Matt is in Port-au-Prince, having driven the whole way there on Saturday with a few other missionaries and a group of pastors for a retreat. They are hoping to establish a clear vision for the churches that are a part of OMS here in Haiti. Matt was able to spend some precious time with dear friends yesterday, and today they all dove into meetings.
So, Lily and I are here alone again! Tomorrow is the last day of school before Easter Break, so everyone was quite wired at the Seminary today. Tomorrow is also the day that Gordon and Doreen, two of our friends and fellow missionaries here, are leaving, after working in Haiti for 15 years! They were so instrumental in helping Matt and I settle in here, and were friends of mine from years ago when I worked in Port-au-Prince.
Matt's pastor from home is coming in with his wife and son Friday, who will be joining all of the OMS missionaries in Haiti for our annual "Field Retreat", a time of spiritual feeding and restoration. This year we're heading across the border for a few days in the Dominican, where we'll be met by another New Jersey couple who is coming to work with the kids while we're in sessions.
Then my sister and her boyfriend fly in before we even get back from the retreat on Tuesday for a week during her spring break! Matt starts teaching another course the first day back from break, right after Lisa and Adam leave...
AS you can tell...Now is a REALLY busy time! Please be praying for Matt, especially, as he is feeling the weight of responsibility in a lot of different areas, and as our field is going through a rather heavy time of under-staffed-ness (don't think that's a word!) and overwhelmed-ness (also, not a word).
Lily, meanwhile, will be THREE months old this week and happy as can be. As long as she has her cow, her thumb and lots of attention, she doesn't seem to care what's happening on the field or where we're going!
What a great time this is for the Lord to help us re-assess our priorities and focus and remember that HE is our foundation.
"Each man must be careful how he builds on it.
For NO man can lay a foundation other than the one which is already laid--
and THAT is Jesus Crhsit.
Man chooses what he builds with on this foundation,
whether with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay or straw
Each man's work will become evident-
for the day will come when it is revealed with fire
The fire will test the quality of each man's work...
Do you not know that you are a temple of the Holy Spirit!" 1 Cor. 3:10
Even during these crazy times, we know that He IS our foundation, and that we are only responsible for what WE build with...may we living in ways of great value.
Stacey - Please thank Gord & Doreen for me for all their unselfish labor & sacrifice of time. Our time there would not have been so special had it not been for them.
ReplyDeleteThanks - David & all the teams from Faith Assembly in London, OH
I always think and feel I keep a busy schedule, and then I read what Matt and you are up to and I feel like I am operating in "vacation mode" compared to you two!
ReplyDeleteI am praying for Matt, may God continue to enhance his rich qualities as a leader as he places him in positions of leadership.
Enjoy all your visitors!
Love to all.... Lori
Love to hear all that is going on. Lily has the right perspective, I think. Being content with this day and what God brings to us each day is an important attribute that we somehow lose as we get "older and wiser". There is good reason why Jesus said we must come as a little child.
ReplyDeleteLove you guys, Mishlers.
God Bless Gordon and Doreen on their trip back to Canada. I hope they can visit the new seminary once it is completed so they can experience the fruits of their labor.
ReplyDeleteAlso, what an awesome time I had while in Haiti. Thanks so much for your hospitality.
Everyone is asking me about my trip to Haiti and of course I'm letting them know about how you are spreading the Word of God to the Haitians.
We love you guys so much.
ReplyDelete-Casey, Laura, and baby.