June Hiatt Happenings

Life here on La Gonave is so full and blessed and this past month has been no exception!

At the beginning of June we had a visit from the aquaponics system developer, Glynn, and Kellie. It was a great opportunity to get to know them better, get expert advice on system care, and share the ins and outs of Haitian life with them. We are thankful for the fun, energy, wisdom, and love for Haiti they brought with them!

As the temperatures and humidity rise, we have noticed the aquaponics system slowing down a bit, but we have been thankful to have continual harvests of okra and green, leafy veggies. We also harvested some fish from the system… a task that is not as easy as you would imagine!!! The ladies who cook for the Children’s Village are always so excited when we bring them some produce, but getting ready to fry up the fish brought their excitement to a whole new level! The next day they raved about how good the fish was and how much the kids loved it.

We have found that the current solar configuration is not enough to effectively power the aquaponics pump and are currently working alongside the Children’s Village and the system donors to find the best solution for enough electricity. Jason has learned a ton about solar power in the last month! Please pray that the best solution is found soon and we will see improvements in produce then.

 

One of our many okra harvests

Madam Florence with the catch of fish!

Work at the nursing school has continued to be a great opportunity for me, Allison, to serve. I made it through teaching skills lab by myself for a few weeks and am always impressed by the students’ eagerness to learn and practice skills. We have had a few visiting groups in for special teaching seminars this month and it has been helpful to see some other teaching methods and get resources we don’t always have access to here on the island. Our newest adventure in the lab is giving injections to each other. Only a few drops of blood and tears have been shed J

Nursing students in the Helping Babies Breathe class............. Nurses and students had a CPR seminar   

We celebrated our 3^rd anniversary this month and feel so blessed by the way our love has grown, the adventures we have been on together, and the promises we have seen fulfilled in the last 3 years. We were able to take a little get away to the mainland for our anniversary and it was such a sweet and refreshing time. Please pray that we continue to put God first in our marriage, see the best in each other, and support and encourage each other in growing love.

This month the Lord has been teaching me more and more about trusting him in all things. I love to plan and be prepared, so this lesson is always challenging for me. In big things, like our plans after September, God is reminding me that he has always opened doors and directed in his perfect timing to grant us incredible blessings and will be faithful to do that again here. So, in the meantime, we wait, continually ask for direction, and work to invest all of ourselves here. Here, where life is so hard for so many and we have to again trust that God has a plan that is far bigger than we can see right now. We work to be his hands and feet by providing jobs for those in need, helping with education, giving when we feel led, and just being friends. As we work, we trust that God is also at work to bring redemption and full lives to the people we interact with. Please pray that we would be faithful in this work and that the Lord would make clear the best ways we can help and love those around us.

Working together on the quad when it broke down...well, most everyone working!

Two neighbor girls, Chaya and Smi

Thank you for your love, encouragement, and prayers. We appreciate each of you!

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13