• Jan. 29, 2010 - Normal
• Jan. 20, 2010 - Aftershock!!!
I was awakened at 4 this morning, after 2 blissful hours of sleep, by my phone notifying me I had a text message. Ok. It's 7 in Haiti. Why not. The message read: James and I have decided to move the tent. No vote was taken, we just looked at each other and said we are moving the tent. This occurred after we were awakened this morning by a sizable aftershock that lasted for several seconds. The ground started shaking just after 6, both of us jumped up, and could not get the zipper door open. When the second piece of debri hit the tent next to my head we both turned and ran! I have to say that must have been funny to see a giant hampster wheel rolling across the yard. I will go to my grave defending my honor though, at least we weren't screaming like a couple of little girls! Love you. H
I about died laughing picturing him and James running inside the tent like a couple of hampsters and the tent rolling around the yard. I love how he keeps the humor in things. And it made me not focus on the scary stuff. So I thanked God for keeping them safe through a 6.0 aftershock. Funny. Had there not been an earthquake a week ago, that would not be called an aftershock! It's all relative I guess. It didn't cause too much more damage I guess. How could it? Everything there is pretty well flattened. But it did cause a big scare! Not that I can blame the people. So I am praying that the Lord would still the earth. No more movement for these poor people.
Tonight he sent me this: The day was a little more casual today. They are starting to open more stores and banks and gas stations. I was able to buy a cell phone, but I still cannot call out UGH! Found another 12 year old boy with a broken femur for 7 days, got him to the hospital. Stopped into a market and bought some snacks, organized the meds and looked at patients. Love you H
I'm also praying for more days like that for him and for the Haitians. One bummer, I guess somebody stole $410 from James. So sad that people do this anyway, let alone during such a difficult time.
I hope to get my December Daily posts finished soon. I finally got all of the photos loaded from our vacation as well, but there is a lot of editing to do! All in good time I suppose. |
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• Jan. 19, 2010 - A better day
I was awakened this morning by a text message from James: Separated from H. Pls send e-mail to Bev that I am at MAF hanger waiting.
My response: Is H ok?
Yeah. He went to get supplies. I'm back at the hanger. Can't find them. Want to leave. : )
Got it. I'll send the e-mail.
(text messaging is such a wonderful technology)
I still was feeling some anxiety about the lies satan had been telling me and I spent most of the day fasting and praying (as much as I could with 3 active boys and errands to run). While we were out and about I got a phone call from H! A real phone call! Not a text. I got to TALK to him! What a blessing. It was an internet phone, and it cut out from time to time, and it was hard to hear really well, but I got to hear his voice. He sounded drained. I could tell what he is experiencing is weighing heavy on his heart. So much pain, sadness, death, and destruction. He reassured me that he was safe. Pretty safe actually. And shared some stories with me that I will have to include later as I don't want to miscommunicate them. Stories that will break your heart. (He is also documenting this trip with photos and video.) He told me that he wants to go back in a month or so to help some more. And he wants to take LV with him. We both agree it could do our firstborn son some good to see the suffering of other people. He is struggling with selfishness and materialism so much right now, and sometimes the cure for that is experiencing firsthand somebody else's pain and lack. So that is something we are going to prepare for and pray about. Anyway, the Lord knew that that phone call was just what I needed. To hear, "I love you guys and miss you guys. Hug the boys for me," just brought me such peace. By the time we got home from running errands the Lord told me to go ahead and eat dinner. And I have felt His peace the rest of the day!
Tonight I received this text:
OK it's settling down now. The dogs bark for hours every night. There has been no automatic weapons fire tonight (he's just so funny!). I miss it. It keeps the dogs quiet. We were settling down for the night early when John Claude started screaming like a girl. One of the older men was climbing out of a truck when he slipped and caught his foot on a piece of metal. The wound was over 6 " long. We took him into the church, set him on a pew, and performed an hour and a half surgery, with surgical supplies that were held up in customs for the last 24 hours and unpacked this afternoon. The wind has changed directions tonight. Usually we have to smell the sewer. An odor I really miss now because tonight we are treated to the smell of decomp. Love you. H
So he's safe. And I have peace.
And he decided to send a mass text to his friends, so tonight as I was settling into a game with the boys, my phone was ringing off the hook with friends wanting to get updates, or to tell me they would find me on facebook, and to just let me know that if I needed anything I just needed to holler!
As for the boys and me, we are struggling to get back to our regular routine, and the weather is not so great. Lots of much needed rain, but a lot of wind coming with it. Not good news to the farmers. We saw several trees down in the neighbor's orchard, but have not gone out to inspect ours (the landlord's that is). The worst is supposed to hit tomorrow. We shall see. At least the errands are run so we can cuddle up with a book and a nice warm fire!
Time for me to get some sleep. Praying that I would continue to trust Him, and that I would not be tortured with any more lies!
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• Jan. 18, 2010 - Lies and More News from Haiti
About 11:30 last night it hit. The onslaught of lies from the enemy bombarded me! I just couldn't shake it! I kept praying and the fears for my husband's safety would not go away. Around midnight I grabbed my Bible and just soaked myself in His Word for 2 hours before I finally fell into a peaceful sleep. But when I awoke the fear had returned. I checked facebook. Nothin' from Cherie.
Then the phone rang. "Hey, it's Cherie. I got this really incripted message from James wanting to know if you have been getting H's text messages." " Yeah. Is everything ok?" "I don't know. James texted me 'urgent. need # for US Embassy' Then he texts me and tells me he's at the airport and wants to know if you have been getting texts from H. I don't know what's going on. I'll call him and give you a call when I find something out"
GREAT!!!! The US Embassy! They're at the airport! Something major has happened! I started praying like crazy and fighting those lies that kept coming.
It wasn't long before I heard from her again. They were fine (of course). They had gone to pick up supplies and customs had seized them. She kindly explained to James that we are women and we tend to worry and that he needed to preface those types of messages with, "we r ok..." She also told him I was worried, so then my sweet concerned hubby sends me this text:
Why are you worried? I have not told you about the automatic weapons fire that we hear every night for that reason. We are fine. We are just very very busy. Last night was the first real sleep in more than 72 hours. Love you. Please respond so I know you get the texts.
HAHAHA!!! Automatic weapons fire! FUNNY! (as far as I know that is not happening around him, and I am not watching the news, so I don't know what they have to say, and he likes to mess with my mental state).
So after that I felt better, but I could still feel the battle going on for my peace in Him. I did get another text later: "Have some down time now. We are at the airport waiting for a supply plane," and some contact info for the missionaries they have met up with (Evangelistic World Outreach).
I was feeling a bit better, but still felt some anxiety. I went to Bible study, and of course that did my heart a world of good. As I was getting ready to leave a new text came in. Of course I shared it with the ladies right there.
Very trying day today, but at the end of the day... It was successful. No automatic weapons fire tonight! We were involved in a 45 minute car chase that ended at a French hospital, when we off loaded 3 critically wounded people. 2 were pulled from the rubble after 7 days. It took 3 hrs to find a hospital that would take them. Another long day tomorrow, trying to pick up 2200 lbs of supplies that customs seized today. Need prayer for that. Love you. H
So tonight I feel better. The guys could possibly be seen on CNN helping people. Don't know. I'm still gonna spend some time in the Word as I don't know what's up with the car chase. Scary stuff. But He is in control. And He is watching over H. All I can do is pray and have faith. |
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• Jan. 17, 2010 - HAITI UPDATE
So I haven't posted much on here, but I have received more info from H.
Yesterday I got this e-mail from him:
We are starting day 2 in the DR, we hope to buy cell phones tomorrow to be able to text while in Haiti. Lots going on, we keep meeting the right people to get us to the next place, not knowing the country has made it hard. unable to secure a rental car so we took a taxi 5 hours south to find people to ride with into the country, one man is missing his mother, so we will be searching for hear to get her out of the country. our plan is to get to a little village south of port au prince, we heard a report that there is no medical assistance there because the terrain is so hard to cross. We are just playing it by ear and the Lord keep providing. We hope to be in country by night fall, and meet up with the missionary's there where we will be camping.
Love you! H
Then another brief update in the evening:
no cell or txt. liimited email. pastor toms @ 6.30 unpacked and went out on first medical run back @ 11 time for bed. 200 injured stay in 1 room need help tomorrow. I love you, can't chech email yet. H
This morning I received a text message:
Maybe 2 hours of sleep last night. Went out at 6 am to help and gauge the situation attended a few people. The smell is as bad as I thought. Children and parents sleeping in the streets, large tent cities. The houses are made of concrete, not much hope of survivors after 6 days.
The text message he sent me tonight tugged at my heartstrings more than any other so far.
6 hours in surgery today. When night fall came they started using a cell phone for light. I had to loan them my pocket flashlight. Took a tour of the area looking for people who need help, found several tent cities with thousands of people in them. The destruction is mind boggling. What I have seen I would say that 2/3 of the people have no home. I spoke to 1 man who was digging out his home, he lost 5 family members, a school collapsed killing all 50 people inside. Today felt like a week. I really miss you guys. Love H. PS. Wait 'til you see all the video. It will tear your heart out.
I can't even imagine the pain and suffering these people are going through! But God knows their pain. He is the healer and comforter. I pray that so many will come to know Him through this. His name be praised!
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• Jan. 15, 2010 - Haiti Update: Communication!
When H left we had no idea if we would be able to communicate or not. By the time he left Miami this morning they knew that they would have a satellite phone available to them if they needed it at $2 a minute. But this afternoon I got a text from H: "landed safe in DR"
Then another a bit later. "Unable to rent a car. Taking taxi to another city. We will jump a transport in the a.m. to Haiti. Water and diesel fuel are like gold right now."
I am staying away from the news, praying, and continually giving him to the Lord ('cause I tend to worry a lot). |
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• Jan. 13, 2010 - Listening to His call
| When He calls we are to listen. No matter what the cost. Is it scary? Can be. Dangerous? Maybe. Uncomfortable? Probably. But if we say,"here I am. Send me." Then go! After hurricane Katrina, a friend of ours, James Clark, went by himself to Louisiana with relief efforts. After hearing about the earthquake in Haiti, he decided to act. After getting some much needed financial assistance in a miraculous way, he set about making plans. And invited my husband to go along. My first response was, "No!" But H and I both prayed, and this is what God has called him to do. I have a peace about him going. I'm scared, but I have peace. God is in control of the entire situation! So as I help my husband prepare to go on the adventure of a lifetime, I pray for peace, strength, protection, safe travels, and a quick return home. And that I will let go and let God do His thing!!! |
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• Dec. 20, 2009 - Day 20
LM got up this morning and put his ornaments on the tree.
Our angel was a wedding gift from my parents' next-door neighbors.
D finally staggered out of bed and put his ornaments on the tree.
My handsome young man who is just 2" shorter than me!
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• Dec. 19, 2009 - Day 19
I really do not like photos of myself, but I got new "do"today. The back has a lot of red in it. I love the color, but I'm not so sure about the cut.
(please excuse the horrible lighting)
And I can't believe I didn't take a picture of the boys' new toy! They got a new mini rzr today for our next trip to the dunes!
LV set the fake Christmas tree up tonight.
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• Dec. 18, 2009 - December Daily: Days 12 - 18
Day 12
Half way there!
Day 13
No photos today. LM and LV both had scout meetings. LV was with his patrol planning for the court of honor the next night. LM worked on his craftmanship activity badge for webelos. He made 4 items and has decided to give 3 of them away as Christmas presents!
Day 14
Court of honor. H was home sick. LV received his scout rank. (LM took this photo)
He promised to be trustworthy, loyal, kind,...
He pinned me. (photo by LM again)
And he announced the new Eagle Scouts.
Telling jokes and a skit.
Day 15
Yummy candy sent to us by a friend.
We also went to see the OCS Christmas program.
Day 16
crushing candy canes for peppermint bark.
LV started making cards for his brothers for Christmas. (the artwork hanging in the background was made for my by our pastor's daughter-in-law after I was attacked)
Day 17
Cub Scouts for LM and D. Santa showed up to deliver pinewood derby cars!
  All the clutter in the background was the canned foods the boys gather from the community!
The only 2 Bears there were also the quietest!
Day18
Hair cuts for the guys!
H came home from the men's study with a new Bible for me!
 It is so cool! It is chronological and it gives you a lot of secular history of the world as well, so you can see how it all fits together. It will work wonderfully with our TOG curriculum! Plus it came with a DVD of Calvary pastors teaching on site in the Holy Land.
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