Saturday

Today was a welcomed day of rest for us all. The five of us were able to spend the day simply relaxing at the beach outside La Romana, DR. Tonight was certainly the best night we've had here. We went to get pizza with Kristy, the missionary down here, Jeremy, a PA who was on our team, and a friend of Kristy's. It was a great time of conversation, lots of laughing and sharing stories. We're really going to miss them.

Friday, our last day in clinic, we saw over 200 patients in the morning before loading the bus and driving back. I think we saw over 1200 for the week. We had no issues on the way back home.

God likes to show us how He is working behind thr scenes in our lives all the time. The Hatian government is starting to respond to criticism that it hasn't done much to aid the relief efforts. So, increased scrutiny is expected from the government for groups going into Haiti. When we passed through the border on Tuesday morning, they wanted some type of paperwork that we didn't have. There was some concern for a while that we would have trouble getting across, but the Lord opened the gates and let us through. But, more of those troubles are expected.

However, when we came back across the border, our leaders went into the customs office to see if they could expedite any paperwork for the next week's team. The head of customs was there, and immediately recognized them. "You had a clinic right next to my house and even treated my son when you had already closed down for the day. Thank you very much for what you are doing in my country. You will never have any trouble crossing again." And be gave us his cell phone number to call if there are ever any problems.

We have a God who is faithful and will see His work done. He promises to be with us, go before us, and guide us in all we do for Him. Opening borders is easy for Him. He is trustworthy - do we trust Him?

Tragedy will always be with us on this earth. When I got up this morning, I saw that there was another huge earthquake in Chile. And then a tsunami. This world is full of pain, and toil, and despair. Where is there hope? What good can we really do? Thank God, there is a hope that it won't always be this way. The Bible says there will be a new heaven and new earth - one where there are no earthquakes, no pain, suffering, despair. It is a real place, and we can have real hope.

Please pray:
-team 2 leaves at 6am
-we fly home in the afternoon
-for Kristy as she takes a few weeks off to travel and speak for support raising. Pray that she will have rest - she works really hard!
-for our team - that all may know the Lord and trust in Him.
-for Haiti - that spiritual renewal will accompany the physical rebuilding.
-for Haiti - that true Hope would be found there. That the people would hope and trust in that which is unable to be touched by earthquakes and destruction.
-for us - that we will never be the same, but that instead we would love the Lord more and more daily, finding our hope and trust in Him.

Soli Deo Gloria!