Home and working

Greetings,

I’m back.  We’ve been watching the hurricanes in the Atlantic and have been tracking the paths.  No, at this point, we don’t think we’ll be hit.  But the course of all them seem to change quite a bit, all the time.  Actually, we have no fear.  It would not change the course of these storms.  We prepare, in case, but that is what anyone in or near these storms should be doing.  The storm to the north of us is headed toward the US, specifically the Carolina’s.  We have family and close friends in both of those states, so are praying for them and the situation.  The storm south of us may, according to predictions turn and hit part of Haiti.  So, we are praying for those of us here that could be affected.  For wisdom and strength, as for those in the north. Pray with us on these, please.

Back to our return and the trip to get here.  Again, it was hard to leave family and friends in Wisconsin.  But we knew we were headed back to where the Lord has placed us. In thinking of that, one of my devotionals for Monday was on “Where My Heart Belongs”.  We call Haiti home, and it is.  It referred to Eph. 2: 19-22.  And ended with, “God, help me to remember that I live my life on earth, but I belong in heaven. Amen.”  That made me smile, because heaven is where we will be with family and friends, together!!  Great thought, when we feel lonesome for family.

We were able to spend 1 week in Fort Pierce.  We stayed with our good friend, Belle.  Her husband, Paul, was in Haiti, so it was just us and Belle.  I treasure special times spent with her.  She is my closest prayer partner and a part of the intercessory prayer team.  Belle and I were able to make a quick trip to see my sister-in-law, Bev.  It was only for a day, but we really enjoyed our time with her.  Special family and friends together.  We also spent time that week getting things needed to take back to Haiti with us.  And during that week we were able to spend some fantastic time in Sunday school and church with wonderful teachers.  Love the input from that time!!

Somehow on the return flight from Wisconsin and the two stops before West Palm, I had either pulled a muscle or tendon in my knee.  No idea how or why.  But ended up using a cane a good friends supplied. (thanks Bud & Jeanette).  Our first week back in Haiti was a whirlwind.  Trying to get settled back in and catch up on 2 months of mail, cargo and some bills for here at home proved to be exhausting.  But it was accomplished.  

Saying we are back in the swing of things is a little short of what we’ve been doing.  The first week back I didn’t go to the airport…trying to let the knee heal up.  It has pretty much done that now.  But it also allowed time to do that catch-up business.  Don was kept busy in the garage trying to sort of get things in order there.  And now our Diahatsu truck is having major problems, so he’ll be spending some quality time on that.   

In the midst of our whirlwind, we were really blessed.  One of our former puppeteers, who now lives in Chicago, came for a visit.  What a joy to see and spend time with Emmaul.  He was our “go-fer” kid for years here and we consider him one of our own.

 I took on a new ministry this last weekend.  The Lord has really impressed me to help the children at the IDADEE orphanage learn some English.  I set out to do that.  Last Saturday morning Vero brought 5 of the kids here, for class.  I was under the assumption they knew no English, so had set up some basic words for them. These kids the committee picked are a trip.  They are so cute and so willing to learn.  But the first 8 things I started with THEY KNEW.  I said, “Wait, why am I teaching you when you already know English?”  One of the girls who works at IDADEE had started with them with a booklet which contained English, Creole and French.  The exact book I was using.   So, I quickly changed course that first day.  One of the booklets we put into the buckets we do is a coloring book for children on salvation.  With Abbie’s help (bless her willingness to assist me!) we started with that.  It’s a “Kolore M Konta” (Color me happy) coloring book.  So, we did the first three pages in that, with words and scriptures.  The kids really did enjoy that.  So, for now, that will be my text book for them.  We did a lot of laughing and having fun.  Two of the kids told Vero, “We really like this English class.”  I told Vero it was because I gave them Kool-aid and let them take a break and play with a huge ball.  But it was a success and we all had fun.  So, my new mission begins, along with all the others I have going.  

 

 From the left, up and around....Claude, Karen, Abbie, Walkenson, Ruth, Emmanuela and Dieulene. 

Yesterday, 9-11, MFI came in with a HUGE load of cargo.  We had 4,898 pounds of cargo to unload and distribute.  Toward the end, American airlines came in, so we were put off to the side, again.  And had to wait until they were all done, and then finish.  It was a long, hard day, but we made it.  Keep MFI in prayer.  Lots going on there and they can always use the help.  Check them out at www.MissionaryFlights.org.  You’ll enjoy seeing all they are doing for those of us on the field.

Through the rush and bustle we have been in, I keep coming back to the song, “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms”.  That really is what we are doing and must keep doing.  We look forward to the return of the Jesus, but until that time, we must keep doing what He directs, and praising Him in and through it all!!!  And I keep coming back to Psalms for the help.  Psalm 8: 1 “Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory in the heavens.”  And Psalm 9: 1 & 2 “I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart.  I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.  I will be glad and rejoice in you: I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High.”  In those very hard and troublesome times we need to hang onto these verses.  

I pray your are walking the road with the Lord.  I pray He is guiding and directing you, as well.  In closing, please keep Haiti and the east coast of the US in prayer through these storms.  Keep us in prayer that will we continue to walk in His way and do His calling in the way to bring glory to Him.