A Beautiful Day

Greetings,

I didn't realize it has been so long since I have written on the blog.  Forgive me, please.  We have had a bit of a whirlwind here the last 8 months.  But the Lord has been with us through it all, or I'm not sure what we would have done.  My heart goes out to those who do not know the Lord, because without Him at our side, we would have simply floundered.

I did want to share with you all my last email, sent out today.  It sort of helps you see some of our daily joys and prayer needs.  So... blessings beyond measure as you read this...

Hello to all,

Well, I’ve been doing a bit of studying and found something interesting.  The Lord is TOTALLY AWESOME.  Oh I know, I have been known to say that a lot, a whole lot.  But isn’t it amazing when you sit and talk with other Christians that the Lord is working in so many, many lives in a whole lot of different ways. 

Our EBF group, small as it is right now, is such a blessing and so encouraging to me.  Yesterday as I looked for something to share with them, the Lord led me to a message the pastor in our home church shared.  He’s done a total study on the book of Romans.  And we are blessed by the fact that he shares it with us, via email each week.  That, first of all is a blessing, but second, it opens so many doors to share with others, too.  (Thanks Pastor David).  Now I have no idea why but the Lord led me to a part of one he shared back in June last year.  These fellows have shared that they want to learn how to evangelize in the right way.  So, Enoch and I talked about how we need to be grounded, or at least know “the salvation road”.  Well, I had pulled up a study guide from when our son was here and was ready to print part of that, and send it to Enoch to lead with.  Then the Lord nudged my spirit and led me to the sermon that Pastor David had shared.  So, I printed that instead. 

Understand we have a great group of fellows that come.  They are more open than they have been in the past, and are willing to share questions with us.  I started out with the question, “Are you a person who longs to impact your world for Jesus Christ?”  After several nods, I read the next lines.  “I’m convinced that the Lord is looking for men and women who yearn for a satisfying and fulfilling mission in life.  If you are a FAT person, God can use you in ministry.”   Oh how I wish you could have seen their faces, mouths hanging open, eyes wide!  Then I read the next line, “And by FAT, I mean F.A.T., as in Faithful, Available, and Teachable.”  The laughter that followed was awesome.  I went into each word and asked them what they thought each word meant.  Their answers were so inspiring and right on the mark.  We shared a bit more than this, but this one section set the pace for them being a PART of what we were doing.  Yup, we ran over time and had a great service. But seeing the Lord’s word being opened in their eyes is something I wish you all could have seen. They searched out and found what they needed to see in God’s word.  Most of these fellows know the Bible and a general view of how to find things.  Others are learning. 

We had two visitors who hadn’t been there before.  No idea how they knew we were now meeting in our home, but it was great to meet them.  I hadn’t paid much attention as they all walked in, except to greet everyone.  When we were finished and I stood up, one of the fellows (a new one) came to thank me for letting him come.  I looked UP, and UP, and with my mouth hanging open, I asked, “How tall ARE you?”  He laughed and said about 6’ 6”, maybe a bit more.  He said, I need a picture of you and me.  And I told him, so do I!  I’ll try to remember to put it here.  He is a Haitian, but lives in the Dominican, and works in a call center helping people.  He told us when he is in Haiti, he will be back with us.  

Well, I think I’d like to share some praises and prayer requests with you all.  This is another thing we have been talking to the fellows at church about.  Sharing and praying for each other, in both prayer and praises areas.  I think I’ll put a just a couple of their praises and prayers, too.

Orinel: 

⇒ His girlfriend lives in Port and was robbed last week.  He asked for prayers for her protection.  And also for his “project” for this year.  Enoch asked him what the “project” was…. To marry his girlfriend.  He is praising the Lord for the people who come to know the Lord when he witnesses to them.  (He is on of our leaders on the committee and an awesome evangelist.)

Johnson: (our tall dude)

⇒  He is asking for prayers for wisdom, and perseverance in all areas, and for the Lord to instill in him ideas of what he is to do.  He praised the Lord for his faith, strength and for his health.

Sienet: (this fellow ALWAYS has a smile on his face!)

⇒  Praised the Lord for his salvation and for his health.  Asked for prayers for his “project”.  When asked, he said he’d like to go to college, but needs the Lord’s direction and guidance. 

Enoch: 

⇒  For wisdom and open doors for his future and his family.  He wants to Lord’s leading on what steps he is to take and when and where to take them. (Enoch is our leader).

Karen & Don: 

⇒  Prayers for Don as he is having some problems with the plumbing at Vero’s house, and also problems getting one of our vehicle running.  (I think he is very close on both, but frustration is a factor.

⇒  Pray for me, Karen, as I head out again this week for this nose surgery.   

⇒  We are praising the Lord for His intervention in the lives of two of our children.  He has answered our prayers in ways we could not have imagined.  Isn’t God awesome?  (yup, again.) 

⇒  Also prayers for Abbie’s schooling for next year.  Looks like she will be returning to the same school, but prayers needed for the cost of school going up. 

⇒  And of course, pray for both Haiti and the US, for the Lord’s hand to reach down and move things in the way He directs.  I keep coming back to 2 Chronicles 7: 14… “IF MY PEOPLE, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray…..” you know the rest, I’ve mentioned it often enough.  (If you don't, it's a good time to open the Bible and read the whole verse.)

Well, I’ve taken enough of your time, but I thank you for reading, rejoicing and for praying with us.  We may be miles apart, but our spirits are close, in the Lord Jesus!