Some good reports

Good morning...it's a bright and sunny Monday and we have found some real praise items. In the last few days we have been talking with some of the pastors we have been helping. It's exciting to hear the good reports. With the help we have given, AND THE HELP FROM THE CHURCH PEOPLE, some of the displaced families have been able to return to their "homes" and start to rebuild their lives in Port au Prince. It's so exciting to see the church people step in and help provide things for them. They helped with getting food and clothing for the people. And this is a true sacrifice for them. But God will richly bless their giving and their efforts. Some of the refugees can now return, clear their land and start rebuilding. What a hard time for them, but at least it's a time they can now look forward to and rebuild. There is still a long road ahead for them, but God has given them hope in so many ways. I guess it's still hard for me to comprehend how much they have already gone through and what they still have to face. I know it will be very difficult for them to clear out the old rubble and start new. But in a way, isn't that what we do as Christians? We clear out the old rubble and start fresh with Jesus Christ? I praise God for helping me come to the realization of how the "rubble" of the old life needed to be replaced.

The last two Sunday's in English Bible Fellowship, God has blessed us so much. Both times it was Haitian pastors who spoke. The first was Wilbert Merzilus and yesterday was Pastor Codo. Both of their messages were centered on encouragement. And they were focused on the mission community. Overcoming the depression and stress of dealing with so much since the earthquake was what they spoke on. I guess most of us (missionaries) didn't realize anyone understood the pressure we were under since this chaos started. But to hear it from two different pastors was such an uplift. The encouragement was a blessing for all of us. I really praise God for giving us friends with such great insight. And I know the other missionaries there felt the same way. God really, really has blessed us with some fantastic Haitian friends.

I know I've shared some of our daily devotions with you in the past, but I'm only going to put a small part of the one I got today. Again...this helps us here, dealing with the huge amount of suffering people. Looking at things from God's view, and taking things into heart from His perspective sure does help. In today's message, Papa Roy added two thoughts at the end that really spoke to me. "Everyone else thought, 'Goliath is so big, I can't beat him.' David thought, "Goliath is so big, I can't miss him.' "A man of less faith might have been too nervous to take the proper aim.' " And his second thought, "Attack! If you tolerate a giant, it will take over your territory. Giants are like wildfires. They get out of control and will consume your life. That's why you don't run from giants. You attack them." And we are talking here about the attacks of satan, and the things that come against us daily. They can wear you down and take your joy, just like these situations here in Haiti have done. But we have God on our side, so we can step up and take control of things and let God have the victory, just like David did!!!

God is so good!!! Oh yes, He is AWESOME!!! He sends His word, and His people to us just when we need it most. We serve a mighty and awesome God...I hope you are walking in His path and can see daily what He is doing for you.

We head stateside in just three days. At this point we have not set down an itinerary, but I am going to corner Don, in the midst of all his work, and do that this morning. He is a bit overwhelmed right now with trying to get everything done before we leave, but I believe God is in control and He will help him through this.

We hope to see many of you on this trip. If we don't see you, know that we are praying for you. God has used each and everyone of you in our lives and we are so grateful!! We praise Him for putting you in our lives. I will try to keep posting throughout our trip, if possible.

Have a GREAT day, and serve Him with joy and gladness!!