More Prayer Requests and Praise Reports

The devastation and destruction in Haiti is far more than we can imagine as we sit in our living rooms and watch this horrible catastrophe unfold before our eyes. Brooke is staying in touch with our missionary friends that are here in Florida. She is learning of so many deaths of the children and friends she came to know in Haiti.



Below is a picture of another missionary's home. This family was currently living in this home but by the Grace of God they were not harmed. They probably were not home at the time but I do not know the details.

This is/was a very popular place called The Caribbean Supermarket in the city. It was a very busy place as everyone went here for shopping. Brooke says there are many still trapped in this building and some of them she knows personally.

This home is a home Brooke stayed in while she visited. There is good news to report from this home. The father was trapped in the rubble here at his house for 2 days. Our missionary friend here in Florida was on Facebook, texting, doing whatever she could day and night to get the message out that this gentleman was alive and injured. She gave his address and pleaded with anyone in that area to go and help. We all were praying that he would be rescued. We got news that someone did go and rescue him, Praise the Lord!!

There is another answer to prayer to tell. The director of the orphanage (she was an orphan raised there herself) couldn't locate her husband after the earthquake. He works in Port-Au-Prince and was on his way home when the earthquake occurred. We just received word yesterday that he was located and he is fine.

These are just two stories with happy endings. The Lord is faithful! However, please continue to pray as this is not the normal ending for most situations. Please lift up this missionary family in prayer. Their name is Murphy. They are having a very difficult time as they are constantly receiving news of dear friends and orphans they have raised that are dead.

Also please pray for Mr. Murphy. He and his daughter have left for Haiti and they will be carrying baby formula and water filters by backpack from the airport in Port-Au-Prince to the village in the mountains where they have served. This will be about a 30 mile hike in very treacherous terrain and that is BEFORE an earthquake! My heart swells as I feel the love and compassion this family has for the people of Haiti. Please remember them in prayer. Pray for this father and daughter's safety and strength to reach the little community that so desperately needs their help.

I know we are all praying for the people of Haiti but if you are aware of certain needs then we can all pray more specifically. That is why I feel I must share these requests.

Also, I have another request for prayer. Brooke is in the hospital with pneumonia in her left lung. She began running a very high temperature Thursday evening. We went to the ER and they admitted her that night. She is doing better but for some reason her heart rate it spiking very high while she is lying in bed resting. The Doctor was concerned that there might be a blood clot in her lung as well and he is ruling that out before she is able to go home. Brooke has been dealing with so many health issues lately. Please remember her also in your prayers.

I am sorry this is not a more cheerful post. I love to be encouraging and uplifting to my friends and family. One thing is for certain, we serve a Sovereign God and He is faithful and on-time!!

Operation Christmas Child

Our family has been so busy lately. I wanted to share one of the projects we have been working on. It is Operation Christmas Child. I would encourage everyone to get involved in this ministry! Under the direction of Franklin Graham, Billy Graham's son, shoe boxes are delivered to needy children around the world. This is a hands-on way for families to reach out to others with the Good News of Jesus Christ and to fill each box with toys as well as essential items such as school supplies and hygiene products. This is about our tenth year to take part in Operation Christmas Child. Through the years we have developed a plan to make as many boxes as possible for as little expense as possible. We do this by shopping all year long for the shoe boxes. For example, the shirt below I purchased at Children's Place for only $1.00 after summer season was over.

These cute leggings I was able to buy for only $.59 after halloween at Target!!! Needless to say, I stocked up on these!

Brandon and Bryce made a large storage box for all the goodies we gather throughout the year. We keep it in the garage and add to it all year long. We hit the off-season sales, back-to-school sales, etc. By the end of the year we are always surprised at the amount of items we have collected. By doing it this way we are able to fill many more boxes with very nice gifts. If we waited until November, when the boxes are to be turned in, we would not be able to fill very many due to the expense. Also, this keeps my children mindful of those less fortunate all year long!

I must add that I am very thankful and so proud of my daughter, Brooke. She truly has a heart for this program and missions in general! I wanted to include her post that she sent out to her Facebook friends ("encouraging" them to participate in Operation Christmas Child) to my blog today but I couldn't find it. In her writing she made it very black and white about where our priorities are as spoiled Americans. She stated it so well. Brooke was blessed to be able to go on a missions trip to Haiti one summer and it has forever changed her life. The stories she has shared with our family are heart wrenching!

Along with each shoe box that is delivered each child gets a booklet, provided by Operation Christmas Child, in their language of the plan of salvation. My children also include in each box a letter sharing their name and address and telling the child that they are loved and we are praying for them. Sometimes the child will write a thank you letter back, however, we have never received one.

The shoe box collection is over for this year but I hope I have encouraged you to begin collecting now so that next November you will be able to participate in this project as well! For more details go to samaritanspurse.org

Be a Blessing!