Worthy is the Lamb

Revelation 5:12 "Worthy is the lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing" This verse reminds me of the final song of the concert Sunday evening. It was a wonderful evening of worship. Our thanks to all who worked so hard to make this a special evening. Thank you to the band and musicians!!

We have just returned to Tallahassee this evening after spending a full and busy 5 days in Sarasota. We enjoyed meeting old friends, as well as new ones. Our days were very busy, but very blessed. We wish we could have spent individual time with all of you.

Now it is time to "buckle" down and prepare for the prosthesis for Patrick. His appointment for "casting" is tomorrow. This is to get the size and shape of this arm.

Barb's leg is healing, slow and surely. Maybe I'm being a bit impatient? Oh surely not. :))

Pray for Joan, the friend with whom we are staying. She is not feeling well.

Pray for continued healing.

Pray for Agape and Rachel as they have stepped out of their jobs and routine to help us.

We pray for you. May you find God Good and Right all the time!!

Be blessed.

Haiti Now

When we remember Haiti, our hearts continue to be sad at the situation. Tent cities, diseases, hunger. But we praise the Lord that the reports from the churches in the villages continue to be encouraged. The Mayette church is having an 8 day revival service. Last night 2 young people gave their lives to the Lord. It is encouraging to know that in spite of the difficult situation, the church continues to grow.

Children of God should accept suffering as a joy. As Patrick preaches in the churches, we should be warriors, not wimps. Let's not be entangled with this world's affairs. Let's be a light in this dark world. We all have a neighborhood that needs a light for Jesus. Be that Light!!

Tomorrow we travel back to Tallahassee. We had a wonderful time in Sarasota. We were so happy to see so many of our friends in church, meetings, and the concert.

Pray for Barb's complete healing. Pray for us as we work together as a family that God would truly be honored and we each draw closer to Him.

We pray for you and trust God to bless you with His peace.

Walking on mountains

Habakkuk 3:17-19 "Even if the fig tree does not bloom and the vines have no grapes, even if the olive tree fails to produce and the fields yield no food, even if the sheep pen is empty and the stalls have no cattle--even then, I will be happy with the LORD. I will truly find joy in God, who saves me. The LORD Almighty is my strength. He makes my feet like those of a deer. He makes me walk on the mountains.."

I love these verses. Even when all else fails, yet I will be happy with the Lord. True joy comes from within, not without. When I am angry at the situation I am looking at the situation, not the God of the situation. Patrick read verses 17-18 Saturday evening at church. When we came home, he read verse 19 to me.

My feet like those of a deer? Me? walk on mountains? Well that seems a bit far-fetched at the moment. Right now my outings are measured by the distance I would need to walk, is there handicap facilities, etc. Some of the "treks" out seem to turn into "mountains". But not to worry, the walk will come, the mountains will be fun to climb. There is not a hike up the mountain without a valley. The valley I will tread...The Lord is my strength and joy.

Thank you to everyone who made the concert a success and for those who attended. The musicians and band were excellent. We give God the glory and praise. The worship was so beautiful.

Continue to pray for total healing for Barb's incision.

Pray for Patrick as he begins the process for prosthesis this week.

Pray for Rachel and Pat while they are "separated" while Rachel is helping us.

Have a wonderful evening and night.

Thank you

Thank you for your prayers, concerns, gifts, words of encouragement and notes. I'm wondering how different our experience would be without you. I am often reminded of Job. He was alone, so alone. His friends accused him, his wife told him to curse God and die. Yet he clung to the hope of God.

As Job, we know we can have our hope in God. We cling to His precious promises. He holds us in His Hand. His love is unfathomable. So knowing all this, let's not despise those seasons of pruning. Let's allow God to work, prune and take away that which stands in our way of knowing Him more.

Kaye, our nurse and right hand helper, who has been with us since the first week at Jackson Memorial has now left for Switzerland. She is undertaking another mission, to care for another. We are so grateful for all her love, care and service, not to mention laughter in SkipBo games.

God is our Potter. We are only the clay pots. He is good, always GOOD!!

Pray for Patrick as he preaches this weekend.

Pray the concert will glorify God and many will be touched by God in worship.

Pray for Kaye while she is away for several months.

Praying you each will have a great weekend in Jesus.

Home Again

Patrick and Agape had a safe trip back home. "Back home", sounds funny when Haiti is really his home. So I will rest on the well known statement "Home is where the heart is". After all, we really are just pilgrims traveling through this time whether in the States or Haiti. Our "real" home is in the making!

An organization donated some food while he was there, so he was able to have it distributed in the villages while he was there. One of the problems is that after the quake many people left the city and went to mountain areas. They went empty-handed. To feed extra people was a hardship on the host families. Now many people have returned to the city, and left the villages empty-handed. We are so thankful that food was donated to help this situation.

Every where Patrick went, he saw tent cities. Where there is a bare piece of property, there tents now occupy the area. The sanitation is very bad, food is at a bare minimum and disease runs rampid. Another "disgusting" situation is that rape is on a rise in these camps. Will the evil continue no matter how devastated the country is!!

Patrick did very well health-wise during the days in haiti. So many people wanted to visit him, he hardly had time for meetings. Agape worked as his dad's "right hand" man, a literal phrase. Funny. We have used that phrase many times meaning we will be helping. Now it takes on a different meaning.

The infected sight on my leg is doing well. Every day a nurse comes to check it and re-pack the wound area.

We are enjoying friends and family in the Sarasota area.

Pray for Patrick as he is scheduled to preach this weekend.

Pray for Barb's complete healing.

Pray for the benefit concert Sunday evening.

It Came to Pass

The phrase "it came to pass" is used frequently in the Gospels. Today I am so glad for that phrase, "it came to pass" and not to stay. It was good news at the doctor's. He cleaned the infected area, and is encouraged that I will heal very nicely. Quite a bit of pain this afternoon, but this too shall pass.

It was interesting that Dr. Walter, who had been on a medical mission team to help us, went to Haiti almost a week after the quake. He said he just couldn't stay when he knew he was needed desperately. So many people have given of their resources, time and money to help Haiti. We are constantly praising God for networking so many people in this dire situation.

I spoke with Patrick today. He was on his way to Port au Prince. He and Agape are both doing well. I can't wait to hear the stories. Rachel and I plan to leave for Sarasota after I see the doctor again tomorrow afternoon.

Pray for safe travel returns for them. Pray for healing for me. Also that the antibiotics I am on now will not affect my appetite.

Pray for the upcoming concert. We want God to be glorified at the concert. We hope to see many of you there.

We pray for you and know we can never repay you for what you have shared with us. We will pass the blessing to others!

God delights in you!

One Step Back

We have heard from Patrick. He is doing well. He taught in Bible School class on Saturday and also preached Sunday morning. Yesterday afternoon he was visiting in the near-by town of Cote-de-Fer. It has lots of damage from the quake. He will assess the damage and what can be done to help. I will be so happy to have him here again.

For me, it is one step back. I have some infection in my incision and it needs de-breeding. The doctor suspects a piece of stitch that has been festering and now is manifesting itself. Tomorrow we meet the doctor, and hopefully will have the "work" done so healing can continue. We really need to be in Sarasota this week. We want to be there when the guys return from Haiti and we have the concert this week, plus preaching schedules. So pray!!

Today was a fun day out with Rachel. It was wheelchair through the mall. The first outing of "fun" for me. Took my mind off the appointment tomorrow. Lots of laughter...

Exodus 14:13 "And Moses said unto the people, fear not, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will show you this day; for the Egyptians whom ye have see to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever."

When we are standing at our "Red Sea" and need a parting of waters, Stand still...The Lord will show you the way". He is faithful. He is the same God, yesterday, today and forever. He is Good and He is Right!

Be Blessed, wake up refreshed in the Lord.

Tea Party Time

Today was a fun-filled afternoon. Ladies that had been to Haiti on mission trips had a tea party and all brought a tea cup to start a new collection for me. It was so special. The table was all decorated with an assortment of tea cups and pots, and the array of finger foods added to the color and beauty of the event!!

For those of you who are reading this and saying, "Huh?" I had a collection of tea cups which are now no more. Starting a new collection was really the furtherest from my mind. So this was a wonderful surprise. I was as excited as a child on Christmas morning.

No news from Patrick/Agape today. I tried to call many times with no response. He had planned to teach in Bible school today.

Read Psalm 98. Five times it says to sing, rejoice or make a joyful noise. Sometimes we make noise, but not joyful. So let's rejoice in the Lord, He is Good and He is Right. When we feel more like whining, let's rejoice. Joy gives us strength, and makes it easier for others to be in our presence.

Have a great Sunday, worship the Lord. Be renewed.

Hubby in Haiti

The question of the moment is "How is Patrick doing in Haiti? Have you heard from him?"

I have spoken with him. He is doing good. Feeling great. The warmer weather has been better for the phantom pain. As I write, he is on his way to Mayette. He was able to take food to distribute in the village. Agape is doing well, and staying with Patrick all the time.

I am fine, just lonely. I want to be there too!! Is this a pity time or what? To say the least my heart is traveling with them today.

Last night I was listening to a beautiful rendition of Psalm 121 sung in French. It was so beautiful it made me cry. "I will lift my eyes to the hills from when cometh my help". He will not have my foot to be moved...well that is interesting. But He watches over me when I sleep because He doesn't sleep. The Lord is my keeper and puts protection on my right hand...right foot amputated, so I am protected!! The Lord preserves my going out and coming in. The Lord is my Protector. YES! I will lift my eyes to the Lord and there is my ever present help.

Read the Psalm 121...What a blessing that Psalm is. Actually it is the first time I have read it since the quake. And last night in my loneliness God gave me a blessing. He is Good.

Have a sweet day with Jesus.

Waiting

Isaiah 40:31 "They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary, and they shall walk, and not faint."

Renew my strength while waiting? Waiting can be so tiring? I'm waiting to walk again. What are you waiting for? A child to be born? A wedding day? A rebellious son to return? A spouse to love you more? Waiting for any of these things can be very tiring.

But we are to wait upon the Lord, with the promise that we will walk, will run or fly. How can we wait on the Lord? By going to His word and trust Him to do what He promises He will do. A day by day "trust walk" with the Lord. Not a Sunday by Sunday, those days in between need to be filled with the Lord. Then waiting becomes praising. Praising is joy and that is our strength!!

Patrick and Agape are en route to Haiti. Father and son on a mission together. I love it. They are excited to go "home" and see everyone. Continue to pray for them.

Pray for the pastors who will be meeting with Patrick. Pray God will give them clear direction as they plan the work ahead.

Pray for Kaye as she prepares for her next mission in Switzerland. She will be leaving Friday. We will miss her immensely. She has been with us since our arrival at the trauma center. She is a blessing!

Have a Jesus filled day.

Itsy-bitsy spider

Remember the song, "Itsy bitsy spider"? Our grandson loves that song. He comes with his tiny fingers making the spider go up the water spout. Then gets all excited when the sun comes out and he can clap the victory of the song.

I've been thinking, that is us...the itsy bitsy spider. We are so small in God's sight, but He loves us and chose to send Jesus to die for us. Then, of course, we start our crawl up the water spout. Thinking we can make it on our own. The rain comes along, and away we go down the spout to the bottom. We probably try to get ourselves out of the water puddle and mud. Soon the Son comes and delivers us from the mire. Then we start up the spout again.

Object lesson: Why don't we just do it the Son's way to start with, and then the rainy days won't seem so dreary. We can be joyful in spite of the rain (trials). We can see God through the rain drops. The Son doesn't hide His face in the midst of trials. We just have our focus on the rain rather than the Son.

Last night was fun. We had a birthday dinner for Agape and Kaye. Of course, I ended it with a fall in the parking lot. It was scary, painful and we all weren't sure what the outcome would be. Praise the Lord, I am fine. A bit sore. So thankful, that not only my "half leg" wasn't injured but also my walking leg is still walking. Of course, when my brother heard I fell his remark was, "Why did you fall? One leg shorter than the other?" Humor really is the best medicine.

Patrick and Agape have left for the first leg of their journey. They drive to Sarasota today. Patrick will have a good's night's sleep before take off tomorrow morning. Continue to pray for their safety, good health, and strength.

Pray that I (Barb) won't fall again.

"God is our ever present help in time of need". What a mighty God we serve.

Have a special day with Jesus!

Where is my heart?

Matt. 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 doth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal."

I've been thinking about these verses for several days now. Where is my heart really? What consumes me? What are the treasures we can invest into heaven? The people we share the Gospel with are definite treasures. Share the Gospel with the people you meet. Even if they don't accept it then, we never know when that seed will take root and sprout.

People can steal our things (which they did), people can loot our quake house (which they did), but people can never steal Jesus from our hearts. That is a treasure no one can steal without our permission (then it isn't stealing anymore).

I remember many years ago, I shared the gospel with a co-worker. She didn't give her heart to Jesus then. But one day her backslidden husband was key to her giving her life to the Lord. Until today she is serving Jesus. She later told me she thought I was a bit "crazy" in what I believed but later she knew hadn't she heard the Gospel then, she may not have accepted the Lord when she did.

Share the Gospel. God does the rest. Pray for others. Lay up treasures in heaven.

Pray as Agape and Patrick finish today with final packing and errands. Tomorrow afternoon they drive to Sarasota to be closer to Tampa airport for take-off Wednesday.

Pray for safety and good health.

Have a Jesus filled day!!

Full of Joy

Today has been a Kid's day.

We had the most special surprise in the mail today. A young boy shared part of his school work with us (art). It is wonderful. But he also shared a verse Philippians 4:4-5...."Always be full of joy in the Lord..." What a blessing.

This afternoon we visited a Christian school and shared about Haiti. We enjoyed meeting the students.

This morning we sorted and packed meds for Haiti. The room is full of suitcases, boxes, and haiti items. Fun. I won't mention the desk...papers, stacks of them. One would think I'm back working. Well, maybe I am, just not full swing.

Now we are tired, tired. Our bodies, that is. But our spirits are rejoicing. Time for exercise, maybe the pain will diminish before "now I lay me down to sleep". Yes, the bed looks inviting.

We pray you have a great weekend, and a restful one.

Pray as we make final preparations for Patrick and Agape's trip.

Pray that I (Barb) won't have a "pity party" because I'm staying here.

Pray for Haiti and those who are suffering so much.

Prayer Request

We have received the news that Tetanus is on a rampage in Haiti. Many people are sick and dying from it. Please pray for this situation.

Suitcases are being packed and prepared with supplies for the upcoming trip to Haiti. The people in the village can hardly wait to see Patrick. Pray for a safe and healthy trip for him and Agape.

Our appointment with the Orthodic Doctor never happened. They had made a mistake in the time, so now we will wait until Patrick's return from Haiti.

This afternoon was fun meeting with my aunt, uncle and cousin from VA. Also having dinner this evening with long time friends from IL.

Remember....God is Good and God is Right. God cannot be other than good and He can do no wrong. In Everything Give thanks!! God loves you more than you can imagine!!

Finally

I started with this blog this morning. Only got as far as opening the program. Does this happen to others? Even with less than full activity, it was a busy day. Rachel came and helped organize our room, did our laundry, had lunch. I would love to do the cleaning...but that will come.

In cleaning our room, Rachel found flower stickers and decided to decorate mom's walker. :)) Looked quite ridiculous, she had fun doing it. When Nate woke from his nap he had great pleasure in removing the stickers. So even a walker can bring laughter.

We are working on exercises to relieve the phantom pain. Hopefully we will see the results soon.

Tonight off to church. Tomorrow back to the orthotic doctor. They will be taking measurements and fitting for Patrick's prosthesis.

Romans 9:21 "Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why didst thou make me thus?"

This verse was the discussion at the breakfast table this morning. God does have a right to us. We cannot say to Him "what are you doing to me". Great discussion, great learning.

Pray for Patrick as he is measured for prosthesis tomorrow. Pray for Barb that her incision will heal quickly and totally.

We pray for you daily.

God's Word

Our friend, Kay, who has been with us and helping us from the beginning of our quake situation, shared the following scripture with us this morning. So blessed!

Psalm 40:1-5 "I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And he has put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God; many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord. Blessed is that man that makes the Lord his trust, and respects not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies. Many, O Lord my God, are your wonderful works which you have done, and your thoughts which are to us, they cannot be reckoned up in order unto you. If I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered."

What is your new song?

Praise the Lord for a "Good"night's sleep!! Pain did not keep me awake!! The first in 2 weeks.

Today is a "free day" from appointments. Rachel will help clean house, organize. I will enjoy Nate. Patrick and Agape will have a father/son time doing some errands. Kay will be a part of it all, with some free time too.

Continue to pray for total healing on Barb's incision. One part is not totally healed, not infected. Pray I have an appetite and get the proper nutrients in my system for healing.

May you each have a wonderful blessed day in Jesus.

You are a blessing!!

We are thinking of each of you today. What a blessing you have been and continue to be. We enjoy your comments, notes of encouragement through email, Facebook, cards and phone calls. Your gifts of love are greatly appreciated.

Today was shopping day for Haiti. Haitians will know they have "friends" that love them and are praying for them. Friends they don't even know. Shopping doesn't last long, as fatigue is soon a factor.

We hear over and over that time is the healing element in phantom pain. We have a God that is a Master of time and healing. We continue to pray for healing.

Patrick is preaching every Sunday in a different church in the area. We will be working on travel dates soon. If you would like him to preach in your area/church, please let us know. Email: zebrapb@me.com

"Blessed be the Name of the Lord", the song rings over and over in my mind today. Yes, we do need to bless the Lord with our thoughts, words and actions.

Continue to pray for the new believers in the villages. Pray for the pastors that are feeding the sheep and new-born lambs.

God bless you. We love you.

Suffering brings blessings

We have shared of suffering often since the quake. We want to mention suffering as a positive experience, for so it is. God chooses His people worthy to suffer for Him.

Yesterday is one more proof of this. In spite of the catastrophe and much suffering since the quake the church in Haiti is growing. Patrick remembers 10 years ago when we planted a church in Mayette, that he claimed every soul for Jesus. Not every soul has come to Jesus, but yesterday morning they baptized 48 new believers! Three of those were from other villages, but 45 from Mayette!

One of the young men is being severely persecuted by his mother for becoming a Christian. Finally he told her that when the quake happened he didn't cry out to his mother and father for help, but to God and Jesus.

We rejoice that God is growing His church!! Pray for their faithfulness and growth in the Lord.

Our hearts burn with a greater vision for His work. The fields are white and ready for harvest!

We pray you will be encouraged if you are suffering, that God is doing a mighty work through you. Don't waste your suffering and pain.

We are finding some exercises that we pray will help to diminish the phantom pain.

Pray for Patrick as he preaches tomorrow.

Have a great weekend in Jesus. Share Jesus with someone.

Wait on the Lord

Lamentations 3:25 "The Lord is good unto them that wait for Him, to the soul that seeks Him".

Waiting, waiting...waiting for the pain to go away, waiting for the prosthesis process, waiting get back to work...

And you, what are you waiting for? What are we doing while we wait? Twiddling our thumbs, grumbling, or is there a better way to wait?

We seek Him. God is Good. I don't see anything that says the waiting will be easy. And honestly, I don't find in the Word that our Walk with the Lord will be an easy road. On the contrary, it mentions often that is it an honor to suffer for Him.

Today it would be "easier" to feel sorry for myself, but what would it profit? Nothing but misery. So I will praise Him. I will bless others. We can always find someone who has a more difficult situation than we do.

There was a lot of rain in Haiti last night. Pray for those who had no protection.

Pray that we would not lose heart, but always praise Him.

Praising God for each of you

Fun Day

Resting first. Then....

Birthday party for Rachel today. Pat is cooking the dinner. Fun playing with Nate, our grandson. Haircut for Patrick by Pat. So it is fun family day.

Romans 8:26, 28 "Likewise the Spirit also helps our infirmities; for we know not what we should pray for as we ought; but the Spirit itself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And we know that all things works together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."

How can we pray for Haiti. There are so many issues there now, so much destruction, the pain, the cries, the homeless and hungry. Yet, the Spirit understands our groaning and cries for our country and people. We trust Him to work in and through the people. The work ahead is far beyond our abilities. God is all powerful.

Continue to pray for the new believers.

Pray that Barb's incision will be completely healed so that she can begin the process of a prosthesis.

Pray as Patrick starts that process next week.

Have a great day in Jesus.

"His dominion is an everlasting dominion. And His kingdom is from generation to generation.
All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; He does according to His will in the armies of heaven.
And among the inhabitants of the earth, no one can restrain His hand. Or say to Him, "What have you done?" Dan. 34,35

A friend had this in an email today. This is so true!! And do we really want to ask our God what He has done?? Isn't He God, seeing the beginning to the end? We are nothing compared to God.

Today has been busy with appointments once again. A long day, and now weary from the outing. But we are thankful we are able to go out and about. It was fun having lunch with Pat, Rachel and Nate. It is so good having Pat around for a few days.

We enjoy hearing from you and knowing that you are not only praying on behalf of our situation, but also for the nation of Haiti. The pastors and churches in the village are encouraged in spite of the difficult situation.

We love you and pray for you. May you know God's grace in your lives.

Back Again

Good morning

We are back again after missing a couple days posting. Sunday Patrick was preaching at a church 1 1/2 hour drive from here. Yesterday was filled with interviews, meetings.

Last night as I was sharing with a few ladies, one of the said, "But you make your situation seem so easy, as water off a duck's back". I assured her it wasn't easy, but being negative about our "new kind of normal" now, would only make it worse.

Haven't you ever noticed that joyfulness makes the burden lighter? Joyfulness brings "sunshine" to the atmosphere, Complaining and whining brings irritation and makes matters worse. We don't choose to be joyful because everything is going good and to our liking.

"The Joy of the Lord is our strength". "Laughter is like medicine"

The pain continues. We have prayed for God to take it, but He has chosen not to do so yet. We are not the only ones, but the thousands of amputees in Haiti surely have phantom pain as well with no one to explain it to them. We pray for them.

Pray for the many who are so hungry now in Haiti. Pray for those who don't have a job any more. Pray for the new Christians. Continue to pray for the phantom pain. We have an appointment today with the Orthotics doctor and therapist. We hope there will be some relief.

Have a great day in Jesus.