Keep Calm and Gobble On! 

Happy Thanksgiving!!  Keep Calm and Gobble On! 

We hope and pray that this Thanksgiving you were not only surrounded by those you love… but that today also became a very sweet memory that you hold closely and cherish deeply.

There are SO many things to be thankful for today. Where do I start?

Today I’m SO thankful for this table stuffed with turkeys –  that there’s not an empty seat at my table… that my children are safe… that my children are healthy… that no matter what my children endure they continue to be resilient… that my children are God’s first… that He continues to hold them tightly when they feel afraid – –  or when I feel afraid for them.

Even though Fabi slept through Thanksgiving dinner – I’m SO thankful that God –  brought her through my clinic doors and into my home…and so deeply into my heart… for the silly laughter she has brought our family over this past year…for God allowing us to see her grow, gain strength, and find health & normalcy. 

I’m so thankful for incredible friends like Susan and Miss Beth that God has perfectly placed around me to do ministry alongside! I’m thankful for the friends God has placed all over this world who cheer me on – who cry out for me – who encourage me – and who go to the floor in prayer over me.

I’m thankful that for the first time in 10 years  – my family hasn’t lost any personal supporters (no one has lost their job, churches haven’t split, or folks haven’t been unable to support us for one reason or another)… that our supporters still believe in our ministry… that our supporters constantly pray for what we do here… and that our supporters consistently sacrifice so we can serve here.

I’m thankful that I’m healthy today – I haven’t always been able to say that. I’m thankful that God continues to give me opportunities to create such beautiful memories with my children. I’m thankful for the example my parents have set – for the traditions I’m able to pass on. I’m SO thankful my parents are still alive – that I STILL get to love them, be loved by them, and learn from them.

I’m thankful for my brothers and sister who are always there for me… who find ways to show me they love me & care for me – even though they live so far away. I’m thankful they have wonderful families to celebrate with today.

I’m thankful for my husband who spent all day cooking. Who spends all day – every day – serving our family… who has a heart bigger than his body… who rescues orphans from flooding… who rescues sick children and then calls them his daughters… who raises them as though they are his flesh and blood… who loves me more than anyone possibly could… who holds are family together when everything around us is falling apart… who came from a broken home but still manages to make ours whole…. who has a solid foundation in Jesus Christ.

AND….even though the past few months have been an absolute nightmare… the fact that everyone on this campus is still alive – ONLY GOD. The fact that God brought so many people together who would otherwise not know each other – united in prayer – ONLY GOD. The fact that this community has seen the Goodness of God through the Goodness of others… those who have sacrificed so much just so we can rebuild here – ONLY GOD.

I’m thankful that God placed a hedge of protection around each and every living being on this campus. I’m thankful it hasn’t rained in a few days… that we have a break from the constant worry of what the raindrops will bring… that we get to focus on our family –  instead of watching the yard waiting to see how high the water will get.

Oh my sweet and precious Jesus – there are SO many things to thank You for today! May we take the time to count our blessings – not just on Thanksgiving as we go around the table- but each and every day that You breathe life into our lungs.

Here’s a few pictures from our Thanksgiving Dinner: https://lifeoffering.org/2016/11/24/happy-thanksgiving-2016/

And below are a few recent Facebook updates for those of you who don’t have access…

We just wanted to thank you all SO MUCH for your prayers, for your words of encouragement, & for the sacrifices made to help us in our efforts here.

I know I’m behind on emails, texts, & private messages. In full transparency – I’ve been too emotional…..too depressed… too tired….. to respond. All that to be said – I’ve not given up – I’m not defeated – satan doesn’t get this victory. No. God’s picking us all up and dusting us off.

If you could listen to the testimonies of Momma Gigi, Mme Nene, Elirose, & Tizzie…. if you could hear them talk about how God saved them as they truly believed they might die….. if you could hear them talk about God’s faithfulness & protection even though they lost so much…. it’s enough to make anyone cancel their pity party & get to work.

We haven’t had running water since Tuesday night. So there’s not been any way to really “clean” the mud out of the buildings. The orphans & staff are still displaced because the mud is SO thick in their homes. But the piped water JUST came on right now!! PRAISE THE LORD!

We are filling up tanks & buckets while the water is working right now. If it works tomorrow we will begin pressure-washing all the buildings. We’ve started piling all the rocks together – – NO simple task. Nene jokingly said “Well we won’t need to buy any rocks for our next project”. So true.

We’ve got that supply truck which has 2 600-gallon water tanks & 400 boxes of food STILL stuck about 2 hours from us. We sent a tractor to help them and then the tractor got stuck 🙁

People have asked what can they do to help right now?

I know so many people want to donate supplies – – but the time it takes to receive them and the costs associated with trying to ship them in right now is still too high. It’s still BEST for the country to buy locally. Even though the Mole is running out of necessities (no one can refill their stock because the roads are still cut) – – it’s still better to buy in other villages than other countries. When we buy in Haiti we are giving the venders a chance to care for their families. When we hire locally – we’re giving the workers a chance to care for their families.

We have had to stop construction on some of our homes because we can’t get enough cement/wood to finish. Once the roads open back up – we’ll be able to finish what we’ve started & rebuild other homes as well.

The damage on our campus right now is far more serious than the hurricane & previous flooding combined. We need a lot of wisdom as we try to repair our own buildings & protect ourselves from future flooding.

If you feel led to give…. here’s a link where you can donate: http://bit.ly/NWHCMDisasterRelief

Most importantly we need prayer.

Please Pray for dry days, piped water, working roads, wisdom & discernment…..

Please Pray that families will find water, food, & shelter…

Please Pray for God to make His presence known in an undeniable way to each and every frightened child – overwhelmed mother – – doubting father – – tired leader.

Please Pray that the light of Jesus will continue to stomp-out the darkness. That it will burn bright as a constant reminder that God’s eyes have been and will ALWAYS be upon us.

Oh how I LOVE these silly little girls!