Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Unbelief

Morning came very early today, but we made it to the airport with all our luggage. It is such a fiasco to work with the airlines today. They are constantly changing policies and regulations, it's almost impossible to keep up with them. Embargoes come and go, and we are calling often to check on changes and possibilities in order the get the most goods in we can at the most economical rate. Invariably Robinson calls with last minute additions, this time it was an alternator, a couple suits for a wedding, along with some other little things. The holiday travel embargo was to lift as you might guess, tomorrow. But the nuances of these embargoes are always shifting. The airline told us to call the day before travel, and they might let us take the extra bags that would have been able to go if we had gone in October. We received permission by the main office, we had a plan ready, so we did some quick shifting yesterday morning before we left, and we had our extra bags after all. Fast forward to about 4:30 this morning, all was going smoothly, all but two of the team were through with their luggage, Ray and Deloris were the only ones left with six suitcases. You can guess what happened. The embargo according to the clerk limited us to just four more bags, not six. Funny I had just commented on how smoothly it appeared to be going. As the plot thickened I whispered a prayer under my breath. There was no way these bags could be left behind. Fortunately we had a wonderful and considerate clerk who has served us kindly over the years. With some fast thinking she separated out Ray and Deloris' reservation, and had them recheck for an upgrade to first class. Unbelievably, they upgraded and got all six bags included for free. We ended up saving $130.00! We are now in the air just above Port Au Prince, and I am reminded of the goodness and greatness of God to deliver upon what He means to accomplish! He continues to stretch my faith, and work over my troubling frame of unbelief. Now as I finish this post we are safely in St. Marc. We made absolutely fabulous time in the airport and passed through customs unscathed. We sped along marked paved roads until we entered St. Marc proper, I can't tell you how much that has improved travel. Now at 9:00 pm Rob is delivering our bedding and daypack to a new location we are going to try. The team is weary in well doing, but we are doing very well. So we will call it a day soon. We rejoice tonight for safe travels, for cooler weather, and hugs from a very beautiful Klarissa Belle! She is definitely a star attraction. Blessings from Haiti!

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Dear Team, Thank Him for His faithfulness again & again-so glad you are in St. Marc-Dad B. called to let me know you were on the bus headed there from Port. Lots of prayer going up for each of you & all that concerns you. He is ever interceding 24/7, so sleep well tonight-You deserve it!!! May angels attend each one & talk with you soon. Love, MDJ

Noah Reyhl said...

Hey all! You guys are amazing for what your doing! May God bless your time down there. Remember in the great words of Francis Chan hahaha that God cares more about changing you verses changing you circumstances! So, when you face trials the rest of this trip embrace them; for you do not know God's good and perfect will :) I guarantee that, like many of you already know, we tend to go to make a difference in Haiti when really we come back knowing that Haiti made a difference in us. Man I think I kind of like this commenting thing hahaha alright well I'm sure your all reading this just before you go to bed or something! So sleep well, God bless, and much love to ya'll.
~Noah Reyhl
Oh! I suppose should give shout out to Kelly and Krystle! keep representing the younger generation. Not that the rest of you are old :) lol!

Autumn said...

Hey Guys! God is so good! What a blessing that God's love for us is not based on what we do or don't do. Even though we continually choose not to have complete faith in who God says he is, which is faithful, he still meets us where we are at and lovingly hands us exactly what we need; as only our crazy awesome and stinkn' amazing God would do!! Praise God for who he is and who we are not! I am so happy that you all made it safe and my prayers will be with you throughout the rest of your journey! God has continued to send his will servants to St. Marc, Haiti for a reason and the fruit that is coming out of the ministry there has and will continue to be prosperous beyond our belief! I am bummed I can't be there with you but God is taking me on my own journey right now, revealing who he is and the depths of his love for both myself and the lost people of the world! Speaking of which, I will be heading off to Cambodia on Sunday for 7 weeks! Krystle, I will be taking bucket showers and most importantly... squatty potties. That's what they call the hole in the ground that we pee into. I will miss my late night potty party buddy :(( Mom and dad, I love you like crazy and I am so glad you are bringing the joy the Lord has blessed you with to the people of Haiti and to the team! I pray that you as a team will continue to seek God's will for this trip, he is always speaking to us we just have to be willing to not only hear but listen. Bless you today and always, I love you all bunches! -Autumn
PS: when you need a little extra joy play "g'day Bruce" My parents would love to teach you!

L said...

Good to hear you all made it there. Many prayers and blessings to everyone and praise God of the work you're doing for His Kingdom. Luke

Anonymous said...

How amazing! What a wonderful story of GOD's provisions! I have always waited in anticipation for evey trip I have gone in on because there is always some miraculous answer to prayer for a situation that arises. Each time without fail. I think back home we get so used to doing for ourselves that we cheat our lives out of the blessings GOD has for. But take a trip to Haiti where you are at the mercy of things you cannot control and the miracles of GODS grace are abundant. I am glad you have arrived safely and can picture those crazy moments when most of the team will doze off at one time or another from exhaustion. My prayer is that GOD sends you an extra supply of strength to carry you through the next week! We love you all so much and continue to uphold you in prayer! Tell Rob Rob and the crew I send my love! Give Junie a hug for me! Can't wait to see the pictures and hear more stories about all the the LORD is accomplishing while you are there. I love you all!
P.S krystle have you located and Zoranges yet? I thought perhaps you might find some that are more suitable for our task :-) I miss you!!! And no Kelly I am not at your house drinking all the OJ hope you are doing well brother!!! Momma I miss you! Love you dad and papa and ray and everyone else! Keep up the good work!!
The OJ Thief

Jake T said...

Glad you all made it to safety in St. Marc. God has an amazing way of expanding our faith and coming through, not with just enough, but more than enough. I pray that the Lord keeps you all safe and sound, ready to fulfill whatever it is He has in store for this mission.
2 Samuel 22:20
He led me to a place of safety; he rescued me because he delights in me.
He delights in you all! We will continue to hold you all up in prayer.
Love and prayers as well from Darlene, she is having computer issues but wanted to make sure that you know she is thinking about and praying for you all. God bless!

Anonymous said...

Dear Team,
I read the words of a favorite hymn this morning and thought of you:
O Love that wilt not let me go,
I rest my weary soul in Thee;
I give Thee back the life I owe,
That in Thine ocean depths its flow
May richer, fuller be.

O Light that followest all my way,
I yield my flick'ring torch to Thee;
My heart restores its borrow'd ray,
That in Thy sunshine's blaze its day
May brighter, fairer be.

O Joy that seekest me through pain,
I cannot close my heart to Thee;
I trace the rainbow through the rain,
And feel the promise is not vain
That morn shall tearless be.

O Cross that liftest up my head,
I dare not ask to fly from Thee,
I lay in dust life's glory dead,
And from the ground there blossoms red
Life that shall endless be.
George Matheson

Certainly this Love in all its fullness is with you in Haiti. We are praying for you!

Ethan, David and I are having the most fun visiting with Michael, holding him and loving him. Love, Carolyn

Anonymous said...

Hey y'all,
OK first off, Rick and Karen I must say you are certainly raising your children right--I just read Noah's comment and noticed he said "y'all". Woohoo you gotta love people with Southern-isms! Ray and Deloris, I am just marveling at God's goodness in upgrading you on the plane so the bags could fly, too. You guys are always "first class" in my eyes. :) Krystle, I hope you're still singing like you were in the car, most importantly with a beautiful song in your heart! Especially thinking of all the ladies tonight, with the women's service...I am boldly asking our great God to do amazing things in open, receptive hearts. My dearest Ethan, thank you for encouraging me to see a movie with a friend tonight; I had a wonderful time. For anyone who hasn't yet seen Les Miserables, its well worth it. I thought of the precious people in Haiti, many who are poor and oppressed, and know y'all are bringing acts of mercy, cups of cold water, and relief. You may be empowering the downcast and offering hope in ways you do not even realize at this moment. As the movie shows, suffering is only for a time--the grand future that awaits all who believe is in heaven, and it is SO glorious (without any tears or pain). There will be no "miserable ones". I am praying for sweet sleep for each one of you tonight. You are so loved!
Heidi