Prayer Requests & Billy Graham Festival in Haiti

After our getaway over the weekend, this week has been swarming with things to work out.

Please pray for Brett as he handles various personnel issues in a couple of our ministries here on the field.  We ask that the Lord grant grace, peace, and wisdom to every situation that arises that could potentially turn ugly.

Please also pray as I have tested 4 new students for Cowman School.  Their English proficiency is not reaching our usual standard - so please pray for wisdom, grace & patience in the acceptance and placement of these students.  Another request is that one of our teachers left for an eight month furlough to generate her needed funds.  As well as  praying her time out is goes well and that she can return by September, please pray as I will be juggling her class (2nd & 3rd Grade) as well as my Pre-K class that meets 3 days a week, as well as Kristina everyday.  THANKFULLY, we have been blessed with a new family in our school from Minnesota.  Their children just entered our school after Thanksgiving.  The father will be taking the 2nd & 3rd Grade class for 2 days each week; and when they do not have teams in to help them; he could possibly teach 3 days a week. What a Blessing!!  He is working with LIFE Water, a Canadian organization that helps to provide clean wells in Haiti.  What a timely blessing their arrival has been for our school - and for my sanity!!!

Another request as well as a praise is that Rev. Franklin Grahm is coming to Haiti this weekend for the "Festival of Hope".  Michael W. Smith will be performing as well.  Radio 4VEH has been asked to broadcast   LIVE - we pray that all the technical equipment and functions are covered with God's grace & blessing!  May thousands be touched and changed by this magnificent blessing!

We rejoice that one of our needed instruments for the broadcasting has arrived in Florida and MFI is flying it into us tomorrow!  Praise the Lord!!!!!!   

For more information on this event, check out:  http://www.billygraham.org/articlepage.asp?articleid=7590
Watch LIVE at 1:30 ET this Sunday at http://www.billygraham.org/HaitiLive

Cowman Roof Under Construction

Progress is going well on our new roof! :)

Yay! Cowman's roof is under construction

We are rejoicing that Cowman School is getting a new roof this week, and right on schedule too! - which is nothing short of miraculous!  We prolonged the school's Christmas break this year with the intention of getting a new roof  this week-- and thanks to the generosity of wonderful friends....we are seeing it happen!   Thank You Lord!

Not only will we not have to put up with leaking roofs, and collapsing ceilings, but because the steel sheets of roofing material are coated with insulation underneath- it will be much cooler for the students ( & teachers) during our hot months of school!  Another bonus of this project is that the trusses and perlins are receiving a coating (of some sort) that offers termite protection.  What an added bonus!

We thank the Lord for helping this come to fruition.  And we thank you for your prayers and/or generous giving!

I will post pictures soon!

Fun in the Dominican Sun Part 2

Our last morning in the Dominican
(yes, it was a bit chilly!)

Making Pizzas our last night in the D.R.

Our German landlord - is also an excellent chef who LOVED cooking for us and enjoyed having the kids help! :)

Fun in the Dominican Sun

Our first night passed with excessive noise blaring from each side of the Villa where we were staying - we were sandwiched between two discotheques. We didn't let that stop us from having fun the following day though....we kayaked, boated, and walked for miles collecting beautiful shells and interesting ocean life.
We are so thankful though that the Lord led us to find a housing a little further up the road - it has been quiet, peaceful and just what we have needed.  The German gentleman running this house for divers is an excellent chef as well - so we have enjoyed some GREAT meals!  What a TREAT!  We were all excited to come on this trip; but Jake was a bit disappointed to head for a quiet fishing village with NO restaurants!  Then due to the noise of the other place, we have moved to a peaceful location with an owner who LOVES to cook for us!  :)

We have enjoyed fruit crepes, flaming bananas, spanish omelets, Fresh Dorado in coconut sauce (fish) with potato cakes, and this evening we are having homemade Italian pizza.   Yum!

Yesterday, it rained pretty much all day - so we did some serious resting! :)  Today, thankfully, the sun shone brightly and we had a blast on the beach!  We leave early in the morning to head home - we will be sad to go......but we are so thankful for this beautiful time to rest and renew!

Under the bed during a game of "hide & Seek"

Games on the computer during the rain

view from the top balcony of the place we are now staying

Enjoying the Sun!