Urgent prayers needed

I had planned an update before we left the US, but so many things happened and here we are back in Haiti, and just now getting to the computer.

The last three weeks in the US went so fast, and we ended up not getting a lot done we had planned on.  But be that as it may, we did have a really wonderful and relaxing time.   

I will only highlight a few of the things here.  It was just all of a sudden busy and seeing folks we needed to see and getting things done that we could.  I guess the whole thing was, don't relax too much or you won't get things finished.  And that was it.  We are just so very thankful for the time we had relaxing, since we both needed it a lot this time.

Our grandson is improving, but we ask that you still keep him in prayer.  This will be a hard time for him in recovery.  And hard on the family, too.  He wants out of these retainers on his legs and he isn't half way through the time in them yet.  So, this 20 year old, with a child's mind is being more than anxious and doesn't really understand why he can't get out of them.  But on the other hand, he is still the happy, loveable, outspoken kiddo.  It's just the times in between he has problems.  So, please keep praying.

Just a few days before we left Wisconsin we were able to attend a picnic given for a couple who are missionaries.  We knew them, through our church, before we came to Haiti, and they became missionaries a bit after we did.  This was the first time we have seen them in almost 32 years.  And we were also able to see others there who we haven't seen in many, many years.  We were able to make some new friends there, too. So finally seeing Mark and Sonja and many others was a tremendous blessing for us.

Then the rush to get last minute things done and fly out for Florida was a race.  The few days we spent in Florida were a bit hectic, trying to get things accomplished there.

On Monday, the day before we flew, my brother Bob and his wife, Bev, planned to come and see us from central Florida.  The time came and went, and they didn't show.  I tried calling several times.  No answer.  That was so unusual because Bev is usually right on top of things.  We had our alarm set for 5 AM on Tuesday, to get to MFI and fly back.  At 3:00 AM, I got a text from my niece Dawn.  She said her mom and dad were in a very serious accident Monday afternoon.  Probably about the time they were to leave and come see us.  Bob is in a wheelchair, and was in the second section of the van.  Bev was driving.  Not sure exactly what happened (no report on that yet), but they were hit broadside on Bev's side of the van.  Bev was airlifted to Tampa (the nearest trauma center) because of head trauma.  Bob was sent to Lakeland.  Short summery on injuries....Bob's legs were pretty messed up and they did surgery in the emergency room, I believe.  He didn't have a seat belt on and was thrown around a lot I think.  They have him sedated pretty heavily because of pain and anxiety.  Bev had a head injury which they stitched up, and did several cat scans, and continue to watch her closely.  She has a broken collar bone, broken ribs and something else broken, I think.  And she has many, many bruises and sore spots.  Both are in ICU.  Seems Bob will be there for an extended time and not sure how long Bev will be there. 

Needless to say I am having a hard time being here in Haiti, with them both going through all of this.  But several circumstances are keeping me here, or I'd be there.  Their daughter Dawn is traveling back and forth between the two hospitals keeping things together.  Two of the grandkids are also trying to help out there.    So, my request is for prayers for: Bob and Bev, for healing, strength and peace, for Dawn for strength and wisdom in handling all things and for peace for her too, and then for peace for me, not being able to be there for them.  (This is REALLY hard for me.)

Then our next jolt came when we got back.  Savanah's birth mother had to go down to Haiti's social services (IBESR) for her interview, we thought.  We found out this morning that they didn't interview her, they put her in a class of some sort to encourage her to keep the baby (well,almost 4 year old).  AND, she has to go back in 3 to 6 months for another class.  I am SO, SO discouraged by all of this, I don't know what to do.  I am simply too old to handle this child anymore, although she is behaving better than before.  So, please, please pray there is a mixup and all of this is not true, but that there will be a finalization to the adoption soon.   

So, on that note, I'd better close out and get to work here.  I'm running on auto pilot right now, not able to keep my mind on things.  I know the Lord is in control, but there are times I think He is waiting too long to do things...guess I've been there before.  I know He knows what and where and when all things are to be, and I sure don't.  I just wish my timetable lined up more with His timetable.  So, keep praying.  And yes, we are praising right along with the prayers... things could be so much worse, it's that we need to keep our eyes on the fact that the Lord knows what is best.  So...finally, PRAISE, PRAYER and Keep your eyes on Jesus, as we are!!!