~A little of my heart today~

February 16^th

… the day that I agreed to marry the man shown here J

…the day we were sharing about “getting off the fence” while leading groups of girls and boys in a Disciple Now weekend 18 years ago in Starkville, MS with our friend, Brad White. 

…the day God was preparing us for this exact day, in Camp Coq, Haiti! 

Today, while we are celebrating the last 18 years we are also asking for big prayers…  I have so much to share I feel like I can’t type fast enough…

First, we want to give God praise and adoration for making an impossible, possible last night!  We are usually able to feed 6-8 extra mouths every night for dinner.  Last night the 5 of us sat down to eat and Herod joined us, as usual.  (The other kids always wait outside until we are done, which makes me sad but I understand and do appreciate the family time since we are usually with others all day long.)  I made Herod (2)’s plate since he is always late getting in and put it up and then went outside to see how many more plates I needed to make for the evening.  There were 16 people on the porch!  16!  I walked inside and told John we needed to have a “loaves and fishes prayer” over the food we had left and ask God to multiply it for all outside.  We had (2) of these pans ½ full each and 4 loaves of bread…

I prayed over every scoop and we started passing out plates. 

Here’s the size of the plates vs the pan…

We had enough for all (16) plus some juice and bread for the orphan “mom”.  (She didn’t want a plate -- she was upset about some things and didn’t want much to eat.)  God fed ALL 24 of us last night with 2 full pans and 4 loaves of bread!!!!!  This gives us so much encouragement and enriches our faith as we lay our petitions at His feet....

While John was busy here, Yehn Yehn, Herod (1) and the plumber left in our truck early yesterday evening to pick up some materials close by and had a wreck.  They were no more than a mile from the house when the truck flipped.  John knew something happened when he saw a crowd of people running.  He took off on foot and found the truck on it's right side.  We are so grateful that God was merciful and all (3) men climbed out with only bruises and a few scrapes.  Lots of men rallied and were able to stand the truck upright.  The back side glass was gone and so was the passenger side window.  The windshield is shattered on the right side and the mirror is gone.  The radiator busted where the hose should attach and the top and right side are full of dents.  We aren't able to tell what other damage has been done at this point.  

John was able to get the truck cranked but it wouldn't stay cranked.  Men helped push it back to the house and then we had quite the crowd.  I think they all thought John and I were going to be very angry.  It was quieter here than I've ever heard it.  I was so proud of John as his main concern was making sure Yehn Yehn and all were ok, both physically and mentally.  Yehn Yehn was extremely shaken up and so upset that the "machine"was wrecked.  Around here, a bicycle is a very nice thing few are fortunate to have, a motorcycle is a luxury to those who can acquire one and a car/truck is almost unheard of in this community.  The community was devastated.  They gathered around in silence for what seemed like an eternity.  I was able to get these photos from upstairs but I didn't want to draw anymore attention to the truck than necessary as we want them to understand that people are far more important to us than any material item.  

John hugs Yehn Yehn to let him know he's not upset with him..

 

Crowds formed inside the gate and outside the wall, too...

Wrapping the windows so moisture doesn't get inside...

We iced some bruises and gave Motrin and fresh water to those in the wreck and assured them that we were not mad at them.  John blames himself for allowing them to take the truck (even though it was just to go down the road).  Please pray for him as his burdens here are heavy..  I pray everyday that while he has responsibilities (yes) that he will see that God, His Father, is wanting to surprise even him with overwhelming love and abundance.  I know deep down he believes it but I want him to SEE it, too.  I want him to be burden-free and to rest again in the arms of our great God with complete trust.  I feel certain that everything happens for a reason -even this- and that this is just another opportunity for God to show himself and to create greater bonds here.  I believe that difficulties are times for God to shine and we are asking Him to do just that!  People rallied around us yesterday like they never have before.  Am I glad it happened?  No, not at all, but I have complete trust that God IS going to use this for good!!!  Somehow, some way... HIS way...

Here's where you come in....  please pray for us as we seek out what to do now that we have no transportation.  Pray for John to have peace in all of his decisions as he has so many to make each day for our family.  Pray for visibility everywhere that God is at work and that He is good in ALL He does and allows.

Our truck was nice to have, yes, but it was also our means to get clean water jugs for the water cooler, to get items at the store - (comparable to a convenient store or gas station at home-- the small store is 1-1/2 hour drive away and the large delimarket is 2-1/2 hours drive), to get our packages at the airport (1-1/2 hour drive), etc.  so without the truck, we are without these things.  John was supposed to go to Cap Haitien on Tuesday to pick up items and now he can't.  We have (1) 5-gallon jug of water left but we think Yehn Yehn can get them refilled with clean water in Limbe which is about 30 minutes away.  Loude, who continues to be an amazing help, is going to her home in Cap Haitien this weekend and will get eggs and bananas there.  

We know that God is in full control and that none of this is a surprise to Him.  We are just asking that He continue to show himself in these times of need.

The water drums for the bathrooms are almost empty again.  

The water came on for a brief time this morning in a trickling stream so we weren't able to get much.  We are praying that it will be on later today and appreciate your prayers for that, too.

Last but not least, this morning I am asking you to pray for our big baby at home... Sam (our Great Pyr)...  I talked with my mom last night and cried with her about my day and learned that on top of everything else, Sam isn't doing well as of yesterday afternoon.  

Please pray for him..we aren't sure if it's just his age or if something is wrong... the vet was out when they talked with him.  I am waiting to hear this morning how he is today.  Pray also for Mom and Dad as they are taking care of him.  

Until later friends, thank you, thank you, thank you for flooding the gates of heaven with our requests as if they were your own.

We love you!