The Edme family is all in Massachusetts right now. Lex is returning to Grand-Goave tomorrow. We’ve had a great time here, accomplished a lot and are ready to get back to our “normal” routine in Haiti.

Even though WE have been gone, all the projects continue to move forward. Payroll for 1000 workers took place without us. What an accomplishment that was! We’re so proud of our staff for working together and managing the crowd control. The workers, of course, are thrilled to have earned some good money this month. We are so thrilled to see how well the road project went. It was definitely a win-win situation. The mountain villages now have access by vehicle and people who never knew how they would manage to feed their children have EARNED money. Children are being fed and parents have received a booster shot of self-esteem. The World Food Program has requested that we work on another project. Our staff is working on the proposal now. Your prayers are appreciated, as writing these projects is pretty intense. It’s all done in French, which means Renee is not a part of it. God continues to provide and open doors!!!

The first permanent structure ever constructed at MOHI was demolished last week. It was definitely a bitter-sweet moment. The chapel has survived many harsh hurricanes, but it was badly damaged during the earthquake. Its demolition seems to mark the end of one era and the beginning of a new one. The number of people attending church at MOHI has more than tripled over the past year and the chapel would no longer suffice to house our services. But the biggest news, is that we have received a significant grant, enabling us to begin construction of a new school building. The school will be housed on two levels, with a “community room” planned for a third level. This room is planned seat 2500 people and will be a multi-purpose room – school assemblies, church services, community events and a shelter during hurricanes and such.

While we are willing to do whatever our hands find to do, I can’t tell you how wonderful it is to see the team of professionals that are working pro-bono on the school project: Paul Fallon, architect (Boston), and Simpson Gumpertz & Heger, an engineering firm (Boston), with Len Gengel 29-year builder and owner of C&S Construction (Worcester) on the ground in Haiti. I’ll tell you what, this new school will be built using the latest standards, designed to withstand earthquakes. It’s a new day for construction at MOHI.

We’re pleased to see the Hands and Feet Project progressing with plans to build an orphanage for the 31 children we have been caring for. The mountain land did not produce enough water to sustain an orphanage, so they have purchased another property. It’s located about 10 minutes up the main road from the Thozin school, so it will be convenient for the kids. A well has been drilled and is producing adequate water for the new orphanage.

The Be Like Brit orphanage also has a new well, which is producing enough water, too. All the trenches for footings have been dug and they are planning to start bending iron and pouring concrete in the next week or two. Again, it’s always wonderful to see organizations come to Grand-Goave and not only provide care for orphans, but also to provide jobs to people willing to work. Our city is blessed more and more, day by day.