This is an aerial photo of the Bohoc area I took a couple of years ago. If you right click on the photo, you should get a menu that will allow you to open the photo in a new window and see it larger so you can read the labels if you like.

Last Thursday, Madame Gesson and I went from HAFF (in red) north (left) on National Route 3 (yellow line) off the photo, then cut back west and south to go to Lamare located (aproximately) at the green arrow. We had been invited to speak at a Ladies' Church Conference. Our topic was the Proverbs 31 woman -- who she is, what she does and from where she gets her strength. We also taught the ladies how to make pumpkin bread, cooking it over charcoal fires! It was a fun day of encouraging the ladies in their faith, enjoying wonderful fellowship and seeing beautiful country. The ladies loved the pumpkin bread too!

This is Dr Eric Anderson of Monroe, Wisconsin with Mme Telius (left), Mme Emmanuel and Fr Derold. Although this photo was taken in the old clinic building about 2 1/2 years ago, this is the same team working today in the new clinic. Dr Eric arrived Saturday and will be at HAFF till this coming Saturday.
Dr Eric and Derold make a good team as Derold translates for Dr Eric and Mme Telius and Mme Emmanuel. Derold is Mme Telius' younger brother and she and Dr Eric enjoy teaching him how to do some of the medical proceedures like checking blood pressures! 

This coming Thursday Pastor David Aldrich will be arriving from Long Island, NY. He will be going with Dr Eric Friday to a clinic in a remote area from Bohoc and Saturday he will conduct a Pastors and Church Leaders' Seminar. Please keep him in Prayer as he travels and ministers.  

A Ladies' Retreat at Cormier Plage on the North Coast of Haiti

This is group of Pignon area missionary ladies who went to the beach for a weekend of fellowship and relaxation. The last weekend in March found Fanny Lucien, Connie Curilla, Barb Howard, Barb Van Schoyck, Rithana Mompremier, Debbie, Carissa and Lydia Lucien, Kristie Mompremier, Kara Emerson and Kerri Mompremier at Cormier Plage -- a resort hotel near Cap Haitien.

The first evening I took this photo of the Atlantic ocean and the Cormier Plage beach from my balcony. 

This is the building with my room. Barb Howard and I shared the second floor room with the balcony on the right which also has the 2 vertical windows and the airconditioner in the wall. Barb Van Schoyck and Kara Emerson had the room to the left of ours.
This photo is taken from my balcony looking toward the restrauant and bar and office. It shows 2 of the other buildings with rooms. Kristie Mompremier and her girls had the ground floor room with the porch all the way to the right in the closest building. The Luciens' room was on the second floor of the same building but off the photo to the left.
The path between the 2 buildings brings you to this view of the Atlantic Ocean.
Clean beach, clean ocean, a great place for Kristie and Debbie and Barb Van Schoyck to sit and chat while the girls play in the water. 

Fanny and Carissa Lucien, Thana Mompremier and Kerri Mompremier and Lydia Lucien play in the waves.

Barb Howard and Kara Emerson stroll the beach.
Kristie Mompremier and Debbie Lucien chat while watching the girls.
The last evening at Cormier we all gathered for a photo before dinner. That is the dining room behind us.

An Extra Week of Vacation from School

Thanks everyone for your prayers for me Tuesday. They were much appreciated, and will be again. We had a very small turnout for school Tuesday. Only a few students and teachers came. Sometime before Sunday the Haitian Ministry of Education had said that school should remain closed till Monday 24 April due to elections on Friday the 21st. With BTI students and teachers living in a widely dispersed area and not much time to get the word out, not many heard that we planned to have school anyway. So, my devotions are on hold for Monday.  

Tuesday the Bon Fanm class did come -- all 13 of them plus a visitor! It was an active day. The ladies studied Proverbs with Mme Gesson and learned how our tongues can bring blessing or can destroy our homes. Then they learned rug braiding, bread baking and how to make an art project using overhead transparencies, sharpie pens and aluminum foil! 

This is the Bouyaha river valley near the crossing behind the Pignon airport.

Friday was election day. It was quieter than usual in the area, but not as quiet as the last time. Fewer people voted. Thankfully the rains have taken a break and the Bouyaha river was not a problem to cross. The Bohoc area's voting place is across the river behind the Pignon airport a good couple of hours walk one way. The day passed peacefully here and there were no problems with the vote. Pray that the results of the election will make for peace, not discord. 

Blessed Easter

Yesterday was Easter and an eventful one at that. Dr Jerry preached near Hinche. He spoke about the historical evidence for the resurrection. The rest of the HAFF folks went to the Maranatha Baptist Church of Bohoc right down the street. We were disappointed to not sing any resurrection hymns and that the scripture and sermon were still focusing on the crucifixion. But throughout the service it was made clear that this was the day we commemorate the resurrection. And the sermon was excellent -- about Jesus' word from the cross "It is finished". He had accompplished the payment of our sin debt and nothing more is required for our salvation but His blood and sacrifice.

We all gathered in the afternoon for a potluck meal in the school gazebo. We had a wonderful meal. HAFF potlucks are legendary for great food that amazingly all fits together even though not specifically coordinated! We had a wonderful time of fellowship as well, talking about all kinds of things from the sermons of the morning to experiences of the military heros we know in our lives.

The evening was capped with a showing of The Passion of the Christ at the church. The church was packed full and people could be heard actually keening in suffering through the scenes of Jesus' mistreatment and crucifixion. Both at the beginning and the end, one of the deacons emphasized that this was what Christ had suffered unmerited for us. And that without that suffering and the following resurrection, we would not have eternal life open to us. It was an amazing evening that put many things into perspective for me and the others who saw the film. So much seems trivial in the face of that payment.

Tomorrow I have been asked to share in devotions at school. Pray that the risen Lord would use me as His vessel to present the message He wants the students to hear.

And may you see the world this week and this year in the light of Easter -- with Easter eyes!