haiti update - january 3, 2008

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation”. (Heb. 11:1-2)

A new year has begun. In Haiti January 1st and 2nd are both national holidays. As well as celebrating the new year the country celebrates Independence Day on January 1st. To commemorate this day Haitians throughout the country eat “joumou” (pumpkin) soup as a symbol that they are independent and no longer in slavery. On the eve of the new year people celebrate by lighting fireworks in the evening. On January 2nd is “Jour des Aieux “ (Ancestor Day). This day is to remember those who set the country free. This time of year is a good time to do some work around the house and I took advantage of the fact that everyone is out of school by putting them to work doing some special jobs. We cleaned and scrubbed the water reservoirs. We have a large reservoir and also a small one on the roof. In Haiti we don’t have a constant source of water so this is why homes need to have a reservoir to store water. Every few weeks we buy a water tanker load of water to put in the reservoir.
We received photos this week of Emerson’s new face and it looks good! He now has a well shaped nose and mouth and his eye is now able to close as well. The days where his mother would carry him putting his face against her shoulder so that people wouldn’t see are now over! I posted them on my blog site www.haiticoramdeo.blogspot.com. Because some people have slow internet or dial-up connections I haven’t been putting photos with the updates. The blog site can be accessed to see any photos.
Brenda, the hydrocephalus baby traveled to the United States this week. Pray for healing mercies for her as well. The next couple of weeks will be busy organizing the paperwork for a couple of hydrocephalus children who hopefully will be traveling soon to the United States for surgery. There are also a few orthopedic cases that may be able to get surgeries in the United States as well. Pray that doors will open for these children too.
Below is a poem on the walk of faith that I read in a devotional. Have a blessed 2008!
Karen Bultje, Coram Deo

“Still upward be thine onward course:
For this I pray today;
Still upward as the years go by,
And seasons pass away.
“Still upward in this coming year,
Thy path is all untried;
Still upward may’st thou journey on,
Close by thy Savior’s side.
“Still upward e’en though sorrow come,
And trials crush thine heart;
Still upward may they draw thy soul,
With Christ to walk apart.
“Still upward till the day shall break,
And shadows all have flown;
Still upward till in heaven you wake,
And stand before the throne.”