Dear Friends,

This morning (Sunday) we awakened to a welcoming fresh breeze accompanied by the strong rancid smell of burning garbage. Bienvenue a Haiti!  Welcome to Haiti!

We arrived in Cap Haitien at 11 a.m. on Thursday. The customs people were bored, so they went through every one of our – Ennises and our – 31 tubs.  Then they charged us a huge fee … well, first time for everything.

We were met by 4 pastors who then led us home to Dessalines, a 4 ½ hour trip. Guess what! The roads have actually DETERIORATED! We bounced and jolted all over our seats, against the doors, almost hitting the roof. A couple of times we stopped to be greeted by some of our pastors. Everyone is excited that we are here – but no one more than we are.

Our friends here did not realize we were coming that day. Only our beds were made. And we were hungry! Thank God for giving Gail the insight for us to buy food in Florida and pack it, even though it added much to our shipping.

The batteries to everything are not working; the water pump is not working. SO we have water brought up in buckets for sponge baths and for the toilet.

We have had 1 good day of electricity. The other 2 evenings we sat around with flashlights and went to bed at 8 pm.

The Ennises’ apartment needs A LOT of attention. They are staying with us until their apartment can become functional.

Saturday we sat through 5 ½ hours of funeral – two separate ones. One was for a pastor’s wife – 41 – who died after giving birth.

The second one was for Madsen, the pharmacist, at the hospital. We had attended his wife’s funeral 1 ½ years ago. This is so sad. Five children are now orphaned. We were so looking forward to working with Madsen.

Our young friend Yodi shared with us that the baby Jeanne held for so long at the hospital died in December.

Please pray that we can get communications going from our home. We now have to go to the hospital and use their computer for e-mails. All of our addresses are in our computer. Not everyone will get this newsletter, so please share this with your churches and friends.

We intend to get our apartments in shape, then begin working with the hospital. God has already answered many prayers for the hospital. We Praise Him. Please pray for guidance as we readjust our work to our present situation.  I was so excited when Robenson, one of our Bible school students, came up to us before the service. He is a fine young man and is interning at the Church here in Dessalines. I am looking forward to spending more time with him.

Please pray for our Creole. We have many “teachers” who all want to learn English. We feel so useless when we stammer in both speech and understanding. But God is helping us. And everyone is patient, although they giggle A LOT!

There are 3 young Cuban doctors here. They only speak Spanish and a little Creole. We met one who is very open and demonstrative. Please pray that we can have an impact for the Gospel on them while they are here. It would be wonderful if they could carry the Gospel back with them.

Tuesday, the president of Haiti, Rene Preval, will visit Dessalines – where we are living – for the 200th anniversary of the death of General Dessalines. This small village is so excited – music playing (when electricity is on), roads getting patched (believe me – President Preval is going to bounce and jolt just like we did – no matter how many patches are made) food being prepared, choirs practicing, etc.

We brought a huge Haiti Haitian flag with us and hope to fly it at our hospital on that day. We would love for the President to pass by and give a wave.

This morning I looked up at the mountains surrounding our home. On top there are 5 forts spaced around built by General Dessalines. What a comfort! “I lift my eyes unto the hills … My help comes from the Maker of the heavens and the earth.” Hallelujah! He is our Rock. He is our Fortress. He is our All. Blessed be the Name of the Lord.

For His kingdom to fully come to Haiti and the world, Jeanne for Jack and self