God has given us multiple opportunities to share with people at churches and small groups lately. This past Saturday I got to share at our contemporary worship service at our church. I shared a message from 1 Samuel 15 that God has used in my life to challenge me. I have shared before that God has really shown me that obedience is the key to pleasing God and not sacrifice.
In the passage in 1 Samuel, God told Saul to completely destroy the Amelekites. Saul spared the King and allowed the soldiers to bring back the best sheep and cattle. When Samuel asks Saul why he could hear sheep and cattle, Saul claims they just brought them back to sacrifice them to God. Samuel explains that God said to destroy them and not bring them back. God wanted the obedience not the evidence of disobedience to become the objects of sacrifice.
It is the same way in our lives. God tells us to do something and we end up doing almost what God wants us to do and then claiming to have been obedient. The very things that we are doing, that we call a "sacrifice" of service to God are actual the evidence of our disobedience.
If God tells you to go on a mission trip, giving the money for someone else to go is disobedient and not pleasing to God.
If God is calling you into the ministry as a pastor or other full time minister, then teaching Sunday School, and being a deacon, or working with the youth- those are all evidence of disobedience and not pleasing to God. No matter how "good" the acts are on their own, if it is not what God led you to do...it is disobedience and not pleasing to God.
Those very acts become the sheep and cattle lowing and bleeting in the background of lives drowning out our prayers and deminishing the effectiveness of our testimony because it is not what God has planned for us.
Don't settle for less than God's perfect plan. Give it all to God and experience the fullness He has for your life.
If this entry seems redundant from previous ones, it is because this is where God has me right now. It is the point of liberation for me and my family and I want it to be for you as well.
Check out the video of Logan and Philip in California. We are getting things ready for the move. We can almost smell the burning trash and fried plantains as we speak!
Kerry
The Family
Justice, Logan, Jacy Klaire, Joy, Josie Kate, Luke, Megan, Judah, Kerry, Jaxon
Monday, February 23, 2009
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Sweet Time of Waiting
Have you ever been in an airplane that was ready to land but the airport was not ready. They send you into a "holding pattern" which means you fly around and around in circles until the ones in charge are ready for you to land. That is NOT where we are. In that case you are usually tired from the trip and restless from the flight and just ready to get off the plane. We are just the opposite. We are sitting on the runway waiting for the tower to give us the go ahead to take off. We are anxiously in our seats waiting for the trip and the destination that lies ahead.
We have seen so many answers to prayers since our last email.
We asked for prayer for the boys adoptions and things seem right on the edge of being completed.
We asked for prayer for the clinic and everything- that very day a doctor offered a lane of equipment that we might be able to get and use if it is what we are looking for. We were also told about a shipment of glasses lenses that may be available that would give us THOUSANDS of pairs of glasses lenses free of charge to use to make glasses.
The money was made available through some unforeseen profit from our business to buy our solar panel equipment and begin that process.
We still don't see the answer to prayers about the house selling or the other things we are praying about but that does not mean they have not been answered or in the process of being answered.
We truly believe BY FAITH that they are being answered. We may not can see the answer yet but 2 Corinthians 5:7 says we are to "walk by faith and not by sight". So I do not have to see the answer to believe it has been answered. Faith is believing it is so, when it's not so, because God said so. Good enough for me.
Logan and Philip are doing good in California. Pray for Logan, he is homesick. He has 6 more weeks in California and then they have the chance to go on a 2 month foreign mission trip. Right now Logan feels he doesn't want to be away another two months. We would love for him to go because we know God could really continue a great work in his life on the foreign field. But we trust that the Lord is in charge. Just keep him in your prayers.
We thank everyone for the commitments to pray. It really does make a difference and your faithfulness really builds our faith. Thank you - really! We do cherish each and everyone of you that have chosen to partner with us in this adventure in faith.
We have seen so many answers to prayers since our last email.
We asked for prayer for the boys adoptions and things seem right on the edge of being completed.
We asked for prayer for the clinic and everything- that very day a doctor offered a lane of equipment that we might be able to get and use if it is what we are looking for. We were also told about a shipment of glasses lenses that may be available that would give us THOUSANDS of pairs of glasses lenses free of charge to use to make glasses.
The money was made available through some unforeseen profit from our business to buy our solar panel equipment and begin that process.
We still don't see the answer to prayers about the house selling or the other things we are praying about but that does not mean they have not been answered or in the process of being answered.
We truly believe BY FAITH that they are being answered. We may not can see the answer yet but 2 Corinthians 5:7 says we are to "walk by faith and not by sight". So I do not have to see the answer to believe it has been answered. Faith is believing it is so, when it's not so, because God said so. Good enough for me.
Logan and Philip are doing good in California. Pray for Logan, he is homesick. He has 6 more weeks in California and then they have the chance to go on a 2 month foreign mission trip. Right now Logan feels he doesn't want to be away another two months. We would love for him to go because we know God could really continue a great work in his life on the foreign field. But we trust that the Lord is in charge. Just keep him in your prayers.
We thank everyone for the commitments to pray. It really does make a difference and your faithfulness really builds our faith. Thank you - really! We do cherish each and everyone of you that have chosen to partner with us in this adventure in faith.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Do You Believe in Prayer...Really Believe?
I want to pose what would seem to be an obvious question. Do you believe in prayer? Now those of you that are Christians would quickly respond with something like "of course" or "absolutely". But, if I could have spent the past week in your shirt pocket without you knowing it, I would be able to tell if you really believe in prayer or whether you simply give lip service to it. As Christians we have to say we believe in prayer. If we said no it would be sacrilegious. Technically, you can't be a Christian and not believe in prayer to some extent. You HAVE to believe that God heard your prayer for salvation in order to become a Christian. You have to believe that He heard your plea for forgiveness and answered it by allowing Jesus to pay your penalty for sin.
That's not the kind of belief I am talking about. I mean do you really believe in your heart of hearts that you can take a need or a care or a concern to God and He hears it, understands it, and acts according to it? Do you really?
How in the world can that be? How can God hear my prayer and your prayer and everyone else's prayer in the whole world and actually act on them? If God DOES indeed answer prayers, what kind of prayers does He answer? I mean if I go ask for a new BMW with those little head lights that turn to shine around corners does that mean He will give it to me? Well what if I want it REALLY bad? What if I REALLY believe He will give it to me? What if I REALLY believe I NEED it because I have trouble seeing around corners without those little lights? Is God going to give it to me? If you say no, then when does God answer prayer? If we don't know when He will and when He won't then how will we ever believe that He will?
You can go to Lifeway Christian Book Store and find about upteen thousand books on prayer and how it works and when it works etc. We really take and humanize the whole affair and make it fit into our desired understanding of God. The reality is that it is pretty simple. I want to lay out a few verses to help us understand prayer better.
(By the way, I am going through this because we have some needs we need some people to pray for. I want us to be reminded of how to pray effectively so that we can see God move. It is not un-Biblical to need to learn to pray more effectively. The disciples asked Jesus to help them pray more effectively.)
First of all we see the example of Jesus praying:
Matthew 14:23 NIV
After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone
Matthew 19:13 NIV
Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them.
Matthew 26:36 NIV
Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, "Sit here while I go over there and pray."
Then we see Jesus expects us to pray:
Matthew 6:6 NIV
But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Matthew 6:9 NIV
"This, then, is how you should pray: " 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name
Mark 14:38 NIV
Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."
But when does God answer prayers. You often hear someone say that God answers prayers with "yes, no, or not now." That is a true statement, but often times it is a cop out for not believing God will answer. If God doesn't answer we just say well that must mean no. That is a weak argument for the power of prayer. Even Garth Brooks knew that in the 90's when he sang "thank God for unanswered prayers". We should probably aim to be a little more theologically sound than to get our doctrinal beliefs from country music!
So how does it work then? James 5 says prayers offered "in faith" are the ones God answers. A definition of faith that I like is that faith is acting on the revealed will of God. So...praying God's revealed will brings about answered prayer.
If you know God's will, you can pray and rest assured it will be answered. Roman's 12 says that we can know God's will by renewing our minds by "the word" and not being conformed to the world. So let's pray God's will and get some answered prayers that we can share with our friends to encourage their faith! Let's get "into the word" - read the Bible- so our minds can be transformed and we can KNOW God's will and pray accordingly.
Here are some things I would like to ask people to pray for:
* Completion of the adoptions of our two little guys. Supposedly, it will go through some time next month!
* Our house to sell- we can't go to Haiti until our house sells- we know God's will is for us to go to Haiti- (If you want to know how I know just contact me and I will share it with you.) so let's pray it gets sold...soon!
* Our parcel of land we own with a partner- that too needs to sell so we can leave because we owe money on it.
* An electrical system for our apartment- We need a solar electrical system for our apartment in Haiti- It will cost about $7500-9000- The bigger prayer request is not just the money it is that I will know how to work it out with the folks that will be installing it and the missionaries that live there at House of Bread. Do I need to make a trip down to get it installed in advance? I need wisdom on the issue.
* Other items that need to be completed in our apartment- bathroom fixtures, lights, ceiling fans, doors, etc. I need wisdom on when to go down to get those things done and how to get the items there that we will be taking vs. buying them there. I have so much other stuff going on here right now I am having trouble seeing how to get down there to get that done before we finish up here.
* For our older kids that will remain here to get 'established' before we leave - Logan is in CA with YWAM right now but he will be done there in June. Megan is still here and we haven't found God's clear direction for her at this point, and Luke is finishing 9th grade.
* How to get rid of all of our stuff- We are a bit overwhelmed at the best way to get rid of everything. We have looked at auctions and everything but it is more of a logistical issue. What to sell, what to give away, what to pack to take and when to do all of the above!
* Optometry Clinic Equipment- we have been given all the equipment for a lab to make glasses but we do not have the equipment necessary to set up the actual eye clinic. We are praying for that equipment to be donated and shipped.
* Shipping of our "stuff"- we have a ministry that can ship our stuff from Penn. but we need to get it there and we will need about $5000 for the shipping and then a couple thousand more to clear customs and everything.
* Preparation of our kids- Jaxon 8 months, Josie 2.5, Judah 3.5, Jacy almost 7- emotional, spiritual and physical preparation.
* For Joy- She is caring for our 4 little kids, homeschooling Jacy, taking care of our house, and her first little bird has left the nest and is in California - All of that on top of the fact that she is getting rid of everything she owns and moving to Haiti- She is handling it all amazingly but I really want some people that I can be trusting to pray specifically for her and to encourage her during this transition time.
* Help building the website www.newvisionhaiti.org
* For Titant- Julie Wirries- who will be going with us. She also needs wisdom in ending things here and preparing for things there. She is a HUGE blessing to our family and a source of wisdom and strength for Joy and I.
* Other stuff- all of our shots, the kids' passports, health insurance, ending all of our contracts like cell phones and dish network etc, everything else that I know I am forgetting that I will have to do before we leave.
I would like to ask for a HUGE favor! If you are willing to pray for ONE of the topics listed above please let me know. If you feel a particular burden for one of the areas or may have had experience with something similar, please pray for that area. If you have no idea which one but would be willing to diligently pray, ask God to help you choose and then just pick one. I don't mean I am asking for a daily commitment to pray but I am asking for a sincere commitment to TRULY pray that these requests are answered. Please either email me or leave a comment on the blog acknowledging that you will pray for one area and I will keep everyone updated on the status.
Thank you SO much. We truly feel our biggest need is for prayer partners. We are asking for people who know it is not easy to pray faithfully but are willing to do it anyway for the sake of God's kingdom. We are trying to be honest and transparent about where God has us and how we are doing. Some of you are my best friends, others of you I barely know, but we still just want to be open and honest so we can honor God in how we ask for help. I don't want help building our own little kingdom, I want sincere help building GOD'S kingdom! Thank you and I look forward to hearing from you.
In Christ,
Kerry
That's not the kind of belief I am talking about. I mean do you really believe in your heart of hearts that you can take a need or a care or a concern to God and He hears it, understands it, and acts according to it? Do you really?
How in the world can that be? How can God hear my prayer and your prayer and everyone else's prayer in the whole world and actually act on them? If God DOES indeed answer prayers, what kind of prayers does He answer? I mean if I go ask for a new BMW with those little head lights that turn to shine around corners does that mean He will give it to me? Well what if I want it REALLY bad? What if I REALLY believe He will give it to me? What if I REALLY believe I NEED it because I have trouble seeing around corners without those little lights? Is God going to give it to me? If you say no, then when does God answer prayer? If we don't know when He will and when He won't then how will we ever believe that He will?
You can go to Lifeway Christian Book Store and find about upteen thousand books on prayer and how it works and when it works etc. We really take and humanize the whole affair and make it fit into our desired understanding of God. The reality is that it is pretty simple. I want to lay out a few verses to help us understand prayer better.
(By the way, I am going through this because we have some needs we need some people to pray for. I want us to be reminded of how to pray effectively so that we can see God move. It is not un-Biblical to need to learn to pray more effectively. The disciples asked Jesus to help them pray more effectively.)
First of all we see the example of Jesus praying:
Matthew 14:23 NIV
After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone
Matthew 19:13 NIV
Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them.
Matthew 26:36 NIV
Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, "Sit here while I go over there and pray."
Then we see Jesus expects us to pray:
Matthew 6:6 NIV
But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Matthew 6:9 NIV
"This, then, is how you should pray: " 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name
Mark 14:38 NIV
Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."
But when does God answer prayers. You often hear someone say that God answers prayers with "yes, no, or not now." That is a true statement, but often times it is a cop out for not believing God will answer. If God doesn't answer we just say well that must mean no. That is a weak argument for the power of prayer. Even Garth Brooks knew that in the 90's when he sang "thank God for unanswered prayers". We should probably aim to be a little more theologically sound than to get our doctrinal beliefs from country music!
So how does it work then? James 5 says prayers offered "in faith" are the ones God answers. A definition of faith that I like is that faith is acting on the revealed will of God. So...praying God's revealed will brings about answered prayer.
If you know God's will, you can pray and rest assured it will be answered. Roman's 12 says that we can know God's will by renewing our minds by "the word" and not being conformed to the world. So let's pray God's will and get some answered prayers that we can share with our friends to encourage their faith! Let's get "into the word" - read the Bible- so our minds can be transformed and we can KNOW God's will and pray accordingly.
Here are some things I would like to ask people to pray for:
* Completion of the adoptions of our two little guys. Supposedly, it will go through some time next month!
* Our house to sell- we can't go to Haiti until our house sells- we know God's will is for us to go to Haiti- (If you want to know how I know just contact me and I will share it with you.) so let's pray it gets sold...soon!
* Our parcel of land we own with a partner- that too needs to sell so we can leave because we owe money on it.
* An electrical system for our apartment- We need a solar electrical system for our apartment in Haiti- It will cost about $7500-9000- The bigger prayer request is not just the money it is that I will know how to work it out with the folks that will be installing it and the missionaries that live there at House of Bread. Do I need to make a trip down to get it installed in advance? I need wisdom on the issue.
* Other items that need to be completed in our apartment- bathroom fixtures, lights, ceiling fans, doors, etc. I need wisdom on when to go down to get those things done and how to get the items there that we will be taking vs. buying them there. I have so much other stuff going on here right now I am having trouble seeing how to get down there to get that done before we finish up here.
* For our older kids that will remain here to get 'established' before we leave - Logan is in CA with YWAM right now but he will be done there in June. Megan is still here and we haven't found God's clear direction for her at this point, and Luke is finishing 9th grade.
* How to get rid of all of our stuff- We are a bit overwhelmed at the best way to get rid of everything. We have looked at auctions and everything but it is more of a logistical issue. What to sell, what to give away, what to pack to take and when to do all of the above!
* Optometry Clinic Equipment- we have been given all the equipment for a lab to make glasses but we do not have the equipment necessary to set up the actual eye clinic. We are praying for that equipment to be donated and shipped.
* Shipping of our "stuff"- we have a ministry that can ship our stuff from Penn. but we need to get it there and we will need about $5000 for the shipping and then a couple thousand more to clear customs and everything.
* Preparation of our kids- Jaxon 8 months, Josie 2.5, Judah 3.5, Jacy almost 7- emotional, spiritual and physical preparation.
* For Joy- She is caring for our 4 little kids, homeschooling Jacy, taking care of our house, and her first little bird has left the nest and is in California - All of that on top of the fact that she is getting rid of everything she owns and moving to Haiti- She is handling it all amazingly but I really want some people that I can be trusting to pray specifically for her and to encourage her during this transition time.
* Help building the website www.newvisionhaiti.org
* For Titant- Julie Wirries- who will be going with us. She also needs wisdom in ending things here and preparing for things there. She is a HUGE blessing to our family and a source of wisdom and strength for Joy and I.
* Other stuff- all of our shots, the kids' passports, health insurance, ending all of our contracts like cell phones and dish network etc, everything else that I know I am forgetting that I will have to do before we leave.
I would like to ask for a HUGE favor! If you are willing to pray for ONE of the topics listed above please let me know. If you feel a particular burden for one of the areas or may have had experience with something similar, please pray for that area. If you have no idea which one but would be willing to diligently pray, ask God to help you choose and then just pick one. I don't mean I am asking for a daily commitment to pray but I am asking for a sincere commitment to TRULY pray that these requests are answered. Please either email me or leave a comment on the blog acknowledging that you will pray for one area and I will keep everyone updated on the status.
Thank you SO much. We truly feel our biggest need is for prayer partners. We are asking for people who know it is not easy to pray faithfully but are willing to do it anyway for the sake of God's kingdom. We are trying to be honest and transparent about where God has us and how we are doing. Some of you are my best friends, others of you I barely know, but we still just want to be open and honest so we can honor God in how we ask for help. I don't want help building our own little kingdom, I want sincere help building GOD'S kingdom! Thank you and I look forward to hearing from you.
In Christ,
Kerry
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Coast to Coast and Back
We have really seen God working in our lives the last few weeks. We had a great time through the Holidays with the realization that it was probably going to be the last time we were all together for that long a period of time. Then on Tuesday, December 30th Logan, Philip, and I left on a road trip to California. We left at 11:30 pm and drove through the night and through the next day and through the night again and arrived at the south rim of the Grand Canyon at sunrise on Thursday morning. There was a foot of snow on the ground as we watched the sun rise over the canyon. It was an amazing time. Then we drove along the rim as we listened to Chris Tomlin’s “Indescribable”. That is exactly what it was!
We then drove up and across the Hoover Dam, through the Mojave Desert, across the Sierra Nevada Mountains and into California. We got to Pismo Beach around 9:30 on Thursday night. A long shower and soft bed were greatly enjoyed that night! I would not trade the trip for anything. I got to pray for Logan and Philip and for their futures. I worshipped and listened to a book on CD. I really had a good time.
I got to get the guys moved into their YWAM (Youth With a Mission) house and settled in. They have roommates from 3 countries and several states. They will be working with the mission in California for 3 months and then they will spend 2 months on the international mission field. We are praying for God to really move in their lives and give them clear direction for the future.
I flew home on Sunday. I had the chance to sit beside a sweet young lady from Washington on the flight from Phoenix. We talked about what God is doing in our lives and I got to share about the kids and the upcoming move and ministry in Haiti. It was great because I often forget how good God has been to us. When we take the time to recount what has happened and how God has worked, it helps bring us back to a right state of appreciation for how good God is to us.
Judah and Jaxon will soon be officially Reeves
Judah’s case was heard in appeals court on Jan. 5th and the termination of parental rights was upheld. That means he is free and clear for us to adopt! Beni swa letenel! Praise the Lord. It has been a long road for the little guy but we now can see the end of the tunnel. We will wait to officially adopt him when we can have his and Jaxon’s adoptions completed together.
Jaxon also had court on Jan. 5th and the judge did file to terminate parental rights and so that means in 30 days he will be free and clear as well! He is such a blessing. He is now 7 ½ months old and into everything. He had a tough start with the cocaine addiction but now he is doing awesome. He is so cheerful and fun. I can’t wait until he is officially ours. We should be able to have everything done by early March! How great is that!
The Rest of the Family Updated
All the other kids are doing well. Megan is working this semester but at the moment still plans to get a teaching degree. She is just on the 7-8 year plan it appears! Luke is doing well in school. He is on the JV basketball team at Maiden High School. Jacy Klaire is enjoying 1st grade home schooling and is a total joy. God has a special anointing on her life and we are praying God uses her for something great through ministry. Josie Kate is a little doll and keeps Judah in line. She finally was on the size charts at her last doctor visit. She is almost 2 ½. Joy is managing to keep busy! She is dealing with Logan leaving the nest. She is so strong and desires to see God glorified above all else. When I grow up I want to be just like her!
Walls Built in Our Haitian Penthouse Suite
As many of you know we only had one bedroom in our apartment we are moving to in Haiti. Jim and Gayle Durham, the missionaries that we will be living with, let me know this week that the wall that we were having built to divide off a section of the living room to build a bedroom for the girls has been completed. It still has to be painted and everything but at least the girls have a full fledged little room now. We can’t wait to move them in.
We still have to get our electrical system in place. We are waiting on the Lord to supply the needed money for that. We also have to install interior doors and a bathroom vanity with sinks. We may take a trip down at some point to finish things up but if not we will just do it once we get there full time.
Fellowship of Christian Optometrists offering support for our Haitian Eye Clinic
I have been in contact with a couple of great representatives from FCO that have offered to help me get our clinic up and going. They have had experience setting up clinics in other parts of the world and even one in another area of Haiti. They are working on helping me get equipment for a lab where we will be able to make glasses on site once we are there. God is really opening doors to accomplish what HE wants to get done. We are just saying yes and expecting great things to happen!
So there you have it. That’s what’s happening in our lives. We would love to think we can be in Haiti by some time in the spring. We have to sell the house and we have no serious inquiries at the moment. We are not worried or anxious about it. We know God will sell it even in a bad economy when he gets ready for us to be in Haiti. Keep us in your prayers.
We have really seen God working in our lives the last few weeks. We had a great time through the Holidays with the realization that it was probably going to be the last time we were all together for that long a period of time. Then on Tuesday, December 30th Logan, Philip, and I left on a road trip to California. We left at 11:30 pm and drove through the night and through the next day and through the night again and arrived at the south rim of the Grand Canyon at sunrise on Thursday morning. There was a foot of snow on the ground as we watched the sun rise over the canyon. It was an amazing time. Then we drove along the rim as we listened to Chris Tomlin’s “Indescribable”. That is exactly what it was!
We then drove up and across the Hoover Dam, through the Mojave Desert, across the Sierra Nevada Mountains and into California. We got to Pismo Beach around 9:30 on Thursday night. A long shower and soft bed were greatly enjoyed that night! I would not trade the trip for anything. I got to pray for Logan and Philip and for their futures. I worshipped and listened to a book on CD. I really had a good time.
I got to get the guys moved into their YWAM (Youth With a Mission) house and settled in. They have roommates from 3 countries and several states. They will be working with the mission in California for 3 months and then they will spend 2 months on the international mission field. We are praying for God to really move in their lives and give them clear direction for the future.
I flew home on Sunday. I had the chance to sit beside a sweet young lady from Washington on the flight from Phoenix. We talked about what God is doing in our lives and I got to share about the kids and the upcoming move and ministry in Haiti. It was great because I often forget how good God has been to us. When we take the time to recount what has happened and how God has worked, it helps bring us back to a right state of appreciation for how good God is to us.
Judah and Jaxon will soon be officially Reeves
Judah’s case was heard in appeals court on Jan. 5th and the termination of parental rights was upheld. That means he is free and clear for us to adopt! Beni swa letenel! Praise the Lord. It has been a long road for the little guy but we now can see the end of the tunnel. We will wait to officially adopt him when we can have his and Jaxon’s adoptions completed together.
Jaxon also had court on Jan. 5th and the judge did file to terminate parental rights and so that means in 30 days he will be free and clear as well! He is such a blessing. He is now 7 ½ months old and into everything. He had a tough start with the cocaine addiction but now he is doing awesome. He is so cheerful and fun. I can’t wait until he is officially ours. We should be able to have everything done by early March! How great is that!
The Rest of the Family Updated
All the other kids are doing well. Megan is working this semester but at the moment still plans to get a teaching degree. She is just on the 7-8 year plan it appears! Luke is doing well in school. He is on the JV basketball team at Maiden High School. Jacy Klaire is enjoying 1st grade home schooling and is a total joy. God has a special anointing on her life and we are praying God uses her for something great through ministry. Josie Kate is a little doll and keeps Judah in line. She finally was on the size charts at her last doctor visit. She is almost 2 ½. Joy is managing to keep busy! She is dealing with Logan leaving the nest. She is so strong and desires to see God glorified above all else. When I grow up I want to be just like her!
Walls Built in Our Haitian Penthouse Suite
As many of you know we only had one bedroom in our apartment we are moving to in Haiti. Jim and Gayle Durham, the missionaries that we will be living with, let me know this week that the wall that we were having built to divide off a section of the living room to build a bedroom for the girls has been completed. It still has to be painted and everything but at least the girls have a full fledged little room now. We can’t wait to move them in.
We still have to get our electrical system in place. We are waiting on the Lord to supply the needed money for that. We also have to install interior doors and a bathroom vanity with sinks. We may take a trip down at some point to finish things up but if not we will just do it once we get there full time.
Fellowship of Christian Optometrists offering support for our Haitian Eye Clinic
I have been in contact with a couple of great representatives from FCO that have offered to help me get our clinic up and going. They have had experience setting up clinics in other parts of the world and even one in another area of Haiti. They are working on helping me get equipment for a lab where we will be able to make glasses on site once we are there. God is really opening doors to accomplish what HE wants to get done. We are just saying yes and expecting great things to happen!
So there you have it. That’s what’s happening in our lives. We would love to think we can be in Haiti by some time in the spring. We have to sell the house and we have no serious inquiries at the moment. We are not worried or anxious about it. We know God will sell it even in a bad economy when he gets ready for us to be in Haiti. Keep us in your prayers.
Friday, November 28, 2008
A Mom's Answered Prayer
Whenever anyone asks us what our biggest prayer request or concern is during this transition time there is no hesitation. The hardest part of our calling is the fact that our older children will not be going with us initially- so it seems at the moment. One night as Joy and I were getting ready for bed, we were praying and talking and God revealed to us that if we knew exactly how it was going to work out with the kids or if we thought WE could take care of it, we would not be trusting Him. We decided then that we would leave it in God's hands and believe by faith that by the time He had us leave here, the situation with each of our children would be EXACTLY what God wanted it to be and that it would be the very BEST for each of them. Faith is living like it's SO, when it ain't SO, because God said SO! That's not good grammar but it's good theology! We surrendered our expectations to the Lord and have had peace believing He would align things in His due time.
In the last week we have seen God really working to make that come to pass. A few weeks ago I started a Bible study with Logan (our 18 year old who has been struggling to find direction)and Phillip(a young guy that has joined our family during the last year as we try to help him find God's plan for his life) and several of their friends. The study is on God's purpose for our lives and why it is important to find it.
This past week God opened the door for a tremendous opportunity for Logan and Phillip both. They are applying to go to Discipleship Training School (DTS) with Youth With a Mission (YWAM) International. If accepted, they will spend 3 months in California learning about how to hear from God and find His desire for their lives. They will also learn about missions worldwide and how they fit in to what God is doing. They will then spend 2 months abroad using what they have learned to minister on the mission field.
YWAM uses a young person's passions and interests to help draw them into a deeper walk with God and reach a specific people group or culture. Logan and Phillip are both into board sports (skateboarding, surfing, snowboarding) and YWAM uses those passions to reach others with the same passions. On their DTS they will learn how to reach surfers and the those in the surf culture around the world for Christ.
It is a great opportunity and something they are both very excited about. We are very excited as well because it will help them to see why we are so sold out to missions as they grow in an understanding of God's heart for the world. YWAM has one of the most effective ministries in all of Haiti and we will hopefully have many opportunities in the years to come to work with them. It is awesome how God works.
Joy is almost as excited as Logan and Phillip about the opportunity. There is nothing a Christian parent wants more than to see their children growing in Christ. There is really nothing we want more as missionaries than to see our children developing a heart for missions.
We ask that you please pray for their acceptance into the program. The classes start January 4th and so we would have to get them there and that is just around the corner. Also pray because they have to raise $3500 for the 3 months of school, which includes all living expenses, and then about $3000 for the 2 months on the mission field. That seems impossible in just 5 weeks but with prayer we know if it is God's plan for them to go it will not be an issue. We are all looking at what else we have to sell to go towards it too. If you need a Kabota tractor let me know LOL!
Thank you all so much for your love. Any of you that know Joy know that this is the most important issue in her heart at the moment. We believe God opened this door and will arrange all circumstances necessary to make it happen.
You can check out the school at the following sites. We will keep you updated.
http://www.ywamdts.org/
http://ywampismobeach.org/dts/Welcome.html
In the last week we have seen God really working to make that come to pass. A few weeks ago I started a Bible study with Logan (our 18 year old who has been struggling to find direction)and Phillip(a young guy that has joined our family during the last year as we try to help him find God's plan for his life) and several of their friends. The study is on God's purpose for our lives and why it is important to find it.
This past week God opened the door for a tremendous opportunity for Logan and Phillip both. They are applying to go to Discipleship Training School (DTS) with Youth With a Mission (YWAM) International. If accepted, they will spend 3 months in California learning about how to hear from God and find His desire for their lives. They will also learn about missions worldwide and how they fit in to what God is doing. They will then spend 2 months abroad using what they have learned to minister on the mission field.
YWAM uses a young person's passions and interests to help draw them into a deeper walk with God and reach a specific people group or culture. Logan and Phillip are both into board sports (skateboarding, surfing, snowboarding) and YWAM uses those passions to reach others with the same passions. On their DTS they will learn how to reach surfers and the those in the surf culture around the world for Christ.
It is a great opportunity and something they are both very excited about. We are very excited as well because it will help them to see why we are so sold out to missions as they grow in an understanding of God's heart for the world. YWAM has one of the most effective ministries in all of Haiti and we will hopefully have many opportunities in the years to come to work with them. It is awesome how God works.
Joy is almost as excited as Logan and Phillip about the opportunity. There is nothing a Christian parent wants more than to see their children growing in Christ. There is really nothing we want more as missionaries than to see our children developing a heart for missions.
We ask that you please pray for their acceptance into the program. The classes start January 4th and so we would have to get them there and that is just around the corner. Also pray because they have to raise $3500 for the 3 months of school, which includes all living expenses, and then about $3000 for the 2 months on the mission field. That seems impossible in just 5 weeks but with prayer we know if it is God's plan for them to go it will not be an issue. We are all looking at what else we have to sell to go towards it too. If you need a Kabota tractor let me know LOL!
Thank you all so much for your love. Any of you that know Joy know that this is the most important issue in her heart at the moment. We believe God opened this door and will arrange all circumstances necessary to make it happen.
You can check out the school at the following sites. We will keep you updated.
http://www.ywamdts.org/
http://ywampismobeach.org/dts/Welcome.html
Thursday, November 20, 2008
A Thanksgiving Thought
This is the picture of the day on USA Today's website. It is of a 4 year old little girl in Haiti that is being weighed at a Doctors Without Borders medical clinic. Click Here to read the entire story.
The article tells about the condition of many in Haiti since the flooding and now the food shortages in some areas. Doctors Without Borders says that in the clinic in PAP where this child is, they have had 2 dozen children die in the last 2 weeks of malnutrition.
In a season of Thanksgiving feasting it seems that somehow we should be more broken over the people that will eat less this month than most of us will eat on Thanksgiving Day alone. We really do have more to be thankful for than we could ever imagine. Maybe this Christmas some of you could choose to do what Joy and I did 2 years ago. In December of 2006 I took a trip to Haiti right before Christmas. We met with a family that has 4 children living in the home and the father had left to go to the DR to try to find work. That left the mom alone to try to provide for her family. The children were extremely malnourished and unhealthy. I could not come back and spend hundreds of dollars on stuff that we do not need and will probably seldom ever use. Joy and I decided to not give each other anything for Christmas and instead use the money we would have spent and support that family every month.
The next time I went to see the family, you could see a marked difference in the kids. Their hair was growing in better, their bellies were not as distended and misshapen. You could see the health in their eyes. The mother cried as she thanked me for saving their family and helping during that tough time. We have supported that family ever since and we plan to continue supporting them. There is nothing I need or even want that can compare to the food we are able to buy every month and the hope we are able to give through such a small gift.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Bob Benfield Reports on Latest Trip
My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
I want to start by saying that this update to Kerry's BLOG has been a long time coming. I am just getting back to the routine of life as we know it in America. I still dream about the people in Haiti and how they are struggling to survive every single day. The sights, sounds, and smells are still fresh in my mind as I often close my eyes and am right back there. This was my first trip to Haiti, but I can promise you, just as I promised the men, women, and children in each church I spoke in, this will NOT be my last trip.
From 1979 to 1986 I had the opportunity to travel all over the world as a Medical Diver in the United States Navy. Prior to this trip, I had been to 32 foreign countries. Haiti made 33. I can honestly tell you, I have never seen poverty to the extent that I saw during this trip.
One thing that truly amazes me, is the love that I felt with the men I went with. Kerry, Tracy, and Toby constantly showed genuine Christ like love and compassion not only towards me but to everyone they came in contact with. When I look at Pastor Caesar, an awesome man of God, I think of 1 Chronicles 4:10, "And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested." As Pastor Caesar and Kerry stood in Kerry's living room watching the TV in horror, as the hurricanes ripped through Haiti leaving thousands dead and hundreds of thousands homeless, the Lord spoke to them in a mighty way. Again the faith of these two men astound me. 1 Chronicles 4:10 shows where Pastor Caesar's heart was. He was seeking Gods face in hopes that God would still bless him and bring more Haitian people to trust Him as their Lord and Savior, to enlarge his coast. To Pastor Caesar and Kerry, it wasn't a matter of asking God if they could help, it was a matter of getting out of Gods way so He could help and get the details worked out. It was awesome to watch God at work providing more than anyone could have ever expected or even imagined. To God be the glory because He is worthy.
When Kerry called me and asked if it was possible for me to take off from work and go with them, I can't tell you the honor and pride I felt when I asked my wife Shelly what she thought about me going to Haiti. She said "you mean your bags aren't packed yet?" I knew that work would not be a problem either. My boss, Clayton Todd is a wonderful man of God who loves the Lord in a way that makes me envious. His response was much like Shelly's. So it was set. I was on the list to go. Then through the endless giving of so many of you, God was evident once again.
After we had all of the bags packed, our human nature kicked in and Satan tried to tell us it couldn't be done... but we were bathed in prayer by people all over the world, and let me tell you about the power of prayer. We went through customs and had our bags checked without even so much as second glance from the authorities here in the US or in Haiti. Again. praise His holy name.
Getting off the plane in Miami to catch another plane to take us to Porta Prince, so many things could and probably should have gone wrong. But He had everything under control. Micah 7:7 tells us "Therefore I will look unto the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me." It still blows my mind to see how we have blinders on and see tunnel vision when God see the big picture from the beginning. I love the last part of the verse, my God will hear me...
Once we arrived in Haiti, God was just getting warmed up. We met with our driver from the House of Bread who took us by there first and then on to Saint Marc to Pastor Caesar's house. We didn't waste any time... We started packing the bags for distribution because we were going to give food to two separate churches the next morning. I want to say to you reading this BLOG, I know that you yourself couldn't go, but you were there through us. We were able to provide TO them through your generous gifts and prayers. You were a huge part of this trip. In Matthew 6:19-20, Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: Every life we touched was a prayer answered and YOU who gave by giving money or who gave by being on your knees and keeping us in continuous prayer, had just as much in this trip as we did.
The distributions went great and we were able to give the Haitian people food for their stomachs as well as spiritual food for their hearts. It was said that we provided a "Blessing from the Blesser" I just want to say for the record, I was the one who was Blessed. Words that I am typing now cannot express the true feeling of how I felt.
On the last day of our stay at Pastor Caesar's house, our bags were packed and we were just about ready to leave to go back to the House of Bread to spend the last night before going to the airport the next morning. As we were standing in the court yard at Pastor Caesar's, A young girl that works for Pastor, came over to where I was standing, she had a small bowel of water and a small brush. She got on her hands and knees and began scrubbing my tennis shoes. Shortly after that, she was joined by yet another girl who had some type powder that looked to be similar to AJAX or Comet. The second girl would sprinkle the powder over my shoes as the first girl would scrub them with a brush. How selfish am I? That was TRUE SERVANTHOOD
displayed before my very eyes. I am so unworthy. God truly broke my prideful heart that day in the courtyard of Pastor Caesar's', by working through two beautiful souls that had NO OTHER desire but to serve Him with all of their hearts. As I stood there with uncontrollable tears pouring down my face, while these two young ladies cleaned my dirty, worn out shoes, I thought of the parallel, isn't that just like Jesus Christ... only He can take an old dirty worn out soul and make it clean and new. Lesson learned...
If you have never had the opportunity to go on a mission trip, I urge you to get your passport ready. Your life will NEVER be the same.
In His grip,
Bob Benfield
Titus 3:5
I want to start by saying that this update to Kerry's BLOG has been a long time coming. I am just getting back to the routine of life as we know it in America. I still dream about the people in Haiti and how they are struggling to survive every single day. The sights, sounds, and smells are still fresh in my mind as I often close my eyes and am right back there. This was my first trip to Haiti, but I can promise you, just as I promised the men, women, and children in each church I spoke in, this will NOT be my last trip.
From 1979 to 1986 I had the opportunity to travel all over the world as a Medical Diver in the United States Navy. Prior to this trip, I had been to 32 foreign countries. Haiti made 33. I can honestly tell you, I have never seen poverty to the extent that I saw during this trip.
One thing that truly amazes me, is the love that I felt with the men I went with. Kerry, Tracy, and Toby constantly showed genuine Christ like love and compassion not only towards me but to everyone they came in contact with. When I look at Pastor Caesar, an awesome man of God, I think of 1 Chronicles 4:10, "And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested." As Pastor Caesar and Kerry stood in Kerry's living room watching the TV in horror, as the hurricanes ripped through Haiti leaving thousands dead and hundreds of thousands homeless, the Lord spoke to them in a mighty way. Again the faith of these two men astound me. 1 Chronicles 4:10 shows where Pastor Caesar's heart was. He was seeking Gods face in hopes that God would still bless him and bring more Haitian people to trust Him as their Lord and Savior, to enlarge his coast. To Pastor Caesar and Kerry, it wasn't a matter of asking God if they could help, it was a matter of getting out of Gods way so He could help and get the details worked out. It was awesome to watch God at work providing more than anyone could have ever expected or even imagined. To God be the glory because He is worthy.
When Kerry called me and asked if it was possible for me to take off from work and go with them, I can't tell you the honor and pride I felt when I asked my wife Shelly what she thought about me going to Haiti. She said "you mean your bags aren't packed yet?" I knew that work would not be a problem either. My boss, Clayton Todd is a wonderful man of God who loves the Lord in a way that makes me envious. His response was much like Shelly's. So it was set. I was on the list to go. Then through the endless giving of so many of you, God was evident once again.
After we had all of the bags packed, our human nature kicked in and Satan tried to tell us it couldn't be done... but we were bathed in prayer by people all over the world, and let me tell you about the power of prayer. We went through customs and had our bags checked without even so much as second glance from the authorities here in the US or in Haiti. Again. praise His holy name.
Getting off the plane in Miami to catch another plane to take us to Porta Prince, so many things could and probably should have gone wrong. But He had everything under control. Micah 7:7 tells us "Therefore I will look unto the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me." It still blows my mind to see how we have blinders on and see tunnel vision when God see the big picture from the beginning. I love the last part of the verse, my God will hear me...
Once we arrived in Haiti, God was just getting warmed up. We met with our driver from the House of Bread who took us by there first and then on to Saint Marc to Pastor Caesar's house. We didn't waste any time... We started packing the bags for distribution because we were going to give food to two separate churches the next morning. I want to say to you reading this BLOG, I know that you yourself couldn't go, but you were there through us. We were able to provide TO them through your generous gifts and prayers. You were a huge part of this trip. In Matthew 6:19-20, Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: Every life we touched was a prayer answered and YOU who gave by giving money or who gave by being on your knees and keeping us in continuous prayer, had just as much in this trip as we did.
The distributions went great and we were able to give the Haitian people food for their stomachs as well as spiritual food for their hearts. It was said that we provided a "Blessing from the Blesser" I just want to say for the record, I was the one who was Blessed. Words that I am typing now cannot express the true feeling of how I felt.
On the last day of our stay at Pastor Caesar's house, our bags were packed and we were just about ready to leave to go back to the House of Bread to spend the last night before going to the airport the next morning. As we were standing in the court yard at Pastor Caesar's, A young girl that works for Pastor, came over to where I was standing, she had a small bowel of water and a small brush. She got on her hands and knees and began scrubbing my tennis shoes. Shortly after that, she was joined by yet another girl who had some type powder that looked to be similar to AJAX or Comet. The second girl would sprinkle the powder over my shoes as the first girl would scrub them with a brush. How selfish am I? That was TRUE SERVANTHOOD
displayed before my very eyes. I am so unworthy. God truly broke my prideful heart that day in the courtyard of Pastor Caesar's', by working through two beautiful souls that had NO OTHER desire but to serve Him with all of their hearts. As I stood there with uncontrollable tears pouring down my face, while these two young ladies cleaned my dirty, worn out shoes, I thought of the parallel, isn't that just like Jesus Christ... only He can take an old dirty worn out soul and make it clean and new. Lesson learned...If you have never had the opportunity to go on a mission trip, I urge you to get your passport ready. Your life will NEVER be the same.
In His grip,
Bob Benfield
Titus 3:5
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