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!