to You;
Were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare. 

Do no withhold Your mercy from me,
O Lord;
may Your love and Your truth always
 protect me
For troubles without number surround me,
my sinus have overtaken me, and I cannot see

Yet I am poor and needy;

may the Lord think of me.

You are my help and my deliverer,

O my God, do not delay. 

Update and Planting Cacao

"springs" of water in the school yard

More rain over the weekend. Parts of lower campus actually had water bubbling up from the ground around the school and the school's dinning hall foundation.

We enjoyed a visit from Dieucel. We heard how his family evacuated their house, one by one, piggy-backed on the back of a tall man.

 How the water came up almost to his wife's neck as they moved to higher ground.

They returned to their home after a the flood waters receded only to have to evacuate a second time.

We listened with praise in our hearts as he shared with us how a pastor in a very hard church got excited about the Konsey books and purchased a box for his church.

 The Lord blessed the church with an increase of offerings after the people started to read the book.

He told us also of a place in the Dominican where many Haitians live that received 2 or 3 boxes of Konsey.

 So very glad to hear how the Lord continues to spread the books to Haitians.

flood washed peanut fields

Last week we brought 97 cacao trees to the new gardens and kept 3 to plant on campus to compare the USDA selected "super trees" with the other cacao on campus and see how well they grow under peach palms.

We have had over 60 inches of rain the past 5 weeks so the paths around here are very muddy.

We also had to delay planting until the river was low enough to cross with wheelbarrows of trees.

It was a long, hard 45 minutes or so to get to the gardens, dodging or hitting stones placed on the trails in some areas to help with walking over the water and mud but hard on the wheelbarrows.

The weather has been so cloudy that for now the pigeon pea crop in the area is mostly lost.

There just isn't enough sun so the plants that didn't die from flooding have dropped most of the pea pods.

 They might still produce a later crop.

The peanuts that didn't wash out look ok so far, might be OK if we get sunny weather now.

Our young fruit trees and peach palms are doing well. The rice looks thin in most of the garden, probably not planted close enough or just lacking enough sunshine.

Mud running with the wheelbarrows. Cassava/yucca from our garden

Planting cacao

Peach palm and rice in best part of garden

Local pigeon pea garden

Specific prayers following Hurricane Matthew

The cool, light rain continued throughout Tuesday and into Tuesday night in our part of Haiti.

Checking frequently on the Internet, we read reports of the severe damage along the southern coast of Haiti, flooding on LaGonave and Port-au-Prince and thankfully watched the radar clear as the hurricane winds weakened over the mountains.

We watched in astonishment after friends, and acquaintances shared my blog post on praying specifically for Haiti, as the number of page views soared into the hundreds and then thousands.

We realize that some of those page views represented family groups, or small groups praying. The large numbers of people praying brought great comfort to us and others in Haiti.

Now I don't want to lessen in any way the severe damage in the South and in families who lost everything.

However, reality is that the damage and loss of life in Haiti from Hurricane Matthew could have severely affected tens of thousands or even millions more had the storm shifted more to the east or had the rain totals reached predicted highs.

Some will talk about luck or chance, but we firmly believe that everyone who offered up a prayer for the safety of Haiti played an important role in reducing the damage. We also believe that continued prayers are vital for the recovery period.

Even before the early damage in the south was being reported, people started to ask for relief funds and post pictures. Unfortunately, some of the pictures people were posting turned out to be from past severe storms or from other countries.

Specific prayers after Hurricane Matthew:

-Immediate rescue for the stranded. Medical care, shelter, food and drinking water for the people in need.

-Restored communications between family and friends.

-No further damage from flooding, rains, weakened structures and damaged roads. No outbreaks of cholera, typhoid, mosquito borne illnesses or other diseases.

-Repair of roads and bridges so that emergency staff and supplies can reach those in most need.

-Funding, especially that the donated funds are given to agencies who will use them for the
people and recovery. Too many times in the past the money never benefits those it was donated to help.

-Wisdom to help in ways that will benefit people long term, including but not limited to: relocation of those in unsafe areas, building safe houses, micro loans, helping with education of children, medical bills, jobs, replacement of livestock and possessions....

-Building of safe [hurricane, flooding, earthquake, heat, ...] houses for those who need new homes.

-Political stability: Presidential elections which still need to occur in a timely fashion and in a fashion that limits corruption. As this did not occur in the last elections it will be even harder this time...

-Continuation of relationships started or strengthened during the storm. That together Haitians and expatriates can work for a stronger country, families, government, infrastructure, and faith.

-Prayers for those who live in the path of Hurricane Matthew as it continues north.

We are praising the Lord for His faithfulness. Thank you to everyone one who is joining us in prayer for Haiti and her people during the next days and weeks of recovery.

Specific Ways to Pray for Haiti--Hurricane Matthew

Homes:
  Unlike many places there are not shelters set up for evacuation. Folks near the sea or rivers or in flood plains often have nowhere to go. Many still live in homes made with sticks and mud with dirt floors and some remain in tents. Even those with block houses in low areas can see flash flooding or be hit with a storm surge of 9+ feet. Poor folks put rocks or blocks on their roofs to try to stabilize them in winds....but these, along with pieces of sharp tin, because projectiles in a violent storm.

Vital Supplies:
 Living day to day means many people cannot store up food or clean drinking water. Lots of rain means contaminated wells, rivers and ocean, which leads to a lot of sickness after the storm passes. Many people will loose these supplies in flooding, along with medications or important documents.

Medical: Many people in the next few days will need medical help due to injuries occurring from  flooding and high winds. But there is also the normal medical needs- mothers delivering babies, severe illnesses, household accidents, needed surgeries...and the storm will make getting medical help very hard. People already in hospitals can be at risk as well..with power outages, wind, rain, staffing issues.... Longer term will be illness from contaminated drinking water [GI and skin issues] as well as increased mosquito born illness from lots of standing water.

Roads: Many Haitian roads were already in poor condition but with heavy rains, erosion, and landslides, driving becomes very dangerous. In the past Route National One-the main road between Port-au-Prince and Cap Haitian in the north was closed for months-and this is the way that fuel is brought to North Haiti. Driving through rivers is common in many areas and flash floods will kill, as can driving through water not knowing if the road remains intact underneath.

Animals: The potential loss of livestock is also high which will impact the food sources and financial health of families for months to years to come. Few will have safe places to put their animals and if they dare to let them roam loose-so that they can reach high ground, some may be stolen.

Gardens: High winds will damage many banana plants, fruit trees, and other crops needed to feed the people in the days to come. Flooding will remain for weeks killing more plants and trees. The high waves and costal storm surge will expose land to higher salt content damaging the soil for a long time.

Crime: As in most areas of the world, a few desperate people will try to take advantage of this crisis to advance themselves by stealing and looting. Local law enforcement will be overwhelmed trying to help people and keep peace.

Politics..next Sunday the redo vote of Presidential elections was to take place. Protests continue leading up to the vote...only the Lord knows what will happen between now and then.

Rarer...some people attempting to cook with charcoal in homes could suffer from smoke, or who use generators in enclosed spaces could be poisoned....in the past some who try to walk through flooded cities can accidentally be electrocuted.

International airports in Port-au-Prince and Cap Haitian will be closed between 6 a.m. Monday to 6 a.m. Wednesday.

At this time predictions are the the eye of H. Matthew will be closest to Haiti at 4 a.m. Tuesday morning. Path could still change.

Many ways to pray. Will try to keep folks updated if our internet continues to work. Praying that after the storm the Lord will show us where, when, and how best to help. Please join us. We want to be used by the Lord to help, showing His love in the midst of crisis.

Surrounded by His loving arms, held in His mighty hands..knowing He is our fortress, our refuge, and able to calm the storm if He choses and if not...He will help us through every minute of the stormy gale.

Winter in Fauche, by Anna

Well, I’m back again. I think mother is glad for a short break now and then from doing the blog. This week for my paper I am supposed to write a description about any subject of my choice; I chose winter. If you are one of those people who cannot stand us tropical people talking about weather, you might not want to read this blog. 

I know that many of you in the States have, but we are cold too. The other day we actually got into the 60s !!! To us, that is the equivalent of 0 degrees!! You may be laughing, but to us, this is cold. Those of you that have enjoyed our chilly showers will understand. We have no water heaters, and our windows are only screened. Therefore, we can’t shut out the wind and while you are taking a shower with chilled well water, you might have a cool draft come and chill you further. Although we cannot keep out the wind, most Haitian houses have shutters and can close up their houses. 

 

The other day all three of us had pants and long sleeves. If you had seen Mother the other day, you would have thought it was -40 degrees, on top of three shirts, she wore not one hoodie, but two. In addition, she wore pants and socks, all of this underneath her blanket. Dad wore a long-sleeve shirt in addition to his normal clothes, and I wore pants and a hoodie I think even the cat was cuddlier, trying to stay warm. 

While winter looks white/grey in America, in Haiti our weather is green/grey. Of late there has been a fair amount of cloud cover and rain, giving us the gray, rainy feeling of tropical winter. It is greener than usual in Fauche, thanks to all the rain. Even the arid places in Haiti, such as Lagonave, received rain. 

For my family, winter smells like hot chocolate in the morning and the fresh scent of the rain-soaked earth. 

While it is cloudy, it is usually a bit quieter, especially if it rains, since they do not have school. Generally, one of my favorite activities is reading. In America, they have snow days. In Haiti, they have rain-days, and some home schoolers have team-days. In Fauche, you can generally see and hear the rain coming. The rain approaches in a wall, usually from a north-easterly direction. You can hear it hitting the trees, and sometimes you will hear children yelling "the rain is coming," while running for the nearest building. 

P.S. In responce to the comment about me 'petting mangos' when I was little. I don't pet mangos I juice them.

Conference, Chantal and Coconut

Sunny with no wind at the moment but that could change later with tropical storm Chantal in the area.

[Chatted with my parents for a while as the sun alternated with cloudy outer storm bands and now complete cloud cover but no wind or rain.]

District pastors arrived yesterday for the start of the district's summer conference.

 Thankful for every minute of sun we get today as conferences on campus tend to run our battery system down at night with the extra usage.

A month from now we should be in Florida preparing to fly to Michigan.

Still working on the health book and plant book.

Need to redo all the illustrations in the health book so looking for some Haitian artists to help.

Praying to get this done before we leave.

Long time blog readers may remember a few years ago when Cory moved this coconut tree from inside the new church foundations to our front yard.

Now he's looking forward to the first coconut and if you look closely there is a new bloom on the tree. [Above the coconut a couple feet and to the right a bit.]

Wet Good Friday.

Second hot chocolate morning in a row. Praying that the clouds lift over Cap Haitian tomorrow morning so that the Kentwood Community Church team [containing Cory's mom, sister and niece] can land for their one week Spring Break visit.

Yesterday morning after 15 hours of light rain our 6.5 inch rain gauge overflowed so we really do not know how much rain we received, only that the risk for mud slides was high. This morning Cory reports that the last 24 hours added two inches of rainfall.

Good thing that the Compassion kids from Port visited the Citadel on Wednesday before the rain.

They head out tomorrow morning leaving Eli, Anna and I time to clean and prepare the House of Hope for the team.

Wednesday morning's do-it-your-self project consisted of removing the second side of Anna's lower brackets so that we could then cement in both sides again.

Despite lots of warnings Anna continued to eat some hard foods-which she will now be avoiding!!

The one tube of 'glue' had dried up to a very thick paste but softened with manipulation. We re-hardened it using a magnifying glass and sunshine.

An emergency E-mail to Grandma Thede resulting in her finding a orthodontist to provide another 'emergency' tube that she will bring with her [NOT that Anna will be needing another!!]


Editing on the Konsey book continues. Cory spent yesterday at the computer doing office stuff and some work on the second book.

Eli and Anna alternated between school and cleaning. Next week will continue with bits of school sandwiched between team activities.

This morning we will join the church members for a service reviewing the 7 sayings of the cross. Throughout Haiti Voodoo celebrations will occur celebrating the death of Jesus.

With 50 families signed up for library cards Eli's Book Herder project plans to start loaning books on Tuesday afternoon-4 ish. Please be praying for this new ministry project.

Work on and about the house and electrical system.

Cory drove to Limbée yesterday to visit the bank and make a few purchases.

The official road repairs remain in the future but people have filled in the ditches enough for small trucks and motorcycles to pass.

The house roof looks good-will see how it holds up this weekend if tropical storm Isaac remains on his projected path over the DR and Haiti. Praying that either the storm turns or weakens enough to only provide a soft rain.

Cory is working on the details of a trip to Southern Haiti next week which would not work out if Isaac causes flooding and road damage.

Yesterday Cory and the men also pulled up weeds, cut down ferns around the house's foundation and dug holes to let anti-termite treatment soak into the ground. Hopefully this will discourage the insects from entering our house and eating our woodwork.

The passion fruit trellis on the front side of our house was moved from it's first location on the royal palm [where it kept getting hit by heavy, dead palm fronds] to the near by mango tree.

Several small green fruits made the move without problem.

The small grape vine will now stand by itself. Growing very slowly it may take a few years before it needs additional support.

This morning Cory retrieved the four batteries he had lent the clinic and connected them again into our system.

This will allow the clinic to use the solar power from our house to provide for their needs.

This should save running the generators which consume between $100-$150 USA dollars of gas a month.

This does not include maintenance issues and cost.

The rest of the day Cory worked on the campus electrical wires.

Eli, Anna and I worked on school.

Storm Damage Welcomes Women

As the women arrive to the Fauche campus late this afternoon and tomorrow morning they will witness the disruptive force of a short but violent winded thunderstorm that hit campus at 4 p.m.

A couple large, close rumbles of thunder told us to unplug all the electronic equipment as French class drew to a close but suddenly the wind picked up-blowing down many large mango limbs, palm fronds, tree tops and our living room window screen which blew into the living room where it startled the whole family and our French teacher!

Window on the left of the door. 

Before Cory replaced the screen he did wash it-a plus.

The house needs sweeping as the dirt and dust from the screens blows into the house with big winds.

The  cooler weather is nice as well, but we did lose some small trees.

This banana plant may be able to grow back.


But Cory's graphed egg fruit tree with small green fruits for the very first time broke off near ground level so it is unlikely it will survive.

Cory has a couple more of these trees on campus but not close enough to the house to assure that we will see any ripe fruits.

Small egg fruits that will sadly never ripen.

 Thankfully none of the large mango branches hit any of the buildings.

Thankful our solar panels did not get hit by any flying debris.

Thankful the weaver birds moved before their nests all fell with the palm fronds.

Picking up fire wood. 

Reports are that the local voodoo temple, tin roof with tarp sides blew off the top of a nearby hill down into the ravine.

No buildings on campus appear to have been damaged.

The twigs, small branches and mangos have already been picked up and bought into homes.

Just missed the car port. 

I hear the ax ringing as Antoine works on the large mango branch on the football field.

At least 15 large palm fonds fell and will also be picked up and brought to the garden to be put around the bases of trees. 

 Thankful that Cory's white shade house either blew away or got squashed by the huge mango branch. All baby trees inside are safe.

Moringa ready to give to the ladies. 

As the rains came down, the river went up.

Sunday morning to be in time for Sunrise service we left the house in the dark at 5:40 a.m.

Wet earlier in week..but a new spot kept them dry last night.

The service started at Cowman school at 6:30 a.m. We enjoyed the singing, preaching and then breakfast with others serving in the area. 

About 50 folks attended and I met three other  foreign women doctors as well as several nurses. 

Thankfully no one needed medical care.

A short rain storm delayed our drive home and the rain appeared to follow us back.

 The afternoon service occurred between rain showers and everyone enjoyed a short service followed by a meal.

 The early church shared their possessions and often ate together as we did yesterday. 

Then the rains really started in and included huge blasts of thunder that rattled our house. 

A leak made its self known in the kitchen, reminding us to pray for our neighbors who's homes normally leak and flood with heavy rains.

All through the night the heavy rains waxed and waned.

 The lightening and thunder time and time again woke me up to pray for the neighborhood.

 As expected the morning light found Cory's rain gauge overflowing it's 6.5 inch capacity.

Brother Yvon's house which two years ago suffered from a landslide received even more damage but thankfully his daughter jumped out of bed just in time to avoid injury as the mud and dirt pushed in the wall and destroyed two rooms and furniture.

Peanut crops planted in the river bed washed away along with precious topsoil, goats and cows.

 The river also swept away a man who thankfully survived to be pulled from the river waters downstream.

Light rains continued on and off today making for a quiet day, with little activity on campus. 

Wish we could send the extra rain and water to other parts of Haiti that need it [minus the topsoil]. 

Rice & beans, beet salad, fried cooking bananas, fried chicken.

 Happy Easter. Tonight our family will enjoy a Easter meal as yesterday's supper at 4:40 p.m. did not leave space for another meal. Not pictured small bags of popcorn, a small piece of cake and a drink.

Dec. 19th- winter weather.

A wintry day in Fauche..cold and rainy this morning. Not quiet as cold as yesterday morning when Cory took the thermometer out in the yard and watched it drop to 62 but does not look like the sun will be coming out any time soon to warm things up.

To fragile to travel to Haiti but by picture, 2010

Yesterday my 10 minute health talk at the end of Sunday school went well. I touched on being healthy mentally [not worried, not afraid, not angry or fighting, not intentionally sinning]; knowing what medications you've been on and why; hand washing [as well as covering your mouth with your arm when you cough]; learning what you can to protect your health; and how it's our responsibility as a Christian to keep our bodies [temples of God] as healthy as possible so we can do the work the Lord has for us to do.

In the afternoon Anna helped with Kid's club while Cory and I walked down to the hospital to pray with Pastor Phillip who brought his 19 year old son in the previous night with mental agitation. While we waited outside the room the man in the next room wanted to talk so I chatted a bit and prayed with him. After a short talk and prayer with Pastor Phillip [personally we do not know his son who had many visitors that afternoon so we just prayed with Pastor] Then we swung by the cholera area and prayed for a man and child there. So thankful that with all our recent rain only two folks hospitalized with cholera.

Today we will see how much school we can get completed after our 3 days of testing. I'm assuming from past experience that the work done during these 3 days of limited supervision was done in a patchwork fashion so will have some holes to fill. No French class for the next couple of weeks but we need the time to practice!

Then time permitting we may continue to plan our week of celebrations and baking. This week the church will hold special services every night.

Breadfruit Tree Update.

Remember those small trees carried in a horizontally held carry-on from Michigan back in August? Baby plants

The trees continue to grow well and some have already been divided into a second tree already! Yeah. Three of the original trees died from dehydration during travel therefore a 98% survival rate.

The baby plants that contained branches when brought to Haiti were intentionally potted deeper so the soil covered the base of the branches.


Now, less than three months later, you can see that both branches grew roots which allows them to be separated into new trees.

This process can be repeated every few months for exponential multiplication.  By cutting off the growing point and removing the biggest leaves Cory can force the small trees to make more branches.  Roughly half of the trees will be allowed to grow normally while the rest will be used for propagation. By propagating the trees in Haiti the shipping fee and initial purchase price can be saved.

Today I'm thankful to live in the tropics. While hanging our clothes out to dry my eyes noted the green mountains and trees surrounding me. A gentile breeze will dry the clothes while the 84 degree temperature feels great. Sunshine brightens the day-not harshly but just right.

Praise-Dad doing well. Beth completed her 4th chemo treatment yesterday.

Prayer-Todd, my brother with an gout attack.
 LaGonave's Compound manager's 6 year old daughter died this week.

Windy Night

Friday's nice afternoon trade winds seemed to lose out to hot, sticky, still weather. One of those afternoons that you just know if you give into a refreshing shower that the refreshing feeling would end as soon as the shower and you would return to being sticky.  Not an afternoon that brings to mind nice sleeping weather.

Clothes Line Moringa Tree

But then a few rain drops....and Cory yelling prepare for wind. Doors banged shut as we scurried to take picture frames containing glass off the walls, pull the couch away from the big window, pin curtains to the bars in the windows and forgot to remove the shampoos from the bathroom windowsill. BAM!

Anna asked if a hurricane hit. No just a short violent local thunderstorm. In addition to the wind preparation we also unplugged everything in the house, grabbed flashlights and threw the switch-disconnecting the electricity to the House of Hope and the Dearest  House [both unoccupied at this time].

Wind Damaged Banana Plants

Thankfully the report on Saturday revealed that no local homes received any damage. Thank you Lord. But two of our Moringa trees lost their tops [we enjoyed some Moringa leaves for lunch on Saturday] and one took out the main stem of the Jujube tree on it's way down. Despite being located under the tree limbs none of the baby breadfruit trees received any damage.

After cleaning up the area near our clothes line Cory checked for further damage. As expected some banana plants went down. Because they contain only soft plant material not wood, winds can easily knock over these plants. A few palm fronds were liberated at the same time.

Small Breadfruit Trees

Need to add to our Moringa information the danger of letting the tree get too tall. We could of avoided this by eating more Moringa leaves!

Today the Pastor talked about what we need during the troubles [storms] of life: Patience and prayer. God will save us in His own time. We just need to pray and be patient.

Thankful: limited storm damage.
Prayer: Schools preparing to start first of October.