Christmas was nice

We had a nice Christmas.  Abbie and Vero came to join us and we had a good time opening presents.  Being Savanah's first Christmas to participate was fun.  Last year she was only 2 months old.  

On Sunday we had our Christmas service at English Church.  I made a ton of cookies and one of the other gals made drinks.  It was a nice service of singing, sharing the story of Christ's birth and then fellowship and treats.  I tried to get Savanah to stand still for a picture... right. the original tornado when on her feet.  This was the best I could accomplish.

 

Then on Christmas, so many things to look at and do... it was just simply fun.  Both Abbie and Savanah loved their presents, but when it was all over, what do they do?  Yes, the wrappings and boxes.  But Savanah got a doll from her mama and daddy and sisters... she loved  holding it and saying her words for baby.  Abbie also got a doll from them, similar to the other one.  The girls were doing the "mommie" thing for quite a while.  Don, Vero and I had our share of fun things, too, but mainly watching the girls.

 In the afternoon we had some friends come over for dinner and had a good time of fellowship.  For days all Abbie talked about was the BIG meal we'd have.  And we did.  Then topped it off with Don's favorite (pumpkin pie), and Abbie's favorite (apple pie).  

Today the girls spent a lot of time playing "house" in the boxes and then Abbie got out her mike set from last year and proceeded to preach and then sing.  Savanah loves music, so she had to get in on the singing.

 

Very early on Christmas eve day, Noufie had her baby (It was like at 12:05 AM, almost 2 weeks late).  She was back here by 6:30 AM.  Her little boy, Christny, weighed in at 7 pounds 11 ounces.  They are now home with Noufie's folks.  

 And we are still battling the water situation.  Not so much the drain field now, but our well, and all it's components.  When the radio station generator is on, we have power to the well (but not on our smaller generator).  But there is some mysterious problem with the whole works.  We are in the process of asking people in the know what to do.  Pray, okay?

Well, we are well on our way to New Year's and all the celebrations here.  That is the big day in Haiti... they celebrate Christmas, New Year's and their Independence day all at the same time.  They are cleaning streets, painting trees, and putting up decorations (not the US kind, but decorations, just the same).  And the highlight of the day will be pumpkin soup.  It is SO good.  They make a HUGE pot in the early morning and it's on the stove all day for anyone who comes to visit.  

Well, time to get going here, since power is at a premimum.  Need to get some other work done and help Don try to figure out our water situation.  (like I would know what to do??  Don't think so.)  

We are praying your Christmas was Christ centered.  We were blessed because Abbie wanted to read the Christmas story from the Bible this year before we did anything else.  She did an excellent job and really knows her Bible.  Her mom and the school are tremendous helps to her in that area.  

Please remember to keep Christ in your minds and hearts throughout the whole year, not just on those days we celebrate His birth and resurrection.  He's not only the reason for this season, He's the reason we have to celebrate each and every day for the grace He has extended to us.  May your New Year be filled with praises and thanksgiving to Him for what He has done, what He is doing and what we WILL do in the future!!  Blessing to all!!

More prayers needed

I just sent out an email, so thought I'd quickly paste it here for those who are not on our list to receive it.  Please keep praying!!

I have come to the conclusion that something good, or even great is about to happen... Why?  Because we are under attack and have been for the last several weeks.  We are talking all areas, physically, emotionally, spiritually.  I'm not about to list all that has happened, I don't have the time (with electric like it is) and you don't have the time (it would be WAY too long to post).  But I'll give you some highlights....

• Our drain field is plugged up... can only flush or use water once in a great while.  (the OUT house is now IN house). 
• Our water lines ended up causing some major problems.
• Seems our well pipe may have broken, down in the well.
• Our well pump is having WEIRD problems, going on and off all the time, and Don has replaced EVERYTHING connected to it.
• Don is having problems sleeping trying to figure out everything.
• Can't get the online teaching Don has been watching, and it's his main feeding right now.
• Pressure water thank in the house....the bladder disintegrated.   
• Don's glasses broke (with the help of a little girl), sent them out, using his old ones.  Now the lenses fell out of those.
• Our refrigerator quit... but got that fixed.
• Karen lost the back of a tooth (not the filling part, the TOOTH part), then two days later the filling fell out.
• Both of us have had some physical pain that has been hard to handle.

But there are some upsides to some things too.... MFI had a glitch when loading the plane and somehow over 20 boxes meant for the Dominican didn't get off loaded there, but did here.  We cleared with customs to be able to take them home to return when MFI next flies to the Dominican.  But we didn't have a big enough truck to haul it all, with our cargo and EBAC cargo, too.  PTL, one of "our guys" agreed to drive to the airport and pick up the overload.  But a BIGGER PTL.... when customs saw the problems we were having, and I took our shipping list in to figure the tax, he simply smiled and said Merry Christmas and signed it off... no duty.  I just looked at him in shock and then hugged him and thanked him and told him I hoped his Christmas was very blessed by God.  He smiled and said, "it is."    

Abbie did most of the decorating of our tree.  She wanted to help so much.  So, I said, go ahead.  She did, and remembered we had the little one here.  She put breakable ones on the top, and non-breakable ones on the bottom.  Good thing, too.  Savanah UN-decorates the tree about 4 times a day now.  All the lights toward the bottom are in one place.  But we are leaving it that way.  It's a "unique" tree.  She has also pulled some branches off (and they won't go back in...the tree is very old and falling apart).  This kiddo is a smart cookie... she does something bad (I think to get our attention), but if we don't notice it, she'll bring to us whatever it was, or yells and then does it again.  Like most little ones, forget the toys... give me pots and pans and anything that ISN'T a toy and I'm happy.  Especially if it's something I'm not supposed to have.  She really is a joy to have around, even when naughty....I was sitting in my chair with my feet up... she walked by, leaned down and bit my toe, HARD.  I yelled, but everyone else had to cover their mouths because they were laughing so hard.  She is cutting teeth (now has 6), and seems to think she needs to bite everything.  We ARE putting a stop to that one, quickly.   

Abbie had her Christmas program for school and did a great job as one of the 3 female Kings.  The program was really nice.  I'll try to post some pics if/when I can get on to do it.  I'll also try to get a pic of our tree... and all the presents under it.  Some are empty boxes, but that's okay.  Some are for others that were sent through us and a few are ours.  It looks like a lot, but isn't really.  And of course Savanah thinks those are play things.  Oh the fun of having a one year old around.   

Add Noufie, who was supposed to have her baby by December 9th, is still here and still doesn't have the baby.  She is so anxious to have the child.  And emotions are running wild with her too.  It seems they don't induce labor here unless it's an emergency.  Humm.. wonder how LONG she has to wait before it's declared an emergency?  And they re-figured several times to make sure the due date was right.  Pray for her, too.

Well, I've given you a HUGE amount of things to pray for.  With Christmas only 4 days away, we sure could use some of those prayers to be answered before Christmas.   But you know the biggest and most important thing?  We have NOT lost sight of the Lord and that He knows what is happening and He is there with us in it and through it.  He has known all the feelings we have been having, and He knows how best to answer our prayers.  I guess His timeline and ours aren't the same right now, so we will continue to trust and depend on Him to help us through all of this.   

Our Christmas IS blessed by wonderful friends and family who have stood with us through thick and thin.  And have encouraged us and prayed for us and with us.  God has put a lot of wonderful, awesome, sweet, encouraging people in our path and we are so thankful for that.   

We pray that this Christmas you are totally depending on Him in and through all things, too.  Be it the babe in the manger, the sacrifice on the cross or the triumphant Savior, He is THE MOST IMPORTANT part of our lives!!  And we praise Him and thank Him and love Him, for who He is, what He has done for us, and the huge part He plays in our future!!  

Blessing to you all, and have a fantastic Merry CHRIST centered Christmas.

Be careful what you ask for

I realize it's been a while... life just does not stand still here... for anything.   But I honestly didn't realize it's been almost a month since I posted.  Lots happening and yet not anything newsworthy.

On Thanksgiving day we stayed home, did normal work and just carried on.  Then on Saturday, we had our English Bible Fellowship Thanksgiving dinner at the radio station where church meets.  Had a nice crowd.  We supply turkey, ham, drinks and dishes.  Then everyone brings a dish to share.  We have quite a few single Haitian men who attend, and they normally don't bring anything, which we do understand.  So a couple of us bring a lot more.... I did one of the turkeys, did mashed potatoes, gravy, deviled eggs, and a few other things, including drinks.  But some of the Haitian women who came brought HUGE trays of food.  It was FANTASTIC!!  We had SO MUCH food.  And we had one of the missionaries share.  We did some singing and had a good time of fellowship.  It was a much needed break for many of us.

One of the things we had prayed for was rain, a couple months back.  Remember I said be careful what you pray for?  Well, the rains have NOT quit.  The flooding has been really bad.  So many, many people displaced by the water everywhere.  We have one young woman staying with us now.  She will only be here until her baby comes, which is due tomorrow.  Then she'll stay one week and head back home.  She will have to rent a boat to take her home because their home is totally surrounded by deep water.  None has gotten in their home, but very close.  The family was concerned they would not be able to get her out of there when she goes into labor.  Someone has to go (and in some of the areas swim), to get someone with a boat to come and get her.  That can take quite a bit of time since everyone is looking for a boat to get to and from town now.  Then they have to go back to where there is a place that is dry, THEN find a tap-tap to get her to the place the mid wife is at.  (Which is about 1/2 mile from our house).  So we agreed to let her stay here with us until she delivers.  Then give the baby one week to make sure there are no problems, and she'll return home. They are one of the families who are blessed that their home itself isn't flooded. 

We have learned to pray carefully now.  Yes, we desperately needed rain, but not this much.  So, now we are praying that the rains stop until things dry out and then only rain when needed.  Is that being too specific?  I don't know, but that is what everyone is praying.  Last night we had just some sprinkles during the night...the first night without heavy rains.  We are praising God for that, and also praying the rains cease for a short time.  

Another problem with the rains has been our septic system.  We had a team at the dorm for two weeks.  The rains totally soaked our whole yard, including our drain field for the septic system.  There was no where for the water to go from the tanks, and thus, it backed up... into our bathroom.  We have been able to flush toilets once a day, and sometimes once every day and a half.  This is much worse than camping (and I enjoyed camping).  The "outhouse" is IN the house.  The team left today and we are praying between that and the rains easing off we may get back to being able to use our bathrooms again.  Sponge baths are fine, but I long for a good hot shower!!  

During this time of "no water being disposed of in the house", we would take the dish water and throw it outside.  In a lot of ways, this reminds me of how the pioneers had to do things.  Except for the fact we had running water, just couldn't use it much.  Then you forget, and either dump dish water in the drain or flush a toilet and end up mopping up the bathroom.  Such a fun time.  

But our next thing on the list of "careful what you pray for" is food.  I was having some friends over for a meal... I had a roast in the freezer, so thought "good, that and potatoes and carrots would be great".  I asked our fruit/vegetable lady to get me 8 carrots.  Eight carrots for 6 people should be fine.  She came that day and said I have your carrots.... After my gasp and being able to respond, I said "I can't use all of these!"  She said they were all there were and I did ask for 8.  I used TWO for the meal and we have eaten the left overs for 2 days from those 2 carrots.  These are a few of the left over carrots we still have to use.  They are good tasting and we are enjoying them, but half a carrot for a meal is a lot.  So, I'm not praying for her to find me any more carrots for a while.  With the rains, I thought we might have a hard time getting any, but they come from another area of the country where they didn't get any of these rains.  

With Christmas approaching, we are really busy.  Most of the missionaries leave for the holidays.  There will be only a few of us left.  So, we are planning on having another family over for Christmas day dinner.  Abbie wanted to "help" put up the tree this year.  I said, well, we have to consider that Savanah may be a problem with the tree.  So, Abbie put unbreakable ornaments on the bottom, where baby can get them, and the more delicate ones at the top.  Some of my treasured ones we didn't put up this year.  And true to a one year old, Savanah takes off ornaments daily.  She redecorates the tree very often.  And at times we have a pile of ornaments on the table that she has removed.  I store ornaments in boxes from previous years, with the bows and paper on them.  Then simply put them  under the tree once it's up.  Looks rather festive, but they are empty.  The kiddo thinks these are hers to take apart.  Fun never ceases.

Generator time is limited (another reason for not getting a lot done on the computer).  Our generator would run the computer, but with the cost of fuel, we limit the time we use it.  And it does not hurt to have time without power.  No, I'm not really happy this way, but it also gives me time to catch up on things I don't accomplish when we DO have power.  Washing floors, folding clothes, doing reading, but mostly doing Bible study and prayer time (when the baby allows).  She really is a main factor in what I do when.  

Don has been busy hauling water again.  Even with the rains, good drinking water is scarce.  I only go to the airport once a week, but Don still makes the trip twice a week.  Those are long days now, with the Christmas season on it's way.  A LOT of cargo comes in the month or so before Christmas and New Years.  And mail increases, which is Don's main job now at the airport.  It takes him quite a while to get things distributed, then help finish up giving out boxes.  

So, in closing, I'll ask for some prayers.  First, that the rains cease, FOR A TIME.  Then for the baby about to be delivered.  Pray for Noufie and the infant to come that all things go smoothly and both come through healthy and happy.  Then pray for the country of Haiti.  Only our area has been hit by these rains, but they are devastating.  Pray for those who have lost family members, lost homes and lost all their belongings.  And pray for us to be diligent in how we help those in desperate need.  We have had some help arrive, and we want to help only in the way the Lord directs.  We don't want the people to see US, we want them to see Jesus meeting some of their needs.  We want them to turn totally to HIM for what they need.  Pray with us that the Lord will guide and direct in His way, not ours.  

For now, blessings... and remember to keep CHRIST  in Christmas.  Being "politically correct" will take Christ out of Christmas and that is NOT an option.  He is totally the whole reason for the season.  We pray you will have the opportunity to share the love of Jesus with others this time of year. We pray God opens doors and gives you the words to use to draw others to HIM.  Until next time.... love and prayers to you all!

Life and it's challenges

We did have some rain last night, but not anything heavy.  Praise God it is letting up so the clean up, and healing can begin.  We found out this morning that the road to Cap was blocked Sunday morning.  They were fishing bodies of mostly children out of the river, and laying them on the road, we suppose to be identified.  No real idea of just how many have died.  But most of these had been little children who had fallen in the river and could not be rescued.  So, so sad.  

Our trip to the airport today was, well, interesting.  Still lots of mud around, but the traffic has returned to normal... in other words...chaos.  We really keep our prayer life active living in Haiti.  Especially on the roads.

We were pleased to see there were not a lot of problems at the airport from the rains, although there wasn't any work going on today.  It's looking so good.

And we got some good news this morning, too.  One of our missionary friends had gone stateside because she had been sick.  Praise God it is only bronchitis, not one of the two other major problems they had been told it might be.  God is good, hears our prayers and answers them.  Lots of prayers went out for her!!

We are also pleased that our granddaughter's husband returned safely from Afghanistan, yesterday.  Many prayers have gone up for both of them, and now we pray that the Lord will be with them as they readjust to life together again.

Another praise item.  Another missionary couple came to visit.  They have sort of taken in 3 children... a one year old boy, a three year old girl and her 7 year old sister.  The two girls are malnourished, the 3 year old pretty bad.  They live in an orphanage behind the missionaries. (About a mile and a half from us... a few hundred feet from where our son and daughter-in-law used to live).  They have taken them in until they can get them up to par, then will return them to the orphanage.  The little boy... who they are calling Peanut until they can find out his name... was left at a clinic.  Family of the mother brought him in.The mother has severe mental problems.  It's very evident she has not taken care of the child.  He is one year old, the same as our Savanah.  Look at the difference.  Once he is healthy again, the family (not the mother) want him back.  Not sure how long that will be.  Please pray for all of them.

 

 Keep praying, there is so much going on and so many prayers needed.  But we know God is listening to all our prayers and answering in His way and in His time.  Join with us, will you?  Till next time.... blessings beyond measure!!  

Blue, blue skies.. PTL

Awoke this morning to very wonderful blue skies.  Dark blue, with a few white fluffy clouds.  Praise God the rains are over.

We took a friend to town with us today.  We were totally amazed at how quickly the city workers are cleaning up the streets.  They have front end loaders and trucks everywhere, getting the garbage and mud up and out of town.  No idea where they are trucking it to, but it was overwhelming to see so much already done.  Things were almost back to normal, from the looks of things.  No idea where the people who lost homes and belongings are.  We did hear that the government had been trying to find places for them.  When we got to the waterfront, what we saw quite a ways out was brown water...all the mud and a lot of trash had washed out into the bay.  Sad, to see so much garbage and mud everywhere out there.  But we are so thankful the cleanup has been so quick.  

We went to a very small restaurant called Ti Bouk An.  Had cheeseburgers, french fries and coke.  We were sort of celebrating not only the wonderful cleanup of the city, but another milestone.  Twenty nine years ago today we officially moved to Haiti.  It's hard to believe it's been that long.  Anyway, Jenny, Savanah, Don and I had a bit of fun today.  

I was watching people while Don went into the automotive store.  Faces are so expressive, even when they try not to be.  It was sort of like seeing them say, "We can finally get on with life and get things done."  I can't explain that look, but you could "feel" it everywhere.  Yes, there was still mud in many places, and they had to step over it to get anywhere.  We live in a country that is in "disaster mode" most of the time.  Not always rains, hurricanes or earthquakes...simply LIVING.  People are resigned to living a life of poverty, illness and many times hopelessness.  Bringing them hope through God's word is the only way to overcome some of this.  So, please pray with us that God's word, and the message of salvation through Jesus Christ will reach out to many of those suffering...from the floods, yes, but from simply the life they are living.  

It is very obvious, even without them smiling, to see those who know the Lord.  They are not the stooped over, lost looking ones.  They have a ...  well, yes, it's almost a glow, or a radiance about them.  They are still poor, still wear old clothes, still have to do with almost nothing... but they are living for Christ, and you can see that.  

And through all of this, there is that thought.... "there, but for the grace of God, go I".  God is God, no matter where you live, what your income, or what your style of living is.  The message, "When all you have is God, God is all you need!" keeps popping up.  When these people, rich, poor, sick, healthy, or whatever...when they have God, they have all they need.  Oh, if Americans could only grasp that message.  It's hard when living in a society that pushes "need and greed".... and we see that every time we go to the states.  All the advertisements are pushing.. YOU NEED THIS, YOU CAN'T DO WITHOUT THIS... and on and on.  If only they could grasp the fact that having Jesus Christ living in you REALLY is ALL YOU NEED!  The rest is existence, not need.

Lord, teach us to humble our selves and be the kind of servant You need to reach the lost.  Keep Your hands on our hearts and minds.  Keep our focus on what is really important.  Lord, thank You for what You have done for us.  Thank You for the work of Jesus Christ.  Thank You for His resurrection and life.  Thank You for giving us a way to spend eternity with You.  We praise You, we thank You, we lift You up on high.You really are way beyond awesome.  We love You.  Amen!

The sun is trying to break through

Well, we don't have an official count on those who didn't make it.  Everything is still in chaos in town.  No stores open, no gas stations open.  Can't go into town and check it out until something opens so we can get fuel to get home.  Life in Haiti is extremes... it's either way up or way down.  Right now, we are in the down cycle.  Please keep praying for the families who are suffering.  Those who have lost members, those who have lost their homes, those who have lost all their possessions.  

There is so much flooding.  We keep hearing of more and more places that are totally under water.  For those of you who know the areas.... Blu Isle, Petit Anse, and all the areas between us and town are under water.  People are on house tops trying to stay dry or at least safe (in the rains).

Praise God the sun has been trying to break through the clouds.  The rains have finally ceased (and we pray they don't start up again).  The sad part, aside from all the loss, is that the temperatures have dropped, a LOT.  Now for you northerners... the 60's is great.  Here, it's a real cause for concern.  It is rare for temps to go that low here.  People are COLD, chilled out and getting sick.  I do understand... Abbie was with us since yesterday... her, Savanah and I were all in long pants and sweaters.  And we slept under blankets and kept warm last night.  I would say a majority of people in the north here were simply COLD, with no place to lay down, much less sleep.  And nothing to keep them warm or even DRY.  We need to keep praying and help where and when we can.  

We have gotten a bit warmer with the rains stopping and the sun trying to break through.  We won't go anywhere tomorrow, but plan on making a trip to town on Monday.  We know they (the city) are working very hard to clean up the trash and garbage that washed down from the mountains.  They are trying to get town to a place where businesses can open, and people can move about.  Even in tragedy and chaos, life must go on.  Most people live day to day here.  So being unable to get to a "store" or market, means no food for that day, if they have the money to get it.  

There will be people wandering the streets now, looking for a place to stay, or for someone to help them.  We do ask you to pray for us, since many seem to find our yard, but pray for these homeless, helpless people.  

Thank you for being there for us through prayers and support.  We have so much to be thankful for.  God has kept His hands on us, and we are so thankful... .because.... "There, but for the grace of God, go I".  That could be us out there, but God's grace put us in a place to offer just a drop of help in this enormous situation.

We pray you are thanking God for where YOU are, too.  We all have problems, and situations where we wish we were somewhere else, but give some thought to how you would deal with it, if you were a Haitian and had just lost everything, some even families.  That's a hard road for them to be on... keep them in prayer as you praise God for His hand on your life!!

In His Hands and In His Care, we will continue on......

Urgent prayers needed

Prayers needed....

The rains have come, more than ever.  Last night, after the power went off, I sat and listened to the rains, at first softly falling and I remembered so much from years ago.  I used to love walking in the rain.  I could walk for hours and miles.  Sometimes sad and crying, for different reasons or for difficult decisions.  Sometimes just simply enjoying walking in the rain and feeling refreshed.  I've always enjoyed the rain.  

Since coming to Haiti, I have seen a different view of the rains.  Yes, the rain is needed, to fill cisterns and reservoirs.  To water gardens so food will grow.  To simply have water for washing clothes, taking baths and all the mundane daily things.  I didn't realize until coming here how much Americans take a simple thing like water for granted.  When we have no rains and droughts come... not only do gardens suffer, and rivers dry up.  Drinking water is scarce, bathing is very difficult if available at all. 

 

But when the rains DO come...in normal amounts, it is a blessing beyond measure.  You see clothing hanging on bushes or on the ground after being washed.  You see families (yes, FAMILIES) in the river taking baths.  You see people with push carts with 50 gallon drums on them, full of water, selling it to homes who have none.  And as a whole, life is good then. 
 

Then the overabundance of rain comes...and the tide turns.  People live in the equivalent of mud huts, with dirt floors.  Yes, some have cement walls, but so many, many have not.  Roofs, even on the cement homes, are tin, and mostly it's rusted and full of holes.  So, when this overabundance of rain comes... it's tragedy.  People sleeping on wet, mud floors, rains pouring in where they have holes in the roof, and sickness.  A majority of Haitians are malnourished, or at least very undernourished.  Their resistance is near zero to anything that comes along.  So, on these damp, cold floors, they get sick.  We have know where some slept on a wet floor, got sick and died in three days.  TRAGEDY!!  And this is not unheard of here.  Water supplies become contaminated.  Gardens are washed out.  The suffering is extreme.

Well, last night as the gentle rains started to increase and become heavier and heavier, my thoughts turned to the people.  First to those we know, who we KNOW were suffering.  Then to the area we live in...and we knew the amount of people at our door would increase for help.  Then to the larger area of this end of Haiti. So, the prayers started.  And the storm increased.  And grew worse and worse.  No, not a hurricane, not even a tropical storm, but a bad storm, none the less.

And I went to bed, and slept...........

Then this morning, we were planning a trip to town for supplies.  It was still raining and I told Don, the roads are going to be really bad.  We have a friend who was going to go with us.  And we were debating what to do.  We needed to get to town, for food and for fuel.  No stations around here have gas, so had to travel to town to get some.  

Our important, urgent trip came to an end with one phone call.  The rains had caused flooding all over our area and into town.  There were landslides, there is mass destruction.  People aren't hungry... they are dead... one family of 8, only the dad survived.  Another family the baby, another youngster and mom were found laying dead on the road, but the rest of the family has yet to be found.... 

My heart is so, so very heavy.  We keep calling friends to make sure they are okay.  Can't reach a few of them, so we are very concerned.  We sit here crying for the lost, for the ones left, who are hurting so much, for yet another devastation causing an already hurting country to go into mourning. 

So again, we ask for prayers... for the families of those who are gone, or not found yet - for the families who have lost everything from possessions (as little as they were) to their homes washed down the hillside - for those wandering, looking for someone to help them find family - for the people in authority who are overwhelmed with what to do for those who have loss of life in their families, have lost their property and livelihood.

Yes, the earthquake of 2½ years ago was really bad...but we are close to that situation here now.  Not as bad, but for this area it is of monumental proportions. 

So, please pray with us, not only for the people, the authority in charge and for the whole situation, but also for us.  We don't have the means to help a whole lot of people right now, but our hearts are torn for the situation we face with them.  We praise God we are safe and sound, with no damage at this point.  But people have already started filtering in here, not looking for a handout, but looking for help...of any kind, to get through this.  

We pray God will step in and help...not only physically, but spiritually, and emotionally.  The hurt is so huge right now, that only the Lord can calm fears and tears.  Pray with us for the Lord to send an extra amount of love and comfort to those lives have been torn apart.

As you can see, my outlook on rain has an added dimension now.  I still can see the wonder of the Lord in showers and yes, even in thunder and lightening.  But I can also see how the devil has used this to cause havoc and destruction.  

Lord, we come before you and ask that You step in and in Your love and grace, help those who are hurting and suffering.  Bring calm where there is chaos, bring healing where there is pain, and bring comfort where there is none.  And Lord, use us in this situation as you see fit.  Let us be Your hands to help where we can, in any way we can. Lord, we lean on You to be with us as we face an overwhelming situation here.  Please let Your love and glory shine even through this.  In Jesus Name...Amen.

Thankful

Thankful for so much....

The rains... oh the ground looks so good.  It's been saturated and things are growing again.  Gardens will be looking good now, too.  We've had some heavy, thunderboomers but that's fine.  

Savanah's birthday... Can't believe she is one already.  She's a smart little bugger, too.  She doesn't want to use words... just gestures for what she wants.  Like goofy people, we give her what she wants, too.  When she is hungry, she points to your mouth, then to hers, and then whines just a little.  She knows a lot though.  You ask her where things are and she will point to them.  Her and Abbie love to dance.  Put in any DVD with music and they start in.  I think she learned all she knows from Abbie on that score.  We got her an umbrella stroller, and the top looks like a princess hat.  Abbie thinks that the neatest thing ever.  We walk her over to get Abbie from school in the stroller now.  She really does think she's a princess.  All the kids there come to talk to her and want to touch her.  She is VERY partial to kids, especially babies.  I thought I'd put a couple of pictures here and let you see what her first birthday was like.  I didn't realize I did not have the makings for frosting here.  So, Abbie (all by herself) made the chocolate cake.  And I whipped up some cream to top it off.  Savanah was not thrilled with the candle on the cake...doesn't like fire, which is good.  And she really isn't into cake that much, but oh the whipped cream...now there was something she could relate to.  The problem was Abbie and Hyadley (Abbie's friend).  Once Savanah got into the cream, they yelled "Yeah, Savanah!!"  When you do that, she claps.  Clapping and whipped cream... well, here's the results....

 

 MFI...  I am not sure what we could do without Missionary Flights being there for us.  Our pump in the well is in REALLY bad shape.  Don needed parts to try to do a "patch job" until he can get the new pump in.  Al, the purchasing agent at MFI, got the parts and sent them in on the next plane.  And needless to say, MFI brings all our cargo and mail, too.  They really do go the extra mile for the missionaries.  They are "Standing In The Gap" for a whole lot of people.  In excess of 800 now.  Pray for them as they continue to serve us.

Family...  I am so happy to have what little electric we do have so we can keep in touch with our families back home.  I (Karen) especially appreciate the fact that we can have daily touch with them.  It's so much easier to share prayers, praises and simply talk to them.  Mom misses the kids (and grandkids, and great-grandkids) a lot.  Well, Dad does too, but won't express it like Mom does.

Friends... What would we do without our precious friends?  They all mean so much to us.  God has blessed us with some pretty awesome people who stand with us in prayer, praise and fellowship.  These are friends both stateside and in Haiti.  

And last, but very definitely NOT least is the Lord Jesus Christ....  Where would we be without Him?  He's the author and finisher of our faith.  The rock of our salvation.  Well, most of you know all He is.... if you don't, guess you need to get into a daily Bible study and find out what you are missing.  He is the most important person in our lives.  He picks us up when we are down.  He walks through trials with us.  And He puts the joy in our lives that for the first 32 years of our lives we missed.  If you know Him personally, rejoice with us in all He has done for us.  If you don't know Him on a personal level.... you are missing out on blessings beyond measure.  Write us, or talk to a Christian friend... walking with the Lord will change your life like nothing else can.

Till next time... blessings on you.  May your walk with the Lord bring joy beyond measure!!!  

 

Is it fun or frustration

Not sure if it's a grin or grimace...but this has been a week that seemed about 2 months long.  Now it's not ALL frustration, but why does it seem that one thing going wrong can outshine 20 things going right?  

We had a team here for a week.  Not for us, for another mission.  We met them and talked a couple of times.  So, let's back up here before they came.  (Now don't get me wrong, the team and the mission they were with were GREAT, THEY are not the problem).  But before they came, we realized we needed to get a new refrigerator for the dorm...the old one gave out.  The leader for the mission came ahead of time (coincidence?) and gave us the dorm rental.  That was the exact amount for the fridge.  But before that, Don said we needed to get a generator for the dorm use.  With our electric like it's been, we knew we had to have a source of power for them.  Ordered it, and it came in a few days before the team got here.  Don checked it out, was happy that it could handle everything.  Hooked it up to our place for two nights, to make sure there would be no problems.  Well, the night before the group got here, the new generator was leading oil on the garage floor...so we had no power for them.  Don had rewired a lot of the things in the dorm to be able to use the generator (time consuming).  But... oh well, we weren't sure what to do.  The generator we use would not handle the dorm.  We did have the 12 volt system so they had a little light, but just enough to keep them from running into things.  And Don had finished wiring up the fans in the dorm so there would be ceiling fans all night for them.  (ONE plus that was working).  Had to put a couple of our new batteries over there to handle it, but no problem.  With no generator, they had no water for showers.  There were 11 people on the team.  We had what little power we had to pump water, but it was never on when the group was here.  So, Don spent a day (when he didn't go to the airport because of the situation) fixing the chuck valve that would hold some of the water in reserve.  Got that done, and then the mission brought over a generator they borrowed from someone, so the team could shower and have power in the evenings.  

Two days before they left, our watchman came over and said the pressure switch on the pump was making funny noises.  Praise God it held until the team left today.  Don is now over there, trying to replace the pressure switch (praise God he had one here)!!  Well, things never go as planned, right?  As he was putting it on, three of the pipes connected to it broke!!  So, we are without water, with a ton of laundry from the dorm to do, and things here needing washing.  But again, praise God, Don knows what to do to fix it, although it will take him all day to do it.  

Savanah is doing great.  She is running all over the place, but for some reason has decided she needs to be RIGHT with me all the time.  If I'm at the sink doing dishes or fixing a meal, she backs up and sits on my feet.  I knew my going to the airport might cause some problems, but I figured she needed to have some time away from me.  She loves Vero, but was not a happy camper this week when I was at the airport.  So now we have to figure a way to get her used to being with others.  Her first birthday is in just a few days.  I'm hoping her presents come before then, but if not, we'll simply celebrate when they do get here.  Her new mommy sent her a present, and it came, so we are happy about that.  She really is a joy to have around.  Definitely God's blessing!

Don was hauling some sand for one of "our kids" for his new house.  He has to go to Gran Riveare to get it.  Since we had virtually no rain for so long, the rivers were pretty dry, and getting sand out of them very hard.  The place he used to get sand, PowWow (phonetically spelled), had no sand at all, so he had to make the trip to Gran Riveare.  No one goes there because the road is so very bad.  Don has been there before, and has felt drawn to the "family" who works the river there. It's grandparents, kids, grandkids and great-grandkids.  Don said most of the kids have very red hair (from malnutrition).  He always takes out candy for the kids.  This time he felt led to take out three buckets of food plus some soaps and shampoo a family from our home church sent down.  (They didn't open the buckets, just took them to their house).  He did take  candy for the kids, too.  On his next trip back out there, the grandma (probably in her 80's) grabbed his arm and hung on the whole time he was there.  She was SO thankful for the help.  He said even the guys who load the truck were extra pleasant to him.  The women work down at the river, sifting sand and gravel out into piles, so he didn't see them.  But the kids were so excited to see him, and the grandma (who oversees the kids while parents work) said the kids just knew when they saw the truck that Don would bring candy.  They are shy... take the candy and run off to play, but grandma told Don how they reacted.

Then on the way home... about half a mile from here, he had two flat tires.  Same side, rear... and had to drive home on those flats with a FULL load of sand.  Now we have to get two tires, to the tune of $200 US each.  But we're sure God will provide somehow. 

We put up a gate, to keep Savanah out of the bathroom and computer room, and in where the kitchen and living room are.  One day, grandpa forgot to close the gate, and she flew like she was shot out of a cannon, and ran down the hall.  By the time I got to her, she had a picture in her hand.  No idea where she got it, but it is an old photo of our kids.  All five of them in one place at one time!! Since only 2 live in the same town, and one more in the same state, it's hard to get together.  It was taken March 20, 1999.  I thought I'd share that with you all.  Our "baby" was 27 in that picture, and that was 12 1/2 years ago.  I can't believe she will be 41 this year.  But then, we'll be married 50 years in 6 months...wow... a long time with the same man, huh?  

We had a Haitian pastor (James) speak at English church last Sunday.  He was really good.  He shared on who was "silly" in the Bible.  He picked Matthew.  He said this man left everything... his money, his family, his friends to follow a stranger that simply said, "follow me".  He stood up, walked away from his money, and a very lucrative job.  He didn't go and check with his wife (if he had one) to get permission.  He lost his friends (most of them were friends because of his position), and simply followed Jesus. At the end, he said, "Sorry, Matthew was NOT silly.  He followed the Lord.  What are YOU willing to give up to do what the Lord asks of you?"  Probably 2/3's of the congregation were Haitian.  And they were impacted by his message, but so were the missionaries who were there.  Yes, we followed the Lord to be here in Haiti, but are we willing to follow His leading now that we are here?  James didn't ask us that, but we felt it.  I talked to others after service and most felt the impact as much as I did.  His message was good... it reached those who weren't following the Lord, but also reached those who are, but are not willing to keep going where God directs.  God used James to touch a lot of lives last Sunday and we are so thankful He keeps sending things to reach and teach us.  

I mentioned I had been to the airport again last Tuesday (my day to work there).  I was amazed at how fast things are moving there.  It's a bit of a challenge to get things done now, but it will be awesome when finished.  And at the rate they are going, it won't be long.  I can't remember seeing anything move this fast in Haiti before.

Time to go and get some work done while we have power.  Please remember to pray for Haiti, it's leaders, and especially the poor people of the country.  Also, please pray for the upcoming elections in the US.  And finally pray for us.  Being here right now is a challenge in so many ways.  Pray for the Lord's direction and guidance in all we do.  And remember also, to keep YOUR eyes on the author and finisher of our faith.  "Keep your hand in the hand of the Man who stilled the waters..."  I pray you are in that place where you can totally depend on the Lord!!

Late again

I think I am having a "blog breakdown".   I posted a blog about a week ago, and it doesn't show I sent it.  I realize I am pretty computer illiterate, but boy this is getting to me.  So, pray that I will be able to figure out what/where I'm messing up. At least I  was finally able to change settings so I could get into this thing.

I asked for prayers for rain, and of course, HE came through.  We did have some nice rains, and EVERYONE here has been so thankful.  We can still use more, but this is a great start.  

Sunday at English church, that was one of the praises mentioned.  I really do praise God that we have been having more and more Haitians share in English church.  I'm glad they are feeling a part of our worship enough to participate.

I was checking to see what I HAVE been able to share...and wow, not only missing ONE post, but two.  So, let me see if I can remember what all has happened in the last 2 weeks.... and WOW, it's October already.  Is it just that I'm getting older, or is time really going so much faster now?  Well, maybe I don't want an answer to that one.  

Guess I'll start with the center of our lives for now.  That, of course, is Savanah.  She will be one year old this month.  I can't believe we have had her that long already.  Now I have to hurry and get something ordered for her birthday.  I didn't realize it was coming up that soon.  She has her two bottom teeth, and really does use them a lot.  The two top ones are trying to come in.  One day one of them poked through, but by that night, was back under the gum again.  One of our girls did the same thing, if I remember right.  This little one is running (not walking) all over the place.  She has been for about three weeks already.  The first two days were rough on her...she would start out and try to run and fall.  But she mastered it quickly.  And at ten months old, this little tyke started whistling.  I had whistled at the dogs, and she watched my mouth very closely.  Then puckered up and started whistling.  She is SO very observant, and tries whatever she can.  She snaps her fingers, too, but at this point, no noise goes with it.  Doesn't quite have the SNAP part down, although all the actions are there.

One of the communities where Don delivers water is way up on the mountain.  He has quite a time getting there.  He was taking it to one family, but others came and asked for "only a small bowl" of water.  So, he has gone back up there and taken water for the small community.  One older lady (I wonder if she is older than we are?) has helped him keep order.  So, when all was said and done and the tank empty, he gave her a small box with some rice meals, oatmeal, soaps and shampoo in it.  She was really thankful for that help.  So little meant so much.  It is really hard for Don to go into these communities and help, when the needs are so great.  They have absolutely NOTHING and are so thankful for any help, even a pitcher of water.  This is definitely a case of "There but by the Grace of God, go I".  And several other areas are the same.  They would plant a very small garden, IF THEY HAD SOMETHING TO PLANT!!  Again, the needs are so vast, and resources so limited.  I know the Bible says the poor will always be with us, but it's really hard to sit down to a meal here and think of those with nothing, down the street.  Pray for strength, wisdom and compassion for us as we deal with this.

Our temperatures are still in the upper 90's... I think we have left the 100's behind (I pray we have anyway).  But at noon it was  only 95 today, so it did come down some.  With the rain we had, it's muggy, but we are still thankful for the rain.  I planted some tomato plants in little pots.  I can't believe they are actually growing.  (My plastic flowers die... I just can't get anything to grow).  In a day or so, Don will replant them into our Topsie Turvey planter.  Then we pray the birds won't eat them.  We are the only ones around here with birds.  And Don really likes having them.  Mostly humming birds and some little finch like ones (those are ONLY in Haiti).  Everywhere else the kids try to kill the birds... not sure if for food (which a finch or humming birds would not be) or if they are just being mean.  But everyone is really surprised we have birds nesting in our yard.  Really like the sounds of birds singing.  Just hope they don't like my tomato plants.

Found out recently that when we go out, we will be able to stay in the beautiful little cottage on the lake where we stayed before.  Don is SO looking forward to seeing deer everywhere again.  We are so thankful to Bud and Sharon for having this fantastic retreat.  It's such a blessing.  Our trip starts the first part of April this year because of Don's cataract surgery.  So it will be a lot cooler than we are used to, but that's fine. 

Another mission will be using our dorm facilities for a while.  Glad to see it in use again.  We won't have much to do with the teams, since they are not for us, but one group coming in are former missionaries and good friends.  We will be spending some time with them, for sure.

I have started working at the airport one day a week again.  Vero will stay with Savanah on those days.  The director asked if I could put in a little time out there, so that is fine.  My first day back was a real challenge.  They closed the old runway and opened the new one.  We are still in the same buildings, but have to get on a bus or van to get to the planes now.  You can't even see them land, it's WAY down the other end of the airport.  It was an interesting day, but you could see by the end of the day they were getting things working smoother than at the start.  Pastor Saintil and I had stayed to see the plane off, and all of a sudden, we  had no transportation to get back to the buildings.  And it would be a L O N G walk back.  But security saw our predicament and got someone out there to pick us up.  This will be a very interesting transition for the airport as a whole.  Keep MFI in prayer as they too, have to adjust to these changes.

We are praying for the US elections.  Have joined in the 40 days of prayer for the whole situation.  I hope you are not only praying, but planning on voting.  We already have our absentee ballots and are sending them out on Thursday.  

Along with that, please pray for Haiti, it's officials and the people.  Both countries are in need of intervention by the Lord.  As I posted before, we need to follow 2 Chron. 7: 14.  which starts... "...if MY people, who are called by My Name,  will humble themselves and pray...."   I hope YOU are a part of those people who are diligently praying for your country.  

Until next time, and prayerfully this WILL post... God bless and keep you.  May you turn your eyes and ears to His leading and follow where He leads.