Goats, Goats and more Goats!

We have almost 20 goats purchased for our goat farm! After Camille made a guest appearance at North Naples UMW meeting last month, the ladies circles are getting together to purchase their own goat. Camille, a lovely brown and white goat, behaved like a lady during her appearance. The following is a list of goat sponsors and the names they have selected. Each goat costs $50.

The Naomi Circle with Camille.


Mike and Melba Arthur-2 goats, "Mike and Mel"
Frank Avanzato-"Francesca"
Fort Myers Beach United Methodist-"Betty"
Shirley Horner- 2 goats"Mutt and Jeff"
Tom and dorothy Jamieson-"Jamie"
Mark Middleton- 2 goats "Sparky and Missy"
Oliver Scott-"Ms Linda"
Linda Scott- "Butterscotch"
Mary Jo Wortman-"Jo"
Joan Wurfele-"Rojo"
Rebecca Circle-NNUMC " Rebecca"
Naomi Circle-NNUMC-"Naomi"
Jan Ellison
Pete Stafford
Patrick Seay
Carole Levick
Berry Altamonte
Vicki Newell "Rob"

Thank you all! We have sent the money for fencing for the "Goat Park", and will purchase the goats in the next month after the fence is installed, This is very important to protect the goats from predators, and to protect the vegetables from the goats.

The Dedication of the New Jerusalem Church is set for July 17th!

The Haitian department of religious affairs has set July 17th for the dedication of the New Jerusalem Mission Church in Ti Palmeste. This is exciting news as this church will now be an official mission church of Haiti. People will be coming from Canada, the United States and Haiti to help celebrate. Pastor Ambroz will be busy organizing a week of activities and accommodations for everyone.

Our next team trip, planned for April, will be postponed so we can take the team to the dedication in July. From North Naples we will have Ed and Sally Ritter, Janice Coffey, Linda Scott and Jim Baker. Aunel Bellany, Homestead UMC, will be bringing his wife Vicky and their three children. They plan to make a family vacation visiting relatives in Port-au-Prince as well as LaGonave. Aunel grew up in Ti Palmeste, and he is very excited about the completion of the church. We still plan to hold additional CHE (Community, Health, Evangelism) training and Bible study, as well as some training courses for the youth.

It will be a time of celebration for all who have worked so hard on the church building, as well as the church development, including the church council and inter-denominational pastors council. This church will truly be the center of the community. As the leaders are trained, they will in turn train others in the surrounding areas, thereby improving the quality life for all and spreading the good news of Jesus Christ.

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A Memorable Moment

     In November, we spent three days in Ti Palmeste meeting with pastors, community leaders and the ladies of the area churches.   We did not have a vehicle available to us, so we walked the couple miles to the church from the Guest House every morning, and then back home.  The last day there we attended an evening church service.  Pastor Ambroz kindly found a truck to take us back at night.  However, the ride was so rough over the rocky, potholed road,  we decided walking would be better.  Imagine our surprise on leaving the service about 10:00 o'clock to be directed to a fleet of six motorcycles all lined up with drivers and engines revving, waiting for us.  "Pick one." Pastor Ambroz told us.  Janice looked at me.  "Can we go together?"  I replied that we were all on our own.   So we selected our steel steeds, and  Janice, David, Ed, Floyd, Aunel and I dutifully climbed aboard for a wild ride down the rocks and bumps that pass for roads in the mountains of La Gonave.  As the young men raced each other, kids, dogs and chickens all scattered out of the way.
     Peter stepped out of a boat because he trusted Jesus.   Sometimes the boat is a motorcycle, but the trust we have in God is the same.  When God sends you, He supplies you with all you need for the journey.  While I prayed through the dark, His peace enfolded me and brought us all safely home.
-Sally Ritter  January 6, 2011

Praying for Haiti

We are watching the events unfolding in Haiti and praying for a peaceful solution to the election issue.  Pierre Esperance, of RNNDH human rights, confirms that there was massive fraud in the election process.  The people know their government is at the root cause of most of their problems.  They want change, and not just more of the same with a different name.  They are aware that there is substantial help awaiting for them to begin rebuilding, and they will not see it until their government is accountable.

We must pray for resolution, and for Christian ideals to be honored by the new government.

PRAY FOR HAITI  !

Village School East

     We had a great visit to Pastor Agones's school, Ralph C. Tuthill, which we have nicknamed the Village School East after the North Naples UMC school decided to help the students with donations of uniforms and school supplies.  They also sent letters and cameras, so the students in the two schools can correspond with each other.    Thankfully, there are six more boxes of uniforms on the way in a container, as there are now eighty children enrolled in school.
     Pastor Agones does a wonderful job  here educating the poorest of the poor in this area of Ansagale called Baie de Tortue.  Pastor Agones grew up here and was fortunate enough to have received a college education, which enables him to give back to these children.

The children of Ralph C. Tuthill  (Village School East) in their new uniforms

     LOOKING GOOD!!
 

A Successful Trip Completed! Praise God!

     The team returned home from La Gonave the day before the election, which was last Sunday.   What an awesome trip beyond our expectations.   For three days we held classes in the church.  Pastor Floyd Costello with Pastor Agones as interpreter led 23 pastors in Bible  and pastoral training.  They closed the three days with the installation of a new  Deacon at our church, followed by a laying on of hands.  These men were truly grateful for the opportunity to ask questions and receive valuable insight into  God's word.

The Pastors

The community leaders learning CHE

     Ed Ritter and David Ames  with Aunel Bellany as translator, led 24 men in CHE training:
Community Health, Evangelism. 
Using the CHE teaching methods, these young men realized that they had the answers to many of the questions and problems facing their community.  The dramatizations really helped bring home the essential point that we are there to help and to guide, not to provide all needs.  While discussing integrity they studied the Bible and many expressed an interest in more Bible study.  Our work has only just begun!

The women's group

     Sally Ritter and Janice Coffey led a ladies Bible study with over 20 women.  Nixon, our translator, did a wonderful job and the ladies opened up and shared with us.   The lesson was based on the Apples of Gold,  focusing on Kindness, Loving our children and Loving our husbands the way the Bible instructs.  The women did not know the Bible could instruct and guide in this way.  Many other subjects opened up along the way.  We closed with reading the Fathers Love Letter in Creole.  Each lady received a journal with all Bible verses listed in Creole.

David and Aunel explaining about the moringa tree.  The crushed seeds absorb and clean even the dirtiest pond water.  The moringa tree grows all over La Gonave.

 

Ed teaching the men and women combined about treating their drinking and bathing water

Pastor Daday and Pastor Ambroz with Pastor Floyd Costello

Janice teaching the ladies about loving their children

The team, David Ames, Rockny Senat, (Pastor Ambroz's son), 
the cooking ladies,  (Eve Rose in orange),
Ed Ritter, Floyd Costello,  Pastor Daday, and Pastor Ambroz in back;
Sally Ritter, Janice Coffey and  Aunel Bellany in front