What else but THANKFUL!

We are feeling very thankful for all of God's blessings.

The work here is ongoing and we are encouraged; challenged but encouraged.

As a way of saying THANK YOU, the MH Agronomy Class offered to help paint the two containers that make up the MH Agriculture Training Center where the ag class is held three days a week. 

 MH says, "Thank you! class!"

A family in the community of Fontenn is getting a new house which is happening because of a generous gift from an association of businessmen in Iowa.  

This is the delivery method for some of the construction materials.

MH preschool class from "L'ecole Lumiere" recently experienced

the first day of a new tradition for the school.  

Raising the Haitian flag while their pledge is recited.

Kids excited to go to school!

We met this cute little lady one day.  She had this pouch which she used for keeping her few Haitian gourdes (money) in a safe place.  The printing says, "Reflect the Love of Jesus Christ." This was a gift given to the attendees at a women's conference hosted years ago by the team that would come to this area from our home church in Spencer, Iowa. The pouch originally contained a small mirror.  What a surprise to discover this after many years.

Time is always a factor!  So much to do.  We get to lay out a playground area and a prayer path, both on the MH campus.  We are working on a new program called Restore:Savings, we are working on plans to have a second Thrive for Five center in another community.  We are planning for more Leadership Development work and working with MH Haitian staff to challenge them more in their responsibilities.  2017 budget is ready for approval.  MH Staff year end reviews need to be done. Today we are taking new photos of all MH Staff to be used on an updated website to be ready soon.

We feel a bit behind because we have spent five days in Cap Haitien over the past week and a half retrieving a container that was sent from Iowa for MH. The container is out of the shipyard but the contents has to be stored in Cap because big trucks that would transport it to Sylvain are not able to pass through the river because of heavy rains in the north from a few weeks back.  So that job is not done yet.

Container for MH being moved within the shipyard

Our taptap filled to the brim with select things that came with us back to Sylvain.

Tied down, ready for the bumpy ride and the rain.

The spare tire is a standard travel companion in the event it is needed.

Not really sure about the spare axel tied onto the back.  Will we need that?

Our trips to Cap have been on two different routes. One way goes through a community called Rankite. We call that route 'The Rankite Treat' because it is very scenic.  The other route is through a community called Bail, pronounced 'Baiy'. We call that route 'Baiyaiyai!' It is MORE than scenic. 

Doesn't seem we have made a trip lately where we haven't had rain.

AGAIN with the roads.  They always seem to amaze us.

"Anana", pineapple strategically planted along the mountainside for soil erosion control.

The early morning scenery through BAIY as the day is waking up..."baiyaiyaiy!"

All this and more gives us reason to be THANKFUL.  

During MH staff morning devotions one day this week we looked at Hebrews 12:1-3

The Example of Christ:

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.  Consider him who endured such hostility against himself from sinners, so that you may not grow weary or lose heart.  Hebrews 12:1-3  NRSV

Same verse, different translation...

Discipline in a Long-Distance Race:

Do you see what this means--all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we'd better get on with it. Strip down, start running--and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed--that exhilarating finish in and with God--he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!  Hebrews 12:1-3 The Message

May God bless you with the LOVE of JESUS today and throughout this holiday season. Be a reflection of Jesus love.

In HIS LOVE,  Craig and Christi