Headed home

After an emmotional and busy week we are headed home tomorrow morning.  When we arrived we were informned that a recent electrical storm had knocked out many of the mission's sensitive electronics including the wireless router and internet modem.  Things in Haiti go a little slow, so it took over a week to get it repaired. 

For anyone interested, we will be uploading our daily Blog posts, just not live.  At least this way, we'll have something to do during our travel day tomorrow with a four hour lay over in "Air Conditioned" Miami airport. 

Blog Interrupted

Just found out that internet is down at Lifeline mission.  So we will not be able to post Blogs.  We are very sorry, but as we say, welcome to Haiti!  There is a possibility that by Sunday we might be patched back into the 'net as new parts (modem) are supposed to arrive. 

24 Hours From Now

Twenty four hours from now we will have left the recent cool summer days of Michigan and will be in Port au Prince, standing in a small area with many-many people, in the heat 90+ (hopefully not the rain) and trying to pull our 50+ bags out of the huge pile that will be in the center of the area!  Whew!  It seems like yesterday when the team first came together and began our training and getting to know each other.  This is an amazing team made up of parents and their adult/teenage children.  They have come together and are such an encouragement to each other. All are eager to be the hands and feet of Christ. The Lord has blessed this team in so many ways.  He has provided over and above what was needed to cover the expenses of the trip and has laid on people's hearts to give generously with donations to take with us.  Many in Haiti will be blessed by these gifts.  We will tell those receiving the gifts that we are just the delivery people.  We will share with them who you are so they might be thankful along with us for you and for our generous God.  "But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him.  For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing." 2 Corinthians 2:14    Thank you for praying for safe travels for us tomorrow!  Praise to God alone, for all He has done and will do!

Commissioning at Cornerstone EPC

Today all 19 team members were commissioned before the congregation at the 11:30 a.m. service.  What a special time it is to stand before the congregation, share a little of what we are "planning" on doing in Haiti and to be prayed over.  The encouraging words received afterwards by so many is a special blessing.  To know many will be in prayer for each team member as well as the people and children we go to serve, brings comfort.  Over 38 pieces of luggage sit in the garage awaiting delivery to Haiti.  People have been SO generous with donations both financial and practical!  Many in Haiti will be blessed.  We will make sure those receiving the donations understand that we are just the delivery people.  We will tell them of your generosity and they will be thankful for you as we are.  Two more days before departure!

Team photo

The team had a great time on "packing day", the last official team meeting before we leave next week.  Our team photo shows all 19 ready to get started in Haiti and ready to see how God will begin to stretch us.  Team projects include clearing land and beginning construction of a security wall on a new parcel of land at Children's Lifeline. This piece of land is where a new orphanage will be built for Children's Lifeline.  We will also be involved in some other building projects and a VBS for surrounding villages and tent cities.  The team will also be visiting Centre' Loving Hands Orphanage one day during the week.  The team will have a painting project at Centre and will be delivering supplies.  Most important, we will spend time with the 13 children that call Centre home.  Next stop, Metro airport at 4AM for a 7:15 a.m. flight.