Just when I'm thinking...

...what am I doing here? God reminds me in very simple ways. Most days I'm back and forth from my house to the office, from the office to the house and, in order to be effective in the Starfish Kids ministry, I NEED to be doing the "office" thing, but that doesn't mean that some days you begin to question if you're really effective or doing anything really lasting.

Since last Tuesday we've been hosting a team from the Florida area. The group came to do two things - help with a remodel project on Cowman International School, and provide a three-day VBS for one of our Starfish Kids schools located in Babiole. Throughout the week I was torn about whether to stay in the office (where I had a ton of work to get done) or join the ladies at Bible School. Another missionary, Erica Thompson (who is a teacher and fluent in Creole), went with the group as well as another Haitian friend to help. It's not like the ladies really needed me. They had a lot of good help and were all experienced at doing VBS in Haiti. I saw to it that they had their supplies, a translator, a vehicle and a driver and I tried to be a daily encouragement as they drove out the gates heading for VBS.

By Friday, I was really feeling like I wanted to get in on the action! Every day the women were returning with stories of what they'd done and all the fun the kids were having - as well as the children who were responding to the daily evangelistic message. God was at work in the lives of these young hearts!

Friday morning I decided - now or never and joined the team.  For the most part I was there to observe, take photos, and PLAY with the kids! And what fun it was! The team had brought ball caps  with "Jesus Lives" on them. The children were each given crayons and proceeded to color their hats. With two simple crayons the children diligently created their own "works of art" and had a lot of fun doing it! You didn't have to understand all the language to interpret the smiles on their faces and the giggles. Once their hats were done, they ALL wanted their photo taken. I couldn't get them all, but I sure had fun with the ones I did take!

When I returned to the office later that day, I realized, they didn't NEED ME at VBS, that was covered, but I NEEDED VBS to be reminded that everything I'm doing in the office helps to develop, maintain, and grow the relationships between sponsors and their students that enables the Starfish Kids Program to continue to evangelize and bless the children of Haiti.

I praise God for the little reminders He graciously gives...

Starfish Kids is a child evangelism through education program that connects sponsors to children in Haiti. We have 37 schools in some of the poorest areas in the country. If you're interested in more information, please shoot me an email at: starfishkids@onemissionsociety.org

Nearly 300 kids waiting for VBS to begin...

Anxiously awaiting their hats!

Two cuties!

Amos, our driver, helping the children.

Look at those eyes!

Another couple of cuties. On Sunday, the one in the orange found me and gave me a huge hug! Thank you Jesus!

Yeah; I think the next time a VBS comes to town I might have to go every day!

Home to Haiti Safe & Sound

I don't know if you're like me, but I always seem to have the best of intentions when it comes to blogging, and fall far too short. You would think being home in the States with state-of-the-art Internet service and no nine-to-five job would have ensured that I blogged at least once or twice during our five weeks, but alas, I never got it done! I guess because when I'm so busy living life, I don't have (or take) time to write about it. Whatever the reason, if we want people to follow our blog, I think I need to make a better attempt at posting something worth reading! (OK, how about just something!)

Two Days After

Although we ended up coming home a week early due to Bud's fall (not from grace, but from a ladder), the time raced by! The "extra" week was spent going to doctor appts., getting x-rays, consulting with an orthopedic surgeon, and eventually ended with a very extensive shoulder surgery for Bud. When the doctor came out to give me the post-surgery report, he sat down, patted my leg, and said, "That was the worst shoulder I've worked on in over a year...I need a nap." This was at 12 noon. Tony, our son, helped me get Bud "home" to my parent's where we were staying. Thank the good Lord for loving parents! The initial "plan" was for Bud and I to stay in my folks' motor home parked beside their house while we were in the States. Bud's injury and recovery ended up putting them out of their own bedroom for the entire visit AND they are still speaking to us! (Thanks Mom and Dad...we love and appreciate you both so much!)

As Bud was resting at "the folks'" recovering, I was doing pretty much everything we had scheduled for our time home. The Saturday following surgery I had the privilege to speak at our churches' Women's Spring Tea which was themed, "Tea Around the World." It was a wonderful day and I felt so blessed to be able to not only attend, but humbled to share what God had put on my heart. I hope each woman walked out knowing that she was uniquely-created by a loving heavenly Father. It was a full house - nearly 350 women attended!

Taleah and her best friend
(OK, maybe it's Grandma's best friend!)

The following week we spent at the beach with our three PERFECT grandkids. Our grown kids joined us for the weekend. God blessed us with some amazing weather and a lot of fun laughing and fellowshipping together.

Love these kiddos so much!

Aunt Rita (left), Mom (right), and
Guess who?

When we returned from the beach, Bud was able to take good enough care of himself that I got to enjoy another five days in Sun River with my quilting group. It was awesome! The weather, again, was perfect! The location beautiful and it was especially fun to have my aunt from California be able to join us and be my roomie!





Our last week flew by and although we had a lot of wonderful get togethers with friends, family, past co-workers, and our prayer group, one of the best things about being home was getting to worship "at home!" About the time I was thinking, "I don't want to leave..." we were asked to share at our Sunday School class potluck about the past nine months serving in Haiti. As we began to talk about God's faithfulness, especially in light of Bud's accident, I was once again humbled that He would even invite me to be part of any ministry, let alone serving as a missionary. I felt the excitement of the ministry of Haiti return and the renewed confirmation that God has called us for this season of our lives to be used by Him. (That doesn't mean it wasn't hard to say good-bye to our family and friends!)

We are now back, settling in, and sweating! We went from cool, wet Oregon to 90+ degrees! Bud continues to heal, wearing his sling faithfully until his "release date of June 15," when he will begin his physical therapy and hopefully rebuild some movement and strength. Pray for him. It's a struggle when he wants to help and DO something. Thankfully there are many, many caring friends here who keep him "on the straight and narrow" (I can't be with him 24/7 you know!) They aren't letting him "do" anything until he's fully able.

We will greet our first team of visitors since we've returned on Saturday; then another mid-week next week; then another the following Saturday. The time will be filled with evangelism, a vacation Bible school, a construction project or two, and hopefully a lot of fellowship and laughter. We are also looking forward to the roofing team from our home church that arrives July 2.

OK - this is the longest post I've written...ever...I think next time I better write less and maybe write more often. (The pictures must have made it longer!)

For those who have made it to the end...God bless you and thank you for your continued encouragement and prayers.