Christmas was nice

We had a nice Christmas.  Abbie and Vero came to join us and we had a good time opening presents.  Being Savanah's first Christmas to participate was fun.  Last year she was only 2 months old.  

On Sunday we had our Christmas service at English Church.  I made a ton of cookies and one of the other gals made drinks.  It was a nice service of singing, sharing the story of Christ's birth and then fellowship and treats.  I tried to get Savanah to stand still for a picture... right. the original tornado when on her feet.  This was the best I could accomplish.

 

Then on Christmas, so many things to look at and do... it was just simply fun.  Both Abbie and Savanah loved their presents, but when it was all over, what do they do?  Yes, the wrappings and boxes.  But Savanah got a doll from her mama and daddy and sisters... she loved  holding it and saying her words for baby.  Abbie also got a doll from them, similar to the other one.  The girls were doing the "mommie" thing for quite a while.  Don, Vero and I had our share of fun things, too, but mainly watching the girls.

 In the afternoon we had some friends come over for dinner and had a good time of fellowship.  For days all Abbie talked about was the BIG meal we'd have.  And we did.  Then topped it off with Don's favorite (pumpkin pie), and Abbie's favorite (apple pie).  

Today the girls spent a lot of time playing "house" in the boxes and then Abbie got out her mike set from last year and proceeded to preach and then sing.  Savanah loves music, so she had to get in on the singing.

 

Very early on Christmas eve day, Noufie had her baby (It was like at 12:05 AM, almost 2 weeks late).  She was back here by 6:30 AM.  Her little boy, Christny, weighed in at 7 pounds 11 ounces.  They are now home with Noufie's folks.  

 And we are still battling the water situation.  Not so much the drain field now, but our well, and all it's components.  When the radio station generator is on, we have power to the well (but not on our smaller generator).  But there is some mysterious problem with the whole works.  We are in the process of asking people in the know what to do.  Pray, okay?

Well, we are well on our way to New Year's and all the celebrations here.  That is the big day in Haiti... they celebrate Christmas, New Year's and their Independence day all at the same time.  They are cleaning streets, painting trees, and putting up decorations (not the US kind, but decorations, just the same).  And the highlight of the day will be pumpkin soup.  It is SO good.  They make a HUGE pot in the early morning and it's on the stove all day for anyone who comes to visit.  

Well, time to get going here, since power is at a premimum.  Need to get some other work done and help Don try to figure out our water situation.  (like I would know what to do??  Don't think so.)  

We are praying your Christmas was Christ centered.  We were blessed because Abbie wanted to read the Christmas story from the Bible this year before we did anything else.  She did an excellent job and really knows her Bible.  Her mom and the school are tremendous helps to her in that area.  

Please remember to keep Christ in your minds and hearts throughout the whole year, not just on those days we celebrate His birth and resurrection.  He's not only the reason for this season, He's the reason we have to celebrate each and every day for the grace He has extended to us.  May your New Year be filled with praises and thanksgiving to Him for what He has done, what He is doing and what we WILL do in the future!!  Blessing to all!!

More prayers needed

I just sent out an email, so thought I'd quickly paste it here for those who are not on our list to receive it.  Please keep praying!!

I have come to the conclusion that something good, or even great is about to happen... Why?  Because we are under attack and have been for the last several weeks.  We are talking all areas, physically, emotionally, spiritually.  I'm not about to list all that has happened, I don't have the time (with electric like it is) and you don't have the time (it would be WAY too long to post).  But I'll give you some highlights....

• Our drain field is plugged up... can only flush or use water once in a great while.  (the OUT house is now IN house). 
• Our water lines ended up causing some major problems.
• Seems our well pipe may have broken, down in the well.
• Our well pump is having WEIRD problems, going on and off all the time, and Don has replaced EVERYTHING connected to it.
• Don is having problems sleeping trying to figure out everything.
• Can't get the online teaching Don has been watching, and it's his main feeding right now.
• Pressure water thank in the house....the bladder disintegrated.   
• Don's glasses broke (with the help of a little girl), sent them out, using his old ones.  Now the lenses fell out of those.
• Our refrigerator quit... but got that fixed.
• Karen lost the back of a tooth (not the filling part, the TOOTH part), then two days later the filling fell out.
• Both of us have had some physical pain that has been hard to handle.

But there are some upsides to some things too.... MFI had a glitch when loading the plane and somehow over 20 boxes meant for the Dominican didn't get off loaded there, but did here.  We cleared with customs to be able to take them home to return when MFI next flies to the Dominican.  But we didn't have a big enough truck to haul it all, with our cargo and EBAC cargo, too.  PTL, one of "our guys" agreed to drive to the airport and pick up the overload.  But a BIGGER PTL.... when customs saw the problems we were having, and I took our shipping list in to figure the tax, he simply smiled and said Merry Christmas and signed it off... no duty.  I just looked at him in shock and then hugged him and thanked him and told him I hoped his Christmas was very blessed by God.  He smiled and said, "it is."    

Abbie did most of the decorating of our tree.  She wanted to help so much.  So, I said, go ahead.  She did, and remembered we had the little one here.  She put breakable ones on the top, and non-breakable ones on the bottom.  Good thing, too.  Savanah UN-decorates the tree about 4 times a day now.  All the lights toward the bottom are in one place.  But we are leaving it that way.  It's a "unique" tree.  She has also pulled some branches off (and they won't go back in...the tree is very old and falling apart).  This kiddo is a smart cookie... she does something bad (I think to get our attention), but if we don't notice it, she'll bring to us whatever it was, or yells and then does it again.  Like most little ones, forget the toys... give me pots and pans and anything that ISN'T a toy and I'm happy.  Especially if it's something I'm not supposed to have.  She really is a joy to have around, even when naughty....I was sitting in my chair with my feet up... she walked by, leaned down and bit my toe, HARD.  I yelled, but everyone else had to cover their mouths because they were laughing so hard.  She is cutting teeth (now has 6), and seems to think she needs to bite everything.  We ARE putting a stop to that one, quickly.   

Abbie had her Christmas program for school and did a great job as one of the 3 female Kings.  The program was really nice.  I'll try to post some pics if/when I can get on to do it.  I'll also try to get a pic of our tree... and all the presents under it.  Some are empty boxes, but that's okay.  Some are for others that were sent through us and a few are ours.  It looks like a lot, but isn't really.  And of course Savanah thinks those are play things.  Oh the fun of having a one year old around.   

Add Noufie, who was supposed to have her baby by December 9th, is still here and still doesn't have the baby.  She is so anxious to have the child.  And emotions are running wild with her too.  It seems they don't induce labor here unless it's an emergency.  Humm.. wonder how LONG she has to wait before it's declared an emergency?  And they re-figured several times to make sure the due date was right.  Pray for her, too.

Well, I've given you a HUGE amount of things to pray for.  With Christmas only 4 days away, we sure could use some of those prayers to be answered before Christmas.   But you know the biggest and most important thing?  We have NOT lost sight of the Lord and that He knows what is happening and He is there with us in it and through it.  He has known all the feelings we have been having, and He knows how best to answer our prayers.  I guess His timeline and ours aren't the same right now, so we will continue to trust and depend on Him to help us through all of this.   

Our Christmas IS blessed by wonderful friends and family who have stood with us through thick and thin.  And have encouraged us and prayed for us and with us.  God has put a lot of wonderful, awesome, sweet, encouraging people in our path and we are so thankful for that.   

We pray that this Christmas you are totally depending on Him in and through all things, too.  Be it the babe in the manger, the sacrifice on the cross or the triumphant Savior, He is THE MOST IMPORTANT part of our lives!!  And we praise Him and thank Him and love Him, for who He is, what He has done for us, and the huge part He plays in our future!!  

Blessing to you all, and have a fantastic Merry CHRIST centered Christmas.

Be careful what you ask for

I realize it's been a while... life just does not stand still here... for anything.   But I honestly didn't realize it's been almost a month since I posted.  Lots happening and yet not anything newsworthy.

On Thanksgiving day we stayed home, did normal work and just carried on.  Then on Saturday, we had our English Bible Fellowship Thanksgiving dinner at the radio station where church meets.  Had a nice crowd.  We supply turkey, ham, drinks and dishes.  Then everyone brings a dish to share.  We have quite a few single Haitian men who attend, and they normally don't bring anything, which we do understand.  So a couple of us bring a lot more.... I did one of the turkeys, did mashed potatoes, gravy, deviled eggs, and a few other things, including drinks.  But some of the Haitian women who came brought HUGE trays of food.  It was FANTASTIC!!  We had SO MUCH food.  And we had one of the missionaries share.  We did some singing and had a good time of fellowship.  It was a much needed break for many of us.

One of the things we had prayed for was rain, a couple months back.  Remember I said be careful what you pray for?  Well, the rains have NOT quit.  The flooding has been really bad.  So many, many people displaced by the water everywhere.  We have one young woman staying with us now.  She will only be here until her baby comes, which is due tomorrow.  Then she'll stay one week and head back home.  She will have to rent a boat to take her home because their home is totally surrounded by deep water.  None has gotten in their home, but very close.  The family was concerned they would not be able to get her out of there when she goes into labor.  Someone has to go (and in some of the areas swim), to get someone with a boat to come and get her.  That can take quite a bit of time since everyone is looking for a boat to get to and from town now.  Then they have to go back to where there is a place that is dry, THEN find a tap-tap to get her to the place the mid wife is at.  (Which is about 1/2 mile from our house).  So we agreed to let her stay here with us until she delivers.  Then give the baby one week to make sure there are no problems, and she'll return home. They are one of the families who are blessed that their home itself isn't flooded. 

We have learned to pray carefully now.  Yes, we desperately needed rain, but not this much.  So, now we are praying that the rains stop until things dry out and then only rain when needed.  Is that being too specific?  I don't know, but that is what everyone is praying.  Last night we had just some sprinkles during the night...the first night without heavy rains.  We are praising God for that, and also praying the rains cease for a short time.  

Another problem with the rains has been our septic system.  We had a team at the dorm for two weeks.  The rains totally soaked our whole yard, including our drain field for the septic system.  There was no where for the water to go from the tanks, and thus, it backed up... into our bathroom.  We have been able to flush toilets once a day, and sometimes once every day and a half.  This is much worse than camping (and I enjoyed camping).  The "outhouse" is IN the house.  The team left today and we are praying between that and the rains easing off we may get back to being able to use our bathrooms again.  Sponge baths are fine, but I long for a good hot shower!!  

During this time of "no water being disposed of in the house", we would take the dish water and throw it outside.  In a lot of ways, this reminds me of how the pioneers had to do things.  Except for the fact we had running water, just couldn't use it much.  Then you forget, and either dump dish water in the drain or flush a toilet and end up mopping up the bathroom.  Such a fun time.  

But our next thing on the list of "careful what you pray for" is food.  I was having some friends over for a meal... I had a roast in the freezer, so thought "good, that and potatoes and carrots would be great".  I asked our fruit/vegetable lady to get me 8 carrots.  Eight carrots for 6 people should be fine.  She came that day and said I have your carrots.... After my gasp and being able to respond, I said "I can't use all of these!"  She said they were all there were and I did ask for 8.  I used TWO for the meal and we have eaten the left overs for 2 days from those 2 carrots.  These are a few of the left over carrots we still have to use.  They are good tasting and we are enjoying them, but half a carrot for a meal is a lot.  So, I'm not praying for her to find me any more carrots for a while.  With the rains, I thought we might have a hard time getting any, but they come from another area of the country where they didn't get any of these rains.  

With Christmas approaching, we are really busy.  Most of the missionaries leave for the holidays.  There will be only a few of us left.  So, we are planning on having another family over for Christmas day dinner.  Abbie wanted to "help" put up the tree this year.  I said, well, we have to consider that Savanah may be a problem with the tree.  So, Abbie put unbreakable ornaments on the bottom, where baby can get them, and the more delicate ones at the top.  Some of my treasured ones we didn't put up this year.  And true to a one year old, Savanah takes off ornaments daily.  She redecorates the tree very often.  And at times we have a pile of ornaments on the table that she has removed.  I store ornaments in boxes from previous years, with the bows and paper on them.  Then simply put them  under the tree once it's up.  Looks rather festive, but they are empty.  The kiddo thinks these are hers to take apart.  Fun never ceases.

Generator time is limited (another reason for not getting a lot done on the computer).  Our generator would run the computer, but with the cost of fuel, we limit the time we use it.  And it does not hurt to have time without power.  No, I'm not really happy this way, but it also gives me time to catch up on things I don't accomplish when we DO have power.  Washing floors, folding clothes, doing reading, but mostly doing Bible study and prayer time (when the baby allows).  She really is a main factor in what I do when.  

Don has been busy hauling water again.  Even with the rains, good drinking water is scarce.  I only go to the airport once a week, but Don still makes the trip twice a week.  Those are long days now, with the Christmas season on it's way.  A LOT of cargo comes in the month or so before Christmas and New Years.  And mail increases, which is Don's main job now at the airport.  It takes him quite a while to get things distributed, then help finish up giving out boxes.  

So, in closing, I'll ask for some prayers.  First, that the rains cease, FOR A TIME.  Then for the baby about to be delivered.  Pray for Noufie and the infant to come that all things go smoothly and both come through healthy and happy.  Then pray for the country of Haiti.  Only our area has been hit by these rains, but they are devastating.  Pray for those who have lost family members, lost homes and lost all their belongings.  And pray for us to be diligent in how we help those in desperate need.  We have had some help arrive, and we want to help only in the way the Lord directs.  We don't want the people to see US, we want them to see Jesus meeting some of their needs.  We want them to turn totally to HIM for what they need.  Pray with us that the Lord will guide and direct in His way, not ours.  

For now, blessings... and remember to keep CHRIST  in Christmas.  Being "politically correct" will take Christ out of Christmas and that is NOT an option.  He is totally the whole reason for the season.  We pray you will have the opportunity to share the love of Jesus with others this time of year. We pray God opens doors and gives you the words to use to draw others to HIM.  Until next time.... love and prayers to you all!

Life and it's challenges

We did have some rain last night, but not anything heavy.  Praise God it is letting up so the clean up, and healing can begin.  We found out this morning that the road to Cap was blocked Sunday morning.  They were fishing bodies of mostly children out of the river, and laying them on the road, we suppose to be identified.  No real idea of just how many have died.  But most of these had been little children who had fallen in the river and could not be rescued.  So, so sad.  

Our trip to the airport today was, well, interesting.  Still lots of mud around, but the traffic has returned to normal... in other words...chaos.  We really keep our prayer life active living in Haiti.  Especially on the roads.

We were pleased to see there were not a lot of problems at the airport from the rains, although there wasn't any work going on today.  It's looking so good.

And we got some good news this morning, too.  One of our missionary friends had gone stateside because she had been sick.  Praise God it is only bronchitis, not one of the two other major problems they had been told it might be.  God is good, hears our prayers and answers them.  Lots of prayers went out for her!!

We are also pleased that our granddaughter's husband returned safely from Afghanistan, yesterday.  Many prayers have gone up for both of them, and now we pray that the Lord will be with them as they readjust to life together again.

Another praise item.  Another missionary couple came to visit.  They have sort of taken in 3 children... a one year old boy, a three year old girl and her 7 year old sister.  The two girls are malnourished, the 3 year old pretty bad.  They live in an orphanage behind the missionaries. (About a mile and a half from us... a few hundred feet from where our son and daughter-in-law used to live).  They have taken them in until they can get them up to par, then will return them to the orphanage.  The little boy... who they are calling Peanut until they can find out his name... was left at a clinic.  Family of the mother brought him in.The mother has severe mental problems.  It's very evident she has not taken care of the child.  He is one year old, the same as our Savanah.  Look at the difference.  Once he is healthy again, the family (not the mother) want him back.  Not sure how long that will be.  Please pray for all of them.

 

 Keep praying, there is so much going on and so many prayers needed.  But we know God is listening to all our prayers and answering in His way and in His time.  Join with us, will you?  Till next time.... blessings beyond measure!!  

Blue, blue skies.. PTL

Awoke this morning to very wonderful blue skies.  Dark blue, with a few white fluffy clouds.  Praise God the rains are over.

We took a friend to town with us today.  We were totally amazed at how quickly the city workers are cleaning up the streets.  They have front end loaders and trucks everywhere, getting the garbage and mud up and out of town.  No idea where they are trucking it to, but it was overwhelming to see so much already done.  Things were almost back to normal, from the looks of things.  No idea where the people who lost homes and belongings are.  We did hear that the government had been trying to find places for them.  When we got to the waterfront, what we saw quite a ways out was brown water...all the mud and a lot of trash had washed out into the bay.  Sad, to see so much garbage and mud everywhere out there.  But we are so thankful the cleanup has been so quick.  

We went to a very small restaurant called Ti Bouk An.  Had cheeseburgers, french fries and coke.  We were sort of celebrating not only the wonderful cleanup of the city, but another milestone.  Twenty nine years ago today we officially moved to Haiti.  It's hard to believe it's been that long.  Anyway, Jenny, Savanah, Don and I had a bit of fun today.  

I was watching people while Don went into the automotive store.  Faces are so expressive, even when they try not to be.  It was sort of like seeing them say, "We can finally get on with life and get things done."  I can't explain that look, but you could "feel" it everywhere.  Yes, there was still mud in many places, and they had to step over it to get anywhere.  We live in a country that is in "disaster mode" most of the time.  Not always rains, hurricanes or earthquakes...simply LIVING.  People are resigned to living a life of poverty, illness and many times hopelessness.  Bringing them hope through God's word is the only way to overcome some of this.  So, please pray with us that God's word, and the message of salvation through Jesus Christ will reach out to many of those suffering...from the floods, yes, but from simply the life they are living.  

It is very obvious, even without them smiling, to see those who know the Lord.  They are not the stooped over, lost looking ones.  They have a ...  well, yes, it's almost a glow, or a radiance about them.  They are still poor, still wear old clothes, still have to do with almost nothing... but they are living for Christ, and you can see that.  

And through all of this, there is that thought.... "there, but for the grace of God, go I".  God is God, no matter where you live, what your income, or what your style of living is.  The message, "When all you have is God, God is all you need!" keeps popping up.  When these people, rich, poor, sick, healthy, or whatever...when they have God, they have all they need.  Oh, if Americans could only grasp that message.  It's hard when living in a society that pushes "need and greed".... and we see that every time we go to the states.  All the advertisements are pushing.. YOU NEED THIS, YOU CAN'T DO WITHOUT THIS... and on and on.  If only they could grasp the fact that having Jesus Christ living in you REALLY is ALL YOU NEED!  The rest is existence, not need.

Lord, teach us to humble our selves and be the kind of servant You need to reach the lost.  Keep Your hands on our hearts and minds.  Keep our focus on what is really important.  Lord, thank You for what You have done for us.  Thank You for the work of Jesus Christ.  Thank You for His resurrection and life.  Thank You for giving us a way to spend eternity with You.  We praise You, we thank You, we lift You up on high.You really are way beyond awesome.  We love You.  Amen!

The sun is trying to break through

Well, we don't have an official count on those who didn't make it.  Everything is still in chaos in town.  No stores open, no gas stations open.  Can't go into town and check it out until something opens so we can get fuel to get home.  Life in Haiti is extremes... it's either way up or way down.  Right now, we are in the down cycle.  Please keep praying for the families who are suffering.  Those who have lost members, those who have lost their homes, those who have lost all their possessions.  

There is so much flooding.  We keep hearing of more and more places that are totally under water.  For those of you who know the areas.... Blu Isle, Petit Anse, and all the areas between us and town are under water.  People are on house tops trying to stay dry or at least safe (in the rains).

Praise God the sun has been trying to break through the clouds.  The rains have finally ceased (and we pray they don't start up again).  The sad part, aside from all the loss, is that the temperatures have dropped, a LOT.  Now for you northerners... the 60's is great.  Here, it's a real cause for concern.  It is rare for temps to go that low here.  People are COLD, chilled out and getting sick.  I do understand... Abbie was with us since yesterday... her, Savanah and I were all in long pants and sweaters.  And we slept under blankets and kept warm last night.  I would say a majority of people in the north here were simply COLD, with no place to lay down, much less sleep.  And nothing to keep them warm or even DRY.  We need to keep praying and help where and when we can.  

We have gotten a bit warmer with the rains stopping and the sun trying to break through.  We won't go anywhere tomorrow, but plan on making a trip to town on Monday.  We know they (the city) are working very hard to clean up the trash and garbage that washed down from the mountains.  They are trying to get town to a place where businesses can open, and people can move about.  Even in tragedy and chaos, life must go on.  Most people live day to day here.  So being unable to get to a "store" or market, means no food for that day, if they have the money to get it.  

There will be people wandering the streets now, looking for a place to stay, or for someone to help them.  We do ask you to pray for us, since many seem to find our yard, but pray for these homeless, helpless people.  

Thank you for being there for us through prayers and support.  We have so much to be thankful for.  God has kept His hands on us, and we are so thankful... .because.... "There, but for the grace of God, go I".  That could be us out there, but God's grace put us in a place to offer just a drop of help in this enormous situation.

We pray you are thanking God for where YOU are, too.  We all have problems, and situations where we wish we were somewhere else, but give some thought to how you would deal with it, if you were a Haitian and had just lost everything, some even families.  That's a hard road for them to be on... keep them in prayer as you praise God for His hand on your life!!

In His Hands and In His Care, we will continue on......

Urgent prayers needed

Prayers needed....

The rains have come, more than ever.  Last night, after the power went off, I sat and listened to the rains, at first softly falling and I remembered so much from years ago.  I used to love walking in the rain.  I could walk for hours and miles.  Sometimes sad and crying, for different reasons or for difficult decisions.  Sometimes just simply enjoying walking in the rain and feeling refreshed.  I've always enjoyed the rain.  

Since coming to Haiti, I have seen a different view of the rains.  Yes, the rain is needed, to fill cisterns and reservoirs.  To water gardens so food will grow.  To simply have water for washing clothes, taking baths and all the mundane daily things.  I didn't realize until coming here how much Americans take a simple thing like water for granted.  When we have no rains and droughts come... not only do gardens suffer, and rivers dry up.  Drinking water is scarce, bathing is very difficult if available at all. 

 

But when the rains DO come...in normal amounts, it is a blessing beyond measure.  You see clothing hanging on bushes or on the ground after being washed.  You see families (yes, FAMILIES) in the river taking baths.  You see people with push carts with 50 gallon drums on them, full of water, selling it to homes who have none.  And as a whole, life is good then. 
 

Then the overabundance of rain comes...and the tide turns.  People live in the equivalent of mud huts, with dirt floors.  Yes, some have cement walls, but so many, many have not.  Roofs, even on the cement homes, are tin, and mostly it's rusted and full of holes.  So, when this overabundance of rain comes... it's tragedy.  People sleeping on wet, mud floors, rains pouring in where they have holes in the roof, and sickness.  A majority of Haitians are malnourished, or at least very undernourished.  Their resistance is near zero to anything that comes along.  So, on these damp, cold floors, they get sick.  We have know where some slept on a wet floor, got sick and died in three days.  TRAGEDY!!  And this is not unheard of here.  Water supplies become contaminated.  Gardens are washed out.  The suffering is extreme.

Well, last night as the gentle rains started to increase and become heavier and heavier, my thoughts turned to the people.  First to those we know, who we KNOW were suffering.  Then to the area we live in...and we knew the amount of people at our door would increase for help.  Then to the larger area of this end of Haiti. So, the prayers started.  And the storm increased.  And grew worse and worse.  No, not a hurricane, not even a tropical storm, but a bad storm, none the less.

And I went to bed, and slept...........

Then this morning, we were planning a trip to town for supplies.  It was still raining and I told Don, the roads are going to be really bad.  We have a friend who was going to go with us.  And we were debating what to do.  We needed to get to town, for food and for fuel.  No stations around here have gas, so had to travel to town to get some.  

Our important, urgent trip came to an end with one phone call.  The rains had caused flooding all over our area and into town.  There were landslides, there is mass destruction.  People aren't hungry... they are dead... one family of 8, only the dad survived.  Another family the baby, another youngster and mom were found laying dead on the road, but the rest of the family has yet to be found.... 

My heart is so, so very heavy.  We keep calling friends to make sure they are okay.  Can't reach a few of them, so we are very concerned.  We sit here crying for the lost, for the ones left, who are hurting so much, for yet another devastation causing an already hurting country to go into mourning. 

So again, we ask for prayers... for the families of those who are gone, or not found yet - for the families who have lost everything from possessions (as little as they were) to their homes washed down the hillside - for those wandering, looking for someone to help them find family - for the people in authority who are overwhelmed with what to do for those who have loss of life in their families, have lost their property and livelihood.

Yes, the earthquake of 2½ years ago was really bad...but we are close to that situation here now.  Not as bad, but for this area it is of monumental proportions. 

So, please pray with us, not only for the people, the authority in charge and for the whole situation, but also for us.  We don't have the means to help a whole lot of people right now, but our hearts are torn for the situation we face with them.  We praise God we are safe and sound, with no damage at this point.  But people have already started filtering in here, not looking for a handout, but looking for help...of any kind, to get through this.  

We pray God will step in and help...not only physically, but spiritually, and emotionally.  The hurt is so huge right now, that only the Lord can calm fears and tears.  Pray with us for the Lord to send an extra amount of love and comfort to those lives have been torn apart.

As you can see, my outlook on rain has an added dimension now.  I still can see the wonder of the Lord in showers and yes, even in thunder and lightening.  But I can also see how the devil has used this to cause havoc and destruction.  

Lord, we come before you and ask that You step in and in Your love and grace, help those who are hurting and suffering.  Bring calm where there is chaos, bring healing where there is pain, and bring comfort where there is none.  And Lord, use us in this situation as you see fit.  Let us be Your hands to help where we can, in any way we can. Lord, we lean on You to be with us as we face an overwhelming situation here.  Please let Your love and glory shine even through this.  In Jesus Name...Amen.