Mission to Haiti – May 8, 2011 – Mother’s Day
This is our last week of this trip to Haiti, and we are slowly gathering, putting away, and packing things that we will leave here until our return in the fall. We also need to inventory what we are leaving behind so that we will know what and how much we need to bring back with us. It’s not a difficult task but one that we must do if we want to keep our lives as orderly as possible. Added to this we are trying to clean everything before we leave knowing full well that what we store in the cupboards will have a layer of dust when we return and will need to be cleaned and washed before we can start using it again.
 |
| Chris on right, John on left |
 |
| Black Beach This past week we went to the beach for only the second or third time since we came to Haiti last October 1st. This time we went to Black Beach so called because of the black volcanic sand that covers the beach area. Several of us went and among the several were a team of 3 well drillers from Sir Sanford Fleming Community College at Peterborough. The leader of the group, an instructor in well-drilling, was telling us that he has been throughout Latin America drilling wells and Haiti is by far the poorest country he has visited. |
 |
| Mangoes and Mango Jam |
This past week we also made mango jam for the first time. We brought some liquid Certo with us last fall thinking that we might have a chance to make jam of some kind. We thought the mangoes here at the Emmaus Compound weren’t suitable for eating. Once we found out from Stacey how to best attack a mango (peel and slice) we were able to make a pretty good product if all the rave reviews we received from those who have tried it were being honest. We plan on bringing 3 jars home with us to try out on unsuspecting taste testers.
 |
| Soccer Match as part of graduation acitivites Faculty against students |
 |
| Pastor Vilmer Paul, goalie for faculty |
 |
| Dignitaries for Graduation Chapel |
May 6th was the Emmaus Biblical Seminary Graduation. Prior to graduation during the week there was a soccer game, faculty pitted against the students. What an exciting game. The victory went to the students in a 1-0 decision. Graduation itself was beautiful, singers, grads from other years taking the microphone, special awards, an address to the grads and communion all followed by a wonderful Haitian meal for upwards of 200; rice, fried chicken legs, fried goat, a baked pasta dish, beet salad, coleslaw, fried plantain, beans sauce and, of course, the drink of choice, Tampico, a very sweet drink bottled in Haiti.
Stacey and Lily will be leaving on Monday under the watchful eye of her sister, Lisa, and her husband, Adam, who came in the past week to help Stacey close up the house and get ready to return to the USA to have Sophia in late May. Tuesday the Hubele’s leave for southern Illinois where they aren’t quite sure what they will be returning to as some of their neighbours have been dealing with flooding from the adjacent rivers. Wednesday Matt leaves to join up with Stacey and Lily in Ohio. And, finally we will leave on Thursday, the last of the non-Haitians to depart. There is still a staff of Haitians who will keep everything going from vehicles to generators until Matt, Stacey and the girls return in mid-July to start getting ready for the fall semester. The Hubele family is hoping to return in late summer, and we will return in the fall before the first of the visiting professors arrive. Time will fly by quickly and it will feel like we have just left when it will be time to return.
There is an update on Konpech. Rachelle Hubele, along with Junior, went to Konpech on Friday afternoon. She was allowed to take pictures of the women she has been teaching to knit as well as a few other photos. This is amazing. Even more amazing is that God is certainly working on Konpech. Junior and Rachelle overheard a woman of the community saying that she was going to give up the Satanic worship of Voodoo and follow Jesus. This is a praise the Lord moment indeed!
This Sunday is Mother’s Day and it will be a little different from the norm. John’s mother will have his 7 siblings gathering around to spend some time with her. She is ninety-nine, soon to be 100 in mid July and is still quite active for someone her age. She still manages to play and beat her children at cribbage, will play euchre when she can find a foursome, and will accept dinner invitations providing there are not too many stairs to climb. She is a remarkable lady.
Dorothy also remembers her mother this weekend. She was one of those mothers that respected the Lord as Proverbs 1:7 commands us to do. Proverbs ends with a description of a woman who continues to fulfill this command (31:10-31). She thanks God that her mum was one of those women until her death in 2006 at 93 years of age.
Mothers, true inner beauty comes from inner strength of character, and it can’t be bought with expensive creams. Over the years your beauty increases or will be created during the trials of life as you trust God and obey Him.
We are hoping that the Internet is available so our children can celebrate Mother’s Day by way of Skype with us. Because of Internet issues we are missing our opportunities to see the grandchildren. In another 2 weeks we will be able to see them as much as they want to put up with us.
The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.
