Greetings,
As we end March and head into April, I’d like to share a
few things with you. I don’t have any
earth shattering news or even insight, but just a heartfelt message that I’d
like to share.
You all know I’ve been through some struggles these last 4
or 5 months. Yet, I’ve had a peace that
I simply can’t explain. And again, I
head to the states again in May to have some Basal cell Carcinoma removed from
my nose. I’m not concerned about any of
this. I’m simply upset that I must take
yet another week away from our mission for this. Don’t misunderstand me, I do enjoy seeing the
dedicated people at Missionary Flights.
And I will see them since I’m going to a dermatologist in Fort
Pierce. But there is so much here I’d
like to get moving on, and being gone for another week brings that to a stop
again.
I shared with you that I agreed
with the cardiologist to slow down some, but I feel like I’m coming to a stop,
and that is what has me concerned. So,
I’ve been searching scripture, yet again, for some help. And I found a favorite verse…Psalm 46: 10 (in part).
“…Be still and know that I am God….” Well, that
said it all for me, AGAIN! It is not ME,
it’s God who will and IS doing the ministry here. Whatever He wants to accomplish here WILL
happen, with or without me. So, I’ve
taken a deep breath and have stepped back.
Oh I’m going to start with those precious kids from the IDADEE orphanage
again. That is more of a blessing for me
than for them. I simply enjoy working
with the kids. So, I just ask you to
keep me in prayer, not only to do what and when the Lord directs, but for
health and strength to do exactly what the Lord is directing.
So…am I worried about this next
appointment? No, I have no fear or
concerns about any of it, just as I had none through the operation and heart
attack…I knew without a doubt that the Lord was with me, and that was all I
needed. The same now. And I’ve decided that I will let the Lord
show me just what He wants me to do while I am out again. I’ve really been blessed by attending the
service at Paul and Belle’s church. The
message is always uplifting and insightful and the people there are, for a
better word, FANTASTIC. You can feel the
love and concern and the Spirit of the Lord through them!
But, yet again, I leave Don behind. Wish I could talk him into going with me, but
he is determined to stay and do things here.
Within the next few days I plan to get some photos of the work he is
accomplishing here with this crazy septic system he is working on. To say it’s a challenge is putting it
mildly. But perseverance is paying
off. You all know we don’t have a local
Home Depot or any other wonderful hardware store close. We have tons of little tiny stores that hold
“some” items…but not usually just what you need when you need it. It’s another
teaching on patience and creativity. The
Haitians really do have the creativity part down. And we are learning how to adapt to these
circumstances, too. But prayers for Don
are appreciated, too.
And then there are Vero and Abbie!! We really miss our kids and grandkids, and
Vero and Abbie are a help in that area.
Vero works so hard and is going to Bible school along with all her other
activities. But she is always cheerful and happy. And constantly asks how our kids are and what
they are doing. She manages to bring a
smile to our faces. And Abbie? She not only brings smiles, we spend a lot of
time laughing, too. She now wants a
“pet”. At 14 this is normal I
guess. BUT, a dog would be a nice pet…
but she has decided that an elephant and a dolphin would be WONDERFUL
pets. Yup, this is our adopted
granddaughter. She has a lot of ideas
that keep us in laughter, and sometimes laughing so hard (like with elephants
and dolphins) that we about cry! She is
an excellent student (and has grandma as a study buddy). I’ll tell you, I’m learning a whole lot more
now, than when I was in school!! She is
a gem and keeps us on our toes. Her
latest question, “Grandma, why do teens rebel?”
I told her there are probably a lot of different reasons, but if she
does, she’ll get smacked. She laughed
and said, “Grandma, I won’t, I know it upsets mom’s and grandmas, and I don’t
want to do that.” So, keep praying for
her, too!!
I know there has been a lot of concern about the problems
here in Haiti. And yes, there have been
some tough times. But we, along with
many others, have learned to simply stay at home and don’t go where the
problems are. I know I did get into one
of those before, but believe me, Vero won’t let me go to the airport if there
is even a hint of problems. And since I have agreed with the cardiologist to
reduce it to once a week at the airport, it’s a bit easier to stay out of
“problem areas”. Vero, being a Haitian,
knows how to get around and avoid problems if it’s possible. And we do trust her advice.
All of that to say, yes, there are problems off and on, and
they may erupt at any time, but we have learned that the Lord has put people in
our lives here who give great advice on when/where things are happening. We have not had any real problems here in our
area, and we are really thankful for that.
The major problems are in the Port au Prince area, rather than in our
town. But at times they do happen here
and we just stay out of the area. No one
we know has been hurt or effected by these problems. But the economy has taken a very hard hit.
We do ask that you keep Haiti at the top of your prayer
list. The value of the American dollar
has increased here, tremendously. But
this is hard for the “normal” Haitian.
They don’t have American dollars.
And merchants need to purchase things in American dollars, so prices are
raising. It’s a very difficult place for
these impoverished people to be in. They
were hardly surviving before and now with prices rising, they simply can’t make
it. We are working more toward our
bucket ministry now than before. The
needs are so great! Please keep Haiti
and it’s people in your prayers.
For now, blessings beyond measure and we are praying your
life is reflecting the Love and Light of the Lord!!! And again…1
Thessalonians 5: 16-18, “16Rejoice always, 17pray
continually, 18give thanks in all circumstances for this is God’s
will for you in Christ Jesus.
In Him, through Him, and for Him,
Karen
and Don
