Into the New Year

I didn't realize it's been 2 weeks since I sent out a note.  Time is something we just don't keep close track of here, I guess.  We've had a few fun times, and lots of work time.  The days just seem to go by so fast. 

Had a team come and do a soccer camp.  They didn't work with us, but sure were a blessing to those they DID work with.  This is the second time Slippery Rock University came to do some teaching for kids.  It was good to hear the pastor they worked with talk about how they were teaching new skills to these kids.  (Kids is a relative term...most were upper teens and into the 20's).  Of course, those they worked with absorbed any knowledge like sponges.  They want to improve and be really good.  I think the trip had a positive impact on the team members, too.  They worked with two orphanages, too, so it was fun with the soccer, but fun with kids, just playing, too.

Then MFI's president came down with 4 others to get an overview of the missions MFI works with.  A couple people we knew and a couple were new...but a great group.  They were only here 2 days, but saw a lot in that short time.

And we go on to Abbie (our 6 going on 16 year old).  I got a catalog for clothing.  She grabbed it and started "practicing" model poses.  Says she is now going to be a model.  She is also going to be a missionary.  And a nurse.  (I think there were a few other ones she wants to be too, but don't remember.)  She still loves school and her teacher.  She is teaching Savanah math and science now.  And she is always teaching her Bible.  And Savanah just lays there and smiles and absorbs whatever Abbie wants to teach her.  She is such a happy little one.  I'm afraid Abbie will have some competition in the talking department when Savanah gets a bit older, though.

We were recently blessed when a gal from Pennsylvania sent us some diapers...I know, that doesn't sound exciting, but it is.  These are called "Bum Genius".  They are SO neat.  It's diaper, insert, and rubber pants all in one and so neat.  And they fit ANY child, from new born to 35 pounds.  I have NO problem washing diapers.  Actually prefer that to disposables, since we have no where to "dispose" of those.  Since they don't decompose, it would fill our "garbage pit" up real quick.  I know a lot of Haitians would be thrilled with any type of regular diapers, and we praise God that we have been able to give some of those out, thanks to some great friends.  Anything like that, that's reusable is a blessing.

Don spent over a month, probably closer to two months, fighting flat tires.  We have NEVER had problems like we are now, with tires.  But come to find out, some of our problems were the beggars standing around here.  Since finances have gone down some, Don doesn't have a lot to give to people.  Some of the women (mostly those who don't really NEED help, but want a handout) are not real nice.  They let air out of tires, scratch the vehicles and just frustrate us a bit.  Don has started parking the vehicles where we can see them now, not in the car port we have.  Next project is to fence in the car port so the cars will not be messed with.

The missionaries across the way from us had a container come in, with well drilling equipment on it.  Normally this is not a problem.  But the driver was a bit of a problem.  To make the turn into their gate, he had to back up behind our dorm.  All the Haitians were yelling at him to stop.  He was backing over our pipes for the septic tank.  He said he didn't care, and did it anyway.  We knew nothing about it until two days later when the watchman came and told Don we had sewage spewing out of the ground. Another costly repair.  We are trying to smile through all of this, but it sure isn't easy.  But we ARE praising God for being with us through it all.  

I was blessed this last weekend.  A good friends from Florida came in with a team, and took a couple of days to come and spend some time with us.  What a fun time and a change of pace.  God sends us uplifts when we need it.

Please keep us in prayer.  There was an earthquake in the Dominican.  Those in the know say there is a major one on the way, and Cap Haitian sits right on that fault line.  We are trying to keep a positive perspective on it all, but if one should hit here, I'm afraid it would be much worse than the one in Port.  We have almost NO infrastructure here in the north.  Also, pray for the government of Haiti.  And for the people to come to realize that the Lord is their ONLY salvation.  

Until next time, God bless and keep looking up!!  He is coming soon!