Happy Thanksgiving!

 

There is no delicious smell of turkey in our house this morning. There is no cranberry salad in our refrigerator or pumpkin pies on the pantry shelf… no sweet potatoes with brown sugar, marshmallows or pecans.. no incredible sweet corn or creamy mashed potatoes with brown turkey gravy. No ICECREAM in the freezer… ice cream is almost a foreign word for us!

We are not spending the day with our relatives or extended family members. In fact the   MOST important earthly family member in my life  is not even here!

A very familiar verse came to my mind this morning about contentment:

Philippians 4:11 b

For I have learned in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

Sometimes I struggle to acquire an attitude like that verse describes!

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Contentment makes poor folk rich and discontentment makes rich folk poor.

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Things I am thankful for this morning:

#1. The love, care, provision, and protection of our heavenly Father

      ( In Haiti, I feel like the step between us and death is so much smaller than when we

        we were living in the states, therefore I am more conscious of the fact that our loving

         heavenly Father is watching over us… just this past week Don had a man wave his

         gun at him because he thought Don and “Big Red” were  in his tap tap’s way on

         road… !!  driving is “CRAZY”  in Haiti…)

#2. My loving husband and family

#3. The sweet little baby girl that joined our family this week

     

    ( Due to her own mother’s unfortunate death, our family was very happy to give this

     sweet little girl a home, lots of love, and care. She was born on October 23.)

#4. Big Red’s arrival to assist our family and be a blessing to others as well :) (that is 

      high on our list of thanks… !  A SPECIAL THANKYOU to all of those who helped us

      with this project… from buying the truck …to doing maintenance on it… for Peight’s

      Welding for donating their time… for all the food and goodies that found their way

      onto the back.. Christmas came in November this year!)

     

#5. The turkey in our freezer for a later date! :) We can enjoy Thanksgiving another day.

      ( A SPECIAL, special thank you to my mom and my sister  for packing a tote with

      lots of goodies for us… including a turkey…

       A SPECIAL thank you to David and Brenda for their offer in bringing things to Haiti

       for us. God Bless you richly! )

 

In closing, We wish all of you a blessed day!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!

Eat some turkey for us… and enjoy your pie and icecream.

Lots of love sent your way,

Madam Don

Frogs and Friends

 

FROGS  FROGS  FROGS!  The frogs are invading the outhouse!!!… How would you like to be in the outhouse, quietly minding your own business and a frog jumps onto your shoulder? Hmmm…. maybe that’s not too bad….But from there it jumps onto the outhouse wall and then onto your head?? Well that is what happened to my husband!! Thank goodness it wasn’t me or you would have heard a “blood curdling” scream! :) I am not afraid of frogs but these frogs look yucky and they do not respect humans.. :) and I just don’t like the idea of them jumping onto me!

These frogs not only enjoy terrorizing humans in the outhouse, they also take delight in jumping on you when you are in the shower house! Yes! Terrible creatures!! ;)

A team of five friends (not frogs!) arrived in Leogane last Tuesday evening. They came with the intention of helping us lay the block for our shop/house in the mountains as well as to see Haiti. Jeff, Don’s oldest brother was the group leader. He was bringing some students who had graduated the 12th grade. I must say they were a rather quiet group but nevertheless a blessing to our family. (the frogs brought some reactions!)

We made the rough and bumpy trip up the mountains the following day and camped out for four nights. I do not plan to go into a lot of details about our time up there… but I would like to show you all some photos …

Before …….

Jeff Weaver was the group leader and did an excellent job laying block…

William Claudsie, happy as a lark, while “helping”! 

The building is taking shape! We are eager to complete the shop/house and to move to the mountains… but… like the usual story in Haiti… it is going to take time and more time then you first expect! If you like adventure and don’t mind frogs too much you are welcome to come help! ;)

I did most of our cooking over a fire… This young neighbor fellow enjoyed helping me out with the fire!

My sweet, pretty niece, Sheila,  didn’t mind the frogs! or snails!

Thanks again for visiting our blog!

Keep praying for us…

With love,

karole

What Brings God’s Blessing on Your Ministry?

 

This is a  question I have been pondering recently... I decided to do a little online research and  was  a bit surprised what I found… yet not altogether… The first answer was:

Ministry brings the blessing!

Interesting!

But it does make sense. From past experience and even in the present, we have found that ministering to others brings blessings into our own lives.

Serving others is the key to experiencing blessing in our lives and in our ministry. Whether it be “at home” or abroad.

But that didn’t really answer the question that has been heavy on my heart. We are in Haiti. We are ministering to a very small portion of the needs of Haiti. And Yes, we do find a blessing in that.. But..

The main reason for my question, “What Brings God’s Blessing on Your Ministry?” is because of our concern in  beginning a new mission, in Haiti, in a way that can please God and therefore have His unreserved blessing.

THAT is our sincere desire.

It doesn’t take long for a new missionary to discover that the devil is just as real on the mission field as he is at home. He is there trying to deceive, destroy, sow discord among God’s people and a whole list of ugly things. He loves lying and backbiting and he uses these tools in a sly way… at home… and on the mission field. (Missionaries are just as human as anyone else! )  Therefore it is seems to be very important to  begin and operate a mission in a way that can please God in order to avoid these spiritually deadly pitfalls. If we don’t start right and continue therein the outcome will not be successful.

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against the spiritual wickedness in high places.

WHEREFORE take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand.

Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with TRUTH, and having on the breastplate of RIGHTEOUSNESS;

And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

Above all, taking the shield of FAITH, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is THE WORD OF GOD.

PRAYING ALWAYS with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.

Ephesians 6:11-18

I think these verses hold the answers, or at least some of the answers,  that I was looking for:

TRUTH

RIGHTEOUSNESS

FAITH

THE WORD OF GOD

PRAYER

In thinking about new beginnings, one must start with a good foundation.

JESUS CHRIST

An unshakeable foundation!

In a practical way, how does a person… or home… or mission have JESUS CHRIST as the foundation?

I think one way to have Jesus as the foundation is to go to Him in PRAYER about EVERYTHING..  with any questions we may have, with any problem we may be facing etc. We need to wait on Him to give us clear direction.

God’s will is revealed to us through READING HIS WORD and hanging on to His promises found there. We need to believe the Bible and cling to TRUTH even if it goes against our culture or against the culture we are living in.  Can God pour out His blessings on  the person…or the home… or the mission who compromises for the sake of “peace”? 

PRAYER

Before making any important or life changing decision it is VERY important to spend lots of time in prayer. Our decision may have far reaching affects… our decision may affect someone’s eternal destiny. Now, how serious is that?

Prayer changes things.

One should never initiate anything that he cannot saturate with prayer.

Men can spurn our appeals, reject our message, oppose our arguments, but they are HELPLESS against our prayers. Sidlow Baxter

No learning can make up for the failure to pray. No earnestness, no diligence, no study, no gifts will supply its lack. E. M. Bounds

There is no other activity in life so important as that of prayer. Every other activity depends upon prayer for its best efficiency. M. E. Andross

Prayer does not fit us for the greater work; Prayer IS  the greater work. Oswald Chambers

A man who is intimate with God will never be intimidated by men. Leonard Ravenhill

We would like to set aside the 7th day of  every month as a special day for prayer for the ministry we are involved in. The children’s home that we, with God’s help and direction and our church’s involvement and blessing, have started is called Light on the Mountain.

Pray that:

we might do God’s perfect will

God’s power might rest upon us

God would surround us with His mighty angels

Satan would not have any power over this mission

God could be glorified through this mission

we could be good examples to the native people

we could bring encouragement into the lives of others

we could point children to Christ

God would bring children to us that will have a heart after God

that our family could prosper and be in good health spiritually and physically

 

Now for a little update on what has been happening in our lives:

God has been VERY good to us and has blessed us way beyond what we would have dared hope. Isn’t it ironic that I still struggle with TRUST when God has provided for us thus far?

Our family is still living in Leogane at BRIC’s otherwise empty compound. We are responsible to take care of  the large yard and to maintain the property here.

It is our plan to move to the mountain early summer of 2013.

Don has been making regular trips to the mountain with his Chevy truck, hauling block, cement, rebar, etc. in preparation to build the shop. The shop will be our temporary house!

We are expecting a small work team October 16 – October 23. They plan to help lay the block for the shop / house.

After the Leogane Girl’s Home closed, Fre  (brother)  Dylo decided to  stay here and help us out in spite of us not being able to afford to pay him very much. (He had been hired by BRIC to help out with interpreting etc before the mission closed) Since  BRIC’s mission closed, he was left without a job. Fre Dylo is a huge blessing to our family. He does a lot of yard work… like raking the “never ending” pile of leaves that fall from the huge trees around here  and pulling weeds and trimming etc.

Fre Dylo is the typical young person with lots of big dreams for his future. He has a desire to help his family as well  as the youth living in the area he came from.

Our family had the privilege of meeting his family recently. Fre Dylo comes from Labiche, located in the scenic mountains of Haiti about 5 hours from Leogane. The following picture was taken from his home in Labiche:

We love this outstanding Haitian family!

Fre Dylo’s father is a dedicated pastor at the church in Labiche. Dylo told me that his father rises early every morning around 3:30 AM and prays and sings until the sun rises! Talk about dedication…

If God lays it on your heart to bless Fre Dylo  financially, OR if you have a small digital camera that you no longer use.. :) ( he has been wishing for one!)  please contact us by way of email. lightonthemountainweaver@gmail.com . 

Our goal,when coming to Haiti,18 months ago was to help meet the needs of little children. It was and still is our desire to eventually operate a small children’s home in the rugged mountains of Haiti… only as God leads and provides.

Presently our family is caring for two precious two year olds. Karlee and William Claudsie. Karlee has been a part of our family for 14 months now, with a family in the states that is working at adopting her. And William Claudsie has no future plans but to stay with our family. His mother died when he was about 4 months old and his relatives did not feel like they could provide for him.   We do not know what all God has in mind for us but we are hoping to care for more little ones.. especially ones who have no mother. We are also considering a Sunday afternoon children’s ministry. Pray.. pray.. pray!

The previous picture is my favorite right now…I know I have posted it before. :)

Christelle is a very sweet, young lady who came to live with our family for several months. She went through BRIC’s program as a young child… taught school for awhile when the new little girls were here and then went back to Port to live with her family. After the program here closed, she came back and was very happy to cook for us. Life in Haiti is very difficult for some people, including Christelle. She comes from a very poor family who struggles to survive. Her spirit is admirable!

Some kind folks from the states have offered to sponsor her schooling this next school term. She has enrolled in a nursing school! Wish her well! She is planning to leave us next week to attend her school in port. Oh.. how we will miss her! We all love her sweet personality and kind ways… as well as her delicious food.

Sweet little Karlee loves to help “mommy karole” and wanted to help with laundry this morning…

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1 Corinthians 3:7

So than neither he that planteth anything, neither he that watereth; but GOD that giveth the increase.

Thanks to all who care and pray for our family!

God Bless You!

Madam Don

A Sad Blog

 

I am struggling with the thought of writing this blog. I don’t know what to say and how to say it…

Many, many tears have been shed here at the Leogane Girls Home in the recent days. Our hearts are heavy and we are sad but life will go on and God’s will will continue to unfold.

Due to some ongoing problems with the mission here  and some  complicated issues state side,  the BRIC board has decided to send all the girls away and close the doors to this mission. ( I don’t know how else to say it.. hopefully I won’t be offending anyone!)

I was thinking of the song this morning about: When the home falls apart, the children are the broken pieces. Will you pray with us for each little heart that is hurting.. each soul that has been affected? Pray that God in His almighty power would make something good come out of this.

We are grateful to BRIC for allowing us to continue to live here, in spite of “losing our job”. They have told us that we are free to take in needy children at “our expense”. Another huge test of FAITH and TRUST! :) We do not know what all God has in mind for our family but it is our desire to walk in His perfect will for our lives. He has provided and will continue to provide.

Our desire has been and still is.. to do our very best with each job He gives us.

I want to share a familiar story with you… I think it would do us some good to think about the story again and perhaps apply it to our lives in a genuine effort to make a difference in the life of someone:

The Starfish Rescuers

adapted from The Star Thrower by Loren Eiseley (1907-1977)

Once upon a time, there was a wise man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work.

One day, as he was walking along the shore, he looked down the beach and saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself at the thought of someone who would dance to the day, and so, he walked faster to catch up.

As he got closer, he noticed that the figure was that of a young man, and that what he was doing was not dancing at all. The young man was reaching down to the shore, picking up small objects, and throwing them into the ocean.

He came closer still and called out "Good morning! May I ask what it is that you are doing?"

The young man paused, looked up, and replied "Throwing starfish into the ocean."

"I must ask, then, why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?" asked the somewhat startled wise man.

To this, the young man replied, "The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don't throw them in, they'll die."

Upon hearing this, the wise man commented, "But, young man, do you not realize that there are miles and miles of beach and there are starfish all along every mile? You can't possibly make a difference!"

At this, the young man bent down, picked up yet another starfish, and threw it into the ocean. As it met the water, he said, "It made a difference for that one."

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Don and I are not out to “Change the world” or even “To Change Haiti”, we are out to make a difference in perhaps only a few (in comparison to all the needs around us) … I trust God will continue to nurture the seeds that were sown in the hearts of the little girls lives while here. They seemed to love us as a Mommy and Daddy even though the color of our skin is different.. even though we were still struggling to learn their language!

Special moments before separation.

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Once again, Thanks to all of you who care about our family and for the work here in Haiti. The “fight” is real!

Love to all!

Karole

Trip to the Baptist Mission #2.

 

Dear me!

I thought I would have done this blog a long while ago.. but you know how it can go! I was busy doing other things.. and neglected this particular activity! :)

The main reason for doing “Trip to the Baptist Mission #2”  is  primarily to show you some more pictures of our day. So if you enjoy looking at pictures, this blog is especially for you! Enjoy…

The Baptist Mission has a gift shop where you can buy all kinds of neat things made by some of the natives. I took several pictures and thought you might be interested in seeing some of the beautiful things you can buy here in Haiti! ;)

We also enjoyed touring the museum..

This guy managed to get a lot of attention. And poor Karlee was even afraid of him! And I must agree, he DOES look a bit “scary” !

After leaving the Baptist Mission, we headed to “the overlook” and what a spectacular view we had,  although hazy.

Most of the girls had a little nap on the way home.. tired but happy about their day!

 

Isn’t she BEAUTIFUL? :) I love dark skin! ;)

I want to close this blog with a special picture of a special man and the little ones he toted around a lot…

Thanks again for the interest you show in our lives.. It certainly means more to us than you might realize!

Sincerely,

Madam Don

Trip to the Baptist Mission #1.

A happy feeling warms my heart tonight!
We had an enjoyable day with our family, the girls, and the native women.
Today, once again, Don’s faithful Chevy truck did an excellent job hauling a group of excited children and their caregivers .  If it could talk, I’m sure it would have many an interesting story to tell…its life began in the comforts of the USA in the year of 2001. It drove many a mile on the smooth roads of Pennsylvania, serving Don’s siding business well. Ten years later  it boarded a boat in Miami, Florida and sailed across the waters to the warm island of Haiti. Today it is doing a great  job helping with the many different needs that arise here in Haiti…. from hauling the sick and dying to hauling energetic children who are full of life and energy!  I hope and pray that this faithful machine will be blessed with a long and happy life! Vehicles have a longer life expectancy here in Haiti… believe it or not!! By the looks of some of them, they refuse to die!
This morning we decided to escape the confines of our walled compound  and head for the southern mountains of Haiti! (don’t misunderstand me though.. i do like our walls!) The girls had off school, giving us a great opportunity to have some fun together.. ;) We had a total of 29 people in the truck. What precious cargo! What an awesome responsibility.. lays upon the shoulders of the driver… and the truck! I thank God for the guardian angels He sent along with us today and every day that we venture out onto the roads. ;)
Our destination was the Baptist Mission. It took us about three hours to get there.

This mission is a popular place here in Haiti and many people visit it. They have a clinic, a church, a school, a museum, a restaurant, a store with lots of beautiful things made by the natives… etc.
We went to visit the monkey that lives there!…  They also have a little “set up” that resembles a zoo! (very small compared to the zoos in the USA)

He was one feisty little monkey and did very well entertaining us!

Above is a picture of “Daddy Don” and Karlee intrigued with the silly monkey!

Me with three of the native women who help here at the Girls’ Home…



This is Nadia.. the oldest girl here. (besides me.. ;)She has been with this mission for over ten years.
I think she looks really “cute” in this picture!

After our tour of the “zoo” we decided to patronize the restaurant! It was about lunch time and we were hungry. :)




to be continued….