Happy Mother's day Mom!!!!!!!!!!







Thank you for being such a wonderful Mother and Grandmother!!!
The Lord truly blest me the day that I was adopted into your home!!
I couldn't imagine calling anyone else MOM!!!!!

I have been having problems uploading pictures to my blog. Hopefully I have solved the problem!

My first picture here is of our good friend Sango and his son Tomani (sorry Sango I cannot remember how to spell his name)

Sango goes to our church with us with his wife, Karen and 3 beautiful children. He has been teasing me for awhile now that I would never get a picture of him for our blog and a few Sundays ago I sneaked my camera in and snapped a picture as he came into church!!! Sango is such a nice guy and very onfire for the Lord! He is planning a Mission trip with 3 other men from our church in July to go visit his own villiage and some surrounding villiages!! Sango we are so blessed to have you as a friend!!!

I have gotten some emails that I have not posted anything lately. I apologize I just have not had a ton to post about. The weather is getting nicer though so I hope to get out and take some pictures again.

Nathan just wrote this article for our chuch newsletter! I loved it!!

Unity - The Heart of Mission


Have you ever stopped and noticed that the world we live in today seems to thrive on competition? Already at very young ages our kids try to compete with each other to win their parents approval. Then as they grow older we teach them to compete in sports, to be the best in their class at academics, and to look better than the other kids. This culture is just as strong in the adult life. We want bigger houses, better behaved kids, higher paying jobs, and so much more. We gage our success based on those around us. Even our country has become a nation of competition. Our political party is better than the other. The issues we believe in are the right issues. We try with all our might to make others believe as we do. The competitive nature has even permeated into our churches. We try to have better music, more people attending, better programs, even believing our denomination is better than the rest.
God does not call us to compete with each other. Quite the opposite is true. He calls us over and over again to live in unity with each other. Although unity is hard in a divisive culture, the Bible gives clear answers on how to obtain unity. In Philippians 4:8 Paul says Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy- meditate on these things. Paul knows that as humans we tend to always have our glass half empty. We can look past ten good things and focus on one bad. When we dwell on the bad our attitude towards God and others becomes negative. We become irritable because the bad thing is consuming us. Through this arguments and division are sure to follow. This is the normal path of the sinful nature. If we dwell on the good things our attitude towards God and others becomes a positive one. We praise God for all the good He is doing and ask others to join us in that praise. Unity in the faith soon abounds.
So what do we have as Christians to dwell on that will bring unity? Again Paul gives us the answer in Ephesians 4:4-6. There is one body and one spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism; One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. Wow, does that sound like a call to competition? So often as Christians we jump right to issues without having a common starting point. As Christians we need to first realize that we are unified through our God, our savior Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit that dwells in all who earnestly call on His name. When we realize this issues melt away through the power of that unity. This was the atmosphere of the early church. Acts 2 :40-47 tells of a church that was unified in faith and doctrine. Who met daily and praised God for all He was doing, and were willing to sacrifice anything (except that faith and doctrine) to help a brother or sister in need. It is this kind of church that so many people around the world are looking for. Especially, it seems, young people. People are looking for something real, for people who are unified because of their love for Jesus. If we show them this it won’t be hard to convince them to accept our Savior.
I know by now you are asking, what does all this have to do with missions?
The answer is found in the Jesus’ high priestly prayer at Gethsemane. This passage, found in John17: 20-21, gives the purpose for unity. I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; That they all may be one, as You, Father, are in me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that you sent me. Stop for just a minute and read the last sentence again. Understand the depth of what Jesus is praying. Unity verifies that Jesus was sent by God to be our savior! No wonder Satan tries so hard to divide the church, by dividing us we deny the validity of the gospel! No wonder we are exhorted so often to make every effort to be united. It is for this reason we go into the mission field not only telling people about Jesus, but also showing them our love for each other. This is what the world is looking for! As we interact with people let’s show them that our God is real by setting our minds on things above, by dwelling on what is good and pure, and being unified through our one and only savior, Jesus Christ!

Nate wrote the aricle in the last post late last night for our church newsletter. I thought it was awesome and wanted to share it with all of you!! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. 

Light Bearers

For those of you who have been to the Lifeline mission in Haiti the picture is a familiar one. On a hill overlooking the mission stands a 30’ cross. This cross is visible for many miles around. It is also, I think, the best place on planet earth to have personal devotion time. The view from up there is quite stunning. In one direction there are mountains as far as the eye can see. In another direction there is a great valley that ends at the beautiful Caribbean ocean. In yet another direction lays the village of La Digue.
In November I woke up early and made the trek up the hill to spend some personal time with God. As I sat there meditating I was witness to the most beautiful sunrise I have ever seen. The sun came up behind a mountain and the sky erupted in shades of pink, purple, blue, orange, and yellow. As I sat there amazed by this display a sound from behind me grabbed my attention. It was a baby crying in the village below. For the first time the contrast of this country made a mark on my soul. Suddenly a wave of emotion came over me and I cried out to God wondering how He could have so much power and majesty in His creation but yet allowed all this sin and devastation to spoil its splendor. I then heard God say, “Look up”. I looked up and above me was that cross. It was then that God said, “ You stand between my glory and these people. I have chosen you to take the message of the cross to my people.”
At that moment I realized that the contrast I was seeing was no different than the contrast we see every day. At any moment we can see the glory of God but at the same time see the depravity of man. God has given all who call on His name the honor and privilege of bringing the good news of salvation to a dark and hurting world. That may mean traveling to a far away place or it may mean sharing at work or with a friend. Wherever it is remember God has chosen YOU to show the world HIS glory.
At that same cross, just a few weeks ago, 13 short term missionaries gathered around to sing praises to God. It was well after dark, and with no streetlights for many miles we were able to see more stars than we could imagine even existed. One of my favorite verses is Philippians 2:15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world. Just as the stars penetrate the dark blanket of the night sky and stand out as a contrast to the darkness, so we are to penetrate the darkness of the world with the light of Jesus. We are set apart, known to others as different, and a contrast to the ordinary. By being set apart we bring glory to the Father as it says in Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in Heaven.
God has called us to bring the gospel to the ends of the earth. The world does not need status quo. They need the light that only Jesus can give. He has given us that light to bear in His name. Let us honor our Father by being good stewards of that light so we may be called faithful in the final day.
God bless you as we shine His light to the world and I’ll see you at the cross!

 

I just love this picture of Nik and Issac (Livesay) We were allowed to hand out a toy and a blow pop to each child after they ate lunch (around 400 children) It was so much fun. This picture was taken by Troy and I just love the intent looks on the faces of Nik and Issac as they talk to this little Haitian boy.

Yes this is pure bliss on our faces!!! It was a true blessing to be able to share this trip with my wonderful husband who also leads these trips. 

I realized in my last post I forgot to explain the picture where we are all sitting in the little room. After church the Pastor and his wife wanted to feed us. They brought all 14 of us into the room and they had all these chairs set up in the room. The room was about the size of a very small bedroom. It was so tight. However we had more than a few laughs about being this close to eachother. Good thing we all like eachother because they actually had a buffet type table set up however we could not move so the people in the front row had to hand plates of food back. The food was very good. We had chicken legs, rice and beans, tomatoes, greens, plantains (looks like a banana, tastes like a potato) these are not very good boiled but I love them fried. They then taste a little bit like french fries. 

I really enjoyed Haiti. I have to say I was not sure what to expect. Like I said before when you get off the airplane your first thought is how heartbreaking. After driving for an hour you realize how breathtaking this country is also. The kids are the sweetest. They all want to talk to you. Yes they all ask you for money but how do you make them realize you do not have money on you either. When Nate was in Haiti in November they would all ask for one dolla. Now they ask for 5 dolla!! I guess inflation rises in Haiti also.


This picture is priceless. We were at a church service in a town called Luly. It is near the ocean. Church was awesome!! Their praise was like no other. They do NOT hold anything back. They are not worried about what the person is doing next to do them. They do not care what others think of how they are praising their Lord. They just let it all out and dance and shout and sing at the top of their voice. We have so much to learn about that. The Holy Spirit is so evidence in their worship.

My prayer is that we can get over our hangup and worries about what other people are thinking and just really learn to Praise the Lord. The pure joy in the faces of the people was just so evident. I will add some of those pictures in my next post.




This pictures was taken at sunset at Wahoo bay. This flower was so beautiful!!! 

Just a few pictures. This picture is of Robenson. He was our translator this past week. He does a wonderful job.

 

Thought I would throw in just a few more pictures before we leave for home.

Today was a very fun day. We went to Wahoo Bay and the day turned out beautiful.

Nate even had a big first. Since Noah woke up with the flu this morning, Tara had to stay back with him. However we still had to have two trucks because we had so many people going. Well as scary as it may seem to you all Nate was allowed to drive the second vehicle. Things went very well actually even though a horse jumped out at us at point. They do not have deer crossings but they sure do have horse crossings. They run out of no where. It was fun driving and I think it was a huge compliment to him that I almost feel asleep on the way home.


I have to say I do love it down here and I plan to make many more trips. For my friends no I am not feeling the call to come permanately but I will be coming back many times over.

Thanks for all the prayers. We leave tomorrow morning at 7:00am and I have to say I am a little sad. Troy and Tara have been awesome and the team we have has been so great!!!!

Keep those prayers coming. Michelle and Julie I can't wait to see you at the airport. Cheri I hope and pray you can come too but I do understand that it is kind of late!!! I will call you Thursday if I don't see you before!!!! I have to say though that the thought of snow right now is making me very nausous. Today I swim in teal blue waters and tomorrow I get to snow blow my driveway. How insane is that. 

My dad working on his bench project with troy supervising. Which made Troy so tired he had to take a nap. That supervising is such hard work!!!! Love ya Troy!
 

Okay I guess he stole my dad's heart too!!!  

For those of you that read my previous blog of when we visited the orphanage. The little boy in the pink shirt just stole my heart. He so reminded me of Caleb. I think he stole my moms heart too!!!

 

On Saturday Nathan and Jason helped with the Pastors training!! These guys were soooo good!!! I was only planning on sitting through a few minutes of each speaker and I ended up their the whole 3 hours!!! There were quite a few pastors.

 

Here are a few more pictures of our girls.

 

We walked up to the dam on the first day and we had some kids following us. The kids love
to walk with you.






















This pictures is of our "girls" This is Ashleen and Deborah. We are able to sponsor Deborah through Lifelines and while Ashleen has a sponsor we kind of also sponsor her on the sly. These are the girls that Nate met one year ago and they still remember him!!!