The Lord's Prayer Today

Praying

I was so saddened as I learned today of the horrific shootings in Orlando this morning. I ask myself, what is going on in our country? What happened to the sense of security we all felt each time we mentioned "I'm an American"? Living in Haiti has taught me to give people space to have their opinions and I avoid talking politics with people here. I choose instead to make a spiritual impact and ask the Lord to bring His will to this earth, as it is in heaven, as Jesus did in the "Lord's Prayer." He told us to pray like that. Bad things are happening in this world. Let's pray "Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven." Sadly, today, I am praying for the moms, dads, sons, daughters, and all those who lost a precious, loved one today in Orlando. I pray they will find peace and comfort from the Holy Spirit of God.

School Finishing Up

As we enter into the final weeks of the school year there are lots of activities happening each day. Our high school seniors (Klas Filo) will be having their graduation ceremony in just eleven short days. That means that in addition to preparing themselves academically for that ever ominous national exam this summer, they are practicing speeches, songs, dances, poetry and short stories to share with the graduation attendees. They are asking friends and relatives to help them to purchase new clothes and shoes for the special occasion. (This is not required, but it's such a proud moment for the entire family that they want to look their very best and are willing to make sacrifices to do so.) And perhaps, just maybe, they are feeling a little apprehensive about what the future holds for them.

Underclassmen have started taking final exams.

The preschool classes continue working.

Amy has finished up the rainbow project and this week did a Joseph's Coat of Many Colors project. I loved seeing the different ways the children decorated their coats.

Medical Clinic

We had a little more traffic in the clinic as so many were experiencing fevers and cold symptoms this week. As you can see in the picture below, many of our students started the school week in line to see Dr. Emmanuel. As sad as that sounds, imagine the alternative. I'm so grateful to all of you who support the medical clinic, providing a place for the students to receive help for whatever ails them. Thank you!

Outreach

We returned to Fonde Doux this week, to see the 50 patients that we didn't get to last week. That fifty turned into ninety patients. Again, so many are experiencing fevers in this season. We were able to give these families clothing and footwear to go home with. They were very grateful as this particular area has many people in real need of aid. While our long-term goal is to help people to become employable or entrepreneurs, today we must respond to the very real needs.

14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?

15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,

16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?

17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

- James 2:14-20

Angie in Haiti

Isn't that just the biggest hermit crab ever?!!!

We've been praying for Angie this week. I wouldn't go so far as to say she's been "crabby," but she had a nasty cold that really wiped her out for a bit. Lex, I'm sure, would take some credit for her feeling better today, as she took his advice yesterday. Haitians like to say that the ocean is good for all types of sicknesses. He told her she needed to go swimming and get her head wet. (Kind of the opposite of what my mom would have told me to do as a kid, as I remember sitting out of "pool time" at summer camp due to colds.) Nevertheless, Angie seemed a little livelier today and looking forward to having a more active week in the clinic.

Please do keep her in prayer. It's really difficult to feel miserable when you're away from home AND in the heat. Angie, like most of us, has her own expectations for herself and I'm sure she's felt a little frustrated this week, not being able to do all that she wanted to. But tomorrow is a new day full of new mercies and compassion... Lamentations 3:22-23, "It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is they faithfulness."

Preaching with an Interpreter

Pastor Edon preached in Thozin this morning. I enjoy hearing him preach. He talked (it an extremely animated fashion - and you thought he was a quiet fella!) about living under God's grace. He encouraged us to remain faithful to one another, to spouses, to the Lord, to remain repentant for the sin that so easily entangles us, and to appreciate the wonderful grace the Lord covers us with.

Pastor Edon decided there were enough English speakers in the crowd that he should have someone translate for him. I felt for Gama, as Pastor Edon is like a speeding train when he preaches. If the English doesn't take the same amount of time as the Kreyol? Oh well, he's off and running. He also uses very culturally appropriate examples that wouldn't make sense to most Americans. So Gama had to super process to spit out something that would be in context. He did so much better than I could have. That's for sure.

Construction and Excavation

We have begun working on the expansion of the Thozin campus. Over the next several weeks we plan to build some perimeter walls and begin leveling the new soccer field area. It's an exciting time for all of us. Maybe you'd like to be a part of it, too? Please consider volunteering or making a donation. Contact us today to get the ball rolling!

Here are a few more pictures you might enjoy...

Our new friends from Madisonville, TN spent Friday night with us. They are working in the southern part of Haiti in les Anglais. We look forward to hosting them again Saturday.

Please remember Haiti in prayer this week as we go through some difficult political choices. And keep your prayer requests coming. We are blessed to pray for one another.