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••  •  • ••  • •  • •  •••      November, 2018      ••  • ••  • •  ▪▪  •••  •  • 

"Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
1 Timothy 1:17


<<Salutation>>

          We trust you had an enjoyable time of celebrating Thanksgiving.  We were able to have an American Thanksgiving in Haiti thanks to a wonderful organization called Agape Flights!  One of many reasons we have sooo much to be thankful for.


A Look into our Lives


         Haiti news:

            The last half of November has proven to be quite a challenge as protests and blocked roads seem to be a part of every day life.  There has been an escalation in unrest as the people of Haiti are demonstrating against their former and current Presidents due to allegations of government corruption.  These recent allegations are just a small part of the on-going struggle for Haitians.  If you would like to read more click here to read an article that describes the situation.  We are asking for prayer for Haiti, as well as, prayer for our safety, and for peace to be restored.  

            Thanksgiving:

            There is SO MUCH gratitude in our hearts, from the way the LORD God chooses to use us in spite of ourselves to the people He places in our lives.  We would like to highlight just a couple:

                      
We give thanks for Agape Flights  

            This ministry to the Caribbean missionaries has been such a blessing to us as we have ministered in Haiti over the last 7 years.  In addition to their servant’s hearts of carrying mail and goods to us in Haiti (with no functional mail service of its own) AGAPE goes above and beyond delivering an annual "Thanksgiving meal" pictured above.  They are a great blessing! Agape Flights operates by gifts and donations.  If you would like to see more you can visit their web site by clicking here.  

    We give thanks for Denise

Denise, a mother of 9, comes with a willing servant's heart to work at the Beach House and does a beautiful job.  As part of our Thanksgiving meal she helped make what we call Haitian style smoked mashed potatoes without the work of mashing them.  Visit LWC Missionary Moments soon to watch her prepare it and interact with Catherine.   



            Holiday Plans:

            We are looking forward to traveling back to the U.S. to celebrate Christmas and the New Year.  With grandchildren in the picture, it gets more and more difficult to stay away, especially during the holidays.  We are hoping to make a trip to Missouri and visit Catherine’s family, as well.  As of now, we return to Iowa on December 14th, and are looking at returning to Haiti in later January.  We would appreciate prayers for travel mercies, and good weather for our flights home.  It’s always interesting having Chicago as one of our flight connections during the winter months.  Thanks!!

  

Consolation Center of Haiti (CCH) Update


10 Year Anniversary
            From November 10th – 17th it was celebration time at CCH.  The week-long event had all kinds of activities and special events.  From a Leadership conference to weddings and a baptism to an evening worship service every night of the week.  It all culminated with a celebration service on Saturday the 17th.  It was a three hour special event with special music, testimonies, and recognition awards, followed by a lunch that was served to over 500 people.  We have included a few pictures, but one thing that was evident to us is how faithful God has been in all this.  His “unseen” hand in the background is truly obvious.  James 1:17 say’s, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”  God’s goodness and faithfulness are a testimony to all that has happened at CCH; He is truly the giver of every good gift!

 
          CCH Agricultural Update (Aquaponics) -  Something Fishy is Happening Here:

          The aquaponics project has generated a lot of interest in Haiti.  We have shared over the last several years about this project and the desire to provide another source of self-sustainable agriculture.  A recent batch of mature tilapia were harvested and used to provide a meal to the boys and girls at CCH.  We thought you would enjoy seeing part of the process.  The kids really like fish, and it’s more of a special occasion for them to have fresh fish.

            A couple of facts for you regarding tilapia.  They are a warm water fish which is important with all the heat and sun in Haiti.  One of the biggest challenges has been how to keep the fish tanks clean of algae with all the sunlight.  We have found that using a shade cloth helps reduce the algae growth.  Another fact is that we can grow tilapia for 6 months and harvest with a fish size of around 8 -12 oz.  Fish size doesn’t matter to Haitians.  We see small (two -three inch in size) fresh fish and large (one - two feet in size) fresh fish sold in the markets.  So, while we have a “keeper” mentality in the US usually, if it is caught it is edible in Haiti.  This allows us to take advantage of a quicker turn-around of time as we raise new fingerlings and keep our feed to fish ratio more efficient since they don’t have to grow to a big fish size (16 – 22 Oz.) before harvesting.

Nudgings


         Unconditional Love (Agape):
:
           
Lately we have been challenged in the area of letting our love be unconditional.  On a daily basis, we have people who enter our compound to help us with regular chores around the yard.  A couple ladies come in and help with picking up leaves or weeding areas that get overgrown if left to themselves.  We have a security/groundskeeper that helps with keeping hedges and trees trimmed or cut down.  When living in a tropical climate, the volunteer trees get a chance to become substantial if they don’t get chopped down.  The hedges or bushes need attention every couple of months as they never stop growing.  This close interaction with friends, who are paid, to help at our home give them close access to us.  Culturally, most Haitians are “wired”, if given the opportunity, to ask us for all kinds of wants/needs.  Even as we write this DeRoos Drumbeat, there have been three different occasions this morning where there has been a presentation of a need or a want from three different people. It’s a fine line for us to show them we care, but not give, give, give, especially when they associate caring with receiving.   To be candid, we find it challenging, at times, to be Jesus to them.  We continue to pray for wisdom as some days are certainly easier than others. 

            Yet unconditional love is truly what all of us should try to display.  Scripture tells us in Romans 5:8  “But God commendeth his own love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”  This action on His part had absolutely nothing to do with the actions on our part.  It was 100% unconditional, and it’s that type of love that’s capable of spreading the gospel.  When people are treated with love regardless of whether or not they deserve it, then it opens doors that may otherwise remain shut.  The challenge is that we can be conditional minded!  It’s very easy to get in the mode of treating others the way they treat you or evaluating their actions to justify our actions.  That’s the time and place to ask, “What would Jesus Do?” Did He treat us the way we deserved to be treated? No. Did He evaluate our actions to determine what His actions should be? No.  Then it’s time to take the “high road” and display a love that exemplifies Jesus Christ.  Paul gives a list of tough to dos that really put things in perspective.  1 Corinthians 13:3-10  “And if I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and if I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profiteth me nothing. Love suffereth long, and is kind; love envieth not; love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not its own, is not provoked, taketh not account of evil; rejoiceth not in unrighteousness, but rejoiceth with the truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Love never faileth…”. 

            Wow, how do you like that for a reality check?  I know it was a strong reminder for us!  As we move into the Christmas season with the celebration of one of God’s greatest acts of love as He sent His son to be born as a babe for the future redemption of mankind, let’s challenge ourselves to show and demonstrate this same type of unconditional love to those around us.  Ask God to give you opportunities to love unconditionally!!

One Starfish At A Time


         Cassail (Kah sah eel)
  
            Cassail is the younger sister to Guerline.  Cassail is 11 years old.  As we mentioned last month, the two sisters arrived earlier this year and are some of the newer additions to the CCH family.  Cassail loves to serve and is a willing and capable helper in the kitchen.  Like her older sister, she is very friendly and social.  Cassail has a beautiful smile and is enjoying her new life at CCH.  Most of the time, when we do weekly Bible studies with the girls, it’s the youngest girls who sit way up front and want to be on top of all that is going on.  The general rule is the older the girl, the farther back they sit.  It’s been noticeably different for Cassail and her sister.  They both sit way up front and are “open books” as they listen intently to the study.  It’s likely they had very little opportunity to have their minds expanded and challenged with anything but chores and daily responsibilities.  So far, they can’t get enough of each lesson, and after the study it’s common for one of them to approach Catherine and say, “Thank you” and walk away with that contagious big smile.  Like all the kids at CCH, God has great plans for her future.  To see what’s happening to this new “starfish” is such a testimony to God’s goodness and faithfulness.  What a blessing it is to serve God and witness His mighty hands at work!!

Nutritional Nuggets ~ Natures Pharmacy

ABC's of Vitamins and Minerals

 

     

Coloring Food Beautiful Naturally
A Cosmetic Shame  Yellow 5 & 6
  (click above title to read more

                                    ... What's the big deal?
                                    ... Do egg yolks often contain Yellow 5 dye?
                                    ... Yellow 5 & 6 food colors come from where?

                                       ... Where to find wholesome food colors.


You have more influencing power than you think!



     We all eat with our eyes and the FDA and the food manufacturers know this.  If you are interested in how to liven up foods for celebrations in your life naturally, I hope you will join me as we take a look at the FDA’s approved food color list, the problems associated with it, and explore natural possibilities.   

By visiting my Color Me Beautiful  series where I share about the natural chemistry of the colors in food, you will understand the connection of why colors in foods are important and how they can offer our bodies health and how they can bring vitality into our lives.

Let’s choose to celebrate LIFE together the right way,
in a positive way and make it the best LIFE ever!



Please click here to read more about the steps that you can do to begin your best life now on Catherine’s Genesis Health blog.  


Revisit past Nutrition Nuggets about Natures Pharmacy regarding the benefits of individual fruits and vegetables.  If you are interested in learning more about improving your health, please visit and follow Genesis Health today.

 

“Let food be thy medicine, and medicine be thy food.” Hippocrates
Promoting a lifestyle of preventative care!

 
WELLNESS PRINCIPAL:  Health comes from within.  You cannot buy it in a bottle.
 
          Please visit 
Catherine’s Pinterest boards by clicking this link:  Catherine's Place.   You will find a variety of healthy sources, natural solutions, recipes, God's Creation, and SO MUCH MORE.  Grab yourself a healthy snackmake yourself comfortable, and take time to browse the wealth of information and be not only inspired but uplifted.

Prayer & Praise 

 

Pray for travel mercies as we prepare to travel home for Christmas and the New Year.

Praise the Lord for a very God-glorifying and successful 10 year anniversary of CCH.
Please pray for Guerline and Cassail and their new life at CCH.
Praise the Lord for our faithful partners, who allow us to live and work on the mission field.
Pray for Haiti's current political situation and for a resolution to all the protests and strikes within the country. 


We especially give thanks to God for you!

Thankful for His unmeasured love,

Les & Catherine

Ministry (U.S.)                             Les & Catherine DeRoos

                                         Laborers With Christ                                    c/o Agape Flights CAY 26466
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                                         Phone:  (712) 200-1139                                Phone: 011 509-3857-8345
                                         E-mail:  faagric@yahoo.com                        E-mail:  faagric@yahoo.com
                                         Web Site:  
http://laborerswithchrist.org 
                                         YouTube:  LWC Missionary Moments 
               
                                                                                                   

Laborers With Christ On-Line Donations

 

     Just click on this link: Love gift to Laborers With Christ You can also visit us at laborerswithchrist.org and go to our Financial Support page. Thank you so much for your willingness to partner with us in ministry.

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DeRoos Blog
Genesis Health
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