Thankful

Thankful for so much....

The rains... oh the ground looks so good.  It's been saturated and things are growing again.  Gardens will be looking good now, too.  We've had some heavy, thunderboomers but that's fine.  

Savanah's birthday... Can't believe she is one already.  She's a smart little bugger, too.  She doesn't want to use words... just gestures for what she wants.  Like goofy people, we give her what she wants, too.  When she is hungry, she points to your mouth, then to hers, and then whines just a little.  She knows a lot though.  You ask her where things are and she will point to them.  Her and Abbie love to dance.  Put in any DVD with music and they start in.  I think she learned all she knows from Abbie on that score.  We got her an umbrella stroller, and the top looks like a princess hat.  Abbie thinks that the neatest thing ever.  We walk her over to get Abbie from school in the stroller now.  She really does think she's a princess.  All the kids there come to talk to her and want to touch her.  She is VERY partial to kids, especially babies.  I thought I'd put a couple of pictures here and let you see what her first birthday was like.  I didn't realize I did not have the makings for frosting here.  So, Abbie (all by herself) made the chocolate cake.  And I whipped up some cream to top it off.  Savanah was not thrilled with the candle on the cake...doesn't like fire, which is good.  And she really isn't into cake that much, but oh the whipped cream...now there was something she could relate to.  The problem was Abbie and Hyadley (Abbie's friend).  Once Savanah got into the cream, they yelled "Yeah, Savanah!!"  When you do that, she claps.  Clapping and whipped cream... well, here's the results....

 

 MFI...  I am not sure what we could do without Missionary Flights being there for us.  Our pump in the well is in REALLY bad shape.  Don needed parts to try to do a "patch job" until he can get the new pump in.  Al, the purchasing agent at MFI, got the parts and sent them in on the next plane.  And needless to say, MFI brings all our cargo and mail, too.  They really do go the extra mile for the missionaries.  They are "Standing In The Gap" for a whole lot of people.  In excess of 800 now.  Pray for them as they continue to serve us.

Family...  I am so happy to have what little electric we do have so we can keep in touch with our families back home.  I (Karen) especially appreciate the fact that we can have daily touch with them.  It's so much easier to share prayers, praises and simply talk to them.  Mom misses the kids (and grandkids, and great-grandkids) a lot.  Well, Dad does too, but won't express it like Mom does.

Friends... What would we do without our precious friends?  They all mean so much to us.  God has blessed us with some pretty awesome people who stand with us in prayer, praise and fellowship.  These are friends both stateside and in Haiti.  

And last, but very definitely NOT least is the Lord Jesus Christ....  Where would we be without Him?  He's the author and finisher of our faith.  The rock of our salvation.  Well, most of you know all He is.... if you don't, guess you need to get into a daily Bible study and find out what you are missing.  He is the most important person in our lives.  He picks us up when we are down.  He walks through trials with us.  And He puts the joy in our lives that for the first 32 years of our lives we missed.  If you know Him personally, rejoice with us in all He has done for us.  If you don't know Him on a personal level.... you are missing out on blessings beyond measure.  Write us, or talk to a Christian friend... walking with the Lord will change your life like nothing else can.

Till next time... blessings on you.  May your walk with the Lord bring joy beyond measure!!!  

 

Is it fun or frustration

Not sure if it's a grin or grimace...but this has been a week that seemed about 2 months long.  Now it's not ALL frustration, but why does it seem that one thing going wrong can outshine 20 things going right?  

We had a team here for a week.  Not for us, for another mission.  We met them and talked a couple of times.  So, let's back up here before they came.  (Now don't get me wrong, the team and the mission they were with were GREAT, THEY are not the problem).  But before they came, we realized we needed to get a new refrigerator for the dorm...the old one gave out.  The leader for the mission came ahead of time (coincidence?) and gave us the dorm rental.  That was the exact amount for the fridge.  But before that, Don said we needed to get a generator for the dorm use.  With our electric like it's been, we knew we had to have a source of power for them.  Ordered it, and it came in a few days before the team got here.  Don checked it out, was happy that it could handle everything.  Hooked it up to our place for two nights, to make sure there would be no problems.  Well, the night before the group got here, the new generator was leading oil on the garage floor...so we had no power for them.  Don had rewired a lot of the things in the dorm to be able to use the generator (time consuming).  But... oh well, we weren't sure what to do.  The generator we use would not handle the dorm.  We did have the 12 volt system so they had a little light, but just enough to keep them from running into things.  And Don had finished wiring up the fans in the dorm so there would be ceiling fans all night for them.  (ONE plus that was working).  Had to put a couple of our new batteries over there to handle it, but no problem.  With no generator, they had no water for showers.  There were 11 people on the team.  We had what little power we had to pump water, but it was never on when the group was here.  So, Don spent a day (when he didn't go to the airport because of the situation) fixing the chuck valve that would hold some of the water in reserve.  Got that done, and then the mission brought over a generator they borrowed from someone, so the team could shower and have power in the evenings.  

Two days before they left, our watchman came over and said the pressure switch on the pump was making funny noises.  Praise God it held until the team left today.  Don is now over there, trying to replace the pressure switch (praise God he had one here)!!  Well, things never go as planned, right?  As he was putting it on, three of the pipes connected to it broke!!  So, we are without water, with a ton of laundry from the dorm to do, and things here needing washing.  But again, praise God, Don knows what to do to fix it, although it will take him all day to do it.  

Savanah is doing great.  She is running all over the place, but for some reason has decided she needs to be RIGHT with me all the time.  If I'm at the sink doing dishes or fixing a meal, she backs up and sits on my feet.  I knew my going to the airport might cause some problems, but I figured she needed to have some time away from me.  She loves Vero, but was not a happy camper this week when I was at the airport.  So now we have to figure a way to get her used to being with others.  Her first birthday is in just a few days.  I'm hoping her presents come before then, but if not, we'll simply celebrate when they do get here.  Her new mommy sent her a present, and it came, so we are happy about that.  She really is a joy to have around.  Definitely God's blessing!

Don was hauling some sand for one of "our kids" for his new house.  He has to go to Gran Riveare to get it.  Since we had virtually no rain for so long, the rivers were pretty dry, and getting sand out of them very hard.  The place he used to get sand, PowWow (phonetically spelled), had no sand at all, so he had to make the trip to Gran Riveare.  No one goes there because the road is so very bad.  Don has been there before, and has felt drawn to the "family" who works the river there. It's grandparents, kids, grandkids and great-grandkids.  Don said most of the kids have very red hair (from malnutrition).  He always takes out candy for the kids.  This time he felt led to take out three buckets of food plus some soaps and shampoo a family from our home church sent down.  (They didn't open the buckets, just took them to their house).  He did take  candy for the kids, too.  On his next trip back out there, the grandma (probably in her 80's) grabbed his arm and hung on the whole time he was there.  She was SO thankful for the help.  He said even the guys who load the truck were extra pleasant to him.  The women work down at the river, sifting sand and gravel out into piles, so he didn't see them.  But the kids were so excited to see him, and the grandma (who oversees the kids while parents work) said the kids just knew when they saw the truck that Don would bring candy.  They are shy... take the candy and run off to play, but grandma told Don how they reacted.

Then on the way home... about half a mile from here, he had two flat tires.  Same side, rear... and had to drive home on those flats with a FULL load of sand.  Now we have to get two tires, to the tune of $200 US each.  But we're sure God will provide somehow. 

We put up a gate, to keep Savanah out of the bathroom and computer room, and in where the kitchen and living room are.  One day, grandpa forgot to close the gate, and she flew like she was shot out of a cannon, and ran down the hall.  By the time I got to her, she had a picture in her hand.  No idea where she got it, but it is an old photo of our kids.  All five of them in one place at one time!! Since only 2 live in the same town, and one more in the same state, it's hard to get together.  It was taken March 20, 1999.  I thought I'd share that with you all.  Our "baby" was 27 in that picture, and that was 12 1/2 years ago.  I can't believe she will be 41 this year.  But then, we'll be married 50 years in 6 months...wow... a long time with the same man, huh?  

We had a Haitian pastor (James) speak at English church last Sunday.  He was really good.  He shared on who was "silly" in the Bible.  He picked Matthew.  He said this man left everything... his money, his family, his friends to follow a stranger that simply said, "follow me".  He stood up, walked away from his money, and a very lucrative job.  He didn't go and check with his wife (if he had one) to get permission.  He lost his friends (most of them were friends because of his position), and simply followed Jesus. At the end, he said, "Sorry, Matthew was NOT silly.  He followed the Lord.  What are YOU willing to give up to do what the Lord asks of you?"  Probably 2/3's of the congregation were Haitian.  And they were impacted by his message, but so were the missionaries who were there.  Yes, we followed the Lord to be here in Haiti, but are we willing to follow His leading now that we are here?  James didn't ask us that, but we felt it.  I talked to others after service and most felt the impact as much as I did.  His message was good... it reached those who weren't following the Lord, but also reached those who are, but are not willing to keep going where God directs.  God used James to touch a lot of lives last Sunday and we are so thankful He keeps sending things to reach and teach us.  

I mentioned I had been to the airport again last Tuesday (my day to work there).  I was amazed at how fast things are moving there.  It's a bit of a challenge to get things done now, but it will be awesome when finished.  And at the rate they are going, it won't be long.  I can't remember seeing anything move this fast in Haiti before.

Time to go and get some work done while we have power.  Please remember to pray for Haiti, it's leaders, and especially the poor people of the country.  Also, please pray for the upcoming elections in the US.  And finally pray for us.  Being here right now is a challenge in so many ways.  Pray for the Lord's direction and guidance in all we do.  And remember also, to keep YOUR eyes on the author and finisher of our faith.  "Keep your hand in the hand of the Man who stilled the waters..."  I pray you are in that place where you can totally depend on the Lord!!

Late again

I think I am having a "blog breakdown".   I posted a blog about a week ago, and it doesn't show I sent it.  I realize I am pretty computer illiterate, but boy this is getting to me.  So, pray that I will be able to figure out what/where I'm messing up. At least I  was finally able to change settings so I could get into this thing.

I asked for prayers for rain, and of course, HE came through.  We did have some nice rains, and EVERYONE here has been so thankful.  We can still use more, but this is a great start.  

Sunday at English church, that was one of the praises mentioned.  I really do praise God that we have been having more and more Haitians share in English church.  I'm glad they are feeling a part of our worship enough to participate.

I was checking to see what I HAVE been able to share...and wow, not only missing ONE post, but two.  So, let me see if I can remember what all has happened in the last 2 weeks.... and WOW, it's October already.  Is it just that I'm getting older, or is time really going so much faster now?  Well, maybe I don't want an answer to that one.  

Guess I'll start with the center of our lives for now.  That, of course, is Savanah.  She will be one year old this month.  I can't believe we have had her that long already.  Now I have to hurry and get something ordered for her birthday.  I didn't realize it was coming up that soon.  She has her two bottom teeth, and really does use them a lot.  The two top ones are trying to come in.  One day one of them poked through, but by that night, was back under the gum again.  One of our girls did the same thing, if I remember right.  This little one is running (not walking) all over the place.  She has been for about three weeks already.  The first two days were rough on her...she would start out and try to run and fall.  But she mastered it quickly.  And at ten months old, this little tyke started whistling.  I had whistled at the dogs, and she watched my mouth very closely.  Then puckered up and started whistling.  She is SO very observant, and tries whatever she can.  She snaps her fingers, too, but at this point, no noise goes with it.  Doesn't quite have the SNAP part down, although all the actions are there.

One of the communities where Don delivers water is way up on the mountain.  He has quite a time getting there.  He was taking it to one family, but others came and asked for "only a small bowl" of water.  So, he has gone back up there and taken water for the small community.  One older lady (I wonder if she is older than we are?) has helped him keep order.  So, when all was said and done and the tank empty, he gave her a small box with some rice meals, oatmeal, soaps and shampoo in it.  She was really thankful for that help.  So little meant so much.  It is really hard for Don to go into these communities and help, when the needs are so great.  They have absolutely NOTHING and are so thankful for any help, even a pitcher of water.  This is definitely a case of "There but by the Grace of God, go I".  And several other areas are the same.  They would plant a very small garden, IF THEY HAD SOMETHING TO PLANT!!  Again, the needs are so vast, and resources so limited.  I know the Bible says the poor will always be with us, but it's really hard to sit down to a meal here and think of those with nothing, down the street.  Pray for strength, wisdom and compassion for us as we deal with this.

Our temperatures are still in the upper 90's... I think we have left the 100's behind (I pray we have anyway).  But at noon it was  only 95 today, so it did come down some.  With the rain we had, it's muggy, but we are still thankful for the rain.  I planted some tomato plants in little pots.  I can't believe they are actually growing.  (My plastic flowers die... I just can't get anything to grow).  In a day or so, Don will replant them into our Topsie Turvey planter.  Then we pray the birds won't eat them.  We are the only ones around here with birds.  And Don really likes having them.  Mostly humming birds and some little finch like ones (those are ONLY in Haiti).  Everywhere else the kids try to kill the birds... not sure if for food (which a finch or humming birds would not be) or if they are just being mean.  But everyone is really surprised we have birds nesting in our yard.  Really like the sounds of birds singing.  Just hope they don't like my tomato plants.

Found out recently that when we go out, we will be able to stay in the beautiful little cottage on the lake where we stayed before.  Don is SO looking forward to seeing deer everywhere again.  We are so thankful to Bud and Sharon for having this fantastic retreat.  It's such a blessing.  Our trip starts the first part of April this year because of Don's cataract surgery.  So it will be a lot cooler than we are used to, but that's fine. 

Another mission will be using our dorm facilities for a while.  Glad to see it in use again.  We won't have much to do with the teams, since they are not for us, but one group coming in are former missionaries and good friends.  We will be spending some time with them, for sure.

I have started working at the airport one day a week again.  Vero will stay with Savanah on those days.  The director asked if I could put in a little time out there, so that is fine.  My first day back was a real challenge.  They closed the old runway and opened the new one.  We are still in the same buildings, but have to get on a bus or van to get to the planes now.  You can't even see them land, it's WAY down the other end of the airport.  It was an interesting day, but you could see by the end of the day they were getting things working smoother than at the start.  Pastor Saintil and I had stayed to see the plane off, and all of a sudden, we  had no transportation to get back to the buildings.  And it would be a L O N G walk back.  But security saw our predicament and got someone out there to pick us up.  This will be a very interesting transition for the airport as a whole.  Keep MFI in prayer as they too, have to adjust to these changes.

We are praying for the US elections.  Have joined in the 40 days of prayer for the whole situation.  I hope you are not only praying, but planning on voting.  We already have our absentee ballots and are sending them out on Thursday.  

Along with that, please pray for Haiti, it's officials and the people.  Both countries are in need of intervention by the Lord.  As I posted before, we need to follow 2 Chron. 7: 14.  which starts... "...if MY people, who are called by My Name,  will humble themselves and pray...."   I hope YOU are a part of those people who are diligently praying for your country.  

Until next time, and prayerfully this WILL post... God bless and keep you.  May you turn your eyes and ears to His leading and follow where He leads.