I never thought I would be happy to have big ears. It turns out that there is at least one situation in which having big ears is a good thing. We took all four little ones to try to get their passports this morning. It turned out to be quite an adventure.
I called the passport office to make sure they could take the kids' pictures there so we could just make one stop. The lady told me it would not be a problem. Once we got there and got all the kids into the little office, it turns out they just ran out of film. I am not sure why it is but apparently you can't have any backup film on hand either. Probably some type of shortage related to swine flu or bio terrorism or something. But at any rate we had to load the kids back up and head out for somewhere to have pictures made.
Joy had done a mother's best by getting the kids all dressed up and looking good. They all matched and had their hair all fixed. So the pouring rain did not help much. The place we were told to go to get it made said "it would be awhile I got something else on the computer." So we went to CVS. It turns out it is the only CVS in the region that does NOT do passport photos. Finally we ended up at Walgreen's ready to get some good looking photos. Kids have to keep them five years so there is no way we could settle with a bad looking picture. So the lady in the photo lab asks the little girl at the register, "do you want to try again at doing the passport photos?" Not a good sign!
The technician took them one by one and got them to let her take their photos. Not too bad overall...the first time around. Joy just had to make her go back and get Josie's one more time because she would not smile the first time. Then the technician, who looked like she should be in eighth grade, went away and started putting everything into a computer and doing really complicated technical stuff. About 45 minutes later, she thinks she is done. Then the manager comes by to proof everything and says that she would have to redo Judah's because his face was not straight. He said, "He has to be looking straight ahead, see how you can't see his left ear..."
Those were the words that started it all. For the next 20 minutes and 50 pictures she stood in front of our ADHD 4 year old taking a picture then saying "oh no I can't see the left ear in that one...not good I can't see the right ear now...oops his hair was in front of his ear..." Poor Judah. He was trying SO hard. He would smile...then ask..."could you see 'em?" The poor kid has little bitty ears that are flat on his head. The girl missed the point that the important thing was for him to be looking straight. She was determined to get a full frontal, double ear photo no matter what!
That's why I am glad I have big ears. When they took my passport photo, not a problem! Two big 'ol radar like ears in perfect focus for the passport agent to approve. So the moral of the story is that ...well...it's...I guess there really is no moral to the story but I had to go to work and we still do not have passports. If we could have gotten it done today, the passports would be due back no later than June 16th...one week before we leave. We had to leave before they even got the pictures printed. So we will try to get the pictures tonight and the passports applied for tomorrow. We have been waiting for the boy's birth certificates with their new names, but they have not come in so we are going to try to get the passport with their adoption decrees. That may be an adventure all in itself tomorrow. We were told it would work...but we were also told the camera had film!
The Family
Justice, Logan, Jacy Klaire, Joy, Josie Kate, Luke, Megan, Judah, Kerry, Jaxon
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Friday, May 1, 2009
718 Miles at 45 mph and one blown out tire...
We got the bus containing all of our personal goods and the materials for the church in St. Marc delivered to West Palm Beach this week. The trip was actually great. Bob Benfield and his kids followed me and we took turns driving the bus. His son Jonathan was a real blessing by driving the bus much of the time. God sent a diesel mechanic on the Saturday before I left to fix the bus so that it would go a little faster. I can't thank Chris Jolly and his son enough for taking the time to come over and not only work on the bus but drive it around for a while to make adjustments and make sure it would work. What a blessing! So although it would only go 45 due to the load, it was sure better than it would have been otherwise! God sent so many people to help us get everything packed and then to help with the trip. Haley and Katie Bridges helped Joy with the kids while I was gone and they had a great time to according to Joy.
Here is a picture of our one glitch. A blown out tire in Rock Hill, SC cost us a couple of hours and a few hundred dollars. Laronzo was a huge help and got us back on the ro
ad. The only other time we had trouble was on I-26 between Columbia and I-95. The sand hills were not nice to our over loaded bus-turned-cargo container. We could only muster about 33mph up the hills. But we made it without real incident.We left at 6 am and made it to Melbourne, FL by 11 pm where we spent the night. Tuesday morning we got up and finished out the trip in about 2 hours. We got to the port around 10 am to drop off the bus and everything we own. It went really well
and the people at Monarch shipping were great. The bus could ship as soon as May 12th but as late as May 29th. From then it will be 4-6 weeks to clear everything (hopefully) and then we will have it. Keep praying that it gets through customs and that it is not tampered with in the mean time. We know the Lord is in charge and that he can keep it safe and protected. Ideally, it would clear customs and about the time that we get to Haiti and that way we will have everything we need to get the apartment set up. Here is a brief - incomprehensive- inventory of what we sent on the bus and the estimated cost to get it there.Contents: Lumber for benches at St. Marc Church ( 50- 2x12x12, 40- 8 foot decking, 80- 12 foot decking)
3 large trash cans filled with supplies for House of Bread
Wire for wiring at St. Marc Church
24 Flourescent lights for St. Marc Church with bulbs
2 outdoor chaise lounges
1 queen bed mattress and frame (no box spring...long story!)
2 twin beds with mattresses and box springs
1 set of bunk beds with mattresses
Boxes of tools
Boxes of clothes
Boxes of linens
A brand new front load high efficiency washing machine
Solar Panels
12- 12 volt batteries for our electrical system - donated by one of our best friends
Inverter for electrical system
Bathroom vanity cabinet- also donated by a close friend- with the lavatories and faucets
A couple of ladders
A wagon for the kids
Titant's personal items
6 High efficiency ceiling fans
Kitchen table and chairs/stools
School supplies
End tables for our bedroom as night stands
Rods and curtains for use as doors
Lots of other misc. stuff I used as "filler" in areas as I packed
Cost:
The bus cost $15oo from NC Public Schools
The Plywood and labor to cover the windows and build the retaining wall was donated by a friend's church
1 new tire - $430 including roadside installation
Fuel for the trip - $160 ( I thought that was great)
Shipping costs - $3200 ($100 per foot)
Customs costs ????- depends on how they are feeling that day...we will know in a few weeks
So there you have it. It is a weird feeling to know that everything we will soon own is sitting on a lot in south Florida. It is such a blessing though because we thought for a while that we would only be taking our suitcases. We are very happy to have the bus and the opportunity to take more of the things we will need to live and minister. God takes care of His children so perfectly!
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
All I Can Do Is Praise HIM...The Adoptions Are FINAL!
"But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded" 2 Chronicles 15:7.
What greater reward can a mother ask for than to hold her babies in her arms and know they are hers and a gift straight from God?
It has been a battle at times, especially Judah's case, but Judah Kerry and Jaxon Kooper are officially ours! I can hardly believe God chose me to be their mother. What an honor. What a privilege. To know that no one can take them away now and that Judah will not have to go through any more of the pain he was exposed to the first few years of his life is such a burden lifted. Thank you so much for all of your prayers. God heard and answered!
I need to post their full stories here at some point. Maybe in the next few days as God continues to solidify the fullness of the truth of their adoption in me, I will be able to take the time to sit down and explain the depth of the blessing we have received.
The truth is I barely had time to write this brief little entry. As I write Judah is taking Josie's toy away and Jaxon is wanting a bottle and Jacy is sick with a sore throat and upset because she is having to miss voice lesson. So finding the time to blog or email or develop any other adult related contact has been a major challenge for the last 18 months. BUT, it is good. It is good because it is my calling. God has called me to be "mommy"! What greater calling is there? I can assure you, I treasure being called to be a "mommy" even more than I treasure being called a "missionary". Apart from being called "my bride" as my sweetheart calls me, there is nothing I want to be called more than "mommy".
What greater reward can a mother ask for than to hold her babies in her arms and know they are hers and a gift straight from God?
It has been a battle at times, especially Judah's case, but Judah Kerry and Jaxon Kooper are officially ours! I can hardly believe God chose me to be their mother. What an honor. What a privilege. To know that no one can take them away now and that Judah will not have to go through any more of the pain he was exposed to the first few years of his life is such a burden lifted. Thank you so much for all of your prayers. God heard and answered!
I need to post their full stories here at some point. Maybe in the next few days as God continues to solidify the fullness of the truth of their adoption in me, I will be able to take the time to sit down and explain the depth of the blessing we have received.
The truth is I barely had time to write this brief little entry. As I write Judah is taking Josie's toy away and Jaxon is wanting a bottle and Jacy is sick with a sore throat and upset because she is having to miss voice lesson. So finding the time to blog or email or develop any other adult related contact has been a major challenge for the last 18 months. BUT, it is good. It is good because it is my calling. God has called me to be "mommy"! What greater calling is there? I can assure you, I treasure being called to be a "mommy" even more than I treasure being called a "missionary". Apart from being called "my bride" as my sweetheart calls me, there is nothing I want to be called more than "mommy".
Monday, February 23, 2009
Why do I hear sheep and cows?
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
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
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.
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