Saturday, July 17, 2010

WE ARE HOME

We are finally home. We had a great trip, saw some of the people we had hoped to see and are back in Haiti. Funny, but after about an hour, it felt like we hadn't even left. The problems and the situations are still here, and we are now gearing up to meet a lot of needs. We had plans to do some needed items right at the start, but you know the best laid plans of mice and men...... well, we haven't even been able to start with anything yet. There are the things that need immediate attention, of course. things that quit working, or have problems, need to be attended to first. So, Don is working on some of those things now.

We knew we would need to get our new desk top set up and going before we could do anything on the internet...but then our sat system had shut us down. The fellow here who works on it for us came yesterday and got us up and running again, PTL!! Now the work for me starts in earnest. I have to retype all our email list (since I can't remember how to transfer it from the other computer). And even if I could, we don't have a monitor to use to work on that one now.

One of our neat surprises was the way the house looked when we got here. I had asked Vero to have Phignole put a planter on the wall on the front porch. He did a GREAT job. And so much more. He put flowers not only in the planter, but down on the ground, too. He redid our front porch and we are so pleased.While we were in the US, Don decided it would be nice to get a small fish tank for Abbie. We know that watching fish is relaxing and thought maybe it would help calm her down a bit. She loves her fish...has named them...but the only one I remember is Sally...that's her angle fish. We lost a few in transporting, but still have enough to make it look good.
We will be contacting the pastors to find out where the most help is needed at this point. There are still so many needs in this area. Helping get people settled both here in Cap and in Port is an on going job. Jobs are needed and there just aren't any to be had. There are so many willing to work. Pray with us that we will be able to direct people to the places they need to be.

We have a container on the way. One should be docking either today or tomorrow, but that one is for others. Our container should be just a few days behind that one. Pray with us that it will be a quick turn around and that there will be minor charges on it. The items on it are SO needed, with so many hurting people in this area.

We do have some prayer requests... one is for my sister-in-law. She has undergone a heart operation and is recovering, but can still use prayers, as this has been a very difficult time for them. The next is for our good friend Carolyn, who is starting radiation treatment this coming week. They feel they did get all the cancer, but do not want to take any chances, thus the radiation. Then we need some major prayers for our very good friends Bill and Lauri on the west coast. Bill had been cleared of cancer, but now is facing a recurrence, and it seems worse this time. Through all of this we know satan is hitting hardest in our weakest spots. Pray for all three of these that the enemy will NOT be victorious, but that God will reign in each situation. We KNOW that God can heal, and that He DOES heal. But we also know that His timing and His ways are not our ways. Pray for God's healing touch, but also pray for God's will to be done. Pray for peace and comfort in each of these situations.

When we see our friends and family hurting, we want to storm the gates of heaven and demand action. But that isn't how God works. We can storm the gates of heaven with our prayers, but then we need to step back and let God work things out His way. Pray with us that the Lord will grant peace to all those involved in these troubled times. Driving down the streets here in Haiti is heartbreaking, too. We see the hopelessness on so many faces. No jobs, no food, no money, no place to lay their heads....and so little help coming their way. Pray with us that the Lord will direct us in where and how to help the best way possible. We know without a doubt that the Lord has directed us to use the national pastors to work with these people. Pray for the people to see the true light of a loving and caring God in all these deplorable circumstances. We do know God is in control, even when we can't see it. We just want to be a part of His Light to the world.

Thank you so much for your help and your prayers. Without you, we could not be here. We are praying for you, too. Let the light and love of the Lord shine from you to those around you, too. At this point, that is YOUR mission field...so spread the love of Jesus to those you come in contact with. Until next time....God Bless and Keep you!!!

1 comment:

Ronnie,Jackie,Rachel said...

Karen, It is so good to hear tha you are home safe and sound. It was nice to be able to follow your time in the states on your blog. Looks like you had some really nice things going on this time. Isn't it amazing how no matter how long we are away from home that soon after we arrive everything seems like we just never left. Hope you are all getting caught up on all the things that need you immediate attention. Love the new look of the front porch and I'm sure Abbie is loving her fish. Good to know you are at home again and we will continue to keep you in our prayers. God Bless...we miss you all.
Love, Jackie Ronnie, Rachel