Well, I finally have the program working so I can download the photos I told you about before. These first ones are of the team and the work they accomplished.
Here is the baptism and the fun the team had at the ocean.
Some of the team just standing around talking...sort of!!
And here's Abbie doing her "doctor work". (Note the rain boots...part of her garb!)
Now it's catch up time, AGAIN! I left Haiti with the team a week ago. I have a couple of pinched nerves in my neck and the doc here sent me to see the chiropractor in West Palm. He was hoping I could get some relief from that. So, I went, along with Belle Romeus (another missionary gal, whose husband headed for Ethiopia at about the same time. He'll be gone 2 1/2 months.) We stayed at their place in West Palm. A quick wrap up of the trip...Belle and I had a great time. We ate lots of ice cream and simply had a good time together. My appointment was Friday. Doc adjusted me and worked some magic with acupressure. I was feeling a lot better (although not totally pain free). then we were able to spend some time with our good friend, Carolyn. Talk about a hen party!! Carolyn is the one I had asked you to pray for, since she was facing cancer. Her treatments are over and she is starting to feel a bit better. She's LOOKING great, though.
Then on Tuesday, we headed back home on MFI. It was good to be heading back home again, even though we had a great time stateside. When we stopped in Exuma, I got up to head to the back of the plane to get off....well, somehow, and I really have NO IDEA how, my feet flew out from under me just before the door. You guessed it, I landed on the right side...that HAD been feeling pretty good! I was SO upset! Ray and Bonnie also flew in with us, and Ray reached out to help me up. He comment was, "Now just walk calmly down the stairs, don't fly." I hit the top step and, yes, I flew...all the way to the bottom on my back and LEFT side!! I hurt bad enough, but my pride took a HUGE dent!! My left arm, on the underside is all black...a little scrape on the knee, but the other things didn't start hurting until today....ooohhh, the back and bottom are sore, too!! Glad no one had a camera. I must have been a REAL sight. But I praise God that there are no broken bones and that I'm feeling pretty good...well, relatively speaking. By tomorrow I should be doing just fine. The bruising will be there for a while, but I can handle that. The most upsetting part is that the trip was to give me relief from the pain...and now I have MORE!! We had a good time, aside from the flying I did, on the floor and ground!!
Don is working hard on the gate...trying to get the welding done. It's really hard for him, since all the people come and bug him while he is out there working...and they won't leave. So, this morning, I took a chair out and stood guard while he worked. They stay away when I'm there.
Vero is finished at Culligan, praise the Lord!! It was hard for her, but God has given her a peace about it all now. And she is already working on things God has shown her He wants her to do. It's really awesome to see how God works, even when we have a problem seeing the future of things. She and Shannon are doing a lot of work with kids in many areas now, too. Pray with us that her support will come through and she will be able to do this work with no worries about finances.
Another neat thing I found about about this morning. Aunide (Stan's "adopted" daughter here), has been having "Sunday School" for the children in her area. She said they do not attend church and this is the only exposure to the Lord they get. She started having classes in her home for 35 kids. Shannon and Vero did a skit for the kids this last Sunday and they were so impressed with what Aunide is doing. God is using these older kids in mighty ways for HIM!!! Isn't that neat??
Oh, had to add one more picture of Abbie. She loves our dog, Zoe!! And Zoe loves her. Don grabbed the camera and had to take this one.
Well, since I've been gone a week, it's time to start "catching up" on the work I left behind. For a day or so it will be slow going, but I will get there, I'm sure. Have a super great, Christ centered day and let the Lord guide you in all things!!! Blessings on you!!
I'm so sorry, I've been trying all day and cannot download the photos I wanted on here. not sure of the problem, but can't seem to do it. I'll keep trying...have patience!!
Keep Jesus at the center, front and back of all you do!! He gave His all for you, so keep Him where He should be, at the center of all you do!
I have mentioned several times below of photos I am including...for some reason the program won't let me insert them, but I will try to put them in later. Sorry for the wait!!
It's been another busy couple of weeks. Some frustrations and some joys, but all for the Lord. I am SO VERY THANKFUL we now have Shannon living with us. She's a joy and brings so much to our lives!! It is really wonderful to hear her and Vero laughing. It's been too long since we have heard such joy from Vero. That alone would have made it worth it to have Shannon here. But she is such a tremendous help in so many areas for us. Plus she is reaching out and helping so many others, too. It's great to see how God is using her so much already. Keep her in prayer as I know demands will far exceed energy here. She has such an open and giving spirit.
Pray also for Vero. Her final days at Culligan are going to be difficult for her. Also pray that the Lord will step in and provide the support she needs to do what God has called her to do. She and Shannon are already working toward the outreach in the IDADEE area and are really excited about it. They have another gal from Saint Ange's church who has a heart for the same ministry and is going to be working with them. God has already started an awesome work through these women. Pray for strength and wisdom as they step onto the path the Lord has put before them.
Another team is here, and again, working themselves out of jobs. They came to put a new roof on the dorm. It was SO needed, with the ceiling tiles being ruined from the rains coming in. It took them only a day and a half to rip off the old roof, put more lumber to support the new one and get the roof on. They've done a lot of other things, too...replacing what ceiling tiles we had, putting up new brackets and line for a clothes line on the porch of the dorm, enclosing above the kitchen cabinets, putting an exhaust fan in Don's garage...and the list goes on and on. Here are a few photos of the work and what they have done.
The team took a short break and we were standing around talking and had our picture taken. Great group!! And the neat thing, yesterday they took the morning and went to the ocean. Brian, one of the team, rededicated his life to the Lord and had Pastor Saint Ange baptize him. Then they took a short time and battled the waves. Fantastic day!!
And what would a posting be without something about Abbie. This five year old (going on 30) keep us and the teams in stitches. I don't know where she comes up with some of the stuff, but she is a real hoot!! A family who had come with this team before, but weren't able to come this time, sent her a new doll and a doctors kit. The following photo shows she is putting it to good use. Got one of the boys to lay down on the porch, and decided he was dieing, and needed her help. She would push on his heart and then check to see if it was beating. Then gave him shots to "revive" him. And this just keeps on and on, all the time. She is really enjoying her new school. She loves to learn and is absorbing it like a sponge.
It's a bit hard for me lately. I'd love to be out there with the team, but since I can't drive, or do the roads more than once a week, I stay here and type or work on things that don't require using my arm....not a lot of choices there!! But Tuesday I go out for a week and get some work done on it. Pray with me that it helps a lot!!! And a blessing with this, is that I'm going out with another missionary gal, Belle Romeus. We'll spend the week together doing "girl things". At least we hope so!! But we'll have fun anyway!
For now, I'd best get moving and get the work done that I CAN do. I pray you have a super great, God centered day. Walking with the Lord is NEVER boring, that's for sure!!
Just a quick update. The team has been doing great. They worked themselves out of work. That's pretty good, huh? The kitchen cabinets for IDADEE (24 feet of them) are done as far as they can do them. Tomorrow they take them out to the compound. They will need counter tops and sealer, but other than that, they are looking GREAT. (That is one of the three sections made! The doors will be put on once they are at the property.)
The rest of the team taught school at EBAC and then came and filled some buckets for the Bucket Ministry. I don't think I heard a count on how many, but there were a LOT done. They were also able to go out and deliver some buckets and food to different areas, including individual homes and 2 schools. 
The team also visited the IDADEE property. I didn't go with them, but was amazed by the work that has been accomplished in just the last week and a half!! They are really moving along and it's looking great!
We are praising God for all the work that was accomplished. And they have been a really neat group to get to know, too.
Again, we have storms in the area....but one went north of us, the other south of us...isn't God good to us? We've had rain (and that's okay, we needed it) but nothing damaging and it's been good.
Keep us all in prayer. We seem to be facing daily struggles, but nothing the Lord can't handle!! Remember to praise Him, and thank Him for all He is doing for you, and for us, too. Have a fantastic God blessed day!!
Our team arrived yesterday. They seem like a great bunch. Today they are over at the EBAC orphanage helping with the school. Tomorrow, work begins on a couple of projects for them. One will be the bucket ministry for Don, another is a kitchen cupboard for the IDADEE orphanage. They seem very industrious, so we have no doubts they will succeed at their jobs.
Temps here are again on the rise. The humidity has stayed pretty high, so it's hot and humid again. I still have to praise God for whatever it is, because He knows what it's like and He is in control. Sunday, I ended up sharing at English church. Our speaker couldn't make it. God has shown me that we need to be more thankful for ALL things...so that is what I spoke on. Now, I have to put that in practice and say, "Lord thank you for the rains, thank you for the sun, and thank you even if we have more of each than we feel we need." Once we start to praise and thank Him, it comes easier and easier to see where and how God IS working each and every day in our lives.
This morning's e-devotional from Papa Roy was something I wanted to share with you, too. Not the whole thing, just what came from Papa Roy, himself. Here it is:
When you forget~He reminds you. When you are weak~He is strong. When you fall down~He lifts you up. When you are afraid~He reassures you. When you are hungry~He feeds you. When you are tired~He gives you rest. When you are in trouble~He forgives and loves you. When you are in doubt~He reminds you that Christ is in you. Thus, teach and tell others of His provisions. Trust His track record of faithfulness. There is no place for human pride in the presence of God.
Roy stressed the second to last sentence. But I think that last one is really important for all of us!!
A lot of stress going on here, so please pray. More and more people are coming every day for help. And now the thieves have picked up on it and they are here for handouts...not getting them, though. But stress none the less.
We are praying for our focus to stay centered on the Lord Jesus and not on situations and circumstances. Not easy at times, but a needed reminder to keep us focused.
Hope to have some photos to share with you soon. Lots of work being done for the Lord and we are so pleased with how He is doing it.
Keep your eyes on the giver of life!! And remember to praise and thank Him daily for what He is/has done for you.
We had some wonderful rain last night. We are so thankful that we finally got that replenishing moisture. And we are also thankful it cooled down the temps at night, too, somewhat. It had really gotten unbearably hot lately. It's still plenty warm during the day, but evenings are cooling down a bit now.
This next storm is supposed to head directly to us, but we'll see how that develops as this week goes on. We've seen the Haitians pray hurricanes away before and I'm sure they can do it again. In the early 90's we had one coming across the top of the island, and the churches opened their doors 24/7 and people constantly prayed it would not hit us. When that storm hit the Haitian/Dominican border, it made a 90 degree turn north...something storms NEVER do, and it never came this way. The power of prayer is really awesome and visible here.
Abbie had her first day of school at Cowman (the OMS school right next to us) on Wednesday. We thought her excitement would wear off, but last night, she was willing to go to bed early so she could get up early...and she did. She was ready to go WAY before it was time to leave. She really loves her new school and all her new friends, and her teachers. What a blessing for us and for her!! She wanted a picture with her new backpack (from aunt Betty) and her new uniform. And she wanted me to put it on here, so all her "American" friends can see her. The first is her and her backpack, then just her and then mommy taking her to school. Mommy takes her in the morning and then grandma picks her up in the afternoon.
It's time to get moving on preparing for our next team. Lot's of work to do, so will keep this short. I pray everyone has a really wonderful, Christ centered day! Walking with the Lord isn't easy at times, but it IS exciting, too. I hope your excitement in the Lord keeps growing each day.
Another quick update. Hurricane Earl did not come close to us. We have gotten some much needed rain in the last couple of days, but not from Earl. Just some weather moving from the south up to us. We are praising God that Earl chose not to visit us, though.
Today was Abbie's first day of school at Cowman School (that is OMS's English school). When I first took her in, she was pretty shy, she only knew 2 of the older kids (Pastor Saint Ange's son and daughter). When I picked her up (in the rain), she was all talk about her new school and how much she likes it. They put her in kindergarten since some of her skills were not up to first grade status. This is fine with us and with her. She should have been able to read some simple words, but couldn't. The good thing about this is that it puts her at the top of the class. Since she feels she is a leader, she fits right into that category. She loves the structure of the school, and the whole area where they have recess is all grassy. And they have swings. She said she has a WHOLE BUNCH of new friends now. I was impressed when we got there this morning. I was talking to the principle and she was sort of just watching the other kids. Two of the older boys went over to her, asked her name and then showed her where to put her backpack and lunch bag. They made her feel really welcome. So, our concerns for her first day vanished like a puff of smoke. PTL!!!
I have to close this out and get my MFI work done. Although I don't go to the airport tomorrow, I have to get the things ready for Don to take with him. Always something to keep me busy. Don has been sort of under the weather the last two days and can use some prayers. I think he is getting over it now, but it's hard on him to simply lay around like this.
Only God can lead you to the sunshine and the rainbow after every storm... Remember there is a Hand reaching for yours. It's up to YOU to grab hold of it.
Here is the baptism and the fun the team had at the ocean.
Some of the team just standing around talking...sort of!!
And here's Abbie doing her "doctor work". (Note the rain boots...part of her garb!)
Now it's catch up time, AGAIN! I left Haiti with the team a week ago. I have a couple of pinched nerves in my neck and the doc here sent me to see the chiropractor in West Palm. He was hoping I could get some relief from that. So, I went, along with Belle Romeus (another missionary gal, whose husband headed for Ethiopia at about the same time. He'll be gone 2 1/2 months.) We stayed at their place in West Palm. A quick wrap up of the trip...Belle and I had a great time. We ate lots of ice cream and simply had a good time together. My appointment was Friday. Doc adjusted me and worked some magic with acupressure. I was feeling a lot better (although not totally pain free). then we were able to spend some time with our good friend, Carolyn. Talk about a hen party!! Carolyn is the one I had asked you to pray for, since she was facing cancer. Her treatments are over and she is starting to feel a bit better. She's LOOKING great, though.
Well, since I've been gone a week, it's time to start "catching up" on the work I left behind. For a day or so it will be slow going, but I will get there, I'm sure. Have a super great, Christ centered day and let the Lord guide you in all things!!! Blessings on you!!
