Well, after a wonderful and noneventful flight from Pittsburgh to Miami, and then to Port-au-Prince, my first problem was that the flight I had intended to take from PAP to Cayes had been cancelled .  I had to wait 8 hours until they had another flight at 4 pm.  This flight was also almost cancelled as there were only 4 passengers, me included.  As it turned out this was God's grace as Monday there was a general strike over hunger issues and nothing was opened and nothing moved.  There were flaming barricades in Cayes.  Tuesday seemed quiet so we quickly went into town to do urgent business.  By God"s grace again, as soon as we got back to the house things got ugly in Cayes again-- UN troops and Police restored order.  I was hoping to make a run to Dariol around noon when we got word that Hurricaine Gustav was bearing down on the S. coast near Dariol.  We decided to wait things out in Cayes.  Good thing we did!  The hurricaine smashed into Haiti uprooting and breaking trees, washing away fields of crops and damaging huts (not to mention my porch which flew away like Dorothy's house in the Wizard of Oz).  So far we hear of 25 deaths in the area of Cote de Fer--could be more.  The town of Cote de Fer which sits by a river on the coast was inundated and in a number of  places the road to Dariol was washed out--the only way in is by foot.  There are going to be even more people hungry now as the crops they were hoping for nolonger exist.  If ANYONE could help we would appreciate some help with food relief which in a short time will be needed.   So, for the moment I sit cooling my heels in Caye--all we got here was a ton of rain, but no damage.  The government can hardly do anything in the face of such a catastrophe.  I believe the Lord will provide for the Haitians and I want to do what I can also.

Well, this time it looks to be the right time,this time.  I'm scheduled to  depart for  Haiti Sunday morning.  The flight is an early one so I'll be overnighting in Miami.  I hope to get in between the storms.  At this time of year you have to dodge hurricaines.  It will be good to see everyone there again.  I have had a wonderful stay and its hard to leave my Mom, but she understands.  Keep us in your hearts and prayers.  You will be in ours.  blessings  sam

WELL, as usual my trip back to Haiti has met a snag- Hurricaine FAY.  It does seem to have become routine now that each time I am sceduled to return this happens.  Oh well, when you are walking the path of life by faith and not by sight, Romans 8:28 becomes one of your favorite verses.  This world is so uncertain, its good to know our Lord has all things in His hands and that He is doing things with a plan in mind... so sit back and leave the driving to Him!

Well, by God's grace its been a wonderful time of visiting, sharing and renewing  contacts, but the time has arrived for me to return to my post in Haiti.  For the last few weeks I've been getting calls and email msgs from down there inquiring as to WHEN I was going to get back.  All the reports I have received have been positive.  The Radio Station is broadcasting and getting ready to celebrate another year of service to the people of south Haiti.  The clinic is at work although we lost the sevices of the practical nurse as her husband was transferred  but the registered nurse is doing fine.  The schools are gearing up to start a new school year which starts in September.  The Pastors Bible seminars continue to aid the Church leaders of the Cote de Fer area.  The new churches recently started are growing in maturity.  Praise God for what he is doing in Haiti through Gospel Growers.  Many Thanks to you all who make this possible by your generosity and prayers in our behalf.