Dear friends, family,

Maryland: We have 7 wonderful people visiting from Maryland and we have enjoyed them here as they assist in ministry. They have been a blessing to us and the folks here in Haiti. Thank you Amy for making this trip happen.

North to Alaska: One of our board member couples from Florida, Anna and Bill Blaisdell took a trip to Alaska for the 4th of July week. The day they arrived, the governor resigned. Not sure if Anna is planning on being their new governor or what is going on.

Fondi, our school director: His mother is dying from TB. She has been suffering for a few weeks but they have begun to plan the funeral. A funeral is cheaper if you buy it before a person dies so they are making preparations today. Pray for the Moses family and for mom who is on her way to Glory.

Jony/Peterson: Pastor Chad and his wife, Julie Ricks, from Cincinnati, Ohio have asked to adopt these precious brothers and have begun the process here in Haiti. We are so excited for the boys and their new family, but we will miss them.

Finances: I know economic times are tough around the globe and we too have experienced a budget shortfall at JiH for the past four months. Please continue to pray for improved economic conditions for everyone. If you find a few coins lying around and send them to JiH we will put them to good use for ministry in Haiti.

School is out for the summer: So I have a houseful everyday. Takes some time to get adjusted, but I always do.

Honduras: In reading a letter from a missionary there, he said NOT to believe the media in their reporting of what is going on. He said the people protesting aren't even from the country. I also noticed Israel supports the coup. That might tell us something.

Lost my room: One of my older sons, Bobby, was jumped a couple weeks ago and beat up pretty badly in the village near his aunt's home where he lived. He was beaten with rocks inside towels.

He suffered internal bleeding and had surgery this past Sunday. His surgery took place downtown in the General hospital, the largest hospital in Haiti. While visiting him, I got so upset, downright angry. The place is a dump. When you walk in the door, you walk over trash, and the smell of human waste and urine is overwhelming.

Bobby was in a room with 50 other people, no electricity for fans, one nurse, dirty beds and floor and a real mess. I was angry that these people, thousands per day are forced to deal with this. His surgery was successful they said and he was to be in the hospital 3 weeks recovering with a cut from his bellybutton to his chest.

Four days later, they released him. The doctors said they haven't been paid in 6 months by the government so they were going on strike. The hospital was sending people home. I quickly told Bobby he could come to our house. Friday he moved into my bedroom. I had planned on putting him on a mattress on the floor but he could not even walk, so he could only get into my bed. The past few days I have been sleeping in the living room, and Jony has been sleeping in my room with Bobby, taking care of him. Pray for Bobby, he is in bad shape, probably should still be in the hospital but is safe and comfortable.

I have to admit while sleeping on the floor in the living room last night I began to mumble to myself. Losing my room, losing my bed, my privacy................Then I began to think about what sacrifice is, too many times we do something for someone when it is convenient to do. Real sacrifice is when it isn't so convenient. I will enjoy my time on the floor while Bobby heals.

Finances, part 2: With our contributions down the past 3 months, I thought this might be a good time to let you know what our monthly budget of $10,000 goes for. To some of you this will seem like a huge amount, to others you will think it can't be enough. Whatever the case, we run this ministry for that amount.

The following happens:
*89 very poor children go to school, and get a hot meal everyday
*100+ children at the Good Samaritan Orphanage are cared for
*A church of around 300 is in full operation
*Ministry in the garbage dump and the nearby village ministers to around 300 weekly
*My home is a home to 24 people, people God has placed here for me to care for and make disciples
*A mentoring group of 20 young men between the ages of 16-25 are being discipled
*Over 500 people eat daily, because of this ministry
*Insurance on vehicles, medical insurance on me, house rent, and much more is paid
*A full time staff of 26 people, being Jesus in Haiti, teaching others how to be Jesus in Haiti

The above happens because God has blessed you to give. If you can help financially, please do, if not, please pray that the budget is made for July. I have committed to pray 3 times per day every day this month to ask God to provide for our budget to come in. Will you join me in prayer as well? Thanks!

Hope you enjoyed the update. Drop me a line. May God bless, tominhaiti