From Tonya... They're back!!!

Hey Robin,

We just arrived back from the Far West - we feel like we have been on Survivor for the last 3 days. We are all covered in a thick layer of dirt and most of us haven't showered since Saturday :) We've had some sick ones, but all are better and are ready for a real bed, real shower and a real toilet (versus the hole in the ground with a toilet seat)!!! The Far West is about 26 miles from the mission, but it takes 2 hours to get there via bus with no paved roads - Orlando traffic may not be so bad after all.

The revival was great - it will continue until Saturday. We got to hear a testimony from a voodoo witch doctor that has just converted to Christianity - God is so good and I'm won't spoil it by telling you anything else. We even sang special music on Sunday night. The baptistery in the church looks great - they will be finishing it out this week, but it is mostly done. Don't worry - we all slept on the roof and Michael stayed in his tent - and Audrey and Mackenzie and Zoe even got to ride a horse.

We are planning a fun day trip tomorrow to a waterfall so long as the river isn't too high and we are able to cross it. We're also having b'day cake for Sarah and Katie tonight so that will be a nice treat. Continue to pray for us. We will be leaving the mission at 4:30 am on Friday to begin our long journey home, but we are looking forward to Chili's in the Miami airport. Thanks for all your continued prayers, we can definitely feel them. God has blessed our trip and we look forward to seeing you all on Friday night!

Love, Tonya

for Lynette:

Lynette,
I am blessed to have your bracelet on my arm and I would just like to say that I have so enjoyed lifting you up before the Lord. I know your prayer was to simply be useful and I am confident that He has answered that prayer in more ways than one. It is such a priviledge to me to lift you up... I know that you were concerned that your nursing skills wouldn't come back or that you might just be in the way. I know that could never be the case. You have given a special gift to your Father - the gift of your self. Surrender. It is all He asks. He wants all of us, and I know that is what you have given.

May He continue to use you. May you experience His abiding love and faithfulness as you continue to serve Him.

Much Love, Nora

For Marla...

Marla,
I just wanted to let you know I have been wearing a bracelet with your name on it and I have been praying for you. Praying that you will be safe and healthy. Praying that you will see God work in ways you have never seen before and that your relationship with Him is stronger. Praying that your hands will be steady as you do His work. Your hands are so precious to Him because with them you show His love, mercy, grace compassion, kindness and comfort. Thank you for allowing God to use you to further His kingdom.

God Bless You,
Linda Nichols

from Robin...

Dear Lord and Father,

Thank-you for your love and compassion that brings us hopeful news as to the well being of our loved ones in Haiti through the empathizing nature driven by past experiences of Heather Owen. Thank-you that your promise to always hear and answer prayer sometimes comes in the form of modern technology, and sometimes comes through your word, and sometimes comes through a complete stranger who bears a story we most need to hear at just the right time. Thank-you that you are always faithful to hear our heart's desire. And to respond.

We know that you would not, and did not, place within the heart of parents and other concerned family members, a tender heart needing reassurance of their loved ones' safety and well being, only to chide them or cause them guilt at feeling so concerned. Though Jesus knew that Lazarus could and surely would be raised from the dead, yet He wept at his death. Sorrow. Compassion. Pain. Grief. "Man of sorrows," He was intensely familiar with them all. Our tears are so precious to you that you store them in a jar! You know every sparrow that falls, every lily of the field that grows, and the number of hairs adorning every person's head on the face of the planet; how much more do you care and empathize and watch over our loved ones in Haiti...and us waiting and praying for their safety and well being....and all your children! Thank-you for your immense love and compassion Father, and for the assurance of your understanding of our God given emotions and feelings.

Bless all your children in Haiti. Help the seed planted by all your ministering servants to take deep roots that will yield fruit for your kingdom throughout the ages. Thank-you for the unselfishness of all those who have gone to help in whatever way they are called to help. Continue to bless them all with good health, protection, safety, and everything necessary to equip them for every good work. Please bring them all home safely to us on Friday, as scheduled.

Thank-you for providing a way of escape from our burdens and weaknesses when the evil one comes knocking with fears at 3:00 a.m. And thank-you, Father, for the gift of those of like precious faith, who share their faith and confidence at times when ours ebbs low, and bear our burdens with us. Blessed be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love. We thank you and praise you, God of all comfort, from whom all blessings flow! Help us all get a good night's sleep tonight, resting in the assurance that YOU are in control, and there is no need for us to wrestle with that which you have already taken care of.

In Jesus name. Amen.