Back in Haïti

 

April 24th, 2011

Home, sweet home. Believe it or not, the transition back into America is always more difficult than going back to Haïti. Our friends in Haiti always seem happy for us to be back and they make a point of telling us so. Sometimes I go on “social overload,” but it’s still great to feel so loved.

Church service this morning was extra special, after missing 3 weeks and today being Easter, to boot. I was the recipient of many hugs. I got to see Maestro’s wife, bursting at the seams, with the baby due any time now. Her feet are very swollen, so I told her that she really should keep them up when she’s sitting. Her response, “In the church??? Madame!!!!!” And she had a good laugh at my expense.  I got to see Esther Gabriel’s baby for the first time. Esther is Pastor Bauvais’ daughter, who offered his yard to us when we first started the church. Nearly everyone in Grand-Goâve will call on him when they face a great difficulty, as he is a man known for believing in the power of prayer.

Before I totally move onto Haïti updates, our family would like to thank Len and Cherylann Gengel for the incredible hospitality they extended to us during our time in the US. They wined and dined us to the point that we didn’t want to eat any more! We especially enjoyed our two-night stay at the log home that Len built in New Hampshire. Absolutely beautiful!

This home overlooks a lake with the White Mountains appearing in the distance!

I also want to say how thrilled I am to have gotten a new keyboard for my laptop, which enables me to once again type all those French letters … é è ë ï ò ç etc. Sometimes it just doesn’t take much to make my day. 

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A team from Forward in Health joined us this past week for a clinic at our school in Thozin. It’s always a blessing when we can bring health care to the community, so we are grateful for that.

A trio from Be Like Brit arrived on Thursday. Len Gengel, Brit’s dad and president of BLB, Chris Stoddard, excavation expert, and Patrick Kalagher, engineer, are here for one week. It’s an exciting time for BLB, as they prepare to start iron and cement work for the footings of their building.

MOHI has started demolition and excavation for the new school and auditorium in Thozin. We are replacing the quake-damaged buildings, as well as expanding to accommodate our growing student body. The more students we find sponsors for, the more students we can accept into our schools. So, please join us in spreading the word that MOHI does have a child sponsorship program that helps hundreds (over 800 right now) of children go to school, where they receive a hot, nutritious meal each day and one of the best educations available in the Grand-Goâve/Petit-Goâve school district.

Since BLB and MOHI are building large buildings at the same time, in very close proximity to one another, we have had the opportunity to share many resources with each other. With Patrick’s arrival this week, we now have an engineer on the ground to ensure that our new structure is solid, just as BLB’s will be.

At MOHI, we are all very excited about starting up on this huge project, knowing that God will be working with us and through us, to see it to completion. The end result being, children in a safe environment to learn, a space large enough to accommodate the MOHI church and, during dangerous times of flooding from tropical storms and hurricanes, a solid structure for the community to seek refuge in.

Not only do we want to speak the words the Lord would put in our hearts and in our mouths, but we want to be the hands and feet of Jesus to the people of Haiti. He said “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28) We want to be able to say this to our neighbors in times of difficulty, too.

Our 3-month road construction/repair project has come to an end. It was a great success and we are so thrilled to have been a part of it. Thousands of people with no jobs were able to work and their communities have benefited greatly by new roads that were created, connecting their villages to the national road.

We are forever grateful to God for sending us many faithful friends and partners who support MOHI. We appreciate your prayers and financial support, as well as your willingness to share with your friends, families and business associates about what MOHI is accomplishing in Haïti today. I also want to encourage you to consider coming to visit us in Haïti. We have decent accommodations for about 20 people. Why not witness first hand and also physically have a part in helping Haïti? Write to me, Renée for more information! (Did you notice the é in my name???)

I hope you all have a great week. Be like Jesus … go around doing good!