To our Dear Friends and Family.
QUIET? YES! Not that we would like it this way always….but just a little break is nice!
The children were up here early this morning remembering things they had forgotten the night before in preparation for their trip! They had to carry their noon meal. Joceline, bless her heart, came yesterday afternoon, baked cookies, cooked rice, chicken and sauce, fried ripe bananas, macaroni salad and much more. Of course she had a little help from some of the girls!
Yes this is the great long awaited day for 24 of our children and 72 in all that left the morning of the last day of May on the bus for the IMP school outing. Everyone returned exhausted, including Rachelle and I’m sure the Professors that went also. Please continue to pray finances will come in to fill the gap where some of the poorer parents are unable to pay. This is quite a struggle and some of the teachers do not receive their monthly salary. They have been more than patient with us and we do not want to lose such highly qualified teachers. Last year we were the only school in the area where every student who took the government test passed. This is quite a compliment! The government would love to take the school over but we would lose our opportunity to have Bible classes and a spiritual emphasis, a school where a heart change and a life choice for Christ is presented as a choice for every student. Also, the government has chosen our school again this year to hold the Government exams.
We hear Madam President might be coming to Dessalines in the near future and just might visit E.G.O. In years past, President Jean Claude Duvalier came to Dessalines and was going to visit the orphanage. We had the children all dressed up in their best, waiting. He went to visit the Spring which you’ve heard is supposed to have special spirits…. After waiting for a long time I decided to mount Babe, our horse and rode out around the crowds on the other side of the spring. Everyone said, “He’s coming, he’s coming”…… but he never did. We don’t have a horse this time………but if we did, I just might ride it anyway!
Now for the important things:
The rains finally came – Our 28-year-old tractor is still running but it’s impossible to get parts now without going on line. Watson got stuck in the garden spinning the wheels and didn’t realize he was digging a hole. Dad had to jack the tractor up to get him out. We’re sure he has learned his lesson. He is a fast learner! They have some rows of corn planted and Dad is transplanting some plants.
We are now cooking with gas in the Kitchen! Everyone is enjoying the clear air. It seems they need to continually be reminded, “please turn the flame down under the kettles!” The girls are enjoying the luxury and privacy of their new showers in their bathroom. The boys are waiting for theirs to be built.
Thanks to Russ Cole and team we have a tank around 30 feet high that holds 1000 gallons of water. The water is pumped up by solar power. Everyone is enjoying the running water, especially the wash ladies. They so appreciate that water comes out of a facet instead of having to use the hand pump. Sometime the hand pump is still used, especially after the sun goes down when the solar power wanes away.
Several teams came earlier this year and now they are gone. We really appreciate all the hard work and willing hands that accomplished so much in so little time. God’s blessings on you.
The fish tanks are being cleaned in preparation to house a new batch of fingerlings (about an inch and a half long) that we will be buying. The rice has been harvested. Praise God, we received 30 bags. Of course this won’t last until the next harvest but it surely does help. The seed beds have been prepared, fertilized and planted. They will grow for three months and when transplanted it will be three months before the harvest. Mangos are still plentiful, Praise God. During this season we rarely have any sicknesses. The lawn is green and beautiful from the pouring rains. The grape vines have been pruned and now little clusters of grapes are forming.
I guess you’ve heard we have a little calf. It’s a bull. Of course we would rather have had a heifer…perhaps next time. The boys take turns milking morning and evening and the little ones are sure enjoying the milk while we are waiting for the big goats to deliver. The Drowleys are back home now in the States for graduations etc. We are looking forward to their return soon.
Many of you have heard that we are having difficulties getting a container. That was an understatement! I think we have had things in a storage unit for about two years. But it sounds like one might be opening up…Praise God! Drowleys have been waiting for one to come also. There are Dental chairs and equipment for the Dessalines hospital in the storage also. Please join in praying with us that this will happen quickly.
God has been so very good to us giving us good health. We remember Him saying, “I will be with you even in your old age.” He certainly has done what He said he would do! Praise His Name.
May we thank those of you that have continued to support this ministry for many years. Without God and you backing us up where would we AND all of the children be today?? We are so blessed to have you folks that have stayed with us all these years financially and most of all in your prayers. Thank you so very much. Love you bunches!
Still standing in the Gap,
Don & Doris Peavey
