Crouse Update - March 2005

We are really appreciative for the prayers and concern for our family, especially Becky, during the last month. She is doing quite a bit better these days, although she still feels queasy much of the time. The short stay in the hospital on an IV was instrumental in getting her back on her feet. Becky is eating much better and has gone to her office several times. Today she is making a school visit here in Port-au-Prince with Barthelemy, one of the teacher trainers. We are very thankful that my mom was able to spend two weeks here. She was a very big help. I am thankful to the Lord for giving me broad enough shoulders to handle some extra family responsibilities while Becky was sick.

What a big treat and encouragement to have Della Land visit for almost three weeks. It was a healing time for her as she put some closure on her years here as a career missionary with her husband, Rev. Warren Land. Della hosted a delicious solar cooked lunch one day and met with the me and other leaders of the solar cooking program as we look for ways to make the program more effective.

Thank you for praying for my trip north with our area director, Rev. David Roller, and his wife, Yvonne. As we neared Gonaives, we began to hear a thumping sound under the truck. When we arrived at Pastor Isaac's house we looked at the drive shaft, but couldn't see what was wrong. Early the next morning we discovered that the lugs on a rear wheel were loose causing the wheel to wobble. Thankfully, a mechanic was available to fix the problem fairly quickly and Isaac and I then went on to Lenbe for a two day meeting with Medical Ambassadors, a group facilitating community health and evangelism. David and Yvonne had a good day with the Gonaives area pastors and were able to see some of the flood damage and recovery. They returned to Port via Dessalines so they could visit the Free Methodist hospital there.

Becky and I are weekly working on our checklist of things to prepare for our six-month home assignment which begins June 1. We've sent out a letter to our supporting area churches to schedule speaking engagements. Pray the Lord gives us the message he wants us to share and helps us find ways to communicate it effectively.

Hammers are still banging and the cement mixer is still humming down below our home where the new Parc Chrétien Church building is going up. The tin roof is completed and columns poured to support the tall block walls going up. A team from Canada, led by Jack Van Norman, is here this week to lend a hand.

Fred and Nicole Laberge, and their daughter Kerri-Anne, arrived in Haiti last August to lend a much needed hand in maintenance and administration. Their presence has been a great encouragement to us all and they have taken a load of responsibility that was previously shouldered by just a few (including us). Recently, the Laberge family received news that their major supporting organization would not be able to continue to support them after the end of May. They need prayer and new financial support so they can fulfill their 2-year commitment. If you would like to contact them you can write them at: labfamly@yahoo.ca

One of the matters that weighs heavy on us all is the fragile financial situation of the Free Methodist Dessalines Hospital. The hospital has had to lay off a large number of employees due to a falling patient load and the increasing number of people coming for treatment who are unable to pay. This has raised some tensions in the community. Pray for the hospital board and leaders as they look to God for wisdom and resources to keep this important ministry going. We have been planning for a work team from Gowanda, NY to spend several days in April painting the inside of the hospital, but are now looking for some other projects in case the situation at Dessalines does not permit the team's visit.

We've been having problems with our internet connection, so our replies have been slow getting to many people. Thank you for your patience.

Praises and Prayer Requests:
1) Praise that Becky is feeling better
2) Home assignment preparations
3) English class (Becky) and Development class (J.R.) at Bible Institute
4) Trip to Les Cayes March 30 for animal husbandry training
5) Dessalines Hospital (financial needs, staff cooperation, wisdom for administration)
6) Gowanda work team (April 16-23)
7) Fred, Nicole, and Kari-Anne Laberge (need for financial support)

God's blessings to you!
J.R. (Becky and Marissa) Crouse

	Genesee Conference Missions Promotion Team A grassroots, layperson effort to partner with local churches and districts to encourage increased awareness of, involvement in and financial support of missions.