Welcome to SNOW!

On Thursday, we flew into Minneapolis, MN and found a snowstorm waiting for us.  We thought we had missed winter completely, being towards the end of April and all, but we were wrong.  We definitely were not dressed for the weather as Al was wearing flip-flops (I did leave mine at home) and we only had light sweaters or sweatshirts for jackets, so we were incredibly grateful for my sister and her husband when they pulled up with a warm car, jackets, hats, mittens, socks and shoes--and for me Taco Bell!  Guess this is the end of a very long Minnesota winter.

Since we have been here, we were able to take a morning to make a snowman and an afternoon to stock up on slightly warmer clothing and shoes before hitting the road to head to Wishek, North Dakota where much more wind and snow were waiting for us along with loving brothers and sisters in Christ and rich German food.  This was part of a team which served with Pastor Jacky in January, so it was a blessing to see them again.  We were given plenty to eat as we talked about ministry and partnership and what the plan was for next January.  We felt at home.

Sunday morning, we were able to share more about what we do in Haiti and how we were called into the ministry and that was just during Sunday School.  During church, we mixed it up with a little Creole and English worship music and shared more about Praying Pelican Missions and their strategy of mission--which I believe is a great one:  always partnering with a local pastor and church to encourage and grow ministry that is already happening--this way when the team leaves, the ministry continues.

After a traditional, hearty potluck and a wonderful time of fellowship, it was time to say goodbye to our dear friends and get back on the road again.  While we were driving back towards Minnesota on a very straight and long road, we talked about how much we love sharing what the Lord is doing in Haiti and leading worship together.  We thank God for all the blessings He has given us and for the many blessings to come.

Now, we are taking a couple of days to rest.  Much needed rest here in snowy Minnesota.  Yes, there are still things we are working on here and there, but we know we need to rest.

Pray for us as we continue our journeys here in the states.  Pray that we do find enough rest to energize us for the busy summer ahead.  Pray that God continues to provide for our every need--even now, I think of one great need we have in Haiti as we continue to pray for a new vehicle.  Continue to pray with us friends!  Pray that we will enjoy our time here even with the snow!

Be Blessed!

Church Conference!

So, the past week has found me back in the swing of things with a little bit of extra rest here and there.  It is great to be able to be back in the game!  On Wednesday of last week, we headed to Les Cayes with 6 other guys--so often I'm the only female around with these kinds of trips--for the annual MEBSH conference.  The Missionary Evangelical Baptist of South Haiti denomination is the largest denomination we work with here in Haiti.  Our first contact, Pastor Samson, is the Vice President for the MEBSH and, this year, invited Pastor Rob from Broadmoor Baptist Church in Mississippi to come speak at the conference.  Four times.  At the nightly service.  It's a pretty big deal.

Broadmoor has been partnering with Pastor Samson's church for a couple of years now and have developed, what we believe is going to be, a long-lasting partnership.  It's been great to see how they want to continue to grow this relationship.  Pastor Samson has visited their church and Pastor Rob has preached here.  It has been great watching this relationship grow and change.  We look forward to seeing how much God will do through this partnership.

At the conference this week, there were probably around 6,500 people at each nightly service.  There were dynamic worship moments, wonderful choirs giving the glory to God, and--one of my favorite things--a very talented trumpet trio.  The trio did an amazing job taking fantastic old hymns like "Great is Thy Faithfulness" and making a beautiful, worshipful moment where it felt like we were being ushered into the very presence of the King and we wanted to jump out of our skin to join them in worship before Him!

When Pastor Rob preached, he had to use a translator of course, but he preached from his heart.  I always love it when you can tell that a pastor loves the Lord and His Word and preaches truth with passion.  The theme of the convention was from John 4:35:  "...lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest."  What a great reminder for Christians to not only know Jesus and rely on Him, but look to the fields.  Why?  Pastor Rob ended with a great reason:  Because He Lives.  We need to share that good news.  We need to look to the fields.

I have been encouraged this weekend!  Praise God for all He does!

What was just a request...

All of us have vehicle woes from time to time.  Our vehicle was diagnosed yesterday as being broken.  The engine will have to be completely taken apart and hopefully put back together so it will work, but   that means that a request for prayers for our vehicle situation has turned into more of an urgent prayer request.  This vehicle has become increasingly unreliable and, when we are on the road so much, it isn't a good combination.

Please, join us in praying that God would provide another vehicle for us.  A reliable, durable one that will last us a long time and give us fewer "woes".  We know that He can provide and will provide all that we need, so pray with us friends!  

He is faithful!

Where does that leave me?

This week, Almando is in Pignon which is far away from Port-au-Prince and the road isn't the best.  He is leading a group of 25 people who are building a house for a beautiful little family and are working with the kids showing them the love of Jesus.  But, if Almando is there, where does that leave me?

I am in Petionville staying at Haiti Christian Orphanage with my missionary friend Marlo and working on my Creole with the boys here.  When I am not with the boys or sleeping (which I do a lot of), I am doing a variety of things.  Much different than what I do at home and sometimes similar.

On Sunday, I walked to church with Marlo and some of the boys.  But, it was a very different church than what I am used to.  We didn't use the hymnals, but we sang songs like "Majesty" and "Lord, Reign in Me" that had been translated into French and printed in the bulletin.  Sunday afternoon found me cooking my Easter meal.  It wasn't quite what mom would have prepared, but still very American.  Baked chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy, and peas (the steamfresh ones you cook in the microwave).

After Marlo and I finished eating we headed to the bus terminal to meet the team (and see Almando) as they were passing through town. It was a quick visit, but so good.  We headed back up the hill by taptap to the orphanage and I finished the day with chocolate pudding.

My morning, yesterday, was full of taptaps and wandering uphill for what seemed like forever and then wandering back down after my business there was finished by noon.  Uno, laughter, language learning, and debates filled the afternoon as the boys filtered in and out.

The sounds are different here, the sights are different here, the atmosphere is different here.  A little change is doing me good.  For a little while.  I am working on some office stuff here and there this week and trying to help Al out as much as I can from here.  I know I will be ready to go home at the end of the week.  For this little while, I am glad for many distractions and many new things.  So, that's where I find myself this week.

Please be praying for Almando and the team while they are serving in Pignon and be praying for me as I am having a completely different set of experiences here in Petionville.  I look forward to the end of the week when we can be together again, but I know God is working on and in and through both of us separately right now.