This Clinic Needs Help!

           Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. Psalm 124:8

Greetings!

The clinic in Boucan Patriot that needs a new roof.
(a little paint would be nice, too!)

Gail and I thank the Lord for all of you and the support you have given us for the work He has us doing in Haiti. As Psalm 124:8 states, ‘Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth’.  We have learned that the Lord uses His people to accomplish His will. By letting Christ work through you, you have been a blessing to us and the Haitian people. The glory goes to God! His work through Gail and I is not finished. We ask for your prayers and support to be able to continue serving His people in Haiti.

Gail and Dr. Neal looking at the pharmacy

It’s been a while since I have written and we have a lot to share with everyone. There will be more updates to follow that will explain how He is moving us to continue working with His people in Haiti. This update would get way too long if it was all included here!

Dr. LeaAnn, seeing a patient in the clinic

As we move forward in the Lord, our first priority is in a village called Boucan Patriot. There is a small medical clinic (staffed with one nurse) that is in dire need of a new roof. This roof is beyond repair, it needs replacing. You may recall that this building is where a chicken fell through the roof right where Dr Neal was talking with a patient! We were all thankful it was only a chicken. We really can’t wait until something major happens and it collapses. This building also has plenty of space for not only the clinic but with a little more work, a nice living area for visitors or additional staff.  But the first need is for a roof!

Raymond, patient, Dr. LeaAnn, and Gail. Notice the hole
where the chicken fell through in the backround!

We have an estimate of $3,800 - $4,000 to replace it. Because of all the unsettledness in Haiti, these prices may jump higher. We have an experienced Haitian carpenter and crew ready and waiting to do the work. We feel that it is better, when possible, to use the local talent. With that being said, we need to raise the money in order to accomplish this. Please be in prayer about coming along side us in helping restore this clinic. Many people rely on this facility. Some would say that this clinic is in the middle of nowhere, and they would be right. There just isn’t much of an alternative for the people in this area. With your help, we hope to have a new roof put on before Dr’s Neal and LeaAnn go back the first part of December.

If you feel a desire to help in this project, or in supporting Gail and I in His work, donations can be sent to Grace Hill Ministries and to the address listed below. We are a 501(c)3 organization, so all your donations are tax deductable. Or, you can use the PayPal button and put in the remarks that these funds are for a new clinic roof or for ministry support. We thank you and give God the glory!

Stay tuned, there is much more we want to share with everyone! Our Lord is alive!

God bless,

Chuck & Gail Guerber
Grace Hill Ministries
P.O. Box 171
Ironwood, MI 49938

Phone: 906.285.2500
Haitian Phone:  509.4753.0270

School & Village For The Deaf

'Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker,
 but whoever is kind to the needy honors God'.

Proverbs 14:31

School and Village for the Deaf
Upon returning to Haiti, Gail and I stopped off for a couple days to stay at the New Life Children’s Home in Port au Prince. It’s a guesthouse alongside an orphanage that takes care of primarily handicapped children. The love and care the children receive there is amazing.

Visiting the school for the deaf
 

While there, we were told of a village for the deaf that is on our way back to the Northwest. We got a contact name and directions and

headed out to see what we would find. We arrived to the area and noticed rows of small but nice block houses. The area was green and for the most part extremely clean! We had a few ‘hit and miss’ attempts at getting to the school, so we parked the car and walked up the hill to where we thought the school was at.  We found our contact person who could speak English very well. He gave us a tour of the school, church, houses, etc. Let me tell you, this place is something else! I will try to explain, as best my memory will permit, about this village.

Walking the streets in the village for the deaf
 

After the earthquake in 2010, there were a large number of deaf children living on the streets. They (not sure of who ‘they’ are) got them together and moved them across the street from a town called City Soleil. It is part of Port au Prince. These children received a lot of aid and help due to their unique situation and the people across the street got very jealous. So much so, that it became dangerous for the children to remain.

In steps a ministry called Mission of Hope. They are a very large ministry and do fantastic work. From what I understand, they were notified of the situation with these children and devised a plan to move them to a large house/orphanage about 45 minutes outside of Port au Prince. Then, they came up with the village concept.

Not far from the orphanage, they built houses, a church and school. The houses are in rows with a lot of vegetation between them. One row of houses have families with deaf children, the next row has hearing families, and so on. This goes on throughout the village. The school consists of two wings, one for the deaf children and one for the hearing children. They eat and play together. The hearing children also learn sign language so that they all can communicate. It’s really something!

Rows of houses. One for deaf, one for hearing, etc.

There are about 500 houses in this program which again is run by Mission of Hope. Hearing neighbors help their deaf neighbors and it seems to be working well. One problem that they have is that they have no electricity and no lights. There were solar panels put in but for some reason they no longer work.  They stated this is a big problem, and something I would have never realized. Not being able to see at night is a huge obstacle. For example; not being able to hear your baby crying and it’s too dark to see them. We pray that somewhere, people will step up and find a solution.

Water and Garden

Water from our faucet

Gail and I got back to the Northwest last Thursday to all the unexpected events that come along with living here. Pastor Etienne arrived with two 20 ft trucks loaded with Feed My Starving Children food a few hours before us. He had pumped water for a couple hours which was a blessing. We had water, but it was not potable. Wow, I never knew there could be so much algae, slime and other indescribable things that could exist in water. The cisterns were dry and the pipes got filled with, well, ‘stuff’. I spent the day trying to get relatively clean water. It was a lengthy process. Three days later, we are still trying to get the water right. It is getting better but not potable yet.

Being gone for 6 weeks posed a bigger problem – the garden. We were counting on others to pump water as needed while we were gone (we not only supply water for what is an expanding garden, we also provide water for a nearby village. They count on it). Anyway, a request was made that the large, 40,000 gallon cistern be filled before they left. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen. If that wasn’t bad enough, the valve that controls all the water to the garden had been turned off. It was saddening to see.  About ½ to 2/3 of the garden died. What makes it so frustrating is that after 6 months of working that garden we finally had locals take ownership of it. There were 5 men working in it before it dried up. We ask ourselves why did this happen? We can only speculate, but it takes time, energy, and money to run the pump and maintain a good water level. As far as who turned off the water to the garden? Was it to conserve water? Only God knows. It just adds to the frustration in a place that’s already overflowing with frustration.

The first picture of the garden was taken the day before we left. The picture below was taken of the same area the day we got back.

I met with one of the leaders of the village of Ti Anse, where we supply water, and apologized for the lack of water for them. They were very gracious and waited yet another day so we could get the water level up in the cistern to provide enough water for their village and the campus. Today I met about 30 people walking to the cistern carrying pails and buckets. They were soooo excited to have water again! We give thanks to God for his power and mercy.

The Haitians that have been working in the garden say that they will continue on! Praise God! They haven’t lost the vision that they saw when the garden was lush. As one stated, “you can kill the garden, but you can’t kill our spirit”! They have already begun to replant where needed. If this garden was a hobby, no big deal. But the people of the village started to see the possibilities of growing their own food. With the desert environment and the ever rising cost of food, what a relief that garden will be. We intend to keep the water flowing as long as God provides.

Gail and I ask that you keep us in your prayers as we move forward in the work God has laid out for us.

In His Service,
Chuck & Gail Guerber
Ti Lagon, Haiti

New Friends in Philadelphia, NW Haiti

 

“He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ Matthew 25:45
 

Karl giving the gospel before handing out food in Ti Anse

During the later part of April, the campus at Ti Lagon was blessed to have three guys from Global Compassion Ministries come to do their quarterly food distribution. Karl Leiber, Jerry Lantz, Layne Konneman, along  with Christopher a translator. We were also joined for the week with our good friend Linda Blankenship.

Children at Philadelphia in NW Haiti

As with so many things in Haiti, their trip took many unexpected turns. Being the seasoned veterans that they are, they took each turn gracefully! They always knew the Lord was in charge and they looked for the lesson and direction each time. If I remember correctly, they had 3 flat tiers in less than a week. Gail and I were fortunate to be along when they flattened number 2&3. But as in all situations, the Lord provided and we were back on the road in short order.

Karl leading a prayer in the church at Philadelphia

Global Compassion Ministries currently distributes food to 7 villages. Three villages come by boat, some come by donkey and a few get it delivered to them. On this trip, they reached out to a new village, so you might say they have 8 villages now! We took them to a village called Philadelphia. It's a small village with only one or two hundred people living around it. They weren't expecting us, but it has been a place Gail and I have started going to regularly. They were so happy to receive clothing items and food.

I asked the pastor if Karl could give the message on Sunday. He was very excited about having a guest preacher. So, on Sunday Karl spoke. Their church is a cement block building with a tin roof and a couple holes for widows. The pastor told us the day before that we need to know that not everybody that comes to church is a Christian. I told him it's no different in the States!  Jerry also gave a brief message and was well received. It was a blessing to be a part of their church service.

Jerry giving a brief message

Gail and I are currently back in the States for a few more weeks. We are in prayer for what the Lord will have for us in the future. Please join us in prayer for strength and direction while serving Him. There is no better place to be than in His will! I'm reminded of Psalm 63:1

Psalm 63:1

¹ You, God, are my God,
    earnestly I seek you;
I thirst for you,
    my whole being longs for you,
in a dry and parched land
    where there is no water.

A group photo from the village of Philadelphia, NW Haiti

Thank you for your support. We greatly appreciate it and we keep you in our prayers as well!

In His Service,
Chuck & Gail Guerber
Ti Lagon, Haiti

Doctors Neal & LeaAnn Back in Haiti

Pastor Etienne, Fred, Neal, and LeaAnn

Luke 7:22

So he replied to the messengers, “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. 

We have been blessed with the visit of two doctors from Ironwood, Michigan this past week. Neal & LeaAnn Schroeter made yet another trip to Haiti to help the people and to serve our Lord. For those that don’t know, Neal is also our pastor! Our church is Range Community Bible Church in Hurley, WI. So it’s been an added blessing to have them here.

They came to give training and support to a nurse that is in a remote village a couple hours away from us in Boucan Patriot. This clinic is supported financially by Living Water Ministries. It was an added plus to have Fred Chalker, founder of Living Water Ministries, and Pastor Etienne come along on the trip.

Leaving for the 4 nights at the clinic

Doctor LeaAnn during the clinic

After arriving at the campus last Wednesday, we all had a relaxing evening before the trip to Boucan Patriot. It was great to be able to catch up with friends! Thursday, Neal, LeaAnn, Fred, Etienne and two interpreters (Raymond and Christopher) loaded up Pastor Etienne’s pickup for the two hour trek. They would be staying (camping) inside the clinic. They had to haul all their water along because the village doesn’t really have much, but that’s another story. Gail and I stayed back on the campus, mainly to pump water for the nearby village of Ti Anse. The group from Indiana built a cistern for the village and it feeds off our water supply and pump/generator. If we weren’t here, they would have run out of water! Staying back at the campus had nothing to do with the fact that I knew the group would be staying in very primitive conditions which would far exceed my camping enjoyment. Plus, with the lack of any medical skills on my part, I would have just gotten in the way.

Doctor Neal with a patient

I know they experienced many things while having the clinics, but I would like to point out one. To the best of my recollection, this is what I was told happened. It was about the second day of clinics and there had been a lot of ‘scratching’ sounds up in the ceiling. The consensus was that it was a rat (or rats). As most of you know, that wouldn’t be uncommon. This scratching sound was something that they had to deal with during the nights, too. So much to their surprise, while Neal was seeing a patient, the ceiling broke away and down plunked a chicken! Right in front of Christopher (a translator)! Needless to say, Christopher flew out of his chair about as fast as the chicken fell down. The next task was to catch this critter and get it out of the clinic. Once that was accomplished, everyone sat down and continued on.

I need to say that we didn’t completely abandon our friends while they were there. Gail and I drove up on Saturday and spent the night. We showed two movies to the community, The Hope and The Jesus movie for children. Sunday morning we went to the local church where Pastor Neal gave a great message with Pastor Etienne translating. After the service, we had a little jam with Neal on bass, me on guitar and Raymond on keyboards. It was fun and the people got a kick out of it!

Raymond, LeaAnn with a baby patient, and Gail. In the backround
you can see the hole in the ceiling where the chicken fell through!

While at the clinic, Neal & LeaAnn spent time with the nurse and patients. Not only helping the needs of the sick but also working with the nurse and helping educate her. Their meals were made by the pastor’s daughter and a few other local women. I can assure you, the food was fantastic! The best Haitian food I have tasted thus far.

Gail and I were really blessed with cushion covers that LeaAnn made for our couch and two chairs. She took measurements the last time they were here and while on the road with her work, made these fantastic covers! Now when we sit down, we don’t have that 'crunching' sound of plastic that was over the cushions. It feels like ‘real’ furniture now!

Pastor Neal giving the Sunday message with
Pastor Etienne interpreting

We would like to thank Neal, LeaAnn, Fred and Pastor Etienne for their time here this past week. We look forward to a continued relationship with all of them here in Haiti. They have a heart for the people and a passion for the gospel. We wish all safe travels back to their homes and families. May God bless you.

In His Service

Chuck & Gail
Ti Lagon, Haiti



Our new cushion covers! Thanks LeaAnn!

Jacob's Garden

As it is written: “The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.”  2 Corinthians 8:15

 Jacob’s Garden

Jacob in the garden

After experiencing two futile attempts at growing a garden, I spoke to Jacob, one of the men that work here on the campus, about taking it over. He was excited about the possibilities! We had an agreement that he would do the gardening and I would supply the land, fenced area, and water. We shook hands and he went to work on it. Within a few days, I realized we had a miscommunication (can you imagine having miscommunication in Haiti?!!) I was under the impression that I would pump water and provide them with all the water they needed. Jacob took it as I would do all the watering. Oh well, I ended up doing the daily watering for a few months. Jacob did a fine job of planting it and weeding it twice.

The garden produced a nice crop of melons, peas, and will eventually produce corn. The corn is looking ok but not ready to be harvested. Gail and I had a couple melons out of it which were pretty good. But the garden wasn’t for us, it was for Jacob, because he has a large family. This garden will go a long way in helping him feed his wife and children. But when it comes time to replant, we will readdress the issue of who is going to do the watering!

HIV Still a Big Problem

Gail with girls before the clinic

A few weeks ago there was a mobile clinic that came through the village which tested for HIV. This is still a big problem here. The picture of Gail and the girls was taken before they went into the clinic. The girls were scared and didn’t want to be tested. Gail, being the forever mother that she is, comforted them and gave them assurance that it would be ok. Gail literally had to walk through the clinic with these girls mom in order to be sure they were all tested. They did not want to do it. By the grace of God, none of them tested positive! Thank you Jesus!

 Z’Orange, Haiti

Spending time with the children at the orphanage in Z'Orange

We were privileged to be able to spend time with Chuck Martindale and the group he had up in Z’Orange, Haiti a couple weeks ago. The group was fantastic! These folks used their spring break to serve the Lord. It was fun to be around. They were busy with various medical clinics along with VBS. Never a dull moment! Gail and I took a group up to the orphanage on the hill. They exchanged singing of songs which was very touching. They also told a great bible story followed by crafts. It was a blessing to see the interaction with the children.

Back in the Northwest

Indiana group having a meal after arriving at the campus

We arrived back home, here in Ti Lagon, a week ago last Wednesday. We had a couple days to clean and get ready for a group from Indiana. They arrived a week ago last Sunday and left the campus yesterday. As of this writing, they should be on the plane home! We pray for safe travels.

It was a busy, work filled week for them here. The group went to various villages, did medical clinics and VBS. They stayed overnight inside a clinic about 2 ½ hours away. I give them a lot of credit. It’s hard enough living in Haiti without adding a camping experience to it! They were a blessing to have around!

Mennonite Nursery

Nelson Shrock showing us their tree nursery

During the past week we were fortunate to spend time with Mike Burns. Mike has a heart for missions and has made numerous trips to Haiti. He is spending an additional week in Haiti traveling to different areas to see where the Lord can best utilize him.

Gail and I took him to see the nursery that the Mennonite’s have. It's a little over an hour’s drive from here via the short cut. Nelson Shrock gave us a tour of their facility and the various projects he is working on. It was very informative. We then were invited for lunch where we met the others living on their compound. A big ‘Thank You’ goes out to Nelson and his hospitality!

Our Pastor and His Wife

We are now looking forward to our pastor and his wife coming here this Wednesday. For those that don’t know, he and his wife are both medical doctors with vast amounts of mission experience. They will primarily be working with the clinic, that Living Water Ministries built and supports, about 2 ½ hours away from the campus. Their plan is to spend 4 nights there.

Thank You!

We are so grateful to all of you! It is through your prayers and generosity that the work the Lord has us doing here in Haiti can be accomplished. May God bless you!

In His Service,

Chuck & Gail

Ti Lagon, Haiti

Your Support is a Blessing to Others

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12

 

Family off the beaten path that received food

Children at pastor's house

Your Support is a Blessing to Others

    People in the northwest of Haiti have been blessed by Jesus working through you! Through your generosity, our Lord has been able to use Gail and I to distribute much needed food, clothes, bibles, and school supplies to people that are ‘off the radar’, even by Haitian standards. This past week, with the aid of the ATV, Gail and I ventured off the beaten path. Nobody that received these blessings asked for it. We were sure to let people know that the blessings came from Jesus, not from us. Thank you all who have given to help aid in the lives of the Haitian people. 

Church/school building

    One of the places we stopped at was a pastor’s house that Zorray had mentioned to us a while back. Our Haitian friend and co-worker Zorray, who recently passed away, wanted us to go there and help in any way we could (I should add that Jerry Lantz and I stopped at this church briefly last July and met the pastor). Upon Gail and I arriving we were met with the smiles of the pastor’s wife and children. The pastor arrived shortly after. Noticing the red around the edges of the children’s hair, we could tell they were malnourished. We left them with a box of canned food and some rice & beans. But knew that we would return…

School in session

    So a couple days ago, while traveling with Pastor Etienne, I asked if we could go back to this area. He quickly agreed. We met the pastor and talked for a while. I didn’t totally understand what they were talking about seeing as my Haitian Creole consists of 3 words, but come to find out, Pastor Etienne said that Living Water Ministries could supply their school (about 55 children) with a daily meal! Praise God! The very next day, 4 men on donkeys showed up on campus to pick up some of the food. They were soooooo thankful! 

    Yesterday, Gail and I went back to this church/school. They were cooking up food for the children! They were so happy to show us where they were making the meal. We spent time visiting with the children and the two teachers. Because of your generosity, we were able to provide the school with a lot of supplies. And the glory goes to God!

Capped Spring for Village

Children in school

    Through the efforts of Living Water Ministries and Global Compassion Ministries, both of which were up here in Northwest Haiti recently, water will soon flow to a village in need! Praise God! The spring is about a mile from a church and school that Living Water Ministries helps support. The efforts of these two ministries will result in running water that will be accessible to the people that live in this area. There is still a little more work that needs to be done. I know the people are anxiously awaiting it.

School kitchen

Pastor’s New House

    Pastor Guiteau who is the pastor in the nearby village of Ti Ans received his new house last week! Although there is still work to be done on the inside, he is very proud of it! Thanks go to God! The guys from Global Compassion Ministries worked hard on getting it built in less than two weeks. During this time, Denny Mitchell from Living Water Ministries hauled many loads of sand with the dump truck for the cement.

    Gail and I would like to thank each and every one of you for your generosity and love that you have shown the Haitian people. Please know that you are in their prayers!

In His Service,
Chuck & Gail






Pastor and his new house

Capped spring for a village in need















Global Compassion Ministries Return to Port au Prince

A generous person will prosper;

Whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. Proverbs 11:25



New house for a pastor

    It’s been an amazing few weeks with Global Compassion Ministries here in Northwest Haiti. They left to go back to Port au Prince early this morning. Our prayer is that they have an uneventful trip back home. There is no way I can write all the great memories, blessings, and fellowship that was created, but here are some of the highlights.

Community helping with the house

    Each day started with a time of devotion. It was a blessing to listen to those that shared and taught. While Tom led the music, I tried to sing, but it was too early in the morning for my voice (ok, I can’t sing in the afternoon either, but the ‘early morning’ gave me an excuse ;)  

New Pastor’s House 

    For approximately the past 18 months, the pastor in a nearby village of Ti Anse has not had a house. He has been living with a family in the village. I should add he is also the director of the school. I can only imagine how hard that living arrangement has been. 

Food at the work site

    The church family really came out to help! Ladies and children carried rocks for the foundation while the men dug the footings. Block walls were made and the roof put on. Lastly, doors and window shutters were made and installed. It was a great joint effort of North Americans and Haitians. Unfortunately, I don’t have a picture of the finished house to show you.

    Many days, Vicky made lunch and took it to the job site for the Global workers while a local lady made lunch for the village help. All enjoyed each other’s company. Most days there were many kids running around the work site. Vicky made sure to make enough food so all got a nutritious meal. No one in the area went hungry!

Baptism 


Larry's baptism

Sundays are a more relaxed day. After lunch this past Sunday, Larry Pagoria told Terry Estes that he would like to be baptized. So at 2:00 in the afternoon, we all headed to the beach to witness Larry’s commitment to Jesus. It was a beautiful event.

Ladies Ministry

The ladies were always going places with the VBS, crafts, and women’s ministry. From my understanding, the women’s ministry was a huge success. We pray that others will follow in their footsteps and come here to the northwest and minister to the ladies. School children enjoyed their crafts and bible stories. The ladies poured themselves out in ministry. Thank you Jesus!



Ti Rivere Water Project

Children's ministry

Living Water Ministry worked along with Global Compassion Ministry in getting water close to a village in need. The village is about 45 minutes away from the campus via the ‘short cut’. Otherwise, it takes much longer. The ‘short cut’ is not for the faint of heart, but the seasoned drivers from Global and Living Water had no problem navigating it. They are in the process of capping a small spring and running it into a cistern about 100 yards away. It will then be piped approximately a mile to the church. People will be able to freely come to the church yard and get water. What a blessing it will be! The spring has been dug lower and capped, the cistern foundation has been poured and most of the pipe laid. The people are anxiously awaiting the water!

Leaving campus to go home

    As the group packed up yesterday and left this morning, we can only thank our Lord Jesus Christ for each and every one of them and their families. They have left job, home, and family to come to this remote area of Haiti and work for the Lord. Through their efforts, people were blessed and hearts were changed as the Lord worked through them. And all the glory goes to God.

We look forward to their return…..

In His Service,
Chuck & Gail Guerber
Ti Lagon, Haiti



Everyone ate that showed up at the job site

Bruce doing strenuous work



Terry waiting for a waitress?