Jan 31

January 31, 2017

What a wonderful day we had today with teams going in different directions.

The OB Team (Tammy, Denise, Amy, Jen, Sabine, and Stacey), Deb, Jeff Perry, Bill, and Sharon to the long journey to LaHatte. The ride up to LaHatte in itself is an adventure, as it goes through a dry river bed. It’s better than any amusement ride you will ever have! There were 8 ladies who attended the OB sessions. Deb and Sharon worked with the community agents in the AM. After lunch, the community agents sat in on the OB sessions. Jeff and Bill assessed what needs to be done at LaHatte in terms of maintenance of various structures. We had a great time interacting with the community people after our work was done while waiting for a driver to get us back to the Mission Center.  When the driver arrived, the ride back was just as exciting as getting there!

Today we had 26 ladies come to learn to crochet. They made a point to tell us to than all the ladies who helped make the t-shirt yarn they used to crochet with. They were grateful for all your efforts. They began a shopping bag today. It is so difficult to teach beginners to crochet when you do not speak the same language. Thank God above for the interpreters!!!! Continue to keep us in your prayers!

Shari went to Lanzac and spent the day there with the Health Agent. She was very impressed with how organized and motivated she was. She took it upon herself to stand at the gate where the children enter everyday to see if they had any health needs as they came to school.

Jean, Alicia, Heather, Judy,  Mary, Trish, and Shari scraped and painted at the Mission Center.

Tim and Mark went to Port Au Prince to a couple of “hardware” stores. Traffic was atrocious. Smells were interesting. 

John, Bob, Jon, Maureen, Trevor and Julie we were able to get all of the fence posts cut and installed. Construction for most of the footings for all of the playground equipment were completed as well. Tomorrow we’ll begin the concrete pour of the foundation which will support the fence that will surround the playground.

Shout Outs:

Hello, Jefferson Primary!!!! I miss you all so much! I have so much to tell you about when I return home. Just know I feel so blessed to have had this opportunity to visit Haiti. See you next week.

To Sharon, (my favorite sister), All is going well.  Miss you!  Love, Heather

To all my family and friends – I miss you al and your prayers are working! I am having a great time and meeting so many wonderful people. God’s love shines in Haiti!  - Stacey

To my church family and Robert – Thank you for your prayers and continued support. Love you all! Shari

To Bill and family – Having a great time! Seeing so much and learning. Hope all is well at home. Love, Judy

Dear Grandbabies, Nana and Papa love you and miss you. Diller boys, thank you for the notes!

Hello to all of my brothers and their families. Hello Amber. Having a great time helping to build a school roof. Church was wonderful and the people are great. Love you all! Sharon.

Love to Carissa, Kelsey, Michael, and Jackie! Love, Tim

Jan 30

January 30, 2017

It was a very busy day today, with teams going many directions. Liane took a group to Dupin for crocheting class. 17 Haitian ladies came to the class today. When they return on Wed. they are expecting 30 to attend. The ladies really seemed to enjoy the class. They were taught to cut strips of T-Shirts and make yarn out of them. The project they are making is a purse. They learned a few basics today and were sent home with a crochet hook and ball of T-Shirt yarn to practice. Deb and Julie worked with the Community Agent in Dupin. They are doing such a great job!

Jeff Perry stayed at the mission compound to work on various plumbing issues. He worked on toilets, showers, sinks, storage tanks and so on. There is a lot of work to do on just general maintenance on plumbing. We are thankful he is here to share his expertise.

The OB group went to Degeance and did their seminars. 24 pregnant women came to the seminar for education on labor, delivery, and post delivery care. They walked very far and uphill in the heat to see us! WE have learned so much about these women. They are strong women and they have a faith in God that is truly amazing! One woman that we met today had experienced 2 stillborn deliveries and told us that she prayed for the Lord to give her a healthy delivery at home. Jen and Tammy prayed over her today. Please pray with us for a healthy baby and mommy. She is due this month!

Jean and Sharon stayed at the mission center to scape walls in preparation for painting the new pharmacy room.  Jean joined up with Jan to repair screens to protect against mosquitos. Then they got creative in closing up a possible rat entry hole in Rachel Inn.  Great team work.

Construction was begun on the playground at MPCA.  Plans were made for where the swings, monkey bars and teeter-totters will be placed, and the framework was laid for the footer that will hold
the posts for the fence.

 

Shout Outs:

We are doing some wonderful work here in Haiti. We are being blessed by blessing others. - Trevor

Hi Jackie and All our kids and grandkids. Doing great here in Haiti! Meeting new friends and reconnecting with past friends. Building a play-ground that will be well used. Love, Bob Luttf-ring

Tim says, Jackie! STOP! Remember, don't paint the brick! Love, Tim

Greetings from Haiti. Today was spent at Dupin Mission Possible School. Just a reminder of how blessed we are and don't realize it. Love, Julie

Oh the God Adventures! Love you and miss U my love, Kaits, Elizabeth, E, Aubs, & Addie. UR my I Love U. P.S. I'm hooked, Love Jen

To Mountain View Church in Marietta, Georgia  - Thanks for all your prayers and support for your mission team here in Haiti. Keep praying for God's will and purpose to be done through us here in Haiti. We love you. God Bless! Pastor Bill

To my wonderful family- Wish you all could see this amazing place. God has made some beautiful scenery and people. Mama and I are well - Love, Alicia

To my family and friends - I'm doing really well and enjoying so much being with the Community Agents this week. Thank you for your prayers and support. God is blessing us. The team here this week is amazing - many new friendships are being made. Love to all of you! Deb

Jan 29

January 29    " I was glad when they said unto me,  let us go into the house of the Lord". Ps.  122              Since we are blessed to have 3 different pastors this week,  our team worshipped in 3 different churches,  each one had one of our pastors giving the sermon.  Pastor Tim Smith shared at St.  Marc,  Pastor Lynn at MPCA and  Pastor Bill Burch at Dupin.  Following the service in Dupin,  the medical team and some helpful team members, finished the second day of the OB seminar and enjoyed a delicious Haitian meal made by church women.

The OB seminars were attended by 35 area pregnant women.  In fact,  one women took her homework very seriously and promptly delivered her baby after leaving the seminar on Saturday afternoon!  This women graciously invited us to her community to meet her beautiful new daughter!

When the women completed the 16-hour OB clinic, they were presented with a graduation certificate and an OB kit filled with hygiene pads,  homemade diapers in 2 different sizes, cloth diapers,  home birth kits,  vitamins,  tylenol, and baby blankets.  All the women were excited to get their OB packs and were very appreciative of their gifts.

Pastor Tim, Sharon, Deb, Jeff P., Julie, Adam, Jean, John, and Trish all attended St. Marc Church this AM. It was a wonderful service and we felt the Spirit of the Lord in the worship. Pastor Tim, Sharon, Jeff, Trish and Deb sang Victory in Jesus - Deb played the keyboard to accompany. It was wonderful to unite in worship with some of the friends that we have met in the past.

Jan 28

January 28
     Although we have been taking many pictures today, we are not able to upload them to the blog! Today we had work crews working to build a playground, and assisting with the replacement of a roof at MPCA.
     Shari and Deb had the joy of reuniting with Anite and the 13 community agents! They are all doing so well in their school settings. They shared about how everything is going at their schools. They learned about administering Tylenol and Aleve. We will visit them throughout next week and meet as a group again next Saturday.
     The OB nurses when to Dupin today and did seminars. They were expecting 25 to come but ended up with 37. The day went extremely well.
     We put together kits to use to instruct ladies to create shopping bags from T-shirts, and celebrated Jeff Perry's birthday. We were blessed by beautiful weather, and wonderful food created by Liane!

Safe Arrival

Pam just called and the team arrived safely last night. All travel was good and there were no problems getting through immigration and customs.  The team is unpacking and preparing for the rest of the group to arrive Friday.

A Fun Day in the DR

We have internet for a bit, which is unusual for this trip.  Thanks to Rene back in Findlay who has kept you all at least a little bit informed of what we have been doing.  Yesterday, we ended our time in Haiti.  We thoroughly enjoyed every bit of the week with our Haitian brothers and sisters.  Today we were able to spend the day with students from our school here in the Dominican Republic.  Tomorrow we will attend church.  In the morning, we will join the Spanish church as they reach out to the community and then in the evening, we will worship with the Creole church here.  Monday will consist of our teacher seminar and then we will head to the capitol.  Below you will see highlights of our trip.  Thank you for your prayers!  Keep them coming and we look forward to sharing this trip with you in person.

Mary Jo teaching in Haiti on Effective Teaching

Judy helping a Haitian Teacher as she teaches them how to use art in their classroom

Sweet preschoolers in Haiti as we visit their classroom

The students in the Dominican Republic loved the math games we played!

Singing with students in the DR

Sharon made some new Dominican friends today

Tracy visiting with friends

The kids loved our courtyard games!

Traveling to the DR

Hey everyone! Tracy wanted me to post and report that the team made it safely to the DR! Good internet access is hard to come by there at the MP school, so posts from here on out may be limited! Thank you for continuing to pray for the team!