Nov 2011 Newsletter



Matt demonstrating Prototype Block Press

Trust you had a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday.  Martie, Jessica and I spent a good part of our November in California.  We visited friends, supporters, and churches from one end of California to the other.  While we were in Mendocino - Ft Bragg (not the Army Post in North Carolina) I met with Paul Douglas, as architect; Doug Moyer, a pastor and builder; and John Turnbull, a long time partner in the ministry to discuss plans for Phase 2 of Children's Hope in Jacmel. I also met with Matt Yager who is designing and building a Compressed Stabilized Earth Block press for our use in construction of block buildings in Haiti.  I spoke at Mendocino Presbyterian Church and the Chapel of the Redwoods.  We also spoke at a large gathering hosted by our friends the Christoffersons.  On our way South, we stopped for breakfast and shared about our ministry in Jacmel with Pastor Chris Blaustone, Calvary Chapel - Healdsburg. 

After we left Northern California we drove (10 hours South) to Orange County.  Lisa Shaw, our board president, had some folks over to hear about the ministry.  I also met with Ken Stone, a member at Saddleback Church and a lead volunteer for their work in Haiti.  Ken is interested in the compressed earth block press technology.  I was able to participate in a men's accountability group and attend the 'Herd' the men's ministry meeting at Saddleback.  Several hundred guys show up every Thursday morning.  Both refreshed my spirit.

We spent the next weekend in Victorville, located in the High Desert of California, we visited with friends, my cousin - Karen, and Pastor George Beardsley from High Desert Church.  We were able to attend two services on two separate campuses meeting with a number of folks who had volunteered in Mississippi. We really miss seeing our friends from around the country who came to Waveland.  We count it as a huge blessing.

Martie with 8 Brothers and Sisters

We flew back to Alabama on Thanksgiving day and celebrated Thanksgiving with Martie's brothers and sisters on Saturday.  All told there were nearly 40 family members there.  Please pray for Tom and Pat (front row on left) as both have cancer.  Pat's is in remission, Tom's is not.  We thank the Lord for the opportunity to be with them this year.

What's Next

I am returning to Jacmel on the 6th of December for two weeks.  Right now it looks like Doug Moyer and John Turnbull will be joining me on the second week to help prepare the bathhouse for trusses and a roof.  We are expecting volunteers in January who will set the trusses and put the metal on the roof.

During the past month or so, there have been a rash of invasions of missionary homes and compounds in Jacmel by an armed group of Haitian men.  They scale walls, invade the homes, and over power the guards in the middle of the night.  Although two people have been wounded, it does not seem that the invaders intend to harm anyone, just take valuables and leave.  Nearly all of the missionary families serving in Jacmel have left until this is resolved.  While I am in Jacmel in December, I will be staying at a hotel and working during day light hours.  We don't believe that Children's Hope will be targeted since missionaries don't live there. 

We know that God is sovereign and these attacks come as no surprise to Him.  Please pray for the safety of those who continue to labor there and that these men will be brought to justice soon .. but more than that  ... pray that those men will come to know the grace and mercy found through faith in Jesus.

What's on the Horizon

It looks like I will be home for Christmas and the month of January.  Martie and I  will celebrate our 40th anniversary on the 22nd of January.  I will returning to Jacmel to begin Phase 2 of the orphanage construction in late January or early February.  Martie will continue to make short trips to Jacmel with teams as she can. 

Special Project

Block Press

I mentioned the block press that Matt Yager is developing earlier in this update.  As he works through the development process, we intend to purchase a block press like the one used by Thirst No More to begin our compressed block construction at Children's Hope. 

We must raise the funds for the press which will cost about $8000.00 delivered to Jacmel from India.  Our plan is to use the press for the construction at Children's Hope and train a Haitian in the production process with the intent of helping him start a business. That is where Matt's press will come in.  His press will be simpler mechanically and easier to repair.   We will use his press for business startups and use the press from India for training and Pathfinder construction projects.  If you would like to join us in this project check out our web site for information on making donations to Pathfinder Mission.