Into April now

Greetings,

I thought it was time to do a bit of catch up.  We’ve been busy, and yet it doesn’t seem like we’ve done a lot.  I think most of you can relate to that.  

The adoption is…. Well, still in the wait and hold pattern.  If we were in a plane and in the holding pattern, we’d be very dizzy from this circle of “non-events”.  Yes, IBESR (Haitian social services) has approved the adoption (which we THOUGHT was what we were waiting on).  Then they sent a paper to the adoptive parents to sign a paper saying that they (adoptive family) approve of the approval.  My first thought was WHAT??? They have waited 4½ YEARS to get Savanah, and IBESR wants to know if they approve the adoption process?  So, now that the approval from the adoptive parents has been sent, we are again in the holding pattern.  Yes, we need prayers…not for us, we have learned that we will simply be “holding on” at this point.  But for those in charge to finally sign what needs to be signed and get this over with.  For the Lord to move on hearts and minds in the offices where this whole thing is sitting.  All Savanah talks about is going “home” to mommy and daddy and her sisters.  She keeps asking if mommy will be on the next plane to come and get her.  So, prayers would be greatly appreciated.

Since going to the airport for MFI and going to church are the only times I leave the house, I really look forward to those “out” times.  The last two weeks MFI had flights for 3 days each week.  For some it was a bit of a trial, but not for me.  I totally enjoyed being out and about.  And at both, the airport and church I am with some really great people.  We have had some awesome preaching, too.  Easter Sunday was an exceptional message.  God has blessed us so much with guest speakers and local talent in that area.  Both American and Haitian pastors.  And this last Sunday was a blessing for us.  We have a team staying at the dorm right now.  Have a pastor, his worship leader and some of the congregation for their church.  The worship leader and his group have recently cut an album.  So the whole service was turned over to them and it was so very special!!  

I really praise the Lord for MFI and all the work they do not only for us, personally, but for the whole mission community.  Their motto is “Standing In The Gap” for missions.  And they do that, but SO MUCH more for everyone.  Please keep them in prayer as they keep growing and serving more and more missions and missionaries.  It’s not a group mentality, it’s a personal thing.  They work toward serving individual people.  That is the huge difference in our eyes.  Because they care, we are blessed. 

The team we have here now leaves today and the next one arrives.  But this team of young adults has been a blessing to us.  We so appreciate the blessing and fellowship they bring.  They have real hearts for the people and love to serve the Lord in whatever way He directs.  Hearing their experiences is always eye opening.  We get to see Haiti from their perspective.  What a blessing.

As we walk in the path the Lord has set us on, we praise Him for being here for us and with us in all circumstances.  Each day is a new experience in what He is teaching us and where He is leading.  It is awesome to see how He steps in and answers prayers for us.  I treasure the time spent in prayer with others and the time alone with the Lord.  It is such a rejuvenation of spirit to simply lean on and depend on Him.  We serve an AWESOME and GREAT God who loves, comforts, upholds, cares, heals and sustains us.  My prayer is that you are in that place that you can and will know the Lord in that same way.  That when things occur, your main source of help is the Lord Jesus Christ. That your praises are heading up to the One and Only One who is there for you ALL THE TIME!!

For now, I’ll close and ask that you keep us, Savanah, her adoptive family, Vero, Abby and all of Haiti in your prayers.  Those prayers are what is keeping us moving and serving for Him.