Thank you to those of you that have responded to our "call" for help! Through your prayers and assistance we were able to pay the shipping costs for all the barrels and are now only $7500 away from being 100% funded!! That's only $625 per month in pledges or cash donations. We know that many of you are considering how God would have you invest in our ministry. Please remember, any commitment you make could push us over the top and help us reach our goal.
David and I just completed a week long debriefing and renewal session with Missionary Training Institute. It was EXACTLY what we needed, the retreat center was nestled in a forest of pine trees, walking trails, four poster beds and great food. It was beautiful, we met many new friends and were able to share our experiences and talk through good times and tough times.
One of the points we focused on was how important honoring the sabbath, or creating our own sabbath (not always Sunday) is to rest and renew our spirits. Being on the mission field we tend to give and give and don't always have time to renew ourselves. One of the statements our faciliatator made hit me so hard, we spend so much time as missionaries self-sacrificing and giving our all that we can lose sight of the joy he desires for us. He loves us unconditionally and we don't need to do anything but accept. We have put on our "happy missionary mask" no matter what and we learned that it's okay to struggle and be frustrated. Reviewing all the verses in the bible about how Jesus struggled with his mission on this earth. Many times in the bible we read where Jesus needed to go off and be alone and pray. We tend to forget, nowhere is it promised that all will be wonderful and it's through many of the tough issues we find new strength and direction. Please don't get us wrong, we wouldn't trade one day of the last four years but the last few months in Haiti took a emotional toll on us. It was wonderful to be reassured that it's alright to feel sadden, exhausted and overwhelmed while still remaining in Gods' will. We ask that you continue to lift us up in your prayers.
We sealed and shipped nine barrels to Sierra Leone two weeks ago. It's exciting to "hope" they arrive about the same time we do. David is ready to begin working and I am looking forward to developing various ministries and adding my accounting and computer experience to the mix. Can't wait to get our hands dirty! What a blessing our home church has been to us, supplying us with a barrel of kitchen supplies and a special couple, Mike and Coleen, who transport the barrels to and from Indianapolis for us. We were able to leave the barrels in their garage, pack them and then load them on their trailer to go. God has put so many amazing people in our lives. This time we have been able to spend with all our family and friends is wonderful! Stockpiling memories to comfort us during those lonely moments..
It was a strange feeling to pack all our "stuff" in barrels and send it off. We haven't really had a home for a few years so remembering and planning how to stock one was fun and exciting! I think many of you know, David and I live in a one room pole building (on our property in Michigan) that we remodeled into an efficiency apartment years ago, thinking my mom would live on our property when she got older. It has a bathroom (with a door on it) kitchen area, wall of closets and a sleeper sofa that doubles as our bedroom at night and our living room during the day. It is luxury living considering our living conditions in Haiti... but it's a small space that seems to be getting smaller and smaller as time goes by. I think, for me, it's because I know the place that God has planned for us next and I can't wait to get there! I am so excited to get to know the neighbors, the children in the area and be back in Africa. Africa will always hold a piece of my heart, as will Haiti, and the thought of returning to the people we love is exciting! Will there be geckos, what will I name them? A dog or a cat (or both) in our house? Water... electricity? We are like runners at the starting block, anxious..excited but not truly knowing what the finish line looks like, yet!
I spent a few weeks scanning all our family photos. When we checked our storage tubs for items to send to Sierra Leone, we found that our family photos were beginning to show damage. Talk about a lifelong trip down memory lane... wow! I was laughing, crying and missing all those who have gone before us. A few of the photos were classic, my sister and I under the Christmas tree with the worst perms I have ever seen, did my mother really love us...how could she have done that to us? My oldest, Chad, hysterically screaming on Santas' lap... why did I do that to him and then have a photo taken? Hmmm.. What a gift photography is to all of us, I would never remember all those days without those photos. I've passed them to the next generation along with lots of good stories I'd forgotten.
Thanks to each of you for your prayers. We could not continue without your prayer support, all the money in the world would be meaningless without you “holding” the rope and standing in the gap for us.
Blessings,
Beth and David
If you wish to make a contribution to push us towards our goal here is the information:
World Hope International
Attn: Contributions Lockbox
P O Box 17151
Baltimore, MD 21297-1151
Please remember to enter our name and constituent number 28163 on the memo line of your check. You may also donate by credit/debit card and if you have questions please call 1-888-466-4673 and ask for donor services. The quickest way to donate directly to our account is on-line at
https://giving.wesupport.org/gift2/designation.php?GUID=0A797C5B-2B8A-4686-AB22-A52383315A6B&id=7327 Thank you!
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