Eager to return

"The Lord has made known His salvation; He has revealed His righteousness in the sight of the nations.  He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel.  All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God." (Psalms 98:2-3)

Where do I begin... Erin and I had an awesome time in Haiti and are so thankful for all your thoughts and prayers!  One of the surprising opportunities we had during the trip was to fly out to Jeremie on the west side of Haiti to visit one of MAF's ministry partners called Haiti Bible Mission.

MAF delivers HBM staff and short-term teams back and forth between Port-au-Prince and Jeremie throughout the year so they can avoid costly and dangerous travel by road and remain focused on the people they serve.  We were able to play with children at the school they staff, and visit one of their local church plants.  It was encouraging to hear how God is bearing fruit in their ministry and see the impact they are having in their community first-hand.  This is just one of the many partners who use MAF to extend the love of Jesus Christ throughout Haiti!

Jeremie is the most likely location for language training when we first arrive in Haiti, and this trip allowed us to make a lot of preparations for when we return with the children toward the end of the year.

Throughout the rest of our week, we were able to get a lot of questions answered regarding potential housing and school options, and how we can best prepare for our future ministry.  It was a real blessing to spend some preliminary time getting to know our other MAF staff families who are currently serving in Haiti and hear how the Lord is moving in their midst.  Erin and I are eager to return and join the rest of the team!  Here are some pictures of our future home:

We feel greatly encouraged by the Lord's steadfast provision and shepherding hand preparing us along the way.  Just before our trip, we received word that we have reached 100% of our outgoing need!  Our ongoing monthly need continues to steadily increase at 71%, and we trust that God will abundantly supply in the months ahead.  Thank you for all your generosity and prayerful support! A special thank you to all who helped watch over our wonderful children while we were away.

Upcoming visit to Haiti

Erin and I are excited to share that we will have an opportunity at the end of February to make a short trip to Haiti!  During the trip, we hope to spend some quality time with the rest of the MAF families who currently serve there, take a look at some of the potential housing and school options for our children, and survey all we can as we prepare for our future ministry.  We look forward to our next blog update with lots of new pictures and likely some funny stories...stay tuned!

We want to express our deepest thanks to all who continue to generously give and pray for the needs of our family and ministry!  You may recall that we had a goal of being at 50% of both our ongoing and outgoing financial needs by January 1st.  We are amazed and humbled by God's provision and answer to prayer, and found ourselves at 54% of our monthly (ongoing) need, and 81% of our outgoing as the new year began!  Rejoice with us, as we see God leading us increasingly closer to our final training and preparation for Haiti!

"Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen."

Elsie just celebrated her sixth birthday and had a great time with friends and family.  On New years day, we headed up to the local sled hill to have some quality Daddy/daughter time together.  Because she is growing up and all, she wanted to go by herself...and loved it!  It is hard to believe our little girl is already six and doing kindergarten.  These are precious years that need to be soaked up and celebrated before they get away from us.

Speaking of growing up fast, Isaiah is about to celebrate his first birthday in February!  He is showing more of his personality these days and yes...getting into EVERYTHING!  He started walking regularly just before Christmas and has developed an entertaining style of keeping his arms outstretched like Franken-baby to keep his balance.  Check out this short video to see for yourself:

  

Sammy found himself on the couch just after Christmas with sickness.  Outside of that, we have had some time to get out and enjoy the snow together and he was able to test out the new Tractor/snowblower with Papa in really, REALLY cold weather.  We feel for some reason like we need to embrace the snow while we still can!

We are eager to share another update shortly after returning from our visit to Haiti. Looking forward to all the Lord has planned for us in 2016, and pray that you and your families will find His joy and blessing as you follow Him!  Thank you again for your prayer and financial support!

All this is Yours

"But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand." (1 Chronicles 29:14)

Erin and I have been greatly encouraged to feel the Lord strengthening us and abundantly supplying our need as we continue building our ministry team to serve in Haiti with MAF! This excerpt from 1 Chronicles shows King David's response to God after witnessing the tremendous provision from every corner of Israel in preparation to build the temple. His reaction and insight continues to echo in our hearts as we consider how the Lord has been building our ministry team these past four months. As people rally together and give back to God, the reaction should be a great sense of expectation and joy. "The people rejoiced at the willing response of their leaders, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the Lord. David the king also rejoiced greatly." (1 Chronicles 29:9) David was rejoicing greatly, but so were the masses of people as they saw their leaders giving abundantly to the Lord. That sense of belonging and expectation in the Lord is noticed by the watching world, and leads many to put their trust in the Lord!

As we find ourselves full of thanksgiving and joy for all of you who continue to pray for us regularly and give financially, our hope is that you would also be full of expectation and joy for what God has done, is doing, and is about to do to share His love in places where it is not known!







Our hope is to be at 50% of our support targets by January 1st, and one of those targets has already been surpassed! We continue to place our need in the Lord's hand - trusting that He will supply our need in His perfect timing. Along with our financial need, we remember that God is preparing us in other ways as we progress toward our ministry in Haiti. It has been such a blessing for us to spend time building relationships, connect with family and friends, and share in the joy and expectation of what lies ahead! Here are some pictures of our kiddos and their recent adventures.

Thank you again for all your encouragement, prayer, and financial support! Have a very joy-filled Christmas and New Year!

The wonder of the Body of Christ

"'Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that My house will be full.'" (Luke 14:23)

It has been such a blessing for our family to connect with different people within the Body of the church!  We have this wonderful opportunity to share fellowship with friends and family, and see how God is at work in their communities on both the local level and in their personal lives.  It is so encouraging to see the Lord at work across a broader cross-section of the church than we are usually exposed to.  Yet God's heart and desire is always active in drawing new people into faith and hope. These instructions from Paul to the Roman's have encouraged us lately as we have experienced them lived out in various circles of the church we have encountered so far:

"Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord's people who are in need. Practice hospitality." (Romans 12:10-13)

When the church is at its best, people are genuinely compelled to come and be a part of it.  God's glory is tangible, as His love is shared and known by all.  We have this awesome privilege of connecting and enabling the church through MAF's ministry in places where that is widely still unknown.  In this phase of our ministry, it is encouraging and humbling to see God revealing Himself and shining through His body of the church from the local level to the ends of the earth!  Here are some recent pictures of our family as we have traveled and shared our ministry over the past few months.

"Helping" rake leaves

Thank you for partnering with us in our ministry with MAF!  May the Lord continue to shine His light and reveal His glory among you all.

Helping on the farm

Elsie and Sammy sharing a ride from Pastor Rick

Spontaneous worship time with friends

Elsie in Kindergarten - so proud!

Better watch out Bison!

8 1/2 months old already!

Eating like a champion

Picking potatoes with friends from small group

Quality time with Papa

MAF Impact in Anse Rouge, Haiti and Family Update

"The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; the desert shall rejoice and blossom like the crocus; it shall blossom abundantly and rejoice with joy and singing.  The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon.  They shall see the glory of the Lord, the majesty of our God." (Isaiah 35:1-2)

Anse Rouge, Haiti:  It is clear that God is reaching His hands and feet into the most isolated places of Haiti.  This rural community called Anse Rouge is in the Northern region of Haiti, and was once green and fruitful.  Now, it is more or less a desert and full of thorns like these.  About ten years ago, the people had been introduced to the Gospel, but their isolation presented many barriers for ministry partners to fully engage the people.

MAF was contacted to see if it would be possible to build an airstrip and begin service into their community.  At first, it seemed impossible due to the thick layers of thorns that covered the possible areas of town that were suitable for a runway.

But the community was determined, and got out their shovels, picks, and machetes and cut down the thorns to clear the way for an airstrip so MAF could begin service there! 





Since MAF began delivering ministry partners to Anse Rouge about 10 years ago, these people have witnessed physical and spiritual transformation:

•      A well was built for water (previous source was long travel by donkey)
•      A compound was built that includes a church, school, and guest housing for ministry teams 
•      Medical teams have been flown in
•          Trees and crops have been planted in this desert area

And, in the midst of all this positive change, many have responded to the gospel and accepted the Lord!  

      Watch a short video clip of MAF in Haiti here

Family update

Hugging at "Hug Point"

Erin and I are celebrating 8 years of being happily ever after as husband and wife!  We have been so blessed, and are grateful for how the Lord has shaped and molded us over the years as a couple.

As we have launched into sharing our ministry and growing our team to serve in Haiti, we have been greatly encouraged and blessed!

Making the most of random sticks in the backyard

Beginning in the Pacific Northwest was an added bonus that offered Elsie, Sammy, and Isaiah some special bonding time with Grandma and Grandpa.  It also eased our transition into reaching out to ministry partners - which was a huge help to us.









We have been able to share some very precious times with friends and family, and see the Lord drawing new people into sharing this ministry with us.

Thank you to all our supporters who have generously given and prayed for our family and ministry. We hope and pray that you and your families find joy and strength in the presence of our great God!

7 Months old!

Sammy patrolling the Portland Streets

Elsie has a town named after her!