Hello again,
Well, I "think" things are getting back to normal here...but then again, exactly what is "normal"? I was thinking about that on my return flight from the US on Tuesday. We have had some real mountain top, and valley experiences these last two months. And yet, I'm not sure just where "normal" fits in. So, I came to the conclusion that "normal" is simply being where God wants us, doing what God wants us to do. The highs, lows, and middle of the roads are all just a part of it.
In the last month we have had two teams come in. The first from the Lancaster area of Pennsylvania. They put a roof on the school where they had worked on the church last year. I think I have already mentioned them, but wow, talk about workaholics... those guys (and gals) got that roof finished in 3 days. Here are a couple of photos... first work day and then the dedication on Sunday of the building. Awesome? You bet!!!
Our second team was just as awesome. They got all the work done, plus a lot more than planned, and had a good time doing it. They were also from Pennsylvania, but from the Pittsburgh area. Talk about people with a love for others... they sure fit the bill. My only regret was that they came in on Tuesday, and on Thursday I left to go to Fort Pierce. (They did fine without me, but I sure missed being here with them.) They not only worked on projects, they got to be with the orphans and then out at the IDADEE orphanage site, with the area kids there. And with both teams...spoiling Abbie was part of the mission, I guess.
This picture is of "our two girls" and our "new" daughter from the US. It's Betty, Shannon and Vero. Our family is expanding.
On my short trip to the US, I was asked to share our ministry and the Christmas Bag ministry with a women's group in a church in Vero Beach. Talk about some awesome ladies. They were so gracious and outgoing. (And they sure can cook, too!!!) Had a wonderful time with them, and also with the gals from MFI who went along as an encouragement for me. As our plane left Fort Pierce on Tuesday, I got a photo of the sunrise...the world awakening...and I pray it will awaken to the light of the world in Jesus Christ!!!
Our last group helped bag items for the bucket ministry, and Don is now busy getting those things distributed...keep that project in prayer. We have a team coming on Tuesday again, so the work never lets up. We keep praying that God will be glorified in all that these teams do for Him. It is FOR and THROUGH Him that these projects are accomplished.
For now, Keep Jesus at the center of your life and let others see your light shine, FOR HIM!!
Each month, our mission in Georgia sends out a letter along with receipts to our supporters. This month, the letter opened a new door in my thinking. Now I want to stress right now, we are NOT asking anyone to support us. I just thought this was something I had never given a thought to before and wanted to share it with you all. So, here it is, in it's entirety:
From World Outreach Ministries
Dear Friends in Christ,
Your prayers and financial support are vital to your missionary's success. Without the practical side of things being taken care of, the "spiritual side" of a ministry can not take place. The truth is, your support is critical to their outreach.
Did you know that the same principle was true in Jesus' life? Most people do not realize that Jesus had supporters during his 3-year ministry. Luke 8:3 says, "And many others, who ministered to and provided for Him and them out of their property and personal belongings." Amplified Bible
Jesus operated the same way as missionaries do. It says that "many" were supporting Jesus and His disciples. Because of their help, Jesus and the Apostles changed the world forever. Never doubt that your help IS important to God's plan.
I guess I never thought of the fact that even JESUS was a missionary and needed others to back Him. In the back of my mind, I just figured God took care of all of that. And yes, in a way, He did, through others. That was just such an eye opener for me, that I wanted to share it with you. Maybe I am the only one who never put those things together in my mind, but it is so neat to see. I never gave a thought to the fact that Jesus WAS a missionary.
I leave Haiti tomorrow for 5 short days. I will be going to a church in Florida to share the Christmas Bag project. I've not done this before and I think I'm a bit nervous, but I know I can do it. It's such a worthwhile project. We have a team here right now, but they are great and can handle things without me. Sort of makes one humble to know that others can do without your help, but that is fine. With Don here, they will do great. We also have Stan here with the team, so we have no worry at all.
We have had some very constant rains, and heavy ones at that. But it's been mostly at night. I guess the only problem with that, is that the dorm roof is leaking, and pots and pans have to be set out, and beds moved to avoid the water. Time to start praying for a new roof, huh?
Guess an "Abbie update" is due. She has finished her "kindergarten" work and is now into 1st grade work. She is so proud of herself. But it's sort of sad, too. She is only 4, and is moving ahead so fast. Where does childhood go these days? But time does move on, and kids grow up. A neat statement from her came out the other day. She said, "Grandma, everyone needs Jesus IN THEIR HEART, so they know He is with them EVERYWHERE." What a concept for a 4 year old to grasp. Vero is doing a great job every night, teaching her from the Bible. And Abbie loves it.
An added note here: check out both the Christmas Bag web page and the Missionary Flights web page at right. The MFI page has a sad story to relate, but it shows where MFI's heart is, with the missionaries. And I will stress here, they do these emergency flights, with no cost to the missionary. MFI truly "Stands in the Gap" for us!!
On that note, I'll close and if I get a chance while in Florida I will post again. If not, I'll talk to you all next week!! Be faithful and share the love of the Lord with others!!
FINALLY, we are back on line. What a time it was not having internet. We sure get spoiled with having these modern things in our lives, don't we? Through these 6 plus weeks of not having internet we have felt so cut off from the world, but now are back in communication with everyone. Although we did have a few days where we could get on, thanks to the loan of a modem, we were without email, or internet for so long.
We have a team here now. Talk about HARD work. They put rafters and a roof on a school building. From start to finish it took 3 days. I can't believe how quickly and efficiently they work. These are a great group of people who come each year. What fun we have with them, too. God has blessed us so much with this group. They all work like a well oiled and running machine. It is wonderful. Today is a day of rest and some shopping and swimming. I'm sure they will enjoy that, but they also deserve it, BIG TIME.
While in town one day (we always take the camera), we got a shot that brought to mind how fishermen in Jesus time worked. I thought I'd share it with you, so you can see that yes, we are a bit behind times here, but still find ways to work and feed families.
We see these things occasionally, but never cease to stop and compare things to Jesus time and how they lived then. Throwing the nets out and bringing in the fish...just as Jesus told us to be fishers of men.
For now, PRAISE GOD for His mercy and love and for being with us. My next blog will share something from our mission in the US. The president sent a letter to our supporters and it included things I never really thought of before.
Let the Lord lead you today in all you do. Praise Him for His loving kindness!!!
Our second team was just as awesome. They got all the work done, plus a lot more than planned, and had a good time doing it. They were also from Pennsylvania, but from the Pittsburgh area. Talk about people with a love for others... they sure fit the bill. My only regret was that they came in on Tuesday, and on Thursday I left to go to Fort Pierce. (They did fine without me, but I sure missed being here with them.) They not only worked on projects, they got to be with the orphans and then out at the IDADEE orphanage site, with the area kids there. And with both teams...spoiling Abbie was part of the mission, I guess.
This picture is of "our two girls" and our "new" daughter from the US. It's Betty, Shannon and Vero. Our family is expanding.
On my short trip to the US, I was asked to share our ministry and the Christmas Bag ministry with a women's group in a church in Vero Beach. Talk about some awesome ladies. They were so gracious and outgoing. (And they sure can cook, too!!!) Had a wonderful time with them, and also with the gals from MFI who went along as an encouragement for me. As our plane left Fort Pierce on Tuesday, I got a photo of the sunrise...the world awakening...and I pray it will awaken to the light of the world in Jesus Christ!!!
Our last group helped bag items for the bucket ministry, and Don is now busy getting those things distributed...keep that project in prayer. We have a team coming on Tuesday again, so the work never lets up. We keep praying that God will be glorified in all that these teams do for Him. It is FOR and THROUGH Him that these projects are accomplished.
