We hope you all have had an enjoyable Thanksgiving week spending time with family and friends!
This Thanksgiving came upon us quickly as we are still in summer mode. We haven't quite transitioned ourselves from associating weather with time of year/holidays. We were able to enjoy a full Thanksgiving meal, minus pie, with the Cazeaus, Jacques and Schneider, a few of our Haitian friends. It was a first Thanksgiving meal for all of them!
Jeff and I are so Thankful for the support of our parents and our AWAKENHAITI leadership team. We couldn't do this without you all!
We are also Thankful that God is giving us glimpses of the mission ahead for us here. We are very encouraged that when we truly seek God's direction, he blesses.
This week, Jeff met with Pastor Nathan and began talking through some potential plans for our involvement in Canaan. We will follow God's leading in this and we are very excited for the vision that has already begun for that community. We have seen God working there, bringing people to himself and we see a community forming within the church there that will bring about honor to HIM!
I went to visit a new preschool for a day this week. This school was started in the home of Dr. Jude who some of you know we have been working with. His wife, Rachel, is doing a lot of research and is leading the teachers to establish a great little school for their neighborhood. Kylie, Brooke and I will be visiting there many Fridays to teach the children English. We are very excited to get to know the teachers and children there.
Vanessa spent a day working with Dr. Jude in his medical clinic. This was kind of an introductory day for her to observe some of the illnesses frequently seen here among children. She is hoping to work with him next week as he opens some days of treating Cholera. This bacteria continues to spread among many who do not have access to clean water and appropriate bathroon facilities. The children are being educated in school about prevention. Unicef delivered rehydration packets (which is the treatment for Cholera) to us because of the orphange. Please continue to pray for people here dealing with this, that they would seek and find treatment immediately and that this could be stopped.
Beginning late this afternoon until sometime Monday, we will be housebound. Many of you have heard reports of chaos and riots breaking out and while we haven't seen any close to us, we have heard it is best to stay home for those few days. We live between the UN base and their housing so we feel completely safe. There are many many UN personnel here right now and they are out and about. Please pray for this country on election day tomorrow not just for the calm and safety of people, but also that this could be a turning point in leadership.

Many blessings and thanks!
~Deb