Thank you for your prayers...

Thank you for your prayers! We are so blessed to have so many praying friends and family! Randy & Joanie arrived without incident after several days delay in Florida and Randy has been teaching daily at the seminary. Bud & I continue our host/hostess and "other duties as assigned" responsibilities and Joanie has been great to help out. Ike arrived in this area on Saturday night & Sunday morning, but praise the Lord, the Cap Haitien area only sustained heavy rains, some wind, thunder & lightening. Unfortunately, the area of Gonaives, which already suffered devastating flooding from previous hurricanes, was again bombarded with heavy winds and rains. This is the area you are seeing on the news and if you're interested, visit www.missionaryflights.org website for additional photos taken as the MFI plane flew over the area in route to Cap shortly after the hurricane hit. Be sure to scroll to the bottom of the photos to see an entire map of Haiti so you can understand where the devastated area is in comparison to where we are. Although we are only 60-70 miles away, Cap sits at the bottom of a large mountain range which provides amazing protection. A group of pastors from this area and Dan Shoemaker tried to get to Gonaives yesterday to assess the situation and try to figure out the best way to help. Unfortunately after several hours of travel over treacherous roads and some travel on foot, they were forced to turn back. Travel between Port Au Prince and Cap is at a standstill and no one can get into Gonaives by road from either side. Cap is completely without fuel, but fortunately the compound has plenty for the needs here...for a time. The compound has limited travel and are planning more conservation as fuel and food will be of great concern in the coming weeks and months ahead. Clothing and bags of rice have been purchased to "bless" the churches in "low" areas in Cap to help with their needs. It is a very sad, sad situation. Many of the Haitians who work for OMS and live in this community have family and loved ones they are waiting to hear from in Gonaives and other surrounding areas. Please continue to keep them in your prayers. They love the Lord and are trusting God for EVERYTHING, including the safety of their families.

In other news...we've had a couple of leads on an x-ray machine so are hopeful one or TWO might be acquired for the clinic here. They are in desperate need of one! If you know of anyone in the medical field that might be able to offer a machine, please let us know!

While we'll greatly miss our Haitian brothers & sisters and the missionaries here when we go, we are anxious to return and see everyone!

In Him,
Bud & Cindy

Gustav No Threat

Greetings! Just so everyone is aware, at this point, we are just fine and Gustav doesn't seem to be much of a threat to Cap Haitien, but please be praying for Port Au Prince as they are right in the eye of the storm. The Cap airport has closed, in anticipation of the weather to come, so we have a new visitor who was trying to get to Miami today from another location and another who was originally staying here and was supposed to fly out today but is unable to get out so...both will be spending the night at the compound awaiting tomorrow's weather and flight news. Please pray they can make their connections.

During our time here, we have become aware of several needs which we'd like to share with you over the next several days. If you are lead to help supply or direct us to someone who could possibly supply a need, please let us know! The first need is a BIGGEE! The Bethsheda OMS Clinic needs a new xray machine! A couple months ago the machine they had broke and is unrepairable. It is the ONLY xray machine in the area of Cap Haitien (which is about 1 million people). Before it broke, when a person needed an xray at the Cap Haitien hospital, they would transport them here for the xray and then return them to the hospital for treatment. The hospital does not have a machine! I don't know enough about the specifics of what type of machine is needed, but if you have any connections or know of a machine that could be available, I can get you in touch with Dr. Gavin McClintock (OMS Clinic Director) and he can communicate the specifics and work out the details.

Bless you friends & family. Thank you for your prayers and please know they are felt every day!

In Him,

Bud & Cindy

Happy Monday (August 18), we have exactly 30 days until we head home, which seems both a long time away and right around the corner! Last Friday we said goodbye to the UK team. A wonderful group of great kids (and one "seasoned guy"), who really demonstrated Christ-like love and character throughout their stay. Bud & I felt right at home "parenting" them and truly fell in love with them all. The day they left, I told Bud I was sure I was "called to Northern Ireland" as the majority of the group lives in and around that area! We also invited them to the states, so hopefully they'll be able to take us up on that offer sometime. Each night their team leader, Tred, scheduled a time of praise & worship and had one team member share their testimony. Bud & I felt priviledged to be a part of that time with them. There were several evenings where tears were shared. Considering none of them knew one another before meeting up to travel here, it was so amazing to see God "meld" them into a wonderful team. Little did they know that when they left Cap Haitien on Friday for an overnight stay in Port Au Prince before departing for the states the next morning, that storm Fay would strand them for two extra nights. At one point, we heard they might return to Cap for another week's stay and while we were sorry for their families, we were pretty excited at the thought of having them around again. Fortunately (or unfortunately for us), they got a flight out Sunday afternoon, so by tomorrow should all be safely home.

Storm Fay gave us a night with a lot of wind and rain, which changed our Saturday plans to take the Alabama Prayer Team to the Citadel for the day, making it a day of "hanging out". That's when Bud had the chance to make Haitian banana chips...which are truly WONDERFUL! I'm hoping he'll be able to recreate them when we get home! Ask anyone whose been here...they are so very, very good!

Sunday dawned bright and sunny again (as did today). Our trip to church ended up being in the back of the truck for 1-1/2 hours (one way)! It was a long day in the dust and sun, but the church was very nice and the worship was good. I will say that all of us "North Americans" verbalized that we would NEVER complain about a "commute" to church again! Trust me...it was a long, long, long trip and day!

I've been asked about "bugs, spiders and creatures", so here's a photo of our good Haitian friend, Wadner, with a tarantula he "hunted down" for us. In all honesty, without searching them out, I've never seen one (which is a very good thing)! We have had a few nights of trying to chase down a rat in the house where we're staying. So far the score is Rat - 4, Humans - 0. The trap doesn't seem to be doing the trick and Bud's attempt with the broom wasn't successful (so far), however...there's always tonight!

Thank you one and all for your emails, encouragement and prayers. We are praying for you too and look forward to seeing you all very soon!

In Him,

Bud & Cindy

Can You Believe It's August?

About the time I think I have time to update the blog, the Internet is down & I can’t, so…I thought I’d write it out ahead of time and then add it as soon as I can! Ah, life in Haiti! So, the team departed this morning. Bud & I both took them to the airport and said our good-byes. We were sad to see them depart, but know when they return they’ll be full of stories and memories that will impact their lives forever. That’s just “what Haiti does” to people who visit. You can’t leave here and not think about or realize how truly blessed we are materially, however, the Haitians have us beat by a long shot when it comes to learning to live content in all circumstances. While some we have come to know very well share their burdens of concern for their country or for personal concerns regarding an ill child or lack of a job to provide for their family, they are still a joy-filled people who regularly comment that, “God is good”!

Yesterday a team of eight young people (all in their 20s) arrived from the U.K. (Ireland, London and Wales). Two of them lost luggage – not AFTER getting on the plane (and funny enough NOT in Haiti), but had suitcases fall off the airport transport van in Miami! I have been truly amazed that the two who ended up with nothing have been very calm about it and that the others – none of whom knew each other before they “met up” for their travel here – have shared whatever they’ve had with those in need. What a great example of Christian love! The fun is, now not only are Bud & I trying to “catch a little Creole” to communicate better with the Haitians, we’re learning a bit of the “Queen’s English”, with a little Irish, Wales and whatever else thrown in! Who’d have thought?!

The weather continues to be pleasant. Warm, humid days, but most nights the breeze comes up and it rains (very hard with a lot of thunder & lightening thrown in), which makes sleeping at night much nicer.

This photo is an example of "driving" in Haiti. The "white" lower part of the photo is the railing of the cattle truck we were riding in to & from the beach...the black is the top of the vehicle that passed us on the road. Literally I was on my tip-toes to lean over and snap this photo...as you might guess, it was "one-handed" because the other hand was tightly holding onto the side of the truck!

Thank you all for your continued prayers. We KNOW you are praying for us as we have felt a complete peace about both being here and about our family at home.

Just a little "photo reminder" of why we love being here. LOOK AT THIS SMILE! He sat behind us at church on Sunday and every time we made eye contact he would smile just like this! What a cutie!

We love and miss everyone!

In Him,

Bud & Cindy

We're Arrived!

Praise the Lord...we're here safe & sound. The travel went well, although we had quite a RUN to our connecting flight in Houston! The weather is surprisingly cool; although being in the air conditioned office helps tremendously! Bud was "on the road" traveling today and will be going to the airport (with Dan) to pick up our team that arrives this morning. When I thought a blog would be a wonderful idea, I didn't account for the S L O W internet connection here, but hopefully we'll work out the bugs and I'll have some photos to add. The seminary site is AWESOME! It is totally amazing to see the progress just since January. We are settling in and already feel "at home" in our mini-apartment (we do have our own bath you know!) No terrible bug or animal sitings thus far! We thank you for your prayers and look forward to hearing from you when you get the chance.

In Him,
Bud & Cindy

Just two days and counting...packing is as complete as possible at this point (have to throw in those "little things" I'm using daily!) We have opted for a 4th piece of luggage...which is now completely filled with generous gifts for Starfish Kids! Hopefully I'll be able to deliver them to the individuals; but so appreciate those who hand me the gift and say, "If you can't get it to "Johnny", I know there is another deserving kid who can use it!" That lightens my burden considerably!

Gill (Haiti missionary) & I have been emailing and apparently one of the annual teacher trainings will take place the first of August at the OMS complex. There will be over 200 teachers and I'm excited to be a part of assisting Mdm Jonathan (Gill's righthand assistant) to prepare for this. It will also be very interesting to see how this type of training is done in Haiti and will be a great opportunity for photos so you can better understand and share in the Starfish Kids vision (although just looking at the face of Shelly's SFK, how can anyone MISS the vision!)

Thank you again so much for your prayers! We feel them!

In Him,

Bud & Cindy

Departure...Closing IN!

Well, reality is at our door step. This time next week (accounting for the three hour difference) we'll be disembarking our plane at the Cap Haitien International Airport! This week will be spent visiting friends and family, putting together the last minute details and packing! The question I've been asked several times is, "How do you pack for an 8-week trip?" Well, here's a photo to give you an idea of the "pile" that's been accumulating the past few weeks - and this is just a portion of what's to come. All-in-all, we're feeling very prepared and very relaxed about being ready and we know that is because we have so many people praying for us. Yesterday's service (barring the little microphone mishap!) was totally wonderful! Having so many pray with us, promises of prayer while we're away and well-wishes just confirmed the blessing a Godly church family is. THANK YOU each one so much! God is good!

On another note, we've been practicing our Creole and have learned a few words, which has been a lot of fun. One I've been practing a lot and am sure to use is ravet - Creole for cockroach!

In Him,

Bud & Cindy