Heading to bed at the end of spring break. What a phenomenal and life changing experience we have had the priviledge of being a part of. Thanks to the group that went and all those that supported us in any way! Until next time! -Curt-

-- Post From My iPhone

      The basketball backboards are "fini" (finished)! Games of basketball were on today since the group completed the project. We couldn't agree on one color, but as you can see we agreed on two: blue for WVU and green for MU. The orphan party was fun this evening. They each received a gift bag and letter from Wayne Elementary School. The kids enjoyed their gifts, brownies, and games. Today we took a trip to Milot and toured the ruins of the Sans Souci Castle. In the afternoon, we went back to work to finish the projects. and we all met our goals. Tomorrow morning is clean up day such as putting tools away and cleaning the work areas. Also, we are planning to spend time in a primary classroom to share the letters and pictures from the children at New Baptist. Pray we will have the opportunity to do it!

      There is a feeling in the air of homesickness as we talk about missing our family, bed, and food. On the other hand, we can relate to a quote from Mountains Beyond Mountains which says "[Haiti is] too heavy to carry but impossible to leave". It is hard not to see the work of God here in Ft. Liberte, and that is what draws you in. From the smiles and hugs of orphans to the cures of sickness in the clinic, God is here. The sponsorship program and the church brings hope and faith to the people, and God is here. The physical labor of painting and building lays a pathway for God's work, and God is here. It truly is impossible to leave the work of God in this little corner of the Earth. Not only did God allow us to be part of his story here in Ft. Liberte, he is allowing us to bring it home to share with you. What a blessing to be in the will of God and see his glory! See you soon. Thanks for reading our time spent in Haiti.

It is hard to believe our trip is winding down. We have one full day remaining and so much to do. Today the clinic group went to CapHaitien to see and work with a local doctor. They were struck by the squalor of the town itself, they said it made them realize just how good the clinic here really is. The work at the farm was finished up so that group made 5 school benches, they have one left to build tomorrow and then the goal before we leave is to start construction on a dining cabana at the orphanage. Child sponsorship got a little crazy today, they know we will be leaving soon and are desperate to get their children enrolled in the program. Sorry, no pics tonight, internet is extremely slow. Goodnight!

"Min anpil, chaj pa lou." (With many hands, the load is not heavy.)

     This famous Haitian proverb is a perspective we have carried this week. With our several mini missions, the work is possible with the wonderful teamwork from the groups. An astonishing 220 Haitians were seen at the clinic today. The medical group will be going to CapHaitian to relief a clinic that is overwhelmed with people. Please say a prayer for them for safe travels. The group at the farm finished plumbing the bathroom at the farmhouse, completed the roof for the cistern at the windmill/water pump, and installed the plumbing from the windmill pump to the second cistern. What a blessing! The sponsorship program continued to update the sponsored children, and the unsponsored children will arrive soon to be registered. The orphans enjoyed making bracelets and necklaces and of course another hard game of soccer. The basketball backboards are still in progress! We are hoping for a great basketball game at the orphan party coming up. The painting group worked hard to finish their project on painting the upstairs of the school. We hope you have a nice evening as we will in singing praise and sharing stories.

Happy Easter! I bet we spent more time in church than you! The morning service was a little over 3 hours and the evening was about 2 1/2 hours (as you can see the kids were struggling!), but what a blessing they were. Christie spoke in the evening service and the youth did a skit. The theme of the service was moving past disasters which is obviously desperately needed here.

A group passed out the gifts sponsors sent to their kids (the pic of Katelyn and I is with Adam and Olivia Goodwin's sponsor child) while others went into the community to look at possible homes that need rebuilding (see the pic below).

Seeing the homes in the community was a heartbreaking and humbling experience as you can imagine. I go to bed with a heavy heart...pray for us. Philippians 4:8 is a good one right now.

Hallelujah!


      This is what we heard before daybreak this morning. The women of the church like to gather in the sanctuary to praise the Lord. It is a great alarm clock for us Americans. Today was another day to celebrate. The clinic treated 180 Haitians, more sponsored children were updated, and basketball backboards for the orphans are in progress. On the farm, the working group built a platform for the water tank and dug a ditch from the well over to where the tank will sit. They also cleaned the old well, where they found water! They began making repairs to the windmill that pumps water from another well. A few of us gave clothing to the orphans, and a crew painted the outside of the second floor of the school. We are excited to rest tomorrow for Easter. The women, men, and children of the church have rehearsed and are doing special things in the service for Easter.
      Dinner has been served, and now we are spending time with each other. Except for working for the Lord during the day, it seems that the evening is our favorite time. The dining room is filled with praise music, laughter, and stories; people sharing their lives with each other. Someone mentioned that this atmosphere is probably what God intended for church to be like. We hope you have a wonderful Easter, and even though we are in Haiti, we are celebrating Jesus' resurrection with you! 

"They are all in it together!" This was the response given when we asked Pastor Andre why the starving dogs don't eat the chickens that are running around. Today was another great day. We got the shelving and painting finished, and water hooked up in the clinic! Unfortunately we don't have a good way to drain the water out of the clinic but we are working on it. A group took a trip to the farm to assess tomorrow's project of building a platform for a cistern. An estimated 200 sponsored children got their information updated and the clinic served 179 people. Christie had the opportunity to counsel earthquake victims, what a great healing experience for them. After two days of searching we finally found two basketball rims that we are extremely excited to build backboards for and put up at the orphanage tomorrow! The kids were elated to see us carry them in. Before dinner we played another game of soccer with the orphans, we miss you all and wish you were here being blessed as we surely are.

What a blessed day! 

In the morning Curt along with three others went back to the Haitian - Dominican Republic border to get the lost bags. It turned out to be quite an ordeal because it was free market day meaning people carrying goods into Haiti to sell, what a sight! Women and children packing ice, chickens, and eggs on their heads. The men had carts that were so full the men themselves were not visible. Meanwhile, back at the camp there was much work getting done. The upstairs of the clinic now has a fresh coat of paint, full electricity, 4 working fans, and shelves for medicine. After lunch it cooled considerably and some of us were lucky enough to play soccer with the orphans, and by a pure miracle from God "the blancs" were victorious!!! This was our favorite time of the day. The medical staff worked tirelessly and served 150 patients today.

Each night we have a bible devotion, and last night we discussed Colossians 3:12-17. This scripture encouraged us today. Talk to you next time. Until the whole world hears. Orevwa! (Good bye)