Monday, February 8th

I just checked and I haven't been on here for a LONG time... sorry about that!!! But a lot has happened, and actually I'm glad I waited until tonight for this update. So, let's back up.

I almost can't remember what happened that long ago. We are all totally worn out. It's way beyond exhaustion.

Actually, I can back way up to last Monday. I didn't put this situation on here either, with all that has gone on, I guess I forgot. We got a call on Monday that our friends Tom and Helen Froese had a problem. Their granddaughter was taken to the hospital in Canada and was in critical condition. They needed to get on the MFI flight and get to the family. I knew the plane was full, but you do what you have to, right? I tried. I was finally told, it's up to the pilot, IF he has room. L O N G story short, two passengers offered to stay here and let them use their seats...but...a "God took care of it" time. One passenger on the list had not come into Haiti, so there was one seat. But there was a fellow who said he was confirmed that morning that he had a seat. Again, a call. Yes, he was confirmed. Okay, so we may go to plan B on this. The plane came in and we talked to the pilots and they said, they didn't believe they had the room, so we were prepared to change all the paperwork. They looked at the list, counted seats, and hummmm... just so happened they had 2 EXTRA seats that had been put on. You know I don't believe in "coincidences", right? Just another "God Thing". Tom and Helen left their kids here with the head of the mission. If they are out for a long time, the mission director will take them to the Dominican and take them home to Canada with him. Another "God Thing" ...someone on the team had connections and there was a corporate jet waiting for them when they got to Fort Pierce, and they flew right to Canada that night. God sure is good. Their granddaughter is doing much better than the doctors thought she would. Still in a coma, but there is now hope. And with everyone praying, God can move mountains. So, there is a prayer request for you.

Thursday was a plane day, of course. That was a long day, and we spent most of it at the airport. But it wasn't a bad day, just long. Friday, Don and I both got our teeth done. For Don they had to cut part of the gum to get the filling in, so he has a stitch there now. But glad it's all over. The team saw SO MANY people. And they are as exhausted as we are. But they did such a great job. Today was their last clinic day out in the country side.

i have to go back to Friday, though. Friday right after supper I checked email. The team gets at least one a day, and I wanted to get whatever came in, over to them. We had a really sweet couple on the team. Richardo and his wife, Andrea, are missionaries in Mexico. Richardo is Mexican. That night we got an email that his dad was taken to the hospital and was in a coma. So, we kicked into gear. Called MFI to see if there was ANY way we could get them out. Got it worked out, after a lot of phone calls.... Well, this was a "God took care of it" time. Sam Bullers, a retired MFI pilot was here in Haiti, up at Pignon, for a visit. And he "just happened" to have the small MFI plane here. We finally reached him and he agreed to come and get Richardo and Andrea and get them to Port to fly out on the DC-3 that was coming in Saturday morning. Saturday morning, Richardo made a phone call to see how his dad was doing. He had gone to be with the Lord during the night. Rejoicing for his dad, but so sad for this young couple. Sam took them to Port that morning, and they got on the DC-3 that afternoon. Then they were picked up by Carolyn Smith's husband, Rodney, and taken to their place for the night. Very early the next morning they flew out for California. Got their vehicle and headed to Mexico. They were home last night. They needed their family and their family needed them. We praise God his dad was a Christian, but it's still so sad for those left behind, feeling the loss. Please keep them in prayer.

Next chapter in this long book.... Sunday the team went to EBAC church and enjoyed giving out some Christmas Bags to the Junior church children. Then just before leaving for English church, Carolyn Smith got an email. Her mom, who was in No. Carolina with Carolyn's sister, was taken to the hospital. She was in ICU and not doing the best, but it didn't sound quite so serious as to warrant Carolyn leaving a day early. After English church, got another email...call home immediately. Her mom had taken a turn for the worse and they expected the worst. I didn't wait, I simply called MFI again. (Actually Dick Snook at home). The wheels started working again...and after quite a few tries, we got things worked out for Carolyn to leave today on MFI, via Port au Prince again, thanks a second time to Sam being in the country and able to take her down there.

I just talked to Carolyn's husband, Rodney, and he said Kay (her mom) was stable, for the condition she is in. I asked Rodney if maybe she was just holding on till Carolyn got there. He said he thought so, too. So, AGAIN, add her to your prayer list, not only Kay, but Carolyn and Rodney and all the siblings, too. It's a hard, hard time for them all. Kay celebrated her 90th birthday in September. And she has been a fantastic servant all her life.

A HUGE PRAISE GOD FOR MFI STANDING IN THE GAP, NOT ONCE, NOT TWICE, BUT THREE TIMES IN ONE WEEK!!!!! Keep them in prayer, they are going WAY beyond everything to help the earthquake victims, but also the mission community.

Okay, we were up to today, right? Took Carolyn to the airport (she won't arrive in Ft. Pierce until 9:30 tonight). Then this afternoon we had been invited to a meeting at the UN headquarters. It covered a lot of things, but one was containers and the cost of getting these relief supplies FREE...which we have been paying duty on. Stan was still here and he went with us. And HE SPOKE up and let them know he wasn't happy with the cost we have had to come up with. The meeting itself was no solution. But the contacts we made there may have been why we were there. Tomorrow we have a meeting with the mayor of Cap Haitian. And Wednesday, with another high official. We will continue to go to these meetings, simply because they may impact what MFI brings in, as well as our containers. We come back to that phrase, "God may have us here for a time such as this." I really don't know, but He is working in ways we could not have done. HE is opening doors. HE is guiding in ways we never considered. But again, please keep this in prayer. We will need it, big time!!

I think I have caught you all up on things here for now. The team leaves tomorrow, after a great week. Two members are staying, Bill and his wife Lauri. We are so thrilled with that. After a week, we'll have another team. All three of these teams come from Camano Island, Washington. This team will be construction. We are so happy to have all the help they bring each year. When the team leaves, Bill and Lauri will leave, too. BUMMER!!!

Well, about time to get some rest...and get ready for three planes tomorrow. Life keeps moving on, even when you'd like it to stop for just a bit. Keep praying. We are on our third relief container for the poor. And with prayer backing, it will become a reality. It will not only enable us to help the refugees, it will enable US to enable others to help them, too. Thanks for your patience.

Remember (this is for me, too), God IS in control. He is our strength and fortress. In HIM we have our being. Keep praising God for all things...