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Much to celebrate!
Hi <<First Name>>,
This past Friday, we celebrated the end of another work year (Sept-June) with our staff...and there was much to celebrate!
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Investing in people takes time, but the fruits are well worth the long years! One of our greatest joys this year has been to see the growth and maturity of two of our young leaders. These young men grew up in Lemuel and were influenced and discipled in various ways by Manis.
Almaïs (School Director) and Williamso (Director of Development) have continued to blossom and mature in their leadership roles. Through difficulties, challenges, and conflicts, we have seen them grow, make wise decisions, and invest in their staff. They both are strong in their faith and have an innate understanding of the vision that God has given to Manis for Lemuel. They have been an essential element in the impact stories that you will read below.
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Development: Building Trust with the Community
It has been a significant privilege and encouragement this year to work more closely with a greater number of people from our community. After the passage of Hurricane Matthew, we LISTENED to them, and we responded according to THEIR CONCERNS. As a result, we have experienced a growing trust and relationship between Lemuel and the broader community. At the end of June, Williamso held the year's final meeting with community leaders to hear their thoughts on work accomplished and their hopes for moving forward. The response was very positive, and there was a sense of continued solidarity and motivation.
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Hurricane Matthew did bring disaster and heartache. But it also provided an opportunity for more people to understand through experience Lemuel's Christ-given desire to love and serve them by coming alongside and enabling them. And we have felt the community with us and behind us like never before.
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The School: Growing Impact through Education
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Lemuel's school on the Plateau started out in one room. Back then, we had to work very hard to convince parents of the essential importance of education for their children's future, especially in today's rapidly changing world.
Over years of striving for excellence and aiming to eradicate the gap that typically separates children educated in the city from those educated in the country, Lemuel's school has gained a growing reputation and impact in the community. This year we saw a marked increase of children from Anse-Rouge registering for school on the Plateau. A child from town coming out to the countryside for school?! Unheard of!!
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As a result of increased enrollment, the school became desperately in need of a new building for the kindergarten. Although we were not yet sure how we were going to continue, we began construction on the foundation. Almaïs rallied and organized staff, students, and parents to help in any way they could--filling the foundation with dirt and rocks and collecting gravel. It was inspiring to see the unity and motivation as they worked together.
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We have built the foundation, and we have things lined up for the roof...but we need the floor and walls! If you are interested in helping the kindergartners move into their own space, please click the button below for more information.
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Well News!
The pump and the generator have arrived! Only yesterday, they were hooked up and tested. Water is now flowing from the well drilled on Lemuel's garden land!
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In all we do...
...whether it is before community leaders, school students and parents, the church, or our own staff--we constantly remind them that Lemuel is Christ's work of love towards them. All that Lemuel has accomplished is a result of His purpose and His provision. May He receive all the glory as we celebrate joys and blessings of this past year!
Please continue to pray for us as we take July and August to plan and prepare for the next work year. In the midst of joys and blessings there are also great challenges. Thank you, <<First Name>>, for standing with us!
~Krischelle Frost
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