Today was extremely rewarding. We woke early to a nice breakfast and were headed out to Plik by 7am. We had some concerns about getting there because it had been raining before we were here and the river had been on the rise. Fortunately, it had not rained up in the mountains for a couple days and we could cross the river. We drove to our drop point and began our walk. For those who have not been to Plik, the walk in is very nice. The walk out is pretty difficult by our standards. (Not so much by our Haitian friend’s standards) So Vilex led us on our walk and we arrived in the village about 8:45a.m. Pastor Suavier met us on the trail and walked the last 100 yards or so with us. He took us into his home and fed us bread from his bakery and Haitian sweet coffee. He then showed us around the village to his wood working shop, the bakery and then off to the school. The school was packed. We counted over 100 kids in the tiny school/church building. Vilex did an excellent job of interpreting for us and introduced us and told them the reasons we were there. The children’s faces were filled with excitement and joy. We presented them with gifts of pencils, markers, books, posters and other things from the TLC school by Mattoon where we are from. We also saw the new chalk boards that Pastor built that the kids from TLC provided the funding for. The Plik children then made book marks as gifts to give the TLC kids for us to bring back to them. They did an excellent job on this craft and with understanding what they were. We gave gifts to the teachers and then said our goodbyes. Pastor treated us to coconut water before we headed up the mountain to go back to Marfanc. It was a hot journey back to Steve awaiting us but we completed it in about an hour and survived. We took the bumpy ride back arrived at the house. After a short rest, I noticed Erlande’s sister had arrived at the house for some baby formula. This really capped the day off...I walked back to Darline’s house with Linda and got the chance to visit for a while. I got to read Erlande a book and give her a bottle. It was really great. As I walked back to the house, I was caught in a down pour...how refreshing! The locals thought I was crazy for walking in the rain, but it was so cool and fresh and felt really great. We ate another delightful supper from Madame Asson and are now setting up for the evening. I am amazed again, with this being my second trip, how fast the week goes...I will be very glad to get home to my family, but I will deeply miss my Haitian friends...so tomorrow is our last day and we await what it brings...till then goodbye from Randy, Brian, Eric and Maria.

Greetings from Kay Bo Rivye! Today was market day in Marfranc, and we enjoyed watching the people walking on the path in front of the house balancing baskets of goods, produce, etc. on their heads as they made their way to the market. They come from all around town and the surrounding mountains to sell what they have in order to buy what they need. We walked into town to experience the market for ourselves, and it is very difficult to capture the market’s sights, smells, and sounds in words.

We visited with Pastor Plaisir and his family to deliver medical supplies. At his home we were blessed with a duet sung by two of Pastor’s daughters – “You are my All in All,” sung to us in English, French, and Creole. It truly touched my heart to hear these two young women so full of love for the Lord, in the midst of all that surrounds them here in the valley, singing this beautiful song.

We are all turning in early tonight in preparation for tomorrow’s challenging hike to Plik. Our backpacks are packed full of school supplies, medical supplies, and treats for the children at the school there. Thanks to the students and teachers at the TLC school in Humboldt, IL, for the school supplies and other resources they generously provided for the students in Plik.

-Maria Boerngen, Crossover Church

Today in Haiti was great! It was hot, as usual, but we did accomplish some of what we came here for. Brian, Eric and myself with the help of locals Dis, Jacklin and Wendy (Dis’s son) finished off two sets of doors for the school. Maria worked with Joline help get medical stuff separated and logged. We worked up till about 2:30 in the afternoon and the best part of the day happened. We cleaned up and headed off to Darlinne and Erlande’s house for a birthday party, a 1st birthday party for a special little girl. The fact that she has made it this landmark in her life is nothing short of a miracle. There have been so many people who have been a part of her life and her getting to here, that I was so grateful to get to have this moment with her. There were nearly 30 people in Darlinnes tiny house. Many cousins came as well as Erlande’s sisters and brothers. It was a great time. The food was great as always again today. Madame Asson and Benit always outdo themselves. So now it is evening and we are preparing for bed. Market tomorrow and then Plik on Thursday. Exciting week lays ahead. We are blessed to be here. Thanks for everyone’s prayers and support..see you when we get home..Randy.

Today we broke into two work groups. The women took the supplies that we brought with us and divided them up for distribution. The men worked outside cutting, planing, and sanding boards that we will use later this week to make doors for the school in Marfranc. The welder/generator that was donated by Ameren CIPS was invaluable to run the power tools that we used.

One of the packages was school supplies and gifts for the children at the school in Plik that we will distribute later this week. There were also medical supplies that will be given to a medical clinic in Mar Franc and to Pastor Plaisir for the church and school in Mar Franc. We also delivered some medical supplies to an asile (nursing home) here in Mar Franc. The rest of the medical supplies will be given to Pastor Soivers for the church and school in Plik. Almost all of these medical supplies were donated by customers of the Dollar Tree in Mattoon, Illinois.

Pastor Brian Miller and his team from his church arrived on time this morning in Jeremie with ALL of their luggage. That in and of itself is a miracle!!! Made us all smile. Their team of 4 consists of Pastor Brian, Randy Myers and Eric and Maria Boerngen. They are all from The Crossover church in Mattoon, Illinois. They will be working on building doors for the school in Marfranc and also visiting the village of Plik. There is a school in Mattoon that raised money to help the school at Plik and they will be visiting and taking school supplies to that school as well as having the children in Plik draw on some paper bookmarks to take back to the school in Illinois.

After they arrived this morning and had time to relax, eat a little and unpack some, we walked into Marfranc to visit Pastor Plaisir and take a tour of the school. Last year when Brian and Randy came to visit the top floor of the second school building was just getting started, so they were happy to see the school finished and being used! Brian and Randy also took a walk through the river valley in front of the house this afternoon. They will begin their work project in the morning....so will get a report from them tomorrow!

We are glad they are here!

Joline