This whole school was waiting for their report cards (and some prizes) when we arrived!

Every month we travel to sponsored MEBSH schools to make update reports, and we also visit new schools to assess the level of need. Every school has a situation or a challenge that is unique. We often find pastors and teachers out in the mountains faithfully working with very little resources. We see tough situations, but we also see kids glad to have a school to attend!

As the program grows we find it a challenge to visit each school every two years. Most schools are closed by noon or 1 p.m. so if we have to walk any distance we can only visit one a day. There are 125 sponsored schools (and growing) since it is now possible to easily select available new schools on the HarvestCall website: www.harvestcall.org/school-sponsorship

This poster is a teaching aid on salvation (a large gospel tract) since the Ten Commandments bring the knowledge of sin!

Marie Lucie is reviewing the poster with a pastor so he can teach salvation to others!

As gifts to each school we take along our Ten Commandment posters, smaller gospel tracts, New Testament Bibles for the 5th graders, and 101 Bible storybooks for the 3rd graders and for all the teachers to teach from. Sometimes we are able to take shoes or clothing when we have them, which is a great blessing! Since the hurricane it has been especially important to have gifts when we visit.

We also receive gifts from them! Sometimes we get a coconut to drink, sometimes a full meal of chicken or goat, root vegetables and rice is served. Recently we were at a school that the hurricane destroyed and the pastor and his wife apologized over and over that they had nothing to share, not even one egg. She said she only had three cups left from the hurricane, all her dishes were broken. Then the pastor’s wife remembered something and she gave Marie Lucie the chicken! It rode in the back seat with us all the way home! It is not culturally acceptable to refuse a gift.

Unfortunately, this is the condition of many of the MEBSH Child Care churches after the hurricane!

This school was all but blown away!

The school and church use this as their temporary shelter. They just keep going despite the odds!

We have many dedicated and long-term school sponsors. We want to thank each of you for your monthly support to these struggling schools. Your sponsorship means that the teachers get paid monthly and the families are required to pay a lot less tuition, which they can never afford anyway. They always express their thankfulness for the love and support they feel from their sponsors!

A favorite “school days” photo captured on a recent visit!

A few schools are fortunate to have a simple lunch a few days a week. A very few!

They don’t always sit down…kids are kids everywhere!

We just can’t resist the kids!

Jesus said, “Let the children come unto me.”

It is estimated only 25% of kids in Haiti get to attend school…mostly with help.

Everyone needs to learn to read the Bible for themselves!

We have encouraged these kids simply with a visit!

Time for a pre-holiday dinner with Mandy’s parents, Rob and Gina, who were visiting!

The Cayes candy crew were serious candy makers!

Is the cinnamon a little too intense girls?!

Getting ready for the school Christmas program!

Grace’s class sharing some Bible verses during the program!

Our first Christmas dinner for our workers and their children!

Madam Mavia was very surprised to get her gifts!

Madam Yadley seemed to really like her gift!

A holiday party for those we are discipling weekly with a Bible study one day and sharing the gospel with us on another!

Baking cookies with Ricardine and Malaika!

Arriving at the Christmas program for David Brown’s weekly Bible school class. This is the house where he will live with 12 kids soon!

The kids were dressed in their best for the program!

The kids participated for hours to get lunch and a present at the end!

David and friends sorting through donations beforehand to prepare the children’s gifts!

We were also blessed by the gifts many wrapped and mailed down to us!

Trinity hand-made this one for us!

Mike’s brother, Steve, visited us a week over Christmas! He enjoyed meeting kids he sponsors (they really liked him too)!

Visiting widows for an afternoon was interesting!

Someone is in awe!

Lunch at the beach in Port Salut! Enjoying Haitian seafood!

A short boat trip to an island made for a nice afternoon!

One of the biggest lobsters we had ever seen alive! (Grace is almost ready to run!)

You didn’t see Evan and Grant in any of the photos as usual. We miss them beyond words! They were making their own Christmas memories together with extended family and friends in Ohio this year! Grant got to travel to Indiana to be with many of his cousins while Evan was working. We really look forward to them coming in the Spring, Lord willing.

Happy New Year 2017! Thanks for your support and prayers all through 2016. We felt them and can’t thank each of you enough. May God bless you through the year ahead! We serve a great and awesome God who also cares for us so tenderly.

“Do all the good you can,
By all the means you can,
In all the ways you can,
In all the places you can,
At all the times you can,
To all the people you can,
As long as ever you can.”
– John Wesley

“But to do good and to communicate forget not:
for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.”
Hebrews 13:16

We drive through many rivers here. There are bridges only on the “highways!”

U.S. Travel: Traveling in the U.S. this past summer we remarked how predictable everything was, even from State to State. There were a few exceptions, but by and large there was a McDonalds and a Holiday Inn Express every thirty miles or so!

Haiti Travel: We took a road trip through Haiti before our U.S. trip and we had the opposite experience. Here, we usually try to pack food to eat since fast food is a rarity…unless you want to take a chance with something being cooked along the street. On this trip we discovered that new gas stations can be an option for “fast food” or restrooms, but that you can also drive for hours and hours before finding one of those.

Five hours into our trip to northern Haiti and the Dominican Republic, we found a place by a gas station that would heat up frozen pizzas. It ended up being a very long wait as the oven heated very unevenly! But back on our way, we counted our blessings as we devoured pizza! On the return trip we had visions of pizza in our heads again, but when we finally arrived at the same place, it was closed for inventory!

This is going to be a problem! (taken in the Dominican Republic)

Since we were traveling through unfamiliar territory and there are few road signs, we needed our GPS. The highways pass through every town and we found out that the main route can turn abruptly without signs to alert you. Consequently, when we were driving through Gonaives, without warning we suddenly found ourselves buried right in the middle of a market! It took a few tight turns and a review of GPS (We were feeling very disoriented) to get our bearings and get back on the right route!

Typical city streets! You always have to watch for those motorcycles and bikes!

We have counted up to seven people on a bike! (that would be mostly little kids!)

Taxis are called “tap-taps” because people tap the sides to get off!

Tap-taps usually don’t pull onto the highway until they are jammed full!

Very few Haitians can afford a car, so they do about anything to get a ride!

The next thing is the amount of unpaved and unrepaired roads one has to endure. After eleven hours of bouncing around in the back, one of our kids actually jumped out screaming! Luckily, at that point we were home… Riding in the front seat is the lap of luxury as far as bumps and air conditioning go. We tried to take turns because sitting in the front is much better than the back.

Finally, there is the element of surprise that comes with traveling in Haiti. (We know it is like this in other parts of the world too.) Roadblocks occur in and nearby major cities. Coming through Port-au-Prince on the way back we could see up ahead that the road is totally filled with people, and now the people are running in our direction as tear gas starts flying! We have to quickly turn around and back-track with the fleeing mob…

Crossing the country in any direction means crossing mountains! Rock slides and lots of construction are common!

Market Day is a favorite activity in every town in Haiti. You just take your time getting through!

Most towns have Market Day on Saturday as well as one other day of the week. You have to learn which towns to avoid on which day! Once we were in the mountains and came upon a small village Market Day. We knew what was coming because for a long ways we first passed all the donkeys “parallel parked” on each side of the road! Since they were not expecting a vehicle to come through their town, they had to move tables and produce piled on the ground for us to drive through!

These are bamboo boats one sees floating downstream with goods (and animals) to market! There is a suspension foot bridge crossing the river at the top!

These amazing boats are only good for a one-way trip…they are disassembled and sold at their destination!

They tell us if you want to understand the Haitian culture, it is somewhat like Haitian driving. You never stop, you just maneuver your way around everything and everybody. There are no hard and fast rules; you take it as it comes and everything is negotiable. If there is a will, there is a way! That must be why they keep coming back up each time they get knocked down.

This is the truck we use to visit schools…always a full load on the way back, including livestock!

It was great to see Evan and Grant in their new home!

Updates! It’s been a while since we have given personal updates. We traveled back to the U.S. for a week in November to share two topics at the Proclaim/Serve meeting in Bluffton, Indiana. We presented Child Sponsorship and also Practical Ways to Share Your Faith. We got to stay at Stan & Gloria Hartzler’s home in Orrville, Ohio most of the week and we hung out with Evan & Grant as much as we could! They are renting a house together in Rittman, Ohio with their friend, Joe Smith! It is an older, homey three-bedroom house. In Bluffton, we were blessed to stay with Tom & Sue Neuenschwander and attend the Bluffton Apostolic Christian country church with them.

Evan and Grant live with Joe Smith. Joe is holding one of his birthday presents…a dog pillow!

The boys invited us and Susan Rufener to a Thanksgiving Dinner one night! That was fun!

Enjoying special moments as a family!

The very excited missionary from India that Susie sat by on the plane! What an interesting flight!

We recently went on a short retreat to Coby Beach with lots of HarvestCall board members that were here for a week of work, meetings, research or support. We enjoyed getting to know each of them better! The kids were blessed by the Eric & Jami Hartzler family returning to share a short Bible school with them at the retreat!

Group photo of the current Haiti HarvestCall missionaries!

Eric & Jami Hartzler came down to lead a Bible school for the kids!

The missionary kids in Haiti (including the Hartzlers)!

Game time fun!

Grace and Gracie! Double the Grace!

Trinity is diving into her senior year of school. She has Creole down pretty well, so she has chosen to take French this year! This is Grace’s least favorite subject and it is mandatory at her school. Maybe they can get together? Grace loves it when her mom comes in for devotion time or subbing her class. Susie is glad for the opportunity to step into Grace’s class and enjoys teaching the kids.

Trinity’s senior year is already here! Beautiful photography by Patti Indermuhle.

A wonderful lunch with “Mrs. Tim” and daughters! A lot to share in a short time.

South Haiti Missionaries and visitors, Thanksgiving Day 2016!

Thankful for so many friends in Haiti to support us!

Josette, from the Child Care office, recently got married!

Lazarre is looking a little worried here! (He hasn’t asked for haircut money again since!)

A recent visitor of the unwanted type! (He’s a goner!) He’s kinda cute?

The view “then” and “now” from the back porch. The green has returned!

As we visit schools, we see their effort to save what they can!

It has been difficult to do much at the office without the internet. So we have made some trips into a few areas to survey the damage to schools and churches we support through Child Sponsorship. Then two weeks after the hurricane we had massive flooding following a huge rain, which caused even further damage (and even worse internet problems).

With many buildings lacking roofs, everything keeps getting wet from either rain coming down or flood waters rising! Desks, books and supplies are all ruined. The picture was bleak already in Haiti before the disasters, now they have literally nothing left. Haitian schools traditionally have been little more than crude shelters. Now, they don’t even have that!

Marie Lucie has been busy surveying the damage and taking down information!

Near the coasts, the damage is greater.

This pastor has a problem with every roof!

The church roof came all the way down!

Trying out the new space!

We are still gathering information and it comes in slowly by word of mouth. So far, we estimate that there is damage to roofs and school contents to at least 75% of the schools. Student’s homes are in the same condition; many have lost everything, many are sleeping in other homes and have lost their  livestock, gardens and fruit trees. We are amazed at the determination we see here to keep going in spite of difficulty. We learn a lot from people who have little, but find appreciation for what they still do have.

Within a few short weeks, greenery has reappeared across the storm damaged parts of Haiti! There are many things springing back in a hurry. Life has a way of continuing on even though it may never be quite the same. Circumstances change, but God hasn’t! The work here isn’t so much about the physical and material (although everyone wants that), but much more about our right relationship with God and each other. We continue to warn men of sin and judgment, knowing God is giving them another chance to repent for their sins and seek their Savior. God is waiting for each one to humble themselves before Him!

Many church roofs are nearly gone and some are totally gone!

Many schools are in great disrepair!

Drying everything out…a typical scene that has been repeated often!

With all the calls from sponsors wanting to know about their students, we see your caring and concern. It would be appropriate to send a gift of money with your subsequent payment(s). The students and their families would be most appreciative as they continue to have many needs. Thanks to all of you that already have done so! Thanks for all your support and prayers. They mean a lot!

We see signs of new life springing up all over!

“Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalms 46:10

It is impossible to describe the power of 140 mph winds!

We didn’t see it coming. We couldn’t believe it was coming right our way. We had only been back to Haiti for a month and we were just settling in. Then it came to the point there was no longer any question we were in the line of fire and we all started really moving to prepare! In all that time the Haitians were in even more denial…such a thing had never happened in any of their lifetimes…and God wouldn’t do that to them. So they never prepared. Then it was too late!

Experiencing the hurricane is indescribable. The increasing roar, the plywood banging on the windows, the sound of tin roofs being destroyed all around us; only the arrival of dawn seemed to help since we could finally peer out. We could already see a new world out there as everything appeared flattened. We had no idea.

This is the group that stayed with us a few days…and Jersey the dog!

We were blessed to keep three single missionary ladies, Janae, Courtney, and Judith (as well as Jersey the dog), for a few days as they had tin roofs on their homes. During the storm we all spent the long night camped in our living room trying to sleep between mopping water and the tin banging. We shared many meals and many encouraging words that week.

Cleanup started immediately after the storm as several missionary families lost their roofs and we had to quickly move their belongings to other homes. We hardly had time to look around, but it was amazing to realize that every leaf was gone, every tree was either down or shredded. We noticed a very odd thing: many white buildings had turned shades of green or yellow! Someone figured out that the leaves had smashed against the buildings so hard that they had splashed their chlorophyll all over them!

It was like emerging on a new planet!

Lots of beautiful trees now lying across the road!

The main road out in front of child care!

The morning after the hurricane, all the missionaries are making recovery plans!

No one had even a scratch, thanks to many prayers!

Our closest neighbor’s home!

Many, many tin roofs were simply gone!

The trees were stripped of all their leaves! This cloud looks like judgement to come!

Many Haitian homes, churches and school lost their flimsy tin roofs. Some had walls collapse as well. Many streets and buildings were flooded and were left with lots of mud. Everything was
wet and stinking. The aftermath was overwhelming. Everyone had their normal life suddenly turned upside down.

Everyone was needed to help clean up homes, roads, and the school!

You really appreciate running water, showers, electricity and gas when you are suddenly without all of them at once! These conveniences can easily be taken for granted. A real adjustment has been poor internet and phone service, and in the weeks since the storm there have been days on end without anything working!

No running water for a week. Lots of wet towels and laundry had to be dealt with! We had stored water before the hurricane so we did laundry the Haitian way.

A post-hurricane yard sale!

Since the hurricane we have had even more of a platform to share the gospel, warning Haitians that God has given them another chance to repent, turn from sin and find the Savior! God is rich in mercy towards any that fear him!

We experienced the might and power of God through a storm, and it was enough to put the fear of God back in our lives. How about you? Do you fear the one that the heaven of heavens cannot contain or do you need a storm in your life to wake you up?

We found this worker with this shirt the day following the hurricane! Keep praying for 2 Chronicles 7:14.

Ready smiles on the return to Haiti!

“Welcome to Port-au-Prince. The current temperature is 95 degrees!”

It is a blessing and a privilege to serve in Haiti, but it can also be a bit of an adjustment every time we return. What will we face? Storms or drought? Peace or lots of unrest with the prolonged presidential elections? Thankfully, we always find God is with us and He never changes. Great is Your Faithfulness!

Grace’s 5th/6th grade class at the Cite Lumiere Christian School! She is happy to begin a new year!

School started last week for Grace at the missionary school as well as for all the Haitian kids. The first week of September is typically when school starts, but it doesn’t mean everyone is actually prepared! Because a Haitian child cannot attend school without a uniform or books, this is often a very difficult and stressful time for families. The difficulty isn’t limited to only those paying their own way…inflation has increased so much that even sponsored children struggle obtaining the needed items.

Ricardine and Malaika were pretty excited to see us return!

Malaika getting measured for her new uniform!

Since our return we have been busy helping Ricardine and Malaika order their uniforms and getting all their necessary school supplies. A week after we arrived they finally were ready to go! This was so good for us to experience…how one has to barter for every item in the marketplace, how one has to purchase the uniform material and contract with a tailor to sew them.

Getting Ricardine’s books was another event! It was quite an experience to be out in the beastly hot sun and chaotic market stalls all afternoon haggling over everything! One time we experienced such a mob of people in the street that we couldn’t move! And motorcyclists were trying to get through at the same time. “Let’s get out of here!” were our thoughts.

Ricardine is bartering for her school supplies in the streets downtown!

Next, searching for the perfect school shoes!

We always wonder how they keep track of the pairs in these piles?

Sponsored kids are lined up at the Haiti Child Care office (where we work) getting their checks to go buy the needed items…or seeing how far they can stretch it at least. While they sit there waiting it is really a harvest field to give gospel tracts and speak to them about the gospel! They are served a hot meal of rice and beans while they wait. Next, they line up to receive health kits and school kits that are packed all year across the U.S. and distributed at this time. These are a great blessing to the families! Thanks to everyone who gives in any way…it is greatly appreciated here!

We are looking forward to upcoming school visits to make reports on existing schools and take information for new schools that will soon be available to sponsor. We are looking forward to getting out into the country, sharing the gospel and teaching God’s Word wherever we go, and then the upcoming cooler weather!

Sharing the gospel with young Haitian believers; David Brown is on the far right!

Does Child Sponsorship really make a difference in a child’s life? This is a valid question to ask and it deserves an answer. We will begin sharing some examples of how Child Sponsorship has personally affected young people in Haiti. We hope to make this an ongoing series as we continue to make friendships with many here!

David Brown has a big smile to match his big heart!

David Brown: evangelist and youth leader
David is from our town of Simon and currently lives in a simple room in his aunt’s house right beneath our hill. He lives right beside his church, and we can often hear the services from his church going on from inside our house! David’s education was sponsored by Brent Hodel from Roanoke, IL, and he graduated June 2016 from the 13th year (Philosophy) at the age of 24. Because Brent came on many work teams over the years, he and David have a nice friendship.

David was extensively mentored by Joan Reinhard. The advice she gave him from God’s Word had a huge impact on his life. By his own admission, David made a huge change when he came to the Lord as his Savior and found forgiveness for his past sins. His thankfulness for his salvation has propelled him into full-time Christian service! We are privileged to disciple David in God’s Word and to labor together to advance God’s Kingdom.

David is easy to write about and the list of what he is involved in is huge! Because he loves the Lord and has a heart for the Haitian people this love motivates David like no other here we have seen! He has been instrumental in two visionary projects that are currently under construction: a home for 16 orphans where he intends to live as a houseparent, and a school for very poor area students. The home was purchased and is almost renovated. He is building a security wall around it as funds are available. Classes are being held on the porch of the home until the school is built. He has broken ground this summer for the construction of two classrooms, and is trusting the Lord for additional funds to complete it. (If anyone is interested in helping let us know!)

David is a frequent visitor at our house!

David is the president of his church youth group. David also runs a Bible School at his church every Saturday for about 30 area kids; we help provide a simple meal. David loves to evangelize and teach others. Because of his connections he is well aware of who needs Bibles. We can trust him to get the Bibles we have to new converts and the neediest people.

David has a pretty good command of English. Because of this he is now taking a one-year cruise course in an English school in Les Cayes. His plan is to get a job on a Caribbean cruise ship to fund his building projects. We love his vision to advance God’s Kingdom!

David is always thinking of others and how he can help! What a motivated guy! But without a sponsor and the proper education, he would not be the real success he is today by God’s grace.

From David’s facebook page, here is a photo of his baptism in 2010.

David praying with the group before going on the streets to share the gospel.

David has a real heart to proclaim that gospel message!

This is how you get up to the Citadelle near Cap-Haitien in northern Haiti!

Changes are approaching! Evan will begin his nursing career at Akron General Medical Center the end of August. Grant has decided to stay in the States to finish his on-line schooling and get a job while staying with Evan. Seeing these changes coming up, we decided to take some family trips to savor the remaining moments together and make some memories!

Before we left for the States in July, a trip into the neighboring Dominican Republic included some adventure as we crossed the border! Things being a little unmarked, we actually drove over the border before we realized it and were supposed to have registered and paid in Haiti first. We were promptly driven back over the border on motorcycles! On this trip we also visited the renowned Haitian fortress, the Citadelle, which while it was truly amazing, was also quite the Haitian tourist trap!

In August we carved out time to travel West (a generous gift from a cousin) and enjoyed hikes and family travels through the Canadian Rockies, and the States of Washington and Oregon. We enjoyed breathtaking views, seeing wildlife and meeting old and new friends in the churches we also visited. The photos will provide some highlights.

Riding horses was just as fun as touring the fortress! ( in the background.)

Since the French never returned, all the ammunition is still sitting unused where it was left.

Finished in 1820, the Citadelle took 15 years to build!

365 cannons are pointed out of hundreds of windows in all directions!

The horses waited for the return trip back down!

Enjoying beautiful places in the Dominican Republic!

On our later trip, we were amazed by the size of the Canadian Rockies!

A “little hike” brought great views of Glacier National Park in Canada.

Savoring the grandeur of God!

Banff National Park was equally thrilling to hike in!

We just couldn’t look enough…

Lake Louise had water the color of the Caribbean ocean!

Grace was more than a little nervous we would find a real bear…so she was glad to hug this one instead!

Visiting the Olympic Village in Calgary, Alberta!

Spending an unforgettable afternoon in Seattle with our friend Joycie who recently moved there from Haiti!

We so enjoyed kayaking trips and campfires in the evening.

Enjoying the beauty of the Olympic Mountains in Washington.

Here we are feeding the “wild” animals! Couldn’t get enough of the deer!

Grace enjoyed the boat ride as we searched for whales!

We were blessed to see pods of Orcas and a gray whale too!

Hiking up near Mt. Rainier and finally reaching snow!

Grace threw that snowball with great aim at Mom’s neck! Ouch!

Hard to take it all in!

Grace loved feeding the chipmunks at the top!

Gigantic shale fields simply amazed us! We were glad to get through without an avalanche though!

We spent a special weekend with the Mike & Lisa Leman family in Portland, Oregon!

The Oregon Coast was so different than the Caribbean!

We took several beach walks, this was Cannon Beach!

We loved the pounding surf and discovering marine life among the rocks and tide pools!

“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:1

This summer we are again staying with Stan and Gloria Hartzler in Orrville, Ohio. We appreciate how they gladly open their home to our family and make us welcome! They are always spoiling us with so many yummy things like root beer floats, fresh sweet corn, peaches, blueberries, cherries, and cheeses and meats of all kinds. Stan & Gloria are also doing a wonderful job serving as advocates to our church for our needs throughout the year!

The HarvestCall Child Sponsorship website now allows you to personally select children or schools!

Choices, choices! We are happy to report that now you can go online, view available children, and select the one you wish to sponsor with HarvestCall! At this time you can choose children from either Haiti, Jamaica or Mexico. These will be updated periodically so please check back often.

Check it out here: http://www.harvestcall.org/sponsor-a-child

Haiti offers the additional choice of sponsoring an entire school! You can now read a brief description and see photos of several schools waiting for a sponsorship that helps pay the teachers’ salaries. (The four kids on our own blog header are from the Leogane school that is available for sponsorship!) School sponsorship is an incredible opportunity to reach deeply into a community and affects so many children at once! This is an opportunity for individuals, entire families, churches, or Sunday schools to make a real difference in Haiti.

Check it out here: http://www.harvestcall.org/school-sponsorship

The epicenter of the 2010 earthquake was in Leogane and the school was beyond repair. It has since been rebuilt. You can select this school online to sponsor.

Thanks to all of you that already are involved in sponsoring a child or school! Send your student or school a card or letter of encouragement today and small cash gifts are always welcome as well. And thanks for all of you who are considering sponsoring a child. If you have any questions after seeing the websites above, please let us know.

This little guy at Leogone was a natural in front of the camera! (the same boy on our blog header!)

Another shot of ornery boys and a truck!