We have had a very busy month, to say the least. A group from Windy Cove PC in Virginia came the first week and did a lot of tearing up. First we tore the old roof off of a school at Macolm so that a second story could be built. Later we tore off the old lean-to primary school of the Siloe church so new cement walls could be built. Some helped to sift sand at the Epiphany school where cement block walls were getting fresh plaster inside and out. But the primary work of the week was the 3-day vacation bible school held at Siloe in the mountains. We used the same theme as the VBS at L'Acul, "The 10 Commandments." Pastor Gabriel, his daughter Crystal, Kathy, 4 Cadet leaders, and 4 Siloe teachers led the studies and our American visitors helped in various ways to complete a great VBS. The final day, 23 students demonstrated their faith by coming forward and Pastor Dures reported several more made faith decisions in the following weeks. Praise the Lord!

The monthly animators meetings just keep getting better. The men and women seem to have a renewed zeal to return to the primary objectives of CODEP. They have been heard reminding their groups that everything CODEP does is for their future, while still maintaining adherence to the goals of earning cisterns and houses by planting trees. We are blessed by the experience and dedication of the older animators and are inspired by a few of the young men too. One in particular is Jenner, who works diligently with his new groups and has planted his own new forest. We will highlight his work in the coming months on the website. All the animators' groups have tree nurseries growing at present and are expecting to plant these in November.

However, we are concerned about what this latest hurricane (Gustav) has done to many of the young plants. The next few days will tell the story. Having just toured some of the new canals and hedgerows on a steep mountainside, we are grateful of the difference they will make when torrential rains dump 10-20 inches at a time like it has in the past few days.

Many ask about Pastor Gabriel's family. They are well and little Ansley is growing rapidly, already beginning to crawl. The four teens are preparing to head back to school next week. Madam Gabriel still takes very good care of us here at L'Acul and Pastor himself has played an important role with the Cadets. Their house (at least part of it) is ready for paint, so they will soon move into it. They are sooo happy!

Rick has been busy overseeing the work at Epiphany and Siloe, plus getting fertilizer distributed to the various sites in the mountains. He was able to get a good price on fertilizer and found it close by. This is an answer to prayer! Without that initial bit of fertilizer the young trees will not take off and grow strong. Fertilizer is essential!

The CODEP animators have voted to help support two more small schools in the mountains. One is St. Pierre, very close to APKF. The other was a former CODEP school that we have picked back up. It is called Pa la Foua and is located not far from the demonstration forest. Of course, all 5 schools that CODEP supports have children of CODEP workers in them.

Four men from New Hanover PC in Richmond, Virginia came to help us mid-month. They got to sand the finished walls at Epiphany and paint. Wow, what a difference from the unfinished cement blocks to smooth painted walls! We can't wait to add fresh colors and decorations! They worked at Siloe School 3 days, carrying blocks and sand up that big incline and then sifting sand once it was piled. That was hard work! The Haitian cement bosses have since finished putting up the walls, finished windows, and have made 2 new classrooms and a small library/office in the adjoining depot building. Now we are ready for paint! Pastor Dures is so grateful for these improvements. Can't wait for you all to see! There are going to be lots of excited teachers and school children here and below at Epiphany.

Several CODEP workers are ready to apply for new houses. It was decided to only build treated lumber houses from now on. Everyone is happy with that decision, and more people can earn houses faster. Our partners at Building Goodness Foundation are equally excited about sending the wood and building teams to help these families realize their dreams of owning their own houses.

Kathy had her first field trip with the 14 Cadets (teens). They had looked forward for a long time to going up the mountain to spend the night and see CODEP. They left early and hiked 4 hours, walking through the demonstration forest, then up over it to visit with Jean Claude's group who were working with their nursery. Then we hiked back, stopping to experience first-hand a new hillside that was being terraced with canals and living ramps. Pastor Dures was our tour guide and it was gratifying to see the pride he had for all the changes that had taken place in those mountains. The kids were really attentive and asked questions. They had never been to the mountains and had never given any thought to erosion or reforestation. Later they toured some gardens and fishponds. Now they have an understanding of what CODEP is.

Later, as the day ended and everyone was bathed and fed and the rain began to fall, we had our singing and devotions. It was like any camp vespers, lots of singing and fun, then it became serious and we all had time alone to reflect on our relationship with God. There are many of these 14 who are becoming serious about a lifetime walk with the Lord. Pastor Gabriel went along as chaperone for the boys who slept in the church. He has become a wonderful mentor for them. Kathy slept with the girls at April's apartment. Of course, you know that Hurricane Gustav had already started our way. During the night, rain began to fall in earnest. Our 2-day retreat was shortened, and we were able to get everyone back home by 7 am, just minutes before the hurricane hit us at L'Acul. It was only 24 hours, but seemed like more. It was great team-building for the Cadets and I know there were decisions made there that will change a few lives forever.

The hurricane lasted 2 days. Lots and lots of rain! There didn't seem to be any damage nearby, but undoubtedly there were gardens washed away and banana trees toppled. Haiti is already experiencing a hike in food prices, so add the hurricane damage to that and it spells unrest. Please imagine what it feels like to be hungry-all the time.

We were blessed with several stalks of bananas, so they went out to locals nearby to help fill the empty stomachs. Kathy made 50 banana muffins from the over ripe ones and sent those out to little children along the beach. God has blessed us so much to be able to share of our abundance.

This has been a long letter, but some months just have more news. We hope because you are reading this you have a heart for Haiti too. Please do what you can through Haiti Fund so that we can continue to work in community development here. Pray for the lives that are touched by your gifts. Pray for our safety and health. Pray that someone will understand how much God loves them and what price He paid for them.

We anticipate another full month in September. Hope you tune in to share it with us. Thanks for being our partner in this endeavor.

Peace to all,
Rick and Kathy