The Confirmations Continue Coming...

Spent a great weekend in Sun River a few weeks ago with my quilting buddies. I had coordinated the rental of the Sun River home (if you've been there, you KNOW how many homes are in Sun River to rent!) We had scoured the Internet sites and came up with what we thought was the perfect home for quilting. Arrived, unpacked, enjoyed a wonderful four days of friends, fellowship, food and of course QUILTING! When we returned I emailed the owner to say how much we'd enjoyed our time and thanked them for making their house available. I told her I was certain we'd be looking at their house again for future retreats...but, for WHATEVER REASON, I said I would not be the contact next year as my husband & I are currently fundraising to be missionaries in Haiti and that we anticipate being there as early as this Fall. I honestly questioned myself as I was writing the email to her as to why I was sharing this info. She quickly responded that she & her husband had sponsored missionaries in Haiti in the 1980s & 90s and that they had always regretted not going to visit them. I told her they were more than welcomed to come and visit us anytime. As we emailed back and forth we discovered that the couple they had funded were Dr. Vernon Hall and his wife, Lois. Dr. Hall & Lois served with One Mission Society (then called OMS) on the exact compound where Bud & I will serve. And, while Bud & I have never personally met Dr. Hall, his grandson, Greg, and Greg's family, attended our church for several years. Needless to say, both she & I were quite amazed at how God had orchestraed our meeting. With all the houses we could have selected in Sun River, why theirs? Well, I don't know the full answer now, but GOD DOES, and, I am confident that HE's orchestrated our meeting for some purpose. I'm just excited to be a part of it and to see where God takes it from here!

Again, Bud & I just shook our heads in amazement at God's hand in EVERYTHING about our move to Haiti. We praise Him and thank Him for His continued faithfulness and for the continued confirmations that He provides.

Serving Him Together,
Bud & Cindy

God's Timing is Always Perfect...

Bud & I spent last week in Haiti working, meeting with the field director, and picking out our soon to be "Home Sweet Haitian Home". It was a terrific week and we were especially blessed to get to travel with Doug & Jan Hoffman on their first trip to Haiti. We got a lot of questions answered and got to pick our soon-to-be "Home Sweet Haiti Home". Of course, we came home excited and thinking we could be relocated as soon as September. Then, maybe because of fatigue or readjusting to the time change, we both started feeling a bit overwhelmed at all there is to "do" before we could leave. Our Haiti house is lovely and in good condition, but does need to be equipped so comes with a long list of things to "take" when we move. Then there's renting our Dallas home, selling Bud's 1950 Chevy pick-up, a few house projects to be done, growing our ministry team, leaving jobs, family, church family, etc. Whew! Before you know it, we're fretting and doubting and the Lord, in His amazing way, steps in and says, "Be still...I'm here."

I've been doing Beth Moore's "Believing God" study since September and it has been exactly what I've needed at this time in my life. God absolutely KNEW I needed it. This week focused on the FAITHFULNESS of God and Hebrews 11. Just when I'm feeling overwhelmed, Beth writes, "Time is often where He tempers & tests us so that premature births of ministries don't result in lifelong handicaps. God created time & He never wastes it." WOW! What a great reminder! Even though some days Bud & I feel like our lives are on fast-forward, and some days it feels like we'll never be in Haiti, whatever the time frame it's GOD's.

We are so thankful for each of our ministry partners. Without faithful partners, this ministry can't happen. As we prepare to head to Burien, Washington tomorrow to speak at the Burien Evangelical Church on Sunday, we ask for your prayers for traveling safety and that the message we share will be from the Lord and will speak to the hearts there.

Here's a pic of our Haiti House. We are so blessed that it comes with a brand new roof just finished two weeks ago AND thanks to the departing missionary, a pillow-top queen mattress. Oh Joetta, you are our BFF!!

In His Service,

Bud & Cindy

Would appreciate all your prayers this weekend as Bud & I fly out to Florida on Sunday and into Haiti on Monday. What a memorable Valentines Day - spending it in the Caribbean! We are traveling with friends, Doug & Jan Hoffman. It's their first time to Haiti, although they've both been to Mozambique. Doug hopes to be able to establish some agricultural projects in Haiti similar to the work he's done in Kenya. Bud & I will be meeting with the Haiti field director and seeing our good friends - both missionaries and Haitians. The trip will be short - only one week, but we're anxious to see housing options, get more information about our assignment, timeline, language training, etc. More news to come on that!

The following weekend, February 26-27, we'll be in Burien, Washington speaking at the Evangelical Church there. We're hoping to sneak in a stop to Pike's Market too! Again, we would appreciate your prayers for traveling mercies.

A friend today told me a "good" blog includes a lot of pics and less to read (ha!) We're hoping to have a lot of pics to share after we get home from Haiti so be sure to check back in a week or so.

Serving Him Together,
Bud & Cindy

A Visual Altar

As soon as Bud & I applied to One Mission, we started talking about the importance of communicating with our supporters and the importance of US PRAYING for them - what better way to thank someone! We are very aware of how much of a partnership going to the field is. As we walk in obedience to what God has called us to do, we put our faith in Him to provide through the obedience of those whose hearts are moved to join with us in this ministry.

For all of us, as the busyness of life creeps into our lives each day, we need reminders of where our focus needs to be. As I've been reading about Abraham in the Old Testament I realized how often he was moved to build an alter to the Lord as a reminder of God's faithfulness. Just like those altars, Bud & I are planning our "visual reminder" in Haiti through our Prayer Quilt. What a wonderful way use my love of quilting into something useful and practical on the field. The quilt square (shown here) has plenty of white space for us to fill in the names of those partnering with us in Haiti. The quilt will hang in our "new home" where every day we'll be reminded of the hundreds of people praying for us, providing for us, caring for us, partnering with us. And, each week we'll be praying over a different square and the names listed on it praising and thanking God for each of you!

In His Service,

Bud & Cindy

Who Would Have Thought...

New Year's Day found us home enjoying a quiet day since our trip to Haiti (originally scheduled for New Year's Eve) had been postponed until mid-February due to possible political unrest after election result announcements scheduled for Tuesday, January 4. Please pray for Haiti, the election results, and the missionaries there, as the stress of "unrest" isn't easy. Anyway...we decided to enjoy the cold, clear weather and walk down to Washington Street Grill for breakfast. I LOVE their O'Brien potatoes - simply the best! The restaurant was packed and we were seated at a small table next to an older couple who were already enjoying their breakfast. As Bud & I chatted, we started to engage the other couple in our conversation. It went something like this...

Gentleman: "We live in Peedee, do you know where Peedee is?"
Bud: "Yes, we've driven out there just to enjoy the drive."
Gentleman: "Many people don't know it exists."
Wife: "Yes, we've been there 18 years. My husband is a pastor."
Cindy: "Oh, where do you worship?"
Pastor: "Peedee EVANGELICAL CHURCH - the only church out there."
Bud: "Oh, did you follow Roger Bole?" (Bud works with Roger at the church!)

As the conversation continued we shared our Haiti plans and they were so excited for us. We realized we'd both be spending time at the pastor's mid-winter conference together in a few weeks and that their son, another evangelical pastor from Lebanon, would also be there and they wanted to introduce us in hopes we might be able to share at his church. We exchanged business cards and said our good-byes wishing each other a Happy New Year with a lot of "see you in a few weeks" mixed in.

After they left, we sat across the table from one another in total amazement at God's hand in putting this encounter together. Then,shortly after they left the waitress came by and asked if we "knew" the people who had just left. She said they'd forgotten their credit card. I quickly whipped out the pastor's business card to give her their phone number so she could let them know the card was safe & sound. Bud called them today (after church) to ask if they'd gotten their card. They assured him all was well and thanked him for calling saying they'd see us "in a few weeks".

As we walked home on Saturday, Bud & I chatted, laughed and even had a few tears thinking about how good God is and how He provides in EVERY SITUATION! If we simply realize WHO is really in control and working out the details we would realize how much He loves us and cares about us. I don't know what this new friendship may bring, but we look forward to seeing how God continues to work in our lives.

We pray you each find God's hand working in your lives and wish you each a very blessed and joy-filled 2011.

Love & Prayers,
Bud & Cindy

God's Kingdom is so Rich & Diverse

Bud & I had a great day sharing in two Sunday School classes today. First, the college students, who, in a room of about 30 kids when I asked which had taken a mission trip nearly ALL raised their hands! Praise the Lord! These are some kids who already have a vision for the lost and are following God's leading to reach these people for His glory! It was fun to share with them, encourage them, and tell them how God is working in our lives AND, remind them that He's working in THEIRS. I have no doubt once Bud & I are serving in Haiti many of these kids will be joining us there in some way by either coming on a work team or bringing an entire team of college students.

After the college class, we went to the Beacons. The Beacons are on the "other end" of the spectrum. They just kept laughing at us whenever we joked about being "old". Many mentioned that they have kids YOUNGER than us! This is a faithful group of prayer warriors who not only prayed Bud home from Haiti (and back to full health) after his truck accident, but who were the first Sunday School class to begin supporting us financially MONTHS BEFORE we began fundraising. They have been an encouragement to us from the very beginning.

God reminded us today that EVERY PERSON in HIS BODY has a purpose and a part in His kingdom. We are so blessed to have a church family that sees missions as the partnership it is. The financial piece can seem so overwhelming and completely humbling, but truly, as God moves hearts and people are obedient to His leading, all the pieces come together in a beautiful way. Faith grows. Lives are changed. God is glorified and WE ALL reap the blessings. Thank you partners! Those who pray, those who give financially, those who come to visit and work alongside us...

What we do in this life echoes in eternity. Let our obedience echo LOUDLY in testimony to God today AND eternity!

Blessings,
Bud & Cindy

Haiti Needs Our Prayers...

As I read the posts from the various missionaries my heart rejoices to hear of a new sister in the Lord as the missionaries minister to those they come in contact with AND my heart hurts for the unrest, cholera deaths, and political unrest in the country. Please pray for Haiti. That through all the unrest and turmoil Christ would be raised up and that those serving there will be encouraged and confirmed in their commitment to serve JESUS in Haiti.

Bud & I will be speaking in another Sunday School class tomorrow. Please pray God will move hearts to partner with us as we continue to share what God has called us to do. I will also be speaking at my Rotary club on Monday. Please pray that my message will be clear and that it will glorify God even in a non-religion setting. There is no way for me to separate my love for Jesus from my call to Haiti...the two go hand-in-hand. The club has always been gracious, responsive, supportive and giving for which I am always so thankful.

Bless you and again, thank you for your support & prayers.

In Him,
Bud & Cindy

Praise the Lord!

Sunday at Oak Park Church was a tremendous blessing to both Bud & I. We shared our hearts and the people were responsive and showed us great love and encouragement! It was especially exciting to hear the many questions they asked about Haiti and about the potential of them putting together a work team from their church. Bud & I are never more excited than when we hear someone is interested in visiting Haiti. It will change your heart forever!

I have been following the various blogs from the missionaries currently on the Haiti field and would ask for your prayers. There is a lot of discouragement and discontent among the Haitians as the cholera continues to worsen. In addition, the needs continue to grow as some are being flooded from their already make-shift homes and, if that weren't enough, the election of a new president is scheduled for November 28 which is causing a lot of tension throughout the country.

Thankfully, we serve a God who knows the beginning from the end so there in lies our trust.

Thank you for your continued prayers and encouragement.

In Him,
The Lenkers

Our New Beginning...

Hmmm...where do I begin? Bud & I are excited to report that we are continuing on the path the Lord has laid before us and are now fundraising toward the goal of full-time ministry to Haiti as soon as the Lord provides and the pieces fall into place. To date, we've made our deputation presentation (say that five times fast!) to two Sunday School classes and will be speaking at Oak Park Community Church this Sunday (11/14). Between now and the end of the year we will be speaking at various Sunday School classes at Salem Evangelical, then will see where the Lord leads from there. We have been invited to a church in Seattle sometime in January, but no date yet. The Lord continues to provide and answer prayers. We cannot thank you all enough for your prayers...encouragement...financial support. We feel so overwhelmed and totally blessed. Please continue to pray for Haiti. With the recent storms, there is great concern that the cholera-laiden waters will spill their banks and spread the disease further. They need our prayers!

More to come...

God Bless,
Bud & Cindy

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

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

Just two weeks to go...

As we worshipped yesterday, Bud & I were overwhelmed (and overcome) singing the words, "If you can use anything Lord, you can use me...", unable to continue singing as the tears flowed. Afterward we asked each other what we were thinking and both agreed we feel completely blessed and humbled to be able to spend the next two months in Haiti. And, we both feel completely ill-equipped. Thankfully we serve a more than able God who can work through and past our limitations and insecurities! We are so blessed by the number of friends and church family who "stand with us," praying for us, supporting us financially and encouraging us. We may fly to Haiti and spend a few weeks, but others will faithfully remain here serving the needs in this community. What a blessing that God equips us each individually and differently to complete His purpose. Whatever you are passionate about doing for the Lord - just keep on doing it!

Next week will be our last Sunday before we leave. The choir will sing, "Isn't It Amazing?" and I hope as you hear the words of the song they will fill your heart to overflowing as you marvel in God's amazing grace that for each of us is individual and personal and perfect for what we are each called to do. We love you all and look forward to sharing with you our experiences these next few weeks!

In His Service,
Bud & Cindy

Remodel is complete...

Praise the Lord! This phase of the remodel is over!

Step 1: Down to the studs...

Step 2: Drywall & Paint...

And...the finished product! (After several weeks of dust, sweat and mess!) Isn't it beautiful? Bud did a fantastic job and I was a good helper (so he says).

Our "to do" list continues to get whittled down as we prepare for our departure. Just 15 days (but whose counting!) We are excited, anxious and full of anticipation AND are fully confident we are fully in God's hand. We continue to covet your prayers.

In Him - Bud & Cindy

THANK YOU PAUL!

Thanks to Paul Lopez, we have a blog! I never thought I'd be a "blogger", but hey, I never thought I'd spend eight weeks in Haiti either! Be patient with me as I'm still learning the ins & outs! Praise the Lord, last weekend we shared our Haiti testimony and Starfish Kids to the East Vancouver Evangelical Church and signed up 12 new sponsors! God is good! Another praise, Bud's medical tests all came back "clear" and he's good to go galivanting off to the Caribbean with me. On the home front, our remodel is "on schedule" for the July 4 completion. We will be very thankful to have this phase DONE in time to enjoy it briefly before heading out. As you might guess, July 27 is fast-approaching and we continue to appreciate all the prayers and encouragement from all of you. We'll keep you posted...

Blessings,
Bud & Cindy