Meetings, Reports and Trainings

It has been a busy time since the last post. School has been in session and I have taught my one hour of National Exam Preparation class each week. I have also helped out in the office. But much of my time has been spent in community meetings and other one on one meetings concerning a transition at HAFF. There will be more about that soon, but for now, just please help us pray that God's will will be done and His Name glorified in the transition.

The last couple of weeks I have been busy mostly with working on the big report for the Haitian government that is due each year at this time. Many of the Haitian and American staff have been helping supply me with information, but with Barb and Greg in the States for the board meeting and Christmas, I have had Teresa Nesman helping me with the actual filling out of the government forms. Teresa is at HAFF for a year to help out. And she has been a wonderful help in many ways so far.

I have also spent my two to three hours a week in the eyeglass clinic. It has been almost miraculous how Becky and Teresa and I have been able to find glasses for the people who come in each week. Even most of those with odd prescriptions have found something that helps them see, even if they are not the most stylish glasses! Very few have been turned away disappointed because we didn't have their prescription or glasses they liked. Becky and I have made a point of giving each person who receives glasses a Haitian Creole tract explaining how to find Jesus as their Savior. Many of the people who come to the clinic are pastors or church leaders or other Christians, but they still get a tract which they can pass on to someone else.

This past Monday I had the fun and privilege of speaking to 67 women at a conference in Monac -- about 5 miles south west of HAFF. I was asked to speak about cholera, so I gave them information about what it is, how it is transmitted, how to treat it and, most importantly, how to prevent it.
But, I also used the opportunity to share Matthew 24:42-45 which talks about how if the home owner had known the thief was coming in the night, he would have been ready for him. I reminded the ladies that in the same way, life is uncertain. It is even more uncertain when severe, untreated cholera can kill within 2 or 3 hours of the onset of symptoms. Therefore there is a need to be sure they have a right relationship with God and to make sure others do as well.

Finally, on Tuesday I had the pleasure of sharing devotions with the ladies of the Godly Woman class. We looked at the life of Mary, the mother of Jesus and how all the accounts we have of her life are written to shine light on the life and work of Jesus. I challenged the ladies and myself to make sure our lives shine a light on Jesus and to give our lives completely to Christ so that our lives show Christ.

I will be leaving Haiti Thursday Dec 16, Lord willing and the airports stay open and the MFI planes remain in good repair! I take the Auto Train to State College the 17th to spend my first Christmas in State College in 4 years. My uncle from Texas will be joining me and between Christmas and New Years, we will be visiting family and friends further east in Pennsylvania.