Remember when?

I've been working on cleaning up things, and this included my computer.  This thing isn't that old, but I had transferred most of my things from the old one here.  I tend to do that, instead of cleaning it up.  I was amazed at some of the things I have saved.  And thrilled when I found some things I thought were gone.  It's like looking in an old shoe box and finding treasures.  

Now that I've done this, I want to go through a big tub of pictures I've been meaning to clean out.  I wonder what I'll find in there...maybe I'll have to share some of that with you.

One of the things I did find on the computer was a video we took of Abbie.  She is about 15 months old on this one.  I hope I can download it here, we'll see.  The story behind this is funny.  I was working here in the computer room.  She came in, tried to get my attention, but I didn't listen to her.  She picked up a paper out of the trash and started "reading" it to me.  I was so engrossed in my work, I sent her to grandpa.  Pretty soon she was back, "reading" again.  So, I quit and went out in the living room to listen to her.  I sat down and she pulled up a metal dolls chair and the fun began.....

 She is and was a hoot.  She still amazes us with her antics.  She's in first grade now, but excelling above her grade level.  She sits at night and reads her Bible to her mommie.  She sounds out words, and when she doesn't know what they are, she stops and asks, then repeats the sentence.  All of this without prompting from anyone.  We had put a DVD in, and somehow it was on with the words displayed.  She started reading those to us.  Then she realized they were what the people were saying and she was thrilled.

We've had a busy week.  Went to the airport Tuesday and then waited and waited for the plane.  Finally called MFI and found out that our new plane, 500MF was sitting in the Bahamas with a problem.  They had to fly 200MF down, pick up passengers and cargo and bring them in.  We came home, since the plane wasn't due for HOURS....Don went back, and picked up the pilots, since they had to overnight, coming in so late.  Sure enjoyed having them here, though.  It used to be quite often that MFI would overnight, with plane problems, or for other reasons.  It's been a while since they have had to do that.  They are working out the "glitches" of a new plane and should be out of the frustration mode soon.  Then we won't have them here again for a long time.

I shared at English church on Sunday.  What a hoot that was.  I had sat here, doing the whole thing, including the songs and everything, and timed it out to about 54 minutes...good, we have an hour.  I ended up finishing in 35 minutes....somehow I got it all wrong on timing.  While stateside, I had gotten a CD by Michael W. Smith, "A New Halleluiah".  I got it because it had "Amazing Grace" on it.  Even before we were Christians, I really liked that song.  But after accepting the Lord, it had new meaning for me.  Well, this version of the song has an added chorus.  This is it:
   My chains are gone
   I've been set free
   My God, my Savior
   Has ransomed me
   And like a flood,
   His mercy rains
   Unending love
   Amazing Grace
Since we have about 60% Haitians at English church, I wanted to do that song, but explain God's Amazing Grace before that. I had it all set up.... our friend, Ray, helped with it.  There was a lot that went into it, but the basics came down to me holding up individual signs that read, HATE, BITTERNESS, ANGER, GREED, UNFORGIVENESS...and a couple more.  I told everyone that once you accept Christ, these things can be dealt with, with Jesus help.  Then I read the chorus from the song.  I nodded and Ray came forward with chains wrapped around his body, and a lock on it.  I said, Jesus went to the cross for YOU, and for ME.  But between His death and when He rose again, what did He do?  I said, He reached down and took the keys away from the devil.  He took those keys to FREE you and me from all that holds us down.  I turned and unlocked the lock and took it off the chain.  Then I told them, He HAS set you free, but you need to turn to Him and release those things in your heart....I took the paper with HATE, held it up, crushed it in my hand and threw it away...and Ray dropped part of the chain.  I took another paper, held it up, said "Give it to the Lord", crushed it and threw it away, and Ray dropped more of the chain.  I did this through all those words.  And when done, the chain laid on the floor.  Then we sang "Amazing Grace" with the new chorus...When we got to "My Chains Are Gone", I held up the chain and threw it away.  I looked at my watch and  was shocked it was only 35 minutes.  I said, we have finished early, but you are free to go....so this week, go and share with someone how your chains are gone and you have been set free.  And share the Love of the Lord with them.  

What amazed me, was watching the Haitians.  Most come to church just to learn more English.  They sit and text, or talk quietly on the phone (a real frustration to everyone).  But that day not one person did any of that.  They all sat with mouths hanging open.  Enoch, our musician, asked if I had seen the faces of the people.  He was shocked with how quiet they were, and how they paid attention.  There was a Haitian pastor and his family there.  He knew English pretty well, but he wanted his family to learn more.  He told someone there that he was going to use that illustration in his church.  
Enoch told me I did a great job....I told him, nope, it wasn't me.  God put it all together and simply used me to do it.  And God did a great job of reaching some of those people.  I guess we are back to my favorite saying (that one of our sons used YEARS ago), "Isn't God AWESOME???"  

The days move on

Greetings,
 We have had some really weird weather here.  When we first moved to Haiti, almost 28 years ago, we had soft rains nightly (and no lightening) and sunshine daily.  These last few weeks, we have had HORRID rains and lightening every evening and sunshine during the day.   With these storms come some heavy winds, too.  This is something even the Haitians are commenting on.  The older folks say they have never seen weather like this before.  It's not quite 2 PM and already the thunder has started and it's getting dark.  Pray for the people in homes that have leaks and those living on lower ground.  We had thought that maybe the rains would take the temps down, but nope, it's simply hot and MORE humid than before.  September is our hottest month, but this is something beyond what we have seen before.

We've been working like mad on so many things here.  Biggest challenge was replacing the toilet in our home.  That took a few days.  But, praise God, it's in and working great.  Doing a lot of sorting/cleaning out/ and getting rid of things not needed.  Things sure do tend to pile up.  Of course, as soon as we toss something, we'll need it, but that's life.  

Don is still into his intense study of scripture.  At least three or four hours each morning.  I've been doing a search on "grace"....wow, it's something else.  I lead English church this coming month.  And with our speaker not coming for this first Sunday, I am going to find scriptures and songs dealing with GRACE.  I've found some neat things, and some interesting things.  Love getting into the scriptures, though.  

An "Abbie update"..... she is doing really well in school.  She is in first grade and aside from all her other "classes", she is learning French and Spanish.  Each night she wants to say grace at supper, and she does it both in French and in Spanish.  Her teacher says she is the one student (our of the school of 40+ kids), who loves to sit and listen and learn.  She also sits with mama at night and reads the Bible.  Some words she has to stop and ask what they mean, but I can't believe she is doing so great.  The words she doesn't know, she sounds out and then repeats, to make sure they are right.  The only thing she doesn't like about school is math.  She's good at it, but it takes more time than the other things, and she doesn't have a lot of patience.  She wants everything to move along at a quicker pace.  

Vero went to Ti-Gauve (south west of Port au Prince) yesterday.  She and her brother, Smith, went to pick up three more little boys for the IDADEE orphanage.  All right around 2 years old.  That will make 13 little ones, all under 2 1/2 years old.  Quite a challenge.

Well, I'd better get back to work and get some things done.  Didn't go to the airport today.  I'm only going on Tuesday's now.  But there is enough work here to catch up on.  And it's a good time to study when I'm here alone.  Since Abbie is doing so well in school, I think it's time for some "Abbie cooking" time.  She loves to help make things, so maybe something special for supper is in line.  I'll let her pick it out.  She is such a quick learner, it's fun to work and teach her.

I'll leave you with one of the scriptures I'm using on Sunday.... 2 Corinthians 12: 9...  "But He (the Lord) said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness'...."    God's grace is sufficient for ALL OF US!!
Blessings....and keep your eyes on Jesus!!

A hard time

Just a short note here, asking for prayers for Don and his family.  One of his older sisters passed away 2 days ago.  She had been in a nursing home for quite some time, but was looking forward to getting back home in the next few months.  We are so glad we were able to spend some time with her this summer.  As hard as this is, we do know we'll see her again.  She accepted the Lord many, many years ago in our home.  She is now pain free and having a great time.  It's those of us left here who grieve and hurt.  "Parting is such sweet sorrow" has real meaning to us now.  

When my sister passed away 2 years ago, we had that same feeling.  So, both of our sisters are now together and rejoicing with the Lord!!


We will not be able to go to the funeral, but our thoughts and prayers are with her children and grandchildren.  They were very close and this will be difficult for them.  Please, keep them in prayer.

In July, Barb was able to get to the yearly family picnic.  It was a great time for everyone.  It was the first time in a very long time that we were there for the picnic.  Such a blessing for us.

 

 These are her daughters with her at the picnic.  Her son was there, but I didn't get him in the picture.

 

Just before we left Wisconsin in August, Don was able to spend time with both his older sisters.  It was the first time in a LONG, LONG time the three of them had been together.  And I think the first time in a long time we saw Barb smile so big.  She was thrilled both Yvonne and Don came to see her together.  

 

 Thanks for sharing in our memories.  And please, keep the family in prayer. 

The Maiden Flight of N500MF

We had a busy day yesterday.  Not only busy, but with the temperature over 100, and out in the sun all day, it was HOT!!!  Two MFI planes came in, one of them being N500MF, our new turbine aircraft.  Before I share photos, I want to share just a short part of what MFI's president, Dick Snook, shared last Friday.  After explaining the almost 5 months of waiting on the US government to certify the aircraft, that certification came last Friday morning.  Here is just a short clip of what he wrote....

     "...On Tuesday, September 13th, N500MF will make her maiden voyage to Haiti and the Dominican Republic hauling a work team, mission cargo and mail.  I suppose you might guess who will be at the controls.  I do not pull rank very often at MFI but I did this time.  Pray for a great flight with the "new" (68 year old) DC-3 being flown by a 64 year old captain. (With a big smile on his face.)..."

Yes, he did have a big smile on his face when he arrived.  It was a great day for everyone.  A bit of a note Dick sent out today follows...

   "....This airplane carries more weight than our other aircraft and does it in style.  Going to Haiti, we cruised at 17,000 feet at an average of 240 mph.  On the flight home to Fort Pierce, we averaged 235 mph.  Today, with fuel costs so high, efficiency is very important for MFI.  We moved nearly 7,000 pounds of mission cargo to Haiti yesterday and brought 7 passengers home including a badly injured motorcycle accident victim.  A special thanks to everyone who has prayed and given to this aircraft project..."

You can see Dick, along with everyone else at MFI, is really pleased with the performance of this new aircraft.  A little side note here...all of our other DC-3's have a rest room, as does N500MF, but the new aircraft has a FLUSH toilet.  The others have a bucket below, with a normal seat on it.  (This is a real point of note for the passengers who fly regularly with us.)  It doesn't seem like a big deal to many, but it's an upgrade that many of the missionaries will enjoy.

Now, it's on to the pictures.  I hope you enjoy them.  Keep praying for MFI and for their aircraft to keep performing in the normal great way!!

 You will note that our pilots (yes, even the president of MFI) do the loading and unloading of the cargo, with the help of our Haitian workers. (A side note here, that is OUR aluminum they are unloading, to help stop the leaks in our dorm roof!)

 There are the two aircraft on the ground at Cap Haitian.  Between the two aircraft they hauled well over 10,000 pounds of cargo yesterday.  N500MF alone had almost 7,000 pounds, some of which was destined for Pignon.  N200MF had passengers and the remainder of the cargo, some of which went to the Dominican.

 Can you believe our pilots look so good after unloading all that cargo?  It's a lot of HARD work for our crew.

 I took this one when they took off....I loved the Citadel in the background.

 This last photo is an added bonus.  Having animals walking around at the "international airport" is a common site.  But the Haitians do not like getting very close to those horns.

 We hope your day today is special, like ours was yesterday.  But even if God's blessings are small, they are there every day for all of us to enjoy and grasp on to.  Look for YOUR special blessings from the Lord today.  It may be something as simply as a cool breeze on a very hot day, or something bigger, like our new aircraft finally making it's maiden flight to Haiti.  Either way, God bless you, and we'll see you soon, either here, there or in the air!!!
 

We are home

Well, we are finally home and almost settled in.  We sort of waited around at my brother's place to make sure hurricane Irene wasn't going to hit MFI, then we headed over to the east coast of Florida and made our final purchases before heading in.

We came in on Tuesday.  It was such a blessing to finally be on home ground again.  The down side to this is that we already miss our family and friends in the US, A LOT!!  But we do know we are where the Lord wants us.  We received a wonderful reception at the airport.  Nice to know we were missed there.  And we had no problems with customs, even with our large amount of cargo.  We really had nothing to declare, except food and household items, so that wasn't a surprise.  When we have taxable items, we let them know.  But thankfully this time, there weren't any.

When we walked in at the airport, Abbie came running out to meet us.  She didn't know we were coming.  Security immediately grabbed her and took her back in.  She has grown so much in the 4 months we've been gone.  

As normal for Veronique, our house looked fantastic.  Polished and shining.  Then we came in with all of our "stuff".  I felt bad for her.  And here it is almost a week later and we still don't have everything unpacked.  Working on it slow but sure.  And we are doing it around all those who have come to welcome us home again.

We were happy to be able to spend some time with Pastor Saint-Ange the day after we arrived.  He has been such a blessing to us.  And his wife, Evelyn, is a gem, too.  Well, there were so many people who came, the list would be really long.

Yesterday at English church we were happy to see our missionary friends and  national friends as well.  Got to hold Ray and Bonnie's little Jauncie during the service.  Well, little is a misconception.  He has grown a LOT.  He wasn't sure who I was, but adapted quite quickly.  I'll try to get some photos of Abbie and him on here soon.

Weather is hot and humid.  I had been thinking it may be similar to Florida, but it's not.  Seems like it's hotter, even if the temps are the same....well, maybe not.  We got down to 85 last night.  Guess we have been used to sleeping in temperature controlled homes while stateside.  None of that here...just pure heat and humidity.  But we are re-adapting quickly.  And back to two showers a day.

Prices in the US are rising, and they sure are here, too.  Food prices have gone way up.  But electric...wow...we can't believe the increase in price.  I will be spending some time trying to figure out exactly how much more in the next few days.  And they have changed from Haitian dollars to American...which increases it 8 times more, over the increase in price.  I think we'll need a lot of prayers where this is concerned.

Well, I'd best get back to sorting and putting away things.  The Lord showed me, very definitely, while in the US, that we need to slow down some.  And we are trying.  But the needs have not decreased, they have escalated.  So, we'll need some prayers on exactly how to adjust our time and do what He wants us to do.

It all comes back to one of my favorite passages....Isaiah 40: 31 "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength.  They shall mount up with wings as eagles.  They shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint."   Now we have to learn to do things in God's ways and in His time.  Pray with us on this.  The other verses that mean so much to me are 1 Thess. 5:16-18  "Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing.  In every thing give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus, concerning you."  I think these two sections of scripture go together.  Now if we can only learn to do exactly what it is saying....we are trying.  I hope these are an encouragement to you as well.  Simple truths, but not always easy to instill in our lives.  

We are praying for you all, that the Lord will make Himself real and active in your lives, as He has been doing in ours.  May you walk daily with your hand in His and listen to His guidance in all you do.   Have a God blessed, God guided and God centered day, in Jesus Christ!!!

Late again

Well, I didn't think it would take me this long, but we have been busy.  I'll put some photos again, and let you walk through our time with us.

Don was able to spend some time with three of his sisters.  One he hadn't seen in many years.

 And we spent a lot of time with our daughter and her family, too.

 These next two photos are of very special friends.  AND, prayer warriors.  God blessed us tremendously with them, and we are SO VERY thankful for them.

 These are three of our kids on our last day at our home church.  They are being good in this photo, which made me happy.

 This tree fascinated me.  I took a LOT of photos of it.  I am going to try and paint it.  We'll see if that works.

  

This was a bridge on the way to our daughter's place.  Yup, we did drive on it.  It's beautiful!

 This is our daughter, who everyone was praying for.  She has healed nicely from her 3 surgeries.  Praise the Lord!!  And those are her two boys in the next photo.  No one was happy with me taking photos at the pool, but they were all I got of them.

 

We are now in Florida, at my brother's place.  MFI has advised us to stay here.  They may have to evacuate because of hurricane Irene.  So, we are patiently waiting for the storm to pass and for MFI to be back in Fort Pierce.  Keep them and the whole ministry in your prayers.

My next post probably won't be until we arrive in Haiti.  We are so anxious to get back home and back to work!!  Blessings on all, and we'll be in touch!!  Remember to keep the Lord at the front and center of all you do.  He is willing and able to be there for you, are you willing to do the same for HIM???   Have a super day!

Wow, it's been a while

I didn't realize how LONG it had been since I posted on here until our daughter called and asked WHEN I would post again.  I'm sorry.  It's been one of those times when you don't really do much, but are always so busy.  

I am going to start off with some photos from the time we came out until yesterday.  They don't explain it all, but you can get a quick vision of some of our times.  I have already put a couple of Vero's visit to the US, but I'll start way back there anyway. 

I can see why our daughter-in-law has issues with inserting photos here.  It simply did not do what I wanted, so am starting over again.....(This is a smile on my face, with a grimace in there somewhere!)

While Vero was still in the US, my brother and most of his family came to see us in Fort Pierce.  Had to get a photo of all of us then.

 After we had been here a while (you saw the photos of our "home" here in Wisconsin and our wonderful "landlords")....we went to see our son and family in Tennessee.  In our short time there we did a LOT of things.  It was over the 4th of July and of course we saw fireworks, but went boating, swimming and spent some great family time....and saw a sunset that was awesome.  The first is our boating trip.  That's granddaughter and husband, and our grandson testing muscles on his "brother".

 On the boating trip, we stopped at a great waterfall.  I put one of part of the waterfall, to show a bit of the height, and then one of granddaughter (and boyfriend) who climbed up part of the way.  (Her suit is pink and so is she, so it looks a little risque on here, but wasn't).

 

 Here is son and family...after a dip in the pool.  You get family photos when available.  Guess we could have gone for the "dress up" kind, but this is more natural.  Note the neat stairway our son made for the second floor of his home!

Now we are back in Wisconsin at the family picnic on Don's side of the family.  One of his nieces got a "celebration cake".  His sister has been doing the picnic for 25 years and it was sort of a party.  Neat cake, huh?  And it was all edible.

 Don, his sister and one of our twins.

 This is one of Don's GREAT nephews who I am close to.  (Is he so extra tall, or am I so extra short??)

 Two of our sons.... 

 And the family of one of them.... (yup, the shorter one....but he is still taller than me.)

 And finally, our trip to the zoo in our small home town.  We walked there (yup, in the 90+ degree weather), but it wasn't bad at all.  Small town, right?  Well, here is a pheasant...could not believe the colors....

 And a zdonkey.... yup, a cross between a zebra and donkey.....

 And the petting zoo...(remember it's a small town, small zoo...but fun anyway).

 Our grandson enjoyed it anyway.  Even when a lamb tried to chew on the footrest of the wheel chair.


We are presently waiting on some paperwork to come back before we start our trip south.  We'll be seeing our son and family again, then our daughter in Alabama, then on to Florida.  Time frame is still pending....but we are anxious to see the "kids" in Haiti.  


I really am sorry it took so long to post, but this has been an a very special time with family that we have not had in many, many years.  God wrapped us up in family love in a way that we will treasure for a long time to come.


Add to all of that the spiritual feeding we have gotten.  That has been really fantastic.  It seems we have been like sponges soaking up all the teaching we can get.  Our God really is an AWESOME God, isn't He?  He provides what we need when we need it.  And we really needed the family time and the spiritual time.  So, although it seems we haven't done a lot while here, it's been really a full time in so many ways.


I do hope to post a lot sooner next time.  In fact I will try to do a weekly one.  I hope you all forgive me for this lapse in posting.  (This crazy blog has done some weird things to me this time!!)


Remember, you can draw near to the Lord, not only in church on Sunday, but via radio, TV, and most of all, through reading God's word!!!  We have listened to some awesome radio programs, watched some REALLY awesome teachers on TV, and found God's word a major uplift in many situations!!  And church has been an extra special blessing to us, too!!  Open your mind and hearts to what the Lord is showing YOU!!  


Until we see you, here, there, or in the air....God bless!!!