Friday, January 1, 2016

Inside Out

I don't know about y'all but we are rejoicing that we made it to the other side of 2015.  While God delivered blessings in the midst of pain for lots of us, if I thought it was possible I would argue that the last 12 months were way longer than one year.  Can I get a witness??

Prayers were answered despite the 'crickets' at certain intervals.  Some answers were as we hoped they'd be and others just the opposite; some answers were simply "wait" (which isn't simple at all) and, well, some answers have yet to come. 

     I'm sure you can relate.
     Cue----> Life..
         ... inside and out!


In reflection, I can't help but see that these people I get to do life with are a beautiful reminder that I'm so blessed!
I still find myself trying to make sense of where we are right now, figuratively speaking and yes, sometimes even literally... (I'm beginning to loathe suitcases on a whole new level!) but soooooooo many of you prayed fervently with us throughout the past year(s) and for that we are SO grateful.  I can't even begin to tell you how much you mean to us!  I feel certain we are still Circling Haiti as 6 on a journey because of you!!

Though it didn't take us long after losing our housing in Haiti to realize that the 6 of us needed more than a 250 sq ft bedroom to work well (with others and with each other), we aimed to make the best of things.  Thanks to the gracious Heartline Ministries-Haiti crew, we "made do" until we just couldn't "make do" any longer.  

As you know, we were granted Cabila's VISA in April (after a 2 year long pursuit). God opened the door for us to go see our Stateside peoples (Hallelujah!) so when we were able to fly away for a bit, we all rejoiced!  We moved out of our bedroom at the Guesthouse on June 30th and we flew to the States for some family time and some much needed rest & recovery time, too.  It was our first trip 'home' as a family since Jan 2013.  

We set aside a couple of months to "fall into family" upon arriving in the grand ole USA, and then we dove 'head first' into fundraising.  As independent missionaries we are responsible for raising our own support to live and work in Haiti so we began traveling and sharing with churches and groups and families that were open to hearing our story regarding our love for Haiti.


Thank the good Lord we were embraced by family and friends when we arrived Stateside but (despite knowing it was going to be hard), I don't think any of us realized how hard it was going to be to rally the extra support and community needed for us to get back to work in Haiti...especially while discovering gaping wounds that just hadn't ever healed.  

Although our full-time missionary work in Haiti began in January 2013, we lost our financial support and housing after the first year so there we were--starting over.  Cabila couldn't leave Haiti at that time and we didn't believe leaving him here to go home and raise needed funds was an option so we prayed for direction like we'd never prayed before. 

        And 21 months ago, God led us to HEARTLINE. (smiles)

Fast forward a bit to now...... after 6 long (good but hard and long) months away from the amazing country of Haiti, I am now sitting on a bunk bed (back in Heartline's Guesthouse) IN HAITI typing this post.  (!!!!!!!)

We aren't fully funded yet and only 4 of the 6 of us could be here at this time so we aren't back permanently right now but God is faithful and you guys are amazing! 

My prayer continues to be, as 2016 has begun, that we will proceed with HOPE.  
     Hope that HIS plan for us, 6 on a journey, will carry on and that wounds will be healed.
     Hope that, though things are currently inside out, that we will thrive again soon.
     Hope that we will be found faithful to share Christ, regardless of location and circumstances.
     Hope that despite obvious needs, God will receive the glory when His plan prevails.
     Hope that we don't lose sight of our Savior while circling this country we madly love!

"He led them by a straight way to a city where they could settle.  
Let them give thanks to the Lord for His unfailing love
and His wonderful deeds...
for He satisfies the thirsty
and fills the hungry with good things."  
~ Psalm 107:7-8


 "Prayer does not change God, 
but it changes me in big ways.
It helps me accept the unacceptable.
It helps me trust God when 
all the circumstances are untrustworthy."
- Kathi Lipp