Ministry Opportunity Around Every Corner

We have been back in Haiti for 4 weeks (tomorrow). There have been many adjustments with new ministry avenues to venture down.

1. Israel, a young man that we have been getting to know since we moved here to Haiti, began a children's program in Arcahaie, a small town about 10 miles from where we live in TiTanyen. This program meets every Saturday at 3 p.m. in a small area belonging to Israel's family.

Israel loves to sing and play music, so, he is teaching the children to sing. He is also sharing a short Bible message each week. We have given Israel some children's books that share stories from the Bible. We pray he can use these to help teach the children about God.

We are also partnering with Israel to help feed the children every Saturday. As of right now, he is feeding the children a meal every other Saturday and just a snack on the alternate Saturday. It is a blessing to partner with Israel in the manner. Please lift him up to the Lord often. He is in need of wisdom and obedience to the Lord (as we all are). Also, pray for the children and families that are associated with this ministry. May hearts be changed toward the Lord and may He be evident in their lives for all eternity.

I don't have pics at this time of the children's program in progress. I will try to post some later.

2. Madame Filino, a lady who has worked for Global Outreach for 20 years and dear friend, has asked for us to partner with her in ministry to the prisons, sick people, and those hospitalized. Mme Filino is part of a group that goes out and visits people. I think they go out every weekend for visitation. During visitation, they pray with people, share the Word of God, and give some food to those they are visiting.

Mme Filino used to have a sponsor to help pay for the food and transportation for this ministry. This sponsor is no longer able to help. She is requesting help. She says she is needing $200 U.S. a month to pay for these items. She has asked me to pray and request help for this awesome opportunity. I am praying...and requesting your help. God has someone (or some people) set aside to help in this area. Is it you? Please join us in prayer, not only for the finances to come through, but also for the group members and those that are being ministered to. May God get the glory. Please contact us for more info and how you can give. Thank you.

I also request prayer for Mme Filino. Mme Filino lost her daughter in the earthquake. She says she is often sad and still cries allot. Please be in prayer for her and her family. Please pray that in her time of mourning, she will still find joy in the Lord, and that she will find her spirit renewed in the Lord and made complete.

On another note...Our children are adjusting well. Josiah is over with the group called Friendships. I saw him earlier with a nail gun in his hand. They are busy building homes. These homes are semi-permanent homes made of wood and vinyl.

Skyla is on her bed reading a book. This happens to be her favorite past time. She has also been working on making a blanket. It is one of those fleece blankets. I told her if she hurried up she could use it soon. I mean...it's only 95 in the house right now.

Kali and Jessica are sitting next to one another playing on the computer. It is nice to hear them getting along. The Lord blesses us moms with moments like these. Thank you Lord.

I thank each of you for your friendship and commitment to the ministry here in Haiti. Kevin and I begin language training again this Thursday, June 24th. I am praying that the Lord work a miracle in us and help us to not only speak the language effectively, but also bless us with hearing the language spoke to us. Please join us in prayer.

Please continue to pray for Susanna Whittaker. She is the 4 year old (I think) daughter to Cody and Maria Whittaker. She has a big sister, Isabella. Susanna and Isabella are pictured below. They are missionaries to Haiti. Susanna has been diagnosed with Neuroblastoma and is undergoing chemotherapy in North Carolina. I am praying for healing, pray with us.

We're Back...

We are back in Haiti. It was a true blessing to travel across the U.S. to see many friends, family, churches, schools, small groups, and organizations. We have been back in Haiti for two weeks and two days. I expected to get you all an update before now, but when I was not working, I was sleeping. I have been in bed early almost every night since we came back to Haiti. One reason for that is the heat and getting use to it again...I froze in the U.S. The second reason for an early bed time has been...I was exhausted from the 2010 Tour de U.S. We enjoyed our trip, but it was exhausting.

The children were apprehensive in coming back to Haiti. I want each of you to know that they have adjusted back to life here very well. They were even bickering with one another yesterday, so Kevin had them help move concrete block this morning for character building. They seemed to do a good job and when I pulled up to check on them after clinic this morning, I heard no bickering. PTL!

Kevin preached this past Sunday at Pastor Daniel's church in TiTanyen. I think it went well. I had the opportunity to invite the Pastor's wife over for a fellowship time. She came this morning to our home and we ate cookies and drank coff

ee. After that we had a prayer time. That was refreshing and she thanked me over and over again. I think she enjoyed our time of visiting.

There is a team coming this afternoon from New Work Fellowship in Hopkinsville, KY. There are 12 people on this team. Please keep them in your prayers as they minister here in Haiti.

I have much more to tell you, but not enough time right now. I will write later....luv ya'll!

Traveling in the US

We arrived in Denver, Colorado on April 7, 2010. We are here in the states for approx. six weeks. We spent a few days with Kevin's parents and visiting with Pastor Jerry and his wonderful family and church in Torrington, Wyoming. On April 15th we drove to Minnesota to visit with Kevin's grandparents, aunt, uncle, and cousins. Kevin spoke at a prayer meeting yesterday morning and last night we were able to enjoy church with some of the family.

Today has been a slow day. Church first thing this morning then off to the nursing home to visit grandma with grandpa. Those two are such a blessing. Even in the midst of their chaotic world, they still take time to encourage others and share wisdom they have gained over the years.

We will leave in the morning to drive to Western Kentucky. Please pray for safe traveling and little to no tension in the car with the six of us. Yes, I said car...our Suburban had water in the oil (or something like that) and needed the intake valve repaired or replaced or something...so - we sold it. We are traveling in our Ford Taurus. It does seat six and it has not given us a moment of grief and so we are thankful. However, the tight quarters can be trying by the end of a 12-14 hour day, so pray.

We look forward to seeing friends in the Hopkinsville area and visiting with New Work Fellowship. Can't wait to see everyone! God bless.

Kevin had the privilege of preaching on Palm Sunday in a small church about 10 miles northwest of where we live. It was a blessing to say the least. A church that is focused outward and not just inward.

We arrived at the church and the pews were full. We were escorted to our seats (that really means we had the usher squeezed us in where he could). As we sat there, we listen to each Sunday School class recite the scripture that was taught earlier in the morning. Many do not have a bible and/or can not read one anyway, so the best way for the Word of God to be spread and meditated on is by memorization. The people of Haiti seem to be able to memorize scripture so easily. Such a blessing.

As we listened, we looked around and watched the people. We began to notice a theme popping up. Red shirts...there were red shirts everywhere. Funny and sweet all in the same breathe. Some shirts had been donated to the Haiti Earthquake Relief and some of those shirts were given to the pastor of this church, Pastor David, to distribute to his people and in the community. Now I am not a country music listener, but I think Blake Shelton is a country music artist. Many in the church that morning were wearing Blake Shelton shirts. I took pictures and hope to send them to him with a note of thanks.

There were two new people who accepted Christ that morning. Praise the Lord! Kevin also had the opportunity to participate in a baby dedication. God is changing lives!

Susan was able once again to go out and work in one of the mobile clinics with North Carolina Baptist Men disaster relief teams. The pastor's son where Kevin had preached was sick and Susan was able to get him to the clinic and treated. We delivered the medicine for the child and treated the whole family so the sickness wouldn't spread. We also have scheduled to show the Jesus Film there when we return from the states.

As many of you know we are returning to America for a short time, six weeks. We really look forward to seeing everyone and sharing with you what God is doing.

3 Weeks Later

It has almost been three weeks since my last post. Let me try to recap those for you...

On March 7th our daughter, Skyla-pictured on the left, turned 14 years old. Man, I know you have all heard this before and many of you have said this yourselves, but here goes...It just seems like yesterday that she was just a baby. We are blessed to have her as part of our family. She is a joy (most of the time) and I praise the Lord for her (all the time). I also pray that, as her parent, I don't ruin her - such responsibility. Happy Birthday Skyla!

That first week, some of the missionaries we work with left the country on a, much needed, ten day break. That week was a challenge and a blessing for us. A 40 foot container, packed from wall to wall and ceiling to floor, with relief supplies that many of you donated, arrived. I believe it arrived on the afternoon of Tuesday, March 9th. We had until Friday to have it emptied and ready for pickup. That was fun. It was like a combination of Christmas and working at a Good Will Store. If you have ever helped clean out those drop boxes at a Good Will store or second hand store, you know what I mean by that. Unpacking and sorting was hard work, fun, and overwhelming. It was such a blessing to see how God, and the people He chose, provided for the earthquake relief. There were boxes and boxes of clothes, food, hygiene supplies, and medical supplies, as well as some generators and other machinery. We piled some in a trailer on our property and the rest in our shop. There were boxes everywhere.

The second week came and proved to be just as busy. The other missionaries returned to Haiti. We praise the Lord for that. Eight extra hands and four extra brains carry the load better. Thank you Haiti Global Team! Sorting the supplies, organizing distribution, and handing out newly arrived relief supplies was a joy. Excitement and hope shone way on the faces of those who came to pickup "Manna from Heaven."

This month has flown by. This week we have been working on getting our Visa paperwork done, obtaining our Haitian Id Cards and our Haitian Driver's Licenses. Yesterday, we went to the immigration office. I think there was around 200 Haitians standing outside the office. The front of the building was barricaded and manned by Haitian Police. There was pushing and shoving...more police called in...police batons pulled out...and angry people. Unfortunately, our white skin allowed us to get in. Don't get me wrong, it was a blessing to not have to wait in those long lines, but on the other hand we cut in front of so many. Now, it seemed that we needed a different office than they did, but just the same, I wondered if I would get stoned when I returned to the mob on the street. Praise the Lord, we didn't get stoned and, to my knowledge, I don't even remember getting dirty looks.

Clinic has been going well. Many of our patients from the earthquake have healed. We are seeing more sickness, wounds, and minor burns now. I pray we don't have any more serious burns for a while.

We are attempting to get our schools up and running by April 5th. There will be many hurdles to overcome, but pray that it is His will and we are able to open. The children are restless and beginning to cause trouble. Just the other day I did not have time to talk with a boy that was about 10 years old and I told him I would talk with him later. He proceeded to call me cheap in Creole and began yelling and fussing at our clinic door. They are bored, want everything, and don't have parental supervision. What a combination. Please lift them up in prayer as well as me (Susan). I found myself frustrated with him and not wanting to help him or even see him later in the day. I am to love others - I pray that it is Jesus that shines through me...not self.

Tomorrow is our second daughter, Kali's, thirteenth birthday. She is turning into such a wonderful young lady. As I mentioned before...It seems like yesterday she was just a baby. That's her picture on right, isn't she cute. Again, we will need many prayers to make it through these teen years and then on to adulthood. Such precious times and I have found that bringing them (the children) to Haiti has been a blessing for our mother-daughter relationship. I pray that the Lord blesses them for their obedience and cooperation, as well as strengthens their relationship with Him each and every day. Happy Birthday Kali!

Thank you Jesus!