Plans for the Trip

While God is feeding our souls and we feed other souls of the people of Haiti, Deanna, my wonderful sister will be sending Kansas beef with us to feed us physically.  Angie is planning the meals and I appreciate her so much and I'm sure the food will be nourishing to our bodies to give us strength! 

I am so blessed to have friends who have made a donation to my trip, Dave, Carolyn and George!  They have been a blessing to my life and I will share my blessings from the Lord with people of Gonaives.  AJ and Kristin also sent a donation.  They are a blessing as well. 

Jan and Pastor Jean will be here soon to share with us!  Continue to pray for me and the team as we continue to make plans and share our love of the Lord for others! 

Praise God and Praise him for Candy!

I just love this verse Psalm 96:4 For the Lord is great and greatly to be praised!  Praise God every chance you get!  My hope is in the Lord!

For some background on Gonaives, Haiti which is where we will be, it is in the northern part of Haiti about 4 hours car ride from Port of Prince which is where we fly in.  The roads are still not repaired from the flooding so I am looking forward to some excitement and bumps!  What an adventure!

Somedays all you need is candy!!!!  One of the things be taking is a bag of suckers for the kids, I already have them!  Everyone likes them and even little ones can eat them!  This is a big hit with the kids and I am all about blessing them and they don't take up much room and can be packed around on in things.

Some of the other things I will purchase with funds thanks to Kenny and Wilma Howell are a backpack, sunscreen, bug spray, baby wipes, Kleenex, sheets, flip flops, some snack items, towels and some bright summer clothes to wear while I am there and leave for the people.  The best part is a new Bible will be going with me as well!  I hope to come home with nothing but the clothes on my back because I am so blessed to have this opportunity and can't wait to give it all away in the name of the Lord.  It truly does come back ten fold when you give everything away!

God Bless everyone and continue to pray for the team going in to do this great work of the Lord! 

A Movie, Family and God

Last night Christopher and I went to see The Chronicles of Narina: the Voyage of the Dawn Treader and it was great!  We were glad to have saw the first one so we had a background for the movie.  The early 2D show was sold out so we stayed for the 4:15 and saw it in 3D.  We looked interesting in our 3D glasses.  I thought Christopher wasn't going to stay awake for the movie but he did, I think he has enjoyed his gaming this holiday season.   I loved on Logan and Holli and then came home to a very restful night...no coughing and lots of sleep.  It seems like the dog hair in the house and vents is causing my allergies to flair. 

I am asking for prayers for my Uncle Howard Redburn who is at Wesley, they aren't sure what is going on.  He is a super guy and has always been there to support me and my endeavors, and also for Aunt Julie Anderson who will be having heart surgery at Kansas Heart Hospital tomorrow.  Aunt Julie is a fabulous decorator and made the finishing touches on Ethanni's wedding cake to hide the cracks and flaws that drying fondant can cause.  I sent cards since I wasn't able to go so that should brighten their spirits.  Both of the cards were pictures that Leroy Gipson took and then added scriptures to!  One of them was of a beautiful yellow flower that I grew.     

In the scriptures , Mark 16:15, Jesus is giving the great commission- He said to them, "Go into the world and preach the good news to all creation."  This is what I am looking forward to sharing in Haiti.  The "good news," is one full of grace and mercy for everyone, if you believe and ask Jesus into your heart!

Swimming with the Children

One of the things that we will be doing when on the trip, if there is time, is take the children in Kids' Club swimming.  Now this won't be like swimming in a pool so I am a little nervous but there is a first time for everything!  The house we are staying at has both showers indoors and out but no hot water.  I'm sure at night when I have the opportunity to shower, I will appreciate it!  I will be taking lots of baby wipes and facial wipes for during the day as well as sanitizer.  I am somewhat prepared for what I will see after being in Belize but that was on a cruise and I'm sure we didn't see the worst that was there.  I am praying for the Lord to bless me with the knowledge and guidance to make a difference while I am there.  I am also really excited to share when I get back and hope I can take lots of pictures.  This will be a challenge so I am practicing now.
Here is a picture, (I didn't take) but a great time packing meals for Numana this week with the members from the DeGraff Church.   It was a great time and wonderful to serve the Lord's with others! 
The new year will bring lots of opportunities for me to share my faith and service in many ways and I am looking forward to focusing on learning and serving!

First Mission Team Meeting

Tonight I met with some of the members of the team who I will be traveling to Haiti.  There will be 7 of us and we will be going early morning on Feb. 24th to March 4.  Lots of information was given and I will be shopping soon for some items to take.  I will carry most of the items I need in my carry-on and backpack on the plane so we can share the suitcase for ministry needs.  The team will be carrying in all our food and water so we won't have to worry about Cholera while we are there.  Monday I received my Hep A shot and soon will make my last visit to get the rest of my meds to take.  While the team will not begin on the orphanage as the hotel that was in negotiations was in the flood plain and the flood waters are high and so it was not a suitable site.  They are considering ground in the country higher up but nothing has been purchased.  We will be working with a Kids' Club, Women's and Men's bible study and a water distribution day.  Please be in prayer for the trip and our ministry there.  I am still very excited and have learned a very important word tonight- Pa Touche.  It means Don't Touch!  This is very important when we are with the Haitian people because they want everything we have. 

Jan Thompson will be back in El Dorado if all goes as planned, and return to Gonaives before we leave travel in February.  There are 13 orphans they have been helping so I am hoping to get some sizes for clothing so I can pack some in my suitcase. Every evening while we are there we will attend Circle of Hope which is a time to share our experiences from the day and praise God in prayer and song.

I am so thankful to the Foundation Board of the First Christian Church for their donation to help fund this trip.  I am blessed to have an awesome Church family and great support in all I do to serve the Lord!  I will be updating the funding number soon after I get a report. 

Just remember that Luke 1:37 says"For nothing is impossible with God."  This is Jan's family verse and I am in prayer that they may have safe travel back and be refreshed for our visit with them at Christopher's Ministry.

Mary and Her Special Blessing

At this Christmas season I am reminded of the wonderful blessing that Mary had given to her by our Heavenly Father.  What an incredible gift to an extraordinary woman!  One of the most amazing things about her was she listened and followed the plan God had for her!  She knew God's grace was with her and that with Him she could do anything!  How many times in life are we faced with the human things that can get in the way of serving Him?  Knowing God is there to pick us up and carry us on our next journey makes all the difference! 

In Luke 2:19 it says, But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 
She was finally ready to enjoy the wonder of this miracle! 

Thanks for all my friends who have been a blessing to me.  Sometimes that's all it takes is blessings of others to come along side of you, for you to truly understand the grace of God!  A phone call, a visit to brighten a friend or something as simple as an orange to keep your body working right is all that is needed along with a prayer!  I’m so blessed to be able to be a friend to many here on earth.   

No news on Haiti this post but soon!

We are all God's children in this world!  Merry Christmas!

Closer to Working Globally for the Lord

This week several friends in Christ blessed me with support to help me!  I am so blessed to have friends like Susan, Sean,Velma, Dick and Bea, Barb, and Nancy.  I have many friends that are blessings to me and help my ministry.

I am hoping this week the Health Dept. has the Hep A shot vaccine so that I can get that taken care of. 

I am so excited, and can't wait to leave for this special blessing God has in store for me!  Thanks again to my wonderful husband and all those who are supporting me in this ministry!

Please be in prayer for all those struggling with life's challenges at this time of the celebration of the miracle of Jesus birth!

Love in Christ!