Eccl 3:1 It's Time: The last week in October I was on La Gonave with representatives from First Saints Community Church in Maryland. I was "tour guide" as they assessed 20 plus projects proposed by Pastor Jean Louis Dorsely, Circuit Superintendent for La Gonave.  Although challenging, we visited the majority of communities that have Haitian Methodist churches and or schools.  We provided photos and information for the few we could not reach or speak with representatives. 


Following our return FSCC compiled all information into a survey and draft proposal for future teams from their cluster and future UMVIM teams.  Although I have no specific information from Pastor Dorsely related to the proposal, Haiti Disaster Response / UMCOR reported coming changes for teams in remote areas.  Experienced teams can now work directly with the Circuit Superintendent to work on a specific project in remote areas. The update stated matching grants would apply to area projects with earthquake damage.
Pastor Dorsely requests teams address community issues with long term plans, possibly including micro finance components and other community issues.  Partnerships are encouraged.
The original "package" of projects totaled $950,000.00 US but they had overlooked one community needing a school building and church repair for eq damage.  Projects include the building of a manse in Ansa a Galets for the Superintendent.  There are 3 or 4 teams already scheduled in January to finish the church in Anse a Galets.  FSCC has proposed a partnership with several teams to work on projects at Trou Jacques, accessible only from the sea.  
We are excited and impatient to see how this new program plays out for the communities with so many needs. Housing and transportation for teams will have to be negotiated with the help of the circuit leaders. 
During the week I met with scholarship students, received reports from leaders of the industrial association, APG, and met with the engineer concerning wells and water issues.  Our animator went to Trou Jacques one day while I visited the community of Delsie to see the progress on cistern repair. That project needed an additional $250.00 to complete the task.  
Concern WW was drilling two wells a few miles down the mountain but the community had been without water for two years. Concern and World Vision have been drilling wells and repairing damaged cisterns on the eastern half of the island.  The west end remains dry with damaged cisterns and little or no ground water. Concern did hire our animator, Louis Dufrene and 4 others to survey the communities on La Gonave related to water needs and population.
Our report from APG (Assoc. for Peasants Gonave) was encouraging.  They had provided training and goats from the park for 13 groups and presented a plan to train 35 new community leaders in December. We provide food and housing as our third share in the relationship with APG & AAPLAG who provides the trainers. The group members make a small registration fee or provide produce and some provide labor.
Three scholarship students had either failed the exams or not completed a course.  One retook and passed the exam and one re-enrolled in the class.  Others had excellent grades and all but one university student has received a lap top computer from Church of the Resurrection, refurbishing ministry.
We continue collaboration with AAPLAG and share expenses for their old Land Rover and support of the guest house.  AAPLAG is an arm of Service Chretian, an ecumenical group active on the island for 30 years. They provide limited microfinance program, educational programs for industry, and addresse water and housing issues plus train leaders in agriculture, business, cooperatives, education and animal husbandry. 
While touring Roy and Wendy we visited Sousafilip, where we lived for two years.  Generally we meet people at market mid island. I was pleased to see our donation of $2300.00 last August, had repaired the earthquake damage to the church building and the EMH had installed an indoor toilet in the directors house where we had lived. They also plan flush toilets for the guest house that KS/NB teams refurbished and have put in a ceptic reservoir. 
I had opportunity to meet with community leaders about serious water issues that are not part of the church project. Most southwest islanders live with limited or contaminated water and purchase water from the mainland once or twice each week.  Conversation with Concern indicated they did not think many lived on the west end but they planned to survey the island population.
Access to health care on the south side remains seriously limited and during the cholera epidemic several people in various communities died as tap taps would not transport them across the island.  Louis and nurse Wesline (for APG) provided training programs for hundreds of people during the epidemic and distributed water treatment tablets. 
Joe and I continue to alternate visiting the island every 3 months. We are available for presentations to congregations, church and community groups and civic organizations to raise funds for projects of education and scholarships, water projects and industry. 
Repair of the well at Dent Griern has never been completed and the solar pumping system continues in storage.  We have been using water project funds to repair damaged cisterns. There are options and decisions to be made and we hope the opening of EMH projects will bring attention to this extremely remote part of our world.
February 25th, UMCOR Staff, President Paul from the Haitian Methodist Church and various others involved in Haiti projects will meet at Olathe Grace UMC for a Global Mission Event.  We pray for information and guidance to address recovery issues since the earthquake and renewed focus on the more remote areas of Haiti.

Joyeux Noel