Christmas Blessings to all!

I realize it's still a week till Christmas but I have a feeling with the girls out of school now, I won't be able to get on and post again.  So, wanted to send our Christmas blessings out to all of you.  Praying your Christmas is blessed, but also that it is Christ centered.  

We are going to be sharing with the girls that Christmas is important, in the fact that the Lord sent His Son to earth.  But it's not just about the season, it's about the reason.  The reason He sent His Son was to die on that cross for me and for you.  He came to take OUR place, so we can spend eternity with Him.  That's the real reason to celebrate... that the Lord loved each one of us so much that He sent His Son to take our sins on His shoulders and to die in our place.  That is the most awesome Gift anyone can receive.  

Our girls had their school Christmas program yesterday.  They had it at a church about half way to Limbé (about 10 miles +-).  But from what everyone has said, it is a really fantastic church where it was held.  I ended up sick just before leaving, so didn't get to go. Don said it was a nice program and Savanah sang loud and clear.  And Abbie did very well, too.  They both really like to sing, so I have no doubts they did well.  

Before they left, I was able to get a few pictures of them.  Also got one of a reluctant Vero, too.

Abbie had a new outfit and Vero's aunt gave her new socks and shoes to wear.  

  

Abbie is getting tall, but wore shoes that were a bit much.  But she still looked great.

 Our girls just before they left for the program.

 I wanted to share with you that we are praising God that Savanah's passport IS finished.  The problem now is that we have to wait for the paper from Canada before Mom can come to get her.  And that office is closed until January 2nd.  So, keep the prayers coming, but we are now looking at the final days.

We have gotten word that there are demonstrations in Port au Prince but not sure what it's all about.  Just glad we are on the northern coast and don't have that problem.  Things are slowing coming around and getting cleaned up here, after our horrid rains and mud slides.  

On Thursday we were able to get the container at the airport straightened out and most of the smelly clothing out.  Had customs come out and look at the mess before we did it.  They gave permission for us to take the wet, awful smelling clothes out.  But they didn't want them there at the airport garbage.  Brought them home and decided to try and maybe wash them.  To our surprise, most of the things washed pretty well.  It was almost totally little children's clothing.  Some went to several different places and some going to two different people to help them set up a business selling things.  A very small start, but something.  Children's clothing is hard to find and expensive when you can find it.  So that awful mess has turned into a blessing for many.  The mission they were meant for refused to take them, thus... we found a way.  The Lord finds ways to take disaster and turn it into blessings.  

Well, for now, have to close and get to the girls.  So, from our house, here in very warm, humid Haiti, to yours.... A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS, AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
 

No snow for Christmas!

Greetings!!

Yes, that's right, no snow for Christmas here.  That is probably one of the things I do miss.  Not that I miss the snow that much, but the beauty of it on a crisp, quiet evening right around Christmas.  So, we'll enjoy that through pictures from others, or pictures on the internet. 

Yesterday at English Bible Fellowship I told them that one of the things I remember quite clearly about our first few Christmas' in Haiti, was that on Christmas, Christ was remembered.  It wasn't gifts or decorations.  The churches worked hard on skits about Christmas and the real meaning behind it.  The main holiday in Haiti is January 1st.  That's not only New Year, it's Independence Day AND Christmas, all rolled into one.  But December 25th, is Christ centered...the way it should be.

I'm not on facebook often, but I had clicked on it this week and watched a video that brought tears to my eyes... then reading the comments, I knew I was not alone.  If you get a chance, go on the internet and find The Ball Brother's version of "It's About The Cross!"  That is probably the most touching Christmas song I have heard.  Really great.  And I shared the meaning in that song also at English Church yesterday.  Yes, it's important that Jesus came, but it really isn't because of the cradle, He came because of the Cross! 

Had an interesting and really filled week this last week.  Got to the airport on Tuesday for our flight... and was met with a statement..."Good, you made it for the mandatory meeting this morning"... and we were off in the airport bus for a safety protocol meeting.  Interesting and yes, informative.  Met some nice people and spent some time with old friends there.  But it was sort of intense.  And this week we have an accident simulation to go to there.  Should be interesting.

Also set a time to get the work done on our container at the airport.  We have to be there for a long time, clean it out, and dry it out. Being only open for 15 to 20 minutes twice a week has not been inductive to drying out.  Lots of work ahead of us there.

Found out that WHEN passport booklets get back into Haiti, it could be a LONG time to GET it.  With all the weather situations here in the last couple of months, lots and lots of people have lost all important documents, including passports...prayerfully we are up high on that list, but don't know for sure.  One of Savanah's teachers has been waiting for 6 months for her passport.  We've only been waiting 2½ or 3 months.  So, LOTS of prayers needed on that!!!

Bucket ministry update:  Only have a few left to get out, and they will go this week.  But a Haitian pastors wife came and encouraged us.  We prefer that people do not associate US with the buckets.  We want them to know the Lord is providing them.  And it pretty much works that way.  But the pastor's wife said she heard talk at church about how God had provided a bucket of food to a family who was in great need.  And how that family was thanking God, but also praying for the people He used to get that food to them.  Neat to hear the praises going to the Lord for His provisions!!!  Keep praying!

We will be gathering with 2 other missionary couples for a Christmas dinner the week before Christmas.  It's such a busy time in the churches that we knew having it ON Christmas day would be hard.  So we'll be celebrating a bit before.  Most missionaries leave and head out to be with family at this time.  Only a very small group remain.  But it's good to be together with them here.

I'd better close and get to work.  We have a lot going on this week... school program, planes, delivering buckets and trying to get computer work caught up.  That, for some reason, always takes a back seat!  So, keep the prayers coming and keep looking up... the Lord is coming soon.... look around at world events!! 

Blessings, and remember to KEEP CHRIST IN CHRISTMAS!!!!