The Kettle Miracle

So some of you know that I LOVE coffee!   I have been called a coffee snob by some but I don't know if I would go that far.  I have several different ways of making coffee but my favorite is to use my bodum (you can watch the video if you are visual)   For those who are not accustomed to using a french press to make coffee let me quickly give you a lesson on how to make the BEST coffee!   Boil water, put 2T per 8 oz of water, let brew for 4 min. (no more or it will be bitter)   Perfect coffee!!!

I won this for having an Epicure party.  It is insulated and  I love it!

You have the instructions so you know that the first step is right?   Boil the water.  Okay,I am Canadian and we love electric kettles.  They are a super fast way of boiling water.   I have one the kinds that shut off automatically.

So yesterday I go to make coffee,  I flick the switch and... nothing happens!!   No power!   WHAT??!  Oh no, no no.... I try it again.  I hit it (yes you read that right, I smack it on the side:  hard since that often works) and no power!  I try another outlet and still no power.  I sigh.  I think to myself, "Oh drat, I hope I can find another one here on the island!"  We don't have Walmart, and the things the grocery store gets in are often very random.

Now I know what you are thinking:  just put water in the pot and boil it.  I don't like that.  It takes too long and also sometimes when I pour the  boiled water into my bodum it splashes me.  So I opt to use my Moka Pot which is my second favourite way to drink coffee.

Still I am eyeing my kettle sadly.. What a shame.  What a shame!!  I had planned on taking it to my electrical friend Don to get him to test the plug.   I am just not willing to go buy another one!!  (we are on a budget plus I am cheap!)

So here we are now, this morning at 5:45.  I am ready to make coffee.  I just instinctively go to my kettle and click the button.  Nothing!!  Oh drat.  I repeat all the above steps:  I hit it hard, I try another plug in and I am bemoaning it.  I say O Lord this is terrible!   Then this thought occurs to me:  take out some of the water!  I think to myself, well why not?  It can't hurt!

 And guess what?  I do it and I try the switch and IT WORKS!!!!!!!   I burst out laughing.   HALLELUJAH!

Hallelujah!!!

A miracle?  I think so!   The Lord can do anything!!  I mean really why would taking water out of an electric kettle make it work?  I talked to my friend Don and he said he doesn't know why pouring water out would make it work.

Why would putting mud on your eye make you see?  (John 9: 1-7)

  Why would passing around bread and fish feed 4000? (Matt 14:15-21)

Why fill up large jugs with water to serve at a wedding feast? (Luke 14:7-14)

 Why was there a coin in a fish's mouth???   (Matt. 17: 24-27)

Because He loves to test us to see if we will actually do what He says!  It takes faith to obey. When He says something:  do it!

 I could have said, "Nah I am not taking water out of that kettle, that won't help!  It doesn't make sense!" I did it and then HE DID THE REST!   Nothing is too hard for Him. Many things that  Jesus asks us to do don't make sense ... to us.

I am going to make a second cup of coffee:  cheers and blessings to you and yours in the New Year!
And for the record:
Yes the water boiled but it didn't turn into wine... maybe next time!  

Because We Care Food Drive 2012

We are so grateful to all those who donated to Because We Care!!  We had several fundraisers at various restaurants and we want to say  to thanks Bananarama, Infinity Bay, Cal's Cantina, Blue Bahia, Mayoka Lodge for hosting them!

We are also grateful to those who came into the Made in Roatan shop and donated in our 'calabash' donation container.    We appreciate every donation.  And lastly, we thank our friends and family who send us very generous donations that really helped to make our goal of reaching 1,500 a reality.

To one and all:  thanks!
I personally would like to thank Nidia Webster for helping to organize and coordinate contacts in each community who  give us lists of the poorest of the poor.   Thanks for spear heading this Nidia.  We love you and thank God for you!!
This year  we had a two day drive with very long hours and I was once again astounded by the cheerful 'elves' who helped out tirelessly!!   What a team!!!!

/

we fed about 1,500 families!!  

an awesome team of volunteers

 The first day of our drive we went into  Mud Hole, Corazal, Hottest Sparrow, Wild Cane, Man Trap, Brass Hill, Spring Garden, Isla Bonita, Flowers Bay, the Barrinche in West End.

the mom's waiting to get their bag of food and one sheet at Mud Hole

some gifts were small like sunglasses but they were still happy

even the dogs were happy!

it was good to visit with old friends and share His love

these kids at  Corazol were so happy with their toys

this little girl at Hottest Sparrow was delighted with this sweet sucker

Can you imagine making a living collecting garbage?  that is what these people do.  they were so happy to get food

the people of wild cane walking home with their bags of food

you can see there is just as much joy in giving as in receiving

Just to give you an idea of what happened at each location this is what we did.   There was a caravan of about 8 vehicles loaded with either food, sheets, candy or toys.   We would pull up to find people patiently waiting for us.   First things first was candy for the kids from Santa.   Then we would hop in the back of the truck and hand out age appropriate toys for kids from ages baby to about 10 years old.   After the kids were happily eating candy and playing with toys we would gather the adults and Nidia would check her list.   Each person was called forward and they would recieve a bag of food and essentials that would last about a week, and they were also given a sheet (donated from the cruise ship)  There was, of course, always more people there that were on our list and we are grateful to have extra to give to those who came.

Our second day we donned our santa hats, prayed for strength and grace and headed out to El Swampo, Crawfish Rock, El Higuero,  Milton Bight, Pollitilly Bight, Punta Gorda (thanks to Catherine and Alex for being willing to pick up the food for that) and Lucy Point.   I know that it because of the kindness and support of many of you, that kids went to bed with a smile on their faces, sweetness on their lips and a toy by their side.  I know Mom's were able to make food not only for Christmas Day but throughout the week.   But more then anything I know that many had HOPE that He has not forgotten them.   It was a special blessing to me to be able to share with many about His great love and His mercies that are new every morning.  No matter what:  He is faithful.

At El Swampo (photo by Marion Seaman)

Driving to Crawfish Rock

The kids sang to us, my favorite was "This is the Day that the Lord has made"

Crawfish character

Beautiful mom and baby.  we  were able to hand out clothe donations to many 

El Higuero

Pastor Alex and his wife from Punta Gorda took enough food for 60 families.

Our words cannot convey the JOY it was to give in this way and to support people who often live in such remote areas that they are overlooked.   The people hugged us, thanked us, thanked God and went home with HOPE!

Thanks again for playing a part!  I wish you all could have been standing beside us.  Perhaps next year??   :-)

Jumping IN!

a lovely day for a walk!

One of our favorite things to do on a Sunday is to visit with our friends at West Bay beach and then go for a long invigorating snorkel.  Well truth be told, I think the water is too cold these days and with all the rain it has been too murky.   But we still love to go to the beach and walk together, unwinding, visiting with friends along the way and enjoying some downtime.

One Sunday I noticed some kids jumping off the dock at the end of West Bay (by Fosters)   I went over to talk to them.  I asked if they would jump again so I could photograph them.  There was alot of attitude and cockiness about being able to jump.  "Oh yeah I kin do dat.   I kin jump alright!"  But was anyone actually going to do it??  I dissed them about being all talk and no action.   And one guy said, " Miss you gots lots a 'tude too."  Oh yes I do.  "So are you just going to stand there or are you going to jump??!"

They jumped!!!  Here are some photos of their exploits.

bob waiting patiently .. as usual

yes that was a belly flop!!!!!  OUCH!!

you can see by how big that splash is that she landed full out!

An umbrella story

what the rainy season looks like in coxen hole!!!

Now what do you use your umbrella for?   Sounds like a simple question doesn't it?   The rain!!   Well here in Roatan we use our umbrellas for both the rain and the sun.  It is so hot here for about 8 months of the year so an umbrella gets used as protection from the sunshine and when the rains starts (in October) we carry it for protection from the rain.

this is mr charlie who does the mangrove tour in Jonesville

this is a lady at the garifuna festival in Punta Gorda

I would say that an umbrella would be seen on the arm or over the head of many many women on this island.  So many different colours, and patterns.  

I remember the first time I went to the market with some other missionaries as they wanted to buy a double umbrella (that means it has two layers of fabric and is very sturdy)   They paid about 12.00 (or 240L) for theirs.   They thought it was a good deal.   I lost my umbrella a few months ago so I went to the market and went looking for an umbrella.   For those of you who know me, I love love love GREEN!  So I found this beautiful green and orange umbrella.. very tropical. 

i wish my umbrella was open but you can see how pretty it is

 Very beautiful!   When I asked the guy how much??  He said,  For you?  100L.  I burst out laughing because that is truly the 'local price'  I knew I had become 'honduran' when I got that price!!

So lets get to the umbrella story shall we?   Okay well last week I went into Coxen Hole with Christena and her wee son David.   She is graduating this week and we went looking for a grad dress together.  It was a blessing to have a couple in Australia help with her grad costs (photos, cap, fees, and gown)  PLUS there was enough left over to buy a second hand dress.   So we were out, and of course, I had my trusty umbrella.    

 It was a lovely hot day and so we used my umbrella to keep David cool as we walked along the dusty dry streets of Coxen Hole.  I left it in one shop and had to to go running back before  someone took it.   Ya that happens here!   Sigh.  Since we weren't able to find a dress that fit her we decided, with the help of Brittany to go back to town another day and buy fabric so Unes could make it for Christena.   It was then that I realized that I had left my umbrella somewhere.  I proceeded to 'backtrack' and look for my umbrella...again!!  Now Brittany said, "Oh Miss Debi, you ain't gonna find dat umbrella.  She be long gone!!!"   

And I said,"Brittany, I believe that the Lord could bring that umbrella back to me if He wanted!!"  She didn't look as convinced as me.   So did I find umbrella that day??  NO!

Can you imagine my delight when Christena pointed out MY UMBRELLA hanging in the little shack where we had our car parked??!  HAHA!   So I approached the lady asking for that umbrella, telling her I lost mine the day before.  Of course, she said it belonged to her cousin.   ARGH!

Now you might think to yourself... why don't you just go and spend another 5 dollars and buy another one!??!

Two reasons:  1. We don't have selection like you do in N.A.  I couldn't just go buy another one like mine.  There wasn't anymore.  And I loved my umbrella!

2. I believed that He would bring it back to me!

God's kind of umbrella....

It's funny once you 'say' something than it becomes a reality.

Okay so fast forward to a rainy Tuesday morning at the shop.  It is pouring down rain.   Do I have an umbrella?  No.   But there is a local man who is always selling umbrellas.  He walks up and down the street hollering "Sombrillas!"   Suddenly I spy a beautiful green and orange umbrella amongst his simple black umbrellas.   I holler back at him and in my limited spanish  I tell him that is MY umbrella (it isn't new.. it is all worn out on my handle)  He says No it's new.  I give him the look and he gives me the look.  I realize at that point that I am going to have to buy back my umbrella!!  Only in Honduras!   So I ask him how much?  He says 100L and I burst out laughing!!  NO!  It's not new.  It's mine.  I tell him to wait and I go to my purse and grab 70L (about 3.50) and hand it to him.  He smiles. I smile.  

I am so glad I got my umbrella back. God brought my umbrella back to me!!  Isn't He good?!! It isn't a big deal but it was my favorite and it was worth it for me to buy it back!   

 That is exactly what God did for us.  He loved us so much that He bought us back.  Many people have forgotten that we belong to Him but He looks down and says "She is mine.  He is mine"   Jesus paid the price for our sins by taking the penalty and although we deserve to die in our sin He said "No they are mine! I paid a great price." He died on the cross so we can live!  Not spent in dollars or limperas but with His precious blood.

The moral of this story. If you love something enough you will pay to have it back.  And if you believe God to do something:  HE WILL! 
After all, He brought my little umbrella back to me, didn't He?  :-)

umbrellas are better when shared with a friend!
right carol?  

Blessings!

I was.. I am ~~ French Harbour Feeding Program

If you could wish for anything what would it be??  I would wish for enough food for everyone.

That no one would go to bed hungry. That there would be the pungent aroma of meat cooking and spices filling the air.   MMMM!   Well in my corner of the world that is beginning to happen and I am excited to tell you about a new ministry we discovered call "I was.. I am" 

One of the hardest things about living here in Roatan is daily encountering people who have nothing.

Nothing to eat.  No jobs.  No shoes on their feet.  It's a hard reality.

Miss Rotha has lived on this island all her life.  She told me that for years kids have been  asking her for food.  One of the dangers of living here, is after being bombarded daily for food and 50L, peoples hearts just get COLD!  Well I am happy to say that Miss Rotha has allowed the Lord to MOVE her towards HELPING!  But what can be done?  How is it possible to the feed the poor?  People can barely get by each day themselves, let alone helping someone us.

I would like you to read Miss Claire's story:

One HOT July day in 2010 when I stopped for gas with my daughter, a young boy approached the car. As he smiled and spoke I recognized him as a face I knew briefly. He was Pablo. He politely asked “Ma'am, could you give me some slippers?” My daughter, Maria, immediate
ly answered “no, but if you will meet us at Miss Nessie’s field at 3:00, we will have fun and also gifts for you.” He agreed though he said he would be in class, but he would come.

At 5 p.m. just at the close of camp, Pablo came running down the road! Maria’s heart leapt for joy and the team continued camp—Just for Pablo. He wanted to know right away if he had “Missed the gifts” and Maria assured him “no way.” She led him over to the side, gave him a Cross Training Sports Camp tee, some treats and a Bible. From that moment God began to prick my heart more. Each time we saw Pablo, he was “hungry.”

Elton, my husband of 39 years and I came to Roatan in October 2011. He got a glimpse of “the boys” up close and personal. It was time to ACT---Time to join the vision of Miss Rotha and feed the children on a regular basis. A call to her brought her over to meet us and discuss with us her heart to feed the hungry children of French Harbour and help with other personal and educational needs. Elton asked “What do you need to get the program up and running?” We discussed a place, refurbished kitchen and volunteers and the cost per child. With a gift of “seed money” given through CTSC our commitment was made.

In the months that followed the image of the children of French Harbour stayed in my heart. Each CTSC volunteer became engaged and touched by the lives of these children. Then, as God would have it He called a team out of North Carolina to join CTSC on a mission. Through that mission, Live Again Ministries (LAM) out of Locust Grove, North Carolina joined in the vision. As we began our support, we needed a theme, a name, a focus. It was then that God gave us the “I Was…I Am…” scripture as a guide for this new ministry.

“... I was hungry and you gave me something to eat...” Matt 25:35ff
“I am a new creature in Christ”  2 Cor. 5:17

Yes, there is something special about Pablo to CTSC. God used Pablo to turn our hearts in the direction of French Harbour and the children “HE hath made in His image.”

 So let's fast forward and go and see what this feeding program is all about okay? 

As Bob and I drove up we saw the above kids running up the driveway.  I asked them where they were going (although I knew of course) and they said, "we's goin' ta git someting to eat"

 The little boy in the middle of the above photo is Subu, and he and his sister basically live on the street.  Their Mom, oh Lord set her free, is addicted to drugs and they are left to fend for themselves.

Come into the Light little ones!

The way it works at the feeding program is that the kids in school are fed first.  They get a number as they come in.  First come, first served. Sherman, the man in the photo below told me that it isn't uncommon for kids to faint in school due to malnutrition. They need nourishment to be able to think.    They are making a difference!!   They feed the school kids, then they feed the  mothers with small children and then the other street kids.

But before they eat, the kids recite memory verses.  Now what I love about that is that the kids pick their own verses to memorize.  It isn't just 'rote learning' and some of them are reciting LONG passages of scripture and even three or four verses.   Then they sing songs together and it is such a beautiful sound to hear.  I wish I could have recorded their happy voices!   Why is this part BEFORE the actual food?  It is because although they are hungry for food, they need spiritual food.  Food that lasts forever!  

this girl is happy to get rice, beans and a small piece of beef

Presently they are feeding approximately 60 kids in the morning and between 80 - 100 kids in the afternoon for lunch!   Although many of the children are from the town of French Harbour there are also kids from a very poor area of the island called Higuero (I am not sure if I am spelling it correctly)  My friend Nidia went to that community last year with the Because We Care  food drive and it is a very impoverished area of the island.  Many of the kids have to hitch hike to get to school since they don`t have money for the bus or taxi.   I believe this feeding program is keeping these kids in school.   Food is such an awesome motivator!

Can you see the holes in his shoes?  These kids are so poor!

I am so happy that we are able to get involved as well.   We are currently taking donations at the Made in Roatan shop for this feeding program.  Look for the 'donations gourd' on the counter.  As well, one of our local artists, Jenny Roberts, is donating 20% from each painting that sells in the shop!  I, as well, donate things that I make to the Feeding Program and I am happy to see that week after week after week I am able to hand them money to help feed the kids!!  

I am so grateful for Rotha and her vision to help her island and for people like Claire and Ronny who have come on board too.  But more then anything I am grateful to the Lord who knows the very hairs on all of our heads and wants to take care of us all.   It is starting in French Harbour, hopefully spreading across this tiny island, across the ocean to your neighbourhood as well. 

 Imagine what the world would be like if we all decided to live by the Golden Rule:  

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.  This is the first and greatest commandment.    And the second is like it:  love your neighbour as yourself"  Matt. 22:36ff

Many blessings!

Light and love

What are the basics in life?

  food and water, sleep and rest, covering and protection

Timothy said it this way:  If we have food and covering, we these we shall be content.

I don't know about you but I sure can complicate it!   But truly on this island people are barely keeping it together in the 'food and covering department'.  It gets so desperate for them.  Many of them start each day at 0.  Can you imagine?!

This past summer the Mom of one of our artists told this story and I want to share it with you.  She is a single mom with 8 kids ranging from age 22 to a 2 year old.   She has been so diligent in looking for work but there just wasn't any jobs on the island this summer.   The ship in Coxen Hole stopped coming and went to the Mediterranean (weather there is more moderate then over 100 degrees with over 100% humidity!)  So times were really tough for her.   

So this is her story:   I had nothing.   No food for my kids, no milk for my babies.  They had been drinkin' sugar water for a couple of days.  So I thought I'd call my friend in Grand Cayman who was working.  I begged.   I did.    But he said he had nothing to give me.   But he told me to pray!   He told me to get on my knees and pray.   I said, O but you got to help me!! 

  And he said, No only the Lord can help you!  But you got to get on your knees and pray.  And by tomorrow you will have everything you need for you family.  Trust in the Lord!!!

So this is my story:  On the same day (without knowing about Miss E) my friend asked if she could bring over some of her missionary friends to buy from "Made in Roatan".  Of course we said, YES!  Guess who they bought from?  Come on play along!   That's right.   Without me knowing or saying anything the Lord led the ladies to buy almost exclusively from Miss Elizabeth's girls stuff.   So the next day, when the girls came over to our house to make jewelry we had money for them .  Yes we did!  Hallelujah!   And by the end of that day, that family had everything that they needed in the basics.

 A woman on her knees crying to God = food and covering.  

But here is the problem:   not all stories end up like Miss Elizabeth.  Many people this summer really struggled and it 'seemed' He didn't answer their prayers.  They waited.  They waited.   They cried and they prayed.  It was heart breaking!     It became overwhelming for me.  I felt the burden so great that at times I felt smothered and crushed under the weight of it.  Please understand these people are 'our people'.  We are in their lives, we know their stories, we see their babies.  I cry at night thinking about them being hungry or cold.

People hustle here to get what they need and I found myself slipping into "hustle mode'   Trying to rustle up some money and basics for the people here.  And guess what?   (no you don't have to guess...)   the coffer ran dry.   The Lord stopped the flow of provision through Made in Roatan to a small trickle.   And Debi, oh.. she was digging deep and trying and trying, and getting more and more frustrated and angry!!   At one point I thought of leaving the island because the burden of the impoverished was sooo heavy on my soul that I couldn't sleep, I couldn't think straight, and as more and more people crossed my path with needs, and more needs and more needs I felt like I was drowning.   I had nothing to give them (or so I thought...)   I lost sight of the true basics.   He was trying to teach me a hard lesson and I wasn't learning it.  Ever feel that way??   Oh yeah....

But, and thank God for the buts in life...I will be forever grateful to the Women of Purpose who came to Honduras and provided missionary women with a wonderful, refreshing, renewing retreat!!   I could write a whole blog about them and I may do that later but let me suffice to say that for those of us who were depleted, desperate, empty and dry the WOP ladies came with open hearts to bless us, support us and pray for us.

  One of our sessions was called "Heart in Ministy Assessment tool" The question that has so deeply impacted me and re-directed me was this: What was my original calling from God?

He simply said to bring  light and love to Roatan.

I write that with tears slowly sliding down my cheeks because it is so beautiful.   So biblical.  So like HIM to stick to the basics.

Light ~~  His Word

Love ~~  Himself

When we first went to Roatan that is exactly what we did day after day after day.   We'd get up in the morning, pray, and ask for His guidance and then we'd go out.   We'd sit on porches and listen and pray.   We would share His Word.  And light shone in a dark place.   And love burst into aching hearts.   

And then over the years, I began to complicate it.   I will be and am forever grateful for the Lord establishing our ministry with Made in Roatan.  It helps so many people on this island and the support from all of you is astounding.   BUT I realized this summer that I had left my original vision and replaced with "provide for the poor"   I am telling you that is a great need here but it can never ever be my primary vision from Him.  The burden of that responsibility is too great!  I can't handle it but He can!!

My true job is to bring Christ to these people.   Anything that happens practically (food and covering)  is a bonus.  He is the best gift, the true provision, the source of true hope.  He is what we all need!  I feel renewed to stay with the original vision and keep it simple.

light and love

Yesterday in church we sang "We are marching in the light of God"   I wish I had brought my camera to video it for you but I didn't. But I have linked to a video of some adorable children in Africa singing this song.

Marching in the Light of God

We are marching in the light of God

We are living in the love of God

We are moving in the power of God

So let's stick to the basics, shall we:  Light bearers and Love givers.

Anticipate good things (or more God stories)

the day was cloudy but it didn't dampen my spirits any

I want to write today about the joy there is in anticipating good things ahead in a day.   I believe it is more than just 'hoping for the best' or having a positive attitude.  It is more than being excited about something. So what is at the core of living expectantly?  I believe it lays in a surrendered heart.

A surrendered heart is open for whatever He brings along.  A surrendered heart is fluid -- not simply set on 'our' agenda and plans.The sense of fluidity and openness to what HE wants makes for the most exciting days.

Bob and Moises in Punta Gorda

I remember the first time the thought occurred to me to ask Him, "What do You want me to do today?"   Life began to change for me because I started to become a secret servant..haha.. in the best possible way.   I would be going to the store and feel prompted to go to the post office first, not knowing why but I would just go believing He had some reason for me to go there first.

I am blessed

And sure enough there would be someone in line who needed to be encouraged.   Or I would be prompted to phone someone, and they would say "Oh, I was just praying for someone to help me!"   It is an exciting life!   Bob and I learned to  live sensitive to His voice for many years in Canada and I believe any fruitfulness is due to His leading and prompting.  It is so wonderful to follow Him and surrender to His leading as the day unfolds!!

 Yesterday I put on my Facebook status:  

"I am so looking forward to what this day holds!"

   Was there anything extra special planned?  No not really.   We go to the Made in Roatan shop on Tuesdays and Thursdays and I enjoy those days. The joy wasn't due to a circumstance or an event but it was linked to the excitement of following His lead and walking close to Him.  I was just excited knowing that the possibilities were endless.

It was a cloudy and rainy day and although there were two ships in port there really wasn't very many tourists on the street.   I enjoyed talking with our local friends. Many people stop as they are walking by to chat.  It is wonderful to be in the center of Coxen Hole and have a place the locals can come in and visit.  I often find out about their families and pray with them.  It is one of the highlights for me.  

I also was busy putting out all the new stock that was made on the weekend.  As I was setting up I saw a 'Michael's' bag on the counter.. hmmmm... I looked inside to see  everything that Joan and the girls need to make their crocheted bracelets!!  The wire, the clasps, the beautiful gem chips!!  It was a mystery to me and yet we are seeing more and more people who give to this ministry so my heart just leapt for JOY at the kindness of whoever gave this to us!  I can't wait to give it to Joan as she is really low on supplies!   I can't wait to find out who gave it too so I can give them a big hug!!

I am so proud of our artists!   Pedro, one of our youngest artists spent the day at the shop working and talking and laughing together with me.  I know his mother is worried about getting her 4 boys into school which starts in a couple of weeks, and we, by faith, gave her money to get the boys uniforms.  Later I said to Bob, don't you think we should have found someone who is willing to support them?  He laughed and said, "Oh Debi the Lord will provide!" (he's right, of course!)  If you want to help with getting kids into school we would appreciate any help. It is so challenging for them to get enough money together for food, and the added pressure of registration, uniforms and school supplies is very overwhelming for many of them.

So in the midst of a rather slow day at the shop this big island guy walked in with a HUGE box and said
'Where you want this?'   Behind him was a couple we had met last year in the shop smiling hugely!   I remembered them immediately and she said, "We brought some things for you!  We haven't stopped praying for you, thinking about you and talking about this shop since we last met!!"   Their church in Florida decided to 'help Roatan' and not only did they bring us 3 HUGE boxes of clothing and shoes for the locals, they had 11 other big boxes to give to the orphanage, churches and a school!  They also included more supplies for the artists, and also also had a wad of money from the church to spend in the Made in Roatan shop to bless the artists!

We serve a GENEROUS GOD!!!

OH MY!!!!!!   She bought a lot of stuff!!  Praise God for Sandy and Bill and the folks at the Community Church on Sanibel Island in Florida!!  It is interesting to note that Bob and I went to that church many times during our stays in Florida and know people there!!  Isn't that incredible!!   We had such a wonderful time of fellowship in that little shop.   Pedro and Clarke were there to witness this 'God moment' and I know it really impacted them to see God's love in action.

I want to tell you honestly that the deepest and greatest joy about this was knowing they prayed for us. She said they have prayed for us daily!!!  WOW!   Things have really begun to multiply in our ministry and I believe it is because of prayer!  Prayer moves the heart of God and it also moves US into action.   We have seen sooo many people who have 'come on board' with this ministry lately and we thank God for each of you who have supported it and given to the people of Roatan!  It is making a huge difference!

After a good long visit together and her buying out half the shop we all stood in a circle (with Pedro and Clarke as well) and poured out our hearts in gratitude to the Lord for His many blessings and the joy of following Him and serving Him.  It was so powerful and beautiful!

I was dizzy with joy after they left!   Pedro and I looked through all the supplies and material they left and it was like Christmas morning!   Thank you thank you thank you... this goes to all of you who have given, who have prayed, who have visited the shop, who have supported locally here and who have believed God with us for great things for this island.

To end a great day I went to our Ladies Bible study where I am leading a study called "The Man who was different"  with a group of beautiful island ladies. We had such a marvelous time together in His Word and in prayer.  I love being with these women sooo much!!   I thank God that He has put me in the center of loving and serving the people of Roatan!

 

  We are blessed.  You can watch a video that I took on Christmas Day 2011

 "I am blessed, I am blessed,

 every day of my life I am blessed, 

when I wake up in the morning til I lay my heart to rest I am blessed, I am blessed!"

I woke up anticipating good things and He, once again, came through!!!

From the rising of the sun to the setting of the same the Lord's name is to be praised!