July 22, 2011  

Hello, again, Family and Friends of the Haiti Mission! 

We received a call later yesterday (Tuesday) from Brock Young; it was good to know that he was able to get a signal through.  Everyone is doing well.  He said that several people on the team were working on pouring concrete for the school floor. Progress, though, was slow due to the constraints of the local contractor. When asked about the medical clinic, he basically said that Nurse Nancy Rodriguez, with Tara Madgett assisting, IS the medical clinic. They are able to help 20-30 people a day, though there were hundreds in line for care.  A couple nurses from Jacmel visit the mountain village but only about twice a month.  All of the medicines and supplies that everyone in the church donated will be doled out to the entire village before the week is over and are greatly needed and appreciated. 

Food is plentiful there, as they are in a vast farming community.  They had a very delicious oatmeal for breakfast with bacon and eggs, as well.  Fresh pork was served for dinner. They have tasted fresh bananas, mangos, cabbage, corn, yams, and coconut -- to name a few.  Bottled water had to be restocked from Jacmel when it ran out early. They actually have access to running water from a 5000 gallon cistern -- which is halfway filled -- from rainwater off of the huge roof.  So, yes, unexpectedly they have been able to take showers. 

Brock said that because it is a rural agricultural community, most families are happy and in-tact with fathers and mothers both present to raise their children.  He did add that there are quite a few people in the village who have not heard of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Because some of the people there speak Spanish, many from our group have been able to communicate with them.  Tuesday, they played a lot of soccer with many of the teens and children there, with the balls that our church donated.  Today, (Wednesday) the team will continue to pour the concrete for the school floor and have Vacation Bible School (VBS) with crafts.  The Worship Service will also be held, during which our high school teens will perform their skit with Dustin.       

Brock did make a special mention of the graciousness of their hosts, Mr. and Mrs. Lionel Frederick. They live most of the time in the U.S. and, with money donated from their hair cutting business, they have established this school and a Christian presence in La Montagne since 1995.  Our group is the largest group that they have accommodated and Brock said they have been very good to them, making them feel welcome and as comfortable as possible. 

Please continue to pray for God's Blessing on this mission and that He will open the eyes and ears of the people who will hear the Gospel through the Word of God on Wednesday. To God be the Glory!