Another Safe Trip
On May 21 we once again said goodbye to family, closed-up our home, and headed to the Indy Airport. It was not easy for grandparents and Aunt Joan to say goodbye, since baby Joel was only 3weeks old. He will be a changed boy when we return the next time! But, by God’s grace we made the trip and once again and God’s faithfulness to us was evident. The 2 day trip was without a glitch and we landed safely in our home May 22^nd with the smells of Mme Lulu’s lasagna and fresh bread. The Reinhards joined us for supper before taking their children to see their new home for the first time. We are very thankful for our new co-workers who basically live on the other side our back-yard.
Anywhere with Jesus we can safely go,
Anywhere He leads me in this world below,
Anywhere without Him dearest joys would fade,
Anywhere with Jesus I am not afraid.
Hymn of Zion 179

Saying Goodbye once again!

The Reinhard Family

Summer Plans
What’s up for the summer? Language, Language, Language

Please pray that we can excel at this challenge of becoming fluent at Haitian Creole. We have a teacher who will come to our home several days a week, plus we set aside time for more “informal” teachers. One for me is our friend and helper, Roseman. I need to go down to the village where she lives and spend time talking with her as she sells her goods along the roadside. She is very patient with me, and good at trying to find a way to explain the word I don’t know. Jan has Christophe and Pastors to practice with on most everyday. He will begin to advance quickly as he practices everyday.

As we now have co-workers, time will be spent this summer beginning to concentrate on our particular work assignment. Ron and Linnea will be here until June 12 for help in areas that we still have questions about. After that, we will all be glad we have email access and telephones. As the work here expands, we may find more help coming from our churches. We will be available to help acclimate newcomers to life in Haiti.

We are hosting a “maintenance” team right now and will have a FRW team coming May 31, an AWA team coming in June as well as a FRW team coming at the end of July for a trade school graduation. A visit from board members is being planned also. We are thankful for “down-time” from the heavy winter team schedule, but by November we’ll be ready for the fellowship and excitement that each team brings.

In the village near-by there is a school that is home for ladies that are physically handicapped. I am hoping our girls can become involved there on a weekly basis, providing interaction with games and crafts for these dear young ladies.

On the home front
We continue to enjoy the Haitians that help us in our home. Mme Lulu is a daily source of inspiration as she shows us tremendous faith in Jesus as she lives through daily trials. Her motto is, “God knows”. Christophe is a young man of high integrity, which is refreshing in this culture where many young people do not cling to a lifestyle based on the Word of God. Roseman, who helps us 2 days a week, always comes with a smile on her face, although her husband rarely is able to find steady work. They are raising 2 boys and as most parents, they spend money that is possibly needed for food so their boys can get an education. Audin, our yard-man works hard out in the hot sun, and he too seems to always have the joy of the Lord. Derek often follows him around, sharing candy and treats with him. I think Audin gets a real kick out of the little white boy.

Derek and his new friend Gabriel

We will continue to do “summer school” this summer. We have a few subjects to catch up on, and then we like to be a little freer when returning in the fall for our 2 month furlough time. The days are long, so school helps break up the day. With 2 “babies”, everyone is on call to help out! Jan hopes to take the kids to some fun spots on dirt bikes, and of course we’ll have to go to the beach!

Mme Lulu gets a look at baby Joel

Thanks again….
We continue to appreciate all the love and prayers extended to us since we made this commitment to come to Haiti full-time. It is quite apparent that we would fail without a praying church family. We do have a full plate, but by God’s immeasurable daily grace He sends, and strength to live one day at a time, we will continue on, striving to serve the Master of the Universe. We know that He is coming soon. Am I ready? Are you ready? To God be the glory for any small thing we have done in HIS name.