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We returned from our trip to the states rested and ready
to go again. It was a good thing, because we have entertained
guests since the day of our return. Our good friend, Craig
Peoples, returned with us as he has done now for several
years. He is such a great help to us and loves serving with
us wherever we are in Haiti. April was with us too, but high-tailed
it back up to her mountain home as soon as possible. We think
she missed all of her Haitian family!
We started treating little fish again, making them little
males to be sent up to the many CODEP ponds in the mountains.
This is so they won’t become overpopulated. We will
be restocking sometime after Easter. Many
Haitians will enjoy fresh fish for their Easter dinner! Nick
returned with his friend, Reanna, and did more tweaking of
the fish project, including a seminar with several animators.
We checked our ponds here at L’Acul
and found many large tilapia. We are impressed at the way
the white and black ones are growing on the new compost feeding
system.
Pete and Lu Gerard from Christ Our King Presbyterian Church
in Bel Air, Maryland brought many new visitors
on their team. It is always gratifying to show people around
the project, for it is one to be proud of. The mountainsides
are ever changing. We can only imagine what it will look
like in another 10 years. But the real change will be for
the children of our CODEP workers. They will grow up with
more food, better health, and a hope for a better life because
of the value of the forests and the change of lifestyle in
the mountains.
 Board Member Lars Bergstrom and several people, including
Episcopal clergy came next and hiked around the mountains
and helped install 2 more cisterns to families in CODEP.
Rev. Jennifer Haddox brought a team of students from Pittsburgh
Theological Seminary and two from her own church in Titusville,
PA. They installed 2 more cisterns far into the mountains.
We thank all of these people for their hard work and passionate
servant-hood. Without exception, visitors leave saying that
they came to serve, but soon realized that they were the
receivers. All helped with the beach kids and left their
marks in all of their little hearts.
Rick and one group passed through the remote area of Citronye
where the Building Goodness Foundation had recently built
an earned house for a needy and deserving family. They insisted
that the entire group walk in one end and out the other and
see their beautiful new home. It was so obvious they were
proud of their new home. CODEP is so much more than just
a tree-planting mission. It is building hope in the mountains.
 Larry and Jane Shives from Crestwood Presbyterian Church
in Midlothian, VA have spent the entire month and into March
with us, helping in so many ways! Kathy was called home to
be at her Mother’s side for a week, but Jane was there
to oversee the kitchen and housekeeping. Jane also helped
Larry power wash and refinish the entire deckwork on the
second floor at L’Acul. They helped host four mission
teams and went away knowing a lot about Haiti Fund, CODEP,
L’Acul, and Haiti and even a bit of Kreyole! Many thanks
for their sweet spirits and hard work!!
Many people are in need locally with food and gas prices
at an all-time high. The beach fund has helped feed, clothe,
and find housing to several families. We have been blessed
with free eggs from Fish Ministries to be used for children
and the needy. We have been furnishing boiled eggs to the
Epiphany preschool each week and also to many mal-nourished
children and elderly near our home. God provides so abundantly!
Thanks to Haiti Fund for funding the beach ministry.
Finally, we have loaned the “Jim and Larry” treadle
pump to a neighbor farmer who has a vegetable garden. He
is sold! It cuts his watering time down to a fraction of
the time it took before the pump. There are many waiting
to get the first ones off the production line, whenever that
will be. Plenty of great opportunities – not enough
hours in a day!
Once again time flies by fast. Our commitment here is half
over already. There are so many people we want to serve.
Our lives are so full and blessed. We wish every couple could
enjoy life as we do. Thank you all for the support you offer
to us, to HFI, and to Haiti. Remember, your prayer commitment
to our work. We want this work to be His, according to His
will and not ours. Pray that God might receive all the glory.
Sincerely His, Rick and Kathy
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