I'm always hesitant to claim "God gave me this verse" or that He's speaking through one because I suspect some people say stuf f like that too easily. But...
After posting on Sunday morning about Psalm 90 v. 1 which I had been reading & praying back to God, I got up, got dressed, went to church, sat down and what was the very first thing read? You guessed it, Psalm 90! I think God was saying "yes, I did say that" and was putting the exclamation mark on that for me.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Sunday, October 18, 2009
This weekend
Here are some verses God has given me (Carol):
1. "Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations." Ps. 90:1
2. "Wait for the Lord, Be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord." Ps. 27:14
Here's what it seems the significance of each of the verses is:
1. The first could be God talking to me about an office for AIS. The office we've shared has not worked out very well. It's where we had the cybercafe and we were sharing with another ministry. (and it was not very big). We're not renewing after this month, so that's ending. We don't have another place and there really isn't money at this time to rent one. Richard mainly uses Joy's room since she's at college, but it's not really adequate for many of the needs. Our house is pretty small, not accessible by public transportation (people have to walk about a 1/4 mile and part of it is up a big hill), etc. But yesterday we had two meetings out on our porch, where we've had most AIS meetings. Our colleagues in AIS never complain about the walk to our house. Sometimes we go drive out to the "main road" in our neighborhood to pick them up or drop them off, or even out to the main road of this area. The point is God is in control of this and all other needs of the ministry.
2. I know the one about wait for the Lord is ALWAYS applicable, but for me now it's very much applicable to having to wait and take things slowly with the soccer & business ministries. A few weeks ago we mentioned that our good friend Ronald lost his job as soccer coach at a high school. He has worked a lot for the soccer ministry, but aren't able to pay him for his work. We help him out as we can. But it makes me anxious for us to get a business or businessES started that can support the ministry, so that we can eventually have a couple people supported to focus on the ministry. We do want to promote the idea of volunteer work in ministry, but it's hard when people have such dire needs. In his case, here he is jobless, no income, but people see him busy with activity in AIS and they assume he gets money for it. He has to tell them 'No, I don't. This is volunteer work.' But those who know that it's run by an American probably have a hard time explaining that.
Please pray for Ronald. His beautiful attitude and faith through frustrating the conditions of his termination for that job are a huge inspiration to us.
1. "Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations." Ps. 90:1
2. "Wait for the Lord, Be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord." Ps. 27:14
Here's what it seems the significance of each of the verses is:
1. The first could be God talking to me about an office for AIS. The office we've shared has not worked out very well. It's where we had the cybercafe and we were sharing with another ministry. (and it was not very big). We're not renewing after this month, so that's ending. We don't have another place and there really isn't money at this time to rent one. Richard mainly uses Joy's room since she's at college, but it's not really adequate for many of the needs. Our house is pretty small, not accessible by public transportation (people have to walk about a 1/4 mile and part of it is up a big hill), etc. But yesterday we had two meetings out on our porch, where we've had most AIS meetings. Our colleagues in AIS never complain about the walk to our house. Sometimes we go drive out to the "main road" in our neighborhood to pick them up or drop them off, or even out to the main road of this area. The point is God is in control of this and all other needs of the ministry.
2. I know the one about wait for the Lord is ALWAYS applicable, but for me now it's very much applicable to having to wait and take things slowly with the soccer & business ministries. A few weeks ago we mentioned that our good friend Ronald lost his job as soccer coach at a high school. He has worked a lot for the soccer ministry, but aren't able to pay him for his work. We help him out as we can. But it makes me anxious for us to get a business or businessES started that can support the ministry, so that we can eventually have a couple people supported to focus on the ministry. We do want to promote the idea of volunteer work in ministry, but it's hard when people have such dire needs. In his case, here he is jobless, no income, but people see him busy with activity in AIS and they assume he gets money for it. He has to tell them 'No, I don't. This is volunteer work.' But those who know that it's run by an American probably have a hard time explaining that.
Please pray for Ronald. His beautiful attitude and faith through frustrating the conditions of his termination for that job are a huge inspiration to us.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Girls' Small Group
Yesterday I had my first meeting of my small group for girls that is part of the Youth Ministry of Quisqueya Chapel. I think it was a good start.
The small groups this year are "interest groups," and ours will be doing some baking, cooking, sewing and crafts. We are also studying the book of Mark (as is the whole church--in small groups). I am co-leading with a another missionary who was out of the country this week, but is coming back this week. We have 9 7th and 8th graders, half of them MKs and half of them girls from the neighborhood around Quisqueya Chapel. It will be a challenge to get them to connect. Last year's group didn't go so well in that regard. But this year, instead of having the small group as a 10 minute activity at the end of the youth meeting, we're allowing more time and going to our homes when possible.
Yesterday we started out meeting at the church. I share a song with the girls (from my laptop) that I just discovered and really love. It's called "By Your Side" and it's by Tenth Avenue North. My daughter Joy recommended it. It fit perfectly with our Bible Study from the first part of Mark about the baptism of repentence. I shared with them what I had heard online by the musician who wrote it. He was expressing how God was impressing on him that when we sin, we can go to God immediately. He doesn't need us to feel bad about for a certain amount of time or try to get better first before repenting and enoying his forgiveness. Of course regretting the sin is part of the process and we should focus on not sinning in that way again, but we can come to him right away "in the dead of night" as the author says.
After the song, Introductions, Bible study and discussion, I got out my beads. I showed them how I like to make beaded bookmarks and stretchy ribbon bookmarks to sell to help people in need. (one of the goals of our group is to help others with the things we make.) But I told them that whenever anybody helps me with these, it seems they really want to make a necklace. So for the first day I let each girl make one necklace or pair of earrings for herself.
Just to let you know what kinds of things we'll deal with in the group....I'll share this....
One of the girls lives in an orphanage (J) and is being adopted by a Canadian family. But this adoption has been taking years. I dont' know what she's been through before she came to the orphanage, or what it's like for her living with 50 (?) or more girls, the directors and some nannys (boys are in a separate home, babies, I think, are with the girls). Anyway, she made a beautiful pair of earrings quickly and then started making other ones. I reminded her that she was only allowed to make one pair for herself. She immediately (and expressionlessly) put everything back in one of my bins and sat there. Still showing no emotion. I didn't know what to make of it so I wen taround to other girls for a bit. Then I said she could make a necklace if she wanted, because I don't have many earring holders. She turned me down. Just sat there. Later one of the MKs was having a hard time tying a knot and remembered that I had remarked about how well "J" did at tying tiny knots for her earrings, so she asked her to help her. "J" went over and helped her (still expressionless). At the end I said, "J, don't you want to take a pair of earrings?" "No."
I don't know what was going on inside. ('I don't need your stupid earrings!' ? or 'I was making them for YOU to SELL!' ?.....no idea.) All last year she was in my group and hardly talked. I'm sure her English is a little lacking too. Pray for her please. As I said, I have no idea--yet--what she's been through or what it's like for her.
Thanks,
Carol
The small groups this year are "interest groups," and ours will be doing some baking, cooking, sewing and crafts. We are also studying the book of Mark (as is the whole church--in small groups). I am co-leading with a another missionary who was out of the country this week, but is coming back this week. We have 9 7th and 8th graders, half of them MKs and half of them girls from the neighborhood around Quisqueya Chapel. It will be a challenge to get them to connect. Last year's group didn't go so well in that regard. But this year, instead of having the small group as a 10 minute activity at the end of the youth meeting, we're allowing more time and going to our homes when possible.
Yesterday we started out meeting at the church. I share a song with the girls (from my laptop) that I just discovered and really love. It's called "By Your Side" and it's by Tenth Avenue North. My daughter Joy recommended it. It fit perfectly with our Bible Study from the first part of Mark about the baptism of repentence. I shared with them what I had heard online by the musician who wrote it. He was expressing how God was impressing on him that when we sin, we can go to God immediately. He doesn't need us to feel bad about for a certain amount of time or try to get better first before repenting and enoying his forgiveness. Of course regretting the sin is part of the process and we should focus on not sinning in that way again, but we can come to him right away "in the dead of night" as the author says.
After the song, Introductions, Bible study and discussion, I got out my beads. I showed them how I like to make beaded bookmarks and stretchy ribbon bookmarks to sell to help people in need. (one of the goals of our group is to help others with the things we make.) But I told them that whenever anybody helps me with these, it seems they really want to make a necklace. So for the first day I let each girl make one necklace or pair of earrings for herself.
Just to let you know what kinds of things we'll deal with in the group....I'll share this....
One of the girls lives in an orphanage (J) and is being adopted by a Canadian family. But this adoption has been taking years. I dont' know what she's been through before she came to the orphanage, or what it's like for her living with 50 (?) or more girls, the directors and some nannys (boys are in a separate home, babies, I think, are with the girls). Anyway, she made a beautiful pair of earrings quickly and then started making other ones. I reminded her that she was only allowed to make one pair for herself. She immediately (and expressionlessly) put everything back in one of my bins and sat there. Still showing no emotion. I didn't know what to make of it so I wen taround to other girls for a bit. Then I said she could make a necklace if she wanted, because I don't have many earring holders. She turned me down. Just sat there. Later one of the MKs was having a hard time tying a knot and remembered that I had remarked about how well "J" did at tying tiny knots for her earrings, so she asked her to help her. "J" went over and helped her (still expressionless). At the end I said, "J, don't you want to take a pair of earrings?" "No."
I don't know what was going on inside. ('I don't need your stupid earrings!' ? or 'I was making them for YOU to SELL!' ?.....no idea.) All last year she was in my group and hardly talked. I'm sure her English is a little lacking too. Pray for her please. As I said, I have no idea--yet--what she's been through or what it's like for her.
Thanks,
Carol
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Shipment Arrives!
Yesterday morning (Oct 12), Ronald William (in white T-shirt in the picture) and I made a place in our storage room for the 31 boxes we shipped from the US.
Then in the afternoon we drove outside of Port-au-Prince to pick up the shipment of soccer equipment. We drove out with two pickup trucks and made good time in the sweltering heat of mid-day.
When we got there, they simply loaded one pallet on each pick-up with a fork lift, and since they were still shrink-wrapped, we just secured them with bungy cords and drove away!
When we arrived, we had lots of help from Ecdes' brother and cousin and we were able to unload and put the boxes in storage in less than an hour.
Now the exciting part: We get to distribute the equipment! We have several hundred soccer balls, and 5-6 boxes of sneakers plus some clothes to send to our regional committees.
Many thanks to Christian Aid Ministries for handling all the details of the shipment and customs, and to Jason Hoeckele for helping us gather and pack the equipment in the US. And of course, we thank all who donated equipment this summer, and appreciate the many individuals (especially Ian Moore) and organizations that are still collecting things for us such as AACH, Germantown Academy and Calvary Chapel in Philadelphia!
If you have some things to donate, please e-mail me and I will tell you where to send the items.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
God loves the poor!
Last week I (Rich) was feeling overwhelmed by the needs of those around me in Haiti. Everyday I have needy people knocking at my gate in legitimate need and it breaks my heart to turn them away. But even Jesus did not heal everyone who came to him, and so I pray for the wisdom of Solomon to know how to handle each situation.
But then I got a phone call from a friend of a missionary I know named “Ti Frere” or “Little Brother” (Even though he is in his 20's and is taller than me!). He said that he had been trying to get a hold of my missionary friend because he needed some medical care.
He explained that he felt like something was wrong with his jaw. This was a serious problem since he had a big operation last year to remove his cancerous jaw bone and replace it with bone grated in from his ribs. A generous oral surgeon had come from the US to do this normally very expensive operation for free.
I called my friend in the US and she said that she herself needed an operation and had no money to help Ti Frere at this time. But she suggested that we get an x-ray done to find out the seriousness of the problem. Well, Ti Frere didn't have any money for an x-ray, so we prayed about the situation and I decided to call my Haitian Dentist and ask if he would do an x-ray for free.
He said he would! So we went to his office and after he looked at the x-ray he said he had a Cuban friend who was an oral surgeon and he would ask her to look at Ti Frere that afternoon for free! Well Ti Frere was right – he knew something was wrong. It turned out he had an infection in his bone graft and if it was not removed soon, his whole re-built jaw would be in jeopardy.
I explained to the oral surgeon that Ti Frere had no money, and so she generously offered to do the operation two days from then (Friday, Oct. 9) for only $200 US. So we prayed again and wrote an e-mail to his missionary friend in the US and also to the pastor of his church in Haiti.
The next day, we got a call from his pastor in Haiti. While the pastor did not recognize the young man's name, he had compassion for him and understood the urgency of the need. He gave the $200 needed for the operation!!!
So on Friday morning I gave the money to Ti Frere and also gave him some money for car fare and food that evening.
That afternoon I went to see Ti Frere and he was doing well. His Mom and sister were there taking care of him and he looked good.
This whole incident reminded me that God loves the poor, and that God has ways of providing for them that I could never imagine. All I need to do is be sensitive to God's Holy Spirit and let him show me who He wants me to help, and trust that He will provide for the ones I cannot through other people.
Please pray for Ti Frere as he recovers, and that he will discover God's plan for his life.
But then I got a phone call from a friend of a missionary I know named “Ti Frere” or “Little Brother” (Even though he is in his 20's and is taller than me!). He said that he had been trying to get a hold of my missionary friend because he needed some medical care.
He explained that he felt like something was wrong with his jaw. This was a serious problem since he had a big operation last year to remove his cancerous jaw bone and replace it with bone grated in from his ribs. A generous oral surgeon had come from the US to do this normally very expensive operation for free.
I called my friend in the US and she said that she herself needed an operation and had no money to help Ti Frere at this time. But she suggested that we get an x-ray done to find out the seriousness of the problem. Well, Ti Frere didn't have any money for an x-ray, so we prayed about the situation and I decided to call my Haitian Dentist and ask if he would do an x-ray for free.
He said he would! So we went to his office and after he looked at the x-ray he said he had a Cuban friend who was an oral surgeon and he would ask her to look at Ti Frere that afternoon for free! Well Ti Frere was right – he knew something was wrong. It turned out he had an infection in his bone graft and if it was not removed soon, his whole re-built jaw would be in jeopardy.
I explained to the oral surgeon that Ti Frere had no money, and so she generously offered to do the operation two days from then (Friday, Oct. 9) for only $200 US. So we prayed again and wrote an e-mail to his missionary friend in the US and also to the pastor of his church in Haiti.
The next day, we got a call from his pastor in Haiti. While the pastor did not recognize the young man's name, he had compassion for him and understood the urgency of the need. He gave the $200 needed for the operation!!!
So on Friday morning I gave the money to Ti Frere and also gave him some money for car fare and food that evening.
That afternoon I went to see Ti Frere and he was doing well. His Mom and sister were there taking care of him and he looked good.
This whole incident reminded me that God loves the poor, and that God has ways of providing for them that I could never imagine. All I need to do is be sensitive to God's Holy Spirit and let him show me who He wants me to help, and trust that He will provide for the ones I cannot through other people.
Please pray for Ti Frere as he recovers, and that he will discover God's plan for his life.
The Perfect Uniforms!
One of our leaders from Limbe, which is about 5 hours north of Port-au-Prince, met with me last week. His name is Pastor Peggy and he is a professor at the Christian University of North Haiti in Limbe. Pastor Peggy had come to Port looking to purchase soccer uniforms for the University team. He was a bit discouraged after visiting several places and getting a quote of $1,800 US for a set of new uniforms.
We talked about his region's plans for the year. This fall they are planning on having a inter-school tournament with 6 schools in the area. At this point none of the teams in his regions have uniforms, so I invited him back to the house to look at the 4-5 sets of uniforms I brought back from the states. His eyes lit up when he found beautiful home and away Diadora Uniforms in forest green and white. He told me these were the colors of the University!
These uniforms came all the way from Ohio and were collected by a college student for a school project. But God knew we needed them in Limbe, Haiti, and so he sent them all the way here.
Unfortunately, these two sets of uniforms will have to be shared between the University, and the 6 schools that will participate in the tournament.
So please ask your contacts if they can donate any uniform sets to us. We have about 80 teams involved at this point and only a handful have uniforms.
We talked about his region's plans for the year. This fall they are planning on having a inter-school tournament with 6 schools in the area. At this point none of the teams in his regions have uniforms, so I invited him back to the house to look at the 4-5 sets of uniforms I brought back from the states. His eyes lit up when he found beautiful home and away Diadora Uniforms in forest green and white. He told me these were the colors of the University!
These uniforms came all the way from Ohio and were collected by a college student for a school project. But God knew we needed them in Limbe, Haiti, and so he sent them all the way here.
Unfortunately, these two sets of uniforms will have to be shared between the University, and the 6 schools that will participate in the tournament.
So please ask your contacts if they can donate any uniform sets to us. We have about 80 teams involved at this point and only a handful have uniforms.
Quisqueya Chapel Youth!
I (Carol) have been involved with the Youth Ministry at Quisqueya Chapel (an English church here in Port-au-Prince) last year and this year. It has grown so much! I'm so excited to see all these young people coming out on Saturday afternoon!
We might have had 90 this week.
We might have had 90 this week.
This week we are starting small groups. Please pray for my small group of 8 girls.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Update by Carol
Last week we celebrated Richard's birthday, this week, mine. I've had a great time since my students made a big fuss over me. My ESL students got a huge cake, drinks, cups, plates, etc. and invited all the Sophomores to surpise me on Wednesday since not all of them would be at school on Friday. They sang happy birthday and we had a short celebration before we had to get back to work. Then yesterday at chapel, the Student Council brought me and two other teachers whose birthdays are coming soon up in front, sang Happy Birthday and gave us homemade cupckaes. All day kids were wishing me a happy birthday and writing nice messages on my chalkboard and whiteboard.
Last night Richard and I had a fun night of dinner and board games with another couple who are in ministry in this area too.
I also got lots of electronic messages from all over!
I feel very much loved and celebrated!
Last night Richard and I had a fun night of dinner and board games with another couple who are in ministry in this area too.
I also got lots of electronic messages from all over!
I feel very much loved and celebrated!
Monday, October 5, 2009
Richard's 50th birthday
The party for Richard's 50th was really nice. Richard wrote the story of what God has done in his life (well, the highlights) and gave out copies to people as they left. It was a good time for certain relationships.
(see facebook for more pictures)
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Celebrating with One Hope, one of our Partners in Ministry
On Tuesday, I was invited to a celebration put on by “One Hope”, the ministry that produces the “Book of Hope” a comic-book-style evangelistic booklet that we have distributed to all of the schools we work with. The occasion was the distribution of their 600,000,000 copies of the“Book of Hope” worldwide.
We had the privilege of meeting Pastor Bob Hoskins, the founder of “One Hope” ministries. He explained how he has been preaching God's message of transformation for over 60 years how the first “Book of Hope” distribution took place in El Salvador. He had sent Bibles to the 50 most influential leaders in all the Latin American countries and when the Minister of Education in El Salvador called to thank him, he asked if there was any way to provide Bibles to all of the school children in El Salvador. At that time El Salvador was in the middle of a devastating civil war and as in all wars, the children were suffering the most. Pastor Bob was so excited about this request that he said “yes” right on the spot. Later he found out that there were 1 million school students in El Salvador and he had just promised to provide all of them with God's Word! So he developed a comic book version of the story of Jesus and included a simple Gospel presentation. God provided the resources to print and distribute the books and lives began to change. Within a year, the civil war had ended, and it has been peaceful there ever since. Some would say this is a coincidence, but Hebrews 4:12 reminds us that God's Word changes hearts.
We have been distributing the “Book of Hope” in Haiti since 2003. Since that time we have overseen the distribution of thousands of these wonderful comic books. Last year alone we distributed over 10,000 to the schools where we have started soccer teams.This year we plan to use a special booklet they have prepared for the World Cup in our outreach next summer. Please pray that God's Spirit will transform the hearts of many children as God's Word is distributed!Rich
We had the privilege of meeting Pastor Bob Hoskins, the founder of “One Hope” ministries. He explained how he has been preaching God's message of transformation for over 60 years how the first “Book of Hope” distribution took place in El Salvador. He had sent Bibles to the 50 most influential leaders in all the Latin American countries and when the Minister of Education in El Salvador called to thank him, he asked if there was any way to provide Bibles to all of the school children in El Salvador. At that time El Salvador was in the middle of a devastating civil war and as in all wars, the children were suffering the most. Pastor Bob was so excited about this request that he said “yes” right on the spot. Later he found out that there were 1 million school students in El Salvador and he had just promised to provide all of them with God's Word! So he developed a comic book version of the story of Jesus and included a simple Gospel presentation. God provided the resources to print and distribute the books and lives began to change. Within a year, the civil war had ended, and it has been peaceful there ever since. Some would say this is a coincidence, but Hebrews 4:12 reminds us that God's Word changes hearts.
We have been distributing the “Book of Hope” in Haiti since 2003. Since that time we have overseen the distribution of thousands of these wonderful comic books. Last year alone we distributed over 10,000 to the schools where we have started soccer teams.This year we plan to use a special booklet they have prepared for the World Cup in our outreach next summer. Please pray that God's Spirit will transform the hearts of many children as God's Word is distributed!Rich
Let's be more like cats
Every morning I try to sit down and spend some time reading my “One year Chronological Bible” and then praying for a while. This morning I was anxious about our finances since we have recently had a lot of unexpected expenses.. But then our cat, Macy, climbed up in my lap purring like crazy and just sat there. She wanted nothing more than just to be with me and have me pet her.This reminded me of Jesus' words to Martha: “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:41) I needed to be more like Macy this morning, to sit contentedly in God's lap and listen to His Word. Then everything else would fall into perspective and I could face the day. My circumstances did not change, but my attitude did – anxiety was replaced by trust, fear was replaced by peace, and I remembered the verse that says “A righteous man may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all.” (Ps. 34:19). All of us will face trials, but God will deliver us from them in his time and his way.What way will you choose today? Mary's or Martha's?
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Pray for faithful workers who have lost their jobs
Please pray with us for two faithful workers who have lost their jobs.
Yesterday we found out that Ronald William who was a high school soccer coach and has put in many hours of volunteer hours with AIS-Haiti lost his job.
Today we just found out that Jean-Paul was laid off from his teaching job at another school. He has worked with AACH and AIS Haiti and has also put in many volunteer hours.
Please pray for God’s will in their lives and God’s provision.
We know that many people of lost their jobs in the US as well. We are praying for those that we know about. Feel free to “comment” on this post if you are in a similar position so we can be praying for you too.
Yesterday we found out that Ronald William who was a high school soccer coach and has put in many hours of volunteer hours with AIS-Haiti lost his job.
Today we just found out that Jean-Paul was laid off from his teaching job at another school. He has worked with AACH and AIS Haiti and has also put in many volunteer hours.
Please pray for God’s will in their lives and God’s provision.
We know that many people of lost their jobs in the US as well. We are praying for those that we know about. Feel free to “comment” on this post if you are in a similar position so we can be praying for you too.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
A busy weekend of soccer tournaments
This past weekend (Sept. 11-13) AIS Haiti sponsored teams in three
different tournaments. On Friday, our under 16 team from Borel won the
final game 1 to 0 to become the winners of an U-16 regional tournament
sponsored by the Haitian Soccer Federation. We gave out Bibles to
several of the tournament organizers and the team will participate in a
service of thanksgiving at their local church on Borel.
Also on Friday, our regional committee in Jacmel hosted the final of a
“Ti Kan” (3 per side) tournament. There were lots of people there and
the Pastor shared the Gospel clearly during half-time. Lots of
response cards were collected, but so far not one indicated that they
trusted Christ. Please pray that the Holy Spirit will draw people to
Christ as the evangelism counselors follow up with those who filled out
response cards.
On Sunday Elysee Vaillant, one of our key leaders on the AIS Haiti
board, led his team made up of former Lemuel players into the final of a
“Ti Kan” (3 per side) tournament. Even though they lost 6 to 3, Elysee
was able to share the Gospel with the players on the other team and give
several community leaders who attended a Bible. In addition, over 500
evangelistic tracts were handed out to those that attended the game.
Over 1,000 lbs of Soccer Equipment is on its way to Haiti
This summer, thanks to the help of a summer intern named Jason Hoeckele,
we were able to collect and ship lots of soccer equipment and sneakers
to Haiti. We received a generous donation of balls and sneakers from
Ian Moore, the director of the Alliance of Christian Athletics of Haiti
who also gave us a generous donation towards the cost of the shipping.
The rest of the cost of shipping came from the money raised at VBS by
Northampton Presbyterian Church who also collected 36 soccer balls for
Haiti! Please pray that the equipment, which is being shipped by boat,
arrives safely.
Daniel's visit to the US a great success:
Daniel Jean-Louis, one of our key leaders in Haiti who graduated from
Liberty University, visited Rich in Pennsylvania for 3 weeks from August
20th to Sept. 7th. During this time we visited 3 churches on Sundays,
met with 7 individuals, had lunch with 3 pastors, and attended 4 small
group meetings.
Thanks to the generosity of some Christian Dentists and Doctors, Daniel
also got his first chiropractic adjustment, a clean bill of health after
a physical, and a teeth cleaning and dental checkup.
He was also able to visit the Statue of Liberty and New York City with
his cousin from France, and also fly to Grand Rapids, Michigan to visit
the headquarters of Partners Worldwide, the ministry he works for part
time in Haiti.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Humidity in Haiti and other places
Ricky and I got back to Port-au-Prince on Monday and it's been quite hectic ever since. School started on Tuesday. Fortunately for me, not all my classes have started yet, so I've been spending time between classes preparing. It was great to come back and see our friends and get back "home." Even though we have two places we call home, this, for now, is where I can lay down "in my own bed."
Richard is still in Pennsylvania. He took Grace to the airport yesterday for semester abroad. And the week started out with us moving Joy into her room at Eastern University. Before that we were glad to have all five of us together for two whole weeks!
It's about 93 and humid here. Since it feels so humid, I wanted to know just how humid this is. I found out that the maximum humidity I've experience here this week was 84%. I read online that it's like you poured water on a dry sponge and it has filled up to 84% of it's capacity to hold water. That's a lot of humidity. BUT I found out that Florida and Texas are the states that have the highest humidity in the US. I looked up a couple of towns in Florida and saw that in Tallahassee they have 93% humidity with a temp of 83! And Boston has 89% humidity! So it's really not so bad here. Come visit!
Carol
Richard is still in Pennsylvania. He took Grace to the airport yesterday for semester abroad. And the week started out with us moving Joy into her room at Eastern University. Before that we were glad to have all five of us together for two whole weeks!
It's about 93 and humid here. Since it feels so humid, I wanted to know just how humid this is. I found out that the maximum humidity I've experience here this week was 84%. I read online that it's like you poured water on a dry sponge and it has filled up to 84% of it's capacity to hold water. That's a lot of humidity. BUT I found out that Florida and Texas are the states that have the highest humidity in the US. I looked up a couple of towns in Florida and saw that in Tallahassee they have 93% humidity with a temp of 83! And Boston has 89% humidity! So it's really not so bad here. Come visit!
Carol
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Read some good news about development in Haiti
Good news about Haiti for ag change!
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/americas/haiti/story/1160246.html
We have been encouraged when we've driven through this area which is close to where we used to live when we first came to Haiti.
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/americas/haiti/story/1160246.html
We have been encouraged when we've driven through this area which is close to where we used to live when we first came to Haiti.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Business Training
Thank you....to those of you who prayed for the business "training the trainers" seminar, Business Labs Haiti 2009 by Young Americas Business Trust (YABT) in Port-au-Prince last week with the Israeli trainers provided by OAS (Organization of American States). It was a success. Here is an excerpt of a letter from a participant (translated from French):
"...as a participant, I would like to present in my name and in the name of all the participants, my sincere congratulations to the staff of YABT for the realization of this training seminar.
...this seminar rivaled other seminars offered by international organizations, in spite of your meagre financial resources.
I lift my voice as a Haitian and professional of this country to testify to my respect for you because you knew how to do things differently. From the judicious choice of participants, the choice of partners, the trainers, to the organization of the seminar led to the total success of Business Labs Haiti 2009. The participants as well as the trainers openly expressed their satisfaction...
May God bless Young Americas Business Trust"
"...as a participant, I would like to present in my name and in the name of all the participants, my sincere congratulations to the staff of YABT for the realization of this training seminar.
...this seminar rivaled other seminars offered by international organizations, in spite of your meagre financial resources.
I lift my voice as a Haitian and professional of this country to testify to my respect for you because you knew how to do things differently. From the judicious choice of participants, the choice of partners, the trainers, to the organization of the seminar led to the total success of Business Labs Haiti 2009. The participants as well as the trainers openly expressed their satisfaction...
May God bless Young Americas Business Trust"
Saturday, July 18, 2009
We visit Quebec
Tomorrow, July 19th, Carol and I will visit the Quebec Baptist Church in Quebec city and present our ministry. This has been a special trip for us since we visited many of the sites familiar to us when we studied French here over 10 years ago!
Yesterday we met with Ed Sweeney to discuss a partnership between a school where he works and the schools we are working with in Haiti. One of his students started to collect school supplies for schools in Haiti in May and now wants to expand the project through our partnership with them. It great to hear about young people wanting to help students who are less fortunate!
Yesterday we met with Ed Sweeney to discuss a partnership between a school where he works and the schools we are working with in Haiti. One of his students started to collect school supplies for schools in Haiti in May and now wants to expand the project through our partnership with them. It great to hear about young people wanting to help students who are less fortunate!
Pray for the Business Lab "training the trainers" seminar this week
Please pray for the YABT team in Haiti who are hosting a "training the trainers seminar" (Formation de Formateurs).
From Monday, July 20th to Friday, July 24th our Haitian co-workers will host two Business Trainers from Israel and facilitate the training of 35 young Haitians as they learn how to help others start their own businesses. This training is sponsored by Young Americas Business Trust, an affilitate of the OAS, as well as funds we have raised in Haiti and the US.
Please pray especially for Daniel Jean-Louis and Jimmy Bruce who are responsble for all the details involved in this seminar including hosting two trainers from Israel, registering the participants on Monday and makeing sure all are served lunch, etc. throughout the week.
From Monday, July 20th to Friday, July 24th our Haitian co-workers will host two Business Trainers from Israel and facilitate the training of 35 young Haitians as they learn how to help others start their own businesses. This training is sponsored by Young Americas Business Trust, an affilitate of the OAS, as well as funds we have raised in Haiti and the US.
Please pray especially for Daniel Jean-Louis and Jimmy Bruce who are responsble for all the details involved in this seminar including hosting two trainers from Israel, registering the participants on Monday and makeing sure all are served lunch, etc. throughout the week.
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