BLM is excited to announce that God has blessed us with more workers, and we are anxious to use those workers to His glory. Starting August of 2004, BLM has hired Clyde Lansdell to fill the position of Mission Coordinator for Beacon Light.

He's responsibilities will be to basically identify ways to help the missionaries and the mission of Beacon Light more effectively. He will likely spend up to 4 months of the year visiting the missionaries in the field. At least one month is planned for visiting churches and sponsoring groups to insure everyone is familiar with how BLM wants to help. The remaining time will be spent with administrative duties associated with the growing opportunities to minister.

These are Clyde's first words:

"I have only been in Haiti for a few days and I am already sensing an overwhelming feeling that there is no way that I can do this job. The needs are too great, the problems are too big, I am so weak and my brain is so little. In fact, much of the time I feel like quitting and going home. I am already missing the best salmon fishing back home. Seriously though, I understand why so many do struggle. The temptation is real. However, there are two things that have convinced me not to quit. They are:

(1) The people here. You just can't possibly understand the inspiration they provide. I have spent most of my time in Port Au Prince with Roberta. She's something else folks - as close to a real angel as anyone I have ever met. She just radiates faith. I don't have the slightest idea how she does it. Her love for these children, her energy level, her ideas about the future of these children and on and on I could go. Her newest idea is a fish farm on the property where these children, as they grow into adulthood, can have a source of income. She already has cows that she and the children are raising to sell so the older boys can buy property and start businesses of their own. She is one of the many talented missionaries we are honored to be associated with. There is the great news about Luckson and the development and educational goals of Sadie. Shortly, I'm on to visit with Brian and Tammie and their amazing work in the Dominican. My next stops over the next 6 weeks are the Dirrims, the Cyphers and the Pearsons in Cap Hatien. Besides these that Beacon Light is honored to be involved with, there are so many others here that just amaze me. If you ever consider giving up, just come on down and refill your cup. It will be running over and you won't even consider ever giving up.

(2) My God is so big! The first night I was here I was singing with the children and one of the songs was that one. There's nothing my God cannot do for you. Did you hear that? Nothing - nothing, nothing. As I write this there are chills running through my body. It's not a matter of my strength - it's His strength - it's not a matter of my brain - it's His wisdom - it's really not about me at all and there is nothing He cannot do. Wow!

I won't give up. I won't go home before I finish what God wants to do through me here. The people and my God won't let me.

Please pray for us all." Clyde