After the Storm

It has now been a week since Tropical storm Isaac passed over Haiti.  We are now having many people come and report on the damages from the storm.  In the area around the mission many families lost the roofs off their homes.
We are also hearing reports from the Northwest of Haiti where the storm surge was very large and homes were washed into the ocean.  They also received large amounts of rain which caused gardens to be washed away and many houses damaged.  A few BHM affliliated churches and schools were damaged in the Northwest.

This weekend Pastor Baker is going to be going to the northwest to see the damages.  He will be passing through Atrel, so we are anxious to hear a report on how the area was affected.

 Knowing that the people in Atrel and the surrounding areas were affected by the storm makes us want to be there to encourage them and work with them as they recover.
I know I have shared this before, but we know that in God's timing we will be there, but it is definitely hard during times like this.


Praise: 
* That there was not more severe damage from the storm.

Prayer:
* Pray for those affected by Tropcial storm Isaac and for the churches as they reach out to those in their communities and share the love of God during this time.

* Pray for a safe trip for Pastor Baker as he travels to the northwest this weekend.

* Continue to pray that in God's timing the funds would come for us to continue building our home.  
        Construction is still stopped as we wait for funding.

Isaac is Passed us, but the Rains and Wind Continue

Thankfully the worst of the storm is passed and now we are having rain and some gusting winds.  We have not heard any reports of severe damage in our area, but we were informed that the southern coast of Haiti was hit hard.  This was where the storm made landfall during the night.  At this point our concern is flooding for those living in low areas that are prone to flooding.  We are expected to get a significant amount of rain from this storm over the next few hours.

This morning Kyrk discovered that a tree in our yard had fallen down and was resting on the main power lines.  To prevent the power lines from breaking, the tree had to come down.  Thankfully we have rain suits for these kinds of situations and Roger, Scott and Kyrk cut the tree down and pulled it off the power lines.

Thankfully there are not many other trees down on the mission property, but there is going to be plenty of clean up on Monday with several branches down and other debris.

Deciding the best way to get in down.

Praying for protection from the storm

As many of you may know there is a tropical storm that is approaching Haiti.  It is supposed to hit sometime in the next 24 hours.
While I sit here and write this there are some clouds in the sky, but other than that it seems like a regular beautiful day. 
Join us in praying that we are not hit hard with a bad storm.  As storms approach my mind always goes to those who are living is poor housing, which will not withstand winds or heavy rains.  Pray for these people, that they may find a safe place to stay while they wait out the storm.

Praying for protection from the storm

First Grade Bible Curriculum Completed

After several years of hard work we are so pleased to share that the first grade Bible Curriculum is completed.  We ordered the books this week and if all goes well with shipping they will arrive in a couple weeks in time for the training at the end of September.
School starts on October 3 and it is so exciting to know that each of the BHM affiliated schools will be using this Bible Curriculum.

This is a huge answer to prayer that the first grade is completed.  Continue to join us praying for the other grades to be completed.  We are in the process of finishing second grade this year.

Teacher's book for 1st grade

Inside title page

Sample lesson page

Pictures of the Progress

Today Kyrk took another trip to Atrel and he took some updated pictures of the progress. 

Boss Joubert along with his men have done a great job and as you can see from the pictures they have prepared the foundation of the house.  They have also built a retaining wall and the back wall of the house.  The next step will be to dig a cistern behind the back wall of the house. 
But the problem we have is that we have run out of money.  The men will be taking a break and we will not be able to continue until further funds can be raised.
We are so thankful for the way that God has provided so far.  So many people have partnered with us and helped to make the progress thus far, possible.  We are trusting that in God's timing the money will come in and we will be able to move to Atrel.

 Standing on the site where our home is being built, looking down at the team house.  Joubert and his men have been staying in the small 2 room house.

Looking down at the house foundation from the top of the property.

Teaching at Summer Bible Institute

This summer Kyrk once again has the opportunity to teach a class at the Summer Bible Institute held here at the mission campus.  Three mornings a week he spends 2 hours instructing his class about the Doctrines of Man, Sin and Salvation. 

 Teaching along side Robert Benjamin, the translator

 Students trying not to be distracted by the camera during their class.

 These 2 men, Olbert and Timothy are from Atrel.  We are praising God that these men are in Kyrk's class and that we are able to start developing relationships with them.  They are getting great Bible teaching that will be very beneficial as they return to Atrel.

Some of the other students wanted a picture with their teacher :)

Haiti Parking 101

Today Kyrk was given a gift of a parking lesson.  It wasn't exactly the way we wanted the lesson, but it happened never-the-less.
He went to Petion-ville, the town about 30 minutes down the mountain.  He has been going down quite frequently recently and has been parking the same way each time.   Today was no different, he parked in the same way, but when he came back to the car it all changed. 
The car was not there!!!!
About that same time he got a phone call from a good friend, asking who was driving our car.  He was sitting at the police station and noticed it being towed in.  He offered to bring Kyrk home and then return to get the car.  Wow, are we thankful for friends like this.  We know they probably would have asked for more money if they saw Kyrk's white face, so to have a Haitian friend deal with this for us was a huge blessing.  So after paying for a parking ticket, our car is safely back home.

We discovered that these are the parking rules for Petion-ville.
1) It is illegal to park with no wheels on the sidewalk.
2) It is illegal to park with 4 wheels on the sidewalk.
Therefore you must park with only 2 wheels on the sidewalk.

Progress continues

We arrived back in Fermathe last Sunday afternoon and it was wonderful to be back together with all of our children. 
On Monday morning Boss Joubert and his crew went back to Atrel to continue digging the hole.  Hoping that they would be mostly finished, Kyrk went up on Friday morning.  The men had worked hard and they were almost finished.  Kyrk was able to use a transit to mark depths and specific places for support pillars to be built. 
This trip Robert and Jonathan both went along with Kyrk.  They enjoyed playing hide and go seek with Dad when he was finished working.

Note: I forgot to send the camera along, so there are no pictures this time :(


Fence and Wheelbarrows arrived:
We are rejoicing that the fence for our property and well as some much needed wheelbarrows arrived yesterday.  It is perfect timing!  Boss Jobert and Kyrk were hoping to have the fence around part of the property before the main structure is up, so this is wonderful. 
Also the wheelbarrows that the men are using are in very poor condition and we borrowed a couple from a different organization last week.  Thankfully we now have some excellent wheelbarrows to use for all the ground that still has to be moved as the men soon begin digging the cistern.

Container should ship soon:
We are praising God that we found a way to get the contianer shipped that has supplies for our house on it.  If all goes well it should be on it's way this coming week. 
We are still praying that God provides a way for us to get some building supplies shipped in soon.

Last day in Atrel

Well the week is over and I think it is safe to say that everyone is tired and ready to head back tomorrow morning.
The Haitian crew that is working with us, started the morning at 4 am.  They were wanting to go home today, so they worked until 7:30 and then packed up their things and started for home.  They are all from the Fermathe area and they have been up here for 2 weeks, so they have went home to see their families and they will return on Tuesday.
Today was extremely hot so we took it a little easier.  But this amazing group of men continued to work away at the rock pile and accomplished a lot.
Words cannot fully express our gratitude to these men for coming and humbling serving.  It has not been "fun" work but they have served with their whole heart.  They really are examples of humble servants.

There were 3 young guys who volunteered for most of the morning.  Their help was greatly appreciated.

This large pile of loose rocks was all needing to be moved.  This was definitely not a fun job.

There has been a lot of earth moved this week

They were determined to finish the rock before moving to a much easier section.

The loose dirt (aka "gravy") was much easier

The last wheelbarrow load for the week.

Team picture

Celebrating by throwing their sand up in the air

Everyone realized that Riley (aka "Wally") did not choose the best place to stand.

Riley caught a lizard and Robert enjoyed playing with it as well.

Market Day and Community Help

This morning we had the opportunity to visit a near by market.  It is a very large open market and it was a great opportunity to really experience this culture.  I think the greatest find from the market was the 12 bottles of coke and sprite.  (I think they were the only 12 bottles in the entire market)
When we got back the guys got creative and decided to suspend them with wire down into the cistern water to cool them off.  There was just enough water in the cistern to cover them, but it is 8 feet deep, so it was a fun project.
This afternoon it was encouraging to see some of the people from the community help out with the digging.  Some children and even Madam Pepe joined in and helped.  It is always an encouragement to see the people willing to work along side of us.
The hole continues to get bigger.  This is not a fun job and we are so thankful for this group of willing servants who are working so diligently. 

Madame Pepe wanted to help shovel also

Madam Pepe thought she needed to show the guys how to use the pick

This picture was taken earlier this afternoon, and by the end of the evening, they had moved a lot of this pile in the middle.

These boys really wanted their picture taken.  I told them they had to work if I was going to take their picture.

We Have Rain

This morning started out like all the past mornings, with the men diligently working most of the morning.  As the afternoon progressed, we could see dark clouds starting to roll in.  Around 4 the rain started and for the next 1 1/2 hours it rain.  It has been 2 months since this area has had a good rain like that.  Talking with the people here they were all mentioning how good of a rain it was, but sadly it is a little too late to save the corn crop.  There is definitely water in our cistern now, which we are very thankful for.
It is so obvious to us that God is answering prayers.  We have had rain this week, we have gotten to know some of the people in the community, and we have all stayed safe and healthy so far. 
To everyone who is praying, thank you.  It is very appreciated.

Robert picture of the day:

Robert enjoyed licking out the pan that I used to mix the brownies

Working hard in the heat of the day, right before the rain

Great progress is being made

They covered the charcoal pile with dirt today and lit it.  It will now smolder for a few days.

Looking down from the top.  You can see how deep this hole is that they are digging.

Washing the truck in the rain

This evening there was a double rainbow in the sky.  God truly does keep His promises.

Still Digging

Today was much the same.  We are all getting a little more tired and everyone took things a little easier today.  Here are some pictures of each of the team members who are working so hard.  They truly have been such a blessing to us.  It is amazing to us to see these men cheerfully working in these very difficult conditions.

David putting all his effort into shoveling

Nathaniel focusing hard as he shovels

Jason trying to fill the wheelbarrow

John, resting as the wheelbarrow is dumped

Barny diligently filling the wheelbarrow.  The man behind him is the one loosening up all the ground for the men to shovel

Mike gets the job of hauling the heavy wheelbarrows down the hill.

Riley taking a much needed break with Robert.

Kyrk helping to shovel

A man from the Atrel church has been working for the past 3 days to prepare this pile to make charcoal.  He has taken all the larger pieces of wood from the brush that was cleared.

Voodoo ceremony taking place in the foreground under the trees

Starting late last night we started to hear people singing.  It lasted all night and most of the day today.  When we asked what it was, we were told it was a voodoo ceremony and the people were offering a food offering to Satan. 
This was a strong reminder to us, to pray for those around us who are lost, and as we prepare to move to this community we pray that God would use us to be a light to these people.