Sunday, March 31, 2019

From March to April '19


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

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