Success stories from our last trip, March 2013

Points of praise for God's Face Haiti Mission as of March 2013 on the Island of La Gonave Ti Palmeste-Church of the New Jerusalem (mountains Church attendance on Sunday very good, church is well kept and clean. Twenty men in pastor/Bible study class that Ed led. They are eager and hungry for more. Fifteen ladies in Bible study, studying the Apostles Creed The goat farm has over 50 goats now, and arrangements were made for the Nubian male goat. He will produce a superior breed that will bring more money. Farm ready for planting School (which they started on their own), now has 75 children CHE(Community, Health, Evangelism) is spreading in the community Four mission churches (plan to visit them next time) Purchased a case of children's Bibles. Mme Amboise is going to help organize classes for children. Also gave a Bible to all ladies and men attending classes. Baie de Tortue-Pastor Agones (Village School East) Lease extended one more year till May 2014, which gives us one year to develop construction on Agones property, working with Estero UMC and Mattituck Presbyterian on Long Island. School has 85 children, 4th grade will graduate this year, so next year will be a 5th grade! CHE leader, Wilson Alexander, has completed the latrine bases for 46 families. CHE is spreading in the community. Reinforced the need for water conservation and harvesting with gutters and cisterns. Pastor Agones sailboat is completed, and was used to transport us back and forth to the island. The two micro businesses we started last March are being fully paid off as of this month. This will open up funds for two more. In addition, we funded two more as well. Pastor Agones has a plan for the local people to help raise money for the school. We took embroidery thread over for them to make cloth embroideries. They will also paint pictures. Agones plans to bring these items over at the end of summer, and to have an event to showcase and raise money.  Thank you for all your wonderful support, encouragement and prayers! You have made a difference in this community!!! Ed and Sally Ritter and the Haiti Mission Team North Naples United Methodist Church 6000 Goodlette Rd Naples, FL 34109 Sally Ritter 593-7600 ext 248 email: sritter@nnumc.org or esritter90@gmail.com

Update 2013

It has been a difficult year for the Haitian people, but they are recovering from the effects of having too little water (summer drought) and then too much water (Hurricane Irene). They are a resilient people, who continually pick themselves up and get on with life. When food became scarce in the mountains, people migrated to the cities. Now with new crops planted, they are returning to their homes. We are putting together a team for our next trip which will be March 8th to 16th. Part of our time will be spent in Ti Palmeste (Church of the New Jerusalem) with pastor training and Bible study. We will see completed goat farm and the baby goats! Then on to Baie de Tortue where Pastor Agones has his church and school (Village School East). In 2012 we made two trips here teaching CHE ( Community, Health and Evangelism/Education). There are now several trained community leaders who go into the community to teach their fellow Haitians. Several micro businesses were started here and we will try to expand this program. The building that Agones rents has been sold, and he will have to relocate his school. He had purchased a piece of land nearby and will donate it to build the church and school. An engineering study has been funded, and we will soon have an estimate as to what it will cost. One multi use building will be constructed first as a church, with classrooms added as money is available. Education is the key to escaping the life of poverty in this community. The families want to be self supporting. They are asking for job training and help in starting small businesses. They are learning the value of the education their children are receiving. Without this school, these children would not have an education. Before Agones, they stayed home with no money for school and no clothing to wear. We have helped him to make a huge difference in the lives of these children. Thank you for all of your wonderful support, encouragement and prayers! Amidst all of the negative publicity about Haiti, it is awesome to see progress, even in just one small area! We can make a difference in Haiti, one small community at a time. You have helped to make that difference!