Getting Excited

Thanks to all who have helped me in the past get to where I am today. The Lord is truly blessing me! The additional funding received will go towards paying the shipping for the items we will be taking in. Today was a day off from my job at Butler Community College, so I went to work full time serving others, had lunch with Amy and took a walk and did some sit ups. Sunday I will speak at the DeGraff Church and they are planning a blessing of the meat that has been provided. Pastor Larry Womacks, Pam Lowmaster, Deanna and I have been planning this and I can't wait to share with them.



I will know more about the items that we can take tomorrow but we are planning on taking instant oatmeal, Hot Wheels or Matchbox cars, bubbles, jump ropes and stickers. We will also be taking clothes for the orphans. Jodi and Stephanie are putting together first aid kits.

If you know me, I'm not a flip flop person, I have no idea how some people can wear them year round. I will be taking a pair of sandals and extra pair of tennis shoes. I still need to get some tops, mosquito net, work gloves, space saver bags, batteries and Skin so Soft from Avon as they say it helps with the mosquitos and is a non aerosol. Ashley Burns who was previously there came up with a Lemongrass remedy that they took in to the jail, such a great idea. I should then have everything I need. We will pack our items in the space saver bags so we can get more and have more room for the mission items.

Some of you are really worrying about this trip and I hope that prayer gets you through. I am going with the Lord and he provides, he always has in my life!

Jan and Pastor Jean

It was great to see Jan and Pastor Jean and hear more about the Christopher's Hope Ministry. The Kids' Club has grown so much they had to bring in additional benches to accommodate the kids that come. The Men and Women's ministry in the jail is harder to minister because the guards are not Christians themselves and to hear the frustration and the perseverance in Jan's stories was so beautiful and showed the Lord is indeed working in the lives of many there. The water ministry and the sacrifices so many have made is incredible and I can't wait to share my testimony to let them know what a great God I serve.

I long to serve him more each day and be a beacon to those in need. I love Philippians 4:13, I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me. The words are set to music and I hope that I can have a chance to sing it with the people of Gonaives. I am working on preparing the song by Point of Grace, The House that Mercy Built to offer when I present the pictures and experiences from the trip. So many good songs! I listen to K-Love which is a positive Christian station at 99.1 FM. I have listened to this station for the last 4 years and it great.

I am in prayer about what the Lord has in store for me. I know he provides and setting up my new house and learning about thermostats, roller shades, car batteries, budgets and everyday things you take for granted has been challenging. I'm looking forward to learning more about filing your taxes.

Deanna and Les are coming for lunch and they have been such a blessing to me. Last night Savanna my niece went to the Winter Formal Dance with her boyfriend Logan. Those were such special times when my kids would all meet with their friends and go together. The crazy things that the boys did and the beautiful girls with their hair and nails. The cat hair clinging to the black outfits was always part of the event and using the lent roller. What a hoot!

Please keep Luke Bryan in your prayers. He hung with A.J. and is now serving in Kuwait. A.J.'s unit as it stands now, will deploy in October so please pray for all the military families.

The Physical Vessel

It is so important to keep fit and eat right. I started training today so I can climb the mountain near Gonaives. This mountain has the best view at the top and I'm told it is a beautiful site to see. I also decided to start drinking something other than water and the G2 packets aren't too bad tasting. You add them to your water bottle and they make a tasty drink. I'm going to take those in for a change other than water. They do have soda but I'm not a real soda fan so that isn't a temptation. I know I will sweat so water will save me. Granola bars have also become a staple as I will take those for a snack.



Forty more days and then I will see the beauty of God's people in a world of need. The Bible I purchased is a NKLV and has the words of Jesus in red. I've been studying with it.



Pray continually for those in need of hearing the word of God. Luke 14:27 "And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple." I will come back with the team but I know my heart will be in Haiti waiting for the next time to return.

Cards for Those in Need

I love to make cards and send them on to encourage those having trials in life. This is a new one that I made. Psalm 96:4

In preparing for the trip, I bought an ipod so I can drown out the sounds at night and sleep in Haiti. I have been loading songs and technology is so neat. Kari Jobe is one of my favorite singers and her songs just talk to me.

Jan Thompson and Pastor Jean will be in conversation with the community on Saturday at 6:00pm in the First Baptist Church Sanctuary. I am looking forward to the meeting and hope to learn much more by listening. They will head back before we arrive and prepare for our mission. Pray without ceasing!

Logan and Cars

I bought my first car battery. Those people at Wal-Mart make it so easy. I won't have to worry about my car not starting. I picked Logan up from daycare in Augusta and he was so excited when he saw me. When I walk into Holli's I usually say "Nana's here!" I walked into daycare and his little face just lit up when I said that. We came home and I had bought him a toy airplane with little people. The lights work and it sings when you push the pilot down. We learned about suitcases, it came with one. We also tried my sunglasses on that I'm taking to Haiti. I wanted him to know who he was looking at in the pictures when I get back. He had Cheetos and yogurt covered pretzels not to mention his new favorite thing-Heath bars. The best part was when we played the piano. This is going to be something he and Nana do! Thank God for little ones who are so precious! Of course his favorite song was Elmo Ducks so I have had to learn this. He is so fascinated by the computer. I love taking him to Church and singing Jesus Love Me!

New Strength in the Lord

I have been in prayer about the upcoming trip and was reading Isaiah 41:10 which says- Do not fear, for I am with you, do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

God is such a great God and shares in our joy and times of trials.  I know that through him all things are made new and what a great assurance we have in him and the word of God. 

Please pray for all those who minister to those in need.  They are sometimes overlooked and often times under prayed for.  These are the daily feet of Jesus in our midst who take on cares and concerns of others, sometimes forgetting about their health and needs.

With this being the one year date of the devastating earthquake, so many are still in need.  I'm so glad I will be spreading the good news of salvation to a world in need of God.

Over and Above, God Supplies

Thanks to Sara and Nancy for all their work in keeping me updated on the funds that have come in for the trip.  To date the total donated is $1176.00.  The total expenses are $1082.93.  This amount was less than anticipated due to the cheaper air tickets.  This is more than I will need and I thank God for his blessings and the sacrifices some made to help spread the word of God.  The remainder will be taken as a love offering to the church at Gonaives. 

Thanks to Kirk Day for his purchase of the tickets on the phone for over an hour trying to book them. 
I have been in prayer about this trip and know that God delivers people from their challenges!  I am excited to be able to share this with the people of Haiti.  God loves them and has not forgotten them.

Thanks also to all who have lifted me up and my family in this new start in my life after making the decision to leave my marriage.