October 2009

Dear Family and Friends,

Jean I made it safely back to Fond-des-Blancs on Wednesday, September 30, as scheduled.  We drove by our old house and came straight to our new house.  We were soon visited by Jean Francois and his family (who are living in the old house for now).  They knew we were not hooked up for cooking yet and brought us over some pumpkin soup.  This was fun since that is the meal they have always seen me prepare for the first meal of people coming in to visit.

Our first couple of days was busy greeting people and unpacking.  Jean worked hard getting our bathroom hooked up although we do have a very nice outhouse also.  We had plenty of sun so I started experimenting with our new solar oven.  Lots of fun and good food.  At first it was a little strange to put the vegetables to cook without any water and the meat without any oil, but they all came out tender and juicy.

By Sunday night I was not feeling well and asked Jean to take me to the local hospital in the middle of the night.  They gave me the appropriate medicine and sent me home.  However, two days later I was feeling worse instead of better so Jean took me back.  Test results showed I needed to be admitted to the hospital to receive the proper amount of medication through IV for the infection that had become severe.  That afternoon I started having high fever and headaches that didn’t go with the infection so the next morning they did more testing and found out I had malaria also.  I was immediately put on chloroquine with everything else.  I spent 25 years in Haiti without ever getting malaria and I come back and am not here even a week and I got it.  Because my body was already weakened it was also a severe case.  There were a few hours where I lived life by the seconds to get through the pain and the high fever.  At this writing I am home, still on medication, but regaining my strength.  To all of you we contacted: thank you for your prayers and thoughts.  Jean took great care of me and served me breakfast in bed for two mornings in a row at home so there was a bright side.

Jean is now working on our kitchen sink and counter interspersed with meetings with the ministry leadership.  He is also working on screening the windows to protect us from a few of those mosquito bites.

All the supplies we brought back for the schools have been delivered.  I hope soon to be able to visit the school to take photos of the items being put to use.  So far I have had to rest more than do.

Thanks to modern technology and Jean’s knowledge of how to use it we are in touch with at least one of our sons three or four times a week which is a relief and enjoyment to me.

We are still waiting for several other items that have been shipped to get to us including the bulldozer.  We know where they are, but it is taking time getting them rerouted to us.

Keep that in your prayers as well as Pastor Yves, Jean Francois, Naomie and Rose Laure.  Rose Laure is the new principal at the elementary school and I have already received very good reports on her performance as the new L’Exode Primary School director.  We are looking forward to a group from Midway Community Church next month so pray for them as they prepare for their visit.

Both Jean and I feel at home here so readjustment isn’t that difficult, but we still need your prayers that we will stay sensitive to the directions of ministry the Lord is leading us.

Yours in Christ,

Joy