Back home in Haiti!

 Greetings,

   Well, even with all that is going on, we are still praising the Lord and hoping you are doing the same!

   Prayer, praising and rejoicing means so much especially in these troubled times.  As most of you know back at the beginning of June, we were able to get on MFI’s first passenger flight out of Haiti since the start of the pandemic.  We had to have some check-ups and get some minor things taken care of.  We did encounter some delays due to the “quarantine” limits, but nothing that was very hard.  Before we left, we didn’t see much of the pandemic here.  Although after we left, we received news of 2 acquaintances who passed away.  Yet Haiti, at least in the north, didn’t experience the wide spread mess that other places encountered. 

   Then our travels started.  We were able to see almost all of our family on this visit out.  That was our largest blessing.  And, of course, we accomplished all of our check-ups that had been delayed.  It’s always a joy and a blessing to be in American churches and get to visit and see our friends.  But it’s also a joy and blessing to be able to return home to Haiti, to be with those we love here, and also to return healthy and ready to get back to work. 

   And that is what we are doing.  In the last few weeks, there was a lightning strike here on our compound.  Took out some of the internet, damaged one of our inverter systems, and we now have a leaky roof again.  Thankfully MFI had some large tarps we were able to bring back with us, to cover the roof.  (That’s a work in progress this week).  Don is over working on the inverter system at the dorm, and then on to some electrical situations here at the house. 

   We flew in yesterday and brought in a lot of the “extras” we put in our food buckets.  And also, lots of PVC parts and things we can’t purchase here.  Thankfully Abbie was here and helped go through all the tubs of things we brought.  Got it all sorted into the areas they needed to be and ready to go.   I was able to catch up on a lot of the paperwork that gets left for me to do.  And today will start sorting and preparing to get moving on the next batch of buckets.

   While we were gone, the exchange rate here in country escalated quite high.  For someone with American money, it was okay.  But for most Haitians, who have no US funds, it was catastrophic.  Before we left, you could exchange $100 US and get $1,800 Haitian dollars.  That would have been at 18% change rate.  When we came back it is up to 23.5%, which mean we could get $2,350 Haitian dollars.  Sounds good, right?  Wrong!!!  For us it was okay, but for the Haitians who have no US funds, and were having a very difficult time making ends meet before, this rise was awful.  Prices rose with the rate hike, so people are really, really hurting now.  We saw so many desperate people before, and now it will be so much worse.  This rise in the exchange rate effects EVERY area of living.  Food costs rise, gas prices rise, schooling cost escalate…well, it all rises.  And the poor were not doing well before all of this.  Add to all of this health care.  It is a horrid situation for the normal person.  So, this is our main prayer request right now.  That the Lord would intervein and help.  We know the Lord is able and willing to help,

 So, we are asking for tons of prayers for this country.  Will you join us in this? 

   Only being back a day, we haven’t gotten much more information that this.  But I’m sure I will find out more as the days go on.  So, add to the prayer request that God will give us wisdom, strength and insight as to how and where to best use what He gives us.

   I imagine you have all noticed I like to end many letters with “blessings”.  I just read a devotional from David Jeremiah and I’d like to share part of that with you.  I like that it conveys what I feel. 

   “…what does blessing mean? …..In both the Old Testament and the New Testament, the words for blessing literally mean “happiness.”  The Old Testament word osher came from a root meaning “to be level or right, to go forth in properness and rightness.”  The New Testament makarios also means to be happy—that is, “to live in God’s favor.”  So, when we say, “God bless you,” we are invoking the happiness only God can provide.  And we find that happiness by living according to His guidelines for life—full of the Spirit and based on the Word.”

   So, in closing, I would again like to say, ABUNDANT BLESSINGS, and God bless you.

July 24th, 2020

 Greetings to all,

I know it’s been a bit, but I’m finally getting an email out!  We are still in Wisconsin, but plan to head south on Monday.  All appointments are about over and we are in good shape to return home to Haiti!!

A few more stops and we’ll be back in Florida and getting ready to fly!  Time frame?  At this point not positive.  But I wanted to share some with what’s been going on with us.  Don had his physical appointments in Florida and all went pretty well.  We were able to spend some wonderful time with friends and co-workers (in other words, Christians).  Then we headed “north”, sort of.  Went first (while in Florida) to see our sister, Bev.  She’s doing good, but it was wonderful to see her.  Then a few days later, headed to Tennessee.  Saw our son & family and our daughter there.  And were able to see and hold our newest great grandson, too!  (Yea, awesome to hold an infant again!)  We are so blessed to have not only great kids, but some fantastic grandkids, and some awesome great grandkids!!  Really wonderful to be able to see most of our family!!

Then on to Wisconsin!  And the rest of our family and a whole lot of neat friends!  In all places we really enjoyed being in English speaking churches and be a part of fellowship there.  Finished all of my check-ups here and have a new cardiologist that is a hoot, and awesome doctor!!  Spending some wonderful family times is top of the list!!  In both states!!  The Lord has been with us through so much and has been paving the road for all we’ve accomplished. 

Then again, this morning I was drawn to Psalm 117.  “¹ Praise the Lord, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples. ² For great is His love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.” With all that is going on in the world, I keep coming back to this.  Yes, I do with 2 Chron. 7: 14, too.  It just seems the Bible is coming more and more alive in these days.  The more I read the more I seem to feel closer and closer to the Lord.  Have you experienced that too?  I have read a verse many times before, but all of a sudden it seems a verse lights up and is so meaningful right then.

The pastor in our home church has been going through Nehemiah.  Yes, I’ve read it, but doing a verse by verse study has been really neat.  I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this study!  It’s been wonderful to see how the Lord guided and helped rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. (Chapters 2-6).  And the teaching of “working together” is so obvious.  The whole thing is about gathering all of us together to work for the Lord, no matter who we are or where we are!!  God sure is awesome, isn’t He???  I’ve read Nehemiah, but not done a study of it before.  Really have enjoyed this!

Okay, I’d like to ask for some prayers at this point.  Seems a lightning strike hit close to our home.  Wiped out some major equipment, not only in our home, but in the dorm and in Vero’s place, too.  Pray that as we return, we will know exactly what to do and how to fix the problems.  Also pray for our return trip, that it will go smoothly and without incident.  And most of all, pray for both the leaders of Haiti and America.  Pray that the Lord would guide, direct and be with them in these troubled times.  Pray that both countries would turn toward the Lord for the solution of the many problems faced.  We serve an AWESOME GOD, and we know prayer works.  And if His people pray together and walk with Him and follow Him, He will answer those prayers.

We’re praying for the Lord to bless and be with all of you.  Praying that He will guide and direct you in whatever He has for you to do.  Thank you for your time and your prayers!!  It would be difficult to be where we serve if it were not for your prayers and support!!  THANK YOU!!!

Please let us know how we can pray for and with you!!