A "SHORT" TRIP TO THE SOUTH DISTRICT. "It's only three hours to St-Michel du Sud," they told me. "You may want to leave a bit early in case there's traffic downtown," they told me. Well, Robert and I did leave early this morning (6:00 am for 10:00 am meeting). And, there was traffic downtown--two hours worth (to go less than five miles). But we were not discouraged. We arrived late and everyone was waiting.

Had a great service. New students from two different centers were present, including a lady (our first in the extention program).

Hurried back to the car to come home. We felt good about our chances of getting through town before rush hour. We were wrong.!


About 10 miles out of town the car broke down. But God sent two Nazarene angels to keep us company while we worked on the carberateur, the fuel line, the air filter, and anything else we could figure out. Finally we sent word for a local mechanic and settled in to wait. That's when we found out that the two helpers who happened to be right there on that lonely stretch of road were two Nazarenes (two different churches). We shared stories and waited... and waited... and waited...!


Finally, Robert said, "Well let's start it again. Maybe whatever was blocking the fuel line has passed." (Yeah, right. sez I.) But of course! It started right up and ran smoothly all the way home.!


So to make a long story short (I know. I know. Too late, right?) My eight hour trip turned into a fifteen hour trip. But I'm home, hugged, and happy! And we have two more Education centers open (South district is opening a center in St-Michel and another in Les Cayes)!

BECCA'S NEW DO. Came home from my forever long day to the South District and Becca surprises me with her new hairdo. I love it. When asked how long it tookl, she said, "OH! I don't know, like 50 hours or something." I've always wondered what 50 hour hairdo looked like, and now I know!

SOUTH EAST OPENING, PART II. Terry Ketchum sent some pictures from the opening of the South East District extention center. The three gentlemen at the far left are the District Superintendent, Luckner Mama (professor and recent Bible College graduate), and the District Secretary. I'll let you find me (kind of easy to spot back there, aren't I?).

TAKING IT EASY. Those of you who have visited our campus know Mezar. He is our guard for the lower campus, and general all-around good helper. Well he likes his naps. Caught him the other day at lunch time sacking out in the wheelbarrow.

WOMEN'S RETREAT. On Friday Oct. 11th, I left my family and Bible College responsibilities for three days to participate in Quisqueya Chapel's annual women's retreat. The speaker, Judy Jackson, flew into Haiti from Louisiana. Over 80 women were present for this time of rest and spiritual refreshment. Many were missionaries from remote areas of Haiti who seldom find such an opportunity for relaxation and fellowship. We were blessed by the messages and the time together. The first night, Judy spoke about the importance of packing a "spiritual suitcase" which we could later draw from during life's trials. Each of the five sessions were a blessing to those who attended. I am already looking forward to next years retreat.

HI AND BYE. It was good to spend some time with Vikki and Andrea. These two ladies are from Michigan and have been to Haiti several times before. Well, Vikki has been several times and Andrea twice. They are nurses and are helping out with God's Littlest Angels up the mountain a bit. This is an orphanage ran by John and Dixie Bickle. The kids took a shine to them (again), and we had a good evening last night and then church today with a picnic after. They ought to come back more often!

WHERE'S BLECK? Well go west until you're almost in the Dominican Republic and then South over the mountains--There's Bleck. Home to the South East District Center. Our little delegation arrived around 11:00 and the 14 students were waiting for the official opening of there new Center for Theological Formation. This new program will help our districts train new pastors and enrich the understanding and competencies of existing pastors. It was a long day, but worth the trip.

BRUISED, BUT STILL HAD A GOOD TIME. Today was a holiday in Haiti, so I took the family out to the OMS guest house which has a great pool with a huge slide. Tons of fun was had by all. Near the time to go though, Nicolas fell off the ten foot ladder and landed full force on the concrete. Bruised his ribs and backside (and his ego), but thank the Lord nothing serious. Ten minutes later he's back playing and sliding.

Tammy Smith added a picture to her little web diary. Take a look at her "classroom" for Creole studies Click Here

BASIC BIBLE STUDIES IN KREYOL. It felt good this morning to send this little booklet to the printers. These studies are being used in conjunction with the Jesus Film Project (supported by Harvest Partners) on the South East district as a way of spreading the good news about Jesus and planting new churches.

These eight lessons help the new believer understand his or her new faith. For a few years now, we've had to rely on French versions of this wonderful tool. Yet, in Haiti only about 10% of the population is fluent in French. Now it is our dream that these lessons will speak even more profoundly to the hearts of these newcomers to Christianity. Thanks to Corey Koster for her help on this project!

WEDDING BELLS? Some of you who have visited our campus know the gate guard, SaintLuce. Well he has worked her for like a million years or something. Okay, maybe 50. Well several years ago he was widowed, and it sound like the time is right for a remarriage. He has met her family and they are all thrilled about the possibility. But his own kids (who all work on campus) are not! I told him he didn't have to convince me, that it was his decision. And he said, as if to finish any doubts about the wisdom of getting remarried: "Pastor Stargel, I have to pay 125 gourdes a month (about $4.50 US) for someone to do my laundry. Can you imagine?" Well, you can't argue when it comes to laundry!

BACK TO HAITI. It was a whirlwind trip out to Orlando Florida for an Evangelical Missiological Society conference. Good stuff, but wow am I tired. I was able to see Seth and Dorothy Walters, Art and Sylvia Gier, and Doug and Lynne Windham.

JACMEL BY AIR. A very memorable day. A group of us traveled to the coastal town of Jacmel today to participate in the opening of an Extention Center there. Very exciting. Small crowd, but still significant. This is the smallest of our 11 districts, but the first to complete all the requirements for a center. Since I'll be traveling tomorrow to the states for four days and since most of our vehicles are down, we flew with Mission Aviation Fellowship. What a wonderful time. Normally it takes 2-1/2 to three hourse to get to Jacmel. But in the little plane, we hopped over the mountains and arrived in just 21 minutes! And the airstrip (complete with a trio of goats that got in our way at takeoff!) was just five minutes from the church where we were having the ceremony!

WELCOME VERO BEACH. We had a busy day today. Rex, Nancy, Ed, Jay, Nancy and JoAnne all flew into today from Vero Beach. Rex and Nancy Keiser are no strangers to Haiti. They have been here twice before. The others are friends-in-the-making. This team will be working with Jim Koster building church pews as well as several other projects around the campus.