continued prayers...

Now, dear friends and family.... We know some of you are concerned about the situation here, but what we truly need and desire right now is an overflow of your prayers!  Either I can blog only good news and keep all the burdens to ourselves to carry alone so that no one worries, or I can blog our true prayer needs and count on you all to "hold our ropes" in prayer, send us encouraging emails, verses, etc!

We are always seeking His direction, and need your help encouraging us on to a true trust in the Lord and a closer walk with Him!  I am prone enough to give in to worry on my own...stop helping me! :)

We love and appreciate you each so much, KNOWING full well that we do not stand here alone but are well-backed by beautiful friends and family!

That said...Haiti continues to greatly need your prayers.

There was a death in Saccanville on Thursday that was circulated quickly as a "Cholera Death of a young boy"...no one would leave their homes, ect.  However, after everyone calmed down a bit, and it was proved that the man, who we now learn was actually a 55-year old witch doctor from the first set of temples upon entering Saccanville, had no diarrhea or vomiting, and died unexpectedly after several minutes of clutching at his arm and chest.

So, there are still no cases of cholera in Saccanville, everyone has calmed down a bit and is working hard to bleach and boil and keep their hands out of their mouths, and it is just GREAT to see the training that Dr. Rodney did a few weeks ago put into practice by so many.  

We have been speaking with Rodney a lot these past days, and are in conversations now about getting in a large shipment of IV fluids from either Florida or the Dominican so that the clinic is well prepared in case anyone DID contract cholera.  We've also changed up the meals a bit at the Seminary, cutting out things such as bread and peanut butter, that we buy in bags off the street, and only serving that which can be bleached or boiled.  My aunt has also sent in all kinds of oral rehydration packets and sports drinks, so the Seminary seems to be as well-covered and prepared as possible.

However, pending fears and lack of treatment and governmental aid for cholera, the terrible state of the roads, the upcoming elections, and who-knows-what-else have all accumulated into major manifestations (riots) in town today.  Several of our staff members that live on the other side of town were unable to leave their homes today, as with several students.

I will NEVER understand, but it seems that many deaths always surround major elections while emotions are more heated, corruption seems to be more prevalent, and there is money circulating under the table.  Add in the cholera, the earthquake, and desperate times...

Needless to say, we are all staying way out of town, and are thankful to be out in a very remote community who loves to sit and talk about everything, but has never participated in so much as a burning bike tire.  Please keep praying for our staff and students who live in town, and who may be unable to leave their homes for quite a while.  I misinformed you...elections are not until the 28th.

Please pray for Paul, who is stranded in the midst of the chaos in town, and whose wife is due ANY moment with their fifth.

Please pray for Matt, who is trying to teach and work through these issues and lead in the absence of the rest of the administration, (Bryan, Lucner, Paul) and a professor (Elizay).  This is a stressful time to be leading a seminary!

I think, sometimes, that heaven will be an extra special place for Haitians.  No more pain, no more suffering...that just HAS to mean more to this precious group of believers.  How beautiful it is, today, to have a REALITY of HOPE.  Not just for heaven!  Just for HIM in life TODAY.  In the midst of it all my students had an insanely good time this morning just being in class....because of WHOSE they are.

As easy as it is to see Haiti as numbers and chaos, please keep remembering that this little country is just made up of PEOPLE, exactly as unique, talented, beautiful, passionate, and beloved to the Lord as you and I.  Please be praying for each person, for protection, for peace, for a miraculous end to cholera, miraculous end to political instability, and a miraculous coming to the Lord...the Only Peace, the Only Light, the Only Answer, in the midst of such turmoil, darkness and confusion.