What's Been up with us?

    A month has passed since we safely landed back in Haiti.  Life has settled back into a routine, which for the boys and I means SCHOOL!  Jan was busy in the first weeks working on projects around the house that have been neglected, but in the recent weeks has started working at the LSM Ag Park helping with some of the infrastructure needs as the projects moves into new phases of development.  Jan was digging a trench one day and decided that Derek could learn how to run the machine he was using.  Derek did great and is enjoying the challenge.

Jan getting ready to load trucks

Derek working hard


LSM Business Development is moving forward,but at a slow pace as we wait for the land purchase to be completed.  We pray that God will open the necessary doors to move forward with the project.  Once the land owner fulfills his part, Jan will be ready to tear down and pack up the block plant in Florida.  Upon arrival via sea containers here in Haiti, reassembly will take place on a newly poured cement pad.  Patience....

One Goal we have with the LSM kids is to have seminars throughout the year on age appropriate subjects.  Below is a pict taken of the older children at a seminar during their Easter break from School.  

 Today(Sunday) is the end of the MEBSH Convention where somewhere in the range of 10,000-12,000 visitors come to our neighboring village to attend a 5 day annual convention. (For any newcomers to our blog, MEBSH is the Haitian Church that Loving Shepherd Ministries serves under.  Most of our Homes of Hope are connected with a local MEBSH church.) Each day there are 3 big services with preaching and choirs.  This year marks the 80th year in which the Mission Evangelical Baptist Church of Southern Haiti(MEBSH) began. They celebrated this year with many special events, the first being a parade march down one of the busiest roads in Haiti, ending at the Simon Church.

The parade ending in front of the Church

 Thursday evening the leaders of MEBSH recognized the missionaries who are currently working with them, as well as many who did in the past.  Please pray for the MEBSH churches in Haiti.  Pray that the power of the transforming gospel would be solidly preached and lived out in the lives of believers all over this needy country, bringing the true HOPE that each person needs!

Missionary Recognition night.  We were thankful to have a seat with a revolving fan...

A large choir is singing...Haitians love it!

Each year one of the mission organizations on our compounds hosts a Ladies Retreat.  Alisha and I had fun going together and sharing a room.  Silas was a really good, and Alisha was able to enjoy and relax!

Joel turned 8!!!

Crazy to think our youngest is 8. He had a lot of fun celebrating with a few friends and it is always extra special to have Aunt Joan here. Alisha did a great job on the cake!!

Derek Surgery

Unfortunately the doc was unable to get the screws out even with the right screw driver!  Derek will need to baby his arm a few days, but overall he is doing welll. Thanks for praying. 

Four years ago....

Four years ago today our little "angel" went to be with Jesus.  What a joy and comfort to ponder the thought of Brett free of this earthly body, walking with the Lord and giving glory to His Creator.  Brett was a fountain of JOY to us all.  I will be honest, I often wondered how much Brett really knew about us and if he was able to comprehend our love and care.  This morning the Lord reminded me of a time that I felt he "knew" who I was...we had been gone for several days from him and upon our return I laid down beside him on the floor to tell him we were home.  He was doing his usual rocking back and forth, but this time he'd stop and pat my face...then roll back to the other side...come back and stop and pat my face. It was his way of saying, "I am glad your home, Mom."!

Praising God for His faithfulness!

     Yesterday God provided a lovely day for His dedication of the MEBSH Church and School at the Cancer Redemption Project.  Many hands came together to make the day a day of lifting up the Lord Jesus and bringing glory to His name.  Zach Bertsch's dream was to help orphaned and vulnerable children find hope in a place they can call "home".  But more important than that, Zach wants these kids to give their lives to Jesus so that they can live eternally with the Lord in Heaven.  We were so blessed to have the Bertsch family with us to witness the leaders of MEBSH dedicate the temple to the Lord and His gospel.  Pray with us that many souls will come to the foot of the cross and find eternal life through the preaching of the Word and the witness of the parents, workers, teachers and 72 children living at CRP!

Dedication Time

Cancer Redemption Project this Sunday, April 19

     Sunday is the dedication of the Church, School and Campus at the Cancer Redemption Project. We are thankful that Jenny Bertsch and her two children, Zion and Moriah, are coming, as well as Zach's parents and his brother Danny.  The campus now has six Homes of Hope, a day shelter, a soccer field, a church, and a school.  But most importantly there are 72 previously orphaned and vulnerable children who live in a permanent home!  We praise God that Zach's desire to not let his cancer be for naught, has been fulfilled.  The families on this campus are full of love and smiles.  We give God the glory and ask you to pray for the dedication service.

These pictures with Zach and his dad are from their first visit to the Campus.