Dear Prayer Partners,

Greetings to you in the strong name of Jesus! Isn’t it good to be able to pray and live in His name? We pray for you that God will continue to bless you and your families and keep your experience within His love.

We have hit our stride after such a long time away from our beloved Haiti and are adjusting to ministries that do not look exactly as we thought they would; to the weather and physical conditions; to the culture so different from our own. Your prayers help us to make those adjustments.

Thank you for the snow and ice pictures. Jack is glad to be away from that, but Jeanne misses it … especially when the sweat is pouring at 11 p.m. as well as at midday.

We have been able to go to Port-au-Prince several times, and it was wonderful. The ride, as usual, took us 3 ½ hours to go 97 miles, but it reminded us that we do not need King’s Island when we get to ride on the National Highway!

Jack began a leadership class with 12 young people who were chosen by Pastor Charite Noel. He uses Adventure Based Therapy to bring biblical principles to life.

Pastor Robenson (one of our Bible School students) and Hyronce (a good Christian man) are helping him while being mentored themselves. (See attached picture)

We are seeing more and more wonderful young Christians who are eager to serve God with their lives. Jeanne met with Pastor Georges Valcourt, the director of the Bible School. We have much planning to do on the budget, which is not as much as it has been, and the curriculum for next year. We are also planning long-term. As we watch God work with the young people, we realize we need a bigger plan for the future. Please pray as we work together to train leaders to evangelize, disciple, and shepherd God’s people.

Last week we hosted our 14 Bible School students and two pastors for a Spiritual Retreat, and it inspired us all. We had many discussions, several teachings, a hike up to the fort, and activities that challenged us all. The Holy Spirit’s presence was evident and transformation took place in lives. Dr. Jerry Rusher was able to present a devotion on Friday evening preceding Communion and a prayer time, which touched everyone present. These young men are dedicated to serving God and are indicative of the Church’s bright future in Haiti. (See attached picture)

Jack continues to work in the hospital depot. Wonderful changes and updates have been made to the different departments. Several people have come to do various things in the hospital. Others are coming soon to paint and do other updating. Please pray that a pediatrician will soon come to the hospital as well as other medical personnel. Dr. Jerry has been here for a couple of months sharing his compassion and healing skills as he is used by God with patients and in training.

Jeanne began an English class with the ob-gyn doctor, a nurse who lives in our building plus several others. We meet weekly with Pastor Charite to learn more about the Haitian pastor and church as well as the culture. Several weeks ago, Jeanne’s sister-in-law (my brother’s wife) died. I (Jeanne) flew to Texas for the funeral and to be with my brother during this time. I then flew to the World Ministries Center to get more intensive training on the procedures for doing Mission accounting. This has been added to my duties to assist the Field Director, Gregg.

Fanya is doing well physically. She has not been beaten for some time although last week she was swatted with a broom. But, oh, the spiritual abuse she and the other children receive. Carnival time finished a few weeks ago. Loud devilish music blasting from huge speakers mounted on a “float” meandered through town till late. Sometimes a gravelly, evil voice would come over the speakers followed by a young child’s voice saying the same things. Oh, how evil it was. We breathed only a very short sigh of relief because then came the ra ras began. The parades of young people in evil masks continued culminating in a horrible Easter afternoon. (See attached picture)

Anger builds throughout this time as the evil ones reveal themselves in relationships. Screaming, yelling, rock throwing, machete injuries, rapes of the lost ones contrast with the praying and singing of the Christians. So Fanya is involved in all of this. Jeanne invited the woman, who Fanya stays with, to church. So far she has not gone, but the gospel little by little continues to be given to her.