It can't be Wednesday already!

Dear friends,

The week is flying by and the team is well aware that there are only a few days left on this mission trip. They are busy with many different projects: construction, painting, putting up tents, organizing storage rooms, working with the children at the orphanage, and sharing the love of Christ.

The Holy Spirit has been at work this week as over 18 salvation decisions have been made! Many of the young Haitian teens at Christian Light Ministries have asked to be baptized and plans are under way to provide additional counseling and a baptism ceremony for them.

Jim preached for the community on Tuesday night and says that the Lord has truly prepared hearts for the harvest there. Please continue to pray that God's presence will be felt in a mighty way and that our team will be able to bring His hope to a discouraged people.

The team continues to work beneath the scorching heat and several are suffering from severe sunburns as there is nowhere to escape the sun. Don't you think Larry and Sue look great with their new cornrow hairstyles!

Here is a panoramic view of the building project on the compound there at Christian Light Ministries. There is a great push to put the roof on the second floor of the school building this week to provide additional shelter from the exteme weather elements. It takes an army of men to create the assembly line needed to pass the buckets of concrete up the ladder to pour the second floor beams. Imagine trying to erect a building with only the most primitive of tools and no safety structures.

Thank you to the many laborers that are working tirelessly to rebuild a safe structure for our work at Christian Light Ministries. Thank you to those who have sent money to purchase the concrete and pay local labor to work alongside our mission teams. For those wishing to send a donation toward this important building project, please send it to Christian Light Foundation at the address listed in the side bar of this blog. Be sure to tag the money to the account of Sherry Fausey or Jim Hambrick/Special Projects.

Please continue to hold our team up in prayer. About now their bodies are weary from the heat, change in diet, and the hard work. Tears flow easily as they are exposed again and again to the great hungers and needs of these precious Haitians .... physically, spiritually, and emotionally. There is not enough resources, time, or money....and each person goes to bed trying to figure out how they can do more to make a difference. Your prayers truly help re-energize them as they serve as the hands and feet of our Lord, making a difference in Haiti in His blessed name.

Thank you for your faithfulness.

In His Love,

Donna

And God said "Not now, Donna......"

Hello dear friends and prayer warriors,

Well, I had planned to be writing you from Haiti right now. My bags were packed and my airline ticket was in hand; the only thing missing was my passport! It is missing from the file where it usually resides.....and despite a frantic search of the many boxes and files still lingering from my recent move, it is nowhere to be found. Therefore, I am still sitting at home trying to adjust my heart and my attitude.

I truly believe that there is a reason I was not supposed to be on this mission trip as planned, I just don't know what it is yet.

When I missed my flight on Sunday, I cried and was pretty lethargic most of the day. I sat outside and read the entire book, The Walk, by Richard Paul Evans which held a timely message for me. When I rose today, I read the entire book of James and consciously decided to keep my heart and mind open so I will see clearly where God wants me to serve Him this week.

Now, to update this blog and keep you posted on the wonderful team that IS in Haiti right now. My brother Jim Hambrick (who planned this trip around my schedule) is there with my friends Rich & Sue White and Jeff & Rhonda Cole (the team that traveled to Haiti with me last year from Palmetto Shores Church). Donnice Moore, John Lemke and Larry Dempsey are also on this trip. The team is staying at Christian Light Ministries with Sherry Fausey and will be doing a variety of activities this week.

It is very hot in Port-au-Prince right now, high 90's, and the men are doing some heavy construction work. Today they loaded 158 bags of concrete before posing for these pictures. The ladies are unloading a huge storage closet of items rescued from the earthquake debris and trying to organize it as best as possible. Rhonda has already used her nursing skills to doctor a young boy's hurt foot.

The team took the children from the orphanage to church yesterday and were celebrating God's faithfulness as 10 people were saved at the worship service. Praise God for answered prayers! It is amazing to watch the joy and gratitude that these beautiful Haitian people exude after experiencing such devastation and loss. As team members wrap up the activities of the day and share their thoughts at evening devotions, they have expressed how overwhelmed they are by the desperate circumstances and beautiful spirits of gratitude of our Haitian friends.

Please keep this team in your prayers as they serve the Lord in Port-au-Prince. Pray for their safety and health. Pray that God will use each of their unique skills to make a difference in His name. Pray that souls will be saved and hope will be restored for those in such great need. Pray that all of our eyes will be opened to just how blessed we really are!

I would also ask that you say a little prayer for me - that I will get out of my own way this week and will be joyous as I accept this change of plans. I can't wait to see what God has in store for all of us this week!

Thank you for standing in the gap with us!

To God Be the Glory!

In His Love,

Donna

Time to Return

Hello dear friends,

It is almost time! I will finally be returning to my beloved Haiti next weekend! I will be traveling with my brother, Jim Hambrick, and my friends Sue & Rich White and Rhonda & Jeff Cole from Palmetto Shores Church in Myrtle Beach, SC, who traveled with me in 2009. Attached is a picture of us on our 2009 trip to Gonaives.


Additionally Larry Dempsey, John Lemke, and Donnice Moore will be joining the team this time. We will be working with Sherrie Fausey at the Christian Light orphanage and school

I will try to keep this blog updated during my trip and ask that you hold our team up in your prayers daily.

Preparing for the journey.

Donna