DUST THOU ART TO DUST RETURNETH WAS NOT SPOKEN OF THE SOUL - BLESSED BE THE NAME OF THE LORD !!!

Greetings from the sunny south!!!  We arrived back safely in Haiti. Enjoyed three weeks in the states with family and friends. Our oldest daughter Kendra and her family from OR, even flew in a half hour ahead of us. They  spent ten days with us.  Then our second daughter, Ashley received a call from Ethiopia to meet their little Niles. So Jack & Ashley flew to Ethiopia to spend a week with Niles. They hope to go back in twelve weeks to bring him home. Guess what we did? We enjoyed a special time grand-parenting  for their three other children.  Such special times and crazy business -IN to OH to IN to OH to IN. The leaves were still very beautiful and then God sent a snow one morning for us to enjoy. It got very chilly too, 23 degrees. We were very Blessed from our church family, friends and of course our dear families.
  While we were in the states our dear Julyne died, on  Friday before we returned on Tuesday. We wished we could've been there, but God had a reason for this. It was so good to see Gario and Stanley when we arrived home. They had the garden hoed and the house all clean. We arrived home on Tuesday and the rest of the week  I was busy in laundry. We helped Stanley gather things for the funeral on Saturday. Friday found Philip prepping the floor upstairs to seal. So I drove with Gario to go to IFM to pick up Pat's for the funeral. They drove down the mountain on their new gator. A very dusty trip.  When we got to the house, Philip wasn't done with the floors yet and Stanley needed us to help him. So Pat drove and we picked up Stanley. Then we proceeded to pick up items, pop, water bags, meat pies,  and white jackets and skirts for all the sisters. Funerals are black and white usually.  As we picked up the pop more people arrived to ride with us, stepbrother, several sisters. The truck was getting full. Pat got us all safely back in the dark , minus his glasses  at Stanleys house.  Philip met us there and brought us something to eat. Many people were at Stanleys singing and just hanging out.
 Julyne's poppa called earlier in the week to tell Stanley he'd help with the funeral. He said he'd call back in a few days. He lives in Miami and is illegal so he couldn't come to Haiti. On Friday morning after Stanley had paid for everything the poppa called  and said he had $700.00 for him. Stanley said I don't need it everything is taken care of, which made poppa mad. Stanley said give to the family if they want to buy something. He's done  this sort of thing before, waiting to the last minute.  It seems he finds fault with everything Stanley has done for Julyne.  There is an older stepbrother that Stanley never let come to our house when Julyne was alive because he didn't trust him. Thank you, Stanley! Many people thought Stanley didn't do enough for Julyne. Mainly taking her to a Voodoo priest where she would've been healed.Poor Stanley has so much on his shoulders and then dealing with grief . Stanley took Philip  to the funeral home to show Philip the casket. Philip said it had to be one of the nicest ones- all white with a rectangle piece of glass on top where Julyne's face would be. He had always did the best for Julyne - so much love they had for each other. This was the last thing he could do for her.
  The viewing was on Saturday morning around 6:00 before the funeral at 7:00. We were running late then several neighbors wanted to ride and so we waited  and waited. The funeral had started the time we arrived. The church was very full with people standing outside. It was a church with just a roof.  There was singing and preaching, Judith a sister talked and Stanley gave a little talk too. Several of the sisters were wailing and had to be carried out. Some several times. Wailings at funerals isn't uncommon but it sure is different for us. Stanley had asked several people to leave early with Philip to go get the water, pop and meat pies to take to the burial. it was 2/12/ hours away.They didn't want to leave with Philip , so it bungled everything up. Myron & Marge Hostetler came from OR to be at the funeral. They worked at Cam and have done a lot for Stanley & Julyne. They left the church to go to Stanley's house and found a big turmoil was going on. Philip came back to pick me up after finally going with Stanley and people to get the supplies. We started back to Stanley's, Myron's stopped us (they had left the house) and said be careful they have guns and weapons and want to kill Stanley. Philip looked over at me and said I feel like I'm in the movies. He decided to back up to the house in case we needed to make a fast get away, we were a long way from the house yet. Here came Stanley down the road with people hanging onto him and many people following him. he climbed into the truck and one nice stepbrother, Yveto leaned in the window and was pleading with Stanley. Wasn't sure what all was happening. Stanley wasn't going to the burial, he was planning on staying  at his house but because of the turmoil he climbed into Myron's truck. They brought him to our house, so he'd be safe.
  We took off trying to keep up with the van full of siblings and was trying to figure out where the vehicle was with the body. We had a truck full of people, the meat pies and drinks. They made some calls and we finally caught up with the body in the Toyota. Meanwhile the van decided it needed gas, and there was 2 more big buses, not sure where they were. We took off again in a hurry, it wasn't long till we stopped again. One of the family members wanted to check the casket and make sure the body wasn't stolen. This is just a little different then we are familiar with. Is this a movie or what- stolen body- stepsisters- Cinderella ??? People wanting to kill Stanley???  The road was very busy, so it took us longer to arrive. We actually went by our first project in 2005 Haiti. Julyne had told me she had grew up close to there. Arrived at her old home area and there sat the 2 big buses. We drove slowly by the area. We drove a little farther to the cemetery. They had to carry the casket quite a little piece to the vault. Their vaults are built on top of the ground. The family carried the casket and some carried the flowers. They were singing as we proceeded to the vault. I thought how much Julyne would've liked the singing as we walked.     

 

band playing as the casket was loaded in the Toyota

Carrying the casket to the vault

 As we walked up to the vault, they had cement ready to cement the vault shut. The pastor had a short service and prayer. he was holding a wet cement trowel, dug up some dirt  and sprinkled it over the casket. Dust thou art and Dust thou returnest ??  When they took the flowers off the top of the casket, Philip asked the pastor if I could look. He said no we couldn't open the casket because the poppa wasn't there. Philip asked again if I could just look through the glass, but he still didn't understand. I leaned way out and got a glimpse of part of Julyne's face. They took big rocks and beat up the casket. Yes, they do have grave robberies that would steal a new casket - use it or resale it. We walked back to the truck and the siblings handed out drinks and meat pies. Our truck was loaded with people wasn't sure where they wanted to go but I guess just back to where Julyne grew up. The sisters went over and talked to an old lady, maybe an aunt of Julynes.  We finally left and had several extra riders, they said they'd let us know where they wanted out. We stopped at

An uncle of Julyne's cemented the vault shut

our project in 2005, no one was around but was fun to reminisce. They had painted the school pink. Looked real nice! :) We finally started for home, one last extra rider. He got out in the next village, he was the uncle that sealed the vault. When we got back to Stanley's house the other stepbrother apologized to Philip for being so mad. They thought Stanley had stole the casket when they couldn't find the Toyota or the body. So against Stanley's nature,  he's a very compassionate person. We got to our house, loaded up Pat's to take them back to IFM. Stanley rode along to get out and to talk with Philip on the way back. Such a sad ending today with the family, but we know Julyne is singing Praises to the KING of KINGS!!!
  Sunday morning we took Stanley to his church 

Almost finished !!!

he hadn't been in over a year, because of caring for Julyne. On the way there he received a call from an old student of his that was a Christian. She asked, " Stanley did you accept  the money from the poppa?" "No," he said. She said, "Good because it was money to buy your soul." Thank you Jezi, for not allowing Stanley to accept this money. Stanley continues to inspire us with his non-resistance life. It seems as though many people want to kill him or put an evil curse on him. His stepbrother-in-law seems to be behind most of it with the influence & encouragement from Julyne's poppa.  It stems from a very revengeful attitude
because they didn't seek the power of the Voodoo Priest for her healing. It is ironic that these step- siblings who seem so revengeful never paid hardly attention or even helped while she was sick. Stanley has had such a hard week, beside grieving for his wife and Julyne's siblings turned away from him. They were by Stanley & Julyne's  helping and caring for her all this last year. I can't comprehend how they can hate so much!!!!! The devil is still

Tired feet

going about as a ROARING LION SEEKING WHO HE CAN DEVOUR!!!!  The family saw how much Stanley cared and would do anything for her. I'm glad Julyne can't witness this, it would break her heart.
 Stanley and Julyne's house was built on poppas land, which means he lost everything, including the contents. He takes it all in stride, he knew this could happen. Stanley doesn't fear for his life, but he won't go there for he could get into trouble. He sent Philip there for his laptop, backpack, passport and bank book. Philip found them and the family  seemed glad to see him. Stanley met Julyne's sister Enous

Eating and drinking for a little refreshment   

to give her a copy of the death certificate in town on Thursday. She was to bring his driver's license. When they met, she said she forgot the license. Philip was going on Friday morning to the house to get the license and a few other things. he talked to CK Hardware and they encouraged him to stay home, as there was many protests going on in town. Stanley came home in the afternoon and really wanted Philip to go get his things. So, Gario and Philip left and arrived at his house without mishap. The family was very COOL towards Philip and said they couldn't find any of Stanley's things. One of the friendly stepbrothers was looking out at Philip when he glanced towards the house. The family also took all of Stanley's pictures. The immediate siblings must be caving in to poppas false accusations. Our hearts are bleeding for Stanley. Please continue to hold him up in PRAYER!
  Many protests going on in Haiti. Wanting to get rid of the President. The Dominican Republic is ousting Haitians that have lived there for years. They are tearing up their identity papers and killing them. We know the Lord knows and we know there is troubles everywhere. Let us all keep our faith and continue to TRUST IN HIM!!!
  We enjoyed some company the other weekend Clint Bowers and Jesses Filbruns came for 2 nights. Clint, Meususk and two of Jesse's boys  went up to Pats to work on  Mesousk  house  on Saturday. Jesse helped Philip fix lights, put up some switch plates and finish plumbing the upstairs bathroom.  Us girls went to market, Tonya found some fabric and some gifts for their family Christmas the next weekend.  She  even bought Brenda and I some fabric. Mesi anpil, Tonya. They fixed us hamburgers from Sunset Meats in Piqua on Saturday night. Yummy- just like an outdoor American barbeque.  Sunday we all went to BRIC for church.

The many mattresses, we lay our tired bodies on

What a hot job - the added fan in the container sure helped!

   On Monday, Gario, Stanley, Philip and I went out to CAM to inventory the GB projects container. Gario and Stanley set up tents and put poles and stakes with the right tents. It was a big day and we closed up the container at dark.  We wouldn't have finished without Gario and Stanley. Thank You !!
  Tuesday was very busy, Philip went to rent the floor polisher and I WAS GOING TO FINISH MY BLOG!!!! Philip arrived back with the polisher. He walked in the room and said Clint had called , Mesouk had called him and said Pat was in a bad accident, and maybe was dead- Clint hated to pass that on. We gathered up our things , told Gario what happened and headed out. As we were driving Aaron Lavy called and  confirmed Pat had died. We met the ambulance halfway to IFM - yes they said the body was back at IFM. We all waited for Cheryl to arrive on the 4 -wheeler with Mike Martin. I can't explain that painful wait. Yes, she arrived safely and we all gathered her in our arms.
 Simeon Shankster came in a started making phone calls. Many decisions had to be made and many papers had to be filled out in Haitian style- slow and tedious. Thank you everyone that stepped in and helped - phone calls, paper work, food, hugs, running to and fro. I will close this for now- as each of you  serve the Lord where you are.  Thank you for your love - prayers - hugs - support - Love in Jezi! Philip & Bethany

preparing the garden for sweet potatoes

PAINTING, PAINTING, AND PANTING!!!!!!!

  Bonjou to all; Blessings on your day today as you serve Him- today and forever - SEEK YE FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD....Matt.6:33

  The weather cooled for a few days and the humidity lowered, but its back to the normal- breath taking. I should become more Haitian and carry a small towel draped over my shoulder to dry my face periodically. Its been raining quite a bit and we've had several downpours. The mosquitoes are gathering in numbers.  Stanley told us when it rains so much, many people get sick. Imagine what it would be like sleeping on the floor with water running through the house.

Wiquens our neighbor helping hoe in the garden- wanted to help pay for some of school supplies- He wants to be a doctor someday- bright boy!!

  School is starting so that means shoes, books, school uniform, and tuition. Many boys & some adults are coming by  and asking  for money to help them with school. It makes me think of a scripture the \Haitians must use Matt.6:34-Take therefore no thought for the tomorrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself....I know its a little out context- but maybe you get the idea. Well, Philip just gives them work instead just handing out money. They hoe in the garden, clean out the water channel, and move the piles of leftover sand. He pays them at the end of the day. At the end of one day, a boy arrived late he was hungry, and needed money for  school things. Stanley told us to tell him it was disrespectful to come so late, give him a little money for food and tell him to come back in the morning. When he arrived in the morning, he had another buddy with him :) They worked fairly good, it was a very hot & humid day. They came the next day with another buddy, and worked hard all day. It was another very hot & humid day too. They said no more buddies, they all lived together. Two of the buddies grew up in an orphanage together at Kenscoff. One of the boys parents couldn't care for his needs, so they put him in the orphanage. His family then all died in the earthquake. One of the boys came to work one day and Philip went to check on his weeding. Here he had pulled out most of Philip's special beans to make a cover crop and add nitrogen. So what didn't  you understand when I explained yesterday about pulling the weeds around the beans??? 

Many hands make light work

Taking a painting break little lunch in the shower Raymonds gave us

The house from the outside just some of the walls primed-Philip hoeing around the bananas 

   Two weeks ago Pat & Cheryl came to stay a few days. They did some shopping and helped us paint on Saturday. We were upstairs painting. I climbed down off my ladder and Oly the neighbor climbed up. He started to paint like crazy. Pat was laying on the floor trimming and was getting a shower of paint spatters. I looked at Pat & Cheryl and didn't know what to do???? Well, needless to say Oly turned out to be a good painter and he needed a job ( remember school was starting soon and he has 3 to send to school). He lost his job last May??  Oly and Gario painted for about 2 weeks. Philip and I touch up a little here and there.  We need to finish up one more bedroom downstairs. It sure is brightening up everything - good-by old gray cement. The upstairs ceilings are done. The bathroom walls are done and the pantry walls need a little touch up. Philip wants to seal and finish the bedroom and main room floors before we do the topcoat of paint on the walls. My kitchen is turned upside down, it is scattered outside and inside. Just like camping! Do we have to eat???

Wiztgard braiding Madam Charisier hair before school the next day- quite the hair-do

Charisier reading his paper and charging his phone

Dr. Jolius home from interning and using his laptop upstairs because his street power was off.

  Many areas of our place get utilized -if it rains the porch get used for braiding hair- or if its too dark at the one outside receptacle  to charge  something or to work on our laptop, we come to the porch too. No problem that's what we here for to help out.
  Stanley & Julyne are still here. We're getting along good. Our Creole ought to improve but it is not coming along real fast. What a chance to have your teacher live right with you. He's very busy. Stanley is teaching English at a college 3 days a week in the morning and afternoons he teaches Creole at Bric or Global Mission. When he is here some in the mornings, he'll fix us some food. Julyne's sister comes some and cooks to. That  really helps me out . Julyne is about the same. Two weeks ago we had an anointing service for her. Her 4 siblings came. It was a very special service. Her faith is so strong. Her father who lives in Miami sends money to the siblings. He decided to not send anymore money, unless Julyne goes to the Priest where she could get healed. Julyne's mother died when she was 16 years old. She raised her siblings  the youngest would have been 3 years old. Many nights they went to bed hungry, because she choose to keep herself pure and not sell her body for food. Somewhere in her life someone - her mother ?-taught her about Jesus and she still has a very strong Faith. I've walked by her room and hear her singing IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL-!!!!!

She really enjoys it when Philip sings to her- she picks up the tune and sings along!

A good day last week Julyne came out on the porch and peeled veggies for Stanley -Her upper arms aren't as big around as my wrist-She's a very beautiful sister  inside and out !!

Her siblings and Stanley holding the cup. They had a one year anniversary party-prayer and testimonies (  of her surgery when the Docs opened her up and closed her up and said we can't do anything - she probably has 1 or 2 months to live.)

My kitchen - which is actually the girls dorm- notice the mixer is on the wash machine- :)Making Memories !!! Oh to the right of the picture is Philips pants hanging - this room is part bedroom  too, at the moment--

Philip keeps so busy !!!!! One day Charisier called on the phone - he lives very close by...Philip can you take me to hospital to pick up my cousin? Yes, I can are you ready to go ? Usually it could be a hour later. Away they went. Philip turned one way and Charisier said where are you going - I don't know where we're going you tell me!!! :)  They were gone for the most part of the day. This cousin cooked and laundered for Charisier and Joluis when they were at College. She was coming down a mountain trail from her house and collapsed. Some Haitian found her and carried down the mountain (which is very steep and gravelly). They took her to IFM clinic and they took her by ambulance to General Hospital. She had an appendicitis. Philip felt so bad for her when he was driving back on the rough roads. Ouch! One Sunday afternoon Charisier called, could we go pick up Joluis? He's Charisier brother and was going to school to be a doctor and was coming home from interning for 10 month in northern Haiti. Joluis, if you remember helped  us purchase our land. We had a little trouble finding him, he wasn't familiar with the area and he didn't know exactly where he was. :)   You always go prepared with a book and water, you just never know what a trip will bring. Life continues to be interesting !!!
  One morning all the dogs were carrying on ! Here they were barking at a cow, which got excited and saw a little boy- Watson. The cow  started to  paw at the boy. Watson got a few bumps and was sore for a few days.
    Blessing to all and thanking God for all our dear brothers and sisters- thank you for your prayers and financial  support-- until we meet again- Love In Him Philip & Bethany

the beautiful sun setting over the many little homes

LIFE MOVES ON

   Sitting here pondering the blessings  of God and His Creation- as I view the beautiful mountains  and the rustling of the sugar cane. I see His Face in the beauty of those around us, the Angelic Presence of our guests and in the little children,  their curiosity and eagerness to learn.....
    Gary & Marilyn Stull came for a week. Gary ran all the electric wiring downstairs ( it was all temporarily wired ) into EMT conduit with his good right hand helper- Marilyn. Upstairs the Romex was behind the cement . Gary traced all the wires, hooked them up to breakers in the main box and labeled them. We had trouble tracing one circuit and found one junction/ receptacle box was cemented over. After trail and err we was able to uncover the box ( chipping the cement out ) and make connection. We sure had a good week with them. It was hard to get Gary to stop working to take them a few places, but he wanted everything done enough to leave Philip confident to finish. 

This is Gary's very good helper

wiring downstairs

serious discussion

  We all went to Double Harvest. It is a older mission that seemed to have a cutting edge on agriculture practices years past. Its board members are in the States and Canada They have a wood-shop that isn't hardly used and Philip wanted to see about renting or using it. Some of the board members were coming down the week Gary's were here. We met a young couple, Henry & Maria with 2 children from Canada , that moved down for 1 year to help out at  Double Harvest. The Haitian overseer, Philip is overwhelmed with so much responsibility. Double Harvest has a clinic,fish farm,chickens and a nursery. Its very close to our house. Philip met some board members too and they were glad we could check on Henry, Maria and their children occasionally. They will check into Philip using the wood-shop.
  Took Gary's to ocean real quick one evening and then the Tin Market the morning they were leaving. What a Blessing Gary & Marilyn were to us. MESI ! MESI !

cooling off a little!!!

Mia & Ava Bower 

 
     Enjoyed the little Bower girls for a day & a half while Clint & Brenda went shopping for household needs and a little get away anniversary trip. What fun it was to play Gramps & Grams for a little bit.
   The workers finally finished upstairs, and the sanding is all done. Philip spent a couple of days putting a curbed edge on the end of the  roof to direct water out the drain pipes. He also spent several days repairing the walls where he had to chip holes to find some wires shorted out. :(
  Went to Brics  Bible Study, took Henry, Maria & children with us. They didn't know there were so many whites in Haiti. We all enjoyed the song service, devotion and fellowship meal together.
  Took Stanley (our Creole teacher) and Julyne to a clinic one Saturday, to talk to the Doctor about removing some fluid . She ordered some tests to determine her condition,  the size of her tumor, and position of her liver.  The first place we went they came to the car to draw her blood, that impressed me for the caring attitude. The next stop, at the radiologists they told us Monday is the only day they take x-rays. So Monday we headed back there, got caught in a traffic and barely got there in time. She would be the last patient of the day. We got there around 10:00 o'clock and was there till 3:30.  So we sat in the truck with the air conditioning running on her. Her sister waited inside for her turn. Stanley walked to other clinic to get test results, but wouldn't be ready until the  next day. After the Doctor reviewed everything, she said she couldn't do anything because the mass was so big, they couldn't draw fluid off. No, Stanley doesn't give up though, I'll get to that. Philip & I remembered a bedside commode at Pastor Enels.  We went and got it , and delivered it to Julyne's one night. What a treasure  we had !!!!! They have an outhouse, but its to hard for Julyne to use . The sisters & brother was so excited for the commode, they took turns sitting on it.                                                                   Stanley found a Doctor coming to the  D.R. from N.C. She thought she could take off some fluid, it was getting hard for Julyne walk because she was retaining so much fluid. So we took them to the border, we couldn't cross because we didn't have our truck title yet. They hired a taxi to take them to Azua, which was  2/12 hrs. away. We picked them up at the border again on Sunday. We asked Pastor Kiko from the D.R. ( that Tom Mohlers work with) to  pick them up.  The taxi was so expensive. The Doctor took off 6 liters of fluid and  were wishing they could've observed her for a few more days. The Doctors were leaving on Friday to go back to the states. It was painful for her but her legs look so much better and her abdomen isn't as tight. They are staying with us for a few weeks. Their house has no electric or screens. It has been so hot, its hard for Julyne to get comfortable. So we have an angel living in our midst. Her love for the Lord is outstanding. The neighbors have been coming almost every night to pray & sing with Stanley & Julyene. The read and recite a lot of Psalms by memory. Everyone prays their own prayer outloud together. This is very common in a Haitian church service. Stanley & Julyene have been a blessing to us , please remember them in your prayers.
      Purchased some paint and some light fixtures for the upstairs, and finally a mattress. The garden is growing , not sure what all we have. Something keeps eating off our cucumber blooms & the zucchini keeps rotting on the end. ??????? Looks like some melons, butternut squash, & green beans might make it. trying some lettuce, spinach & tomato in a container. Enjoying some good pineapple &avocados in season right now.
       We had a well pump meeting to introduce ourselves & address some neighborly contention at the pump. The neighbors next to us collect 1 goud/5gal. of water, for pump repair. It was the  neighbors idea but some people thought they was just keeping the money. (1goud is 2 1/2 cents-5goud =1 Haitian dollar-we've received 2,000HD which is enough to pay for 50,000 gallons of water since January) Our good friend Gario interpreted for us at the meeting. We had about half the crowd we  thought we might,but the meeting went good. It was suppose to start a t 4:00 o'clock, nobody here. we went out and waited (this is normal, even Weddings begin late). Gario arrived at 4:30 , some arrived at 5:00 and we started singing at 5:30.  Had Prayer and the meeting , it lasted about 45mins. Madam Philip passed out fresh molasses cookies to end the meeting. About 30 ended up being here, including children. Thank you for all that prayed for the meeting!

Finishing upstairs balcony wall

Gario & Philip at the top of the stairs

Philip talking at the pump meeting

Philip irrigating our land, the mud is so sticky

Singing &Praying for Julyne

Power washing the windows inside out !!!!!!

Power washing upstairs 


Thank you for prayers, love & support- Philip & Bethany

Roof Top Acommodation- OH! Canceled!!!!

Our Wonderful God Sent Team

Mahlon & Judith sleeping on top of the box truck, when the upstairs was too dirty with cement

Pouring the Bridge

Pouring the roof of the 2nd story

The cement got hauled from below -climbing the scaffolding and handing up buckets

We got the roof poured and Tropical Storm Chantal canceled out, so it didn't bother us either. We did have some very windy days setting the walls, the Haitian Bosses wasn't sure about those flimsy walls. Now that they are stuccoed  they are pretty impressed with them. The team from TN was very hard workers and we sure enjoyed them. They helped Philip pour a Bridge over the irrigation ditch- the first time the form collapsed and they had to put all the cement back in the cement mixer-oops- Got it all done again !!!  Took the team up to SoDo Falls .  Here it was a Festival of a Saint that died in the 1800's - people everywhere and parties.. Glad to get out before evening, not a good place to hang out... Brought a lot of fruit on the way - the girls couldn't get enough of the mangos -had to enjoy some of them on the way. I'm sure they didn't get sticky. Stopped in Bric on the way home and the team had to get in a little volleyball, before we came home. Sunday, we went to Cam for church, enjoyed a meal there, then headed to the ocean again , one last time before team left. Then we stopped back in at Cam on the way home,  had to play a little volleyball again :) and had a wiener roast too. What fun and the energy they had. Monday had us taking them to airport and telling them goodby, maybe never to see again but we sure enjoyed them. Th Haitians started krepi outside & inside of the house. One late night, with a full moon, Philip and I climbed on the top roof , sprayed a sealer- to seal and cure the cement. Was glad Philip didn't forget and step off (tends to be accident prone :) ). On Saturday the 20th of July found us going with  Simeon, Melanie, Watson & Solomon to a wedding in the mountains- Cum John. We had built a church there in 2008.  One of the young couples we knew were getting married. Here it was a double wedding, the church was so full we couldn't even get inside so we didn't know till after the wedding- I know its hard for you to figure that one - but lots of ministers preaching, choirs singing, 3 look -like brides- one was a God mother to one of them, just different culture then we know. The food was all ready and setting on the table when we arrived at 2:00 and they didn't eat till maybe 7:00. Of course, it was dark by then in the room where the food was. People kept coming in to fill their plates but no one seemed to leave, so it become impassable. Enjoyed an early church service the next morning around 7:00 a.m. and then we ate a little and headed home around noon. Stopped in Clint Bowers to and from the wedding and had a quick visit. Got to BRIC around 8:30, ate a bit and headed to our house. Gario our Haitian helper, stayed  there all weekend to watch things while we was away. Enjoyed  SLM Mission Bible Study for all the Anabaptist missions last Saturday. we always come home renewed and built up.
  Well, the Bosses thought they needed to take out the jacks in the main room upstairs and Philip had told them to krepi the beams to help with the support, and the jacks shouldn't come out yet. Oh! They thought it was all OK.  So out came the jacks. Hum___ Pat's stopped in about then.  Philip & Pat  climbed on the roof and noticed a crack down the ridge of the roof. They stretched a line and found the roof was sagging about an 1" over the dining & living room area.  Oh! Philip was sick. We had hoped to let boys sleep on top if they wanted too. We do have to get a sealer for the crack on the roof - to seal out water. Not sure at this time about the strength of the roof on the one side. We do have up & down days but God is Good. Twice last week we tried to go to an electrical store - too late the first time they were closing the store- so we tried the next day and got in a traffic jam- market day - couldn't turn on a side street and if we tried to turn around it was just as bad the oncoming traffic- guess what --store had just closed when we got to it again :(  I told Philip there's a reason for all this we can't forget that. So we might try on Monday...
 On Thursday, Pat's came to spend the night and then we took them to airport on Friday to go to the states for 5weeks. We picked up our mail and we enjoyed all the little cards and messages from our sweet Fall Creek Children. Also, we really appreciate the money you gave to us. We love you and thank you for your love for Jesus. We left Pat's off and went to a truck dealer to look at vehicle we need, as we're still using the GB truck. We hate to buy new one because of the image it gives the people but a used one is usually, really used  here in Haiti. :) :)  The vehicles here are European made and parts are available. If we have one shipped down from the states, they aren't as heavy made and parts not available. The dealer has a friend who has a used truck for sale that has a new engine in it. The dealer put in the engine so its guaranteed. Might be just what we need.  Also a new truck might have a BIG  dent in a week.  Like last week, I drove to a little grocery on my way to BRIC.  As I walking in front of the truck it started rocking, someone was pulling in (the guard was helping direct the driver) and he ran right into the back of the truck- it didn't hurt our truck but it put out some of his headlights.  Philip was glad I wasn't in the truck or they might've said I was backing out ??? That reminds me of another incident. Philip was backed into a store to load up boards, I was sitting inside with the window down, a truck of rebar  hanging out the back was backing in, the next thing I knew ,  the rebar was hitting the mirror and starting to come on in the cab- ouch- the guy had turned a little sharp. The helper started to yell and the driver stopped but, he wouldn't look at me. Scared me a little bit!!! 
After we left the dealer we drove up to Kenscoff to see Micah,Josie, Islande & Mario, little trouble finding them, bad phone service and a wrong number once too. Whew- we found them about 4:00 and asked them if they wanted to go to The Lodge for supper. Yes, they had been there all day hanging out. Islande was starting to get her hair braided, but we decided we'd better go and they could braid in the morning. Josie, Mario & I rode in the back, till he got a little scared. He and Islande traded places, a rough ride, no not near as bad as some roads and it was a  beautiful drive. I thought we were in CO it was so much green and high steep/ rocky mountains. The Lodge was so beautiful , great food and overnight accommodations.  Come down we'll have a mountain retreat..

Enjoying our quick evening with Micah's our Prayers go with them as they head back to States with their new little ones and Henry waiting patiently>>>

The lodge

The Flowers  were beautiful

One of the stairways

Our week's go by quickly and sometimes we accomplish a lot and some weeks we wonder where the week went. Today Arron Lavys stopped by with Nathan Rapps, they were on the way to the airport to get Daisy's brother. Nathan is helping preach at a VBS where he had helped IFM  build some houses a couple years ago.  Today we saw our Creole Teacher, Stanley and his wife Juilene. Her cancer is starting to take its toll on her, her belly keeps swelling and now her legs are retaining fluid more. Please remember them in your prayers. It seems harder for Stanley then for her. Looking forward to Gary & Marilyn coming in on Tuesday. Hope we can show them a pleasant week and not make them work to hard.  Blessings to all of you -your love and support to us- until then... Bethany

YES, WE KEEP MOVING UPWARD !!!

Gary & Norm we may need you before we blow up the place!!!!

Bonjou!  Enjoyed a afternoon off on Sat., took most of the team to the beach.  They enjoyed that very much and thought it was beautiful. The beach had so many jelly fish in the water and out, amazing and no one got stung. Sunday took us to Bric to church and enjoyed a fellowship meal with the mission. Sunday afternoon took us to our creole teacher's house to share a cake, watermelon and singing for Stanley's  Birthday (which was Sat.) and  to see how Juilene was with her cancer. She was glad we came, she laid in a lounge chair. She gave us some encouraging words.  Philip could tell she was experiencing some pain. Keep her in your prayers, Stanley thinks she'll get better. We know God can but my Faith is lacking a little at this point. The work  is continuing but a little slower with running electric and plumbing. talking about a Tropical Storm coming in on Thursday. Was hoping to get the roof poured with the team here, so we'll see.
  The girls enjoyed some fabric shopping at market on Monday, Wiztgard took them in.

the pump is keeping very busy too!

On Wednesday  they went with some of the Bric ladies to the bowl factory. The owner, told Melanie they sell to the states, Macy's , a big fair in San Fran, and Martha Stewart ??  The price goes way up in the states.  Hope to take them to the tin market. Here's some pixs .

Upstairs walls 

Reuben working on upstairs front porch detail

kreping the upstairs outside wall

The Tropical storm Chantal isn't as bad yet as we thought, did have some rain pouring down the walls last night. Philip had to go chip out some holes in new cement as the water had no place to go upstairs and we didn't want to flood out down  below. Was hoping to pour the roof on top today but want to see how the weather is for tomorrow.  Better get busy with some more laundry, and etc. Love & Blessings to all, until then-Bethany

PANT- PANT- PANT-

Hi! Things keep moving right along and we're still trying to keep up. Enjoyed the Bolivia breakfast -rice with sausage- seasonings- fried eggs- with a salad of tomato -onion-avocado- vinegar -oil dressing very tasty. Roof going up yesterday & today. Boss Mark starting the stucco work. Running electric wire and putting in the panel box. Running out of wire ties, girls are helping make them. The different neighbors coming around to watch. It really is amazing what has took place in the last several days- the meals prepared- the laundry - etc. WoW! What a blessing to Philip and I. The singing at night is beautiful with devotions. 

Philip getting more supplies

Henry - lots of energy - finally wearing shoes- getting to many hurts 

Judith Mahlon's  wife and the best cook with many ideas- fresh juices etc.

Stucco work beginning

Buelah after her braids- she thought she looked like an Egyptian hair style - Carolyn with braided hair - she thought she looked like a dinosaur ????????- Best workers

Beulah helping keep the work going

Nate starting the wire

Mahlon with the Panel Box - Thanks Gary Stull and Norm Filbrun with all the instructions

Uncle Reuben to some showing the girls how to make the wire ties because we ran out of premade  ones

Cheyenne - who has been on our team twice so helpful a roofer - just a different type of roof this time

Philip working on the security light pole

Nate on the top who about fell yesterday---- Oh the energy !

Hope to continue to add pictures but I better get busy - until then - love, Bethany