We are home!

I've posted many things about our life in Haiti, and yes, there are some in here, too.  But this is just a catch up of our last almost 3 months.  In traveling, and in that time we did put on over 7,000 miles, it was hard to sit down and gather thoughts to do a post.  Our stateside time this year held so many joyous moments and times.  And our return to Haiti did the same.  So, with this in mind, here is a copy of an email I sent out this morning...

 Just wanted to get a quick note out and let everyone know we are home and back at ... well, doing what we do!  I had thought I'd have some time now for some other things since Savanah is home in Canada....not going to happen.  Been sort of swamped under with simply life.  Most people can understand life's fun times.  I get ready to do something, but have to fix something to do it. Or, get ready to do my MFI paperwork for the airport, and run out of ink...not that easy to fix here...but praise the Lord for some great friends in Fort Pierce, who sent me in some ink.  But it's always the little things.  Have you been there, and done that? 

Trying to get a newsletter finished and printed...printed 49 copies before I realized I had headed it with NOVEMBER and not AUGUST.  Not going to reprint...just used white out.  No, not a very professional way to do things, but just a way to get it done.  Don's been trying to get a lot of catch-up things done and he, too, is hitting the "fix something before doing something" spot. 

All of this brought to mind what an INFALLIBLE God we serve.  He doesn't make mistakes.  And He doesn't have to "redo" anything.  So when things get a bit frustrating here, we have to remember to simply turn to Him and take a deep breath.  No he doesn't "fix" our mistakes, but He forgives them.  And He helps us get through them and work them out. 

This coming week we will be starting to work on the Bucket Ministry again.  How we rejoice when a team comes to do these for us.  It is very time consuming for us to do them alone, but so worth the effort for those who receive them.  I received the list of prices on items we buy here for the buckets.  The price of buckets and of food have all increased.  We know the Lord knows this and He will supply what is needed.  So please pray with us that we will get these buckets filled and ready to go out in a timely manner.

I've also started making plans to be working at least once a week out at the IDADEE orphanage.  I want to do some individual insights into the children there, to share with supporters and others wishing to help them out.  I believe there is a plan to take in more children in the very near future and we want to get that information out when it happens.

We are starting to revamp some of our paperwork for MFI, both in what we send to the office in the states and how we do our papers here on this end of things.  A bit time consuming to start with, but worth that when we get it set up.  Please keep Missionary Flights in your prayers.  They, too, are going through some changes and need some prayer support. 

And of course, our prayers are going out for so many in need.  The Lord has really impressed on me the need to spend quality time in prayer.  I praise God we have seen some great things happening once we do pray.  He is such a faithful God and we rejoice in serving Him.

I read a quote (not sure who wrote it)...but it was so inspiring.  It says, "If you saw the size of the blessing coming, you would understand the magnitude of the battle you are fighting."  We have seen that happen here and really know the meaning of it. 

I'd like to close with a prayer that I have used often in many circumstances and for many different people:  "Heavenly Father, I may not understand how everything will work out, but I trust You.  I don't see a way, but I know You will make a way.  I have faith at this very moment you are touching hearts, opening doors, and lining up the right breaks and right opportunities.  Things may look dark and bleak now, but I have faith that my (or their) dawn is coming!  In Jesus' Name!"

Release!

Hello to all,

I wanted to share just a short post with you.  You know, when times are good, many people don't bother to pray or turn to the Lord.  But when things get hard, where do they go?  Right to the Lord.  But many simply do that with a statement like, "Why ME, Lord?"  or "Why did You do this to me?"   That is so sad.  The Lord doesn't DO or Plan things to hurt people.  He is always there, in all situations.  He's just rarely given credit when it is due. 

My special prayer partner, Belle, and I pray this prayer daily.  It says so much and means so much.  Read it with your heart open to the Lord.  

And please know we are praying for you. No matter who you are or where you are. Anyone who reads this is in our prayers!
Blessings!!!

 Prayer of Release

"HEAVENLY FATHER, I release to you the burdens that I have been carrying, burdens that you never intended for me to carry.  I cast all my cares upon You-all my worries, all my fears.  You have told me to not be anxious about anything, but rather to bring everything to You in prayer with thankfulness.

FATHER, calm my restless spirit, quiet my anxious heart, still my troubling throughts with the assurance that You are in control.  I let go of my grip upon the things I have been hanging onto, with opened hands I come to You.  I release to Your will all that I am trying to manipulate; I release to Your timing all that I have been striving to make happen.

I THANK YOU for Your promise to sustain me, preserve me, and guard all that I have entrusted to Your keeping.  Protect my heart and mind with Your peace, the peace that passes all understanding.  Father, may Your will be done in my life, in Your time, and in Your way."      written by Roy Lessin