Pedro's Accident

This morning Bob and I sat on the porch and discussed our day before praying together.  Bob had planned to get a float from the bank for Made in Roatan and visit with a few families to encourage them.   I had planned on staying home to do some much needed laundry and to also put some things online for the Made in Roatan store.

I was surprised to get a call from Bob not long after saying that Pedro was in the hospital!  He had borrowed a motorcycle from the fire station (where he volunteers) to go and get some food.   As he was going around a corner a car swerved into his lane and hit him.  He lost control and hit a telephone pole. The driver of the car didn't even stay around to see if he was okay.  Some firefighter friends in Punta Gorda were able to put him in the back of a truck and keep him alive on the way to the Hospital.

Bob happened to be at the shop when Pedro's sister showed up for help. They didn't have money for xrays so Bob went back to the Hospital with them.  Pedro was unconscious in emerg and needed 7 xrays. After Bob paid the fee he and a friend had to find a wheeled bed, lift him on it while he screamed, and wheel him to the other side of the hospital to the xray room. The man there said he would leave, and return when we had undressed him."  Welcome to the third world folks!!  It was heart wrenching for Bob!   The xrays confirmed a broken wrist and also 2 fractured ribs and some serious swelling on the back of his head. The hospital is very low on medicine and so Bob had to run to a local pharmacy to get the IV bags and cast materials (since by this time his car was blocked into the crowded parking area!).  All in a day of loving...all in a day of serving...

Bob was also able to hold Pedro's arm up by the fingers while a nurse put a 'make shift' cast on his wrist until the doctor could come at set it and cast it properly.  When I got to the hospital Pedro was in and out of consciousness. I immediately moved in close to his face, and began to pour out my heart in prayer for him.   Many people think that Made in Roatan is a business but that is the furthest from the truth. It is a group of people who the Lord has brought into our lives to love, to share Him and to support.

At our Christmas party, Pedro saw a photo of Bob and I and he said, "My other Mom, my other Dad"  It's true.  We are family.  So to see him laying there so helpless was very difficult and yet I can't thank the Lord enough for His presence and the peace He gives us.

Earlier in the day I was sitting out on our deck and I had read Psalm 89:15 which says,

"Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim Him,

Who walk in the light of His presence"

Acclaim:  to shout praise or applause.   Like a shout of victory.

So in the midst of this tragedy I found myself acclaiming Him at 

different points of the day:

"You are able to do even more then we can ask or imagine

Nothing is too difficult for You

You alone can heal

You are able

You are good

You are.. You are... You are...our God!!!!"

It was recommended to send Pedro to the Mainland to the city of La Ceiba to see a neurologist and to have a CAT scan done, due to some swelling on his head.   We were uncertain as to whether this would be best for him but we managed to contact another local doctor for confirmation  and he agreed that when it comes to head injuries it is best to confirm the extent of the damage.

Please pray for Pedro for the swelling to go down and that there wouldn't be any lasting damage to his brain.

We were able to go to a second hand store across the street and buy him a tshirt and jeans.  (since his were destroyed in the accident) As his sister and I were dressing him I said, Hey mi amor, you now have new clothes to wear, how's that?"  He smiled weakly.  That was a good sign to see him still having a sense of humour during a very difficult time for him. 

The firefighters came and transported Pedro to the ferry.  His aunt was also able to travel with him.  

We are thankful for the many people who helped us at the hospital, and to those who are standing with us in prayer ... as well as helping financially with this need.

Words fail me to communicate how wonderful it is to reach out in our times of tragedy and to experience support from all across the globe.   At the end of this day I am still acclaiming Him:

He is near!  He is our peace.  He is closer then a brother.

Pray that He will be real to Pedro: near and close to him in the hospital.  We are praying that Pedro would surrender his dear life into the hands of our loving Father.

Thanks so much for all your support.  We can't do what we do without your love and prayers behind us. 

Mil Gracias!!!

Senior's Christmas Luncheon

Today was a day of joy amongst the elderly of this island.  It was a beautiful time for them to get dressed up in the best they have, visit with friends, and be able to have a nice Christmas meal together. It was hosted by Good Samaritans group in Coxen Hole with the generous help of the Rotary.  One of the highlights for me as a photographer is that it allows me to get up close and personal with people.  I had so many wonderful visits today.  Many of these ladies have been in Bible Studies with me, or they go to our church or I have sat upon their porches.  It was such a beautiful afternoon of sharing the good things He is doing in their lives.

   Over and over I heard them proclaim, God is good!!  It was such a blessing for me to be able to hug them, listen to them and love on them today.  It was beautiful to listen to them sing Christmas carols.. some of them actually worshiping with eyes closed and hands raised.   I enjoyed the island songs and since we have been attending an island church for the past 6 years it was fun to sing right along with them.

Many of these beautiful people are living in conditions that are implorable and yet they exude gratitude for what they have.  I would so love to see a Senior's Home built on this island!  It is so needed!!   God knows!  Who knows what He will do in the future??  Nothing is too difficult for Him!


Another incredible blessing to me personally was the main piano player and singer used to be a drug addict on the street.  I had spent many many hours talking with him, sharing with him about Christ and His power to break any addiction, encouraging him to return to the Lord.  Well praise God, he did return!! It was really awesome to hear him sing, "I am drinking from my saucer because my cup overflowed!!"  I love how the Lord not only restored us, but uses us!  And I know He used that young man today!

I came home with my heart full of JOY at being able to spend time with these dear people.   If you connect with anyone in the following photos could you please pray for them.   There isn't old age pension here and many of them have daily needs.   Thanks for loving them like we do!

Blessings to you in the new year!

                                                                

Lord bless these beautiful people... they are closer to heaven then we are.  Please provide for them in every way!  

Amen!

Good News!

We have some very good news for you!  After 6 years of being 'independent' missionaries we decided to partner up with the Evangelical Free Church of Canada Mission (EFCCM).  We are very excited to be working together under the umbrella of this awesome Mission organization.

 Presently the EFCCM is involved in over 21 different countries, has over 100 full time missionaries, 6 directors and 10 home staff.  It will be thrilling to see all the good things He does as we work together! 

 Their ethos is simple.
  In essentials:  unity;

in non-essentials: charity, and in all things Jesus Christ!

We enjoyed a 4 day orientation  in Langley, BC.  The EFCCM hold interviews for Career missionary candidates twice a year. We were happy that we were able to attend this "pre-acceptance orientation" which gave us a plethora of information about EFCC, the EFCCM, and other topics regarding cross-cultural life overseas. Some of the topics included EFCC doctrine, becoming a career missionary, communications, support team building and cultural transition survival training.

 We are happy to say that when they accepted us as Career Missionaries we said: YES!

Group photo: Mission director, staff and fellow missionaries

 We were so thrilled  that during our stay in Langley we were able to stay with our friends Alice and Brian Barnes.  It was great to reconnect with them again!  It was also wonderful to spend a few days visiting my sister Bonnie and her husband Tom in Surrey, BC.  It's great to connect with family and friends!

We were given the opportunity to share at our home church, Grace Bible Church in Vernon BC. This was the last church we pastored before going out on the Mission field and we are so deeply grateful for their support in our ministry both financially and prayerfully!  It was wonderful to share about our ministry and see so many people we know and love!  (and... I got to visit with my sister Kathy as well!)

Grace Bible Church, Vernon B.C.

 We were also able to set up a "Made in Roatan" table at Kelowna Gospel Fellowship and the sales from that definitely will  help the poor on the island of Roatan.

Made in Roatan sale at Kelowna Gospel Fellowship

We had an evening at the home of Julie and Mark Kent and were able to share more extensively about the great things that have been happening in Roatan.   It was wonderful to visit with several families who have served on the Island. Jake shared a story that evening with tears in his eyes about his experience on the island.   He and his wife  had come on a cruise ship and we arranged for a local islander to take them on a tour.   They had a wonderful day exploring the 'real Roatan' and hearing many interesting stories about life on the island.   We met them at "Muddah's Kitchen" restaurant for lunch and the thing that impressed Jake the most was how intertwined we were with so many island people.  As he was returning to the port, he asked Bob if there was anything he could do!!  He was touched by the poverty and yet those same impoverished people were so happy and caring!   He wanted to help!

Jake is in the back row in the white tshirt.  Zenola is sitting in front of him

 Bob mentioned that our friend Zenola needed an operation but since there is no health coverage she couldn't afford it.   Jake went back to his small group in Canada with this need weighing on his heart.  Within less then a week they had raised the funds for her surgery!!   We all sat in the dimly lit room and were moved as he shared that he was a changed man because of that one act of love.  

That is what we are excited to be doing: changing the impoverished by the message of Christ and giving them hope.   We love to change the view of the tourists to see beyond themselves to help someone else in need.  It is simple: others!   Imagine if we all put into practice Phil 2 "do not merely look out for our own personal interests but also for the interests of others".

Perhaps you'd like to get involved!  You can!    :-) We are interested in expanding "Team Roatan"!

We need and value prayer support.We also need financial help to continue to do His work. Presently we need approximately $750 a month more.  Anything you can give would be so deeply appreciated!!

You can now be tax receipted by giving through the EFCCM!

It is as simple as making a call to the phone number on our prayer card, mention our #2-2046 and they will help you set things up!

We have 2 more days before we return to the island of Roatan.   We are so happy to have been able to spend quality time with our Texas and Oklahoma friends/partners in ministry and now we are using these final days to get caught up on correspondence, brush up on Spanish, print out prayer cards, do some very necessary shopping and basically enjoy some R & R before returning to the field.

Please pray for a smooth adjustment as we return to Roatan

Pray for our artist families' encouragement, spiritual growth and provision

Pray specifically for Pedro that he would surrender to the Lord

Pray for our kids in Canada as they navigate life without us near.

Made in Roatan

Spending of funds is confined to organization approved programs and projects. Each restricted contribution designated towards an organization approved program or project will be used as designated with the understanding that, when the need for such a program or project has been met or cannot be completed for any reason determined by the organization, the remaining restricted contributions designated for such program or project will be used where needed most.

Mil Gracias!!

This is a small presentation of the people we stayed or visited with during our 5 months in Canada and the States.  There are many people who are not in this photo but we love you and thank God for you just the same!!

 Thanks for sharing your lives and your hurts with us! 

 Thanks for letting us sleep in your beds (13 different beds in total)

 Thanks for listening to our endless stories about Roatan

 Thanks for many delicious meals

 Thanks for driving long distances to visit us

 Thanks for letting us drive your cars

 Thanks for taking us sailing

 Thanks for having coffee together

 Thanks for wool socks when our feet were freezing in Canada

 Thanks for taking us shopping

 Thanks for meaningful times of prayer together

 Thanks for breakfasts together

 Thanks for day trips exploring either Canada, Texas or Oklahoma

 Thanks for going for walks with us

 Thanks for your financial support

 Thanks for believing that He will continue to use us in Roatan!

You have made our time here very special and we are blessed to have such wonderful family and friends who love us, support us and encourage us to continue to serve Him well.  Blessings!!

I thank my God every time I remember you!!!

Phil 1:3

Family Time

His light makes everything beautiful!

Usually, missionaries go on 'home assignment' for 2-3 months.  We decided that due to some family issues that we would return to Canada for 3 months to be near our children and then do home assignment for 2 months.   Just for the record: 5 months is a very long time to be living out of a suitcase!!!   :-)

The rental basement suite.. perfect!

But I love how the Lord works!   We wanted to actually rent a place in Halifax where our kids were.   A place for them to come to eat, hang out and play games together.  A place we could call home for awhile.  It isn't easy to find a furnished rental place within a missionary budget but God did it!   As it a coincidence that our friends just happened to be doing some work at a ladies house who had a rental basement suite available within the exact dates that we needed it?  No it is a "God incident"   AND, here is the amazing part:  the apartment was within walking distance to both the boys apartments and a short walk to the ferry to go see Emily.   My words cannot express how wonderful it was to spend a summer with our kids!

so many wonderful memories!

Some of you have been praying for Matthew.    He is doing so well!   He has his own apartment, a steady job and has been clean for about a half a year.   Please continue to lift him to the Father.   The Lord is our only hope and we cherish your prayers for our dear son.   Thank you!

Mattie and I

David and I

Bob and his dear Emily

We are so grateful that the kids made the extra effort to spend time with us!
You may be wondering if it was hard for us to leave them?  The answer is yes definitely!  It is always hard to say goodbye not knowing when we will see them again.   But as we leaving I believe the Lord gave Bob a nugget:  "We may be leaving them but the Lord is staying with them!"

We are called to serve Roatan.  It comes with a cost but it worth it.   Please remember to hold up our family in prayer.   We so appreciate your support in this way!

We may be leaving but the Lord is staying!

Tom's Shoe Drive

Once again we had the chance to help out with an island wide shoe drive.   We worked together with Nidia Webster and went to 21 schools, 10 kindergartens, and one orphanage.  In total we fitted over 6000 pairs of shoes!!

Poor Bob still has a blister on his thumb to prove it!  :-)
There were many many happy children running around as by this time many of their school shoes had worn out.
What a blessing to help in this way!

Thanks Tom's shoes!!

God is not dead!

Every morning around 6:00, once it is light enough, I make my way out onto our deck where there is a comfy chair, my Bible and various devotion books. It is my time to be alone with Him.   I need this time.  I want this time!  I am blessed because of it!!

So this morning, the sky is lovely.  The sea is calm and I say, Lord what do you want to say this morning?

I am not Dead!

Okay!!!!   I believe it!

He is alive and quite capable of handling everything.  If He conquered death and rose again He can certainly handle whatever is happening in my world!  And He can even handle what is happening in your world!  It's true!  AND the same strength that He exerted when He rose from the dead is available to us!!!  (Eph. 1:20)  WOW!

About a month ago Rubeen wrote something for me and this morning I saw it laying on my desk

GOD'S NOT DEAD!

"He is shorlie (surely) alive!   He's living on the inside roaring like a lion!

I believe in God.  I believe that He exists.

I believe we are heavenly because I am a true believer"

Rubeen, quiet yet strong

Please pray for Rubeen.  She is the youngest girl of 13 kids.  She has a persona of being tough, sullen and quiet.  But I know she is caring, interested and very smart.   She often retreats inside her head.  I want her to always remember though that He is living on the inside roaring like a lion ~  giving her confidence, boldness and power to do that right thing.

We all need that, right?  

Blessings...  He's alive!!   He's not dead.   He is able to do even more then we can ask or imagine!!

Eph. 3:20

:-)

Hope in Him

I was out on the deck this morning at about 5:45 sitting quietly praying.  I looked out towards the horizon and saw such a dramatic heavy cloud over the sea.   It was so intense that I ran into the house to get my camera so I could take a photo of it.

I sat there looking at that heavy cloud and it made me wonder what heavy cloud is hanging around us that we may not see.   The cloud of discouragement, despair, confusion.   A heavy cloud brought on by bad news: a financial set back, a bad medical report, the discouragement of unanswered prayer, and when I looked up again the cloud was COMPLETELY GONE!!

I quickly took another photo and when I sat down and I asked the Lord if there was any message for me.  I will share what He gave me.  It was encouraging for me and I hope it will be for you too.

Psalm 42:11

Why are you in despair, O my soul,

And why have you become disturbed within me?

Hope in God, for I shall yet again praise Him,

The help of my contenance and my God.

This whole change in the environment took 17 minutes.  Life is not always what it seems.  Hang in there.  Things are about to get better.  Hope in God.   He isn't done.  He has just begun a good work in you and He will complete it.(Phil 1:8)  Nothing is too difficult for Him. (Luke 1:37)   He will keep us in perfect peace as we trust in Him.  So trust in the Lord,the Lord, our Rock.  (Isa 26:3) 

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen but on what is unseen

for what is seen is temporary (changing in less then 17 min perhaps?)

but the unseen (our great God) is eternal.

2 Cor. 4:18

italics mine

 I am hoping in God.  I have chosen to trust Him.  Our future is vague and uncertain. We would like to return to Canada for a short sabbatical but there is a plethora of details to work out.  There are changes in the air but I will not give way to fear or try to 'make it happen'.  I am trusting in Him to lead us and to guide us.  And guess what?  He is!!

Don't look at the clouds that linger, the 'impossibilites', the uncertainites, the problems... just wait on Him. Hope in Him! And watch what He will do.

Hallelujah all is well in His world

Easter 2014

As many of you know I gave up Facebook for Lent this year.   I decided during that time to spend most of my Bible reading perusing the last week of Christ's Life.   It was so moving for me to saturate myself in the Gospels contemplating His passion, His death and His resurrection.

By the time Easter arrived I was overcome with gratitude and while watching the Passion of the Christ with two local island girls I was moved to tears.  He said YES to the most horrific and painful plan that His Father ever devised.  Someone needed to die for the crimes,  the offenses, the abuse, the neglect, the SIN that separated us from the Father.  I am grateful He did!!

We also watched the movie Son of God, and the TV series the Bible.   All those images just conjured up feelings of gratitude and thankfulness in my spirit.

When my kids were small I used to decorate eggs with them.  I hadn't planned on doing it but when Rubeen and Ashley came by the house on Good Friday I decided to ask if they wanted to decorate eggs for fun.   They looked at me with this blank look on their faces... decorate eggs??? why??   So I was able to show them food dye and how to make different colours and how to colour with crayon and decorate them.   They loved it!!

After that we watched the Passion of the Christ together.  I was a little nervous about it being too graphic for the girls but I explained everything as we watched it.   They cried along side me.  What love.  For me, as a mother, I was wrought with grief as I watched Mary grieve over the atrocities that happened to her son.  I stopped the video at one point and shared  Isaiah 52:14 with them which says that 'His appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any human being, and His form marred beyond human likeness'.  I remember years ago when the movie "The Passion of the Christ' first came out I wondered if Mel Gibson had made it too graphic as his movies can be a bit 'blood thirsty'.   I asked the Lord (since He was there) and He brought that verse in Isa. 52 to mind.  When I read it, I realized that truly He suffered more then any other man who the sins of the world.

On Easter Saturday I decided to make Easter bread.  I have not made that bread in 6 years and I used to make it every Easter in Canada.  I think it was the egg decorating that got me going with that idea, but either way, it was wonderful to have our neighbour's over for bread, cake and fruit on our deck.   We ended up visiting all day together:  playing games, talking and going for a late afternoon swim.

On Easter Sunday Bob and I rose at the dawn of that day and drove to the Lighthouse on the way to West Bay.  It was disappointing because as we arrived it began to rain.   Bob read the account from Luke about His resurrection with the sound of rain pelting our car.  We love to watch the sunrise and I was so grateful when the rain stopped and we were able to see the most beautiful sunrise ever!!!

He is alive.   May He rise up with healing in His wings every day for you.  He is able.  He is.

Lessons I am Learning....

Here are some things I am learning.  They are random thoughts.  They are excerpts from my journal.  They are straight from my heart.  At first I was writing in second person but I changed to first person because... well.. these are things that I am learning.  If you want to apply them to yourself that is great and I know you will be blessed.....

~ when it is too difficult to talk about heavy problems I am learning that in silence He is there
~ when I come to the end of myself totally it is where I find true grace and real life in Him
~ following the Lord isn't clear cut.. it is a moment by moment trust that creates a bend in the road and a change of direction
~the Lord will only speak to me when I ask and also when I am willing to do what He says....

in silence He is there

~ when no one else seems to understand me, I am learning to simply draw closer to Jesus. He is intimately acquainted with all my ways
~true love doesn't demand change but stands beside the person accepting them yet believing for more
~pruning hurts!  but it shows that He is still at work in me...
~if I keep going and going then eventually my body will suffer.  It's part of life.  I am learning to take care of myself
~self-effort is exhausting and it is the opposite to what He desires

I am learning to take care of myself

~no is talking about dying to self but it is central to the Christian faith and produces true life
~a lot of activity does not equate with His activity .. it only leads to burn out
~doing what He wants is true liberty. it isn't always easy to follow Him but His burden is light

alot of activity does not equate with His activity.. it only leads to burn out

~Christian service is not a replacement for intimacy with Him.  we only kid ourselves in our busyness
~abiding in Him will bear much fruit
~the path is narrow and few find it.  I want to be on the narrow path
~He opens doors and closes doors.  Our job is to stay close enough so we can be certain of our next steps

we only kid ourselves in our busyness

~there is no LIKE button in the real world.
~I used to believe that facebook was about connecting but it isn't really about connecting.  it an exchange of information (which is good).    I have learned that it takes effort to be in relationship but it is worth it and I value those who are in my life...truly in my life.  thank you.  you know who you are.
~I have about 10 friends (including family) in my life right now, I mean really "in there".  people I talk to,write emails to,  do things with and laugh with. I  consider myself hugely blessed.
~the biggest step of faith for me is believing in His keeping power and love in regards to our kids.

dinner with chris and carla..i consider myself hugely blessed

~sleep is essential.  I used to get about 5 -6  hours a night  and now I am getting about 7 hours a night.  I take a natural  sleep-aid to help me sleep.  There is no shame in that.  I feel great!
~without love I am a noisy gong.  He is teaching me that true love listens and doesn't keep a record of wrongs.
~whatever I think about will consume me over time...I am learning to not act on everything that enters my mind (part of being A.D.D)
~I am learning what it means to be 'in Him'

true love listens

~He waited a long time for me to wear myself out, and to learn the secret of silence and song
~I am learning to spend time with Him first and to do the things He wants in a day
~ I am learning to pace myself
~mental health is something we all deal with. we  just don't talk about it much. I am learning to be honest.  I have A.D.D. which means my mind never stops.  If I do everything I think about then I will collapse.  I can't do that anymore.

He waited a long time for me to wear myself out...

~I still don't know what what wrong with my body.  It could be fibromyalgia but it doesn't matter because  it brought me back to Him in such a humble and dependent way and I am forever grateful for that.  I will face whatever with the strength He gives...
~I am learning to not eat chocolate since it creates a flare up in my body and I ache for days afterwards.
~I am realizing that life is simple:  Love God.  Love others.  Love yourself.   In that order.

I am learning to pace myself

~there are two things that I am starting to incorporate in my life regularly:  trusting people into His hands,and thanking Him for what He is doing
~I don't need to be in control.  Big sigh....
~if I hold things or people too tightly in my hands then I have to let go of His hand and that is disasterous!

I don't need to be in control

~when I am assured of His approval then I can relax and not seek after anyone else's.  this is a huge and valuable lesson that is impacting my life in awesome ways!
~following Jesus is unorthodox but the peace I have these days is incredible
~I don't have to worry about arranging everything!!
~I can laugh at the days to come (Prov. 31:25b)

I can laugh at the days to come

Amen amen and amen!!!