Haiti March 19, 2013

I got back to Haiti on March 18. Simon picked me up and we went up to One Stop, a grocery store, to meet Ginette, who had started grocery shopping for the team. This is also where I exchange money. After our shopping was done, we drove back down to the airport to pick up Clint Downing, who had come in on a later flight. Then we returned to the mission house, arriving about 6 p.m., and everything was working just fine – which is always a scary thing – but, as usual, we ran into a problem. The ceiling fans and lights would not work with the generator. Every time we tried to turn the fans on, the generator would overcharge. I called my brother Karl in St. Louis, and he told me most likely it was a short, so our search began. I climbed up an extension ladder (which I’m sure my orthopaedic surgeon would really appreciate), checked all the wiring, and found nothing wrong. Clint and Simon had also looked everywhere for anything that looked like it might be a short, and they had found nothing. I told the Lord, “We need your help again,” and when we cranked the generator this time, the fans came on. We would like to take credit for fixing the fans, but we know Who fixed them . . .

This morning we got up early, had our coffee and breakfast, and went outside to see all the kids coming to school. What a joy it is to have the opportunity to help these children! There are around 400 students now. It brings back memories to see them line up and have prayer, and then raise the flag and say the Pledge of Allegiance, as we used to do before our country became so __________ (I’ll let you fill in the blank).

Afterward, Simon and I went into Port to get water, ice and medicines for the team that will be coming in on March 23. We picked up Chuck Guerber at the airport, and when we returned Clint was in a meeting with the school administrators, discussing the finances of the school. We have been blessed so far to be able to pay the teachers their full salaries, but this month it doesn’t look good. We will be about $1500 short, and we might have the same problem in April and May. I told them we just have to give this problem to the Lord – this is His school and His children.

I believe the school project is one of the greatest challenges we have faced, but I am assured it will be the most rewarding. We have a great opportunity to change these children, who can change the community, which can change the country. I ask you to take a few minutes to pray, and ask the Lord if He would want you to sponsor one of these children. Your Sunday School class, your church or a study group can sponsor a child for only $25 a month, or a one-time gift of $300 for the year. Just go to the website and follow the simple instructions, and be a part of changing a child’s life. Even better than that, you can come to Haiti with us and visit your sponsored child and his/her family, and see where they live.

Please be praying that the Lord will provide for these children and the school. God bless, and thank you for your prayers.