April 15th, Thursday

What a time we've had. I didn't realize it had been so long since I've been on here. I have to apologize for that. We have had teams and trying to do other things along with that seems to take up a lot of time. But I do want to stress what a joy and what a blessing the teams have been, not only to us, but to the Haitians as well. Each team is unique in it's own way and yet they all do so much here. I can't share enough how much is accomplished for the Lord through these selfless people.

Our last team left on Tuesday. And on that same plane, our son and a friend came in. We had a LONG list for Dale to accomplish. He has done pretty well in just two work days, too. But yesterday, while working in the computer room, he had an accident. We are totally redoing the room, to have more room, and better storage space for things here. They took down the long computer desk we had for when I was teaching computers. In the process of taking out screws and rebuilding some other things (like a small computer desk for Abbie) it happened. I was in the kitchen and Dale came out and said, "Mommie, I got an awie". Thinking he was teasing, I said, so what else is new? Then I looked over and saw blood squirting all over the place. He was using a power drill to put some screws in and it slipped and went through his thumbnail and out the other side of the thumb. There was a trail of blood all over the place. Got it cleaned out and ointment on it and bandaged it up good. But I know he will be hurting for a while. And he will lose that fingernail. He still went on working and worked all day today, too. A bit stubborn, like his father. But I will say they are getting a LOT of work done in a lot of areas. What a tremendous help they have been to Don and I both. We are so very thankful for them being here.

We finally make the appointment for Vero and Abbie's visas. They go down on May 6th to the consulate. PLEASE, PLEASE put that on the top of your prayer list. Although Vero wouldn't be able to stay out the whole time we will be gone, it would be so important for her to share the ministry of IDADEE with those she can. And of course, we want Abbie to go with us, too. There really would be no one to leave her here with while we are gone.

We have a container ready to come out here tomorrow. Another prayer request. We have had a hard time getting this one to the point of clearing. Right now we are jumping through some hoops to make it happen. With all the food in there, it's a shame that those in authority don't see the need to get it out to the people. At times it's very discouraging trying to help the poor, when others put constant road blocks in place. But it is a great need and we need a lot of prayers for it to take place.

As we talk to the pastors we work with, we are finding the needs of those displaced people increasing, not decreasing. We have had some pretty horrid rains the last few days and this has taken a toll on a lot of these people. While sitting here typing, there was a tremor. For me, it was simply, "Oh, I felt that one." But for those who experienced the heavy part in Port, that tremor would set their minds and bodies to reacting. I do understand where they are coming from in that fear, but we need a whole lot of prayers to help these people overcome that fear. So, pray with us on that one, too. The accounts of the numbers of people coming to know the Lord are really fantastic. And every time we talk to one of the pastors, they have more stories to share. It really is awesome (there's that word again) how God has used this tragedy to bring about so much good. And we are so thankful that He has used us in even this tiny way, to help that come about. We are back to that one grain of sand in a bucket again. But it takes a lot of grains to fill that bucket. Our two little grains don't seem like much, but they help. And God put us here for such a time as this, to spread His work and show His love.

Yes, we do have those who are taking advantage of the situation and trying to get money from us. That is why we have decided that our help is to be centered on helping those who really know the needs and that we have seen can be trusted to help out. And a neat thing here, we didn't ask for any accounting of where our help went, but the pastors have been faithful in letting us know just where the help is going. God has been teaching accountability and it is working. Keep this in prayer, too.

Returning from the airport today, I can't believe how many people we saw on crutches. And those with bandages and missing limbs. These are the overflow from Port and the ones who are so destitute. You really feel so inadequate in helping, but we know we are doing what the Lord told us, so we have to grasp that peace. I know the Bible says that the poor will always be with us. It's just that it's really hard to be in the midst of a country full of those "poor" and to be able to help only a fraction (and a very small fraction at that). Because in reality..."There but for the grace of God, go I!!" So, keep US in prayer, too, that we will stay focused on what the Lord wants us to do and accomplish.

I think the verse that speaks to these situations is Lamentations3: 22 & 23, "Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning." And that is what we have to learn to lean on. And we have to be renewed every morning with His word.

I hope to go through some of the pictures from the last few weeks and post some for you. But I'm not sure when I'll be able to do that. Just keep checking...I'll try soon.

Until then, remember, Jesus did it all for you!! What can we do for HIM? Nothing, really nothing at all...HE DID IT! But we CAN share what He has done, and we can pray for others. Keep Him there in front of you all the time, and share His love with others.