First of all, the GREAT news....we have finally been getting some RAIN!
New garden plots on the Lemuel campus, freshly planted with beans, corn, and melons, and watered by the morning's rain! Ani and I planted some new varieties: Black Aztec corn, garbanzo beans, and "moon and stars" melons, to name a few...
The corn pushing its way up through the rainwater.
The most amazing corner of the guesthouse. Ani and I planted those pumpkins!
The green has already begun to spread across the desert...
You make springs gush forth in the valleys;
they flow between the hills;
they give drink to every beast of the field;
the wild donkeys quench their thirst.
Beside them the birds of the heavens dwell;
they sing among the branches.
From your lofty abode you water the mountains;
the earth is satisfied with the fruit of your work.
You cause the grass to grow for the livestock
and plants for man to cultivate,
that he may bring forth food from the earth
and wine to gladden the heart of man,
oil to make his face shine
and bread to strengthen man's heart.
Bless the LORD, O my soul!
O LORD my God, you are very great!
~from Psalm 104 (thanks Nickie!)
Our hospitality staff continues to develop their skills and
get experience in receiving visitors….and how many we have had this year so
far! We are blessed by our many friends
(click on each picture for the link to the story on the Lemuel blog):
In January, a couple men from
Forest Baptist Church in Canada offered their skills in making cabinets for the
Lemuel House storage room and kitchen.
In February, The
Village church from Milton, Ontario came to run an English camp for the school
kids…
The next week, we
witnessed the beautiful unity that can exist in the body of Christ as 3
different partnering churches (from Canada and Wisonsin) sent men who worked
together to put the roof on the Lemuel school…
In March we caught our
breath….
And then in April we
received our second English Camp team of the year, this time from Minnesota and
Wisconsin…
…And as we have
entered into May, we are enjoying a group from Millar College of the Bible in
Saskatchewan, Canada who are painting the Plateau church and engaging in many
ways with the church youth and the community.
Some of the AM hospitality staff making lunch...it was difficult to get them all to look at once!
We have needed to add a few new faces to our hospitality staff due to the volume of work. During this time of drought and extreme economical difficulty, it is good to be able to provide a few more households with a little income.
It has been the year of family visits too! Bonita’s father, Judy’s mother, Samuel’s
mother, Jenna’s family, and my own wonderful MumZ all paid us visitis within a
two month period!
Out with my mom on a walk in the community...
...where we picked up an entourage of neighbors.
ahhhh, the ocean
beach fun
What else happened in 2014?
We tried to pierce my ears by hand...
...using a syringe needle (definitely creating memories).
Call it a team building exercise of sorts.
The Audience
Unfortunately, the end of this story is rather anti-climactic. Our very long (and rather painful) attempt ended by taking the earrings out again. We didn't have studs, only hoops with rounded posts....not exactly ideal. One of the piercings was too low on my earlobe. My ears have healed by now, so we'll be trying again at some point...this time with a disposable ear piercing gun.
Work commenced on a location for the ladies in the women's center and the crochet program to gather and develop their skills.
Before
After
(sorry about the blur)
If you look over to the left, you will notice that I soon will have a bathroom and shower as well!
(oh, and more sunflowers bloomed = happy heart)
Taken Easter morning...notice the blossoming gardenia in the right hand corner.
Sigh...more kittens. And in my shoes? But now they're getting to that really cute stage when you feel like a terrible fiend for thinking of how to sell or give them away.
Ani got a hold of my camera...
Madame Wisly began joining me about twice a week to pray for all of you who support Lemuel in all of the various ways. I took a few seconds to snag a picture of her as she prayed.
My front entrance is becoming quite wild and whimsical (I wouldn't have it any other way, after all).
I continued my experiments with hydroponics....
....unfortunately, I am going to have to start over. But maybe I'll get it right this time.
Ani and I have had many tea parties (although, not always at the beach).
Remember Djimitha? This picture was taken back in 2012. She now comes and spends Saturdays with me, helping me with work around the house...and learning to crochet.
Speaking of crochet, the ladies learning how to crochet handbags out of plastic milk bags from Canada continue to work away. They are getting quite good and creative....
...even working at home.
Now, we have begun experimenting with other products we can make with locally available materials, such as sisal and Haitian cotton. Hopefully pictures of these successful products will follow...the only one I have currently is still in its pathetic stage.
Thanks for keeping up!
