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Finding ways to smile through tough times…

As many of you know, Haiti is embroiled in political and economic turmoil that has spilled into the streets in the form of roadblocks and riots. While we did not anticipate these problems arising, we see God’s mercy as we happened to stock up on fuel and food, more than normal, just before the unrest began. Despite uncertainly on the length of the current protests, we have sufficient supplies that will allow us to continue to services we provide well into March. Praise God for His provision!

The village we live and work in is a peaceful one, and we have not seen problems within our community. Our clinic, rescue center, and Cholera Treatment Center remained open and functioning this week. We are grateful for our Haitian staff and their commitment to helping us serve the underserved here with us despite challenges they face in lieu of the country’s problems. The US staff feels safe and able to continue the work the Lord has for us here and currently do not have plans to evacuate.

While we feel secure in Cazale, traveling throughout the country is prohibited due to insecurity and roadblocks. This presents many challenges as we move forward in regards to getting supplies essential to our work, transporting patients to larger regional facilities in an emergency, purchasing fuel to run our generators and keep power to the clinic and rescue center, and much more.

Please pray that the current escalation of tensions would ease, peace would prevail, and this country and her people might advance in the right direction. We certainly have witnessed many Christians, within our staff, and in local churches, that are crying out to God, wanting to be peacemakers and trusting God to make a way where there seems to be no way. We share life with many dear brothers and sisters down here that live by faith and not by sight, and we continue to learn and grow and walk with them.

With Zach being here, we had decided to do something special for Valentine’s Day. The plan was to head to the beach and have a dinner at sunset together, Zach & Lorraine, Charly & Lori, Henoch & Licia, and Casey & Briana. Because of the state of the road between Cazale and the beach, we had to cancel our plans. But, if you have visited us in Haiti, you know, when in Haiti, sometimes you have to degaje. So we hung some Christmas lights and decorations under the toenail at the clinic and danced the night away. It was a wonderful time and a celebration of the love we have together. Even in the midst of riots and roadblocks, uneasiness and uncertainty, God gives small, little, sweet, and substantive graces to fill us with joy and gratefulness as only He can.

We love you all and appreciate your prayers. Here are some pictures of all the lovebirds!!!!!!

Lori is going to have to suture up this rug, cause she is cutting it up right here. (I know there is not even a rug in the picture, and, that this is not even a particularly good joke, but I am a little brother and this is what I do.)
Henoch and Licia
Charles & Lori
Anna and Keverly dancing with some of the RC kids

Lorraine and Isaiah
Ameyah has a little friend!
The Fam

Anna and Ameyah and Grace
Casey and Briana
Charles and Gratchen
Henley and his girlfriend
Someone cut in to dance with Henoch
A mother’s love is a mother’s love

Comments(6)

  1. Denice Alexander says

    Praying for all my RealHope family, you are an amazing bunch, so blessed to know all of you. Asking God to heal Haiti. You all are an example of Jesus.

  2. Janet Pender says

    You all are such a blessing and I thank God that the Haitians have you in their lives.
    I keep Haiti and RHFH in my prayers daily and pray that peace will will prevail. Be safe !

  3. Susan McAnelly says

    So happy that you are all together, I know how appreciative your are of that. Love to you guys and constant prayers that the problem Haiti is going thru will be over soon with a benefit to the people . Praise God for the blessing of a great night for you all.

  4. Kathy Absher says

    Hi Casey and Briana,
    Thank you for the update and specific prayer requests. So fun to see all your pictures. Will be praying for al of you.

  5. Kristen Goodling says

    I love you all! I love the happiness that shines through all of you even in a time of trial or unrest. You all look well and like you are enjoying each other. What a blessing! Can’t wait to see you this summer 😘

  6. Janette E Layton says

    How neat for Zach to be there with all his kids and their spouses and his grandkids. Special time for him and Lorraine and all of you. Love the pics!! Thanks for sharing! Praying for mighty things to be accomplished through all of this. Love and Hugs!

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