Enjoying Northwest Haiti

Since Aug. 1, our family has been in northwest Haiti, hosting a group of 12 from the Netherlands. They are here doing a construction project at a school.
On Sunday Aug 12 we went on an adventure and went to Port-de-Paix. But to get there we had to travel on very muddy roads with large mud puddles. The group was riding in the back of a large truck, so their ride was interesting.
Also we had to cross a very large river. It was probably about 2 feet deep and was fun to drive through, but we were thankful that it was not any deeper.
So we are having fun and enjoying our time here. I will probably be posting more soon from our time up here.

The Beauty of Haiti

As Kyrk and I were driving home from our trip up north this week we passed this sight. Kyrk was so impressed with it that he had to stop and take a picture. It was so neat to see and hear the water rushing over the little rocks and it truly was a beautiful glimpse of God's creation.

Rebekah

Many have asked for an updated picture of Rebekah, so here it is.

School

I thought that I would give you a glimpse of what school is like here. Each morning I teach school from 8 am until 12pm. It is fun to be able to teach Hannah, Elizabeth, Naomi and Jonathan. Rebekah cooperates most of the time by having a long nap.

Anyone want to swim?

This past weekend we took a little vacation and went to the beach. It was very relaxing and a much needed break. On Saturday we enjoyed the water for awhile, but as the afternoon went on the garbage kept getting closer. By 4:30 this is what the ocean looked like. It was the first time we had seen this and we assume that it is trash that had floated up the coast from Port-au-Prince.

School visit

Today I again had an opportunity to travel up in the mountains to visit a little remote school. The road that we traveled on to get there a very rocky rough road along the side of the mountain.
We went to gather information about the school and visited 2 classes, the preschool class and the grade 6 classroom. The small children were very cute. It was sort of sad to see 68 kids all squished into their tiny classroom, but the children were all happy to be there and to have the opportunity to learn.
I think that I would have a hard time learning at that school though because right next to the preschool is the grade 6 classroom. When we were in that classroom we could barely hear the students talking to us because the preschool children were loudly reciting their lessons. But I guess it is all a part of education here.

Visiting a little Haitian hut

Yesterday I (Deborah) had a chance to go visit a rural mountain family. I was collecting information for an upcoming BHM newsletter and needed to get some information about a little girl who needs a sponsor.
We picked up her sister from school and then went to find the little girl. The little girl had been sick that morning so we tried to find her and her mother at a local clinic, but she wasn't there. We went to the home anyway and it was very eye opening to see the conditions that this family lives is. There are 7 girls and 2 boys in the family. The boys have moved out, but all the girls still live at home along with 3 cousins and their grandfather. All these people sleep in one small room that had 2 single beds in it. One wall of thier house had fallen down so they can't use the other bedroom of their house.
The father wasn't there since he was in his garden which was 1 hour's walk away. That was the closest place that he could find to rent land for a garden.
Even amongst such poverty the family members that we talked with were very happy and content. They didn't beg us for things, which was amazing. It was very evident that the family has made many sacrifices to send their children to school.
It was challenging to me to see this and then to think about all that I have, and to really ask myself if I am content with what I have. Also to thank God for all that He has given me and then realizing that God has so richly blessed me, that I need to share with others around me.
These pictures are of the older sister with her grandpa in the family bedroom. The other is the sister in the kitchen.

Clinic Dedication

Since we have a previous post, from a long time ago, refering to the clinic construction I thought that it would be a good idea to give a little update on that project.
Today the Clinic was officially dedicated and they are going to start using it on Monday.
Kyrk worked very hard to have it completed for today, and it looks great!
These pictures are: The outside of the new clinic, the dedication ceremony, and then some of the people going through the clinic to see what it looks like following the dedication ceremony.

Snow in Haiti

The kids enjoyed the snow so much that when I cleaned out the freezer they wanted to play with the "snow." This is as close as we can get to snow in Haiti.

Okay, we give in and actually posted again

After reading some of the comments, we thought that we should actually write something so that we are no longer accused of being the laziest bloggers.
Well I don't want to over exert myself on this blog and should gradually ease back into this great blogging world.
Stay tuned for more coming soon.

updated pictures

Here are a few updated pictures of your kids. They sure grow quickly.
We are looking forward to seeing many of you soon. We will be in Forest from Oct. 20 - Nov. 7 and in Michigan from Nov. 23 - Dec. 12.

New Version Released

THAT'S RIGHT the newest version is now OUT!!!
We rejoice at the Production and DesignTeam's miraculous work which allowed for an earlier than expected release. GOD really is wonderful. After a visit to the Delivery Facilitator on Monday we were told that Release would be possibly the end of the week.
Rebekah Patricia Baker was born on June 20 at 3:13 am weighing 6 lbs 9 oz and 18 inches long. She was born at home and everything went very well. Thankfully we had planned to have this one at home since the labor went so quickly that we probably would not have made it to the hospital in time. We had arranged for a midwife to come from Northern Haiti and delivery the baby. She arrived on the 16th so the baby waited long enough for her to be here.

Naomi and Jonathan are really enjoying their new little sister. They both love to hold her and try to be helpers in their own special way. Thankfully Grandma Baker and Aunt Kelli are helping take care of them so that Rebekah and Mommy can rest.

Update at Last

I thought that I would try and figure out how to add a new post to this blog since it has been a long time since our last update.
Kyrk has been very busy recently so finding time to update this blog has not been easy.
Hopefully now that I think I have figured this out, it will be updated a little more often.
Since the last update the clinic building has really started to take shape. The shell is almost complete and now the tedious interior projects will soon have to start like laying tile, putting in a celing, windows etc. It really is going to be a nice facility when it is finished. We thank God that during construction there have been no serious injuries.

Some of you may not be aware, but my mom FINALLY came to Haiti to visit in the middle on April. It was so wonderful to have her here and for her to finally see where we live and what Haiti is really like. We are praying that next time Dad will come with her also.

The first weekend in May Kyrk and I along with Chris and Kelli were able to take a trip up to the northwest of Haiti. During this 4 day trip we visited 15 churches and schools. It was a relaxing time. We were able to stay with some missionary friends and have an enjoyable little break. Thanks to Grandma Baker and Grandma Lieb for watching our children.

The next big news will be the release of Baker version 3.0. Release date is scheduled for June 30th, but hoping that development allowes for an earlier than expected release. Version 3.0 is planning to be first launched in a domestic environment with the assistance of well trained humanoid transfer enginer.The Transfer enginer will arive on site the 16th of June stay here until the development process is complete. She is a missionary in the northern part of Haiti and has agreed to come and help with the launch of our newest installment. Grandma Baker is going to be assisting her, so I will be in good hands.

Clinic under Construction

Well I guess it is about time for an update. I know that it has been a long time but I have no excuse that sounded good enough to use so I'll just say I am sorry for the delay.

The Clinic destruction and re-construction is well under way and has kept Kyrk very busy. We are also going to start on the new cistern for the Conference center. That means two construction teams going here at the same time. Please Pray for safety of the workers as these projects are in progress.

Election Day

This morning at about 3:30 am people began to gather here at the high school in Fermathe to vote. The polling place would open at about 7:30 or 8:00 am. When I ventured to the street I was pleasently suprised to see how orderly things were and the incredible amount of patience the people had. I talked with a few friends that were in line and they seemed optimistic and hopeful. I returned at about 2:00 pm and found a good friend just leaving having finally voted! He started the day in line at 7:30 am. All in all it was very quiet here and we were able to get some much need work done during the still of the day. Praise God for the good day.

Fermathe school yard at 2:00 pm. 

It keeps going.... 

...and going... 

A good Friend proud to go vote 

The line was almost 1/2 mile long here