CODEP

June 2007 Newsletter from the Lands

Just when we thought it couldn’t get any busier we got blindsided by May! Starting on May 1^st, Arbor Day in Haiti, we began a non-stop month filled to the brim with blessings and hard work. Read on the HFI website, www.haitifundinc.org about the CODEP march of solidarity and celebration as they came together to plant 600 trees.

New Hanover PC from Virginia came to help us install a cistern far up in Bwa Gauche. It was a grueling hike but well worth the effort to see a CODEP family get their well-earned cistern. The team put the roof on Clement’s new house and spent quality time getting to know the beach kids. They spent a great afternoon showing the Wizard of Oz to the kids and serving popcorn and drinks. The kids in turn blessed the group with memorized scriptures and songs.

Nick Warren from Woods Hole MBL arrived at the same time as the New Hanover team and spent the entire month working with animators in their fish ponds. His work is also documented on our website. Be sure to check out all of his pictures! He worked with the ponds and nursery at L’Acul and gave us training to use when he leaves. Our fish are growing well now without commercial food. This next year will be a learning curve for us all. We are hoping that Nick will be able to make several visits here over the year and of course we will be staying in close contact with MBL via e-mail.

Nick brought with him our first treadle pump to be used for watering gardens from nearby streams. It is a big hit, filling our 55 gallon reservoir tank in less than 10 minutes with only pedal power!

We hosted the first of our training sessions for the animators, inspectors, and chef equips. Over 50 came to the meeting at L’Acul to learn more about ramps and composting. Monthly meetings are being planned to equip the leaders with the latest information concerning ways to make CODEP work even better. Animators are taking turns at leading these sessions.

We took the afternoon off on May 18^th, Haiti’s Flag Day. A big neighborhood celebration had been planned, complete with soccer tournament, games for the kids, and of course the flag ceremony. The beach ministry helped sponsor the event, so we were greeted well by all of the neighborhood. The beach kids came in wearing their bright red t-shirts given to them earlier in the day. They celebrated all day long! It was so good to see them having fun. Too many of their days are spent just getting by.

Last Sunday was Haiti’s Mothers’ Day. We had a small celebration at church to honor all the mothers. Sandwiches and drinks were served after services. Kathy’s best gift was seeing over half the beach kids in the youth choir! Also, several parents are attending now. Please pray that these children will lead their mothers and fathers to Christ.

Today we were able to share a big box of medicines with the local doctor. His small clinic is located nearby and he helps the poorest of families without charge. He has helped many of our neighbors. We have found that if we freely give that God will send more. There have been a lot of fevers and colds because of the rainy weather. It is good to know that there is a place nearby where there is a caring physician.

Now it is the end of May. Rick was called back to Indiana for the final days of his mother’s life. She passed away on Memorial Day and he returned on June 2nd, in time to start another exciting and busy month in Haiti. Thanks to all of you who faithfully remember to support HFI/CODEP with prayers and offerings. May your blessings be as great as ours!

Sincerely His,
Rick and Kathy