First I want to let you know that we have not received word yet on the meeting with the powers that be in Port au Prince. We are waiting anxiously for any word at all on what is happening... so please keep praying for Savanah's adoption.
This week has been... well, for lack of a better word, HORRIBLE, and yet FANTASTIC. At the end of the week, while praying, God moved me to write it down, in a very different way. I did... here is what I wrote (and I'll add more at the end, if blogger lets me).
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Prayer and Praise
Have you ever felt sharing a burden or a praise with fellow believers or God was useless? Let's talk about mountains and valleys.
When you are on a "mountain top" with God, do you share that with others? Are you willing to let others know what God is doing for you, or IN you? Do you take the time to simply THANK and PRAISE God for what He has and IS doing for you?
I mentioned the valley's ... but I feel it's more like the "pits"...we end up in. Do we only call out to God when we are at our lowest? When we are down there, in the PITS, is that the only time we reach out to God? Is God our God of desperation?
I want to share something with you all today. No, let me correct that, I don't want to share, GOD wants me to share. This is something I have not talked to anyone about, but something God has really laid on my heart.
This week has been... good and totally awful. And I am going to tell you where I was at and what my feelings and thoughts were through it all. Yes, this is a week of "MY PITS".
The whole week started out on a downer. I had a horrid cold. I knew I was to lead at English Church, but sure didn't feel like it. I wanted to stay home and curl up in bed. But I didn't feel I could, at the last minute, dump that responsibility on someone else. It's not that it's hard leading or setting up. I just take it to heart and try to do my best with it. I want things to go right and for the Lord to be glorified in our service. (I feel that the others that lead do it so well, but I sure haven't felt it was my "gift", so I work hard at it.) I went, set up (with Don's help) and led. Couldn't sing (I can't anyway, but I try to make a joyful noise). I had a hard time talking with a bad throat and I felt miserable. Then I introduced Pastor Eugene, a friend, who was to speak. Okay, now I'll stop there and go on to Sunday night.
Don went out to the garage when our city power cut off, to start the generator. I heard him crank it, then yell for me. As I ran down the hall, I saw a red/orange glow around the cracked open door to the garage. I KNEW there was a fire. As I pushed open the door, I saw this huge ball of fire that encompassed the generator and reached toward the ceiling. I ran back in the house to grab a fire extinguisher. Okay, here is what was going through my mind... Don't let Don be hurt, don't let the house start on fire, and WHY IS THIS HAPPENING TO US?????? I was angry. Not at God, but at the circumstances that keep happening. And having the beggars who were still out there in the evening yelling at ME because I wasn't out there helping, made me mad. They had no idea I was finding a fire extinguisher, but they were yelling at ME! Okay, I'm stopping here and going on to Tuesday morning.
Still feeling rotten and having some problems with the baby, I decided NOT to go to the airport, although a sweet lady offered to care for Savanah. So, after getting everything together for Don and Vero, they left. And then my frustration started. First, I went in to do laundry...found all the MFI coolers that were supposed to go back to MFI, sitting here. And while in there, Savanah got out of bed (she was to be taking a nap), and got into all sorts of things. (The getting out of her crib started the day before.) While putting her back in bed, the phone rang. It was Vero. She said, "Mom, can you call Daniel? They have arrested Fre Don!" Okay, I am now WAY beyond frustrated. I asked what in the world FOR? Well, he was missing a sticker or two on the truck...???.... and for THIS they arrested him? I called Daniel, he was at work a LONG way away, but he said he'd leave and go help Don. (He is a policeman and he also did all our paperwork on the truck.) Okay we are back to my mind..and my thoughts. I started pacing and worrying. Now I am not really someone who worries a lot. I figure worry isn't going to solve anything, so why do it? Oh I know I can turn to the Lord, and I do, but probably not like I should. But here I was, stewing and fretting. Then Vero called back. They didn't keep Don, but they took the truck. so they are in town, with no transportation and already late for the plane. We had an important envelope coming on the flight and I was worried we wouldn't get it. There is that worry again, unlike me. Then we get the word. It's going to cost mega bucks to get the truck back, maybe tomorrow!
NOW, let's back up, way back to Sunday afternoon. While Pastor Eugene was speaking, God was speaking to me, too. It was like I could hear His voice saying, "YOU needed to be here for this message." Well, I immediately started to, no not pray, but to PRAISE God for getting me there, even against my desire to be in bed. I needed that time of prayer with others, I needed that time to praise God, I needed that great message from Eugene. By the time I got home, I was in a Praise mood totally. I spent a lot of time simply thanking the Lord for all things. I still wasn't feeling well, I still couldn't sing a note, but I had that inner peace and comfort only the Lord could give.
Now on Sunday night, what amazed me about the fire and all that surrounded it was that I was not frustrated to the point of not doing anything. Without my calling out, God was giving me a peace and comfort to do what I had to do. Oh my anger was there, but with the fire out, the door closed (due to smoke), that the beggars gone, I started feeling a real peace. A peace that only God can give. Nope, we had no power that evening. Had one 12 volt light to see by. But we had peace and quiet and I was back to praising. It wasn't an intentional thing, it simply came to me... praising God Don was fine. Praising God the house didn't catch on fire. AND, praising God that in these bad times, God was right there with me...helping me through these things.
And then came Tuesday...well, I can tell you I was not in a praising mood with this. I wasn't even THINKING of God. All I kept thinking was, what ELSE can happen. And when Vero called to say they were on their way home, with a friend, I felt such a peace and calm come over me. I knew God was there, with me, but with Don, too. And praise started flowing through me again.
Wednesday after paying a ridiculously huge amount, we got the truck back., and then came Thursday. Vero and Don headed off to the airport again. Some minor things came up but nothing out of the ordinary, until they got home and Don walked in and was in a REALLY bad mood. He had had a minor accident at the airport. While going around a corner, he scraped another vehicle...a brand new car. More money about to be paid out for this. But Friday came, when he was to pay the man for repairs... and the man sent a message, "forget it, no problem."
Now, what ties all of these "things" together? Well, worry, fear, frustration...but that is NOT what tied them together. In each situation, we had talked to friends and asked for immediate prayer, and got it. Once those concerned prayers started going up, God's Grace and peace came down. Once we joined together praying for... solution, peace, calm... God opened the gates of heaven and poured it out.
I totally believe it was the sharing and praying together that brought not only the solution, but the peace and calm in each situation. The results? I'm feeling a bit better, Savanah didn't get into things that could harm her (and precautions are now taking place to avoid that), the generator wasn't ruined, just surface damage. The two gas cans standing right next to the generator were still there, intact.
The reason I am sharing this to to let you all know it is IMPORTANT to share your needs AND YOUR PRAISES with others. Some maybe just a with a close friend, but many with others who can lift you up as well as the solution you are in.
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Now the next segment... after all of this and learning some lessons and writing it all down, God prompted me to take a copy of it to English church and possibly take a few minutes to hit the highlights of it for others. Well, our preacher didn't show up. So I had time to share the whole concept of praying and praising with others. It is so needed. And it opened some gates for all of us at church to pray for each other.
With everything said and done, now it's your turn to pray and praise God, and to share with others your needs and concerns. God really is AN AWESOME GOD! He hears and answers even before we ask. And He is there with you in all situations and all you go through.
AMEN and AMEN!!!!
Monday, January 27, 2014
Monday, January 20, 2014
Just a quick update on the last day or so and this coming week
I thought as long as I can get on the internet tonight, I'd send a quick update. So, what I have done is to simply copy and prayerfully paste what I sent out via email.
Have a blessed day and remember to keep the Lord at your side in all you do.
Greetings,
Well, we've had a week and have one coming, too. This is the week we've been asking prayers for. In 4 days we pray we will hear the results of the meeting taking place in Port au Prince. We know a LOT of prayers have gone up, and we know God not only hears, but answers. Right now we are simply standing and waiting for the Lord to act on those prayers. We believe He wants this adoption to proceed and be completed. And we really believe this has been directed by the Lord. So, stand with us in intense prayers for the completion of all this situation.
We have been busy, getting things together for the completion of Vero and Abbie's home. It was so much fun today going and seeing, not only Vero, but those we met with who are excited. I imagine you all know excitement is contagious.
We did have a bit of excitement last night. Our city power went off and Don headed into the garage to start the generator. All of a sudden, he yelled for me. I went running, and saw, to my horror, flames from the floor, in a ball reaching up almost to the ceiling. I turned and ran for a fire extinguisher. (Praise God we have several all over the house). Before I could get it, Don had reached the one in the garage and put the fire out. We had beggars outside, (they don't leave even in the evening). They started yelling at ME to get to Don. They didn't realize I had come back in for an extinguisher. So, they went for our watchman. In the short time all of this took place, he was at the garage door yelling for Don. I called out that everything was under control and we were fine. God was very obviously with us. There were two 5 gallon cans of gasoline right next to the generator. Those flames could have ignited so many things in the garage. But the Lord was there, watching out for us. Everything was too hot to do anything about it last night. So, we spent the evening with one 12 volt light. It wasn't bad. Actually rather restful, once the adrenalin calmed down. Today Don spent some time out there, checking things out. He came in and said, "Well, all the damage was superficial. Took off some paint, and melted some plastic that wasn't important." The smoke was bad last night, and it still sort of smells tonight, but that is all. Personally, I have seen smaller fires do a whole lot more damage. So, we are praising God for His protection and guidance in all of this.
And then today, our little stinker found out she can get out of her crib... another step in the growing process. She can be such a sweetheart, and then she can be a stinker. But no matter what, we love her so much. And she knows it. (And at times uses it, too.) : )
Well, I'd best get going here, just wanted to give an update quickly and ask for those concentrated prayers for this coming week. We WILL let you know what happens and where we are once we have word on it.
Thank you so much for standing in the gap for us. And blessings beyond measure to all of you!!!!!
Have a blessed day and remember to keep the Lord at your side in all you do.
Greetings,
Well, we've had a week and have one coming, too. This is the week we've been asking prayers for. In 4 days we pray we will hear the results of the meeting taking place in Port au Prince. We know a LOT of prayers have gone up, and we know God not only hears, but answers. Right now we are simply standing and waiting for the Lord to act on those prayers. We believe He wants this adoption to proceed and be completed. And we really believe this has been directed by the Lord. So, stand with us in intense prayers for the completion of all this situation.
We have been busy, getting things together for the completion of Vero and Abbie's home. It was so much fun today going and seeing, not only Vero, but those we met with who are excited. I imagine you all know excitement is contagious.
We did have a bit of excitement last night. Our city power went off and Don headed into the garage to start the generator. All of a sudden, he yelled for me. I went running, and saw, to my horror, flames from the floor, in a ball reaching up almost to the ceiling. I turned and ran for a fire extinguisher. (Praise God we have several all over the house). Before I could get it, Don had reached the one in the garage and put the fire out. We had beggars outside, (they don't leave even in the evening). They started yelling at ME to get to Don. They didn't realize I had come back in for an extinguisher. So, they went for our watchman. In the short time all of this took place, he was at the garage door yelling for Don. I called out that everything was under control and we were fine. God was very obviously with us. There were two 5 gallon cans of gasoline right next to the generator. Those flames could have ignited so many things in the garage. But the Lord was there, watching out for us. Everything was too hot to do anything about it last night. So, we spent the evening with one 12 volt light. It wasn't bad. Actually rather restful, once the adrenalin calmed down. Today Don spent some time out there, checking things out. He came in and said, "Well, all the damage was superficial. Took off some paint, and melted some plastic that wasn't important." The smoke was bad last night, and it still sort of smells tonight, but that is all. Personally, I have seen smaller fires do a whole lot more damage. So, we are praising God for His protection and guidance in all of this.
And then today, our little stinker found out she can get out of her crib... another step in the growing process. She can be such a sweetheart, and then she can be a stinker. But no matter what, we love her so much. And she knows it. (And at times uses it, too.) : )
Well, I'd best get going here, just wanted to give an update quickly and ask for those concentrated prayers for this coming week. We WILL let you know what happens and where we are once we have word on it.
Thank you so much for standing in the gap for us. And blessings beyond measure to all of you!!!!!
Thursday, January 9, 2014
Huge prayer request
I just sent out an email and decided I'd post it on here as well. We can use the prayers. Blessings!!
Hello and Happy New Year!
We are praying your New Year will be all you expect and desire, but we also pray that it is centered on the Lord Jesus Christ! We have a lot to be thankful for in the last year, but right now, we need some prayers to go up for the situation here.
As I had written before, Pastor Cebien has been interceding for us with Savanah's adoption. (Also with Sammy's). The meeting that was scheduled for December went well. But in the time since, some changes have/will be made. We need everyone who is willing, to stand in the gap with us for the next month. Because of circumstances we know nothing about in the government, the president will be changing out his cabinet this coming week. This may affect the outcome of the meeting that took place in December. We do not know any of the particulars. But Pastor Cebien has been asked to schedule 2 meetings the end of this month, January 24th and 25th, concerning the adoptions. At prayer meeting last night, he asked that we have everyone pray EARNESTLY for these meetings. Pray for hearts and minds to be open to the way the Lord wants the meetings to go. Pray for the paperwork to be exactly what is needed. Pray that, with God's speed, things will progress and these adoptions will be completed. Pray God's covering over the whole process and for God's will to be accomplished. And please, pray for Pastor Cebien for the correct words to come forth, for him to have strength and wisdom in what he says and does, and for those in authority to be open to what he says. We thank you in advance for your prayers on Savanah and Sammy's behalf. These two kiddos need to be at home with their new families and enjoying life.
With the new year, came some changes with MFI. We will now have 3 flight days a week. I have been trying to get to the airport, even without a sitter for Savanah... whew.... what a time. Twice I had to leave her here with Don. Once when HE was sick, but she was so good. And the second time with Don and Abbie, and I think things went fine with them, then too. But one time we had to take her along...what a time that was. She did really well for quite a while, then all of a sudden, she wanted home and bed. The gal who was going to watch her while Bud and Jane were gone, was able to be here one day. She is just a bit over 7 months pregnant. The next time she was to come, she ended up in the hospital in labor. She is now on total bed rest. Please keep Kettia in prayer. She is having a time being still. She has a 4 year old son who is very active. Her husband helps all he can, but he works.
Once Savanah is able to go home to her family, it will relieve a lot of pressure at the airport for me. I do get my paperwork done at home, but I should be there to follow through on it all. Our computer situation has not improved. I've had three different people, who KNOW what they are doing, come and check it out. No one can find out what the problem is. We finally had to bite the bullet and order a new laptop to get things done on line that we need. Ordered a cheap one, but it's one that will do what is needed and that is a huge thing. The Lord knows what is needed, and He also knows what is wrong with both the computers, but I think HE is the only one!!!
With three days at the airport, Don is running in circles to complete a lot of his work. That statement, "No rest for the weary", is a part of our lives now. But I praise God we have such wonderful friends here who not only encourage us, but pray with us and can feel our situation. I guess in essence, it's simply the life of a missionary.
I am really happy to report, WE don't have any snow or COLD weather like a lot of the United States has right now. Our son sent an email with a small picture he took of his weather station.... it was -24 with a wind chill factor of -54. When we get to +69 we are all looking for sweaters and blankets. What in the world would we do with even the -24? Praise God He has us here and not there right now!! One friend was to fly in with a group today for another mission, but is stranded because of cold/snow. The majority of the Haitians could not even imagine what that cold is like.
As I sit here and watch the palm fronds on the Royal Palm tree blow in the gentle breeze, and see the turkeys and their babies (NOT ours, the watchman's) walking around, I think how blessed we are NOT to have the cold and snow.
Baby's nap time is over, so I'd best get busy now. She really is a good kid most of the time, but has her moments, like all kids do. Just have to keep an eye on her.
Our prayers and blessing flow from here to you. We pray you are in that place that the Lord can richly bless you. Please keep the prayers coming... we need them. We love the Lord and will continue to serve Him as long as He allows. But time is short... Jesus may return in the near future so we want to reach out to those who do not know Him, and introduce them to the wonders of our Lord! We pray you are doing the same.
Hello and Happy New Year!
We are praying your New Year will be all you expect and desire, but we also pray that it is centered on the Lord Jesus Christ! We have a lot to be thankful for in the last year, but right now, we need some prayers to go up for the situation here.
As I had written before, Pastor Cebien has been interceding for us with Savanah's adoption. (Also with Sammy's). The meeting that was scheduled for December went well. But in the time since, some changes have/will be made. We need everyone who is willing, to stand in the gap with us for the next month. Because of circumstances we know nothing about in the government, the president will be changing out his cabinet this coming week. This may affect the outcome of the meeting that took place in December. We do not know any of the particulars. But Pastor Cebien has been asked to schedule 2 meetings the end of this month, January 24th and 25th, concerning the adoptions. At prayer meeting last night, he asked that we have everyone pray EARNESTLY for these meetings. Pray for hearts and minds to be open to the way the Lord wants the meetings to go. Pray for the paperwork to be exactly what is needed. Pray that, with God's speed, things will progress and these adoptions will be completed. Pray God's covering over the whole process and for God's will to be accomplished. And please, pray for Pastor Cebien for the correct words to come forth, for him to have strength and wisdom in what he says and does, and for those in authority to be open to what he says. We thank you in advance for your prayers on Savanah and Sammy's behalf. These two kiddos need to be at home with their new families and enjoying life.
With the new year, came some changes with MFI. We will now have 3 flight days a week. I have been trying to get to the airport, even without a sitter for Savanah... whew.... what a time. Twice I had to leave her here with Don. Once when HE was sick, but she was so good. And the second time with Don and Abbie, and I think things went fine with them, then too. But one time we had to take her along...what a time that was. She did really well for quite a while, then all of a sudden, she wanted home and bed. The gal who was going to watch her while Bud and Jane were gone, was able to be here one day. She is just a bit over 7 months pregnant. The next time she was to come, she ended up in the hospital in labor. She is now on total bed rest. Please keep Kettia in prayer. She is having a time being still. She has a 4 year old son who is very active. Her husband helps all he can, but he works.
Once Savanah is able to go home to her family, it will relieve a lot of pressure at the airport for me. I do get my paperwork done at home, but I should be there to follow through on it all. Our computer situation has not improved. I've had three different people, who KNOW what they are doing, come and check it out. No one can find out what the problem is. We finally had to bite the bullet and order a new laptop to get things done on line that we need. Ordered a cheap one, but it's one that will do what is needed and that is a huge thing. The Lord knows what is needed, and He also knows what is wrong with both the computers, but I think HE is the only one!!!
With three days at the airport, Don is running in circles to complete a lot of his work. That statement, "No rest for the weary", is a part of our lives now. But I praise God we have such wonderful friends here who not only encourage us, but pray with us and can feel our situation. I guess in essence, it's simply the life of a missionary.
I am really happy to report, WE don't have any snow or COLD weather like a lot of the United States has right now. Our son sent an email with a small picture he took of his weather station.... it was -24 with a wind chill factor of -54. When we get to +69 we are all looking for sweaters and blankets. What in the world would we do with even the -24? Praise God He has us here and not there right now!! One friend was to fly in with a group today for another mission, but is stranded because of cold/snow. The majority of the Haitians could not even imagine what that cold is like.
As I sit here and watch the palm fronds on the Royal Palm tree blow in the gentle breeze, and see the turkeys and their babies (NOT ours, the watchman's) walking around, I think how blessed we are NOT to have the cold and snow.
Baby's nap time is over, so I'd best get busy now. She really is a good kid most of the time, but has her moments, like all kids do. Just have to keep an eye on her.
Our prayers and blessing flow from here to you. We pray you are in that place that the Lord can richly bless you. Please keep the prayers coming... we need them. We love the Lord and will continue to serve Him as long as He allows. But time is short... Jesus may return in the near future so we want to reach out to those who do not know Him, and introduce them to the wonders of our Lord! We pray you are doing the same.
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