Lifeline's First Medical Team

Lifeline hosted the first medical group, and what a group it was. This medical group was a great blessing in more ways than one. This was made possible because a group of people from many different places cared enough to work together for the good of the Haitian people. For months a good friend worked diligently with me to make this medical team a reality. I appreciate the diligence and hard work that he put into making this a tremendous success. Thanks Ben

The team was a group of people who started working together long before they made the trip to Haiti. They began coordinating and working to collect medicine that was going to make a tremendous difference in so many lives. It was exciting to see the wheels in motion with this group. When we unloaded the medicine that they had brought it was like opening Christmas gifts except we realized these gifts were going to make a life changing difference. People that could never afford even to see a doctor was about to get an examination and the medicine they so desperately needed for about $1.00.

When we started to open the doors to the clinic there was a long line of people who had gotten the word that there was help for them and their babies. You should have seen the line of people pressing their way through the crowd.

If that wasn't enough it was more impressive to experience what they got inside the doors of the clinic. These people were seen by compassionate caregivers who cared about their physical needs, hurts, and pains. They took the time to care for those who couldn't help themselves.

Every patient that was seen was prayed with and was given a trac sharing the plan of salvation. It was wonderful to not only share medical knowledge and medicine but something that would last for eternity.

Every day started with prayer and it seemed as if God took over after that. Thanks to everyone that worked so diligently to make this possible.

The God Man

Today we spent the afternoon at Lifeline's satellite feeding center in the village of Barbancourt. We have a team visiting from Michigan and they joined more than two hundred children to view a movie called 'The God Man' - the film that was presented at the Mission school last week. It was a wonderful experience to reach out to the children in this area, many of whom are not in school. The Gospel message is presented clearly and powerfully in this film, and we plan on sending members of the Lifeline Church to follow up and disciple the children who were moved by it.

Weekly? Update

My weekly posts didn't get off to a good start. We've been dealing with a very sick baby here and most days have included trips to the hospital in Port au Prince but have not included much time or energy for anything else.

The most exciting news from last week in La Digue is that four of our school children received Christ as their Savior during an evangelism event in Lifeline's school.

Using tools (books and film) from a group called Book of Hope, we'll be making efforts to do even more evangelical work within our group of schools and the neighboring villages.

New Year, New Start

We're back at it here at Lifeline for 2008, and I plan to keep this blog updated at least weekly with the latest news from La Digue. His plans are higher than mine though, so we'll see how it goes.

The construction of the trade school itself is complete, with hopes of having it open later this year. Another building is going up that will house the concrete block making machine and other building projects going on with the trade school.




We hosted two children's bible clubs last Saturday, they came to play and swim in the river near the dam. They studied their lessons and then sang a few songs.

Love Bundle Delivery

We recently handed out Love Bundles at our feeding center in Barbancourt. There are around 400 children who eat at that location each day. The Love Bundles always attract quite a crowd, though - and we ended up passing out over 600.

The school year is wrapping up, so we've been very busy finishing out this year and planning for the next one. All but two of the schools Lifeline supports have received Love Bundles this school year - the other two will be next week.

Thank you to everyone involved in purchasing the items, assembling, packaging, and shipping the Love Bundles to Haiti.

Trade School Update

Here is a short video showing the progress on the Trade School - this week the cement roof was poured - the third-world way. We did use a cement mixer, though, so it was pretty advanced compared to the usual construction standards in Haiti.
Click to play the video:



The long-term plans for the school include courses in welding, cement/masonry work and block-making, sewing, and possibly cooking.

Besides our current primary schools, Lifeline is also currently offering adult courses in learning English, and beginning an adult literacy program.

Trade School Construction

The construction of the Trade School is coming along nicely. There have been a few delays because of supply shortages, and even a couple of rare rainy days to slow things up. The roof should be poured next week. It is very interesting to see a building constructed entirely by hand and manual labor. Every bag of cement is mixed on the ground by hand. Every nail is pounded in with a hammer. All of the rebar and iron reinforcements are bent and formed with a pair of pliers or wire cutters. Every wheelbarrow and bucket of water are carried or pushed without any motorized help.

Here are some current pictures of the project: