Things have been "popping" around here since our last post.

I got back from Charlotte on July 16 and on July 18th, twenty-one people from various states arrived to help with our HFHC Annual Youth Conference. That day was spent picking up folks at the airport and everyone getting settled in at the hotel. On Sunday we worshiped at the Delmas 28 congregation, then spent the afternoon getting conference materials put together and separating donations of school supplies.

On Monday morning we headed out for the Global Outreach conference center at Titiyan, about a 45 minute drive. Some of the youth had already arrived by the time we got there. For the next two and a half days we had Bible sessions centered around the book of First Peter and the calling of God on each of our lives, fun activites, lots of soccer, good rest, good food, good felowship and more. The kids look forward to this 3 day conference all year long. For many of them thi is the only time of the year that they sleep in a bed by themselves, eat 3 good meals a day, and have access to toilets and showers.

One of our youth, Christiana was baptized into Christ and also one of our translators. Seeds were planted in many hearts and we will water and wait for God to produce the crop.

On Tuesday afternoon and evening in our free time, the US team separated out sacks of rice and beans into smaller sacks for each youth to take some food staples home with them. This was part of HFHC's food relief efforts, supported by our generous donors contributions to the "Children's Food Fund". This is an ongoing effort, because there is always a shortage of food here in Haiti, and/or the lack of means to purchase food.

Thursday we held a half day VBS at the Cazeau orphanage. Upon our arrival, Sonia, our house-mom, had all the children arranged on the steps coming down from the dormitoriy rooms singing a song of welcome to us. It was great. Sonia always amazes us with all that she does wth these children. We are blessed to have her on our team. Mark & Beverly headed up the VBS with help from the US team and volunteers from the crowd. Sonia and several of the older girls prepared lunch for everyone. I always tell her to keep it simple, but she really lays out a spread! Everyone enjoyed the fellowship with the kids and the food.

After lunch, we were treated to a concert by the children. They sang songs in French, Creole and English and performed praise dances to Christian music. It is always a special treat to visit the Cazeau orphanage!

Friday was spent visiting Cite Soleil School and distributing food to the kids. Many of the kids also received small gifts from their sponsors. This always makes them feel special and blessed.

After the visit to Cite Soleil, we brought the group out to Thomazeau to see the property and the house. Many had been on the trip last July and had seen the property with nothing on it. So this time they didn't have to stand around in the hot sun. They had a place to sit down and relax for a while with a cool drink and some snacks. Then it was back to the hotel to prepare for their tip home on Saturday morning.

All in all it was a great trip, with a great team of people who loved on our kids for a week.