Greetings to all...
Have you ever hit a time when all things seem not to go right? Well, this happens to me quite a bit when it comes to technology. And one of those things was getting into this blog. When I originally signed in, I had to use a different email then our own to do it. Oh well, life certainly is fun, isn't it? I am finally back into it and pray I can keep it going again. If I haven't lost you, thank you for checking in again!!
We have gone through a "transition phase" in the last few months. The following is a letter (dated 8/23/2021) describing what we have been through. But we also want to let you know that we are "though" almost all of this "transition". And I will try to do better on here, now that I have it figured out......
Have you ever hit that place where you wonder just what the Lord is directing and showing you? I must admit that has happened to me many different times through the years. Those of you who have been with us for a long time, know how the Lord has changed directions for us in our ministry. And yet, it’s been more adjusting than changing. MANY times, the Lord directed us into different avenues of the same ministry. We came to help and work where and how the Lord directed, with what talents God gave us. He has never changed our “direction” -- helping Haitians and missionaries in whatever way He shows us -- but at times the “assignments” or “methods” have been adjusted.
Did you also notice that the Lord doesn’t distinguish our mission (or yours either) by our age? It’s never been, “when you are younger you do this”, or “when you are older you will do that”. There is only one way we are to honor the Lord. It’s to SERVE! Yes, maybe the Lord directs differently in the “aging” process, but never in the “serving” process. How many times have I repeated, “we aren’t retiring, we’re re-firing!” And yes, that is true, we still stand by that.
Where He Leads, We Will Follow!
You know our hearts are still for helping the people, in whatever way the Lord directs -- but we sense another “adjustment” coming. We felt, over a year ago, that I should start “training” some helpers in our ministry. No, not to “take over for us”, that is NOT how I felt the Lord leading. With the world problems, and the crazy virus situation, and even now with our president being assassinated, people suffer through situations that they have not had any hand in. Jobs are rare here. Pay is way down, and it was very low to start with. So, how do we help?
I will admit that I thought getting “older” meant we may slow down a bit. But I haven’t seen that. Our direction has been adjusted, yes, a lot. The Lord has put many talented and honest people in my path. People that were hurting, and had no way to overcome their situation. Then the Lord impressed on me, “teach them”. ME, TEACH THEM?? HOW, and what do I teach. I honestly didn’t think I had enough knowledge in any area to teach something. But it wasn’t “knowledge” He wanted me to share. It was His love. Yup, it took me a while to realize that. There are quite a few people God has shown me.
--- I kept wondering why the Lord kept giving ME more work, then I realized He was giving me a way to help others, and still serve Him while doing it. And yes, I still have plenty to do, while having others help in ways I didn’t expect.
Don will still be working toward helping those as he has been doing with schooling, medicine and doctor bills and many other areas. There are a couple of blind people, and those with physical disabilities, but even something simple like tap-tap money for getting their children to school is so important. Or stepping in to help in a desperate situation in their family. At times it’s the big things, at others it’s the little things (little to US anyway). But help, no matter what area, is needed many times.
Exciting Adjustment Coming! (has actually arrived)
Okay, there is a reason I’m sharing this. Oh, our ministry is continuing, and going strong!! Do not doubt that. But an “adjustment” is coming. Not in the ministry itself, but in how we will accomplish it. Our children have often requested that we consider retiring and “come home”. We have never felt we should leave. But the Lord showed me that yes, we are still serving, but maybe we also should add our children to that mix. It took me a while, but I finally realized that the Lord, through how He has worked, has made a way for us to do that. We will simply move the “office” of operations to the states, while we remain in full time ministry here in Haiti. We’ll have time with our children and grands, which has been in short supply through the years, and yet, still maintain full time ministry here, thanks to the internet, phones and regular trips back. This can now be easily accomplished because of the leaders that we have seen raised up through the years. God is multiplying our efforts.
Our home office (World Outreach) is on board with this adjustment and will continue to process our support and logistics. They realize that the main thing is that our outreach in Haiti will continue as it is -- THANKS TO THE LORD!! How many times over the years have I mentioned, and repeated, WE SERVE AN AWESOME GOD!!! Our home office is also excited that we will be empowering more Haitians for the ministry.
Your Prayers & Support Make This Ministry Possible!
Don and I wanted to include you in our announcement about the adjustment that is coming. We truly need your ongoing prayers and support for the work in Haiti! We are confident that the ministry will not decrease at all, but actually increase. We have a desire to see more Haitian leaders step forward – and in some cases, we will employ them as needed for the work. It will be a fresh step of Haitians showing Haitians the love of God and taking more of a leadership role. I feel that it’s very important for the Haitians to see their own people reaching out to them as we serve an AWESOME God!!
As stated above, your prayers and support make this ministry possible! We can’t do this without our faithful friends and supporters! Please pray for us as we start making plans for this “adjustment” in our ministry. There are many steps to take, and we need the wisdom of God (James 1:5). I know there will be many questions, but please have patience with us. We have many things here in Haiti to set up, and then in the US, we will need to find a place to live, and get that set up. We pray the Lord will lead and direct us in all these areas. And when we have finalized most things, we will again let you know. But please know our ministry will continue through this transition. God will make a way for all of it, we have confidence in Him.
You can also help with a special “extra-mile-gift” to make the transition possible. Help us make the adjustment to train and release more Haitians into the work of the ministry. Please use the giving info below. When you visit our Donation Page, you can give with Card, Bank Info, and now with Cryptocurrency.
Thank you for praying!! And I would like to thank those who helped me prepare this letter. Jason, Mike and our children have all been a strong influence in this regard. A special THANKS go to them all!!
We love you,
Don and Karen
1. DONATE ONLINE! (Use Cards, Bank Info, or Crypto) www.WorldOutreach.org/10
2. MAIL CHECKS:
World Outreach Ministries, Inc.
P.O. Box B Marietta, GA 30061 (designate for Don & Karen Davis)
3. BILL PAY: free option via your online banking (use the same info for checks)
